When failure is not an option, don’t be foiled by fungus again
Presented by BASF

Headshot: Jeff Vannoy

When it comes to healthy turf, superintendents have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide — just like the song from the ’60s.

They certainly can’t sweep stressed turfgrass under the rough. It’s hiding in plain sight, for every golfer to see and comment on. And comment they will. In this perfectionists’ game, turf that’s less-than-perfect is considered an epic fail.

Conquering the “f” word

For decades, golf course professionals were particularly terrorized by one recurring challenge: the dreaded fungi. Fungal turfgrass diseases sound innocuous enough — think: snow mold, dollar spot and fairy ring — but this all-season spoiler is capable of substantial devastation, from severely compromised playability to course closure in peak season. That kind of failure is never an option.

Since 2010, fungal diseases haven’t wielded such terror for golf course professionals. That’s the year BASF introduced its Intrinsic brand fungicides, with the active ingredient pyraclostrobin, a proprietary chemistry.

These highly effective fungicides are registered by the EPA for both disease control and plant health: a link as fundamental as a well-maintained course is to a thriving club membership.

New: Next-generation chemistry

But BASF didn’t rest on its laurels. Because, lowlifes that they are, fungi never stop adapting, either. We evolved the Intrinsic brand fungicides to include Lexicon Intrinsic brand fungicide, our most advanced plant health product.

The addition of the active ingredient fluxapyroxad has an additive effect that bolsters the pyraclostrobin, giving Lexicon Intrinsic new fungal-fighting powers for some of the toughest turfgrass diseases, including brown patch, dollar spot, summer patch and fairy ring, along with dozens of other fungal diseases. It’s earned the approval of the U.S. EPA. And the trial results have been impressive.

Fluxapyroxad is a next-generation carboxamide with powerful systemic properties for continuous disease protection. This highly mobile and effective active ingredient really helps to prevent and cure key turfgrass pathogens. Besides its active mobility, fluxapyroxad has the ability to redistribute itself continuously in the plant, traveling within the leaf to areas that aren’t directly sprayed. The result: it’s rainfast and very long-lasting.

Turf professionals will see an improvement in plant health and strength: stronger roots, improved vitality and enhanced photosynthesis. This stuff is so effective that you may even start sleeping better.

To transform your turf, plan on at least three applications of Lexicon each year, targeting high stress times. BASF recommends following a Holiday Spray Program with these application dates:

Memorial Day — Prepare turfgrass immune systems for summer stress before the stress occurs by creating stronger roots.

Fourth of July — With high heat and stress during the holiday, turfgrass needs some added protection and health benefits now.

Labor Day — Continue helping turf to withstand disease and environmental stresses, including drought, moisture and temperature extremes, as well as mechanical stress like aerification.

When failure is not an option for you or your turf — if you won’t tolerate defeat by fungus — consider making Lexicon Intrinsic brand fungicide part of your healthy fungicide program. Count on this effective, broad- spectrum turf fungicide to deliver the ultimate protection and plant health for your turf.

To learn more about the disease control and plant health benefits of Intrinsic brand fungicides, visit www.IntrinsicPlantHealth.com.

 Jeff Vannoy is senior product manager, BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals.