Plant Health Part 2 of 3 Intro: Fun in the heat of summer

Root comparison between grass untreated, treated with Lexicon Intrinsic brand fungicide and a competitive azoxystrobin.

Hot summer days and warm summer nights will be a welcome relief after the miserable, long winter that affected most of the country. Greens and fairways are still recovering from the unrelenting snow, ice, cold and rain, even in late May.

The southeast alone experienced wild temperature swings — 90 degrees one day, 40 degrees the next — making it hard to know what to pull out of the closet when you head out the door. We’re now hoping our weather stabilizes and we can finally pack up the sweaters.

Turfgrass, on the other hand, doesn’t have the luxury of pulling on a sweater when the temperatures drop. It has to withstand whatever nature throws at it — and look good doing it. Fortunately for long-suffering courses everywhere, BASF introduced two new blockbuster fungicides this year: Lexicon Intrinsic brand fungicide and Xzemplar fungicide which contain the active ingredient Xemium, a new and versatile SDHI (succinate-dehydrogenase inhibitor). Xemium is a highly mobile and very effective active ingredient that provides both preventative and curative action on key turfgrass pathogens.

Lexicon Intrinsic brand fungicide is the newest addition to the Intrinsic brand fungicide line, known for promoting denser roots and improved photosynthesis — the foundation of healthy, resilient turf. Lexicon Intrinsic brand fungicide is a combination product based on the proven product, Insignia SC Intrinsic brand fungicide plus the new fungicide active, Xemium. It is the longest-lasting, broadest spectrum turfgrass fungicide to date (treating more than 28 diseases). These plant health benefits help turf withstand mechanical and environmental stresses that are thrown at it every day.

The additive effect from adding Xemium to Insignia SC Intrinsic brand fungicide has led to improvements in the following key areas of Turf Health:

1. Advanced Disease Control
2. More Efficient Photosynthesis
3. Higher Stress Tolerance

Superintendents across the country are trialing these new fungicides and reporting terrific results. When failure’s not an option, Lexicon Intrinsic brand fungicide offers excellent protection for turf and reputations. BASF continuously invests in research and development to bring superintendents new tools to effectively and efficiently maintain impeccable playing conditions. The introduction of these two new products, featuring the innovative active ingredient Xemium, provides excellent solutions for consistent superior disease control. Stress-tolerant turf is what really makes for fun in the heat of summer.

Jeff Vannoy is Senior Product Manager, BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals

Location and photo: BASF Corp., Research Triangle Park, N.C.