Understanding Golf Course Chemical Application
Pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides are all chemicals used to maintain the idyllic appeal of a lush green golf course. To ensure the health and sustainability of turfgrass, different chemical agents have been specially synthesized to promote growth in turfgrass while preventing damage.
Golf Course Chemical Agents
Post-Emergent Herbicides
Post-emergent herbicides tackle both enduring and yearly broadleaf (weeds with leaf shapes that don't look like grass), and some even control weeds that look like grass. Post-emergent herbicides can likewise be used to treat areas after weeds have already taken hold.
Fungicides
Fungicides are biocide chemical compounds or natural organic entities used to repress or kill fungal growths or parasitic spores. Having a strong fungicide program set up to prevent disease and protect your course is fundamental. Fungus such as Brown Patch, Gray leaf spot, or Pythium Root Rot can easily destroy an entire golf course if left unchecked, and the best method is to prevent fungus entirely. Preventative fungicide applications prevent spores from maturing and save you the trouble of battling an active fungal problem, which may require new turf.
Plant stimulants
Plant hormones are signal atoms produced inside the plant and occurring in low concentration. Hormones regulate local cellular processes and move to other areas of the plant. Hormones likewise decide the formation of flower, leaves, stem, shedding of leaves, and maturing of fruits. By adding a growth stimulant, we can target these hormones and encourage rapid growth and stronger systems.
Chemical Applications and the Environment
While pesticides have been a call for concern in the past, modern chemical agents are safer and those applying them must go through rigorous training and certification. Improper usage of pesticides by an untrained and unlicensed professional will however result in damage to your turfgrass as well as potentially posing health hazards. When properly applied, golf course chemical applications are carried out with the health of golfers and workers as the very first priority.
There’s a reason DTE Golf® is a trusted name in the industry, and it’s because of the quality of our work. When you’re ready to make a difference on your course, make it the DTE difference.