A Pre and Post Christmas Chemistry Plan For High Value Turf

A strong chemistry combination to deal with health protection prior to and during the Christmas period is an Azoxystrobin / Lexicon two step approach.

Why a two-step chemistry approach?

Azoxystrobin separates itself from other members of the strobilurin fungicide family by its acropetal (upward) systemic movement. When applied to the soil for a root uptake pathway, the opportunity is created to treat fungi in the soil, on the root tissues and within the root tissues. Product taken in via the root and transferred up through the vascular system (xylem) can be redistributed to above ground tissues creating a very broad area of preventative treatment.

Pre-Christmas Chemistry Application

Azoxystrobin has the exceptional characteristic of genuine broad spectrum disease prevention. It covers all the usual foliar and crown active pathogens (dollar spot excluded), as well as being effective on oomycete fungi like Pythium but also crosses into numerous ERI fungi whose activity can ramp up post-Christmas as summer stress starts to bite. Application 4-7 days pre-Christmas is desirable to ensure the active moves into plant tissues and is well distributed just prior to a period where monitoring may be slightly less than normal.

Post-Christmas Chemistry Application

Post-Christmas we are looking to build on the root health we have protected prior and are strongly focused on the protection of crown and foliar growth as humidity levels potentially rise. It is hard to find a better candidate than Lexicon Intrinsic at this time utilising the full extent of the dual active characteristics this product offers. Like Azoxystrobin Lexicon also has a strobilurin chemistry in Pyraclostrobin, but this behaves differently to azoxystrobin. Whilst it does not move far from the point of application, it is extremely powerful in preventing disease in tissues covered. This means a foliar application that covers all above ground parts will give a comprehensive and long-lasting coverage against a broad suite of possible diseases throughout the early January window. Alone this is strong but viewed as the combination with the high performing SDHI chemistry (Fluxapyroxad) we now have multiple modes of action working simultaneously to strengthen protection offered and extend the duration of coverage. Diseases like brown patch now have two strong actives working hard to manage down their potential activity. Strengthening the story is the way Fluxapyroxad will move from points of application into the new growing points as the new growth develops. This means the foliage that didn’t actually exist at the time of application can still receive some protection since it is drawn from the tissues treated prior.

To ensure no setbacks occur and the surface remains healthy, resilient and optimised, this combo has to be one of the best possible choices you could make at this highly challenging time.

Given the conditions we have had leading into Christmas a strong prevention program is an absolute must. La Nina has brought humidity, foliar dampness, extended periods of wet rootzones and unsurprisingly we are seeing turf health being challenged. A primary example is the plethora of foliar fungi we see developing on turf foliage across the country. Don’t let these issues trouble you. Go with the best and reap the rewards.