ProForce Regulate PGR is a plant growth regulator and contains 200g/L of the active ingredient Paclobutrazol. It suppresses of Poa annua (Winter grass) and regulates growth in turf grass and ornamentals1Xia X, Tang Y, Wei M, Zhao D. Effect of Paclobutrazol Application on Plant Photosynthetic Performance and Leaf Greenness of Herbaceous Peony. Horticulturae. 2018; 4(1):5. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae4010005.
Regulate PGR contains an in-built surfactant, which improves root absorption and plant uptake efficiency of the active ingredient.
ProForce Regulate recently has had a label extension for ornamental plant Hedge and Ground cover species including Golden Duranta, Small Leaf Photinia, Syzygium (Lilly
Pilly), Box (Buxus), Viburnum, Star Jasmine & Mock Orange.
Table of Turf Growth Regulators.
Active | Action | Type | Adsorption | Longevity GDD | Application Interval | Product |
Pacobutrazol | Growth Retardant | B | Root | 850-950 | 280-310 | Regulate 200 PGR |
Trinexapac ethyl | Growth inhibitor | A | Leaf | 800 | 230 | Amigo 120 |
Ethephon | Ethylene retardants | E | Leaf | 2998 - 3078*GDD50 | ||
Mefluidide | Growth Retardant | C | Leaf and Root | |||
Prohexadione calcium | Growth Retardant | B | Foliar | 840 | 280 | |
Comments | ||||||
For C4 species, the base temperature for the calculation of degree days is 10°C. | ||||||
Water in Paclobutrazol within 24 hours of application, as it is mainly root absorbed. Prohexadione calcium, Amigo (trinexapac-ethyl) and Incognito 480 (ethephon) are foliar absorbed. Allow these to dry on the leaf surface after application. | ||||||
Plants absorb paclobtrazol within 30 minutes. This means you can water plants relatively soon after PGR application without any loss in efficacy. | ||||||
How Does Regulate Work?
Paclobutrazol plant growth regulator inhibits gibberellic acid synthesis within plants. This results in slower cell division and elongation without any direct toxicity to plant cells.
As a result, when you use Regulate PGR correctly, it provides growth regulation. In turf this means less clippings, whilst it also improves the turf density of desirable grasses.
In ornamentals plants, Regulate PGR reduces internode elongation, which means more compact (denser), shorter, and sturdier plants.
With reductions in shoot elongation, more energy is available for root development. Paclobutrazol:
- Increases chlorophyll content, resulting in greener leaves.
- Promotes earlier or more synchronized flowering and increased flower longevity, depending on the species.
Paclobutrazol is taken up via the roots and requires irrigation or rainfall after application to move it into the rootzone. Once it is in the rootzone, Regulate PGR binds strongly to organic matter in the top few centimetres of the soil. This tends to be where Poa annua (Winter grass) roots are the most prevalent, due to their shallow rooting nature.
When healthy, cool season grasses such as bent grass are generally deeper in the rootzone. This means that they absorb less Paclobutrazol from the soil environment.
With regular applications during the growing season, ProForce Regulate PGR suppresses and reduces the competitive advantage of Poa annua (Winter grass), and leaves other cool season grasses to grow unaffected.
The result is a major shift in the population dynamics of the turf sward, that allows for a transition to desirable grasses to take place.
Benefits of Regulate PGR.
Turf.
- Regulate PGR suppresses Poa annua (Winter grass) in bent grass and other cool season grasses.
- Provides an effective tool to shift the population dynamics in favour of more desirable turf species.
- Minimises turf surface disruption during the treatment of Poa annua (Winter grass). Thi is especially the case in comparison to herbicidal options if Poa annua concentrations are high (above 30%).
- Partially suppresses the seed head of Poa annua (Winter grass). It works well with ethephon (Incognito 480SC).
- Regulate PGR regulates growth, reduces clippings, and improvese the turf density.
- Being a liquid formulation, it allows for rate flexibility to allows for changes in climatic conditions.
- Manufactured and developed in Australia for local conditions.
Ornamentals.
- Use of Rgulate PGR reduces labour costs. You don’t need to prune for up to 12 months.
- Reduces green waste disposal costs.
- Reduces OH&S risks. Less need for ladders and pruning equipment.
- Prevents pruning injury to the Hedge. Less pruning means less infection points for plant pathogen or insect attack.
- With Regulate PRG you get better looking plant. Leaves are darker green and you get better flower production.
- Improves overall uniformity of the Hedge, with denser foliage.
| Low Rates | High Rate |
| Drench | Spray. |
| You want a small response | You want a large Reponse. |
| Plants are slow growing | Plants are fast Growing. |
| Young plants | Mature Plant. |
| Conditions are Cool & dark | Warm and Sunny |
If you have questions or concerns about the use of ProForce Regulate PGR, please feel free to contact a sports turf consultant or turf agronomist.
ProForce Regulate PGR herbicide Label
References
Jerry Spencer
Graduated from Newcastle University with an Hons Degree in Soil Science in 1988, Jerry then worked for the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) as a turf agronomist before emigrating to Australia in 1993.
He followed this by gaining a Grad Dip in Business Management from UTS. He has worked in a number of management roles for companies as diverse as Samsung Australia, Arthur Yates and Paton Fertilizers.
He has always had a strong affinity with the Australian sports turf industry and as a result he established Gilba Solutions as an independent sports turf consultancy in 1993. Jerry has written over 100 articles and two books on a wide range of topics such as Turf Pesticides and Nutrition which have been published in Australia and overseas.
