.jpg)
Groundsmen in for treat at Saltex in September
 |
It's not only professional groundsmen that will benefit from the IOG Saltex show at Windsor Racecourse between the 6th and 8th September but also Grass Roots clubs that have the opportunity to meet the professionals.
Turf professionals can expect a series of educational treats at this year’s show, with a three-day series of focused ‘All Things Turf’ free seminars that will inform and enlighten everyone engaged in sports turf, including exclusive insights into some of the latest research findings into sports pitch drainage, grass seed development and sustainable pitches.
The interests of fine turf enthusiasts will be engaged by Dr David T Jones from the Natural History Museum as he discusses ‘Microscolex phosphoreus: a new threat to close mown fine turf’.
Microscolex phosphoreus is a small, non-native earthworm that in the last six years has started appearing in bowling greens and golf greens, he says. The initial results of a project to map its distribution suggest it is spreading across the country. This presentation will review the current knowledge of the species.
Loughborough University will be giving a presenation on Sports Pitch Drainage: Sustainable Drainage Systems.
The latest news in grass seed, too, will be covered – by Steve Denton, Rigby Taylor Grass Seed Development Manager, who will discuss ‘Cultivar engineering’ new seed mixes for intensive winter use where slow growth and low light conditions affect sports pitch management, while DLF Trifolium’s Amenity Sales Manager Derek Smith will present ‘The ryegrass revolution!’
Derek will focus on the new turf type annual ryegrasses and the very latest introduction new turf type, Tetraploid rye grass. The presentation will cover the history, what’s new, how do they work when and where should they be used.
In addition, the STRI’s Steve Gingell will discuss ‘Soil profiles and their effect on sports turf performance’. He will look at organic matter and what is going on underneath the turf, accompanied by the latest research and data from STRI, with an understanding of how this directly influences the different playing qualities of sports turf.
IOG SALTEX www.iogsaltex.co.uk
George Moss