BIOSTIMULANT FOR TURF FIRST

Syngenta have announced that their first turf biostimulant heralds the potential for a step change in stress management, along with performance enhancement for turf management programmes.

The company say their new product Hicure has been developed to deliver the key protein-building amino acids crucial to build and protect plants from stress effects, along with recovery of playing surface quality faster and more effectively. 

They say more than six years of science research and investigative trials has developed the formulation of 18 amino acids in Hicure, along with an instantly available energy source for turf to make most effective use. 

Syngenta technical manager, Glenn Kirby, highlighted amino acids are the building blocks for proteins that make up all plant structures - each with a different construction. “New research into the molecular activity of plant cells has sought to identify which amino acids are required for key functions. 

“That’s given a valuable insight into which amino acids can be effectively supplemented to better prepare plants for stressful periods.   

“Whilst turf plants can produce their own amino acids during good growing conditions, where they need to adapt to stressful periods it can lead to an imbalance in the availability of the necessary amino acids. 

“Hicure can provide a readily accessible source of the important amino acids to give greater tolerance to stress and see turf through,” he added.

Furthermore, Glenn pointed out that the repurposing of amino acids within the plant during stress periods requires large amounts of energy - which can be particularly challenging where turf is under stress and with reduced photosynthetic capability. “Hicure has been formulated with an instantly available energy source, in the form of specific amiono acids. Supplementing energy enables the plant to make better use of resources for faster recovery. 

“Together, Hicure is a perfect balance of amino acids and energy to help plants strengthen cell walls and protect against stress.” 

Trials results in the UK and across Europe have shown improved tolerance to a wide range of stresses. Under summer heat conditions, for example, fortnightly applications of Hicure had halved the incidence of leaf damage, compared to untreated. 

Improvements in turf quality, coverage and consistency had also been seen in Hicure trials against a wider range of stresses and even herbicide treatments.

“With the incidence of environmental stresses becoming more frequent and more severe in nature with climate change the role of Hicure is expected to become even greater in future turf management programmes,” Glenn advised.

Optimum results have been seen with fortnightly applications of Hicure at a rate of 10 l/ha, or monthly 20l/ha during spring and summer periods. That can typically be incorporated into foliar nutrition and Primo Maxx PGR timings for ease of application, he advocated.

In late summer and autumn rates can be reduced to 5l/ha every two weeks or 10l/ha per month.  This helps deliver stronger and stress free turf going into the winter period. Stronger more healthy turf is better able to tolerant disease attack and also recovers more quickly.