What are the latest seeding and aeration offerings to greenkeepers?

By Alistair March 19, 2020 08:28

Seeding and aeration are two of the most important tasks greenkeepers do. Here, we outline the latest offerings from the biggest suppliers in the market.

The present wet conditions are putting all forms of turf under a great deal of stress, which becomes more susceptible to attack from diseases; the primary ones being microdochium on bent, fescue and poa turfs, together with leaf spot on ryegrass surfaces.

These diseases need to be treated as soon as symptoms are spotted because curative fungicidal chemistry is no longer available – Rigby Taylor has a wide range of tank mix options to suit all surfaces all using Trimate or Option (formulations of surfactants, nutrients and bio stimulants). These products have been shown in STRI long-term trials to significantly enhance disease control compared to using only straight fungicides, thus assisting in plant damage recovery.

From initial autumn surveys, it appears that numbers of chafer and leatherjacket are much higher than normal, with a two-fold impact.

Microdochium on a golf green.

Firstly, if numbers of larvae are high, they will cause physical damage to the turf by grazing the root system. Depending on turf use (surface activity / wear / stress) such damage will become evident in spring.

Secondly, damage from third party predators (birds, foxes and badgers) may well occur during winter as food sources become short. Such pests will start to search out areas of larvae infestation and cause physical damage to the turf.

Chafer Grub damage.

The environmental consultancy ADAS recently calculated the cost of chafer grubs alone is up to £85 million a year for UK golf courses from lost income and damage repair.

If areas of poor performing turf are noticed it is a good idea to sample for soil larvae – the only practical method to do this is to lift areas of turf down to 7-10cm and sieve out the larvae.

One answer to overcoming such infestation is to apply NemaTrident, a tricomponent solution incorporating a range of highly virulent insect-parasitic nematodes within the Heterorhabditis and Steinernema genera. The nematodes attack and destroy the larvae of the insect pests thus preventing future pests from developing.

The product is safe, non-toxic to users and consumers, decomposes rapidly. It can be targeted at specific pests to avoid harming beneficial insects – providing 70-100 per cent success rates in combating the pests.

Unlike quick-fix chemical controls, correct identification and timing are critical so users must work closely with the supplier to ensure the best and most effective use of such non-chemical pest control measures.

Equipped with a fleet of BLEC machinery, Talbot Farm Landscapes and Talbot Sports Turf can tackle landscape and groundcare projects of all shapes and sizes. With the latest count standing at 21 machines from across the BLEC portfolio, director Sean Goodwin relies on the versatility and efficiency the range offers when it comes to groundworks and surface preparation.

“I know with such a range of BLEC equipment at my disposal, that no matter the type of surface we’re dealing with, that we have the equipment we need to complete the job efficiently,” says Sean. When it comes to seeding, Sean has a Cultipack seeder at his disposal, together with a Turfmaker, a Disc Seeder and Multi-Seeder.

“The Cultipack Seeder is a multi-functional tool that does more than just deliver seed into the ground. The front notched rollers aid in the preparation of surfaces and as a compact, pedestrian unit we can easily manoeuvre this into restricted access sites. To achieve optimal results, we can use the Cultipack in conjunction with other seeders, such as the Turfmaker, on larger scale projects.”

The most recent addition for Sean was a Multi-Seeder 2100, the first machine purchased via Charterhouse Turf Machinery. “The BLEC build quality has always impressed me but under the guidance of Redexim it is now even better – well engineered and attention paid to every detail. With the resources available to Redexim, the manufacturing prowess and the ability to stock a wider range of parts through their dealer network, they will be able to take BLEC to the next level.”

If you’re looking for a fast and efficient way to seed or overseed your golf course, the GKB Combiseeder offers both solutions, as well as the possibility to seed multiple types of grass. The two conical spiked rollers open up the soil and accurately spread seed across the full width of the machine, in and around the holes, whilst two drag brushes incorporate the seed into the holes. This method results in minimal surface disruption.

This accurate seeding machinery is also uniquely equipped with two water tanks that allow you to ballast the machine, to aid spike penetration on harder surfaces.

For full details and to arrange a demonstration of the Combiseeder, contact Tom Shinkins at GKB Machines Tom@gkbmachines.com on 07495883617.

GKB Machines is part of the GKB Group and is engaged with the development of innovative maintenance machines for golf courses and sports pitches.

One of its products, the GKB Sandspreader SP100, was recently acquired by Kingfishers Golf Club in Suffolk, through GKB’s distributor Ernest Doe.

“Finding a machine that’s compatible with our Jacobsen Truckster was essential to us and a main factor when choosing the GKB Sandspreader SP100,” explained Matthew Thacker, managing director of Kingfishers, who added: “GKB machines are extremely well designed and built.”

Kingfishers Golf Club will be mostly sanding their greens with the GKB Sandspreader SP100. Accurately applying sand and in varying quantities to keep golf courses in prime condition, this machine is ideal for both construction and maintenance.

Germinal has updated two of its greens-specific bentgrass blends by adding newly listed browntop cultivar, Musket, to its AberMajesty and ForeFront Greens seed mixtures.

Musket is one of three new browntop bentgrass cultivars to join the BSPB’s Table G1 (greens, close mown 4-7mm trials) in 2020. It is also the latest addition to Germinal’s extensive bentgrass portfolio which includes a range of high quality browntop and creeping bentgrass mixtures to suit every circumstance and budget.

“Musket was bred using germplasm that combines early spring green-up traits with improved summer performance,” said Richard Brown, amenity sales manager for Germinal GB.

“As well as offering all the intrinsic benefits of a modern browntop bentgrass such as a prostrate growth habit, high shoot density, good wear tolerance and reduced input requirement, Musket also exhibits excellent resistance to fusarium.

“With the recent loss of several key fungicides already forcing greenkeepers to overseed more frequently in order to keep their greens disease-free, selecting a naturally resistant cultivar such as Musket is the logical way forward. We have therefore added Musket to two of our specialist golf greens seed mixtures, AberMajesty and ForeFront Greens, to bolster their varietal diversity and natural disease resistance so that greenkeepers can establish and maintain high quality, consistent greens with excellent year-round playability.”

For 2020, Germinal’s AberMajesty mixture will consist of 45 per cent AberRegal (browntop bent), 45 per cent AberRoyal (browntop bent) and 10 per cent Musket (browntop bent).

ForeFront Greens will be made up of 40 per cent 007 DSB (creeping bent), 25 per cent AberRegal (browntop bent), 25 per cent AberRoyal (browntop bent) and 10 per cent Musket (browntop bent).

January’s BTME in Harrogate signalled the start of a year of celebrations for the Johnsons Sports Seed team, as 2020 marks the company’s 200th anniversary in the seed industry.

The event also launched the new ProNitro® Seed Coating from DLF, and a number of updated Johnsons Sports Seed formulations ready for the new season.

ProNitro® seed technology was launched to much acclaim in 2016 and has proven itself to achieve a stronger germination and faster establishment, without the need to apply pre-seed fertilisers – saving both time and money. The coating now features DLF’s hydroactive water management technology which promotes sustainable water and nutrient availability through significantly improving the water distribution in the surrounding soil. Enhanced moisture availability during the early stages of plant growth gives each developing seedling the optimum conditions for strong root development and healthy, vigorous growth.

In trials, ProNitro® coated seed contributed to a 34 per cent increase in establishing plants and a 30 per cent improvement in root growth. In addition, the targeted nitrogen application system reduces the leaching of unutilised fertiliser into the environment by more than 50 per cent when compared to traditional chemical applications.

The new ProNitro® coating is available on a selection of mixtures across the Johnsons Sports Seed range, including J Premier Pitch and J Tee. Ideal for hard wearing, shaded golf tees and pathways, the 2020 formulation of J Tee now includes the new strong creeping red fescue Laverda. Laverda is the new number one rated fine fescue cultivar, that delivers unbeatable summer colour and shoot density. For golf, Laverda also features in the updated J Rye Fairway and J Premier Fairway mixtures.

For those turf managers with a focus on improving long-term sustainability, the brand-new J 4Turf 100 mixture will be of particular interest. A 100 per cent tetraploid ryegrass mixture, J 4Turf 100 is ideal for the rapid renovation of worn sports turf areas. The increased chlorophyll density and greater root mass of DLF’s 4Turf ryegrasses optimise water and fertiliser inputs resulting in good looking turf that’s cheaper to maintain and better for the environment.

Devon-based AMIA, with offices in Scotland and Ireland, is the exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland of Selvatici Amenity Machinery, which has a range including the Aeroking Vertical Drainage Aerators and the Sandqueen Sand Dispensers.

Selvatici has been manufacturing in Italy for over 100 years and manufacturing professional Vertical Drainage Aerators for several decades. It is a common sight on golf courses in Europe and North America but Selvatici is now re-entering the UK and Irish golf markets through AMIA after originally selling a number of units during the 1990s and early 2000s. Since then there have been a lot of innovations and improvements to the machines, such as a new and more robust gearbox, completely renewed bodywork and a double lever for the front roller which ensures an easier lift.

AMIA’s Selvatici product specialist Bethany Williams-Nichols said: “I’m delighted that Selvatici is re-entering the UK and Irish markets. Their machines are proving to be the perfect solution for golf clubs who have smaller budgets whilst still maintaining excellent performance, build quality and reliability.”

The majority of the Selvatici Aeroking range is equipped with a fibre glass cover which has proven to be popular due to it being easily replaceable.

They come with a patented down stroke of the tines which consists of an irregular parallelogram which uses the spring only in the returning stroke of the tool and not during the down stroke. This permits less use of the springs because the revolution mechanism is totally defined by the irregular parallelogram and it means less mechanical wear and more reliability. The Aeroking aerator has the ability to work at 750rpm and 1000rpm (using hard spring in the 400.95 series). This increases hourly productivity and speeds up work. With self-lubricating bearings, the machines are very easy to maintain, therefore increasing the life of the machine. Having just sold a Selvatici Aeroking to Minehead Barbarians RFC in Somerset, a particular model which has proven popular has been the Selvatici Aeroking 300.50 1.65-metre model. This machine has a weight of 650kg and power requirements ranging anywhere from 30 to 50hp. The depth on this machine can reach anywhere from five to 30cm with a wide variety of tine options including pencil tines for golf greens and hollow tines for coring. There a good range of optional extras such as self-levelling conveyors for when greenkeepers have used a hollow tine option.

The Selvatici Aeroking range consists of eight different models ranging from 1.2 to 2.5 metres, with a requirement range of 20 to 95hp.

Pricing starts from just £9,995 plus VAT for the smallest 1.2m model and £17,950 plus VAT for a larger 2.5m Selvatici Aeroking model with eight model sizes in the range. This means the Selvatici Aeroking range is a feasible option for large professional sports clubs and golf courses as well as smaller clubs or golf courses who might not normally be able to consider owning their own machines, in return avoiding unnecessary amenity contractor costs.

For more information, contact Beth at beth@agrimarketia.com or visit www.agrimarketia.com.

Charterhouse Turf Machinery used BTME 2020 as a platform to launch what is considered to be the ‘next generation’ of its renowned Verti-Drain range. Offering a 1.9m working width, the new Verti-Drain 2519 is set to become the tool of choice for turf managers looking for a high-productivity aerator.

The 2519 model incorporates the very best of Redexim precision design and engineering to bring a new high-speed machine into the portfolio. Offering a PTO speed of up to 540rpm, it can cover up to 8,739 square metres per hour when spaced at 165mm. As standard, the Verti-Drain 2519 comes with 12mm solid tines but it can accept a range of solid tine options up to 19mm, and hollow tines for coring. This versatility, combined with a variable working depth of up to 250mm, makes it suitable for an array of end-users, across the full spectrum of the maintenance calendar.

Together with a new draw-rod system, it features an easy-to-adjust heave lever and slip clutch PTO drive. With practicality and finesse at the heart of the machine, the 2519 also features new livery and styling.