TURF CHEMICALS & PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS.

 

Independent turf agronomist applying registered plant protection products with a boom sprayer on a fairway

As an independent distributor of turf chemicals, Gilba Solutions supplies the major brands of plant protection products to professional turf managers across golf courses, sports venues and councils. Below is our current range grouped by chemical type: herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, soil fumigants, plant growth regulators and spray adjuvants. Each entry lists the registered active constituent, label rate and target so you can match the product to the job. Only part of our business is product supply — as independent sports turf consultants, the agronomic advice that goes with it is where we add value.

Need help choosing? Read our guides on factors that shape herbicide performance and generic versus branded turf chemicals, or explore the Turf Agronomy Knowledge Base for the science behind the products.

Turfgrass Herbicides

Turf herbicides control weeds either before germination (pre-emergent) or after the weed has emerged (post-emergent). Selecting the right chemical group, application timing and turf-safe rate is what separates a clean result from turf damage or a resistance problem. All products below are registered plant protection herbicides for Australian turf.

For timing and resistance strategy, see how to use pre-emergent herbicidesreasons for pre-emergent failure and the herbicide resistance chart.

Pre-Emergent Herbicides for Turf

Pre-emergent herbicides form a barrier in the soil that stops weed seeds establishing. They must be applied and watered in before the target weed germinates.

Product Active Ingredient Rate Safe Turf Types Target Weeds Duration Chemical Group
Barricade Prodiamine 480 g/L 1–4 L/ha Couch, Kikuyu, Buffalo, Zoysia, Paspalum, Qld Blue Winter Grass, Summergrass, Crowsfoot, African Lovegrass, Parramatta Grass, Crabgrass, Paspalum Up to 6 months Group 3
Spartan Prodiamine 480 g/L 1–4 L/ha Kikuyu, Buffalo, Couch, Zoysia, Seashore Paspalum, Qld Blue Winter Grass, Summergrass, Crowsfoot, African Lovegrass, Parramatta Grass, Crabgrass, Paspalum Up to 6 months Group 3
Specticle Indaziflam 200 g/L 125–250 mL/ha Couch, Kikuyu, Buffalo, Zoysia Winter Grass, Summer Grass, Crowsfoot, annual grasses & broadleaf weeds Up to 8 months Group 29
Pennmag Metolachlor 960 g/L 2 L/ha Turf Summer Grass, Crowsfoot, Winter Grass 3–4 months Group 15
Battalia Pendimethalin 435 g/L 2.3–3.4 L/ha Couch, Kikuyu, Buffalo Winter Grass, Summer Grass, Crowsfoot, broadleaf weeds 4–5 months Group 3
Ronstar Oxadiazon 20 g/kg 150–200 kg/ha Couch, Kikuyu, Zoysia, Buffalo Winter Grass, Crowsfoot, Summer Grass, Sorrel, Oxalis Up to 3 months Group 14
Dimension EW Dithiopyr 240 g/L 1.75–3.5 L/ha Couch, Kikuyu, Kentucky Bluegrass, Buffalo, Ryegrass, Zoysia Crabgrass, Winter Grass, Crowsfoot, Chickweed, Summer Grass 4–6 months Group 3
BASF Freehand Pendimethalin 10 g/kg + Dimethenamid-P 7.5 g/kg 100 kg/ha Couch, Kikuyu, Qld Blue, Buffalo, Zoysia Amaranth, annual ryegrass, bittercress, chickweed, crowsfoot, dandelion, deadnettle, fat hen, pigweed, prickly lettuce, shepherd’s purse Varies Groups 3 + 15

 

Post-Emergent Herbicides for Turf

Post-emergent herbicides are applied to actively growing weeds. The table covers selective products for broadleaf and grass weeds in established turf.

Product Active Ingredient Target Weeds Safe Turf Types Chemical Group
Warhead Trio MCPA 300 g/L + Diflufenican 15 g/L + Clopyralid 20 g/L Broadleaf weeds: clover, bindii, dandelion, dock, chickweed Couch, Qld Blue Couch, Kikuyu, Buffalo, Paspalum, Fescue, Ryegrass Group 4 + 12
Tribute Foramsulfuron 22.7 g/L Winter Grass, Summer Grass, broadleaf & sedge weeds Couch, Kikuyu, Zoysia Group 2
Duke Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium 100 g/kg Winter Grass, Summer Grass, sedges, broadleaf weeds Couch, Zoysia, Kikuyu Group 2
Recondo Pinoxaden 100 g/L Summer Grass, Crowsfoot, Crabgrass Selected couch & ryegrass — check label Group 1
Geronimo 800SL MSMA 800 g/L Crabgrass, Summer Grass, Paspalum, nutgrass Common & hybrid Couch Organoarsenical (Group Z)
Contra M MCPA + Dicamba Broadleaf weeds Couch, Kikuyu, Buffalo Group 4
Destro 375 Diclofop-methyl 375 g/L Grass weeds: Summer Grass, Crowsfoot, Paspalum Selected turf — check label Group 1
Weed Blast MA Bromoxynil 200 g/L + MCPA 200 g/L Broadleaf weeds: bindii, cudweed, dandelion, catsear, thistles, clover Couch, Qld Blue Couch, Kikuyu, Paspalum, Buffalo, Fescue, Bent, Ryegrass Group 6 + 4
Nutmeg Halosulfuron-methyl Nutgrass, Mullumbimby couch, sedges Couch, Kikuyu, Buffalo, Zoysia Group 2
Quinstar Quinclorac Crabgrass, Summer Grass, clover Selected turf — check label Group 4

 

Granular Combination Turf Chemicals

Granular combination products deliver herbicide on a fertiliser or carrier granule, suiting broadcast application without a boom spray.

Product Active Ingredient Rate Target
Echelon Duo Oxadiazon 10 g/kg + Thiamethoxam 1 g/kg (granular, +fertiliser 15:1:17) Per label Pre-emergent Summer Grass, Crowsfoot, Winter Grass, Oxalis + African Black Beetle, scarab, billbug
Proforce Onset 10GR Prodiamine 10 g/kg (granular) Per label Pre-emergent Barnyard Grass, Crabgrass, Summer Grass, Crowsfoot, Winter Grass

 

Industrial and Aquatic Herbicides

Industrial and aquatic herbicides are non-selective or specialist products for non-turf situations: drains, dam margins, waterways, fence lines, paths and bare-ground control. Several carry an aquatic registration permitting use in or beside water for the listed weeds. Many of these can help maintain the health of water bodies such as dams, and control weeds in water bodies.

Product Active Ingredient Rate Situation Target Chemical Group
Agri-Tec Glyphosate Per label Non-crop, industrial Non-selective knockdown Group 9
Renegade 800 Glyphosate 800 g/kg Per label Non-crop, industrial Non-selective knockdown Group 9
Cortex Duo Glyphosate + residual partner Per label Industrial, bare-ground Knockdown + residual Group 9 + 14
Numchuk Quad Four-way broadleaf mix Per label Non-crop, rights-of-way Broadleaf & woody weeds Group 4
Esplanade Indaziflam 500 g/L Per label Industrial, bare-ground Long-residual pre-emergent Group 29
Slinger 240 Picloram 240 g/L Per label Non-crop, woody weed Woody & broadleaf weeds Group 4
Wallop 600 Clopyralid 600 g/L Per label Non-crop, pasture Broadleaf weeds, thistles Group 4
Scuba 300 Aquatic 2,4-D 300 g/L (phenoxy acid) 50 mL/10 L (knapsack); 1 L/200 L (handgun) Waterways, drains, dam margins, lakes, streams (NSW, Qld, WA, NT) Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce, Groundsel Bush, Mother-of-Millions, Noogoora & Bathurst Burr Group 4

See our case study on blue-green algae control for aquatic management context.

 

Soil Fumigants and Sterilants

A soil fumigant sterilises the rootzone before turf establishment. It is a broad-spectrum biocide that kills soil-borne fungi, nematodes, weed seeds and soil insects in one pass — used at construction, grow-in and major renovation, not on established turf. Plant-back intervals and soil aeration after treatment are critical and label-specified.

Product Active Ingredient Rate Situation Target Comments
ProForce Miticor 980 G Dazomet 980 g/kg (MITC generator) 336–480 kg/ha (34–48 g/m²); higher for bulk soil Pre-plant soil disinfection: turf construction, grow-in, renovation, nursery beds Soil fungi (Pythium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia), nematodes, weed seeds, soil insects Incorporate to 10–15 cm, keep soil moist; aerate 10–21 days after; plant-back 2–4 weeks post-aeration; always do a germination test

Fumigation is a pre-construction and rootzone-rebuild operation. For the soil science behind establishment, see Soil and Rootzone Science.

Turf Chemicals for Disease Control

Turf fungicides prevent or cure fungal diseases such as dollar spot, brown patch, fairy ring and pythium. Choosing between a preventative and a curative product, and rotating chemical groups, is essential to control disease without driving fungicide resistance. The products below are registered for turf disease management in Australia.

Background reading: how to choose a turf fungicidepreventative versus curative fungicides and combination fungicides.

Product Active Ingredient Target Disease Type Chemical Group
Azo-Force 250SC Azoxystrobin 250 g/L Brown patch, anthracnose, dollar spot Preventative/curative Group 11
Clean Sweep Trio Thiophanate-methyl 119 g/L + Fluazinam 37.5 g/L + Tebuconazole 36 g/L ERI, fairy ring, anthracnose, brown patch, dollar spot, Helminthosporium Preventative/curative Group 1 + 29 + 3
Lexicon Intrinsic Fluxapyroxad + Pyraclostrobin Dollar spot, brown patch, fairy ring, anthracnose Preventative Group 7 + 11
Maxtima Mefentrifluconazole Dollar spot, brown patch Curative Group 3
Posterity Pydiflumetofen 125 g/L Dollar spot, spring dead spot, fairy ring Preventative Group 7
Regiment 550EC Propiconazole 550 g/L Spring dead spot, dollar spot Curative Group 3
Squadron Weatherace 720SC Chlorothalonil 720 g/L Dollar spot, brown patch, leaf spot Preventative (multi-site) Group M5
Tombstone Duo Trifloxystrobin 100 g/L + Tebuconazole 200 g/L Anthracnose, brown patch, winter fusarium, Helminthosporium, dollar spot, ERI Preventative/curative Group 11 + 3
Velista Penthiopyrad 200 g/kg Dollar spot, brown patch, anthracnose Preventative/curative Group 7
Voltar 500SC Iprodione 500 g/L Dollar spot, brown patch, leaf spot Curative Group 2
Xzemplar Fluxapyroxad 250 g/L Dollar spot, brown patch Preventative Group 7
ProForce Pistol 600SC Thiram 600 g/L Brown patch, Helminthosporium, fusarium patch, damping off Protectant (multi-site) Group M3

Turf Chemicals for Pythium

Pythium (root rot and foliar blight) needs oomycete-specific chemistry — most broad-spectrum turf fungicides do not control it. The products below target Pythium specifically.

Product Active Ingredient Target Chemical Group
Grenadier 800WG Fosetyl-aluminium 800 g/kg Pythium diseases Group P07 / 33
Shrapnel 600SL Propamocarb hydrochloride 600 g/L Pythium (curative & preventative) Group 28
Solitaire 240ME Metalaxyl-M 240 g/L Pythium leaf blight, root rot, damping off Group 4
Segway 400SC Cyazofamid 400 g/L Pythium blight & root dysfunction Group 21

More on this disease: how to manage Pythium in turf.

Plant Growth Regulators for Turf

A plant growth regulator (PGR) suppresses vertical leaf and stem growth, reducing mowing frequency, improving turf density and managing seedhead production. Trinexapac-ethyl types regulate fine turf on greens and fairways; maleic hydrazide suits low-maintenance and roadside grass. PGRs are not classified under the herbicide resistance grouping scheme. For more detailed information on Padre 270.

Product Active Ingredient Rate Situation Effect Comments
Incognito 480SL Trinexapac-ethyl 480 g/L Per label by species Greens, tees, fairways, sports turf Foliar growth suppression Concentrated TE; low dose rates
Amigo 120 Trinexapac-ethyl 120 g/L Per label by species Greens, fairways, general turf Foliar growth suppression Lower-concentration TE formulation
Amigo 175EC Trinexapac-ethyl 175 g/L 0.4–5.5 L/ha by grass species Golf courses, fairways, roughs, lawns, general turf 20–50% clipping reduction over 2–6 weeks Solvent-free EC, minimal odour; do not apply to turf entering/leaving dormancy or Kentucky Bluegrass
Padre 270 Maleic hydrazide 270 g/L 6–12.5 L/ha (boom) Low-maintenance grass, fencelines, roadsides, rights-of-way, non-crop Bahia & Kikuyu suppression + seedhead control for 12–16 weeks Potassium-salt formulation; not for fine turf; non-scheduled chemistry
Regulate 200SC Paclobutrazol 200 g/L Per label Greens, fairways, Poa management Growth suppression; Poa annua conversion aid Group rotation partner to TE products

For PGR programming and growth-potential timing, explore the GAIP Hub decision-support platform.

Spray Adjuvants, Conditioners and Indicators

Spray adjuvants improve how a plant protection product performs in the tank and on the leaf. This group covers wetters and penetrants (better coverage and uptake), water conditioners and pH buffers (correcting hard or alkaline carrier water), crop oils, and spray indicators or dyes that show where you have already sprayed.

Product Type Function Rate Notes
Voltage MSO Methylated seed oil Penetration & uptake of systemic actives Per label Pairs with sulfonylurea & grass herbicides
Overtake Oil Crop oil concentrate + non-ionic surfactant Spreading, wetting & penetration of grass & woody herbicides 500 mL/100 L water 582 g/L paraffinic oil + 120 g/L NPE + 120 g/L alcohol ethoxylate; dual mode of action
Scrubwet Penetrant wetter Soil & thatch penetration Per label Improves movement through hydrophobic surfaces
Manta Ray pH buffer & water conditioner Lowers & buffers spray-water pH Per label Corrects alkaline carrier water before adding pesticide
Octane Non-ionic surfactant Wetting & spreading Per label General-purpose wetter
Optispread Organosilicone surfactant Super-spreading & rainfastness Per label Rapid leaf coverage
Tank Aid Water conditioner Sequesters hard-water cations Per label Protects glyphosate & weak-acid actives
Foam Aid Anti-foam / marker aid Reduces tank foaming Per label Tank-mix conditioning
Blue Spray Dye Spray indicator dye Marks treated area Per label Avoids skips & overlaps
Pigment Cleaner Equipment cleaner Removes pigment & dye residue Per label Sprayer maintenance

Deeper reading: spray adjuvants explained and our research into soil-wetting agents. For turf pigments and paints, see the Vertmax turf pigment page.

Insecticides and Miticides for Turf

Turf insecticides and miticides control the insect and mite pests that damage turf: scarab and billbug larvae, Argentine stem weevil, armyworm and cutworm caterpillars, mites and mole crickets. Group rotation and correct timing against the target life stage are essential for both efficacy and resistance management.

Pest background: scarab beetle ID and controlmanaging insecticide resistance and chemicals for turf mite control.

Product Active Ingredient Rate Target Pest Chemical Group
Malice 18 Abamectin 18 g/L Per label Couch Mite (turf); Two-Spotted Mite (ornamentals) Group 6 (miticide)
Malice Duo Abamectin 18 g/L + Clofentezine 187.5 g/L Per label Couch Mite (all turf) Group 6 + 10A (miticide)
Recruit 200SC Imidacloprid 200 g/L Per label Scarab larvae (African Black Beetle, Argentinian/Pruinose Scarab), billbug Group 4A
Rumbler 100SC Bifenthrin 100 g/L Per label Surface-feeding turf pests, urban pests Group 3A
Spinner Spinetoram Per label Caterpillars, thrips Group 5
Tempo Xtra Beta-cyfluthrin + imidacloprid Per label Scarabs, surface pests Group 3A + 4A
TermiForce 100SC Fipronil 100 g/L Per label Argentine Stem Weevil, mole cricket, funnel ant & nuisance ants Group 2B
Scarlet Trio Clothianidin 116 g/L + Clofentezine 83 g/L + Abamectin 13 g/L Per label Billbug, African black beetle, Argentine scarab & stem weevil, couch fly, couch mite, ground pearl, mole cricket Group 4A + 10A + 6
Curatol 120 SC Spinosad 120 g/L 4 L/ha Argentine Stem Weevil in bentgrass Group 5
Strikezone 200SC Indoxacarb 222 g/L (200 g/L S-isomer) 1.25 L/ha (weevil); 375 mL/ha (caterpillars) Argentine Stem Weevil adults & larvae, Lepidoptera grubs (cutworm, armyworm) Group 22A

 

Turf Chemicals FAQs

Are you a registered turf chemical distributor?

Yes. Gilba Solutions is an independent distributor supplying registered, APVMA-approved plant protection products to professional turf managers, supported by 35+ years of agronomic experience and Honours-level soil science. Every product listed carries a current Australian registration.

What is the difference between a pre-emergent and a post-emergent herbicide?

A pre-emergent herbicide is applied before weed seeds germinate and forms a barrier in the soil that stops seedlings establishing. A post-emergent herbicide is applied to weeds that have already emerged and are actively growing. Pre-emergents are about prevention and timing; post-emergents are about treating an existing problem.

Do I need a plant growth regulator on my turf?

A PGR is worthwhile where you want to cut mowing frequency, tighten turf density or manage seedheads and Poa annua. Trinexapac-ethyl products such as Incognito and Amigo suit fine and sports turf; maleic hydrazide products such as Padre suit low-maintenance and roadside grass. Programming PGRs to growth potential gives the most consistent result.

Can I get agronomic advice as well as product?

Yes. Product supply is only part of the business. As independent sports turf consultants, Gilba Solutions provides evidence-based agronomic advice on chemical selection, timing, resistance management and program design — which is where the real value sits.

Labels and Safety Data Sheets

Registered label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each product. Professional users should consult the SDS for their chemical register and the label for registered rates and directions before use. Documents marked “on request” are available by contacting us.

 

Herbicides

Industrial & Aquatic

Soil Fumigants

  • Miticor 980 G — Label

Fungicides

Plant Growth Regulators

Adjuvants & Conditioners

Insecticides & Miticides

 

Related Reading from the Gilba Turf Blog

Technical guides grouped by topic. Pillars teach the science; the products above put it to work.

Weeds & Herbicides

How to use pre-emergent herbicides · Split applications of pre-emergents · Granular pre-emergents · 7 reasons for pre-emergent failure · Sulfonylurea herbicides · How to control nutgrass · How to control winter grass · Autumn broadleaf weed control · How to identify weeds · What indicator weeds tell us · Herbicide resistance chart · Factors that affect herbicide results

Disease & Fungicides

How to choose a turf fungicide · Preventative versus curative fungicides · Combination fungicides · How to manage Pythium in turf · Fungicide mode-of-action table

Insects & Mites

Scarab beetle ID and control · Scarab beetle & disease ID · Managing insecticide resistance · Chemicals for turf mite control · Ground pearl in turf

Adjuvants & Water Management

Spray adjuvants explained · Research into soil-wetting agents · Blue-green algae control case study

Reference & Industry

Generic versus branded turf chemicals · NZ versus US turf-type ryegrass · 2024 IGFH Turf Pesticides Manual


All rates and active constituents are summarised from current registered Australian product labels. Always read and follow the registered label before use; label directions take precedence over any information on this page.

Jerry Spencer senior turf agronomist and soil scientist
Principal Agronomist at   0499975819  [email protected]  Website   + posts

Principal agronomist, Gilba Solutions Pty Ltd

BSc Hons Soil Science (Newcastle). Former STRI agronomist. Author of Nutrition of Sports Turf in Australia (CSIRO/Landlinks Press). 35+ years advising on sports turf, golf and stadia across Australia, NZ, UK and Europe.