Alabama Turf Times - Summer 2014

Summer 2014

You Aerate your Turf, But What About Your

Ponds?

Nitrogen Fertilization Rates and Timings for a Bermudagrass Home Lawn

Winter Damage on

Warm-Season Turfgrasses Plus, ATA Member Spotlight on Mike Hybart, Village Landscape Services

Summer 2014

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Top Features Upcoming Event — 8 Mole Cricket Classic and ATA Annual Conference

Save the Date! — 10 Introducing the New Deep South Turf Expo...

Coming in October 2015

ATA Member Spotlight — 12 Michael Hybart, Village Landscape Services

Cover Story —

You Aerate

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Your Turf, But What About Your Ponds?

Special Feature —

The Case for

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a Sustainable Cropland Irrigation System in Alabama

Turf Talk —

Nitrogen

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Fertilization Rates and Timings for a Bermudagrass Home Lawn Turf Tips —

24 Winter Damage on Warm-Season Turfgrasses

Recent Events —

26 Sports Turf Field Day and Poa annua Classic

Departments 6 6 28

From the President’s Pen ATA Annual Sponsors News from ATA

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Calendar of Events Advertiser Index

Call for Awards Application Request for Auction Donations

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On the cover: Hole #5 at Montgomery Country Club, host to ATA’s 2014 Poa annua Classic Golf Tournament. Photo by Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director.

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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 ©2014 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

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From the President’s Pen >>>

After a

Hot, Hard

Summer...

John Carter

2014 ATA Annual Sponsors Gold • • • • • •

ayer Environmental Science B Beard Equipment Company Greenville Turf & Tractor Golf Ventures, Inc. Harrell’s, Inc. Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Silver • • • •

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

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Bronze • • • • • • • •

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AGRI-AFC, LLC Agromax Aquatrols BASF Humphries Turf Supply PBI/Gordon Southern States Turf Sur-Line Turf

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ummer is upon us, and every turf manager is working overtime.

ATA intentionally leaves our summer calendar open, as we know how hard it is to be away from our demanding jobs. With that being said, I hope that everyone makes plans to attend our fall events: the Mole Cricket Classic Fishing Tournament, scheduled for September 21–22 in Orange Beach, and the Annual ATA Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow, scheduled for October 28–30 in Auburn. These are our two final events of 2014, and we hope to end with everyone’s participation.

The Mole Cricket Classic was converted to a deep-sea fishing tournament last year. We had a great time on the Gulf of Mexico and invite you to come out and join us this year. New this year is the opportunity for you to charter or use your own boat and also a networking dinner the evening before that will include the captains’ meeting and review of tournament rules. Last year, several members brought their employees to this event as a reward for a successful season — what a great idea! And best of all, it benefits the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation, which provides funding for turf research that benefits every turf manager (on page 8, see the article on fertilizer, which is the result of an ATRF-funded project).

The following month, the Annual ATA Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow will once again be upon us. Plans are being made to bring superior educational sessions, exciting networking events and a tradeshow of our industry suppliers’ goods and services. Make your plans to attend this event in Auburn; it might be the last one in Auburn for a while. On page 10 of this issue of Alabama Turf Times, you will read an article about the Deep South Turf Expo — ATA and several other turf-related organizations are teaming up to provide a regional turf conference and show in 2015. It is our hope that you will support this effort, and let’s try to make this show the best in the country!

In closing, I wish you all the best during this hot and humid summer.

Let’s reward ourselves for our hard work this year by dipping our fishing lines in the Gulf of Mexico; join me for the Mole Cricket Classic in September!

John Carter 2 014 ATA President Carter Landscaping & Sod Farm

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.alturfgrass.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 John Carter Carter Sod Farm

Vice President Jeremy Sutton

Montgomery Country Club

Treasurer Jason Cooper

Richter Landscape Co.

Past President Glenn Hedden Town of Loxley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS At–Large Kim Byram University of Alabama

Richard Brackin

Lawrence County Sod Farm

Mark Langer

FarmLinks Golf Club

Golf Cole McInnis

Willow Point Country Club

Industry Chad Lambert Sur-Line Turf

Institution Paul Patterson

University of Alabama Huntsville

Lawncare Tom Luchner Turf Tenders

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 >>>

Calling All Fishermen to the Mole Cricket Classic, September 21–22

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By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

oin us in Orange Beach, September 21–22, for the Mole Cricket Classic Fishing Tournament. We’ll start the event with a networking dinner on Sunday evening, September 21. This dinner will serve as the captains’ meeting and registration check-in for the tournament. The following morning (Monday, September 22), we will take to the Gulf of Mexico for an eight-hour fishing tournament! The pretournament dinner, post-tournament fish weigh-in and prize awards will all be held at the Big Game Fishing Club located at the Orange Beach Marina, thanks to the generosity of the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club.

If you have access to a boat, you are welcome to use it; just pay the tournament fee. If you need a boat, we will be glad to arrange one for your use, and your registration will include the charter, plus tournament fees. We are using sixpack boats this year to give everyone more time to fish. You can register individually or as a team; we will accommodate all (even if you need a larger boat for your party)!

Registrations will open in July; make your plans to come fish with us! We are looking forward to another great event that supports the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation.

A big thank you to our Mole Cricket Classic sponsors: AgriAFC, Beard Equipment Company, Harrell’s Inc., Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation and Syngenta. See you in Orange Beach in September! v

ATA Annual Turfgrass

Conference & Tradeshow, October 28–30

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lans are underway for the 53rd Annual Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow. Mark your calendar to attend this event in Auburn, Alabama, on October 28– 30. The conference will feature more than 20 educational presentations, breakout sessions for the different segments of the turfgrass industry, a golf tournament, tours of the Auburn University sport fields, a tradeshow of industry goods and services and our popular live auction and dinner.

The conference is, by far, a great investment of your time and resources. As you network with your peers, attend educational sessions and talk with exhibitors, you will undoubtedly pick up knowledge that will help you in your career. Members have been coming for years and leaving with newfound tips, ideas, practices and friends. You can even go home with a great deal on an item or/and product from our auction. And everyone earns pesticide re-certification points and other industry CEUs needed to maintain their licenses and permits.

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Reserve your room at the Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center by calling 1-800-228-2976. Mention you are with ATA to get the $109 room rate. Registration packets will be mailed in August, so be on the lookout for them! v

Save the Dates! >>>

Introducing the

Deep South Turf Expo…

Coming October 13–15, 2015

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or years, there has been much discussion about having a regional turf conference.

Many people remember the days of the Southern Turfgrass Conference and long to have an event where you can reminisce with old industry friends.

Industry suppliers have begged for the return of a regional show, turfgrass managers have asked for it, and several turf-related organizations have discussed it. Well, the day has come to make it a reality! Mark your calendars for October 13-15, 2015, for the inaugural Deep South Turf Expo in Biloxi, MS, at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center. We need everyone’s support of this endeavor to make it a success, and we ask that you make your plans to attend. This is a jointeffort from the following organizations (however, every turf manager from near and far is welcome and encouraged to attend): Alabama Turfgrass Association, Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association, Gulf Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association, Louisiana-Mississippi Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Mississippi Turfgrass Association.

The Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center has plenty of room for all our needs to host this event. We have secured over 44,000 square feet of exhibit space to accommodate upwards of 150+ booths. The Convention Center has a 40' x 37' loading door that can fit everything from greens mow-

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By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

ers to sod harvesters. Exhibitors are encouraged to bring equipment and/or literature… this facility can handle it all under one roof! We are encouraging exhibitors from all aspects of the turf industry to participate and show off their goods and services to the turf managers of the South.

For our members, we will offer topnotch educational offerings with breakout sessions designed for sod producers, lawncare operators, sports turf managers and golf course superintendents. Our educational committee will survey the memberships to get their suggestions and ideas for the most beneficial sessions. And of course, we will offer CEUs from all major organizations and pesticide re-certification points from all southern states. Business meetings for all organizations hosting the event will also take place during the Deep South Turfgrass Show; don’t miss these important meetings of your association(s).

As for the fun part, we will offer a golf tournament at one of the beautiful golf courses on the coast, a boating excursion for our water lovers, a luauthemed dinner overlooking the Mississippi Sound and a luncheon on the tradeshow floor. Our host hotel will be the Beau Rivage, which is a 32-story beachfront resort featuring luxurious rooms, outstanding service and worldclass amenities, including a casino and many restaurants, all for only $99 per night under our room block. Take advantage of this offering to experience first-class accommodations, earn your educational CEUs and visit with industry suppliers at the Deep South Turf Expo.

More details will be announced as they are made available. Exhibitor contracts will be available this fall. For now, plan on coming and joining this great movement to have a superior tradeshow and educational conference in the Deep South! v

Beau Rivage Resort & Casino • Biloxi

ATA Member Spotlight >>>

ATA Member Spotlight on

Michael Hybart

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Village Landscape Services

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The

Alabama Turfgrass Association is fortunate to have every member, but Michael “Mike” Hybart stands out from the crowd. First, he is a long-term member…

34 years to be exact! We don’t have many members who have been with ATA for that long! Second, Mike never meets a stranger. He loves to talk about turfgrass, politics, medical insights, real estate and his years working in the green industry. And third, he is always willing to help. Matter of fact, he shows up early every year at the Montgomery RoadShow Seminar to help me carry in all the doughnuts, paperwork and computers, and he helps me make the coffee.

In case you don’t personally know Mike, let me tell you a little bit about him. Mike is from Hybart, Alabama, which is a small community in north Monroe County where his family settled in the early 1800s. He has three sisters and one brother (two sisters are deceased; the third one runs a business in Birmingham; and his brother is a doctor in Pensacola). Mike went to Wilcox County High School and then to Auburn University, where he earned two degrees: Textile Engineering (1967) and Horticulture (1973).

After graduating with his Textile Engineering degree, Mike worked as a quality control manager for five textile mills. He came back to Auburn in 1971 and started a business, Village Landscape Services, and pursued his second degree in horticulture. While earning his horticulture degree, Mike was awarded a scholarship from the Alabama Crop Improvement Association, the L.M. Ware Outstanding Senior Horticulture Award and the H.S. Fisher Award.

Upon receiving his horticulture degree, Mike worked as the superintendent of grounds at Livingston University. That eventually brought him back to the Auburn area, where he went to work for a lawn and leisure company and then Beck’s Sod Farm, managing 2 farms and 13 employees. Since his time at Beck’s, Mike stayed in the green industry, working with friends, and became a licensed real estate agent.

Mike is a member at Covenant Presbyterian Church, and he enjoys photography, hunting and fishing. His mentor was his mother, who was a wonderful Christian example and who always encouraged Mike to reach for his dreams. The best advice he was given was “to work hard, and give it your best because you really don’t work for people; you work for God.” What great advice!

We owe Vandy and Judy Copeland and Martin and Carolyn Beck for introducing Mike to our association. He is a true blessing to our organization!

Be sure to say hello to Mike at the ATA Conference and/or Montgomery RoadShow Seminar. He has attended every one that I can remember, and I know everyone enjoys seeing and visiting with him each year at these events. Thank you, Mike, for your contributions to the Alabama Turfgrass Association! v

Cover Story >>>

You Aerate Your Turf,

By Brad Harris, Forestry Biologist & Aquatic Specialist, SOLitude Lake Management

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urf aeration is an integral part of a successful turf and integrated pest management (IPM) program. Golf course superintendents and turf care specialists have firsthand knowledge of how adequate turf aeration is beneficial in the short term, as well as in the long term, for a healthy stand of turf. Similarly, having oxygen adequately circulated throughout your pond’s water column will contribute to a healthy and balanced aquatic ecosystem.

Just as the roots of the turfgrass on your greens, fairways and tee boxes need adequate air exchange, beneficial bacteria occurring naturally in ponds and lakes also need oxygen to thrive. Aeration specifically benefits your water body by eliminating thermal stratification, preventing fish kills, reducing the nutrient load and eliminating foul odors from nonbeneficial bacteria.

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Potential problems caused by a lack of aeration

One condition that can affect the health of your lake or pond is called thermal stratification. When this occurs, it can lead to dissolved oxygen (DO) fluctuations in the water column that can be detrimental to aquatic life and the pond ecosystem. Thermal stratification of a pond or lake in the summer is a naturally occurring process where the top layer of warmer water (epilimnion) forms above a layer of cooler water (hypolimnion). The cooler layer of water is unexposed to atmospheric air and essentially suffocates the bottom half of the pond. As the oxygen depletes, ammonia and nitrite levels increase, and within a few months, many ponds reduce their living space by 50 percent. Thermal stratification can also occur in the winter.

Stratification can be mitigated at any point in the year with the addition

of aeration. Adequate aeration circulates the pond’s water column, creating a uniform temperature and water density, from the top to the bottom of the pond. This, in turn, allows oxygen to enter the water column by way of the atmosphere at the pond’s surface and be circulated to the bottom of the pond, increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in the water column.

Have you or another turf manager you know ever experienced a fish kill? It is a shocking symptom of an unhealthy pond ecosystem and undoubtedly raises a lot of questions. Fish kills occur naturally when a pond without proper aeration becomes stratified and then the upper and lower layers are suddenly mixed. This is typically caused by a heavy rain event or high winds that mix the lower oxygen-deficient layer with the upper layer. When this happens, it lowers the overall dissolved oxygen concentration in the upper

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Cover Story >>> continued

layer where the fish are living in the warmer months and causes a widespread fish kill. Proper aeration yearround will eliminate the chances of a pond stratifying and prevent the dissolved oxygen from lowering to lethal levels.

If you have a problematic pond that regularly has algae and/or aquatic weed problems, you may have been advised that the pond requires aeration to help promote the “good” or beneficial bacteria. Beneficial bacteria are naturally found in lakes and ponds and are responsible for breaking down organic matter being introduced into the water body and for metabolizing excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus already available in the water column.

Organic matter can consist of grass clippings, leaves, limbs, sediment and waste created by aquatic life. Organic material is loaded with phosphorous and nitrogen that feed algae blooms and aquatic weed infestations. The

Photo

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1

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majority of this nutrient-loaded organic material can be found in the sediment and lower layer of a stratified pond, where there is little to no oxygen and the breakdown of the organic material will be slow to non-existent. Beneficial bacteria need oxygen to be productive and to break down the existing nutrient and organic load. The slower these beneficial bacteria are at breaking down the organic load will directly result in more nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen becoming available to the algae and aquatic weeds in your pond.

When a pond is adequately aerated, the beneficial bacteria are very productive, thus reducing the nutrient load faster and resulting in less phosphorous and nitrogen available to the algae and aquatic weeds found in your pond. By encouraging these natural processes through proper aeration, you can typically reduce the amount and frequency of algaecide and aquatic herbicide treatments that might other-

A North Carolina golf course pond covered with filamentous algae.

Photo

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wise be required to maintain your water body. Many pond owners find that there is a long-term cost savings in reducing aquatic weed and algae treatments by adding aeration. In addition to aeration, a lake or pond management company might recommend adding additional beneficial bacteria to give a troublesome pond the boost that it needs to maintain a healthy water quality.

Aeration is also a solution to a foul “rotten egg” odor coming from your pond. This type of odor is caused by non-beneficial bacteria in the pond that thrive in anoxic (no oxygen) environments. These anoxic-loving bacteria create hydrogen sulfide gas as a byproduct. Getting oxygenated water into these areas will eliminate the production of this gas and improve the beneficial bacterial production and balance.

The introduced dissolved oxygen to the water and sediment will help the beneficial bacteria outcompete the anoxic, foul-odor-producing bacteria.

The same pond, now healthy due to proper aeration from installed aeration (not shown in photo).

Continued <<< Cover Story

This will improve the decomposition rate of the organic material and get rid of that “rotten egg” smell.

Types of aeration

Depending on your pond’s characteristics, there are two types of aeration to consider: a fountain surface aerator or a submersed bottom diffused aeration system. While both are great sources of aeration for your pond, the depths, shape and size of the water body will play a significant role in determining the best type and size of the aeration system you will need.

Generally, floating fountain surface aerators aerate more efficiently in shallower water (with depths of three feet or less), while submersed aeration systems will be more effective in deeper ponds (eight feet or more). For the ponds that fall in the three-toeight-feet range, other factors such as the pond shape, symmetry or size could determine the best option. Floating fountain surface aerators are ideal

for symmetrical ponds, while a submersed aeration system or multiple surface aerators are required for nonsymmetrical ponds. The size of the pond will determine the size of the unit or system. Consult with your local lake and pond management company when deciding which will be a good fit for your pond, and remember that you can always use both for optimal results.

Although planning and budgeting do not always allow for the immediate installation of an aeration system, be aware that if you install it during the summer months, you may need a graduated schedule in the beginning to avoid mixing a stratified pond too quickly and causing a fish kill. Be sure to acclimate your pond slowly by running the system or unit for just a few hours each day, and gradually increase the run time over a period of two weeks. Once the water has been adequately mixed, the system can and should be run 24 hours per day.

An effective integrated pest management program is critical to the balance and health of your lakes or ponds.

Aeration is the backbone of an effective lake or pond IPM strategy, and it will greatly improve water quality and the long-term health of any water body. The sooner an aeration system or unit is installed in a pond, the sooner the pond will benefit. Don’t wait… there is never a bad time to aerate.

You know how important aeration is to your turf, so be sure to include it in your pond. v

Brad Harris is a Forestry Biologist & Aquatic Specialist with SOLitude Lake Management and can be reached at bharris@solitudelake.com.

SOLitude Lake Management is committed to providing full-service lake, pond and fisheries management services that improve water quality, preserve natural resources and reduce our environmental footprint. Learn more at www.solitudelakemanagement.com.

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Special Feature >>>

By Puneet Srivastava, Ph.D., Professor of Ecological Engineering, Auburn University

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Editor’s note: While this article specifically addresses row-crop production, the connection between increased irrigation and improved crop yields is undoubtedly of equal interest to sod growers.

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lmost 63 years ago, writing in the December 1951 edition of Farm and Ranch, Alabama Extension Service Director P.O. Davis related the story of a Tennessee Valley corn producer who looked ahead to a promising crop. He diligently followed all the recommendations of his

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Extension agent but ended up with only a third of the yield he expected.

Weather — more specifically, the lack of rainfall — was the culprit. And to add insult to injury, the producer was located only a short distance from the Tennessee River.

This old story, related by one of Alabama’s late, great agricultural visionaries, underscores one of this state’s lost opportunities: the failure to irrigate.

Abundant, but erratic, rainfall Rainfall is bountiful in Alabama, averaging some 55 inches a year.

Photo courtesy of Buy Sod, Inc.

The problem is that while we receive lots of rainfall, it’s often not available during the times when growers need it. While it is abundant, it is also highly erratic, and this is reflected in acute variations in stream flows in the state during the year and from year to year.

Alabama, along with the rest of the Southeast, is distinguished as much by its climate variability as it is by abundant but erratic rainfall. Even during the winter months, temperature and rainfall can vary considerably. And throughout the Southeast, precipitation, stream flow and water availability

The case for increased irrigation

There is a lesson here for farmers.

Alabama’s erratic rainfall and climate have worked to the distinct disadvantage of Alabama farmers — a fact reflected in the steep decline of cropland within the last 60 years. Since the mid-1950s, Alabama cropland acreage declined from 20 million acres to 6 million acres.

This steep decline occurred at roughly the same time that California and other western states began irrigating on a large scale. Rain-fed Alabama crops simply could no longer compete with irrigated western cropland.

The perennial challenge for Alabama

producers goes back to P.O. Davis’ poignant account of the Tennessee Valley corn producer: There is often not enough rain when it is needed most — during the growing season.

As one Alabama Extension agronomist recently described it, Alabama growers spend every summer “living and dying by summer showers.”

In spite of this decades-long struggle with fickle nature, research based on crop simulation modeling has shown that Alabama corn growers can compete with their Midwestern counterparts if they irrigate.

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is greatly affected by El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). For example, the La Niña phase of ENSO brings warm and dry conditions, especially in the winter.

Drought is a recurring theme in the Southeast. In 2000, virtually all of Alabama experienced severe drought.

Drought affected some two-thirds of the state in 2007, while large portions of central and southeast Alabama withstood severe drought in 2011.

Special Feature >>> continued

In terms of investing in irrigation equipment, most farmers would benefit from a strategy in which equipment costs were distributed over the life of the equipment’s use, which would ideally total roughly 20 years.

Huge economic advantages associated with irrigation

The widespread adoption of irrigation in Alabama would secure immense and long-term economic advantages for the state.

Alabama lawmakers could facilitate adoption through tax credits, revolving low-interest loans and modifying the longstanding Alabama tradition of riparian rights, which limit irrigation systems only to water resources adjacent to the land. Farmers are currently prohibited from moving water across riparian to non-riparian land to irrigate crops.

Likewise, federal incentives could be provided to farmers through tax credits and crop insurance and by providing cost-share programs for upland reservoir construction.

Some six million acres of Alabama land are suitable for cropland irrigation, according to Don Rodekohr, an Auburn University natural resources specialist.

Merely bringing a million of these acres into irrigation would expand the state’s economy by hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

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Challenges

There are barriers to expanding irrigation in Alabama, but they are by no means insurmountable.

The high median age of Alabama farmers — producers typically become more risk averse as they age — is one challenge. So is the lack of access to water in some cases.

Likewise, a large number of farmers rent rather than own land. Many lack access to the capital required to purchase and install irrigation equipment.

In terms of investing in irrigation equipment, most farmers would benefit from a strategy in which equipment costs were distributed over the life of the equipment’s use, which would ideally total roughly 20 years. However, many farmers are averse to planning

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over such long periods, partly because of the risk this poses to their land holdings.

Two factors could easily address these concerns: the steady yields that would occur from the introduction of irrigation, coupled with federal and state incentives that enable farmers to purchase this equipment at lower interest rates.

Ecological challenges

Other challenges remain. One of the biggest challenges involves withdrawing irrigation water from surface water in an environmentally sustainable manner. Water withdrawal during the summer, when stream flows are small, potentially could harm stream ecology and also reduce the dilution capacity of streams.

Fortunately for producers, a large body of research has already been conducted in watershed regions that will provide researchers, policy makers and others with the modeling required to ensure that this water is withdrawn at sustainable levels. For example, a case study of the Big Creek watershed region in Mobile County has provided researchers with a clear picture of the strategies required for withdrawing water in an environmentally sustainable matter.

We have learned, for example, that in the Big Creek watershed and similar watersheds throughout much of south Alabama, El Niño months result in more precipitation than La Niña months throughout the year, except from July through October. In fact, correlation

of ENSO with stream flow is an even more prominent factor than rainfall.

Moreover, research demonstrates that during any year, the portions of a watershed area that can be sustainably irrigated ranges from as high as 45.1% to as low as 1.8%, though on average about 20% of a watershed can be irrigated.

Long-term forecasting models

Even assuming that all of the infrastructure is in place — appropriate water policy, tax credits, crop insurance and low-interest loans — climate variability, namely La Niña, will remain one of the critical factors associated with water availability.

Fortunately for growers, science has made great strides toward developing accurate climate-forecasting models.

Coupled with what we’ve learned about the Big Creek Watershed and other watersheds, these findings will take us a long way toward developing short-term and long-term stream flow forecasts, helping us determine how much water can be drawn on a weekly basis.

Even so, because of prolonged and severe La Niña phases, there will be years when surface-water withdrawals will not be sufficient for crop irrigation.

During such prolonged La Niña events, groundwater resources must provide an alternative source. Since shallow aquifers could be hydrologically connected to nearby streams, deep groundwater wells should be used when appropriate.

A strategy that makes careful use of surface-water and groundwater withdrawals based on weekly and seasonal climate forecasts will take us a long way toward achieving a sustainable cropland irrigation system in Alabama, one that could generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually, not only for the state’s farmers but also for the Alabama economy as a whole. v

Some six million acres of Alabama land are suitable for cropland irrigation, according to Don Rodekohr, an Auburn University natural resources specialist. Merely bringing a million of these acres into irrigation would expand the state’s economy by hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Turf Talk >>>

Nitrogen Fertilization

rates and Timings for a Bermudagrass Home Lawn

By Beth Guertal, Ph.D., Professor, Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University

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Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 201 4

ypical nitrogen (N) fertilization recommendations for hybrid bermudagrass lawns in the southeastern United States are 3 to 6 lbs. of nitrogen per 1,000 ft2 per growing season, with the N rate varying with intensity of use and length of the growing season. However, there is limited information about best management of N rates and N timing for hybrid bermudagrass lawns.

The objective of this ATRF-funded

project was to examine N rates (totals of 3, 4, 5 and 6 lbs. N per 1,000 ft2 per growing season) and N timing (all season, early spring, late fall) on the growth and performance of hybrid bermudagrass managed as a home lawn. We installed our study in 2010, and the experiment will continue through 2015.

The specific experiment — what we did

A recent (spring 2014) photograph from our N rate and N timing experiment. The square of white clover in the foreground is the plot that has received no nitrogen since 2010.

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The turfgrass for this study was a hybrid bermudagrass (likely ‘Tifway’), which was treated as a lower-input lawn, with a mowing height of 2". The study was a randomized complete block design of 19 N rate x timing treatments, with 4 replications of each treatment.

The nitrogen (all granular urea, with that N watered in after application) was applied in April, May, June, July, August and September in each year as split applications to total 3, 4, 5 or 6 lbs. N 1,000 ft2.

The nitrogen was applied in the following “programs”: • Equal — April, May, June, July, August and September (at 1/2, 2/3, 5/6 or 1 lb. N per 1,000 ft2 in each month) • Spring — April, May, June and July (at 3/4, 1, 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 lbs. N per 1,000 ft2 in each month) • Spring Short — April, May and June (at 1, 1-1/3, 1-2/3 or 2 lbs. N per 1,000 ft2 in each month) • Middle Months – May, June, July and August (at 3/4, 1, 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 lbs. per N 1,000 ft2 in each month) • Slow — All in May (6 lbs. N per 1,000 ft2 only in May) • None — Nothing

2011 All treatments were first applied in 2010, with no data collected in 2010.

Thus, when data collection began in 2011, an entire year of N treatments had been applied. The slow-release N source was a polymer-coated urea with an estimated N release time of 120 days (Agrium Products).

The plots were mowed so that we could keep track of the number of times each treatment required mowing.

In June, July and August of each year, the specific treatments were mowed only when grass height in those plots exceeded the 1/3 rule (1/3 higher than the 2" desired height of cut). The plots were always mowed with a rotary mower at a 2" height, and clippings were left on the plots. The mowing direction was changed at each mowing to eliminate ruts and wear patterns.

Irrigation was applied only in severe drought, applied using home-lawntype sprinklers.

Collected data were for color, quality, shoot density and number of mowings per treatment.

What we have found (so far)

April 11

N Rate Lbs./1,000 ft2

June 11

July 11

Aug. 11

Aug. 12

Shoots per Square Centimeter

0

0.9 b

1.3 b

1.7 c

1.5 b

2.1 a

3

1.5 a

2.5 a

2.2 b

2.4 a

2.0 a

4

1.4 a

3.0 a

2.8 a

2.5 a

2.3 a

5

1.5 a

2.6 a

2.6 a

2.4 a

2.2 a

6

1.5 a

2.8 a

2.7 a

2.5 a

2.3 a

0.9 c

1.3 c

1.7 b

1.5 b

2.1 a

Spring Short

1.3 abc

3.2 a

2.5 a

2.4 a

2.3 a

Spring

1.4 ab

2.6 b

2.5 a

2.4 a

2.1 a

Equal

1.6 a

2.8 ab

2.8 a

2.7 a

2.3 a

Middle

1.6 a

2.6 b

2.5 a

2.5 a

2.1 a

Slow

1.2 bc

1.5 c

2.4 a

1.7 b

2.2 a

Timing of N Control

†Timing: • Spring Short: applied April, May and June • Spring: applied April, May, June and July • Equal: applied April through September • Middle: applied May, June, July and August • Slow: applied all in May

Note: Above, numbers in each column with the same letter beside them (a, b, c) were statistically equivalent.

Table 1. Shoot density of hybrid bermudagrass as affected by N rate and timing of N applications, 2011 and 2012, Auburn, AL.

Figure 1. Relative quality of fertilized hybrid bermudagrass in 2011 as affected by fertilizer application schedule, averaged over all N rates.

• Spring Short: April, May and June (at 1, 1-1/3, 1-2/3 or 2 lbs. N/1,000 ft2 in each month) • Spring: April, May, June and July (at 3/4, 1, 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 lbs. N/1,000 ft2 in each month) • Equal: April, May, June, July, August and September (at 1/2, 2/3, 5/6 or 1 lb. N/1,000 ft2 in each month) • Middle: May, June, July and August (at 3/4, 1, 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 lbs. N/1,000 ft-2 in each month) • Slow: All in May (6 lbs. N/1,000 ft2) 23

Ala bama T urf Tim es >>> Summer 201 4

•A n N timing x N rate study is quite challenging, as results are confounded in every month due to varying N rates of application.

Thus, we have to run such studies for a long time to see differences.

• Typically, as N rate increased, both bermudagrass color and quality increased.

• Although bermudagrass that received one application (May) of slow-release N often had the darkest color, the quality was not as high, sometimes because shoot density was reduced.

• Applying N only in spring did not supply N for a long enough time to ensure quality color through the summer and fall. Some application of N in the summer was needed.

• In general, a total N rate of 3 lbs.

N/1,000 ft2 was too low to maintain acceptable turf quality, and crabgrass invasion was a result.

• Color and quality differences were less apparent at the two highest N rates, indicating that the highest rate of N (6 lbs.) was not needed to maintain acceptable color. v

Treatment

2012

Turf Tips >>>

Winter

Damage on Warm-Season Turfgrasses David Y. Han, Ph.D., Auburn University & Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 201 4

The

full extent of turfgrass damage from the unusually harsh winter of 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2014 showed itself during the spring months. In April and May, many warm-season turfgrass areas exhibited signs of winter damage. This was true in almost every turfgrass setting: golf courses, sod farms, lawns and athletic fields all reported more winter-related problems than usual. In many cases, even where there was not widespread turf death, warmseason grasses still greened up and began to exhibit lateral growth later than usual. Most turfgrass came out of dormancy two to four weeks later than average, and even by the end of May, many damaged areas were still not fully recovered.

Winter damage on warm-season turfgrasses takes several forms. Often, it is not simply exposure to cold temperatures that kills turfgrass directly; instead, the cold is one of a combination of factors contributing to grass death. Another factor that contributes to winter damage is desiccation, or drying out of the dormant turf. Areas that are exposed to cold, dry winds in the wintertime often show more damage than sheltered areas or turfgrass that is covered with fabric, pine straw or some other protection. Especially for sites that are already vulnerable, such as bermudagrass putting greens, covers are vital for preventing winter damage when prolonged periods of below-freezing temperatures occur.

Another complicating factor can be diseases. Especially affected is bermudagrass, which is the primary

host of the disease spring dead spot (SDS). SDS is a root infection caused by fungi that enter and feed on roots in the fall, leaving the plant much less cold tolerant than plants with healthy roots. In general, SDS-infected bermudagrass exhibits much more winterkill after a harsh winter than a mild one. Because this infection happens in the fall, and the grass is already dead by the time symptoms are seen in the spring (spots that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t green up), any fungicide applications aimed at reducing SDS must happen in the late summer and fall (August through October). Be sure to record any sites that exhibit SDS damage now in late spring and early summer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; by August, bermudagrass generally fills in the dead areas, and no damage will be visible when it is time to spray to prevent more damage next winter.

Newly established areas are more prone to winter damage, especially turf that was established in the late summer or early fall, while the grass was still green. For example, a lawn sodded in September or October will be more susceptible to winter damage as it has not yet had time to fully establish its root system before winter dormancy. In contrast, healthy sod that is allowed to go dormant in the sod field, then transplanted while fully dormant, often greens up better in the spring after a hard winter. Sod that was laid in spring or early summer also tends to fare better because it has had a full growing season to establish a new root system.

Although many home lawns and athletic fields are able to recover from mild or even moderate winter

Pictured above: This bermudagrass football field exhibits severe winter damage in May 2014. With such large dead areas, re-planting will be necessary for the field to be ready by August. (Photo by L.D. Chapman, Regional Extension Agent, ACES) 24

damage, severe cases may require re-establishing the turf. Re-establishment, whether by seed, plugs, sprigs or sod, is best done early in the summer, to avoid a repeat of winterkill issues if the next winter is also unusually cold. For athletic fields, it is especially important to re-establish in June, if possible, so the field will be ready for fall practice and games.

If areas of turfgrass are to be re-planted, take advantage of the opportunity to soil test before planting.

This is an excellent time to incorporate any fertilizer or lime that may be needed throughout the rootzone before planting the new grass. During grow-in, frequent applications of small amounts of nitrogen (ideally, 1/4 to 1/2 pound of N per 1,000 square feet weekly until the ground is fully covered) will produce the best results.

If fertilizing weekly is impossible, then apply 1/2 to 1 pound of N per 1,000 square feet monthly throughout the summer. Use soluble fertilizers during the grow-in phase; once the ground is covered, slow-release fertilizers can be used, if desired. Be sure to have irrigation available if establishing from seed, plugs or sprigs.

Many turf areas were damaged during the winter of 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2014, but some not so extensively that a total replanting was needed. If there is enough grass left that recovery is possible without re-planting, rake all of the dead stems and organic matter out of the turfgrass, and then treat the area as if it were a new planting until the ground is again 100% covered. Then resume normal turfgrassmaintenance practices. v

This bermudagrass football field exhibits moderate winter damage in May 2014 as areas that are slow to green up. The field will recover fully from this damage by mid-summer with adequate fertilization and irrigation. (Photo by D.Y. Han)

Ala bama T urf Tim es >>> Summer 201 4

25

Recent Events >>>

Re-Play from the

Sports Turf Field Day

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

S

ports turf managers from all over the state convened at the new Regions Field in Birmingham on March 19 for our bi-annual Sports Turf Field Day. The venue was perfect; our morning educational sessions were held in the clubhouse, which overlooked the field and provided ample space for our exhibitors.

Attendees heard from several speakers, including: Jonathan Nelson, the Birmingham Baron’s general manager; Creig Hoskins, the architect who designed the stadium; Jonathan Holland, the sports field contractor who built the field, and our host, Daniel Ruggiero, the groundskeeper for the Birmingham Barons.

After the morning sessions, a tour of the facility, visits with our exhibitors and a hotdog lunch, attendees moved onto the field for additional sessions. Topics consisted of “Transition from Ryegrass to Bermudagrass” (Waldo Terrell, Harrell’s), “Applying Lines and Logos” (Joe Collins, Samford University), “Aerification and Topdressing” (Mike Hill, Specialty Turf Supply), “Do’s and Don’ts of Infield Maintenance” (Bill Marbet, Southern Athletic Fields) and “Mound and Base Maintenance” (Daniel Ruggiero, Birmingham Barons). A huge thank you goes out to these gentlemen for offering their expertise and experience with us. The attendees enjoyed hearing presentations from their peers who do this work every day.

Another big thank you goes to our exhibitors who helped cover the cost of the event. Their support made this event possible, and we truly appreciate them. Be sure to call on them when you need to place an order!

The planning committee (which I would like to personally thank) consisted of Daniel Ruggiero, Paul Patterson, James Horton, Chad Lambert, Kim Byram, Jason Cooper, Tres’ Wilkinson and Amy Bailey. They came up with a great program and venue that made the event a homerun! v

Thank You to Our Field Day Exhibitors!

Agri-AFC, LLC BWI Companies Golf Ventures

Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation Pennington Seed NuFarm

Harrell’s, Inc. Humphries Farm Turf Supply

Southern Athletic Fields

Kifco, Inc.

Trimax Mowing Systems

Specialty Turf Supply Turface Athletics

It Wasn’t “All Wet”

at the Poa Annua

By Melanie Bonds, AGCSA Executive Director

We

were bowed, but not beaten, by Mother Nature at the 2014 Poa annua Classic. The tournament at Montgomery Country Club was re-scheduled from April 7 until April 14 because of the weather.

Unfortunately, the rain came back with a vengeance and put an end to the golf tournament at the beautiful course in the capitol city.

Lots of planning had gone into the event, with hole-in-one prizes and other contests that had to be cancelled, but we still had a great morning of education by Dr. Scott McElroy who was “Reporting from the Frontlines of Turfgrass Weed Control.” We also had some awesome grilling by our vendors, Herbie Fricke and Steve Sanderson of Agri-AFC, Wally Shapielak with Harrells and Mark Cleveland of Aquatrols.

Financially, the event was a success, and our annual contribution to the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation is secured. This is due mainly to our wonderful sponsors of this event, the participants who braved the weather and to our host Jeremy Sutton and the Montgomery Country Club, who graciously discounted the event. Please be sure to thank our supporters (listed in the box at right) for their continued support!

We have hopes of pulling off this event again next year with industry partners sponsoring golf holes and providing food and drinks. Be on the lookout for more details toward the end of the year. v

Special Thanks to Our Tournament Sponsors Lunch Sponsors Agri-AFC, LLC Aquatrols Harrell’s, Inc. Golf Ventures

Refreshment & Hole-In-One Contest Sponsors Beard Equipment Company BES Pine Straw Products Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Tee Sign Sponsors AAT-Direct Solutions AGRI-AFC, LLC AmeriTurf Bayer BES Pine Straw Products Beard Equipment Company BWI Companies Dow AgroSciences Ewing FMC Gowan USA Greenville Turf & Tractor Humphries Farm Turf Supply Nufarm Americas Quali-Pro John Deere Landscapes Regal Chemical Company Southeast Turf Maintenance Southern States Syngenta

Reception Sponsors Shoot-Out winners: Travis Frey, Larry Arnold, Bryan Scoggins, Jason Gattina and Tom Luncher

Greenville Turf & Tractor Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Ala bama T urf Tim es >>> Summer 201 4

27

News from ATA >>>

Call for Applications:

2014 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 2014 ATA Annual Conference and Tradeshow, October 28–30.

Criteria for consideration:

1. A pplicants must be an ATA member for three or more years.

2. A ll 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.alturfgrass.org. All entries must be received by September 1.

Good luck! v

Auction Donations Needed!

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 201 4

One

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 29.

In the past, we have raised money for turfgrass research and scholarships for turf students. This popular event has been a staple at the Annual Conference and Tradeshow, and to keep this tradition alive, we need for your company to donate an item to this great cause.

Every donation is appreciated, and anything goes! Matter of fact, the more unique an item is, the better. Ideas to get your creative, philanthropic ideas flowing include:

28

• 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! v

Calendar of Events >>>

August 26

Mississippi State Turfgrass Research Field Day Rodney Foil Plant Science Research Center Starkville, MS

September 11

Univ. of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Field Day University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN

September 21–22

ATA Mole Cricket Classic Fishing Tournament Orange Beach, AL

October 14–16

Index of Advertisers >>>

October 22–25

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

AGRI-AFC, LLC www.agri-afc.com.........................................................3 Bayer www.bayerprocentral.com............................... 9, 13 Coosa Valley Turf Farms, LLC www.coosavalleyturffarms.com.....................30 Ewing Irrigation www.ewing1.com...................................................21

October 28–30

ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center Auburn, AL

November 11–12

MTA Annual Conference and Tradeshow (Mississippi Turfgrass Assn.)

Bost Conference Center Starkville, MS

Greenville Turf & Tractor www.greenvilleturf.com......Inside Back Cover Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation www.jerrypate.com..............................................17 Kesmac Brouwer/ Huntsville Tractor & Equipment www.kesmac.com................................................29 Lebanon Turf..................... Inside Front Cover www.countryclubmd.com Riebeling Farms, Inc..............................................7 Southern Specialty Equipment www.ssequip.net............................................................7

NRPA Congress and Expo (Nat. Rec. & Parks Assn.)

Charlotte Convention Ctr. Charlotte, NC

Southern State Turf www.ssturf.net.....................................................30 Southern States Cooperative www.southernstates.com.................................. 11

Digital Marketplace

Sur-Line Turf Inc. www.surlineturf.com.............................................. 25 Syngenta Professional Products....................5 The Andersons Technologies, Inc. www.andersonsgolfproducts.com.........................5 The Turfgrass Group www.theturfgrassgroup.com........... Back Cover Tri-Est Ag Group Inc. www.triestag.com.......................................................7

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 201 4

Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.

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