The Maxtima fungicide, especially when rotated with Insignia, offers greenkeepers rapid, long-lasting and proactive protection against Microdochium Patch during autumn and winter, helping maintain healthy, playable greens.
As any greenkeeper knows, autumn and winter present one of the most difficult periods for maintaining clean, healthy putting surfaces. When temperatures drop and moisture levels rise, Microdochium Patch (Microdochium nivale) can quickly take hold, disrupting turf quality, aesthetics and playability. But with newer chemistry now available, there’s real opportunity for proactive, long-lasting protection – and BASF’s Maxtima fungicide, available from Agrovista Amenity, is leading the way.
Developed with cutting-edge DMI (Demethylation Inhibitor) technology, Maxtima is powered by the active ingredient mefentrifluconazole – a true next-generation azole that’s proving its worth on golf greens up and down the country.
“We’re in a far stronger place now when it comes to fighting Microdochium,” says Joshua Thomason, Technical Manager at Agrovista Amenity. “Maxtima has shifted the game because of its fast uptake, mobility in the plant and length of protection. It offers everything you’d want from a fungicide during a high-pressure period.”
What makes Maxtima different?
While traditional azoles have long been a staple in the greenkeeper’s disease control toolkit, Maxtima takes things several steps further. Mefentrifluconazole is absorbed into the leaf tissue up to 24 times faster than conventional DMIs. This means it starts working rapidly – suppressing the pathogen before it can gain a foothold.
Once inside the plant, Maxtima forms a stable reservoir, releasing the active ingredient over a period of up to 28 days, providing long-lasting protection at a time of year when spraying windows can be limited.
Trials conducted at the STRI in Bingley using the label rate of 1.5 L/ha showed an 82 percent reduction in Microdochium incidence, even under high disease pressure – demonstrating both curative and preventative strengths.
“For turf managers planning ahead, Maxtima is a brilliant tool to get out in front of disease pressure. It’s about being proactive, not reactive,” Joshua adds.
Real-world results: Celtic Manor’s experience
At the Celtic Manor Resort, Director of Golf Courses and Estates Management Jim McKenzie has seen the benefits first-hand.
“Maxtima’s been a valuable addition. It’s part of that progression in product development where we can use targeted solutions that fit our unique environment.”
Its flexible application window, rainfastness and strong resistance profile have made Maxtima a valuable addition to Jim’s toolkit – especially in a high-pressure, high-visibility environment like Celtic Manor.
Maxtima in rotation with Insignia
More greenkeepers are starting to use Maxtima as part of a strategic rotation – pairing it with Insignia, another Agrovista-recommended fungicide, to further support resistance management and maintain high levels of control.
To reduce the risk of resistance and improve overall disease suppression, Maxtima (FRAC Group 3) is ideally rotated with Insignia (FRAC Group 11), which contains pyraclostrobin – a QoI fungicide offering complementary activity.
“Insignia works exceptionally well during the same seasonal window,” Joshua explains. “It targets multiple stages of the fungal life cycle and performs even in cool temperatures, so it slots neatly into the same disease control programme.”
Insignia provides:
• Translaminar movement for leaf surface protection inside and out
• Rainfastness within one hour, allowing application flexibility
• Control across all fungal growth stages, from spore germination to sporulation
Together, Maxtima and Insignia form a powerful duo – giving turf professionals a structured approach to maintaining plant health and suppressing Microdochium Patch when it matters most.
Planning ahead
As autumn looms, now is the time to start planning preventative strategies. Whether you’re operating at a championship venue or a municipal course, early investment in proven chemistry can pay dividends.
“Greenkeepers don’t need to wait until the disease is visible,” Joshua concludes. “A well-structured IPM programme using Maxtima and Insignia gives you a fighting chance of getting through the worst months with surfaces you can be proud of.”
For more information, visit amenity.agrovista.co.uk