Rigby Taylor introduces new cultivar to treat dollar spot

By Alistair November 11, 2020 07:13 Updated

Rigby Taylor has introduced a new 100 percent creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera) mixture called Flagstick for the superior control of dollar spot.

Flagstick is a new generation ‘super bent’ cultivar with advanced turf qualities. The result of 20 years collaborative research with Michigan State University and Seed Research of Oregon across multiple sites, Flagstick was selected for superior resistance to dollar spot (Sclerotinia homeocarpa) and comparatively reduced inputs.

In addition to dollar spot, ‘’Flagstick has high disease tolerance to anthracnose, red thread, brown patch, pink snow mould and take-all patch,” said a spokesman.

Other major benefits of this new mixture, is high seedling vigour and fast establishment, excellent turf quality with a fine leaf texture and, increased plant density and rapid tillering. This last benefit helps out-compete Poa annua ingression and blends well into established, lower input creeping bent. It is also tolerant of very close mowing down to 2.5mm for tournament play.

Along with other ‘R’ mixtures in the Rigby Taylor range, ‘Flagstick’ is pre-treated with Germin-8T. This unique liquid, potent seed coating maximises seedling development and establishments. Containing a cocktail of specially penetrating surfactants, micro-nutrients and added mycorrhizae to supports plant health and the addition of trichoderma viride provides a support package that protects against damaging turf diseases at their early stage of development. For autumn sowing, the benefit of cool weather colour retention helps eliminate the appearance of winter stress.

Flagstick is an ideal introduction to seeding of greens, tees and fairways to improve disease tolerance, particularly Dollar Spot, the overseeding into creeping and browntop bent swards to improve genetic strength and diversity and also for turf production.

Available in 10 kg packs, Flagstick has a sowing rate of 10g per sq.m and for over-sowing just 5g per sq.m.

For more information contact your Rigby Taylor area manager or freephone 0800 424 919.