Poa Seedhead Control

Poa Annua can produce a good putting surface in the right climate and the right conditions.  One downfall of Poa is the prolific seed head production for recovery.  It is a weaker species than bentgrass, doesn't handle the hi heat nor the cold winters as well, and can be a slow grower in cooler weather, thus it puts a lot of energy and carbohydrates into seed production so it can easily and quickly recover and establish itself.  It is the highest seed production of any plant that we use in the golf industry, so seedheads on a putting surface is one of the major issues when you are maintaining Poa.

We utilize many different chemical and mechanical controls to limit seedheads, and in the spring chemical control is one of our main methods.  Greens have received their second treatment last week, and in the picture below you see a perfect straight line where the edge of the boom was on the collar from the sprayer.  Not only is their a drastic reduction in seedheads in the controlled are on the left, but look at the overall health and color of the turf.  The right side is yellow and the treated side on the left is greener and healthier.  They have received the exact same fertilization, but it shows how the Poa plant puts so much of its energy and carbohydrates into the production of seedheads that is sacrifices the health of the plant to focus on reproduction.

Left side treated, right side untreated - left side no seedheads and healthier turf 

Left side no seedheads - right side has seedheads where it was not treated

Look at the difference in the health of the turf