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– a new generation of ryegrass for sustainable turf 4turf® – tetraploid perennial ryegrass bred with you in mind Golf courses have high standards. You want to grow perfect, yet easily maintained tees and fairways because that’s what your customers expect. And you want to run an efficient golf course based on lower input costs and maximum play. Our innovative 4turf® makes this happen. We bred it for the characteristics you need. 4turf® is a new turf-type tetraploid perennial ryegrass. Agricultural grass-growers have long understood the value of tetraploid perennial ryegrasses: rapid establishment, growth in cool temperatures, and better environmental stress tolerance like drought and diseases. Our breeders set out to pass on these characteristics to golf courses. They developed tetraploid technology to the point where you, too, can experience the tetraploid advantage in a unique range of fine-leaved, high density turf-type tetraploid ryegrasses. 4turf® ryegrasses are as far removed from agriculture as their diploid relatives. 4turf® – tetraploid perennial ryegrass explained Diploid and tetraploid plants have different amounts of chromosomes in the nucleus of each plant cell. Diploid plants have two sets of chromosomes in each cell; tetraploid plants have four. Polyploidy – the ability of a plant to contain more than two sets of chromosomes – can be artificially induced by the application of the natural alkaloid plant hormone, colchicine. Colchicine, which is derived from the autumn crocus, acts as a mitosis inhibitor; it leads to a doubling of chromosomes within each cell. Historically, perennial ryegrasses bred for amenity use have been diploid. Tetraploid perennial ryegrasses are a technological step forward. They perform better because they have twice as many chromosomes and therefore twice as much chloroplast in each cell. The extra chloroplast boosts chlorophyll production, creating a healthier, high-energy plant. Tetraploids are robust and hard-wearing, with improved stresstolerance and ability to recover, even in cooler temperatures. – stress-resistance as standard 4turf® – proven performance you can trust Tetraploid perennial ryegrasses out-perform diploids in numerous ways. They have larger, high-energy seeds for rapid establishment, even when soil temperatures are as low as 4°C. Rapid establishment reduces Poa annua invasion, while low-temperature winter growth gives you a healthy hard-wearing turf all year round. Beneath the surface, the increased root mass improves drought-tolerance and increases the efficiency of the plants use of nitrogen in the rootzone. In trials, our latest tetraploid cultivars exhibited greater shade and wear tolerance. Even at reduced light levels of 60% PAR (photosynthetic active radiation), they had greater ground cover and wear-tolerance. Tetraploid cultivars are also better at fighting disease. Independent researchers (forthe French GEVES Turfgrass List and Scandinavian Scanturf) recorded excellent tolerance to microdochium (fusarium) patch, red thread and rust diseases. The UK STRI turfgrass seed trials repeated these results and measured exceptional tolerance to red thread. 4turf® – from golf courses to global sports events Although 4turf® is relatively new to the amenity market, it has become hugely popular among turf professionals. For numerous gardeners, park managers, green keepers, and groundsmen, 4turf® tetraploid ryegrasses are their first- choice grass seed. Across the world, sports fansDhaipvelosideen how well 4turf® performs at the highest level of international sport. 4turf® tetraploids blend well with other grasses. They can be mixed with diploid ryegrasses, fescues and Poa pratensis for a beautiful hard-wearing turf that’s easier and cheaper to maintain. They also help to protect the environment because they need less water, nitrogen, or chemical applications. 4turf® varieties from DLF: • Fabian • Double • Tetrastar • Tetragreen
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– stronger establishment, easier maintenance, reduced input costs Faster establishment crowds out Poa annua and cuts production time The greater energy reserves within 4turf®’s larger seeds support stronger, faster establishment and healthy plant development. Faster plant growth at the critical establishment phase helps fight Poa invasion. 4turf® cultivars will even germinate at temperatures as low as 4°C. Diploid Stronger rooting for enhanced stresstolerance and less watering 4turf® needs less water during a drought. Its larger root system and natural water reserves help it stay greener for longer. 4turf® varieties are not just drought-tolerant, they also recover quicker when the rain returns. Drought trials conducted in the Loire Valley in France confirmed that 4turf® cultivars were significantly more drought-tolerant than diploids. Index DROUGHT TOLERANCE TRIALS FROM LES ALLEUDS IN FRANCE SUMMER 2015 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 2N index 4turf® 4N index – stronger establishment, easier maintenance, reduced input costs Exceptional disease resistance and winter hardiness for reduced maintenance and chemical applications 4turf®’s larger energy reserves significantly increase natural disease resistance. This valuable characteristic helps maintain a healthy looking turf during autumn and winter. In trials undertaken in Finland, 4turf® Fabian showed superior winter hardiness. And in Scandinavian Scanturf trials, it ranked No 1 for general turf quality. Attractive deep green colour and enhanced nitrogen use efficiency for beautiful turf and reduced fertiliser applications 4turf® is more attractive than traditional ryegrass varieties. Its dark green is deeper and glossier, which makes it more inviting. With an improved cellular structure and more efficient photosynthesis, 4turf® cultivars keep their colour all year round, even when light levels are low. Better colour and increased root mass means 4turf® uses nitrogen more efficiently. That’s good for the environment and for turf managers because 4turf® needs less nitrogen fertiliser.
