Alabama Turf Times - Spring 2009 by leadingedgepubs

Table of Contents >>>

Spring 2009

8 10 14 17

ATA Member Spotlight —

Randy Spruiell, Mighty Green Lawn Care Feature Topic —

Water Issues… An Update on Legislative Progress Turf Talk —

Filling the Niche: The Search for an MSMA Replacement Pesticide News —

Computer-Based Pesticide Testing Now Available Across Alabama

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2009

www.AlaTurfgrass.org

From the President’s Pen

ATA Annual Sponsors

Welcome, ATA New Members

News from ATA

Member News

Calendar of Events

Advertiser Index

The Alabama Turfgrass Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Alabama Turf Times, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Alabama Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2009 by the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Alabama Turf Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to Alabama Turfgrass Association, Post Office Box 70, Auburn, Al. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Auburn, AL. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertion please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

From the President’s Pen >>> Pat White

LOTS OF WAYS to

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 20 09

Get Involved!

pringtime brings new growth, opportunities and challenges. This year's spring brings new challenges unlike any other with the state of our great nation. I hope that we all can find ways to persevere through the hard times and find the optimism and unity in our industry to continue in our quests for success. The ATA is an organization of men and women with a wealth of knowledge and experience. What a great feeling it is to know that we are all a part of such a group that can be used as a support system in what we do. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this support. The new Membership Directory is a great tool to contact people in our industry who can help you with problems that you face. I hope that all members find the new directory beneficial. A big thanks to the talented team at Leading Edge Communications for compiling such a great directory. I also would like to encourage members to share — with other turfgrass professionals with whom you may come in contact — the benefits of the ATA and how it may help them in their profession. I would like to thank all of those in attendance at our Traveling RoadShow Seminars and the Sod Producers Field Day. Thank you to the board members and our dutiful executive secretary, Tricia Roberts, for their effort to put the events together and the speakers who gave their time to educate us all. A special thanks to our sponsors, who make all of our events possible. Their support even these tough times speaks to their dedication to the association and the turfgrass industry.

Our annual golf tournaments are looking to be great events in 2009 at two of the best golf courses in Alabama. The Mole-Cricket Classic is scheduled for March 30 at Lakewood Golf Club in Point Clear, and the Poa Annua Classic will be held on April 20 at the Farm Links Golf Course in Sylacauga. What a special treat for our membership and sponsors to participate in events at these fine facilities. The New Beginnings project is an exciting new venture for the ATA this year, as we will utilize our resources to help a great cause. Youth Reach is an alternative facility to youth detention for young men. Youth Reach is a faith-based organization that is funded by local churches. The ATA has committed to build a multi-purpose sports field to be used and maintained by the boys at the facility. Your assistance is welcomed and appreciated. For more information on this project, please contact Tricia for details. On behalf of the ATA board of directors, I thank you for your membership and support. If you have any suggestions as to how we can better serve you, please do not hesitate to let us know. We have a new membership survey this year that I hope everyone will take the time to fill out. The website is a great tool for finding information about what is going on and make registration for events easier. I wish everyone continued success, and I look forward to seeing you at the golf tournaments. Enthusiastically, Pat White 2009 ATA President

<<< ATA Annual Sponsors

Alabama Turf Times is the official publication of the:

2009 ATA

Alabama Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 70 Auburn, Alabama 36831 Tel: (334) 821-3000 Toll-free: 1 (866) 246-4203 Fax: (334) 821-3800 Email: mailbox@alaturfgrass.org www.alaturfgrass.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com

Annual Sponsors SILVER The companies listed here support the ATA and its members. Please keep them in mind when making your purchasing decisions.

Executive Director Tricia Roberts Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton Birmingham Botanical Gardens

2009 Executive Committee President Pat White

Agrium Advanced Technologies DuPont Professional Products NaturChem (new for 2009!) John Deere Landscapes Syngenta T&O Products

BRONZE GOLD Ewing Irrigation, Golf & Industrial Georgia Turf & Tractor Kilpatrick Turf Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Bayer Environmental Science Harrellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Inc. Humphries Turf Supply Regal Chemical Company (new for 2009!) Southern States (new for 2009!)

SouthernTurfCare, Inc.

Vice President Jeff Oelmann, CGCS Grand National Golf Course

Treasurer Tom Wolf Coosa Valley Turf Farms

Welcome, ATA NEW MEMBERS!

Past President Lee McLemore, CGCS The Country Club of Birmingham

2009 Board of Directors Amy Bailey Humphries Turf Supply

James Bartley Southern Lawns

Terry Berry Johnson Controls, Inc. Montevallo, AL

Tim Reed, Ph.D. AL Cooperative Extension System Phil Campbell, AL

Robert Bodine Marshall Lawn Care, Inc. Guntersville, AL

Douglas Speed Douglas Speed & Associates Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

David Callahan Barber Motorsports & Museum Leeds, AL

Marshall Weimorts Seminole Lawn Care, Inc. Loxley, AL

Brent Durham NaturChem, Inc. Alabaster, AL

John White Fuller Five Landscapes & Supply Cusseta, AL

Luke Janmaat Progressive Turf Equipment, Inc. Seaforth, Ontario

Shanda Williams City of Center Point Center Point, AL

Mike Lietchy City of Huntsville Huntsville, AL

Mike Wilson TurfPro, Inc. Eclectic, AL

Jay Brooks Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

John Chapman Craft Turf Farms

Steven Edwards City of Calera

Dave Han, Ph.D. Glenn Hedden Town of Loxley

David Hubbard Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Jeff Lee, CGCS Valley Hill Country Club

Richard Murphy Murphy Turf & Ornamental

Paul Paterson University of Alabama at Huntsville

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2 009

Auburn University

ATA Member Spotlight >>>

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2009

The

Alabama Turfgrass Association recently honored Randy Spruiell of Mighty Green Lawn Care with the 2008 Landscape of the Year Award. Randy, president of Mighty Green Lawn Care in Trussville, AL, handles all the lawncare services at the Cahaba Center at Grandview, which is the corporate office of the Daniel Corporation (former HealthSouth). Located on Highway 280 just south of I-459 in Birmingham, this highly visible facility has over 14 acres of turf and ornamental landscapes. Mighty Green Lawn Care, responsible for the fertility, weed control and pest and disease elimination at this facility, has done a remarkable job on this landscape, which suffered severe drought damage from the summer of 2007. Randy has over 18 years of lawncare experience and has been an active member of ATA for a majority of these years.

He began his lawncare career at the Birmingham branch of TruGreen ChemLawn. Starting out as a sales representative, Randy ended his tenure with the TruGreen Companies as branch manager. During this time, Randy served on the board of directors for the Alabama Turfgrass Association and gave several presentations for our association and the turfgrass industry. Reflecting on his career, Randy says his mentor was a former colleague at TruGreen, Kevin Maddox. Kevin and Randy became fast friends after being hired around the same time. Kevin shared the love of the turfgrass industry with Randy. Kevin is now the president of Lucky Lawn Care in Alabama's wiregrass area. Like Kevin, entrepreneurship was Randy's next step. Today, Randy is experiencing the joys of growing a lawncare business, literally from the ground up. Mighty Green Lawn Care provides turf-

and ornamental-management services to commercial and private customers throughout Birmingham and the surrounding area. Starting a business takes time, dedication and a desire for success. It always helps to have a support system, and Randy has a great family supporting him: his wife, Kellie, and their two children, Dustin and Lindsey. In his spare time, Randy enjoys hunting, fishing and watching his children play sports. Even with his pressing schedule, this turfgrass specialist still has time to help the needy by volunteering for the Back Pack Food Program. This charitable program provides nutritional meals for the hungry children in rural Eastern Kentucky. Congratulations, Randy, on a fantastic job at Cahaba Center at Grandview and with your new business endeavor, Mighty Green Lawn Care. Thank you for being such a great advocate for our industry and association.

News From ATA >>>

DON'T FORGET BUY YOUR TICKET

— by April 20 — FOR THE

ATRF Grand Outdoor Adventure Raffle!

Win

the trip of a lifetime! Purchase a $100 tax-deductible raffle ticket by April 20 for a chance to win your choice of the following trips: • northern pike or salmon fishing trip for two in Canada • dove hunt for two in Argentina • golf trip for four to Pinehurst • deer hunt for two in Texas • OR $5,000 cash!

Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation (ATRF), a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to funding turfgrass research. Each ticket is a $100 tax-deductible donation and may be purchased from the ATRF office (334.821.3000) or at any ATA event. The winner will be drawn at the Poa annua Classic Tournament on April 20, 2009!

Member News >>>

MEMBER

NEWS

Daniel Bush is now the sales and service manager for Kilpatrick Turf for south Alabama and the Florida panhandle. Congrats, Danny, on your promotion.

We are sad to announce the death of a long-time ATA member, McRhee Hugghins of Hugghins Sod Farm. Along with his family, McRhee ran two sod farms (one in Red Level and the other in Pell City). Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hugghins family. Club Car, makers of golf utility vehicles, recently announced Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation as their newest distributor for Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2 009

ATA

Tommy Akridge retired from the Mobile County Public School System at the end of 2008. ATA recently honored Tommy with the President's Award of Excellence for his sports field and complex at Alma Bryant High School. Tommy is now putting his talents to use as the building and grounds manager at UMS-Wright Academy in Mobile, AL.

Cover Story >>>

WATER

NEWS … An Update on

Legislative

Progress

By James E. Horton Jr., Director, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and Past President, ATA

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 20 09

The

last several issues of Alabama Turf Times have reported that the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Water Policy and Management for the State of Alabama has gathered information from a broad base of interested parties with a stake in how water will be managed across Alabama in the future. During the two most recent meetings, several eye-opening presentations were made. Speaking for Tourism and Recreation, Grey Brennan (marketing manager for the Alabama Tourism Department) stated that travelers spend $9.3 billion yearly in our state, with water-based recreation having a huge economic impact on the Alabama economy. He mentioned that fishing, boating/ sailing, kayaking/canoeing, scuba diving, wildlife watching/ ecotourism and hiking to scenic waterfalls were waterbased activities affected by lake levels, water flows and dependable water releases from dams. As former chief of the Water Division for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Charles Horn spoke on Water Conservation and Reuse. He presented the following facts: • The U.S. population doubled over the past 50 years, while at the same time water use more than tripled. • The U.S. ranks last among 14 peer countries for spending on water infrastructure. • Only 5% of the general U.S. population conserves water. • Atlanta reached its projected water-use rate for 2030 in 2000. 10

Continued <<< Cover Story

faced, namely: interstate litigation (“Water Wars”), drought impacts (198688, 1998-2000, 2006-08), intrastate concerns, and future growth and economic development. He noted that competition for water will increase and intensify the need for adequate water-resource planning and flexible water-management polices. We will need to understand both the capabilities and limits on our water resources to meet these needs. To accomplish this, the OWR collects data regarding water usage, surface- and ground-water capacities, and projected growth and demand. The OWR is the only program that collects water-withdrawal data from all users, which include all public water systems, all nonpublic users and irrigation water users with a capacity to withdraw 100,000 gallons per day or more. The OWR issues Certificates of Use (COU) to registered users, and data is collected annually. In 2005, there were 1,048 COUs, with 573 (55%) issued to public water systems, 109 (10%) issued to non-public users and 366 (35%) issued to irrigation users. Total withdrawals were 9,942 Mgal./day, with 95% (9,450 Mgal./day) from surface water and 5% (492 Mgal./day) from ground water. The total water used in Alabama for 2005 could be sub-divided into eight categories: thermal-cooling 83%, public 8%, industrial 6%, irrigation 2%, self-supplied residential <1%, mining <1%, livestock <1% and aquaculture <1%. This information included several points of interest: • 89% percent of the population was on public water supplies. • The remaining 11% of the selfsupplied population used all ground water. • The largest user group, thermalcooling, returned most of the water that was withdrawn. • Irrigation users irrigated 135,800 acres using 54% surface water and 46% ground water, applied 97% by sprinkler systems. The OWR will soon conduct Water Availability Assessments in partnership with the United States Geological Survey. They will assess the amount of water available in individual watersheds under a variety of different hydrologic conditions, including climate extremes, water use and land-use changes. This

work will utilize watershed-modeling approaches to develop computerized water budgets. The Tennessee Valley Basin will be the first area of the state to be assessed. Dr. John Christy, Alabama State Climatologist, gave the Committee an interesting report on Drought and Answers. Dr. Christy discussed the history of drought in Alabama from the year 900 to 2007 (much of the data was taken from tree growth rings). Important historical facts included: • There were six back-to-back years of severe drought from 1121 to 1126. • The drought of 1542 may have been Alabama's worst ever. • In 1839/1840, the Black Warrior at Tuscaloosa nearly dried up. • In 1925, the Tennessee River was so low that a car was photographed driving across the river bottom. • Our drought of 2007 was a 1-in100-year drought. His point was that, over the 1,100-year period, there was no trend; the drought and moisture index for each year were randomly scattered. However, according to Dr. Christy, the last 100 years have shown a trend toward a wetter, cooler climate here in Alabama, even though recent years don't reflect this. The next portion of Dr. Christy's talk centered on the difference between federally funded western irrigated agriculture and eastern rain-fed agriculture in the United States. Dr. Christy and his colleague, Dr. Richard McNider, propose that agriculture should return to the East under an irrigated assisted rainfed system. The vast and sustainable surface-water resources in the East dwarf water availability in the West. In the West, four feet of water or more is needed for crops. In the Southeast, even in dry years, crops need only 6" to 12" of water. Irrigation can be supported with a fraction of the winter river flow removed. The East will need help for investment in storage infrastructure. Compared to the western irrigation system, which has been incredibly expensive, catching and storing water in the East will be easy and inexpensive. Rather than big multi-year storage reservoirs needed in the West, simple on-farm storage ponds can be filled with excess winter water from small streams and 11

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2 009

• The 2006 Council of Mayors reported that 33% would have critical water shortages by 2025. • Alabama is 48th in environmental ranking among all states, due to the lack of an energy-efficiency policy in which water conservation and reuse is a component. These staggering facts fortify why water is a top-four public concern per a recent Gallup Environmental Survey. Mr. Horn made a strong case for water conservation and water reuse (treated wastewater). Some of the specific ideas he mentioned were: • Develop policies for reuse water and purple-pipe systems. • Allow reuse water for non-potable purposes such as landscape/golf/ park irrigation, street sweeping, power generation, decorative pools and fountains, car washes, fire protection, dust control, cooling towers, concrete mixing, hydroseeding, industrial water, etc. (reuse water is not allowed for body contact, cooking, drinking or for food crops). • Create more wetland areas for groundwater recharge. • Harvest flood flows via sidestream reservoirs. • Harvest and process storm water and rainwater. In closing remarks, Mr. Horn stated that he does not think that any more mega sewer systems will be built due to their expensive cost. Instead, we will likely see smaller pocket systems on the subdivision scale that will treat and reuse wastewater for irrigation or nonpotable purposes. He said that the EPA recommends and recognizes conservation and reuse water measures and that neighboring states already have Water Management Plans. Although Alabama is a growth state, it has no statewide infrastructure planning, only project-by-project ones (if that). The Joint Water Policy and Management Committee received a presentation from the Office of Water Resources by Tom Littlepage, chief of the Water Management Branch. He stated Alabama had historically been blessed with a general abundance of water resources. Prior to 1990, we had limited conflicts over water use. However, in recent years, significant issues have since sur-

Cover Story >>> Continued

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 20 09

catchments. In many areas, a 10-footdeep 15-acre pond would be enough to irrigate nearly 300 acres and can be constructed for less than $100,000. In a normal year, Alabama has 55" of precipitation; evaporation and transpiration accounts for 33," while 22" flow to the Gulf. As Dr. Christy pointed out, Alabama does not have a problem with the amount of available water; instead,

we have a timing and distribution problem with water.

★★★ Legislative Update ★★★ On January 27, 2009, the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Water Policy and Management voted to recommend two resolutions and one bill to be presented to the Alabama House

and Senate for consideration by the full Legislature. The first resolution puts forth nine recommendations, including: the creation of a technical advisory committee; a sharable data repository; statewide surface- and ground-water assessment and monitoring; a stream-gauging network plan; and an enhanced rainfallmonitoring network. This resolution was voted on and approved unanimously by the Committee. The Alabama Office of Water Resources will be given the responsibility to coordinate the nine recommendations. The second resolution points to specific federal and state laws that currently regulate water resources, identifies recommendations for developing watershed districts, and calls for dam-safety regulations. This resolution also passed unopposed. The two resolutions were followed by an unopposed recommendation to support legislation that would authorize the Alabama Department of Transportation to provide a comprehensive plan for the development and coordination of a transportation system for inland waterways. ALDOT would create a commission to manage transportation along the state's inland waterways. The bill was originally introduced in the Alabama State House by Representative Terry Spicer (D-Elba) during the 2008 regular session. On February 5, 2009 another piece of legislation was introduced for consideration. Senate Bill 309 would require private businesses and governmental entities that operate an automated irrigation system to install a rain sensor to override the irrigation system if there has been adequate rainfall. Local governmental entities would be authorized to adopt enforcement provisions, including the collection of administrative fines, for violations of the act. The Water Committee is required to provide recommendations to the full Legislature by the fifteenth legislative day of the 2009 Regular Session. The Alabama Legislative Session began on February 5, 2009. Alabama Turf Times will continue to cover water policy and management issues. With questions or comments please contact the ATA office.

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2009

Turf Talk >>>

FILLING THE NICHE: The Search for an MSMA Replacement

By Michael Flessner, Graduate Research Assistant, and Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Auburn University

onosodium methane arsonate, better known as MSMA, faces an uncertain future since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moved to eliminate all organical arsencial herbicides (organical arsenicals were not eligible for re-registration) in August 2006. While MSMA supporters continue to challenge the EPA restrictions, Auburn University, with support of the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation, is conducting research on alternative herbicides. While some currently unlabeled alternatives such as Accent (nicosulfuron) and Discover (clodinafop) could be potential useful as replacements for organical arsenicals, the new options are often more expensive for the turf manager or sod producer, and they typically have a more limited range of weed control.

At the heart of the push to save MSMA is the fact that no good alternatives to MSMA are currently available. New herbicides can control some of the weeds once controlled by MSMA; no herbicide, however, is a complete replacement. The problem is further compounded with the need to find a herbicide that also has adequate turfgrass safety.

We hypothesize that such a replacement could potentially be found by searching for herbicides currently labeled for use in the crop market. Such herbicides, if found effective, could possibly be registered for use in turfgrass and could then be pursued for long-term registration. However, for a herbicide to be deemed a true MSMA replacement,

Table 1. Herbicides Tested. Herbicide

Active Ingredient

Manufacturer

Labeled for use in

Mode of Action

Percent ai in product varies

MSMA

many

various

Not well understood

Accent

nicosulfuron

DuPont

Corn

ALS Inhibitor

75%

Discover

Clodinafop

Syngenta

Wheat

ACCase Inhibitor

6.35%

Impact

Topramezone

BASF

Corn

Laudis

Tembotrione

Bayer

Corn

Olympus

Propoxycarbazone

Bayer

Wheat

Carotenoid Biosynthesis Inhibitor Carotenoid Biosynthesis Inhibitor ALS Inhibitor

29.70% 34.5% 70%

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 20 09

Table 2. Turfgrass injury and weed control as rated at 4 WAI (2 weeks after second application).**** Herbicide

Rate*

active ingredient (trade name)

lb ai/a (product rate)

Zoysiagrass

Injury** Bermudagrass

Crabgrass

Dallisgrass

Control*** Goosegrass

MSMA (many)

2.025 lb ai/a (2.7 pt/a)

10.0 cd

6.7 c

41.7 b

56.7 a

35.0 b

nicosulfuron (Accent)

0.094 lb ai/a (2 oz/a)

18.3 c

25.0 b

36.7 b

31.7 b

85.0 a

Clodinafop (Discover)

0.063 lb ai/a (16 oz/a)

15.0 c

60.0 a

35.0 b

15.0 c

81.7 a

Topramezone (Impact)

0.016 lb ai/a (0.75 oz/a)

60.0 a

66.7 a

45.0 b

36.7 b

93.3 a

Tembotrione (Laudis)

0.082 lb ai/a (3 oz/a)

36.7 b

73.3 a

60.0 a

48.3 ab

88.3 a

Propoxycarbazone (Olympus)

0.039 lb ai/a (0.9 oz/a)

3.3 de

0.0 c

3.3 c

10.0 c

18.3 c

* Rate denotes rate of herbicide at each of two applications ** Control ratings based on a 0 to 100 scale with 0 equal to no control, 100 equal to complete plant death, and > 80 denotes acceptable control. *** Injury ratings based on a 0 to 100 scale with 0 equal to no injury, 100 equal to complete plant death, < 10 denotes acceptable injury, and > 60 denotes plant necrosis **** Means followed by similar letters are not statistically different

Continued <<< Turf Talk

it must control three major weeds — goosegrass (Eleusine indica), crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) and dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum) — nor injure bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and/or zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica).

Where do we start? We began this research by selecting herbicides that are not being currently evaluated for use in the turfgrass market. The herbicides we selected were: Accent, Discover NG, Impact, Laudis and Olympus (Table 1). Herbicides were selected due to their proven weed control and similar

spectrum of weed control to MSMA. Injury to desirable turf species from these herbicides is not known.

Our research The selected herbicides were applied to a mixed stand of mature dallisgrass and bermudagrass at Auburn University's intramural fields in Auburn to determine bermudagrass tolerance and dallisgrass control. Zoysiagrass tolerance was evaluated at Beck's Turf Inc. in Tuskegee (Alabama) on mature Emerald zoysiagrass. Goosegrass control was also tested at Beck's Turf Inc. on a stand of zoysia-

The Most Recent MSMA Update On January 16, 2009, the MSMA Research Task Force (Task Force) signed an agreement with the EPA. The details of the agreement and the conditions set forth for the various uses of MSMA are summarized below.

MSMA use on golf courses, sod farms and highway rights of way

Golf courses One broadcast application will be allowed on newly constructed courses. Application on existing courses will be limited to spot treatment (100 sq. ft. per spot), not to exceed 25% of the total course in one year.

Results Of the herbicides tested, Accent provided the best alternative to MSMA. Accent

Sod farms Two broadcast applications will be allowed per crop. A 25-foot buffer strip will be required for fields that border permanent water bodies.

Highway rights-of-way Two broadcast applications will be allowed per year. A 100-foot buffer strip will be required adjacent to permanent water bodies.

Other MSMA uses Certain uses of MSMA will not be permitted after December 31, 2010. Those uses are: • residential turf • forestry • non-bearing fruit and nuts • citrus • drainage ditch banks; railroad, pipeline and utility rights of way; fence rows, storage yards and similar non-crop areas • bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass grown for seed (this use may be continued till 2013) MSMA uses in Florida (other than for cotton) will cease by end of 2010, and registrants will delete the uses of the related products DSMA, CAMA and DMA (cacodylic acid and its sodium salt).

Long term outlook for uses of MSMA other than on cotton The Task Force strongly believes that there is growing scientific evidence that low doses of inorganic arsenic do not pose a concern to human health or to the environment. If an EPA science review, to convene in 2012, concurs with this position, then inorganic arsenic resulting from uses of MSMA will not pose a concern, and the Task Force will petition for restoration of some or all of MSMA uses.

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2 009

MSMA use on golf courses, sod farms and highway rights of way will continue until December 31, 2013. During 2012 (before the discontinuation of these uses), the EPA will evaluate the scientific information available on any risk posed by inorganic arsenic. The use of MSMA will continue beyond 2013 if the review results in a conclusion that there is no health concern at the doses of exposure resulting from the relevant uses. The EPA will also take into account additional information available on the benefits conferred by MSMA. This is particularly important due to the increased problems of weed resistance to products other than MSMA, particularly in the southeastern United States. The Task Force is hopeful that the reviews described above will enable the EPA to extend these use patterns beyond 2013 and to declare them eligible for re-registration. The directions for use of MSMA for these applications will be revised as described below.

grass that included mature goosegrass. Crabgrass control was tested at Auburn University's Alabama Turfgrass Research Unit in Auburn in a mixed stand of crabgrass and centipedegrass. Trials were visually rated weekly until 6 weeks after initial treatment (WAI), at which point trials were rated biweekly until 10 WAI. Each treatment was applied twice, with the second application two weeks after the initial application.

Turf Talk >>> Continued

displayed equal to or better control of the weed species tested when compared to MSMA (Table 2). The herbicide, however, also produced slightly more injury to the turfgrasses tested than MSMA. Future research might include the safening of Accent for use on warm-season turf. Discover is also an alternative to MSMA for goosegrass control in zoysiagrass but not for control in bermudagrass. Impact and Laudis generated too much injury for weed control in the turfgrasses tested; their use for the purpose of weed control in the turfgrasses tested is not recommended. Olympus produced acceptable injury levels, but weed control was minimal.

Conclusions (see Table 3)

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2009

• Crabgrass, dallisgrass and goosegrass control from Accent (nicosulfuron), Impact (topramezone) and Laudis (tembotrione) was equivalent to or better than MSMA.

Table 3. Turfgrass safety and weed control by herbicide* Herbicide

Turf Safety**

Weeds Control**

Bermudagrass

Zoysiagras

Dallisgrass

Crabgrass

Goosegrass

MSMA (many)

nicosulfuron (Accent)

Clodinafop (Discover)

Topramezone (Impact) Tembotrione (Laudis) Propoxycarbazone (Olympus)

*Based on information from product labels and research conducted ** x denotes safety and or weed control

• Injury to zoysiagrass is no worse from MSMA than from Accent (nicosulfuron), Discover (clodinafop) or Olympus (propoxycarbazone). • Injury to bermudagrass is unacceptable from all herbicides tested except MSMA and (Olympus) propoxycarbazone. • Injury from Accent (nicosulfuron) to turfgrasses tested was just above acceptable limits.

More research is necessary before a sound replacement of MSMA is found, and new labeling of some herbicides may be required. While Accent has potential, turf injury is an issue. Sod producers can tolerate turf injury with a quick recovery, but for the golf course superintendent turf injury is less tolerated.

Pesticide News >>>

COMPUTER-BASED PESTICIDE TESTING Now Available Across Alabama

primary responsibility of the Alabama Dept. of Agriculture and Industries' Certification and Training Office is the licensing of pestmanagement professionals. In the past, the department accomplished this by providing applicator examinations on a quarterly basis at four monitored sites, with all examinations being graded internally by hand. Hard copy/paper-based examinations were the only method for an applicator to take an examination in the category or categories he or she wanted to perform work. Now a paperless and more efficient option is available by using comput-

ers. Testers can take the test Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and in some cases, evening examinations are possible. The testing centers are located in geographically advantageous sites throughout the state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in Athens, Tanner, Hanceville, Birmingham, Auburn, Dothan and Mobile â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to provide convenience for test takers. Instant pass/fail notification and test scores by category are provided at the testing centers. For more information, please contact the Certification and Training Office at 334-240-7243.

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2009

Above, Zakiya Varner demonstrates the new testing process to Tracy Oliver, who works for Cooks Pest Control in Auburn.

Calendar of Events >>>

Index of Advertisers >>>

AGRI-AFC, LLC www.agri-afc.com . . Inside Front Cover

Turf Events March 30

July 27–31

Mole Cricket Classic Lakewood Golf Course Pt. Clear, AL

TPI Summer Convention & Field Days (Turfgrass Producers International) Michigan State University Location: East Lansing, MI

April 20 Poa Annua Classic FarmLinks Golf Club Sylacauga, AL

Late Spring / TBA New Beginnings — Sports Field Renovation Location TBA

October 20–22 2009 ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow Auburn Univ. Hotel & Conf. Center Auburn, AL

Bel-Air Turf www.belairturf.com . Inside Back Cover Ewing Irrigation www.ewing1.com . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Humphries Farm Turf Supply www.humphriesturf.com . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Kesmac, Inc. www.kesmac.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Kilpatrick Company www.kilpatrickco.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Pennington Seed www.penningtonseed.com . . . . . . . . . . . 5

October 29–31

Sod Solutions www.sodsolutions.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Green Industry & Equipment Expo Location: Louisville, KY

Sur-Line Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 20 09

The Turfgrass Group www.theturfgrassgroup.com . . . . . 13, 18