NAPLES, Fla. -- The new look in golf course turfgrass is Platinum. Turf Ecosystems, along with Ron R. Duncan, PhD, announce the introduction of Platinum TE, a paspalum turfgrass cultivar that offers golf courses unparalleled appearance and playability. Platinum TE is scheduled to be certified and available in limited supply by September 2007.
This new turfgrass is designed to provide unprecedented aesthetics. It features a darker green color than most other paspalum cultivars, which results in superior striping capability. Plus, Platinum TE plays as great as it looks. Its fine leaf blade and tight internode spacing create a very compact canopy surface that provides exceptional ball set up and puttability. Even in low light intensity conditions, it has exhibited superior growth performance and sustainability, making it an ideal turfgrass for areas with persistent cloudy or rainy climatic patterns.
"Platinum TE has proven to be a genetically unique cultivar," said Turf Ecosystems Vice President Ron R. Duncan, PhD. "Through DNA profile analysis, it has demonstrated distinct genetic separation from all other paspalum cultivars. Platinum TE's coloring and other characteristics make it an extremely attractive turfgrass."
In addition to its exceptional appearance and playability, Platinum TE offers important maintenance benefits. With proper management, this turfgrass exhibits high salt tolerance and proven performance. It also demonstrates excellent general foliar disease resistance when managed correctly. Platinum TE establishes rapidly from sprigs and aggressively grows in from surface stolons. In response to day length/photoperiod changes or environmental stress exposure, this turfgrass shows minimal seed head exsertion. A versatile turfgrass, Platinum TE tolerates a wide range of mowing heights (0.070 to 1.500 inches), making it a perfect choice for any area on a golf course. For "true excellence" in turfgrasses, choose Platinum TE.
Through research and science, Turf Ecosystems develops and manages new turfgrass cultivars and maintenance products that are better-suited to both performance expectations and environmental limitations. Under direction of its vice president, Ron R. Duncan, PhD, the Florida-based company offers a full range of turfgrass and irrigation water management services, including scientific research; new cultivar development; site assessments; treatment and long-term environmental sustainability strategies for recreational turfgrass, water and soil; and management of seashore paspalum installations; general turfgrass and water issues consulting. Turf Ecosystem's focus on global environmental stewardship has led to the effective ecosystem management of alternative irrigation sources for recreational turfgrasses, including recycled or reclaimed water, stormwater, brackish water and blended water containing variable salinity levels. A former professor of Crop and Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia, Dr. Duncan is developing revolutionary turfgrass cultivars at Turf Ecosystems, including Platinum TE. This unique paspalum turfgrass cultivar offers golf courses and other sports venues unparalleled playability and cosmetic appearance. For more information on Turf Ecosystems, visit us online at www.TurfEcosystems.com, call 239.434.4047 or send an e-mail to TurfEcosystems@yahoo.com.
