12/27/2022 - By Dr. Paul Giordano

Every year, our R&D team (the TurPhDudes) conducts turfgrass research through field trials aimed at finding new solutions for the most important problems and pain points of our customers. Whether it’s refining our “Balanced Approach” programs or generating important data on a brand-new product, these trials are critical to bringing innovative solutions and best-in-class agronomic recommendations to turf managers.  Here we share a quick snippet of some key results from a few trials we conducted this past summer.

Harrell’s 2022 Turfgrass Research: Anthracnose Control using a Harrell’s Balanced Approach 

In this trial, which has been ongoing for nearly a decade, we explore the benefits of incorporating adequate foliar nutrition, plant health-promoting biostimulants, and minimal fungicide inputs to control the devastating disease known as anthracnose.

Cooperator: Rutgers University - Dr. Bruce Clarke/Kyle Genova

Location: New Brunswick, NJ

Site Type: Poa annua putting green

Key Takeaway: Harrell’s programs were among the top statistical performers in both disease control and turf quality throughout the trial period. The incorporation of Title Phyte Systemic Fungicide, quality, stabilized macro and micronutrients as well as stress mitigating biostimulants like seaweed extract and PAR® SG helped to improve disease control and turf quality over a basic fertility and fungicide program.

Harrell’s 2022 Turfgrass Research: Improved Turf Health with Mycorrhizae Pro

With great success in previous controlled environment trials and excellent results on golf courses across the country this past season, we wanted to put our newest product Mycorrhizae Pro to the test even further in a replicated field study in the Pacific Northwest.

Cooperator: Oregon State University - Dr. Alec Kowelewski

Location: Corvallis, OR

Site Type: Poa annua putting green

Key Takeaway: Mycorrhizae Pro applied once per month from May through September resulted in significant improvements in turf quality and a reduction in anthracnose disease when stress and pressure were high in mid/late August.

Harrell’s 2022 Turfgrass Research: ABW Control Using a Programmatic Approach

With new products entering the market for the control of annual bluegrass weevils, Harrell’s wants to remain at the forefront of sound recommendations for our customers. We conducted trial work this past summer to evaluate insecticide programs that incorporate various products across several manufacturers with different budgets in mind.

Cooperator: Turfgrass Disease Solutions - Mr. Steve McDonald

Location: Spring City, PA

Site Type: Poa annua/creeping bentgrass collar height turf

Key Takeaway: Both a three and four-application program was evaluated - a program with and a program without an adulticide application in the spring. Both programs performed excellently on high populations of annual bluegrass weevils through June. Later applications built into the program were found unneeded as early applications of effective larvicides kept populations in check.

A New Fungicide for Fairway Disease Control

Harrell’s continues to expand our offering of plant protection products within our ProtectMAX® portfolio. We are excited to be evaluating a new product that will soon be a unique solution only found in a Harrell’s ProtectMAX® jug. Below is just a sneak peek at some of the trial work we’ve done with this powerful and exciting new fungicide.

Cooperator: Dr. Lee Miller - Purdue University

Location: West Lafayette, IN

Site Type: Creeping bentgrass fairway height turf

Key Takeaway: Treatments of Harrell’s experimental fungicide on a 28-day interval delivered excellent control of dollar spot throughout the season into September. Achieving long-term control of dollar spot especially when disease pressure is high shows the strength and consistency of this new solution.

Follow Us for More Trials to Come

This is just a small snapshot of some of the exciting R&D work Harrell’s is proud to sponsor year after year. Our mission to find new, more efficient, and effective solutions for our customers is one we take very seriously. Whether its granular nutrition, moisture management, plant health, foliar nutrition, or protection from important pests, your success is in the science.

For more of our trials, head over to the research section of our blog. And if you have any questions on the research presented here or are interested in learning more about any of our programs/products, reach out to your local Harrell's Representative.