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 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 sold 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 so protect your turf for longer.
- They contain Quick Dry Technology (QDT). QDT gives the best possible contact between the turf pigment and the leaf. The unique blend of surfactants means that they stop staining of clothes and footwear. The Vertmax range of pigments green the grass, not your clothes!
- Vertmax pigments are weather resistant. Once you apply these, they don’t move.
- They have the highest pigment load on the market, and are the most cost-effective products available.
- Vertmax Pigments last from 17 days on golf greens up to three months depending on mowing frequency.
- When you use these pigments they give a natural grass colour.
The 2024 IGFH Turf Pesticides Manual has a complete list of many turf pigments in use in Australia.
Turf Pigment and UV Light.
Bent grass and winter grass are only able to use a certain amount of light in the 400 to 500 μmols m2 s-1 range. Once the light intensity gets above this level, 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 healthy 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 all turf surfaces.
- Even at the low rate of 800 ml to 1L/Ha it gives an immediate natural green colour to turf.
- Vertmax Turf Pigment is very tank-compatible, and mixes with all pesticides or fertilisers.
- Quick Dry Technology (QDT) means it is dry within 1 hour of use. 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 found in Vertmax Turf 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 turf grass.
- Vertmax Duo improves lateral root growth.
- It gives faster germination and establishment times of seed.
- 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 turf grass.
- Enables turf to better fight against disease.
- Increases turf quality in comparison to other pigment products.
- The rate is 1 L/Ha.
Comparative Trials.
When you use Vertmax Turf Pigment at label rates it gives a more natural and long lasting green colour than other turf colourants and dyes. Our trial of Vertmax Duo 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 Vertmax vs MP Verdant pigment:
- After 1 hour no pigment transfer occurs at 15°C and
- At -2°C no product transfer occurs after 1 hour.
Further work Europe has looked at this, at a Premier League ground in the UK vs Ryder pigment. The results show that at the same rates with the same drying time, Vertmax Duo pigment does not stain.
The following are links to further Turf Pigment and Colourant information.
Research into the longevity of Vertmax Duo Pigment on golf greens.
Research into grass seed for oversowing vs pigments
Summary.
These products are cost-effective alternatives to overseeding. They give an instant green colour during Winter dormancy.
However, they will not provide an increase in wear like an overseeded turf grass. Pigments mask light-green grass, blemishes, and dormant turfgrass, and you can use them on warm-season or cool-season turfgrass.
Follow the links If you wish to buy Vertmax Duo or Vertmax Turf Fairway pigments.
