TURF PIGMENT FOR GOLF AND SPORTS TURF.
As turf agronomists, we believe that our customers deserve the most cost-effective solutions to problems. One of these is the choice of turf pigment.
Why Use Turf Pigment?
Turf pigments have become popular for several reasons:
- They give an immediate natural green colour.
- Turf pigments are a low-cost alternative to overseeding. Vertmax pigments costs between AUS $38-120/Ha. This contrasts with overseeding which costs over AUS $2000/Ha.
- Pigments filter out damaging UV light and improve turf health.
Turf Pigments.
Gilba Solutions are the only manufacturer of turf specific pigments in Australia. Our innovative range of Vertmax Pigments are fully researched and developed to meet the specific needs of Professional Turf Managers and home lawn owners who want to stand out from the crowd.
All Vertmax Turf Pigments:
- Give turf grass an instant natural green colour.
- Have a high pigment load. They are very cost effective.
- Improve plant health.
- Are tank compatible with all pesticides and fertilisers.
- Do not stain once they dry.
Vertmax Turf Pigment with QDT.
Key Benefits.
- Ideal for fairway or sports field use.
- Even at the low rates of 800 ml to 1 L/Ha Vertmax Turf Pigment gives an immediate natural green colour.
- Vertmax Pigment is compatible with all pesticides and fertilisers.
- Contains Quick Dry Technology (QDT). It is dry within 1 hour of use. Vertmax Pigment doesn’t go back into solution and stain clothes or footwear after a heavy dew or irrigation.
- Available in 10 or 20 L drums.
- Made in Australia,
Advantages.
- Vertmax Turf Pigment has the highest level of UV stability. It protects turf for longer from the UV extremes found in Australia.
- Vertmax Pigment is weather resistant. It doesn’t wash off the leaf surface once it dries.
- It has the highest pigment load on the market. Vertmax Turf Pigment is the most cost-effective solution on the market.
- One application of Turf Pigment lasts from 17 days on daily cut golf greens to three months on dormant couch.
Vertmax® Duo Pigment with QDT.
Vertmax® Duo Pigment is the same pigment concentrate found in Vertmax Pigment plus a unique bio-stimulant package based on salicylic acid.
Key Benefits of Vertmax® Duo Turf Pigment.
- Improves lateral root growth of turf grass.
- Faster seed germination and establishment times.
- Is very tank compatible, and a great tank mix partner with turf chemicals like Lexicon Intrinsic.
- Vertmax Duo Turf Pigment contains an elicitor of plant response and increases the tolerance of turf grass to disease and drought.
- Available in 1 L containers
- Low application rate of only 1 L/Ha.
- Made in Australia.
The 2024 IGFH Turf Pesticides Manual has a complete list of turf specific pigments in Australia.
How Turf Pigments Protect Against UV Light.
Bent grass and Winter Grass only use a certain amount of light in the 400 to 500 μmols m² s⁻¹ range. What is termed photosynthetic saturation tends to occur in the Summer when light intensities are often over 2,500 μmols m2 s-1.
Photosynthetic saturation is when the level of light saturation has a negative impact on turf grass.
- Negatively impacts turf performance
- Reduces wear tolerance
- Decreases disease resistance.
How Vertmax Turf Pigments Work:
Vertmax pigments allow PAR light transmission but at a lower light intensity. This creates:
- A healthier turf surface and
- Protects the turf grass as UV light is absorbed or reflected away.
Application Guide: How to Use Vertmax Turf Pigments.
Step-By-Step Instructions.
Here are some simple steps to get the best results when you use the Vertmax Pigment Range.
- Measure the area you want to treat.
- Wear gloves. (Recommended gloves here).
- Shake the container well.
- Use our rate table to calculate how much to use.
Mixing Instructions.
- Half fill the spray tank.
- Add the recommended amount of turf pigment and agitate.
- Continue to fill the spray tank
- Apply the mix to the area.
- Clean the sprayer and nozzle with clean water after use.
Colour Adjustment.
For an even darker green colour:
- Add more Vertmax to your sprayer or
- Add iron sulphate and manganese sulphate to the mix.
Case Studies & Tuf Pigment Results.
Below is a before and after photo gallery showing the stunning results you can get from these innovative pigments. Thanks to Bonnie Doon Golf Club for the aerial drone footage.
Turf Pigment Trials.
In head-to-head pigment trials, Vertmax Duo Pigment gives a more natural and long-lasting green colour than all other pigments including:
- Ryder Pigment.
- Flex.
- Ambient Plus.
- Endurant TE.
Turf Colourant Transfer.
In trials looking at the drying times of Vertmax vs MP Verdant:
- After 1 hour no Turf Pigment transfer occurs at 15°C and
- At -2°C no transfer occurs after 1 hour.
In Europe at a UK Premier League ground vs Ryder turf pigment. The results show that at the same rates with the same drying time, Vertmax Duo pigment does not stain.
These are links to Turf Specific Pigment and Colourant information.
Turf Health Benefits of Vertmax Duo.
Research into the longevity of Vertmax Duo Pigment on golf greens.
Research into grass seed for oversowing vs pigments.
Summary.
- Turf pigments are cost-effective alternatives to overseeding. They give an instant green colour in periods of Winter dormancy.
- They do not increase the wear tolerance of an overseeded turf grass.
- They mask pale grass, blemishes, and dormant turf grass, and you can use them on warm or cool season turf.
- Vertmax Duo offers a unique IPM option to manage turf disease and improve turf health.
Comprehensive Turf Pigment Comparison Table.
Below is a comprehensive table that shows the properties of several common turf specific pigments in Australia.
Product | Size (L) | Company | Price ($/L) | Cost Per 100m2 | Cost Per Ha | Does Not Stain | Elicitor | Contains Spreader | Made in Australia |
Vertmax* 20 | 20 | Gilba | $39 | $0.39 | $39 | ||||
Vertmax* 10 | 10 | Gilba | $49 | $0.49 | $49 | ||||
Foursome | 3.79 | Greenway | $72.6 | $0.798-1.08 | $79.8-108 | ||||
Ryder | 1 | Syngenta | $110 | $0.825-2.2 | $82.5-220 | ||||
Vertmax Duo* | 1 | Gilba | $120 | $1.2 | $120 | ||||
Colour King | 5 | Turf Mate | $74.8 | $1.74-3.48 | $174-348 | ||||
Deep Green | 0.1 | Lawn Shed | $190 | $1.9-4.75 | $190-475 | ||||
Instagreen | 0.25 | Lawn Porn | $238 | $2.38 | $238 | ||||
ColourGuard Plus | 2.5 | Lawn Solutions | $84 | $3.36 | $336 | ||||
Colourmaxx | 0.125 | Lawn Solutions | $296 | $7.1 | $710 |
* Do not stain clothes if allow to dry
Graph of turf pigment cost per litre
graph of turf pigment cost to treat 100m2
Where to Buy Vertmax Turf Pigments.
Follow these links if you wish to purchase Vertmax products. Vertmax Duo or Vertmax pigments.
FAQ
How Long do Turf Pigments Last?
How long turf pigments last depends on several factors:
- The time of year you use them.
- The colour of the turf when you first apply them.
- How wet the turf is. You get better results if you irrigate prior to use as this hydrates the turf and gives better coverage.
- How often you mow. In trials we have found that in a golf green situation where mowing is carried out every day that they only last at best 17 days.
In contrast on semi domant/dormant couch grass where mowing is only once a week turf pigments last up to 3 months.
Are turf pigments and colourants safe for pets and children?
Turf pigments and colourants and pigments are totally safe for pets and children. However once you apply they need to dry or else product will be transferred where you don’t want it. After 1 to 2 hours Vertmax pigment are usually dry and its safe to walk on the grass again.
Are Vertmax pigments compatible with fertilisers and pesticides?
The simply answer is yes, Vertmax turf pigments are compatible with fertilisers and pesticides. We have carried out extensive testing and these products have been in use for several years and we have still to find a fertiliser or pesticide where there are compatibility issues.
