Restricting the growth of grass plants can reduce the frequency of mowing resulting in improved sward density and less clippings to be disposed of. Reduced growth also means less frequent need for trimming edges of paths, pavements and flower beds and can be especially useful in difficult areas such as sloping banks.
Clipless, from Headland, is a new plant growth regulator based on Trinexapac-ethyl for the management of amenity turf areas such as golf course fairways, tees and greens, sports fields, parks, cemeteries and turf farms, in fact for use on all areas of amenity grassland and managed amenity turf.
Clipless works by blocking the production of a specific gibberellic acid, a plant hormone responsible for promoting top growth in grasses within the plant leaf, stopping cell elongation and upward growth. The pesticide is absorbed by the grass foliage and transported to the growing points at the base of the plants. Application can commence as soon as proper spring growth has started. (typically mid-April on outfield or coarse turf and mid-late May on fine turf), with one application shortening the blades of grass for up to 4 weeks. This results in a more compact growth habit. Energy is diverted away from vertical growth towards lateral growth and root development, providing a closer, denser sward.
The result is a turf that not only requires less mowing, with potential savings of manpower and cutting machinery costs, but also producing a more robust plant with extra ground cover.
“The benefits of using Clipless as part of a structured maintenance program are many,” states Mark De Ath, Headlands Operations Director. “Not only can it help to create a grass plant more able to withstand all types of mechanical and physiological stress, it also helps produce a higher quality playing surface across all sportsturf areas.”
Particularly cost effective on large areas such golf fairways and sports pitches, Clipless can be applied with a variety of Headland products for additional efficiency.
“Clipless can be tank-mixed with both Xtend soluble stabilised nitrogen and the new Elevate Fe non-staining liquid iron complex amongst others,” says De Ath. “Getting two or three jobs done in one spray means less manpower and more time for other tasks.”
Headland Amenity www.headlandamenity.com