It is vital for a rugby pitch to be of sufficient quality, performance and durability if it’s to survive a demanding season., but as the ball is not played on the ground, grass cover isn’t as imperative as it is for football but the aim for a rugby groundsman should be to keep the plant strong, healthy and deep-rooted to cope with heavy wear.

A rugby pitch at Leigh Sports Village sown with J Premier Pitch.

DLF breeding offers highly rated cultivars and mixtures tried and tested in rugby venues around the country. Of particular interest are J Premier Pitch, J 4Turf and ProMaster 81 from DLF brands Johnsons Sports Seed and Masterline.

J Premier Pitch contains Europe’s highest rated cultivars to deliver a sward of exceptional wear tolerance and density, with excellent recovery and regrowth. Monroe turf type perennial ryegrass is top rated in every category in independent trials.

At BT Murrayfield, Johnsons J Premier Pitch has been the seed of choice for the 2015 IOG Groundsman of the Year Jim Dawson. “Not only is BT Murrayfield the home of Scottish Rugby Union, it plays host to Guinness PRO12, European Champions and Challenge Cup matches, and not forgetting other events! I need a seed that can really take the pressure and deliver in what is quite a harsh environment. The J Premier Pitch establishes quickly and I can rely on the top rated cultivars to deliver a dense, wear tolerant surface.”

Pro Master 81 from Masterline, a premier sports field renovation mixture, is particularly suitable for new builds and the renovation of top performance winter sports pitches. The 2016 formulation includes top rated cultivars Monroe & Columbine, perennial ryegrass which gives unrivalled sward density, wear tolerance, rapid establishment and excellent disease resistance.

4Turf tetraploid ryegrass mixtures are now commonly used at top venues for autumn overseeding; the new J 4Turf mixture takes advantage of the larger seed which is able to establish faster. The tetraploid rygrasses are proven to have the highest natural resistance to common turf diseases while the deeper root system helps to stabilise the surface and increase annual stress tolerance. For clubs on a tighter budget these mixtures are also proven to be more nitrogen use efficient helping to reduce nitrogen inputs and keep costs down.  4Turf Tetraploid ryegrasses are currently unique to the DLF breeding programme.For even stronger establishment and better value J Premier Pitch & J 4Turf are now available with Johnson’s new 4G seed coat technology, ProNitro.

For even stronger establishment and better value J Premier Pitch & J 4Turf are now available with Johnson’s new 4G seed coat technology, ProNitro.

www.dlf.co.uk