Hubbard, Oregon
May 23, 2005
After three years of Velocity(R)
herbicide research trials, test sponsor
Tee-2-Green announced a
successful program for eliminating Poa annua in bentgrass
fairways and re-establishing more desirable species.
“After years of intense testing, a new program was developed
that allows Velocity to be applied at very low dose rates while
still maintaining effectiveness,” explained Jason Fausey, PhD,
research scientist at Valent. “The program allows for very broad
application periods which is important to superintendents in
various geographies.”
The program consists of applications of Velocity every two weeks
at the lower rate of 10-15 grams per acre, plus using a
spiker/seeder to incorporate bentgrass seed into the treated
areas, which will germinate and replace the dying Poa annua.
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Velocity(R) research trials were conducted at
Pure-Seed Testing, Inc. in Hubbard, Oregon, where
different rates were tested on
Poa annua infestation in creeping
bentgrass and colonial bentgrass fairways that were
maintained at 0.50". The rates of 10, 15, 30 and 45
grams per acre were used. The results showed that by
using Velocity with repeat applications of the lower
rates of 10 and 15 grams at two week intervals,
Poa annua was eliminated quite
effectively without harming the bentgrass. |
“The most important aspect of the program is the ability to
eradicate and replace Poa annua without the dramatic and
sudden loss of grass,” said Fausey. “For the first time, there’s
an effective way to manage annual bluegrass - one of the most
diverse weeds of our time.”
It was also discovered throughout the trials that seeding must
preceed the spraying of Velocity to avoid plugging the
spiker/seeder with drying Poa annua.
Tee-2-Green is the leading producer of bentgrass varieties
for golf courses throughout the world. Proven to be the finest
bentgrasses for golf course greens, fairways and tees,
superintendents within the industry choose
Tee-2-Green varieties such as Penncross, Penn A & G varieties,
Penneagle and Penneagle II, PennLinks and PennLinks II, and salt
and drought tolerant Seaside II. |
