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TURF PIGMENT FOR GOLF AND SPORTS TURF

As turf agronomists, we believe that an important role we play with our customers is to give them the most cost-effective solutions to problems that they may have. That’s where turf pigments come into play. 

There are several reasons why turf pigments have become increasingly popular:

  • Turf pigment gives an immediate natural green colour.
  • They offer a low-cost alternative to overseeding.
  • Turf pigments filter out damaging UV light and improve turf health.

 

Vertmax turf pigments are the only ones marketed in Australia that are actually made in Australia. These offer:

  • The highest level of UV stability. They don’t break down quickly on the leaf and protect your turf longer;
  • They contain Quick Dry Technology (QDT). QDT gives the best contact between the turf pigment and the leaf, and stops staining. The Vertmax range of pigments green the grass, not your clothes!
  • These are weather resistant. Once you apply they don’t move.
  • They have the highest pigment load on the market and are the most cost-effective products on the market;
  • Longevities of 17 days to three months depending on mowing frequency.
  • A natural grass appearance.

 

The 2024 IGFH Turf Pesticides Manual has a complete listing of many turf pigments in use in Australia. 

Turf Pigment and UV Light.

Bent grass and winter grass can only use a certain amount of light in the 400-500 μmols m2 s-1 range. Once the light intensity gets above this turf becomes photosynthetically saturated.This tends to occur in the Summer when light intensities are often over 2,500 μmols m2 s-1. This light saturation has a negative affect on turf performance, wear tolerance, and disease resistance.

A turf pigment absorbs and transmits a given light wavelength and reflects a different one. So when you use Vertmax® pigments, they still allow PAR light transmission but at a lower light intensity. The result is a healthier turf surface, as most UV light is absorbed or reflected.

 

Vertmax® turf pigment with QDT.

Vertmax pigment has the highest pigment load on the market and enhances the appearance of all turf surfaces.

  • Even at the low rate of 800 ml to 1L/Ha it gives an immediate colour response.
  • It is highly tank-compatible and mixes with all pesticides or fertilizers.
  • Quick Dry Technology (QDT) means it is dry within 1 hour. It stops off-target staining as it doesn’t go back into solution after a heavy dew or irrigation.
  • One 20 L pail treats 20 Ha

 

Vertmax® Duo Turf Pigment with QDT.

Vertmax® Duo turf pigment is the same pigment concentrate plus a unique bio-stimulant package.

 

The benefits of Vertmax® Duo Turf Pigment:

  • At label rates, it has several plant health benefits due to its high load of salicylic acid. Our blog on salicylic acid for plants explains the benefits of salicylic acid on turfgrass.
  • Improves lateral root growth.
  • Faster germination and establishment times.
  • Is very tank compatible. It is a great tank mix partner for turf chemicals like Lexicon Intrinsic.
  • Is an Elicitor of Plant Response and increases the stress tolerance of turfgrass.
  • Enables turf to better fight against disease.
  • Increases turf quality in comparison to other pigment-containing products.
  • The rate is 1L/Ha.

 

 

Vertmax-Duo-turf-pigment-plus-Lexicon-intrinsic-no-disease. Untreated-has-disease
Vertmax Duo Label. Turf pigment and grass colorant
Vertmax-Duo-turf-pigment-green-grass-spray-logo
Vertmax-green-grass-spray-and-turf-pigment-gives-a-verdant-green-colour-when-applied
Vertmax-turf-pigment-and-green-grass-spray-logo
Vertmax-turf-pigment-and-green-grass-spray-on-fairway-in-canberra
The verdant colour of Vertmax turf pigment and grass paint applied to fairways at Bonnie Doon G.C in Sydney
The verdant colour of Vertmax turf pigment and green grass paint applied to fairways at Bonnie Doon G.C in Sydney
Vertmax Duo green grass spray gives significantly higher turf quality ratings in comparison to other pigment based products
Vertmax Duo plus fosetyl aluminium gives a verdant colour after application

Comparative Trials.

When you use Vertmax Turf Pigment at label rates it gives a more natural and long-lasting green colour response, than other turf colourants and turf dyes. Our trial of Vertmax Duo Turf Pigment on a creeping bentgrass green confirms this. This trial was vs

  • Ryder Pigment
  • Flex
  • Ambient Plus and
  • Endurant TE

 

Turf Colourant Transfer.

In trials to look at the temperature effects on drying times of turf paints of Vertmax vs  MP Verdant pigment:

  • After 1 hour no pigment transfer occurs at 15°C as both are dry and
  • At -2°C no product transfer occurs after 1 hour.

 

Further work looking at this has been carried out in Europe. This was at a Premier League ground in the UK vs Ryder pigment. The results show that at the same rates with the same drying time the Vertmax Duo turf pigment did not stain.

 

Vertmax at 1L/Ha vs verdant colourant at 1.25L/Ha
Vertmax Duo non staining turf pigment

The following are links to further Turf Pigment and Colourant information.

Protecting turf from the sun.

Turf blog on turf paints

Research into the longevity of Vertmax Duo Pigment on golf greens

download PDF
Differences between grass paint and colourants

Summary

Turf pigments are cost-effective alternatives to overseeding. They give an immediate green colour response during Winter dormancy. However, they will not provide a wearable surface like an overseeded turfgrass. Pigments mask light-green grass, blemishes, and dormant turfgrass, and you can use them on warm-season or cool-season turfgrass.

This blog explains the differences between pigments and paints and how they work.

Follow the links If you wish to purchase either Vertmax Duo or Vertmax Turf Fairway pigments.