Agrium launches new turf product

Direct Solutions, a division of Agrium Advanced Technologies, and Agriguard Company LLC announced that MultiGuard Protect natural contact nematicide has been approved for spot treatment on fairways. With the new labeling, MultiGuard Protect offers superintendents yet another way to control harmful nematodes anywhere on their course.

"The new spot-treatment considerations make MultiGuard Protect even more effective for superintendents across the country," said Jonathon Myer, Vice President, Agriguard. "Simply put, MultiGuard offers so many of the efficiency and economic benefits superintendents are looking for in a contact nematicide, with virtually none of the handling or playtime restrictions."

Turf nematodes are found in different regions across North America and can cause significant wilting and root damage, resulting in dry, dead patches in the middle of otherwise healthy turf. MultiGuard Protect offers golf course superintendents and other turf management professionals a non-phytotoxic way to control harmful turf nematodes and promote a healthy root system. MultiGuard Protect increases nutrient and water uptake while stimulating the growth of beneficial organisms in the soil.

Direct Solutions is the exclusive North American distribution reseller of MultiGuard Protect, which is currently registered for use in 19 states. Since its introduction to North America in 2011, MultiGuard Protect has been used to control harmful turf nematodes on a variety of courses, including at the Atlantis Golf Course in Atlantis, Fla.

"I'd been looking for a product to effectively kill nematodes on the course for more than three years," said Joel Tholund, Superintendent, Atlantis Golf Course. "MultiGuard Protect is supposed to kill turf nematodes, and that's exactly what it did."

In addition to sting nematodes, MultiGuard Protect is the only natural product registered to control stubby-root, lance, ring, root-knot and stunt nematodes.

"MultiGuard Protect reduced the number of sting nematodes on our course by more than 50 percent in just three applications, and you could quickly see an overall aesthetic improvement and deeper root depth by up to four inches on the affected turf," said Tholund. "It's the first nematicide I've used that I was completely confident wouldn't harm my course."

Besides its safe-handling and green-industry-leading two-hour re-entry interval, MultiGuard is also registered to suppress fungal plant diseases such as species of Pythium, Phytophthora, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia.

When mixed with water, MultiGuard Protect can be sprayed directly on turf at the start of the growing season or during times of high nematode pressure. Its natural composition allows MultiGuard Protect to be reapplied up to five times per season as required, giving golf course superintendents and other turf professionals an economical alternative to existing registered nematicides' in-season applications.

"We are constantly looking for environmentally responsible solutions to many of the issues facing our customers, and MultiGuard Protect's non-phytotoxic composition allows for safer handling and unrestricted use while still effectively controlling harmful turf nematodes," said David Gingrich, Managing Director, Direct Solutions. "We are excited to offer this environmentally responsible product alongside the full suite of plant protection products Direct Solutions offers to the turf and horticulture markets across North America."