Dr. Grady Miller from North Carolina State University presents a comprehensive educational discussion on turf grass colorants for golf course management.
The presentation covers the fundamentals of when and where to use colorants as alternatives to overseeding, particularly for winter color on dormant warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia. Miller explains the differences between pigments and colorants, their application rates, longevity, and cost considerations. He discusses various application methods from large boom sprayers to hand wands, and shares research findings on color retention, effects on photosynthesis, and potential issues like product transfer onto uniforms.
The webinar includes practical examples from golf courses, combination approaches with overseeding at reduced rates, and innovative uses like colored sand for topdressing. Miller emphasizes that while these products offer cost-effective alternatives to overseeding with benefits like no spring competition issues, they also have limitations such as shorter color duration and lack of the glossy appearance of live grass.
