Method of improving turfgrass abiotic stress tolerance
The present invention relates to a method of controlling abiotic stress on turfgrass using an effective non-phytotoxic amount of acibenzolar-s-methyl.
1. A method for controlling or suppressing abiotic stress in turfgrass, comprising applying to the turfgrass or to the locus of the turfgrass, a turf quality improving non-phytotoxic amount of a composition comprising a mixture of acibenzolar-S-methyl and fluazinam, wherein the acibenzolar-S-methyl is applied at a rate of from 4 to 20 g/ha.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied pre-abiotic stress or under low to moderate abiotic stress conditions.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluazinam and acibenzolar-S-methyl are applied simultaneously together, separately, or in succession.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises adjuvants, solvents, carrier, surfactants or extenders.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the composition comprises from 0.01 to 90% by weight of the acibenzolar-S-methyl, from 10 to 99.99% of a carrier and from 0 to 20% of a surfactant.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein acibenzolar-S-methyl is applied at the rate of from 5 to 16 g/ha.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying the composition at intervals of from 5 to 21 days, either pre-abiotic stress or under low to moderate abiotic stress conditions, during the turf growing season.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein 6 to 8 applications of the composition is applied at intervals of from 7 to 14 days.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the turfgrass is an annual or perennial Gramineae belonging to at least one of the genera Agropyron, Agrostis, Axonopus, Bromus, Buchloë, Cynodon, Eremochloa, Festuca, Lolium, Paspulum, Pennisetum, Phleum, Poa , Stenotaphrum or Zoysia.