12/19/2024 - By Dr. Paul Giordano

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

Anthracnose Control using a Harrell’s Balanced Approach – Research Recap

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

Cooperator: Rutgers University - Dr. Ming-Yi Chou/Kyle Genova

Location: New Brunswick, NJ

Site Type: Poa annua putting green

Key Takeaway: The Harrell’s programs were once again among the top statistical performers in both disease control and turf quality throughout the trial period. The incorporation of Harrell's ProtectMAX® Title Phyte Systemic Fungicide, quality, stabilized macro and micronutrients as well as stress mitigating Biostimulants like Harrell'sBio-MAX® Seaweed Extract and Harrell's SprayMAX® PAR® SG helped to improve disease control and turf quality over a basic fertility and fungicide program.

Fairway Dollar Spot Control with Harrell’s ProtectMAX® Fluoxastrobin SC – Research Recap

ProtectMAX® Fluoxastrobin SC has been a great addition to the Harrell's Portfolio since it launched in late 2023. With growing concerns about dollar spot resistance, and limited new families of chemistry available, we have been exploring the use of Fluoxastrobin as a fairway dollar spot option in combination with a multi-site fungicide like chlorothalonil. 

Cooperator: Rutgers University - Dr. Ming-Yi Chou/Kyle Genova

Location: New Brunswick, NJ

Site Type: Creeping bentgrass fairway

Key Takeaway: The results have shown that even under mid-to-high pressure, this combination can serve as an affordable, non-DMI/non-SDHI solution for up to 21 days of control. 

Amino Phyte Program Approach for Traffic Stress Mitigation – Research Recap

Cooperator: Dr. James Murphy, Rutgers University 

Location: North Brunswick NJ

Site Type: Creeping bentgrass putting green

Key Takeaway: Bi-weekly applications of the tank mix combination of Title Phyte, Harrell'sBio-MAX® Amino Pro V, PAR® SG, and Harrell's SprayMAX® Activator + SA (aka Amino Phyte) resulted in significant improvements in overall turf quality, vigor, disease suppression, and turf traffic stress mitigation through the duration of the trial. This program has been shown to be comparable to, or in some cases exceeding industry standards for summer stress, turf health, and disease control.

Amino Phyte Program Approach for Aerification Recovery – Research Recap

Cooperator: Dr. Lee Miller, Purdue University 

Location: West Lafayette, IN

Site Type: Poa annua/creeping bentgrass putting green

Key Takeaway: Weekly or bi-weekly applications of the Amino Phyte tank mix resulted in significant improvements in disease control, % of green cover, and % of aerification recovery. The Amino Phyte program has been shown to be comparable to or better than industry standards for summer stress, turf health, and aerification recovery.

Connect with Your Harrell’s Rep for Our Latest Research Updates

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 it’s 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. 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 one of our Directors of Agronomy or your local Harrell's Representative.