Petro-Canada launched its golf course fungicide CIVITAS at the Golf Industry Show in New Orleans last week.
CIVITAS is the only commercially available turf fungus control product for the golf course industry that uses the mode of action called Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR). Unlike traditional chemical fungicides, CIVITAS is a synthetic isoparaffin-based product that works to prime the turf’s genes, stimulate its natural defenses and kill or inhibit fungal diseases.
Described as a plant defense activator, CIVITAS provides broad-spectrum control on a variety of grasses, including bent grass, rye grass and poa and helps to control dollar spot, brown patch, anthracnose, spring leaf spot, grey leaf spot, fusarium patch, leaf spot, powdery mildew, grey and pink snow mold. It also helps to control insects, including sod webworm, annual bluegrass weevils, banks grass mites, mealybugs, mites, cutworm and fall armyworm.
Throughout the six years of research and development CIVITAS underwent robust testing and trial procedures. The product was tested by some of the turf grass industry leaders, including Dr. Frank Rossi (Cornell University) and Dr. Thomas Hsiang (University of Guelph). In December 2008, Dr. Rossi and Dr. Hsiang co-presented a webinar which detailed their research findings. The webinar is available for download at www.civitasturf.com.
CIVITAS is now available at selected distributors in the U.S.A. Packaging sizes vary, and include a tote, 55 gallon drum, 30 gallon drum and 5 gallon pail.
“We have developed a dramatic breakthrough in fungus control technology – one that golf course superintendents have been waiting for,” says Drygala. “The science behind our product is revolutionary. There’s nothing like it on the market today that fights and inhibits fungus the way CIVITAS does – its mode of action is one-of-a-kind.”
In addition to the product’s unique mode of action, it also differs from traditional chemical fungicides due to its short-re-entry intervals, spray and application flexibility, and improved turf health. Superintendents will also benefit from its resistance management properties.
