Opportunities for Growth Regulation of Amenity Grass

Plant growth regulators have found applications in numerous crop situations but amenity turf provides a unique challenge. This paper discusses the major opportunities in this sector and reports results from trials carried out in the UK over four years with trinexapac-ethyl in a range of situations. The weight of clippings was reduced by 40% and absolute sward height by up to 21% compared to the untreated control; of more practical relevance for mown turf, this amounts to a reduction of up to 48% in clippings weight when the influence of height of mowing is taken into account. It is safe to a wide range of grass species. The data show considerable potential for this PGR as a management tool for amenity turf in Northern Europe.