Cutless* is a foliar applied and root absorbed plant growth regulator (PGR) for turf that
reduces foliar shoot growth on a variety of turfgrass species. Cutless reduces shoot
growth by interrupting the functions of gibberellic acid, and thus shortening the
internodes, which reduces or slows the turfgrass's rate of growth, but does not
impact its long-term development. Rather, using Cutless provides key benefits to
treated turfgrass. These benefits include:
- Increased turf density
- Improved turf color
- Reduced water use
- Up to 50% reduction in mowing
- Up to 50% fewer clippings
- Suppresses Poa annua (annual bluegrass) populations in perennial turfgrasses
Turf plant at normal size.
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Seven to 10 days after Cutless application, mowed turf plant exhibits slight
discoloration of treated area and leaf tip browning.
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Growth reduction peaks between third and eighth weeks, accompanied
by darker green coloration and increased tillering.
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Additionally, Cutless is the leading turf PGR for Poa annua suppression. Cutless selectively
suppresses the growth of annual bluegrass to a greater degree than desirable perennial
turfgrasses, such as creeping bentgrass, shifting the competitive growth advantage
away from Poa annua and towards creeping bentgrass. Therefore, over time, creeping
bentgrass is able to grow laterally or “creep” into the suppressed Poa annua stand,
resulting in successful conversion. This allows for a consistent and gradual conversion
from Poa annua to creeping bentgrass with minimal disruption to the playability
of the turfgrass. Programmed applications of Cutless have shown to reduce Poa annua
populations by as much as 50 - 80% in the first year!
Learn more about the Poa
annua Conversion Program using Cutless.
Impact of Cutless on turf growth
How Cutless works. Because it is antagonistic to both the formation and action of
growth-promoting gibberellic acid in plants, Cutless causes a reduction in internode
elongation. This makes turf more compact and lower growing.
Root effects and tillering. Cutless has no adverse effects
on turfgrass root systems and helps encourage more tillers and stolons, with the
net effect of increasing turf density.
Water use. Cutless reduces the leaf area of turfgrass
plants. The smaller leaf area results in less water loss due to transpiration. In
university tests, Cutless treatments resulted in water conservation from 11% to
29% compared to mowed untreated grass.
Color. At the peak of Cutless' growth effects, the grass
turns a darker green color.
Cutless and turfgrass cultural practices
During the period of modified growth of Cutless treated turfgrass, changes in the
following cultural practices can be expected.
Mowing. Because Cutless treated grass grows at a slower
rate; it takes longer to reach normal mowing height. This reduces both mowing requirement
and the quantity of grass clippings. If normal practice returns clippings to the
ground, there will be less clipping residue and unsightly clumps of freshly mowed
grass will be reduced or eliminated. Reduced volume of clippings also may slow the
buildup of thatch in turfgrass.
Irrigation. Cutless treated turfgrass transpires less,
resulting in less water used than on similar untreated grass, so irrigation frequency
can be reduced. Research has demonstrated that Cutless treated turf can use up to
29% less water compared to untreated turf.
Weed suppression. Research has shown that Cutless will
inhibit the growth of a number of troublesome broadleaf weeds, including prostate
and spotted spurge, oxalis, clover, veronica, henbit and ground ivy. Additionally,
Cutless will inhibit growth of some annual grasses—including Poa annua,
crabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail and annual sedges.
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