Fusarium alert!

Fusarium Alert!

Following the recent unsettled weather we have been having, firstly the exceptionally dry September and then secondly a wet October with some frosty mornings thrown in the day time temperatures have been relatively mild. I suppose it wasn't a great surprise to learn that we had not seen the last of disease for this year at Maine Road.

Fusarium had taken a liking to our pitch and decided to move in with us-but not for long!

Once we recognised the problem, we immediately ordered 5 litres of Rimidin from Rigby Taylor, which Roy Rigby, our Head Groundsman, picked up from the local depot, late on Tuesday. This was to ensure a quick application. With the chemical in our possession we pegged the pitch out at 6 metre centres ready for treatment with our boom sprayer.

Prior to spraying we had to calibrate the machine to the desired application rate, this worked out at 5 litres of the chemical to 440 litres water to give the whole pitch the once over. Once calibrated, the chemical was sprayed on and the whole operation was complete within the hour.

Afterwards we carefully collected the pegs and we will keep off the pitch, with the exception of emergency for a day or so. Although the chemical is touch dry after an hour or so, it is best to leave the plant for a while to absorb the ingredients and allow them to work against the fusarium disease. However we will be fertilising the pitch in the next day or two with 14x20 kg's of 6-0-9 to give the pitch a boost ahead of our next game against Manchester United in 10 days time. The game is live on Sky TV so fingers crossed for both the pitch and the result!