Landscape & Urban Design Issue 44 2020 | Page 29

BIOSTIMULANT SUPPORTS SUCCESSFUL TURF ESTABLISHMENT TURF Creating healthy, resilient turf in areas of high aesthetic value will now be improved, thanks to a biostimulant aimed specifically at the establishment of new turf. Launched this spring, Tonivit ® activates root growth & activity, nutrient uptake and tillering, to quickly establish a stronger sward for newly seeded and re-seeded areas, or newly laid turf. Business Development Manager UK & Ireland for Speciality and Amenity Crops at UPL UK, Stephen Olive, said: “The effect of Tonivit on emergence speed is demonstrated through trials, which have shown that newlysown leys treated with the product reach 70% sward density three weeks earlier than those untreated. The product is also effective on newly laid turf. “That’s great news for if you’re wanting to create lush green spaces quickly, in areas of high aesthetic value. And because the turf has an improved health status, it will be resilient to potential traffic during its early stages, which will be more prevalent in built-up or urban environments.” Tonivit contains oligosaccharides - naturally produced complex sugars extracted from seaweed, with the addition of phosphorus and potassium. These sugars are beneficial for turf establishment because they stimulate plant reductases, which increase nutrient and water translocation and therefore boost health and ultimately yield. Mr Olive added: “Tonivit is manufactured to the same standard as our traditional crop protection products, and is highly concentrated thanks to the development of a refined cold-press extraction process at our manufacturing plant in St. Malo, France. “This means the application rate is just 1L/ha, which is an added bonus, as it’s speedier to apply and less product to handle. “Interest has rapidly grown in seaweed-based biostimulant products such as Tonivit, particularly in the amenity turf sector. And it’s no wonder – they’re a natural and sustainable alternative that offer simple cost effective benefits. Tonivit was launched by Arysta LifeScience in February. Arysta LifeScience is now part of UPL, creating a new leader in global agriculture. For more information on Tonivit and other turf products, visit www.arystalifescience.co.uk or e-mail ukenquiries@arysta.com Follow us @ludmagazine www.landud.co.uk 29