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Jim Murphy

Crabgrass is Emerging

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Very small first and second leaves of emerging crabgrass can be seen now in open turf areas.

During the last couple weeks, we have seen crabgrass emerging from open turf areas that were previously infested with crabgrass. Crabgrass emergence will probably occur later than this on better maintained turfs with a dense canopy.

If crabgrass is emerging, it is too late for most preemergence herbicides to be useful. However, dithiopyr (trade name Dimension) is a commonly used preemergence herbicide that also provides effective postemergence control of crabgrass (but not goosegrass). For postemergence control, dithiopyr should be applied [Read more…] about Crabgrass is Emerging

Slow Green-up of Kentucky Bluegrass

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There are numerous elite varieties of Kentucky bluegrass (Compact Types) that have excellent tolerance of leaf spot, summer patch, and stripe smut diseases. Many varieties produce a very attractive, dense, compact (low growing) turf with dark green color during the summer.

Some elite varieties of Kentucky bluegrass exhibit slow spring green-up (plot in center foreground).

[Read more…] about Slow Green-up of Kentucky Bluegrass

Injury on Sports Fields

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For those interested in sports turf, there is a new study that suggests a greater potential for ACL injuries on the most recent (third-) generation of synthetic turf compared to natural grass. The news report also states that third-generation synthetic turf  had higher levels of injury compared to first- and second-generation types of synthetic turf (shorter blade length). Click here to view a news report on that study.

Update on ProFACT

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Turf response to a uneven application of N fertilizer.

As the start of the 2013 growing season draws near, I thought an update on the Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certification and Training (ProFACT) program would be useful. Be advised that all professionals need to be certified or trained to apply fertilizer to turf in NJ. Additionally, all certified and trained professionals need to renew their certificate for 2013 before applying fertilizer in 2013. Recall the that N & P fertilizer cannot be applied to turf (lawns, park, sports fields, etc.) in NJ before March 1st.

There were 1,634 professionals that received [Read more…] about Update on ProFACT

Tall Fescue Varieties for Sports Turf

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Hope your winter is going well.

We recently published on the web a fact sheet update on Tall Fescue Varieties for New Jersey Sports Fields.

This fact sheet discusses the characteristics of traffic tolerance, turfgrass quality, and susceptibility to brown patch disease (caused by Rhizoctonia solani). Traffic tolerant varieties are more persistent under the combined stresses of wear and compaction, which are very common on sports turfs. The variety recommendations in this fact sheet are based on research conducted at Rutgers University on the 2006 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) Tall Fescue Test. Data from other locations was also used for these recommendations. [Read more…] about Tall Fescue Varieties for Sports Turf

Risks to Soils and Plants from Saltwater Flooding

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As you might expect, we are receiving questions from county agents, landscapers, and property owners about saltwater flooding effects on soils and plants and the appropriate remediation. The information below may be helpful in answering these questions. (Thanks to Stephanie Murphy for pulling together a lot of this information).

Problems from Saltwater

There are a number of potential problems caused by saltwater including: i) the direct effect of burn (osmotic stress) on plant tissue; ii) dehydration of plants (physiological drought stress) caused by increased osmotic potential in soil; iii) plant damaged by sodium (Na) toxicity; iv) loss of soil structure caused by excessive Na; and v) soil infertility caused by increased soil pH (excessive alkalinity). [Read more…] about Risks to Soils and Plants from Saltwater Flooding

Crabgrass Continues to Emerge

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Recent rains have stimulated more crabgrass to emerge. This will probably continue through the end of the month. If applied preemergence herbicides, especially early in the spring, you may start to see “breakthrough”. If have decided to control crabgrass postemergence (manually or with postemergence herbicides), you should scout for emerging plants after each rain or irrigation event. Water will stimulate more emergence of plants. See previous post for more information.

Recently emerged crabgrass seedling plants (taken 20 July).