NEW CULTIVARS AND GRASS SEED MIXTURES FOR GOLF COURSES INTRODUCED

A new seed mixture for golf greens and bowling greens called MM8 has been introduced into Limagrain UK’s MM range of grass seed mixtures. Two new perennial ryegrass cultivars, Venice and Malibu, are also now included in the MM golf mixture range.

The new MM8 seed mixture is composed of 50% slender creeping red fescue and 50% chewings fescue, and so requires less fertiliser than conventional greens mixtures. The varieties selected have good disease resistance and drought tolerance, and produce a fine dense sward. MM8 is an excellent spring overseeding mix, and is also ideal for bowling greens.

This year the cultivar Malibu is included for the first time in MM22 and MM50 – mixtures for tees and fairways - and provides disease resistance and fineness of leaf. Malibu’s high shoot density also contributes to the development of a sward which is dense and hard wearing.

The new perennial ryegrass cultivar Venice is being included in MM50, a 100% ryegrass blend. On the STRI’s Turfgrass Seed 2009 new varieties chart for close mown swards (Series L), Venice has a mean score of 7.7, equivalent to fourth place on the main chart. Of particular note is its significantly superior resistance to red thread, and its fineness of leaf.

Limagrain UK’s Matt Gresty explains: “These changes to the MM range give greenkeepers access to some of the very latest varieties and an increased selection of mixtures. In addition, the seed in all MM sports mixtures is treated with Headstart which enables a more rapid germination and contributes to successful establishment.”

We can supply a hard copy of the 2009 MM catalogue – just e-mail us using the following address: info@limagrain.co.uk – please remember to supply your full postal address and post code.

Alternatively, you can view on line or download a copy on this informative catalogue from this website – go to ‘Amenity Grasses’ then use the drop down menu to click on ‘MM Range’. You can also view (and download) the STRI’s Turfgrass Seed booklet via this same web page.

May 2009