Regulate? Now Stimulate.

It is safe to say that most golf course superintendents today are experiencing the benefits derived from plant growth regulators (PGRs). PGRs regulate the growth hormones within the plant, and thus produce turf that is of much better quality.

Using Biostimulants improves turf
performance early and late in the season

 In Canada, the only registered PGR for turfgrass is Primo Maxx made by Syngenta.  Primo Maxx inhibits the specific Gibberellic Acid hormone responsible for cell elongation and vertical growth.  Turf managers who use Primo Maxx see reduced clipping yield, which results in more consistent playing surfaces through-out the day.  The side-effects of limiting top growth is that the energy the plant produces is utilized in other growing points, such as the roots or stolons.  This results in better rooting and density.

There is a sister group of technologies available today known as biostimulants.  Biostimulants stimulate the various hormones in the plant.  By stimulating the balance of hormones, the turf manager can direct the growing behaviour as the conditions require. Before or after an aeration event, he may want to push recovery and density.  Leading up to a tournament, perhaps drive roots and create a finer leaf texture.  Maybe he would want to stimulate rapid recovery in the spring when temperatures are still cool.

The Result of Biostimulants with Plant Growth Regulators

It is well documented and accepted that stimulation of plant hormones works in synergy with the regulation of plant hormones.

Is it possible to regulate top growth and stimulate root growth?  Absolutely!!!

Can regulators regulate vertical growth and stimulators stimulate lateral growth for recovery at the same time? Absolutely!!!

Today’s turf managers can get an edge using products that regulate and stimulate turf in synergy.  Now with the popularity of hormone regulating products, the idea of stimulating hormones is much more acceptable.