Turf

Optimising Turf Management: Smart Solutions for Disease and Weed Control
Optimising Turf Management

As turf managers nationwide evaluate their surface performance and plan for the future, a growing industry challenge has emerged: the shortage of skilled manpower. This reality makes it crucial to implement efficient control programs that maximize resources while maintaining high-quality turf conditions.

Tank mix combinations have become an increasingly valuable strategy, offering a practical solution to reduce application frequency while allowing staff to focus on other essential course maintenance tasks. This approach is particularly effective when combining disease and weed control treatments in a single application.

POSTERITY® fungicide from Syngenta, represents a significant advancement in SDHI fungicide technology. What sets this cost-effective solution apart is its unique ability to accumulate within the plant's wax and tissue, ensuring extended control periods. Unlike other SDHI fungicides, POSTERITY®'s low solubility means it remains at the target site rather than being transported through the xylem, maintaining its potency and providing consistent protection for up to 28 days.

Posterity Graph

Spring Dead Spot (SDS) control requires particular attention during the late summer and early autumn periods. In Australia, two primary causal agents - Ophiosphaerella namari and Ophiosphaerella korrae - necessitate a split application approach due to their different soil temperature activity ranges. The first POSTERITY® application should occur when soil temperatures at 50 mm depth reach 20-25°C (typically February), targeting O. korrae. The second application, scheduled for March or 28 days after the initial treatment, addresses O. namari, which is most active in soil temperatures between 10-20°C.

Enhancing the efficiency of these treatments, BARRICADE® Herbicide can be tank mixed with either POSTERITY® application. This combination allows turf managers to simultaneously address both SDS prevention and winter weed control. BARRICADE® has established itself as a reliable pre-emergent herbicide in Australia, proving particularly effective in disrupting weed cycles and preventing the establishment of difficult-to-control turf weeds.

The challenge of managing Poa annua exemplifies the value of BARRICADE®'s extended residual activity. With Poa's unpredictable and extended germination window, particularly during the summer-to-autumn transition, BARRICADE®'s six-month residual control provides comprehensive coverage throughout this variable period. This long-lasting effectiveness allows for early application without compromising late-season control.

An additional advantage of both POSTERITY® and BARRICADE® is their exempt status from poison scheduling, resulting in reduced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements. Their compatibility in tank mixing enables a single-pass application strategy, significantly improving operational efficiency while effectively managing both diseases and weeds.

This integrated approach to turf management represents a modern solution to contemporary challenges. By combining these advanced products in a strategic application program, turf managers can maintain superior playing surfaces while optimizing their resource allocation. The ability to address multiple issues with fewer applications not only saves time and labour but also helps ensure consistent, high-quality turf conditions throughout the season.

For optimal results and safety, it's essential to always read product labels and follow directed use instructions. This comprehensive approach to turf management, utilising tank mix combinations of POSTERITY® and BARRICADE®, offers an efficient and effective solution for today's turf professionals facing the dual challenges of maintaining excellent playing conditions and managing limited resources.

For more information visit www.syngentaturf.com.au or contact your local Territory Sales Manager.

 

Always read the label before use. Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd, Level 1, 2 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113. ABN 33 002 933 717. ®Registered trademark of Syngenta Group Company. All products written in uppercase are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2026 Syngenta. ED 26-065.