Product News

Arena label expansion approved

Arysta LifeScience Corp. has received U.S. EPA approval of expanded label application timing and rates for its Arena Insecticide to control white grubs and other major pests in golf turfgrass management. Certain state registrations may be pending.

“This new label approval reflects the unique preventive and curative grub control activity that clothianidin, the active ingredient in Arena, has demonstrated in widespread field research,” said Tom Kroll, product manager. The fact that it has both preventive and curative activity, allows for maximum flexibility and an expanded grub control treatment window from early May to early September, according to Kroll.

Extensive trials in 2005 showed it to provide effective control of white grubs, chinch bugs, sod webworms and other pests.

Doug Houseworth, R&D manager, said, “Arena can now be applied in any of three application options: Early preventive applications in May for early season pests will also prevent white grubs from being a problem later. Standard preventive grub treatments can be applied mid-June to mid-July. The curative activity enables it to be used effectively in rescue treatments from late July to early September.” Contact http://www.arystalifescience.com.

Turfguard offers wireless monitoring

Turf Guard uses wireless mesh networking technology to collect data from sensors beneath greens, tee boxes and fairways, making information on salinity, moisture and temperature levels available in the superintendent's office, home or anywhere on the Internet. 

The wireless sensors can be installed in minutes using a standard cup cutter, wherever the superintendent chooses. The buried sensors have a 500-foot range, and repeaters placed at satellite pedestals have a 5,000-foot line-of-sight range. The sensors take measurements from the critical turf root zone and send them to the control center every five minutes. Contact (888) 887-3482 , http://www.turfguard.net.

Becker Underwood debuts three turf products

 Becker Underwood Inc. has expanded its growing line of surfactant and adjuvant technologies with the debut of three professional turf management products.

Capacity is a proprietary blend of soil active surfactants for use where intensive management requires a product with long-term residual wetting activity, such as golf course greens, tees, fairways, sports fields, sod farms, commercial and residential lawns, municipal parks, and other general use turf areas. The company says a reduction of surface runoff enhances irrigation efficiencies and promotes uniform wetting of the root zone.

Affinity is a multi-function, nonionic soil wetting agent that may be applied year-round with the flexibility to be used in turf management, arbor care, nursery and landscape ornamentals, and potted plants. As part of a monthly wetting agent program, it treats the causes of localized dry spot and promotes uniform distribution of water throughout root zone and not just the surface, resulting in more even and deeper root growth.

Impact is a nonionic spreader-sticker used to optimize the efficacy of agricultural herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, acaricides (miticides), plant growth regulators and defoliants. It improves the wetting, spreading and contact activity of pesticide applications, providing more uniform coverage without excessive run-off. As a spray adjuvant, Impact improves the application of pesticides and may allow the use of such control products at lower labeled rates.

Contact http://www.beckerunderwood.com.

Biodegradable staple system introduced

American Excelsior Company and UzetWorld Dublin, Ireland, have partnered to bring e-Staple to the erosion control industry.

Jerry Bohannon, director of AEC 's Earth Science Division, said, “This partnership with UzetWorld allows the American Excelsior Company to combine our leadership skills with the leader in biodegradable technology to continue to provide our customers with innovative, unique biodegradable solutions for todays erosion and sediment control markets.”

The e -Staple provides controlled biodegradation in both cold and warm conditions and will not soften during storage through humidity pickup. It can be used for sod as well, and disappears in 8 to 24 months.

The unique design provides excellent holding and tensile strength and there is an existing manual applicator system with a pneumatic hand held and automated applicator system on the way.

Contact (800) 777-7645 , http://www.Curlex.com.

Magnum offers fire hose quality nozzle

BoMar Technologies, manufacturer of turf stress detection glasses, has introduced the Magnum, a solid metal, true fire-hose quality nozzle with unequaled water distribution pattern.

“Why is BoMar adding the Magnum nozzle to their line of Turf Stress Detection products? Well, after you see drought related stress, you need to do something about it and, you shouldn't have to worry about whether your hose-end nozzle is going to break on you” says Mark Faris, spokesperson for the company.

It's an affordable nozzle made of stainless steel, zinc alloy, brass, and featuring sanopreme rubber grips, excellent for syringing greens, spot watering, and more. The company promises it will be the last nozzle you will have to buy. The nozzle produces 37 gallons per minute at 80 PSI , and is available in ¾” and 1” hose thread. Contact http://www.bomartechnologies.com.

Green Friendly Golf debuts unique ball mark repairer

The Green Friendly Golf Belt, said to be the world's first golf belt with a divot tool and ball marker in the tip, was introduced at the 2006 Golf Industry Show and the 2006 PGA Merchandise Show.

Designed as a way to help reduce the damage caused by unrepaired or improperly repaired ball marks, the stylish belt includes a precision- engineered ball mark repair tool, which the company says is guaranteed to leave the greens healthier because its short forks do not penetrate below the green's root system. Contact www.greenfriendlygolf.com.

New nematode control offered

Soil Technologies Corp. has released Armorex, a new biochemical soil treatment to kill and control pathogenic nematodes, insects and fungus.

The product is an E.P.A. exempt minimum-risk pesticide and is has no re-entry restriction. According to the company, tests on nematode infested golf course greens during 2005 showed that Armorex is an effective control. Where Armorex was applied, superintendents reported that the nematode damage stopped within 2-3 days and later nematode assays showed zero live nematodes.

It is a blend of essential plant oils that includes sesame, which is highly toxic to nematodes. Farmers have used sesame in crop rotations for centuries because of its ability to reduce nematode infestations in crops following sesame. In addition, Armorex contains extracts of rosemary, clove, garlic, and pepper, all of which are effective nematode suppressants. Armorex is used as a preventative or curative treatment for both endo- and ecto-parasitic nematode species.

The label includes soil treatment uses on turf and ornamentals, vegetables, fruits, vineyards, nuts, nursery and greenhouse crops.

For more information or to receive summaries of research trials, contact Soil Technologies Corp. at 641-472-3963 /ext.105 (phone), 641-472-6189 (fax) or info@soiltechcorp.com.