Cleaning Up The Spills
Oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico might be topical at the moment, and we can only hope that this environmental and commercial disaster will be resolved soon, not to mention the human cost involved.
Thankfully our industry is not likely to see such devastation on such a scale. However, greenkeepers and grounds men are only too aware of accidental oil spills on finely managed turf, for example when an hydraulic pipe splits and leaves its contents in a nice straight line right across the middle of your green. Initial damage can be immediate with oil temperature able to reach over 90 degrees Celcius (very close to the boiling point of water). Longer term recovery can be impeded as the residue of oil is neutralised in the soil. It is this secondary process that can be frustrating as the grass plant takes a long time to recover.
Improved recovery can be achieved, but it needs immediate action!
Mascot Blockade LX
Mascot Blockade LX when applied at the time of damage can help to counteract the toxicity of the oil and reduce the damage spreading further. Ideally, apply the Blockade LX over an area 1 metre either side of the 'obvious' damage and ensure that the minimum water volumes are applied to ensure penetration into the effected area.
10lts of Blockade LX in 50lts minimum of water per 500m² should be applied.
Mascot Amino-Form F
Mascot Amino-Form F will help to reduce phyto-stress of the turf plant in the affected area, and should be applied as soon as possible after the initial 'first aid' treatment of Blockade LX is executed. Mascot Microflow 17-2-5 can be mixed with the Amino-Form F to help gently stimulate some re-growth, ideally to ensure consistency in appearance, across the whole green/playing surface.
Apply 5lts of Amino-Form F with 40 - 60lts of Microflow 17-2-5 in 500lt of water per hectare.
Over-seeding will be necessary where 'scorch' damage has occurred and the leaf tissue has died back. The above products will assist the new turf plants to establish, remembering to ensure sufficient water is available for the seedlings to develop.
