Grass Growth Regulators

I was asked my some members earlier this week at a short presentation, if I could explain further how growth regulators work and the benefits to the turf and course.

Growth Regulators have been around for over eighty years in the agriculture industry and in the professional turf and sports industry for some thirty years, but it is only recently that research that has shown growth regulators if used correctly can improve the health of the plant. That research has also shown that growth regulators do not interfere with plant respiration, photosynthesis, or other internal functions.

In the market place today there are growth regulators designed for many plant types, including grasses, trees and shrubs, and flowers. (There are even insecticides that are actually bio-friendly insect growth regulators.)

The active ingredient of the grass growth regulator we use at Murrayfield is Trinexapac and is applied to the turf as a liquid foliar spray. 

Fairways being sprayed with selective weed-killer and plant growth regulator

Growth regulators slow grass growth by limiting the plants production of gibberallic acid at the leaf growing point. Gibberallic acid is simply a hormone that helps the plant to produce leaf growth.

So instead of the plant producing grass leaves and vertical growth, the plant diverts growth downwards into the root system to produce increased food reserves and more prolific roots. A healthier well-developed root system in turn produces a denser stronger turf sward, better equipped to withstand temperature extremes, moisture loss and wear and tear.

Recent research has shown that growth can be slowed by up to 50%, allowing turf managers to produce smoother and more consistent putting greens.

At Murrayfield we use growth regulators on a number of different areas including greens, tees, fairways and areas, which are difficult to mow, such as steep sloping banks.

Today’s plant growth regulators are compatible with almost all the other liquid products that we use on the golf course, and as such can be tank mixed with weed-killers, fungicides, fertilisers, wetting agents, soil conditioners and many more other products.

I hope this brief update helps, but if you have any further questions or comments please feel free to contact me.