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Slow growth of grasses has been a common complaint this spring. There are many factors that can cause this but cool dry weather has been a major factor this year.
Slow Growth This Spring
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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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
Rutgers Turf Students Compete in GCSAA Turf Bowl in San Diego, CA
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Turf Bowl Competition:
Three teams of undergraduate students (four students to a team – including Tyler Astor, Greg Benz, Michael Chikos, Ryan Daddio, Nicholas Delmar, Kyle Genova, Kenneth MacNish, Mike Monzon, Jianlong Sun [Jason], Yuanshuo Qu [Henry], Lingcheng Zeng [Aaron], Lorabeth West,) from the Rutgers Turf Club competed in the 2013 Turf Bowl Competition at the International Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Conference and Trade Show in San Diego, CA on Thursday, February 7, 2013. [Read more…] about Rutgers Turf Students Compete in GCSAA Turf Bowl in San Diego, CA
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
Gray Leaf Spot Disease
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Many are planting new turf areas or re-seeding damaged areas using perennial ryegrass. Perennial ryegrass has the advantage of a fast establishment rate; a full turf cover can develop within 4 weeks. [Read more…] about Gray Leaf Spot Disease
Daconil Action Fungicide
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Have received several questions from golf course superintendents over the last few days about potential phytotoxicity from the use of Daconil Action (cholorthalonil + acibenzolar) on golf course greens and fairways. I have worked with Daconil Action for 7-8 years and have not seen any “unique” phytotoxicity associated with that product compared to chlorothalonil itself.
Having said that, we have seen phytotoxicity (thinning and bleaching of foliage with chlorothalonil products in general) at very close spacings and high rates on greens height annual bluegrass when applied during the summer. We ran an experiment last year and were trying to keep anthracnose out without using a penetrant fungicide that might affect turf physiology. We noticed phytotoxicity after 8 weekly applications of Daconil Ultrex 82.5WDG @ 5 OZ/1,000 SQ FT. This is way off the label rate, so it did not surprise me to see toxicity during hot weather. However, I have not seen phytotoxicity with Daconil Ultrex, Daconil Action, or any other product containing chlorothalonil at labeled rates or recommended intervals, especially if these products are alternated with other chemistries as we recommend.
The take home message is that turf mangers should keep the rates of any fungicides within label specifications, take mix and alternate chemistries to improve disease control, reduce the possibility of resistance and to prevent phytoxicity. Finally, avoid spraying any fungicide during the heat of the day.
Bacterial Decline of Creeping Bentgrass
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Several golf courses in the tri-state area have reported symptoms of etiolation and decline of creeping bentgrass putting greens. In some cases, the etiolation has occurred in isolated areas and then disappeared, but in other situations etiolation has progressed into a gradual decline of affected turf. Patches can range from 1 to several inches in diameter and may coalesce into large areas of blighted turf. Repeated isolations has yielded a number of bacterial species including Acidovorax and infected turf has often exhibited pronounced bacterial streaming from cut leaf tissue. Annual bluegrass on these greens has been unaffected by this problem.
Although little is known about the etiology and control of etiolation and bacterial decline of turf, it appears to be stress related with the recent heat wave acerbating the problem. Anecdotal evidence from superintendents who have combated etiolation and decline suggests that recovery is encouraged by: (1) raising the height of cut, switching from heavy to light weight mowers, reducing rolling (not mowing) frequency, and using solid rollers on mowers, (2) hand syringing to avoid soil moisture extremes (particularly drought stress), (3) stopping the use of vegetative plant growth regulators (such as Primo) or reducing the rate and/or increasing the interval between applications, (4) avoiding the use of ammoniacal fertilizers (e.g., ammonium sulfate) in favor of nitrate-based sources during symptom expression, (5) avoiding heavy topdressing applications during hot weather (> 90°F) and dispersing bunker sand on greens each day (e.g., with a back pack blower prior to mowing), (6) delaying aerification, spiking, or other cultivation practices until the problem subsides, (7) reducing shade, and (8) improving air circulation around greens to reduce the leaf wetness period.
Currently, there do not appear to be any really effective chemical treatments for the control of etiolation and bacterial decline on bentgrass. Junction and other copper-based fungicides have provided limited control and can burn turf during hot weather. In some cases, Daconil Action has increased the quality of affected turf, but has not provided outstanding control of bacterial decline. Antibiotics (e.g., Mycoshield) have given little suppression of outbreaks during hot weather, can be very phytotoxic, and are not labeled for use on turf. ZeroTol (a surface disinfestant) has appeared to reduce symptom severity on some courses when applied every 2 to 4 days, but has not controlled bacterial infections. Until more research is conducted on this emerging problem, the best course of action is to reduce plant stress and avoid practices that cause excessive wounding of turf, particularly during periods of environmental stress.
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.
