Poa seedhead control is a difficult endeavor due to the hundreds of biotypes and environmental factors that effect seedhead production. Every year is so different from the last. What makes it even more challenging is that the different biotypes vary in timing and seed production. For the sake of comparison, let's look at the variance over the last several years:
- 2024 - seedhead emergence occurred 4/22/24
- 2022 - seedhead emergence occurred 5/10/22
- 2020 - seedhead emergence occurred 5/19/20
Needless to say, the bumpy nature of seedheads does not make for a desirable putting surface. Sixteen years ago, I developed a growing degree model that would better time our growth regulator applications. My hope was that it would help reduce some of the variabilities that oftentimes cause poor seedhead control. The model has certainly evolved over the years, as we learn a little more each season.
Seedhead control does not mean we eliminate seedhead production, it simply means we are trying to suppress the seedheads. We want to keep them as low in the canopy as possible so green speeds are not affected. Seedhead control was excellent this year as there has been very little, if any, disruption to ball roll.
