United Turf Alliance and Phoenix | UPI have voluntarily suspended sales of Armor Tech ALT 70 and Viceroy fungicides (respectively) pending an investigation into reports of adverse effects of the products on cool-season grass at multiple golf courses in the Northeast.
With the active ingredient aluminum tris (O-ethyl phosphonate), ALT 70 and Viceroy are systemic fungicides labeled for control of anthracnose, Pythium and Phytophthora. Post-patent products, they are marketed as alternatives to Bayer Environmental Science's Signature fungicide. Bayer has issued a statement indicating there is no association between damaged turf and use of Signature.
Both products are manufactured by Tessenderlo Kerley Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona, and marketed as Armor Tech ALT 70 by United Turf Alliance, a consortium of distributors, and as Viceroy by Phoenix | UPI, a division of United Phosphorus, Inc.
The investigation was launched after reports of damaged turf at northeastern golf courses growing a combination of Poa annua and creeping bentgrass where ALT 70 was used as a component of a spray program.
A Web site, www.ALT70info.com, has been established as a central online location for the product manufacturer and distributor to share news and information about ArmorTech ALT 70 fungicide.
Armor Tech has not concluded that it was ALT 70 that adversely affected turf on these golf courses, but has retained help from researchers at Rutgers University and the University of Rhode Island who are helping to review spray patterns and programs and the resulting effects. In the meantime, customers can return unused product to UTA for credit.
All other Armor Tech products come from other sources unrelated to Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. and are safe to use.
The ALT 70 label specifies that the product is not compatible with wetting agents and several other fungicide types. Click here to view the company's halt-sale letter.
