LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT that endure heavy foot traffic , weather extremes and minimal downtime is often a year-round task for landscape crews . These complexes often include trees , shrubs , hedges and ground covers that require routine maintenance around the entire facility , including fences , parking lots , dugouts , scoreboards , walkways and spectator stands . Applying PGRs can reduce the need for pruning these numerous plants , making landscape management tasks much more time efficient .
KEY BENEFITS TO IMPLEMENTING PGRS IN YOUR OPERATIONS 1 . GROWTH REGULATION , REDUCED PRUNING AND TRIMMING FREQUENCY One of the biggest advantages of using PGRs is reducing the need for frequent pruning and trimming . Around sports fields , landscape plants such as hedges , shrubs and trees near walkways , bleachers and parking lots often require frequent maintenance to prevent overgrowth .
Operational efficiency means more time can be allocated for field maintenance , game preparation , irrigation system maintenance and other essential tasks . Well-maintained shrubs and trees enhance the visual appeal of the overall facility , without constant upkeep .
2 . ENHANCED PLANT HEALTH AND STRESS TOLERANCE PGRs do more than just reduce growth — they can also improve plant health . PGRs encourage root development and boost drought tolerance , stimulating the production of abscisic acid ( ABA ), a hormone that helps plants manage water loss by closing the stomata during drought conditions . Health benefits for sports field landscapes :
Improved drought resistance : Treated plants develop thicker , waxier leaves , which improve drought resistance by reducing both leaf scorch and water loss . This is particularly valuable in areas with high sun exposure , temperature extremes and windy conditions .
Stronger and enhanced plant health : PGR applications promote fine root development , enabling plants to access water and nutrients more
The plant growth regulator helped produce thicker , waxier leaves , which results in less water loss and a reduced potential for the leaf scorch you see on the untreated cutting above it .
effectively . An increase in chlorophyll production leads to deeper green leaves and boosts overall tree and shrub health while reducing chlorosis symptoms — keeping landscapes both visually appealing and functional . Additionally , reduced pruning wounds result in healthier , more resilient plants .
Disease suppression : PGRs thicken leaf surfaces , making it harder for fungal disease to take hold . Because of this secondary benefit , studies have shown that PGR-treated plants are less susceptible to certain pathogens , such as leaf spot and cankers . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com March 2025 | SportsField Management
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