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Jim Murphy

Battling Green and False Kyllinga in New Jersey Turfs

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We are seeing and hearing about increasing problems with green and false kyllinga; both are very troublesome invasive weed species that have moved northward into New Jersey. Green kyllinga and false green kyllinga are very similar in appearance, and both are referred to as green kyllinga. Green kyllinga is very difficult to control once large mats form.

These weeds thrive under mowing and are prolific in areas that are poorly drained or frequently wet. If you do not have [Read more…] about Battling Green and False Kyllinga in New Jersey Turfs

Tough Year for Summer Patch Disease

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I have seen as much disease damage on turf this summer as any year since I began living and working in New Jersey (1991).

summer patch disease on hard fescue
Severe summer patch disease on hard fesuce at Hort Farm No. 2 in July 2013.

The hot humid weather has been ideal for summer patch and brown patch diseases.

Summer patch disease is caused by a root infecting pathogen, Magnaporthe poae. Wet weather combined with high air (soil) temperatures are thought to be very conducive to the development of summer patch disease.

I have observed more damage from summer patch disease on hard fescue turf than Kentucky bluegrass this year. This is likely due to the fact that more people are growing varieties of Kentucky bluegrass with better tolerance to this disease than was the case 20 or more years ago.

The Rutgers turfgrass breeding program is working on improving the tolerance of hard fescue to summer patch disease.

There are some cultural techniques that [Read more…] about Tough Year for Summer Patch Disease

Are there Organic Alternatives to Glyphosate?

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We receive requests for information on “organic” alternatives to glyphosate (e.g., Roundup), especially for “trim” sprays on paved areas, sidewalks, skin surfaces on ball fields, etc.

The research on organic non-selective herbicides that are being marketed as replacements to glyphosate (for example, Roundup) is growing but it is much more limited that what you can find on more conventional herbicides; however, we have been evaluating some products. Our results indicate that [Read more…] about Are there Organic Alternatives to Glyphosate?

Are there Organic Alternatives to Glyphosate?

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We receive requests for information on “organic” alternatives to glyphosate (e.g., Roundup), especially for “trim” sprays on paved areas, sidewalks, skin surfaces on ball fields, etc.

The research on organic non-selective herbicides that are being marketed as replacements to glyphosate (for example, Roundup) is growing but it is much more limited that what you can find on more conventional herbicides; however, we have been evaluating some products. Our results indicate that [Read more…] about Are there Organic Alternatives to Glyphosate?

Crabgrass Emerging

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Back on May 24, I posted about my observation of crabgrass emerging in areas that had very thin turf cover and very high levels of crabgrass seed in the soil. Crabgrass is now emerging from areas with healthier turf and good density (and has not received a preemergence herbicide application). Recent and forecast rains are likely to [Read more…] about Crabgrass Emerging

Crabgrass Emerging

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Back on May 24, I posted about my observation of crabgrass emerging in areas that had very thin turf cover and very high levels of crabgrass seed in the soil. Crabgrass is now emerging from areas with healthier turf and good density (and has not received a preemergence herbicide application). Recent and forecast rains are likely to [Read more…] about Crabgrass Emerging

Anthracnose Active on Annual Bluegrass

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Anthracnose disease was active as early as April 16 this year and has intensified in recent weeks on our low N fertilization plots.

Active anthracnose disease on annual bluegrass (Poa annua) plots in North Brunswick NJ, 16 April 2013.

One of our experiments has the objective of determining whether anthracnose can be managed with curative sprays if [Read more…] about Anthracnose Active on Annual Bluegrass

Dollar Spot Activity Flares Overnight

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The high humidity of last night (28-29 May) caused dollar spot disease to escalate. Until last night, symptoms on unprotected susceptible turf were minor.

The cottony fungal growth (mycelia) of dollar spot, which is easily seen at early morning hours during wet humid weather.

Susceptible grasses grown under low N fertility will typically have [Read more…] about Dollar Spot Activity Flares Overnight