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Revolutionising Sports Turf Irrigation

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Revolutionising Sports Turf Irrigation: Keeping UK sports fields in pristine condition is no easy feat, but Landscape Watering Systems Limited is making it simpler and more efficient than ever. As one of the UK’s leading distributors of Rain Bird irrigation products, the company is bringing the latest in smart irrigation technology to the nation’s sporting arenas — delivering next-level performance, precision, and sustainability.

At the heart of this offering is a suite of cutting-edge Rain Bird products: the IVM (Integrated Valve Module) control system, the powerful 11000 Series Rotors, and the intuitive IQ4 Central Control platform. Together, these technologies are setting a new benchmark for irrigation management on sports turf.

Revolutionising Sports Turf Irrigation

Revolutionising Sports Turf Irrigation

A Smarter Approach to Irrigation

Simon Edginton, Director at Landscape Watering Systems Limited, believes these innovations come at the perfect time for the UK’s sports turf sector.

“We are committed to providing UK sports facilities with the most advanced tools to ensure optimal playing conditions,” Edginton explains. “Rain Bird’s IVM, 11000 Series, and IQ4 represent a significant leap forward, offering the precision, efficiency, and ease of management that turf professionals need to keep fields at their best.”

The Technology Making It Happen

Rain Bird IVM – Integrated Valve Module
At the core of this modernisation is the IVM system, which replaces traditional decoders in 2-wire systems with a “smart solenoid” that communicates directly with the controller. This streamlined design simplifies installation, lowers material and labour costs, and delivers real-time diagnostics — a major asset when fast troubleshooting is essential. With its increased reliability and responsiveness, the IVM helps groundskeepers maintain consistent, high-quality pitch conditions.

Rain Bird 11000 Series Rotors – Built for Performance
Designed specifically for sports fields and large turf areas, the 11000 Series rotors deliver powerful, even coverage with a throw radius of up to 32 metres. Their robust build ensures long-term durability, while the minimal exposed surface reduces interference during play. Fewer heads are required thanks to their wide coverage, translating into cost savings on installation and maintenance.

Rain Bird IQ4 Central Control – Control at Your Fingertips
The IQ4 platform offers grounds teams a comprehensive control centre for their irrigation operations. With weather-based scheduling, evapotranspiration (ET) adjustments, remote access, and detailed reporting, IQ4 enables precise and proactive water management. Its user-friendly interface puts full system visibility in the hands of groundskeepers, helping them make informed decisions quickly — whether managing a single pitch or an entire complex.

Why It Matters for Sports Facilities

These new technologies aren’t just about saving time and water — they’re about raising the standard of sports field care. Facilities can expect a wide range of benefits, including:

  • Superior Turf Health: Precision irrigation ensures even watering, promoting vigorous, resilient grass that can withstand intense play.
  • Water Conservation: Smart controls and efficient hardware reduce waste and align with sustainability targets.
  • Lower Maintenance: Fewer components, streamlined troubleshooting, and robust design all help minimise downtime.
  • Remote Oversight: With IQ4, irrigation schedules can be monitored and adjusted from anywhere — a game-changer for complex sites.
  • Cost Effectiveness: Reduced water usage, lower installation costs, and fewer maintenance demands result in long-term savings.

A Trusted Partner for Irrigation Excellence

With decades of industry expertise, Landscape Watering Systems Limited continues to support turf professionals with innovative products and hands-on support. As UK sports venues face increasing pressure to improve efficiency and environmental performance, the company’s latest offerings provide a powerful edge.

About Landscape Watering Systems Limited
Landscape Watering Systems Limited is a leading UK distributor of professional irrigation products. Serving the sports turf, landscape, and amenity sectors, the company is known for its technical expertise and commitment to delivering tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of grounds professionals.

About Rain Bird Corporation
Founded in 1933, Rain Bird Corporation is a global leader in irrigation systems. With a strong focus on The Intelligent Use of Water™, Rain Bird designs products that conserve water while promoting healthier environments in landscapes, agriculture, and public spaces around the world.

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Revolutionising turf protection with Maxtima®

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Revolutionising turf protection with Maxtima®: Global pioneers in the world of turf care research and development, BASF is the expert brand in product innovation and turf management solutions, and its latest fungicide is a must-have in all greenkeepers tool kit.

Following the anticipated launch at BTME 2024, BASF’s new cutting-edge demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide, Maxtima® is already making its mark in the world of turf care. The innovative product is a cost-effective solution against the toughest of diseases such as dollar spot and microdochium that can be applied throughout the year for long-term protection. Here, we look at the regulations that contributed to its development, how the product was created, and, specifically, its active substance, Mefentrifluconazole.

Revolutionising turf protection with Maxtima®

Revolutionising turf protection with Maxtima®

Matthew Martin, Strategic Key Account Manager at BASF said: “The need for fast-acting and long-term turf disease management has been key in the development of Maxtima®, and the revolutionary DMI fungicide has delivered just that! Its efficacy on tough and recurring pathogens means that long-term protection and prevention is achievable for all green keepers. What’s more is Maxtima® boasts a low application rate, minimising chemical usage on greens, and saving turf professionals time, labour, and money.”

The unique active substance of Maxtima®, Mefentrifluconazole, is absorbed rapidly into the leaf, where it is protected from degradation from rain and UV. It then settles as a pool, which provides slow release of the active for long term protection – up to 28 days.  Unlike older DMIs in the market, Maxtima® fungicide is an isopropanol-azoles, a unique chemistry that ensures excellent binding capacity and adaptability through its molecule flexibility. This offers control even on plant pathogen strains that are insensitive to DMIs – something many other DMIs cannot offer or compete with.

They say necessity is the mother of innovation and you could argue it’s never been more necessary to bring new fungicide chemistry to growers. But perhaps the true innovation behind Mefentrifluconazole, the first new azole to reach the UK market for 15 years, has been the approach BASF has taken in the face of the tough EU regulatory regime.

On the development of, and need for, a unique DMI, Rob Gladwin, head of technical management for UK said: “The quest for new chemistry in turf disease control started many years ago. The efficacy of current chemistry was shifting and there was great uncertainty over its future with more stringent EU regulations being enforced. For azoles, like Mefentrifluconazole, there is the backdrop of concerns over endocrine disruption, as the target enzymes in fungal pathogens are closely related to those found in mammals. We addressed this head on. Our research teams looked not just to target enzymes in the fungal pathogens, but also specifically for chemistry that does not harm wildlife”.

The discovery came with the development by the biochemistry team of new enzyme assays.

“The assays test the efficacy with which the DMI chemistry, which includes azoles, inhibit the fungal target site, CYP51 –– blocking this enzyme prevents a fungal cell from producing ergosterol causing it to die.

“We also found that Mefentrifluconazole is flexible –– it not only fits perfectly into the CYP51 binding site, but it also has the flexibility to adapt if this site changes, unlike other azoles. We think that helps with the control of septoria isolates that have evolved mutations. DMIs have a mode of action which is inherently interesting. But the approach we took has taken our work in a new direction and has become the standard way we start the process of new active ingredient development.

“The team screened hundreds of compounds and received very quick feedback, not just on how effective they were, but also how safe. Together, the team discovered a unique property of an entirely new family of triazoles –– this molecule has a ‘hook’. It’s an isopropanol linker. This moiety is a small part of the larger molecule and it’s unique for a DMI. We synthesised it and noticed very strong fungicidal effects.

“We do everything we can to put forward the right molecules into our development pipeline, so we don’t have problems later, but we see so many that fail. It makes it even more rewarding when you find one that succeeds, like we have seen with the active in Maxtima®.

Maxtima® was launched in collaboration with Agrovista Amenity, the industry’s leading supplier of professional products and specialist advice. Turf professionals will be able to speak to their local Agrovista representative to order the product and for more detail on its usage and compatibility.

For more information, please visit https://www.agricentre.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Product-Search/Fungicides/Maxtima.html#section-details

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DSV Eurograss: Revolutionising the UK Turf Market

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DSV Eurograss: Revolutionising the UK Turf Market: In the world of turf grass breeding, one name stands out as a beacon of innovation and excellence – Deutsche Saatveredelung AG, otherwise known as DSV.

With a rich history spanning over six decades, DSV has been at the forefront of cultivating and refining turf grass varieties that have featured in Europe’s most prestigious stadiums. Now, with a renewed focus on conquering the UK market, DSV introduces Eurograss, a testament to their commitment to superior quality and unmatched performance.

DSV Eurograss: Revolutionising the UK Turf Market

DSV Eurograss: Revolutionising the UK Turf Market

The journey of Eurograss traces back to the humble beginnings of turf grass breeding at DSV. Established in 1965 with the merger of Nordwestdeutsche Futtersaatbaugesellschaft in Bremen (NFG), DSV laid the foundation for a legacy of excellence in turf grass cultivation. Over the years, meticulous breeding programmes at DSV’s state-of-the-art stations in Asendorf, Germany, and Les Rosiers, France, have produced a diverse range of turf grass varieties tailored to meet the varying needs of different regions and usage patterns.

Tailored Excellence: DSV’s Turf Grass Breeding Philosophy

At the heart of DSV’s success lies a relentless pursuit of perfection in turf grass breeding. The breeding objectives are finely tuned to cater to specific usage directions, whether it be for home lawns, ornamental purposes, sports arenas, or landscape applications. This bespoke approach ensures that each turf species meets the exact standards of durability, density, and resilience required for its intended purpose.

A hallmark of DSV’s turf grass breeding programme is its unwavering commitment to innovation and adaptability. In response to evolving environmental dynamics, such as climate change, DSV has proactively integrated traits like drought tolerance and disease resistance into its breeding objectives. This forward-thinking approach has led to the development of groundbreaking varieties like Europitch, Eurobeat, Eurocarina, Tasida and Regenerate which excel under the toughest conditions, ensuring lush greenery even in the face of adversity.

DSV Eurograss: Revolutionising the UK Turf Market

DSV Eurograss: Revolutionising the UK Turf Market

Testing the Limits: Striking the Right Cord

Central to DSV’s success is its rigorous testing regime, overseen by leading experts like Cord Schumann, the head DSV turf breeder in Asendorf. Each candidate undergoes comprehensive evaluations over several years to assess its suitability for different applications. From deep cutting assessments to cleat roller simulations mimicking the wear and tear of sports activities, every aspect of turf performance is scrutinised with meticulous precision. Cord’s unique sensory test, where he walks barefoot over the turf plots, epitomises DSV’s hands-on approach to quality assurance, ensuring that only the finest varieties make it to market.

Setting the Standard: Eurograss in the Global Arena

The culmination of over a decade of breeding and testing is evident in Eurograss. With over 90 DSV turf varieties approved worldwide, Eurograss has firmly established itself as the gold standard in turf grass quality. Notably, Eurograss varieties feature prominently in prestigious recommendation lists like the British Society of Plant Breeders Limited (BSPB) list, reaffirming their status as industry leaders in turf innovation.

As Eurograss sets its sights on the UK market, it brings with it a legacy of excellence and a promise of unparalleled quality. With a comprehensive range of cultivars tailored to suit every need and environment, Eurograss is poised to revolutionise the UK turf industry, one blade at a time.

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Redexim revolutionising topdressing

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Redexim revolutionising topdressing: With the goal of improving the resilience and year-round playability of the greens, Lymington Golf Centre have purchased a Rink DS800 from Redexim to improve both the frequency and effectiveness of topdressing.

Just a few months into his new programme of pencil tining, topdressing and incorporating the sand into the profile with the help of the Redexim Speed-Brush, Course Manager Brian Goodall is already noticing an increase in greens speed and the recovery of some weaker course areas.

Redexim revolutionising topdressing

Redexim revolutionising topdressing

Overlooking The Solent and out to the Isle of Wight, the nine USGA spec greens at Lymington Golf Centre saw a big increase in footfall during 2020. The ongoing resurgence in demand for golf was a big contributor in the purchase of the Rink, from local dealer Hunts Forest Group at the end of last year. “I was keen to improve the condition of a few key course areas, one of which was the greens, to not only improve the playing experience but also help them to cope with the increase in rounds” explains Brian, who oversaw the conversion of 50 acres of farmland into the golf course 16 years ago.

“We had been using a contractor for topdressing previously, the issue being that the day you’re booked in isn’t necessarily the best day to conduct that sort of operation. Several other greenkeepers recommended the Rink from Redexim, and after other testimonials from Hunts and a local contractor I made the purchase.” Brian opted for the DS800 trailed model, featuring a 0.8m3 hopper capacity, variable spreading widths of between 2m and 12m, and spreading thicknesses of 0.5 to 15mm.

The DS800 has already completed two operations across all nine greens since its delivery, with Brian planning to topdress between four and six times a year. “It’s got a great range of adjustments and is so simple to use. Compared to the drop-dresser that our contractor used which could only cover 1.5m at a time, the Rink being a disc spreader means that in three or four passes you’re done and moving onto the next green! We follow the Rink with the Redexim Speed-Brush to work the sand down into the profile and are already seeing truer, faster greens, less susceptible to pitch marks and more wear tolerant which puts us in good stead for the season ahead.”

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