Alabama Turf Times - Summer 2013

Summer 2013

,

Changing

TIMES, Changing Turf at FarmLinks Golf Club

Eavesdropping on

MOLE CRICKETS Annual Blue-Eyed

GRASS CONTROL Plus, ATA Member Spotlight on

HUMPHRIES FARM TURF SUPPLY

Summer 2013

TOP FEATURES 10

8 10 12 18 20 24

12

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Upcoming Events —

Mole Cricket Golf Classic and ATA Annual Conference ATA Member Spotlight —

Humphries Farm Turf Supply Cover Story —

Changing Times, Changing Turf at FarmLinks Special Feature —

Annual Blue-Eyed Grass Control Turf Talk —

Eavesdropping on Mole Crickets Turf Tips —

The Smart Yards App Recent Events —

AU Turfgrass Field Day, Poa annua Golf Classic and Sod Producers Field Day

DEPARTMENTS 6 6 9

From the President’s Pen ATA Annual Sponsors News from ATA Call for Award Application Request for Auction Donations

30 30

Calendar of Events Advertiser Index

Al ab am a Tu rf Tim es >>> Su m mer 2013

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www.AlaTurfgrass.org 4

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 © 2013 by the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Alabama Turf Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. 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 >>>

ATA OFFERS RESOURCES! Baseball

season is in full swing (pardon the pun), and the mole crickets, chinch bugs, crabgrass, Virginia buttonweed and spring dead spot are on the attack.

How much easier it would be from a sports turf manager’s position if we could move ball season. But no, we have to have it when the biological vermin rear their ugly heads. I would take up turkey hunting if the workload were suddenly shifted, lucky turkeys. It would be nice if the “boys of summer” really were just that, or even the “boys of fall!” That would solve some of the congested demands on a strung-out superintendent, not to mention a battered and worn facility. Preaching to the choir, right?

Having worked on a golf course and a sod farm, I know that all my turf brothers and sisters are in the same boat — a “wide open” boat. We try to balance the human demands with the demands put on us by nature.

Just when you think you have everything under control, that’s when a storm hits or you have a drought and the irrigation goes out or a piece of equipment breaks down. Hmmm, seems I recall there was a guy named Murphy… or maybe it’s just me, but I doubt it.

Most days, turfgrass management is the easy part of this job (I said most!), but as professionals, we deal with all aspects of the industry. Hats off to those in the industry who are staying ahead of the game.

Sorry for the all the clichés, but I believe we are truly blessed to have such a wonderful organization to help us along the way. It is good to be part of the ATA. We have many resources available to us if we will just use them, including educational classes, two very helpful education advisors and the chance to network with

When the going gets tough, turn to ATA’s resources.

That’s why we’re here — to help each other.

sponsors, vendors and other turf professionals, not to mention an outstanding executive director. I can’t say enough about how fortunate we are to have Tricia Roberts as our executive director.

The next big event for the ATA is the Mole Cricket Classic. This will be a good opportunity to network with other turfgrass professionals, meet with industry vendors, raise funds for the ATRF and have a lot of fun catching fish! I’m hoping that you have marked your calendar for Monday, August 12. Remember, the deadline for signing up is July 1. Please make every effort to attend, and let’s do our part for turfgrass research!

Thanks, Glenn A. Hedden 2013 ATA President

Al ab am a Tu rf Tim es >>> Su m mer 2013

2013 ATA Sponsors

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GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

• Beard Equipment Company • Greenville Turf & Tractor • Golf Ventures, Inc. • Harrell’s, Inc. • Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

• • • •

• • • • •

AAT — Direct Solutions Ewing John Deere Landscapes Syngenta T & O Products

AGRI-AFC, LLC Agromax Aquatrols BASF Bayer Environmental Science

• • • •

Humphries Turf Supply PBI/Gordon Southern States Turf Sur-Line Turf

Alabama Turf Times is the official publication of the: Alabama Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 70 Auburn, Alabama 36831 Tel: (334) 821-3000 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 Executive Director Tricia Roberts Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton Birmingham Botanical Gardens

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Glenn Hedden Town of Loxley

Vice President John Carter Carter Sod Farm

Treasurer Jeremy Sutton Montgomery Country Club

Past President James Bartley Harrell’s, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS At–Large Richard Brackin Lawrence County Sod Farm

Jason Cooper Richter Landscape Co.

Sidney Whitaker S & S Lawn & Landscape

Golf Cole McInnis Willow Point Country Club

Industry Steve Sanderson AGRI-AFC, LLC

Institution Paul Patterson University of Alabama Huntsville

Lawncare Craig Jones Alabama Lawns

City of Foley

Sod Tres’ Wilkinson South Dallas Turf

EX OFFICIO/ EDUCATION ADVISORS Dave Han, Ph.D. Auburn University

Jim Jacobi, Ph.D. Alabama Cooperative Extension System

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Parks & Recreation Mark Irwin

Upcoming Events >>>

We’re Taking the Mole Cricket Classic

Deep Sea Fishing!

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

The

Mole Cricket Classic has been an alltime favorite event to raise money for turfgrass research in Alabama. In an effort to get more participation from our membership and raise additional funds, we are taking the event fishing this year!

Join your peers for an eight-hour, offshore fishing expedition on the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, August 12.

We have reserved boats at Zeke’s Landing Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama. Each boat will have 15 fishermen, including three industry sponsors. Registration of $190 (and $500 sponsorships for our vendors) will include your fishing, fishing license, deck-hand tip, water and Dramamine. We’ll depart at 7 a.m. and return that afternoon around 3 p.m.

Immediately after we dock, prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish.

ATA has secured a discounted rate at the Island House Hotel, which is directly across the street from Zeke’s. All rooms front the beach. Call 800-264-2642 to make your reservation, and be sure to ask for the ATA room rate of $169.

Don’t miss the boat… register today on-line at www. alaturfgrass.org. All registrations must be paid in full to secure your spot on the boat! And remember — 100% of the proceeds from this tournament will be donated to turfgrass research. We look forward to a great time on the wide, open waters of the Gulf of Mexico! 

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Save the

NEW Dates

for the ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow October 29–31, 2013 8

• Educational sessions (general and breakout sessions) • Golf Tournament • Auburn University Sports Field Tour • Tradeshow in the new AU Basketball Arena • Membership dinner and auction in the new Auburn Arena • Business Meetings for ATA, ATRF & AGCSA Make your plans to attend and join your industry friends! Call the AU Hotel & Conference Center to make your reservations (1-800-228-2876). Register for the conference online at www.alaturfgrass.org. 

<<< News from ATA

Call for Applications:

2013 ATA PRESIDENT’S AWARDS

The

Alabama Turfgrass Association recognizes its members for their expertise, hard work and dedication to the turfgrass industry with the President’s Award of Excellence each year.

Four categories are awarded: Sports Field/Complex of the Year, Landscape/ Lawn of the Year, Sod Farm of the Year and Golf Course of the Year.

These awards, presented at the Annual Conference and Tradeshow, are given to the member who manages exceptional turf, shows professionalism in job performance and ability, promotes the turfgrass industry and is dedicated to the profession and ATA.

We encourage every member to submit an application for this year’s award before the September 1 deadline.

Winners of this award will receive: 1. A plaque presented at the ATA Annual Conference during the General Assembly.

2. Featured member with article in ATA’s magazine, Turf Times.

3. Free registration to the 2013 ATA Annual Conference and Tradeshow, October 29–31.

Criteria for consideration: 1. Applicants must be an ATA member for three or more years.

2. All applications must be submitted in complete form along with a minimum of 10 digital photographs.

3. There must be at least three entries per category for a winner to be awarded for that category.

4. All sports fields, landscapes, sod farms and golf courses must be older than three years.

The awards committee, consisting of current and past ATA presidents, will judge the entries. The application is available on the ATA website at www.alaturfgrass.org. All entries must be received by September 1.

Good luck! 

AUCTION DONATIONS NEEDED!

One

unique an item is, the better. Ideas to get your creative, philanthropic ideas flowing include: • Tickets to amusement parks • Tickets to sporting events (college, minor league and professional games, NASCAR) • Golf passes to golf clubs • Hotel accommodations • Signed memorabilia • Turf products (fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides, etc.)

• Turf equipment (sprayers, trimmers, edgers, etc.)

• Trips (hunting, fishing, safaris, etc.)

If you can donate an item listed above, it would be fantastic. If not, ask a local business in your area to donate something (the exposure is

well worth the donation). If you are still unable to donate something, please come to the dinner, and bid on an item or two. We need donations and purchasers, as well!

We’re all working together for the common goal of promoting our industry and association. Please call the ATA office if you have questions or need assistance in securing a donation.

Donations can be mailed to the ATA office or brought to the Annual Conference. If you have a big item that needs to be picked up, please let the ATA office know, and we will make those arrangements. Thank you in advance for your help in making this year’s auction a success! 

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of the biggest highlights of ATA’s annual Conference & Tradeshow is our live auction held at the Membership Dinner, scheduled this year for Wednesday, October 30.

In the past, we have raised money for turfgrass research and scholarships for turf students, and we just donated a tractor to the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit with proceeds raised from this auction. This popular event has been a staple at the Annual Conference and Tradeshow, and to keep this tradition alive, we need your company to donate an item to this great cause.

Every donation is appreciated, and anything goes! Matter of fact, the more

ATA Member Spotlight >>>

I

ATA Member Spotlight on

HUMPHRIES FARM TURF SUPPLY

Al ab am a Tu rf Tim es >>> S umm er 20 13

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

magine growing a business for over 30 years and jumping out of bed one night to see it burn to the ground. That is exactly what happened to Randy Humphries, president of Humphries Farm Turf Supply, on the evening of February 25, 2012. The office and warehouse of Humphries Farm Turf Supply sat on a picturesque cattle farm beside Randy’s personal residence in the small town of Joppa, Alabama.

When the fire in the warehouse reached the aerosol paint cans, an explosion rocked the entire town, waking Randy to find devastation.

It’s a miracle that the fire happened in the middle of a Saturday night and that none of the 13 employees were hurt. They did, however, lose some beloved pets — ten cats and dogs, to be exact. The loss of the business and animals was exceptionally painful to Randy and all the employees at Humphries Farm Turf Supply, but somehow they pulled together, contacted customers, secured a temporary warehouse and got back to business within a few days.

That just shows the courage and determination of the folks at Humphries Farm Turf Supply.

They truly are a dream team!

And Humphries Farm Turf Supply is part of the Alabama Turfgrass Association’s dream team! For years, and even throughout this past year, Humphries Farm Turf Supply has been a big supporter and sponsor of our association.

Two of their sales representatives, Amy Bailey and Danny Bales, have been remarkable assets to our association… always helping at events, supporting our fundraisers and activities and being a great partner to our industry.

We are proud to announce that Humphries Farm Turf Supply has rebuilt their office and warehouse and officially moved back in April 2013.

The office is just as beautiful as it was before, with an addition of a memorial to the furry friends they lost by the front door. We are very proud of Humphries Farm Turf Supply for their dedication and hard work to rebuild after an upsetting loss. We can all learn a great lesson from them in perseverance and determination.

We look forward to the next three decades with Humphries Farm Turf Supply as part of our industry’s dream team! 

(Top Photo) Left to right: Randy Humphries, President; Amy Bailey, Sales Representative; and Danny Bales, Sales Representative.

(Middle Photo) The February 2012 fire completely ravaged the company’s main building and took the lives of 10 beloved pets.

(Bottom Photo) After rebuilding the office and warehouse, Humphries Farm Turf Supply opened the new doors to business in April 2013.

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Cover Story >>>

By Mark Langner, Director of Agronomy, FarmLinks Golf Club at Pursell Farms, Sylacauga, AL

F

bermudagrass at the roughs around the greens and two tees. The main rough around the fairway would be no-till sprigged.

Additionally, Wayne Basset at Beck’s Turf got us interested in a new bermudagrass called Discovery, which we chose for a bunker and a tee box. We also used Discovery in front of the new maintenance facility, and we liked what we saw.

The process Our first order of business was to eliminate as much of the existing TifSport as possible. Starting in April 2012, we sprayed two applications, 30 days apart.

The first application was Roundup (4%) and Fusilade II (31 oz./acre) with a water rate of 44 gpa. For the second application 30 days later, we left out the Fusilade II, since we had concerns that the Fusilade II might cause a negative impact on “rooting in” of the new turf.

The removal of the old sod began in June, 60 days after our initial spray. We split up the sod-removal part of the project into two phases.

To remove the turf from the sloped areas (including areas adjacent to green and bunker faces), we used the old-fashioned method of a sod cutter. To speed up the process on

the larger, less severe slopes, we used a Combinator from STEC. Although it rained the weekend prior to starting the project, we were delayed only one day. Actually, having a little moisture in the soil was beneficial to the Combinator and made removing the old sod easier. The key here was just the right amount of moisture, and Mother Nature took care of us.

Although the rain was a bit of a nuisance, the real challenge came with the paspalum removal. Over the previous eight years, the paspalum had generated a large layer. We removed as much as 4" of biomass and soil until we got back to the original clay.

The benefit of using the Combinator was the generation of great topsoil to use for future projects. We composted the waste and have allowed it to sit for a year so that we will not inadvertently transplant paspalum into future projects.

Pre-plant preparation After all the existing paspalum and TifSport sod was removed, we followed a few steps to prepare the areas for weed-free establishment of the new sod. Here are the steps we took: 1) Graded the areas to assure free drainage and surface smoothness for the sod.

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armLinks Golf Club has always evaluated new varieties of turfgrass and assessed whether or not they had an impact on turf playability, survivability and/or our budgetary needs. Several years ago, we began working with Sod Solutions and utilizing their varieties to fit different needs on our golf course and in our landscaping. Every turf situation has its own requirements, and not every variety will suit those needs.

Hole #15 was a situation where the varieties that had been previously chosen were not performing to our desires. The hole was originally sodded wall-to-wall in TifSport, and in 2004, we decided to change the fairway/ approach to Sea Isle 1 paspalum. After battling the sensitive pasplaum for eight years, however, we knew a change was needed. While paspalum is a good choice for some markets, it did not work for FarmLinks due to our weather, soil and water conditions, inputs for quality golf turf and overall ease of maintenance.

Instead, on the #15 fairway and on two tees, we chose to go with a zoysiagrass called Geo. Many of us have worked with this grass for 20 plus years, but our most recent selection came from extensive work with John Chapman at Craft Farms.

We decided to sod with Celebration

Cover Story >>> continued

2) Aerated the soil in two to three directions.

3) Applied starter fertilizer at 1/2 lb./ 1,000 ft2.

4) Applied oxidiazon at 2 lbs. ai/acre.

With the soil surface prepared, we proceeded to install the new sod.

Sodding To allow us to quickly open the hole for play, we chose to roll-sod the fairways and the greens surrounds. On the bunker faces, we used smaller sod slabs/ squares due to the slopes. Finally, in the rough, we experimented with no-till sprigging to evaluate the ability of Celebration bermudagrass to grow in (versus sodding).

After laying the sod, we rolled the areas several times to ensure smoothness. For this, we used a walk-behind roller filled with water. We topdressed the 1.5 acres with 50 tons of sand and used a drag to work it into the turf canopies. We also spent some time handtopdressing the sod seams to ensure a quicker grow-in over these areas.

In all, the sod established exceptionally well, and within a few weeks, we were maintaining all the surfaces at regular golf course heights. Although we thought the bunker faces would require the most labor and hand-watering, the quick-rooting Discovery and Celebration made this a much simpler task than expected. After a few weeks, we were using normal irrigation cycles to maintain moisture in the rootzone.

Al ab am a Tu rf Tim es >>> S umm er 20 13

Sprigging the roughs I wish I could say we were the first to try this, but having heard of the success that other superintendents had, we thought we would give it a try. In all, we sprigged about 40,000 square feet of roughs with Celebration bermudagrass. We followed this procedure: • Scalped the dead TifSport tissue and blew it off.

• Aerated in several directions (solid tines, about 4" deep).

Top photo — Day of sprigging Celebration.

Middle photo — 30 days after sprigging.

Bottom photo — 60 days after sprigging.

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Cover Story >>> Get the Edge

• Topdressed with approximately 25 tons of sand.

• Hand spread/shook out the Celebration sprigs.

• Cut the sprigs in with a old drill seeder.

• Applied another topdressing of sand.

• Applied 1/2 lb. N every 7 days, using a 17-17-17, 21-0-0 and 13-0-44 for five weeks.

• Initially watered every other hour for 10 minutes, then adjusted the irrigation schedule as the sprigs took root.

What was really surprising was that within about two days, the brown sprigs started to turn green again. I have never seen sprigs green back up and set roots so quickly! By the end of 10 days, we were watering only occasionally, and within 21 days, we began mowing at 1.5" to encourage lateral growth. We continued light topdressing, and within 6 weeks, the area was 95% covered.

What we’ve noticed about the varieties Here are some of the characteristics that we’ve already noticed about the three new varieties we chose for Hole #15 at FarmLinks.

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Celebration bermudagrass • Started rooting three days after sodding.

• Excellent color (blue green).

• Mowing heights from 0.375” to 1.5".

• Quicker establishment.

• Greater drought tolerance.

• Greater shade tolerance.

• More tolerant to heavy traffic and wear.

Discovery bermudagrass • Started rooting three days after sodding.

Top photo — Celebration roots, 3 days after sodding.

Middle photo — Discovery roots, 72 hours after sodding.

Bottom photo — 8-week-old Discovery, mowed at 0.375" every 2 weeks.

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• Great blue-green color.

• Mowing heights between 0.25" and ?? (we have never seen it grow higher than 1.25").

• Reduced vertical growth.

• Reduced mowing needs (while you could go two to three weeks in between mowings, you probably won’t).

• Dense canopy.

• Greater shade tolerance.

• We’re still learning about wear and divot recovery.

• We scalped it from 0.50" to 0.125", and in a week, you could hardly tell.

Geo zoysiagrass • Blade texture is between Meyer and Emerald.

• Mowing heights from 0.375" to ? (we’re still learning).

• More rhizomes than stolons (this should lead to great drought and wear tolerance, with better recuperation).

• Comparable to Zorro zoysiagrass.

• Excellent playing surface for golf.

• Denser canopy, reducing weed pressure.

Summary Despite the rain and hot June sun last year, the project went very smoothly.

Work on hole 15 began with spraying in April and sod removal on June 4, and it was reopened for play within a week. We continue to be impressed with the Celebration, Discovery and Geo varieties and are excited to see them come out of dormancy and begin their first full season here at FarmLinks. We have worked with Sod Solutions for years and have used Celebration bermudagrass in many areas, including athletic fields, tee boxes and shaded areas.

Meanwhile, the Discovery bermudagrass might be a game changer when it comes to budgetary restraints. We have plans to change out our clubhouse lawn and other areas soon.

All three grasses have exhibited exceptional root development, which we expect will have an impact on reducing their water requirements.

Meanwhile, the playing surfaces have been excellent, and the improvements are dramatic. 

Special Feature >>>

Annual

Blue-Eyed

By Michael L. Flessner, Research Associate, and J. Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Auburn University

C

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ommon or annual blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium rosulatum) is actually not a grass at all.

It is a member of the iris family (Iridaceae). Blue-eyed grass forms a rosette with compressed and glabrous leaves. The flowers have six petals and can be blue, white or yellow. Regardless of color, the flower has a darkened center, which is where the name â&#x20AC;&#x153;blueeyedâ&#x20AC;? grass comes from. The weed is found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states from Virginia to Texas.

Blue-eyed grass functions as a winter annual weed in managed turfgrass, but it can be a perennial in certain areas and situations. Although it has not traditionally been a troublesome weed in turfgrass, some turfgrass managers have recently reported the weed escaping pre-emergence control following

Specticle (indaziflam) application (applied at normal timing for annual bluegrass [Poa annua] control). Due to lack of previous reports to the contrary, we presume that blue-eyed grass is well controlled from other common preemergence herbicides, such as Barricade (prodiamine), Pendulum AquaCap (pendimethalin), Dimension (dithiopyr), Ronstar (oxadiazon) and others.

Reports of blue-eyed grass escaping pre-emergence control has led to research evaluating post-emergence control options for the weed. Since blue-eyed grass is not a grass, it does not respond to graminicides in the same manner that grass weeds do. Similarly, it does not respond to broadleaf herbicides in the same manner that broadleaf weeds do. Therefore, we eval-

Table 1. Herbicides evaluated for post-emergence blue-eyed grass control.* Herbicide

Active ingredient(s)

Product rate

Revolver

foramsulfuron

17.4 fl. oz./acre

Celsius

dicamba, iodosulfuron, thiencarbazone

4.9 oz./acre

Tribute Total

thiencarbazone, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron

3.2 oz./acre

Negate

rimsulfuron, metsulfuron

1.5 oz./acre

Trimec Classic

2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba

64 fl. oz./acre

Telar

chlorsulfuron

3 oz./acre

Dismiss South

sulfentrazone, imazethapyr

14.4 fl. oz./acre

Image

imazaquin

11.4 oz./acre

Drive XLR8

quinclorac

64 fl. oz./acre

Monument

trifloxysulfulron

0.53 oz./acre

*All treatments included non-ionic surfactant at 0.25% v/v, except Revolver and Drive XLR8, which included methylated seed oil at 1% v/v.

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uated a range of herbicides (see Table 1) for blue-eyed grass control in a greenhouse trial. None of the other herbicides evaluated made a specific claim of control on their respective labels.

Two weeks after treatment, postemergence blue-eyed grass control was less than 65%, with the exception of Dismiss South, which resulted in nearly 80% control. Complete blueeyed grass control (100%) took four weeks for the fastest-acting herbicides.

These herbicides included Celsius, Trimec Classic and Drive XLR8. Statistically, all herbicides evaluated except for Revolver and Image resulted in similar control four weeks after treatment. All treatments except Revolver resulted in complete control six weeks after treatment.

Unfortunately, TranXit (rimsulfuron) was not included in this trial. TranXit is the only herbicide that claims to control blue-eyed grass on its label.

However, Negate (rimsulfuron + metsulfuron) was included and resulted in greater than 90% control four weeks after treatment and 100% control six weeks after treatment.

Ongoing field research indicates that smaller blue-eyed grass plants are more easily controlled compared to larger plants. Plants with fewer than five leaves were completely controlled three weeks after treatment from many of the herbicides tested. This result underscores the importance of scouting and early implementation of control measures.

Pre-emergence control of blue-eyed grass is a subject of future research.

As mentioned, it is likely that many standard pre-emergence herbicides control blue-eyed grass, with the exception of Specticle. However, these assertions need to be verified. Keep up to date at auburnweedscience.com. ď ś

Annual blue-eyed grass with seedheads in rough area. (Photo courtesy of Michael Flessner).

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All data contained in this document are the property of Auburn University. All rights reserved. No guarantees are made that similar results will be obtained. Auburn University does not endorse or promote products mentioned; criticism of products is for discussion purposes and does not imply endorsement or denouncement. Omission of products not mentioned is neither implied nor intended. Always read and follow product labels, restrictions and precautions.

Turf Talk >>>

Eavesdropping on

Mole Crickets

By David W. Held, Ph.D., Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University; Yao Xu, Doctoral Student, Dept. of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida; and David Bailey, Graduate Student, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University

T

awny and southern mole crickets are the most significant insect pests of warm-season turfgrass. The underground habits of these pests can make their biology difficult to study. This report highlights recent work supported by the ATRF that provides insights on the biology and management of mole crickets.

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Underground behavior In 2012, while completing his Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree, David Bailey studied the tunneling behaviors of mole crickets and their impact on water movement through soil. Mole crickets make tunnels through soil that are about two-and-a-half to three times their body width, compared to earthworms that make tunnels equal to their body width. And adult mole crickets logically make wider tunnels than nymphs.

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Tunnel architecture is greatly influenced by soil type. David compared the tunnels of southern mole crickets in sandy, loam and clay soils and found that mole crickets tunnel more extensively through loam soils. In one week, tunnels in loamy soils have an average linear length of about 25", which is more than twice the length of tunnels in clay. Under laboratory conditions, one adult southern mole cricket displaces about 14 tablespoons of loamy soil in one week.

Bermudagrass fairways on a golf course were used to determine the effect of mole cricket tunneling on water infiltration or runoff. Fairways with severe mole cricket infestations and those with no visible mole cricket activity were compared using a Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer. As expected, runoff was greater and infiltration less in plots that were not infested

with mole crickets. Turfgrass with extensive damage by mole crickets will have high groundwater infiltration, enabling solutes (i.e., fertilizers and pesticides) to move from the surface into the soil faster than through an intact soil profile.

We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fully know the implications of these data. For one, damaged turfgrass is more porous, and this may facilitate penetration of surface-applied insecticides into the soil and enhance their efficacy. However, this may also hasten the movement of pesticides and fertilizers to groundwater. This would be most relevant in spring and late fall when large mole crickets are causing extensive damage at the same time that insecticides are applied to clean up those areas.

The most common pesticide application window is just after eggs have hatched, when small nymphs are

Right: Mole crickets can be separated using the dactyl on the foreleg and the pattern on the pronotum. Southern mole crickets (right) typically have four light colored dots on the pronotum and a “U” shape at the base of the claw on the front legs.

Tawny mole crickets have a “V” shape to the claw and the darkened middle line on the pronotum.

present. At this time, soil and turf disturbance from tunneling is usually less. This timing may serendipitously be a nice balance to reduce the potential for groundwater impacts and increase surface permeability for better control.

Feeding preference and performance

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Living underground, mole crickets make it difficult to easily observe their feeding habits. Yao Xu, a former Master’s student in the lab, used a test arena with a sand refuge to examine the feeding preferences of both mole cricket species.

Yao first compared the crickets’ consumption of the blades, rhizomes and roots of Tifway 419 bermudagrass (which is susceptible to mole crickets) to the consumption of organic carrots (which are commonly used as a surrogate root).

To our surprise, mole crickets fed sparingly on all parts of the grass but readily consumed the carrot.

Because of this, carrots were used to represent a plant diet in additional lab tests.

Both species of mole crickets supposedly consume plant parts and other insects, so we compared the crickets’ consumption of carrots to mealworms. When given a choice, tawny mole crickets preferentially fed on carrots, whereas southerns preferred mealworms. This supports the stereotypes of tawnies as herbivores and southerns as carnivores.

We then wanted to know how these food preferences affected the growth and development of both species. Yao conducted lab tests that gave newly hatched mole cricket nymphs a diet of mealworms or

Turf Talk >>> continued

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The Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer is used to determine how mole cricket populations in the field impact water infiltration and runoff.

carrots, a mixture of both or starvation. Southerns were reared for 40 weeks and tawnies for 8 weeks (southerns are easier to rear in the lab, which is why the experiment went longer for that species). Interestingly, mole crickets generally survive for two to four weeks with no food. These insects have a crop that allows them to store and slowly digest food over a longer period of time.

Southerns that were fed mealworms survived 25 weeks before the first cricket died, but southerns in all other diets steadily began dying at three weeks. The tawnies’ survival was similar regardless of food. Remember, tawnies are supposed to be herbivores, and they prefer carrots, but they gained less than 5 mg in weight when fed carrots. For comparison, southerns gained 200 mg on plants and more than 600 mg when fed mealworms.

Tawnies gained 10 times more weight when given mealworms. Meat is good food for mole crickets, despite the anecdote that tawnies are herbivores.

Both species (although it’s more dramatic with southerns) would clearly

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benefit when they consume other insects in the soil.

Another interesting point was that the pronotal length (used to gauge mole cricket age) of southern nymphs within an instar (period between a molt) varied widely based on diet. This means that the common way to determine the age of field populations, at least for southerns, can be incorrect.

Southern mole crickets may be smaller if they are consuming only plants.

Understanding the consumption of mole cricket baits In 2005, I evaluated Advion™ bait for mole crickets in the field. Label rates range from 50 to 200 lbs. of product per acre; however, only rates of 100 or 200 lbs. per acre were effective in field tests.

Before leaving for Florida, Yao conducted another experiment to determine consumption of this bait by tawny and southern mole crickets.

Most mole crickets become intoxicated within 24 hours after consuming the bait. Southern mole crickets consume about 53 mg of bait before becoming

intoxicated, and on average, tawnies consume less (16 mg) before death.

When based on body mass, tawnies consume 0.21 mg per mg of body mass, which is twice the amount per body mass for southerns.

Now, the application rate of 100 lbs. per acre puts about 1 g per square foot. The numbers of mole crickets per square foot can range from four to ten on heavily infested sites. These estimates suggest that the lower rates may not present a high enough bait density to provide a lethal dose to large populations. At the 100 lb. rate, the bait costs about $27 per 1,000 ft2, which makes it among the more expensive application costs (per unit area) of all mole cricket treatments.

For reference, the cost per 1,000 ft2 for fipronil is about $4.80; Provaunt is $1.60; and bifenthrin is $0.30 at labeled rates for mole crickets. Advion™ bait is effective, but superintendents using this product would be most cost-effective by cleaning up localized infestations in the fall or spring rather than making broadcast applications over larger areas. 

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facebook.com/pages/ Alabama-Turf-Times/383183941788933

Turf Tips >>>

The Smart Yards App — Turn Your Average Yard Into a Smart Yard

By Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University & Alabama Cooperative Extension System

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This

spring, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System launched a new app for both Android and iOS smart phones: the Smart Yards app. The new app is free and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS). Go to www. aces.edu/home-garden/lawn-garden/smartyards/ for a link to each respective download, or search for “Smart Yards.”

Developed with the Southern landscape in mind, this app contains information on the major Southern lawn grasses (bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, tall fescue and zoysiagrass), with a general description of each grass, photographs, mowing height and fertilizer recommendations and an overview of common pest problems.

A section on pruning gives advice for both trees and shrubs. The app includes detailed descriptions and photos to illustrate common pruning cuts on trees, and it gives advice on when to prune. For shrubs, the app includes detailed explanations of several pruning techniques, including thinning, hedging and heading back. The “May” rule for determining the correct time to prune is explained.

The water section of the app shows how to protect local surface water from non-point-source pollution (including my favorite piece of advice: sweep up fertilizer and clippings from driveways and streets.

If only more of us did that!). It also explains how to create and care for rain gardens to capture and slow down excess water flowing across a yard. The final topic covered in the water section is how to build and maintain rain barrels to let homeowners catch and store the free water that falls on their property, including a link to a video of rain barrel construction.

The Smart Yards app is intended to be a one-stop shop for basic information on yard work. I hope that you and your clients will find it useful. The free version will be supplemented in the near future with an expanded, pay version of the app that will include features such as fertilizer calculators, sprayer calibration information, links to the soil testing lab and more.

For more information on the Smart Yards program, visit http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1359/ ANR-1359.pdf.  24

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Recent Events >>> Auburn University Field Day

Record Attendance at AUBURN UNIVERSITY FIELD DAY

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

T

hank you to everyone who attended the 2013 Auburn University Turfgrass Field Day. We had record attendance (over 200, including students and staff) at this year’s event and could not have had this success without the industry’s support.

The Auburn University Turfgrass Management team welcomed everyone to their facility on the campus Tuesday morning, April 2. Researchers shared their current research, and attendees were able to see firsthand the results of the studies. These advancements in research move our industry forward,

and it was evident that the industry is eager for this information. Field Day topics included general weed control, Poa annua control, weed identification, wear tolerance of new bermudagrasses, earthworm and nematode interactions, nematode updates, PGPRs for fall armyworm control, foliar fertilization of bentgrass and bermudagrass, fire ant control update, mole cricket control, nitrogen rates and mowing height interaction on the new bermudagrasses and zoysiagrasses, evaluations of hydroseeding products, and painting and tinting bermudagrass.

During lunch, our special keynote speaker — Agriculture Commissioner John McMillian — addressed attendees and discussed top issues facing Alabama agriculture. Also during lunch, ATA president Glenn Hedden presented Dr. Harold Walker with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

It was a full day of activity for our industry, and a wealth of information was shared and learned by many. We appreciate the efforts of all the Auburn University Turfgrass Team and personnel for making this day possible.

Congratulations on a job well done! 

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AL Agriculture Commissioner John McMillian, presenting our keynote address.

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Dr. Harold Walker, recipient of ATA’s 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Poa annua Classic Recap <<< Recent Events

Poa annua Classic Recap

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

T

urf managers came from near and far to play in ATA’s Poa annua Classic Golf Tournament held at FarmLinks Golf Club on April 8.

Thanks go to everyone who participated in this event and made it a successful fundraiser for turfgrass research. Every dollar of the proceeds will be donated to the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. A big thank you also goes to FarmLinks Golf Club for hosting this event for eight consecutive years.

Before the tournament kicked off, attendees were treated to two educational presentations. Jack Ingram, an inspector for the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Pesticide Management Division, explained what a turf manager should expect during an inspection by their field office. We also heard from turfgrass professor and researcher Dr. Beth Guertal (Auburn University), who shared a wealth of

knowledge on thatch management from all her research. We greatly appreciate our speakers and the beneficial information they shared with everyone.

The weather was perfect for playing a round of golf at FarmLinks. And of course, the golf course was in great playing condition for a tournament.

Golfers enjoyed a wonderful afternoon on the links, thanks to all the efforts of the great folks at FarmLinks.

The winning foursome, shooting a 56, included Jay Brooks of Golf Ventures, Jeremy Sutton of Montgomery Country Club, Cole McInnis of Willow Point Country Club and Mickey Pitts of Beard Equipment Company. Congratulations to these gentlemen, and thank you to everyone who sponsored the event. Please see the list of companies that sponsored the tournament, and be sure to thank them by also supporting them! 

Thank You to Our Poa annua Classic Sponsors!

Lunch Sponsor Greenville Turf & Tractor

Refreshment Sponsor Syngenta

Tee Sign Sponsors AAT-Direct Solutions AGRI-AFC, LLC Arysta LifeScience Beard Equipment Company Beck’s Turf, Inc. Color-Flex Distance Markers Ewing FMC Golf Ventures The Gowan Company Greenville Turf & Tractor Harrell’s, Inc. Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation John Deere Landscapes Profile Products Quali-Pro Southern States Sur-Line Turf Syngenta TriEst Ag Group

Congratulations to our winning team! (Left to right) Jay Brooks, Jeremy Sutton, Cole McInnis and Mickey Pitts.

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Regal Chemical Company

Recent Events >>> Day on the Farm

We Enjoyed a Day on the Farm

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

C

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lose to 100 sod producers and vendors attended our bi-annual Sod Producers Field Day on Wednesday, April 24, at Craft Turf Farm in Foley, AL. Robert Craft and John Chapman were exceptional hosts, allowing vendors to have full access to the entire farm to conduct equipment demonstrations.

The day ended short, once a thunderstorm moved through the area during the afternoon; however, attendees were able to see all sorts of sod equipment in action prior to the downpour. Mowers were mowing grass, forklifts were lifting pallets of sod, aerifiers were aerifying fields, netting machines were netting rolls, and harvesters were harvesting sod. Attendees returned to the exhibition tent for lunch and to visit with our static exhibits. Dr. Dave Han gave our keynote presentation on the latest research from Auburn University on

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“Sod Production Profit Margins.” The information he shared was beneficial to the sod producers in attendance.

Please be sure to thank the representatives from all the exhibitor companies for their participation. The sod industry has struggled over the last few years, yet these companies have continued to support our events throughout this difficult period. Although the event ended prematurely, there was a good feeling among the producers regarding our economy, as evident by their inventory levels. Our wish is to get as many crops in production this growing season and hopefully come out of this economic hardship.

Again, thank you to our fabulous host, Craft Turf Farms, for allowing us to come in and take over the farm for a day. We had a great time and truly enjoyed your southern hospitality! 

Thank You to Our Alabama Sod Producers Field Day Exhibitors AGRI-AFC, LLC BARR-NET, Inc. Bucyrus Equipment Co. Collect-N-Go Donkey Forklift Firefly Equipment Co. First Products, Inc. Foley Implement Gulf Coast Organics Huntsville Tractor Kesmac Brouwer KIFCO, Inc. Kingline Equipment KWMI MasterCraft Progressive Turf Equip.

Southern Specialty Equip.

STEC Equipment Tamanet The Turfgrass Group Trebro Manufacturing Trimax

Calender of Events >>>

Advertiser Index >>>

July 21–23

October 23–25

PLANET Renewal and Remembrance and Legislative Day Washington, DC Contact: 800-395-2522 www.landcarenetwork.org

PLANET Green Industry Conference Louisville, KY

July 23–25 TPI Summer Convention & Field Days (Turfgrass Producers International) Chicago, IL

August 12 Mole Cricket Classic/ Fishing Tournament Zeke’s Marina Orange Beach, AL August 18–22 StormCon — 2013 Conference The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Conference Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Myrtle Beach, NC

September 12 UT Turfgrass & Ornamental Field Day (University of Tennessee) East Tennessee Research and Education Center Knoxville, TN

October 23–26 School of Grounds Management and Green Industry Expo Galt House Hotel and Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

October 29–31 2013 ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow Auburn Univ. Hotel & Conf. Center Auburn, AL November 15–18 ASLA — Annual Meeting & Expo (American Society of Landscape Architects) Boston Convention & Expo. Center Boston, MA

AGRI-AFC, LLC www.agri-afc.com ........................................................3 Bayer www.bayerprocentral.com...............................17 Ewing Irrigation www.ewing1.com................................................... 5 FMC Professional Solutions www.fmcprosolutions.com ..............................15 G2 Turftools, Inc. www.g2turftools.com .........................................21 Greenville Turf & Tractor www.greenvilleturf.com ...................................29 Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation www.jerrypate.com............................................ 25 Leading Edge Communications www.leadingedgecommunications.com ...... 7 Riebeling Farms, Inc...........................................30 Southern Specialty Equipment www.ssequip.net ...........................................................7 Southern States Cooperative www.southernstates.com ................................. 11 Sur-Line Turf Inc. www.surlineturf.com ............................................. 25 Syngenta Professional Products ...................5 The Andersons Technologies, Inc. www.andersonsgolfproducts.com ..................... 23 The Turfgrass Group ............ Inside Front Cover, Back Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com Trebro Manufacturing, Inc. www.trebro.com ...................Inside Back Cover

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Tri-Est Ag Group Inc. www.triestag.com ................................................... 23

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