Brand new from specialist grass seed breeder Barenbrug is BAR Trio, an innovative new 100 percent fescue blend specifically designed to provide the superior salt tolerance required by links courses.
Part of the 2011 BAR Range, this latest product launch is the result of Barenbrug’s extensive research and development commitment to finding a salt-tolerant fescue blend especially for golf users. Following a pilot project in 2009 at Northumberland course Goswick Links, the BAR Trio mixture synergy has been perfected in trials across the UK and Ireland in order to provide the shoot density, plus disease and salt tolerance, that links courses so often struggle to achieve.
BAR Trio contains a unique blend of three top-performing Barenbrug slender creeping red fescues – 40 percent Viktorka, 30 percent Barcrown and 30 percent Barpearl. The company’s research and development manager, Jayne Leyland, says the combined strengths of these top-rated cultivars was key to finding a blend able to cope with the challenging conditions common to coastal links courses.
“This mixture was specifically designed to provide superior salt tolerance for fescue-dominant greens on links and seaside courses exposed to salt spray and salt-laden winds,” Jayne explains. “By combining these cultivars, we were also able to provide unrivalled shoot density from a 100 percent fescue blend under regular close mowing regimes down to 4mm. Other key benefits include superb tolerance to red thread, improved drought tolerance and an attractive green colour all year round.”
What’s more, says Jayne, customers can be confident in BAR Trio’s effectiveness, thanks to its proven performance at primary trial site, Goswick Links. “Located on the coast in the far northeast of England in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Goswick Links is subject to some really cold and strong north-easterly winds so couldn’t get the sward density it needed,” she continues. “However, following this successful trial, head greenkeeper George Thompson reports that coverage and sward density has drastically improved, plus the course as a whole looks and plays much better.”
Full details of BAR Trio – together with the other new mixtures and cultivars to join the BAR Range for 2011 – are contained in Barenbrug’s Sports & Amenity Grass Seeds 2011 catalogue. To order a free copy call 01359 272000, email info@baruk.co.uk or visit www.barenbrug.co.uk