Clipper: The Secret to Success for Aquatic Weed Management
A case study from Jerry Spencer (jerry@gilbasolutions.com), Senior Turf Consultant at Gilba Solutions.
Image 1 & 2: Before and after treatment with Clipper Herbicide® at the Federal Golf Club, in Canberra.
Aquatic weeds and algae have been an ongoing problem for Federal Gold Club. And in previous years, the milder weather has meant that it has become a problem even earlier than usual.
In August 2024, Gilba Solutions were contacted by Pete Dunn, the Director of Agronomy at Federal Golf Club in Canberra. The Federal Golf Club had an issue with a build-up of aquatic weeds and algae in their storage dam, adjacent to the maintenance facility.
Jerry Spencer, Senior Turf Consultant at Gilba Solutions, said:
With limited water storage at the Club, it’s been very important to Pete and the Club to ensure a good, clean supply of irrigation water. 18 Championship bent grass greens coupled with Canberra’s long, hot dry summers are not a good mix. So, anything that limits water availability has a major impact on the Club, both from playability perspective but also financially
During his visit, they identified floating filamentous algae and several floating and submerged weeds, including milfoil, salvinia and leafy elodea. According to Jerry Spencer, several options were considered as solutions, but in the end the decision was made to treat the area with Clipper Herbicide®, a product from Syngenta Macspred, as it would be able to provide control of the many submerged weeds.
Images 3 & 4: The Federal Golf Club’s dam hosted a large range of aquatic weeds, prior to treatment with Clipper Aquatic Herbicide®.
The exceptionally low environmental footprint, plus the minimal withholding period, were two of the key reasons that Gilba Solutions and Pete decided to proceed with Clipper Herbicide®. Other reasons for their choice include:
Clipper Aquatic Herbicide controlled all the weeds present in the storage dam
There was a need for quick results
The 4-day withholding period for bent grass was workable
Clipper works on floating, emergent, and submerged aquatic weeds and algae
The dam water pH was less than 8.0
They were heading into the best time of year for treatment
Clipper’s reduced PPE requirements and 51% WDG tablets meant easier application and handling.
The treatment rate of Clipper Herbicide®
The dam in question contained 8 megaliter (ML) of storage and was pretty much full. As the rate is approximately 27 tablets per megaliter of water (1 tablet per 37.5m3 of water), 216 tablets of the Clipper Herbicide® would be needed. Clipper Herbicide® tablets were evenly applied over the entire dam surface.
Using the Clipper Herbicide® calculator is a great way to work out your own needs.
The Results
Jerry Spencer said:
The results have been impressive. After three weeks there was no evidence of any aquatic weeds on or below the surface and all the filamentous algae has disappeared.
Images 5 & 6: Federal Golf Club’s dam after treatment with Clipper Herbicide®.
To read the full case study, click here.
Clipper Herbicide® is a trademark of Sumitomo.
ED 25-102