Turf colorant operations were one of the more popular topics during this year’s annual SportsTurf Managers Association conference. Dr. Grady Miller, North Carolina State, presented the latest results from his research started in 2008. He explained how and why a practice that has been adopted by golf course superintendents is now being incorporated into turf manager operations across the country. Many of these same practices are being used in the lawn care business to improve the sale of real estate.
One of the biggest costs for golf courses is the fall overseeding program to maintain a green course when the warm season grasses go dormant. Dr. Miller’s research results have generated some recommendations for sports turf managers. The earlier you apply the turf colorant the longer the colorant lasts on the plant tissue. He attributed this to when the grass is still green there is less absorption of the material, thus more on the leaf as it goes into dormancy. Also dilution ratios, the gallons per 1,000 square foot, and whether to make a double pass have a direct impact to the results in color and how well it lasts. He found that an earlier fall application, before the turf went dormant, would hold up to for 2-3 months.
His typical application rate was in the neighborhood of 1 gallon of diluted material covering 1,000 square feet. Thus for every gallon of turf colorant you are covering approximately 10,000 square feet (1 to 9 dilution ratio) for about $50.00 (plus labor and equipment costs). Now compare this to your cost of a overseeding program.
Another benefit was how quickly the grass came out of dormancy, the colorant promoted more heat absorption similar to the effect of putting down a protective mat/tarp to keep the ground warmer.
Dr. Miller also evaluated several products at different dilution ratios on his turf grass plot. Approximately twelve different turf colorant formulations at the time were used, the more well know products ranging in prices from $45 to $65 per gallon, that recommended dilution ratios from 1 to 7 to 1 to 10, 1 gallon of turf colorant to x gallons of water. The higher concentration of turf colorant did have a positive result when it comes to color and longevity.
His series of images reflected that depending on the angle of the sun and where the observer stood had some significant differences on “how well” the application performed. This is similar to cutting grass between the 5 yard lines in different direction to get staggered appearance.
Our own turf colorant tests on cool season grasses and trees reflected these same observations. Check out our Turf Colorant Picasa photo album on test that were completed in the late fall of 2009. Dr. Miller indicated that since the yellow pigment in the turf colorant is typically less stable than the blue pigment that you see the application turning blue as time goes on.
During application it was noted by several in the audience that you don’t want turf colorant to come in contact with concrete as it acts like a die similar to a wood stain, it doesn’t come out. All your equipment will turn green. Dr Miller suggested that the appropriate spray tip selection is in the range of 11005 and 11008. This stands for 110 degree spray fan and either a 0.5 or 0.8 gallons per minute at 45 PSI. The spray boom was at a height where they tried to achieve a 10” spray fan when reaching the turf.
Although Dr. Miller indicated that diaphragm pump technology did not perform as well as piston drive unit, Tru Mark has been very successful in using 12-volt Shurflo diaphragm pump technology to apply turf colorants, whether in a Shurflo electric backpack sprayer or a Model E-100 Field Marker.. This is in stark difference with a more caustic material such as deicer solutions that quickly oxidize metals on the applicators.
One of the final tests Dr. Miller is performing is “rub off” test. He is using a white cloth that is weighed and then dragged over the turf where colorant was applied. There have been reports that different turf colorants may perform better for sports turf application and reduce the amount of colorant transfer to a participant’s clothing when coming in contact with the turf (not that grass stains are any less problematic) thereby aggravating the sports teams appearance.
The same principles for calibrating a sprayer for pest controls should be used when apply turf colorant.
Here’s some additional background information on Dr. Miller’s research. Update on university turf-related research projects, Part I, Evaluating the use of green turf colorants as an alternative to overseeding warm season turf grasses. (near bottom of report dated 01/25/2010)
Another current Turf Magazine article, A Fresh Coat of Paint? by Don Dale, Take winter turf from brown to green quickly.
One of the industrial leaders, Becker Underwood, in turf colorant business recently announces some new products.
Tru Mark Athletic Field Marker offers two color formulations of Turf Colorant, Switchback Kameelyan Blue Turf Colorant and SwitchBack Kameelyan Bermuda Turf Colorant.
Another recent article, on how a turf colorant can be used as a spray indicator dye to show where you’ve been when applying pesticide controls.
We would enjoy hearing about and seeing your own experiences of turf colorants.