Granucote® CRF

+3.51% Growth Response

on Golf Fairways

An independent 6-month fairway trial in Ireland evaluated Granucote® CRF (23-5-12) against leading competitor CRFs and an untreated control, using regular turf performance ratings under real playing conditions.

Trial Partner
Royal Curragh Golf Club
Duration
May - November
Location
Co. Kildare, Ireland
Crop
Mixed Sward
Treatments
6 total
GROWTH VS. COMPETITORS
+ 0 %
AVG PERFORMANCE RATING (1-10)
0
COLOUR VS. COMPETITORS
+ 0 %

Trial summary

This independent field trial assessed the efficacy and longevity of several controlled release fertilisers (CRFs) on golf fairway turfgrass in Ireland. Treatments were applied in late May and monitored through the main growing season until early November. 

Across the full trial period, all CRF treatments produced strong turf responses in colour, quality and growth. Statistical analysis found no significant differences between fertiliser treatments overall; however, the report concludes that the mean values for the Mivena products produced higher ratings than other products across the three assessment areas. 

Granucote® recorded:

  • Colour: 8.16 vs 8.03 (+1.62%)

  • Quality: 7.53 vs 7.34 (+2.59%)

  • Growth: 7.38 vs 7.13 (+3.51%)

Trial objective

Fairway turf must deliver consistent growth and playability throughout the season under real course conditions. The objective of this study was to compare multiple CRF fertilisers — including Granucote® CRF (23-5-12) — and quantify their effect and longevity on:

• Turf colour
• Turf quality
• Turf growth

…versus an untreated control, using independent visual assessments and statistical analysis.

Trial setup

The trial was carried out on a commercial fairway under real playing conditions, ensuring the results are directly applicable to practice.

CROP

Fairway-type turfgrass

Mixed sward (Poa annua, Lolium perenne, Agrostis spp., some Festuca)

DURATION

May – November

6-month evaluation period

LOCATION & SOIL

Royal Curragh Golf Club, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Sandy/loam soil, pH 7.1

TREATMENTS

6 total

5 CRFs + untreated control

MOWING HEIGHT

12 mm

Fairway maintained in play throughout trial

PARTNERS

Independent assessments

Royal Curragh groundstaff assessed plots blind; data collated and analysed statistically

Three Treatment Categories Compared

TREATMENT A

Untreated Control

No nutrient inputs other than trial treatments.

TREATMENT B

Competitor CRFs

Leading competitor CRFs applied at the same timing and rate: Sierrablen 24-5-8, Best Turf Gold 22-5-6, MultiGreen 28-3-15 (plus other trialled CRFs).

TRIAL PRODUCT — MIVENA TREATMENT C

Granucote® CRF (23-5-12)

Applied on 27 May at 30 g/m² using a pedestrian spinner applicator.

Results

Fertiliser response was rapid: treated plots improved in turf performance shortly after application and remained strong throughout the main growing months. Over the full period, all treated plots performed significantly better than the untreated control. 

While differences between fertiliser treatments were not statistically significant, the mean data show that Granucote® achieved higher seasonal ratings versus competing CRF standards across colour, quality and growth.

MEAN COLOUR RESPONSE (1–10) — MAY TO NOVEMBER
Competitors (average)
8.03
Baseline
Granucote® CRF
8.16
+1.62% better colour response vs. competitors
Metric shown: mean colour response rating (1–10) over the full trial period (May–November).
MEAN QUALITY RESPONSE (1–10) — MAY TO NOVEMBER
Competitors (average)
7.34
Baseline
Granucote® CRF
7.53
+2.59% better quality response vs. competitors
Metric shown: mean turf quality response rating (1–10) over the full trial period (May–November).
MEAN GROWTH RESPONSE (1–10) — MAY TO NOVEMBER
Competitors (average)
7.13
Baseline
Granucote® CRF
7.38
+3.51% growth response vs. competitors
Metric shown: mean growth response rating (1–10) over the full trial period (May–November).

Granucote® CRF delivers strong seasonal turf performance

Turf performance was assessed bi-weekly and rated on a 1–10 scale based on colour, quality and leaf growth prior to mowing. Across the full trial period, Granucote® achieved higher mean ratings than competing CRFs in all three assessment areas.

Conclusion

Independent fairway trial data consistently point in the same direction: Granucote® CRF delivers reliable turf performance across colour, quality and growth under real golf course conditions.

Strong Growth Response

Mean turf growth rating of 7.38, representing a +3.51% higher growth response versus competitors.

Excellent Colour Retention

Mean colour rating of 8.16, achieving a +1.62% higher colour response compared with competing CRFs.

High Quality Turf Performance

Mean turf quality rating of 7.53, representing a +2.59% higher quality response over the season.

Independent, Blind Assessments

Plots were assessed by Royal Curragh groundstaff with no knowledge of the applied treatments; results were collated and statistically analysed.

Recommendation

For fairway fertiliser programmes seeking reliable season-long turf response under real playing conditions, Granucote® CRF provides consistent turf performance across colour, quality and growth, performing competitively with leading CRF standards in this independent Irish trial.

Interested in Granucote® CRF for Your Golf Course?

Learn more about Granucote® CRF or contact our team for advice on fairway nutrition and seasonal planning.plant-hole treatment for your crop and soil.

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Trial conducted at Royal Curragh Golf Club · Co. Kildare, Ireland · May–November · Surface: fairway-type turfgrass · Granucote® CRF (23-5-12) supplied by Mivena BV. Results reflect independent trial data from a single golf course location. Individual results may vary depending on soil type, weather conditions, turf composition, mowing height, and course management.
© Mivena BV · Sprangseweg 13C · 5144 NV Waalwijk · info@mivena.nl

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