Allett LEDMASTER UV-C 100 Ultra Violet-C Light Bar for Disease Control
Reduce disease pressure while you mow.
Professional sports turf exists under intense pressure — tight mowing heights, heavy fixture schedules, artificial growing light rigs, and high nitrogen inputs can all increase susceptibility to foliar disease.
The LEDMASTER UV-C 100 is a simple, intelligent way for stadium grounds teams to reduce and prevent disease pressure as part of the mowing process — with no additional labour and no disruption to play schedules.
Mounted behind your mower, the UV-C bar exposes the freshly cut leaf surface to a controlled dose of UV-C light. Repeated as part of normal mowing, this provides a cumulative suppressive effect on many common foliar pathogens.
• Reduces foliar disease pressure
• Decreases reliance on chemical inputs
• Works within your normal mowing routine
• No additional labour or time required
• No residues, regulations, or weather limitations
• Supported by real stadium trials
• A step towards more sustainable pitch management
• Operating temperature - 10/ + 50 °C
Why leading stadiums are adopting UV-C treatment:
Reduce reliance on chemical applications
UV-C light has been widely studied for its ability to disrupt microorganisms. When used regularly on turf, it can reduce the environmental conditions that allow foliar pathogens to establish on the leaf surface — helping grounds teams lower their dependence on fungicides and associated costs.
Works during your normal mowing routine
The LEDMASTER UVC 100 treats the grass immediately after cutting, when the plant is most exposed.
Because treatments happen during mowing, there is:
• No second pass
• No extra operator hours
• No disruption to fixture schedules
• No contamination risk or re-entry restrictions
It simply becomes part of everyday grass presentation.
Cleaner, safer disease management
UV-C treatment generates no residues, requires no storage, and avoids weather-related spraying constraints. For clubs aiming to enhance sustainability performance and reduce chemical inputs, UV-C offers a practical, non-chemical tool.
Independent real-world observations
A long-term pilot at ADO Den Haag Stadium (Netherlands) demonstrated highly positive practical outcomes when UV-C was used behind hand mowers before every match. Interestingly, ADO Den Haag Stadiums is owned by the Municipality of The Hague. In an accordance with the green deal between the Dutch government and all municipalities they are not permitted to use any chemical agents for turf maintenance.
LEDMASTER at Saltex 2025
At the SALTEX 2025 tradeshow, Dave Allett and Henk Slootweg attracted strong interest as they presented the benefits of the LEDMASTER UVC 100 for modern turf management. Dave explained how the technology fits into Allett’s commitment to innovation and sustainable lawn-care solutions. Henk, who is from the Netherlands where chemical treatments on turf are prohibited, highlighted the increasing need for non-chemical methods to maintain healthy, high-performance sports surfaces.
Together, they described how the LEDMASTER’s UVC technology helps reduce disease pressure, supports more consistent turf quality, and provides grounds teams with an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional treatments. Their presentation reinforced the idea that the future of turf management depends on smarter, cleaner and more sustainable solutions.
Mr Henk Slootweg
ADO Den Haag Stadium’s maintenance contractor AH Vrij Groen
“After three weeks we saw with the naked eye a clear difference in the foliar disease pressure on the pitch.”
“We treated the field four times in one week and saw the infestation reduce, without adjusting the nutrition programme.” (referring to an unforeseen Red Thread outbreak during March 2023)
“Laboratory tests confirmed the picture we were seeing in the field — lower pressure of leaf-spot and red-thread on the grass leaf.”
Henk’s conclusion was that regular UV-C exposure applied directly behind mowing made a noticeable difference to foliar disease pressure, while not affecting soil biology — aligning with the intent that UV-C acts only on the leaf surface.
Why UV-C fits modern turf management
Reduced Environmental & Chemical Impact
UV-C light can contribute to more efficient disease management using fewer to no chemical inputs, supporting stadium sustainability objectives.
Improved consistency under fixture pressure
When games stack up and mowing frequency increases, UV-C contributes a routine background level of suppression, steadying the pitch through high-stress periods.
Compatible with Integrated Turf Management (ITM)
UV-C complements — rather than replaces — good cultural practice, nutrition management, airflow, and moisture control.
Technical Specifications — LEDMASTER UVC 100
100cm
High-intensity 265 nm monochromatic light by UV-C Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
Quick-fit behind compatible professional mowers (34-36” mowing width)
Independent rechargeable battery, with 4 hours’ operational capacity
LED modules rated for 25,000+ hours effective life.
Aluminium casing & frame (mounting brackets required for model of mower)
3.7 kg (battery included) Optimised for hand-mower balance
10/ + 50 °C
What about artificial turf?
UV-C is also used internationally for surface sanitisation, and on artificial turf it can be used to help reduce surface-level microbial load because synthetic systems do not benefit from the natural decomposition found in soil.While more data is being collected specifically on sports synthetic turf, early indications show promising potential for surface hygiene improvement.
LEDMASTER UV-C 100 Frequently Asked Questions
What does the LEDMASTER UV-C 100 actually do?
The LEDMASTER UV-C 100 exposes the grass plant to a controlled dose of UV-C light during mowing, which helps reduce the presence of harmful microorganisms on the leaf surface.
This can help lower disease pressure and keep emerging infections from establishing in the turf canopy.
Does the UV-C light “kill” turf diseases?
UV-C light is known to disrupt the DNA of microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria.
Instead of claiming complete eradication, it’s more accurate to say that the LEDMASTER UV-C 100:
- Helps reduce the activity of disease-causing pathogens
- Can prevent small infections from spreading
- Supports healthier turf by lowering overall disease pressure
Field trials at ADO Den Haag (2023) showed noticeable reductions in leaf spot disease and red thread after repeated use.
Does it replace fungicides or chemical applications?
Not necessarily — but it can reduce your reliance on them.
Clubs that must limit or avoid chemical control (e.g., ADO Den Haag) still rely on UV-C during high disease-pressure periods and have reported:
- Fewer outbreaks visible to the naked eye
- Reduced need for reactive chemical interventions
- A cleaner, more consistent sward under heavy fixture loads
The UV-C approach becomes part of an integrated turf management strategy.
Why apply UV-C during mowing?
Because mowing exposes the cleanest part of the plant—the freshly cut leaf surface.
This is where many pathogens attempt to colonise.
Combining the two operations:
- Saves time
- Keeps the treatment consistent
- Avoids an extra pass or operation on the pitch
- Fits into the existing mowing frequency (2–4× per week)
Will it damage the grass?
No. If used correctly.
The UV-C dose is calculated to be:
- High enough to affect microorganisms
- Low enough to avoid plant damage
- BUT, If you park the mower with the LEDMASTER ‘ON and radiating’ it will burn the grass.
What diseases can it help with?
Trials have shown reductions in visible symptoms of:
- Leaf Spot (Helminthosporium spp.)
- Red Thread
- General foliar fungal infections
Lab analysis from ADO Den Haag confirmed a drop in above-ground infections while soil microorganisms remained balanced and unchanged.
UV-C works on surface-level diseases and is not designed to replace soil-targeted fungicides.
How often should we use the UV-C bar?
Most clubs integrate UV-C into:
- Every mowing session during high disease pressure
- 2–4 times per week in winter/low growth periods
- After wet conditions when fungal pressure rises
Consistency is more important than intensity.
How long does the treatment last?
UV-C does not leave residue.
Its effect is immediate and short-lived — which is why regular mowing + UV-C is effective.
Each pass helps prevent new infections from taking hold.
How long do the UV-C Light Emitting Diodes last?
The high-quality LED modules are rated for 10,000+ operating hours, giving several years of regular use.
What are the running costs?
Very low.
You only need to charge the battery which typically costs 2 pence (1/10th kWh) and a discharge gives 4 hours use.
Compared with fungicide programmes, UV-C is extremely economical.
Contact Us
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