Tackling Large Patch on Golf Courses

Large Patch (also known to some as kikuyu patch) has become a challenging disease to kikuyu growers in South Africa. Fortunately, we can assist growers by getting this disease under control – however it is a 3-year journey.

Step 1: Use your stroke saver to indicate Large Patch and other pests on your scouting map.

Step 2: Apply Headway Maxx in autumn & spring and water in immediately.

• 2 litres/ha as a preventative
• 3 litres/ha as a curative & repeat 21 days later

Talking Turf Top Tips

Apply  prior to your autumn & spring treatment as Large Patch is spread by dead & alive plant material .......

If you have a poa annua issue on your kikuyu fairways – add Pennant Magnum to your Headway Maxx in autumn to prevent your poa annua germinating in April & August – ensure you get your Pennant Magnum applications down in March & July & repeat 6 weeks later. Apply to moist soil, water in within 24 hours & do not break the barrier by spiking.

Greens

Poa germinates in April & August so try not hollow during these months should you not want to encourage poa annua in your playing surface.

Autumn treatment

UDBG, Paspalum & Bermuda greens

An 8mm hollow tyne and backfilling with your original construction is all you need in March or early April. Do not verticut to thin your greens at this time of year.

Make sure you raise your mowing heights to 3mm (UDBG) and 3,5mm - 4mm (Paspalum & Bermuda). Drop your Primo Maxx rates down to 100 ml/ha until your soil temps reach 10 degrees Celsius. Stop primo Maxx once soil temps reach 8-10 degrees Celsius and start your primo applications once you have recovered from your spring treatment. Your Primo Maxx rates will be 400ml/ha every 10-14 days until autumn on bermuda & paspalum greens. 200 ml/ha every 7-14 days on UDBG greens.

Bent greens

An 12mm hollow tyne and backfilling with your original construction is all you need in March or early May (as long as soil temp above 18 degrees Celsius). A light verticut is a great tool to relieve some organic material & set you up for spring. Do not be too aggressive – you can always do more .

Make sure you raise your mowing heights between 3mm and 3,5mm. Drop your Primo Maxx rates down to 100 ml/ ha until your soil temps reach 10 degrees Celsius.

Stop Primo Maxx once soil temps reach 8-10 degrees Celsius and start your primo applications once you have recovered from your spring treatment. Your Primo Maxx rates will be 300-400ml/ha every 10-14 days until autumn.

Bent/poa greens

An 8mm hollow tyne and backfilling with your original construction is all you need in March/early April. A light verticut is a great tool to relieve some organic material & set you up for spring. Should you have high thatch levels plan on a graden in spring.

Do not be too aggressive – you can always do more .

Make sure you raise your mowing heights between 3mm and 3,25mm. Drop your Primo Maxx rates down to 100 ml/ha until your soil temps reach 10 degrees Celsius.

Stop primo Maxx once soil temps reach 8-10 degrees Celsius and start your primo applications once you have recovered from your spring treatment.

Your Primo Maxx rates will be 200ml-300ml/ha every 10- 14 days until autumn.

Overseeding: A great tool for managing poa annua

Autumn or Spring are the perfect time to do your bent overseeding if you are trying to convert to a new bent variety or fight poa annua.

Apply your primo maxx at normal rates for your turf type prior to autumn/spring treatment to hold your greens back & allow seed to germinate establish. Verticut/hollow tyne 12mm/seed with a Ghandy dropseeder or Redexim speedseeder. Follow your seeding with 1kg Heritage,

1 litre Ryder, 10-20 litres/ha Qualibra & 10-20 litres/ha Talking Turf Star. Water in 30 minutes after the application & you will be blown away by the results.

Your playing surface quality is determined by your level of moisture management/irrigation practises, sound cultural, agronomic & integrated pest management programmes.

Remember to submit your latest soil results to sales@ talkingturf.co.za and we will gladly update your agronomic & integrated pest management programmes for the year ahead.

This article first appeared in South African Golf Trader and is written by Sue, our colleague at Talking Turf where all Syngenta products are available.

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