11/12/2012 - By Dr. Raymond Snyder

Many golf course superintendents have found that turf colorants can be utilized to improve fall/winter color whether it is cool- or warm-season turfgrasses.  There are many turf colorants on the market and all of these will add color, but the difference between these products is how long the color lasts.

Turf colorants can be divided into dyes, paints, and pigments.  Obviously, the turf dyes will be the shortest lasting in duration since they are water soluble materials.  Paints and pigments, on the other hand, will last for the longest duration.  Paints are used more for dormant turfgrass color, while pigments tend to be utilized more for color enhancement on green turfgrass.

PAR is a pigment product that was commercialized by Harrells in 2011 and has proven to be very effective.   One thing in particular that is very important to the successful use of PAR is the timing of the application.  We recommend that PAR be applied to turfgrass in the fall BEFORE the turfgrass goes dormant and/or loses its color from the onset of cold weather.  If applied too late after the turfgrass has lost color, then the color enhancement and retention will not be as good nor last as long.

This is critical as there seems to be a direct correlation to the application timing of PAR to the turfgrass plant while it is still physiologically active relative to the degree of color enhancement noted.  For best results, apply PAR early in the fall at 20 fluid ounces per acre before your turfgrass goes dormant. You will not be disappointed and your fellow superintendents will be “green” with envy!