Alabama Turf Times - Summer 2020

Summer 2020

RIDE-ON APPLICATORS:

A TOOL FOR SUCCESS? A WHOLE LOT OF TURFGRASS VARIETIES

Manufacturer of a complete line of Foliar Fertilizers and Chelated Micronutrients QUICK GREEN: 15-0-0 W/ 6% IRON Guaranteed Analysis: Total Nitrogen .......................... 15% 15% Urea Nitrogen

Iron (Fe) ..................................... 6% Sulfur (S) ................................... 3%

Sources: Urea, Ferrous Sulfate

Application Recommendations:

Apply 15-0-0 at a rate of 2-8 ounces per 1000 sq. ft. every 2 to 4 weeks or as needed.

Dilute with 1 1/2 to 2 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft.

HUMATE PLUS: 10% HUMIC ACID & 5% IRON Guaranteed Analysis: Iron (Fe) .................................. 5.0% Manganese (Mn) .................... 0.5% Sources: Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate Also contains 10% Humic Acid

Application Recommendations:

Apply 3–6 liquid ounces per 1000 sq. ft.

Dilute with 1 to 2 gallons of water.

ELEVEN/SEVEN: 7% IRON W/MICRONUTRIENTS Guaranteed Analysis:

Guaranteed Analysis:

PRIMARY NUTRIENTS

SECONDARY NUTRIENTS

Total Nitrogen (N) ............... 11.00%

Sulfur (S).................................... 3.00%

SECONDARY NUTRIENTS

Sulfur (S) .............................. 3.00% MICRONUTRIENTS

Boron (B) ..............................

Copper (CU) ..........................

Iron (Fe) ................................

Manganese (MN) ..................

Zinc (Zn) ..............................

0.01% 0.10% 7.00% 1.00% 0.10%

Sources: Urea, Boric Acid, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate and Zinc Sulfate

Application Recommendations:

Apply Eleven/Seven at a rate of 2–8 ounces per 1000 sq. ft. every 2 to 4 weeks or as needed. Dilute with 1 1/2 to 2 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft.

12-4-8 Guaranteed Analysis: Total Nitrogen .......................... 12%

Guaranteed Analysis: Total Nitrogen .......................... 12%

Available Phosphate (P205) ...... 4% Soluble Potash (K2O) ................. 8%

Available Phosphate (P2O5) ...... 4% Soluble Potash (K2O) ............... 12%

Sources: Urea, Potassium Carbonate, Phosphoric Acid

Application Recommendations:

Apply 12-4-8 at a rate of 1/10 lb. N per 1000 sq. ft. every 7 to 10 days or as needed.

Dilute with 1 1/2 to 2 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft. To apply 1/10 lb. N per 1000 sq. ft. it would take 10 ounces of 12-4-8 per 1000 sq. ft.

Magnesium (Mg) .................. 0.50%

11% Urea Nitrogen

12-4-12

12% Urea Nitrogen

IRON PLUS

12% Urea Nitrogen

Sources: Urea, Potassium Carbonate, Phosphoric Acid

Application Recommendations:

Apply 12-4-12 at a rate of 1/10 lb. N per 1000 sq. ft. every 7 to 10 days or as needed.

Dilute with 1 1/2 to 2 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft. To apply 1/10 lb. N per 1000 sq. ft. it would take 10 ounces 12-4-12 per 1000 sq. ft.

MICRONUTRIENTS

Boron (B) ..............................

Copper (Cu) ..........................

Iron (Fe) ................................

Manganese (Mn) ..................

Zinc (Zn) ..............................

0.01% 0.10% 6.00% 1.00% 0.10%

Sources: Boric Acid, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate and Zinc Sulfate

Application Recommendations:

Apply Iron Plus at a rate of 2–8 ounces per 1000 sq. ft. every 2–4 weeks or as needed. Dilute with 1 to 2 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft.

16-0-6 Guaranteed Analysis: Total Nitrogen .......................... 16% 14.25% Urea Nitrogen 0% Ammoniacal Nitrogen 1.75% Nitrate Nitrogen

Available Phosphate (P2O5) ...... 0% Soluble Potash (K2O) ................. 6%

Sources: Urea, Potassium Nitrate.

Application Recommendations:

Apply 16-0-6 at a rate of 1/8 lb. N per 1000 sq. ft. every 7 to 10 days or as needed. Dilute with 1 1/2 to 2 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft. To apply 1/8 lb. N per 1000 sq. ft. it would take 10 ounces 16-0-6 per 1000 sq. ft.

1-800-466-9936 • www.clarkplantnutrients.com Chris Grantham • 334-233-2687 • alfandsupply@gmail.com Our products are available in 2.5 gallon jugs, 15, 30 and 55 gallon drums and 275 gallon totes.

Contact us for prices and delivery. If you have questions, we are ready to help in any way we can.

LANCE DON’T HAVE A CHANCE...

“After applications with Armorex and Bac-Pack on several areas at the Moorings Country Club in Naples, Florida, I am excited to report that nematode counts have been reduced significantly. The treatments reduced lance nematode counts by as much as 90%!

The areas treated looked weak and unhealthy prior to application. A couple weeks after being treated with Armorex and Bac-Pack, those areas have recovered nicely.”

— Dale Walters, CGCS, Moorings Country Club, Naples, Florida

Armorex® T&O is used to control pathogenic nematodes in golf course turf. Armorex is O.M.R.I. listed for use in organics. Armorex is an effective blend of essential plant oils.

2019 research trials showed significantly reduced counts of damaging nematodes and rapid recovery of damaged turf areas. Armorex treatments reduced lance nematodes by as much at 90%.

Visit us online: www.soiltechcorp.com/product/armorex-golf or call/text Sales Mgr. Xavier Dupoux at 641-781-1879 or ask your local T&O Products Distributor about Armorex

Summer 2020

TOP FEATURES

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8

ATA Member Spotlight —

David Page

Upcoming Events — 10 Auburn Field Day

Deep South Turf Expo

Feature Article — 12 A Whole Lot of

Turfgrass Varieties

Cover Story — 14 Ride-On Applicators: A Tool for Success?

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Al ab ama Tu rf Tim es > >> Su m mer 2020

14

www.AlaTurfgrass.org 4

DEPARTMENTS 6

From the President’s Pen

6

ATA Annual Sponsors

10

Calendar of Events

11

Index of Advertisers

Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: THETURFZONE.COM On the cover and left: PermaGreen Triumph — Photo credit: PermaGreen

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 © 2020 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 Jefferson City, MO. 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 >>>

RENEWED FOCUS

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim es > >> Su m mer 2020

As

we go further into these uncertain times, there is consolation that our Turfgrass Industry for the most part is considered essential by our local and state governmental officials. Though many aspects of normal life are tough on all of us at this moment, it has been nice to hear that so many of our members are still able to work and earn a living. I hope all of you have taken advantage of these times to improve your facilities and maintain good mental and physical health.

While many of us who maintain athletic fields miss the sporting events that showcase our venues, the reduction in litter on properties has been nice. However, we’ve all seen an up-tick in masks and gloves left on the ground. Hopefully, when we get on the other side of this Pandemic, there will be greater understanding among the public for not only improved cleanliness and personal hygiene but for our environment as well. For now, I am appreciative of the renewed focus on landscapes by homeowners. Many of my colleagues have seen an increase in sales, and most garden centers still operating are slammed.

The agricultural community as a whole has received much needed respect during this time. In my high school ag classes, I asked the students to tell me how their perception of agriculture has changed. The answers were amazing!

The importance of our turfgrass industry suddenly clicked with them as they understood how many of us are considered essential. I have a few students interested in careers working in golf, and it has only encouraged them to see what the golf industry has been able to do.

As an association, ATA will continue to work towards developing events and educational opportunities for our membership. Even before this summer issue of Alabama Turf Times reaches you, the board members will have taken part in an interview to discuss how different segments of our industry have been coping with COVID 19. So, stay in touch because more podcasts will be planned going forward providing much needed information that you can share with your coworkers and family. Thanks to Eddie Coutras and Julie Holt from Leading Edge Communications for helping to spearhead this venture and providing the platform for these videos and podcasts.

We know that we may see more tough days ahead before this is over, but we thank our members for being supportive through our Road Shows and Sports Turf Field Day. The Sports Turf Field Day in March was an awesome event. I have to tell you that Kevin Tingle and his crew in Florence do an amazing job. If you are ever up that way, go check out their facility. And by the way, ATA is always looking for ways to showcase our members and their “worksites,” so if you have a facility and would like to host the Sports Turf Field Day, or the Lawn and Landscape Field Day which will rotate next year, please let us know. There are so many hidden gems in this state because of the hard work each of you put into your passion.

In closing, I want to thank everyone who has reached out to local and state elected officials to let them know where we stand. As an association we have been active in sending information to those officials as well. At this time, we are not sure about our summer schedule, but please keep up with us, and we will keep you posted. Keep your head up and press forward!

Sincerely,

6

Deven Peek

2020 ATA ANNUAL SPONSORS GOLD • Bayer Environmental Science • Beard Equipment Company • Greenville Turf & Tractor • Harrell's, Inc. • Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation • Simplot, Inc.

SILVER • BWI Companies • Corteva Agriscience • Ewing • Nufarm, Inc. • SiteOne Landscape Supply • Syngenta • Target Specialties • Textron Golf

BRONZE • AGRI-AFC, LLC • Agromax • Aquatrols • BASF • Diamond R Fertilizers • PBI-Gordon • Southern States Turf

Deven Peek

• Sur-Line Turf

ATA 2020 President

• Walker/Wright Mowers

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@leadingedge communications.com Executive Director Melanie Bonds Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton

Riebeling Farms, Inc. Palmetto St. Augustine • Empire Zoysia Centipede Sod • Delivery Available

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20732 Hadley Rd. • Foley, AL. 36535

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Vice President Joe Collins, CSFM Samford University

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RD MuRphy LLC Sales: (256) 762-3564 info@rdmurphy.com www.rdmurphy.com

100% Recycled paper

Past President Kim Byram

University of Alabama

Secretary/Treasurer Ben Anderson

Arrowhead Country Club

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Golf Brad Barron Wynlakes Country Club

Industry Jim Crockett Nufarm

Institution David White

UAB Campus Services

Lawn Reynolds Cook Southern Lawns

Park & Rec Heath Puckett, CGCS Guntersville State Park

Sod Randall Murphy Murphy Turf Farms

At Large Darrel Arnold

Southeast Turf utilizes the best deep aerification equipment available today to address any type of turf aerification need, including Deep Drill and Drill & Fill.

Randy Emens 256-255-5231 • SouthEastTurf.com • seturfmaint@gmail.com 211 Skyline Road • Madison, AL 35758

DIGITAL MARKETPLACE Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about this company.

Heritage Lawn & Tree Care

Tony Culberson Ben Williams

City of Alabaster Parks & Rec

EX OFFICIO/EDUCATION ADVISORS David Han, Ph.D. Auburn University (334) 844-3980 handavi@auburn.edu

Jim Jacobi, Ph.D.

Alabama Cooperative Extension System (205) 879-6964, Ext. 19 jacobjc@auburn.edu

For franchise information go to www.weedmanfranchise.com or call (888) 321-9333 7

Al abama Tu rf T ime s >>> S um mer 2020

Bayer Environmental

Member Spotlight >>>

DAVID PAGE’S Rich Tradition with the Land: “I Love to Work!”

By Melanie Bonds, ATA Executive Director

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim es > >> Su m mer 2020

Mr.

Page grew up in a small community in Franklin County, AL. He attended Auburn for three years studying agriculture. During his third year he came home to help his father on the farm. During that time, the high school principal suffered a serious injury and asked David to run his farm, tending and harvesting the crops. By end of the season the educator sold the farm to him. “I farmed three years and went broke. We lost the cotton crop because of early snow. We didn’t even take our pickers in the field.”

Mr. Page was fortunate to be hired at Brown’s Ferry Nuclear Plant as an inspector of steel beams in Quality Control. “I was hired at Brown’s Ferry because I took one course in Terracing and Drainage at Auburn. I was taught how to use transits, levels and other devices, and we learned to use dynamite to create field drainage at Auburn. That one course secured my job at Brown’s Ferry. An important component at TVA was transit work and leveling, and they were short of people who had training. I worked there 22 years before retiring.”

Working at Brown’s Ferry gave Mr. Page time to do other things, so he got into the landscaping business. David says, “In 1984 folks had trouble getting Zoysia in North Alabama. I planted my first field of Zoysia in 1984. Later I ended up purchasing this farm. I’ve been growing sod 35 years We’re the only sod farm in a 50-mile radius of Decatur, Athens and Huntsville. Our niche is homeowners.

I give God credit for placing me here on this land.

I was able to buy this acreage because it flooded.

I needed water, and floods don’t damage turfgrass as they do row crops.”

Mr. Page is 77 ½ years old. “If I go out of business, my customer base won’t have anywhere to get a pallet of sod without shopping 50 miles away.

Everything I have earned in my life has been through my customers. I am so appreciative of

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them and will be loyal by passing on this farm in the family.”

Steve, Mr. Page's son will take over the farm in a few years. Steve attended Auburn and has plenty of experience in landscape design and with sod.

For most of his career Steve maintained the ball fields for the City of Decatur. Lately, the city leased the ball fields, and promoted Steve to supervising school ground maintenance.

Todd Page, David’s other son, is part owner of Panciera Design Advertising and Marketing Firm.

He works in graphic design and marketing as well as web site design and development. Todd enjoys hunting and fishing on the farm.

David is married to Brenda Page. He has one grandson, Steve’s son, Pasha. Pasha is the third generation of Pages devoted to the farm and works there during summers and weekends. Steve also has a daughter named Sophi.

Mr. Page still works most every day. His mobility is limited because of a bad ankle from farm injuries and playing basketball. Still, as long as he can sit in a tractor, he can “pull an 8- to 12-hour day as needed.”

“A farm boy that worked until 3:30 in the afternoon had half a day left in summer. That’s how I started in landscaping. I still follow the same path.

I stay on the farm continuously. I do all the dirt work. I love the smell of diesel and the smell of fresh earth. I love to work! Daylight is the time to work and dark is the time to rest. Sunday’s time to go to Church. I’m happy and I believe that Jesus Christ and God directed me to this piece of property.”

Thank you, Mr. Page for all you do for our industry! We appreciate your previous service on the Alabama Turfgrass Board of Directors!

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Upcoming Events >>>

Save the Date for >>>

What’s Up and Who’s on Deck for the

2020 AUBURN TURFGRASS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION DAY July 14th at 8:00 AM Lunch at Noon

By Beth Guertal, Ph.D.

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim es > >> Su m mer 2020

As

I type this I’m sitting in an empty office, having just finished my last online lecture for the semester. It’s so odd to not see my students, and I miss live lectures and visits. But this will pass, and I’ll keep recording lectures and meeting via Zoom as long as it takes to keep folks safe. I know we all are looking forward to the end of social distancing, and a return to some type of normalcy in our turfgrass lives. And towards that eventual day, I’d like to briefly mention some of the great speakers and topics that we have lined up for this year’s Deep South Turf Expo.

This year we will meet from Monday, November 2nd until Thursday, November 5th, at our usual locations of The Beau Rivage and the Mississippi Coast Convention Center. On Monday, we’ll host the first half of the Deep South Four Ball Classic Golf Tournament at The Preserve Golf Club. Tuesday opens with the Sports Field Tour, the Skeet and Trap Tournament (at the Coastal Rifle and Pistol Club), and the second day of the Deep South Four Ball Classic Golf Tournament (at Fallen Oak).

If you are not doing the Four Ball tournament, we’ll also have a one-day Scramble Golf Tournament at The Preserve, with a tailgate party and dinner to follow.

All attendees and exhibitors are welcome to the party and dinner!

Wednesday kicks off the General Session at the Convention Center, with three top speakers covering a wide range of topics. Brad Jakubowski of Penn State University will discuss weather apps, and how you can use them for safety and information. This will be a highly entertaining and useful talk. Following is Armen Suny, a search and consulting executive. He has expertise in executive searches for general managers, golf course superintendents, golf professionals, assistant general managers, and clubhouse managers. He also sits as one of 240 worldwide architect/ panelists ranking golf courses for Golf Course Architecture magazine. Our final speaker for the General Session is Dr. Chase Straw from Texas A&M. Dr. Straw is an expert on traffic and traffic patterns in athletic fields, and he will discuss new research that helps you understand the impact of people on managed turfgrasses.

Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday are the breakout sessions, and you can find a wide array of topics for turfgrass management. All your favorite state turfgrass people are on the program, with presentations on Poa annua, pond management and turfgrass pathology. Come meet Dr. Marco Schavion, a new faculty member at the University of Florida, who will be discussing water quality issues.

Tim Hires and Dr. Bryan Unruh will both be covering Best Management Practices, both from the agronomy and people viewpoints. There are a wide range of herbicide and weed control discussions, covering goosegrass control, weed control in home lawns, worker safety and sprayer use, and ecologically beneficial turfgrass. On the athletic field side Doug Schattinger will give a presentation on robotic sprayers, and the athletic field managers from the University of Alabama will give a talk on game day preparation.

In all it’s a great schedule, and it promises to be several days of fun and great education. So mark your calendar now and join us in warm and sunny Mississippi for the Deep South Turfgrass Expo. Come recover from social distancing with us!

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At the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Facility On July 13th, prior to the Research Field Day, the Alabama Turfgrass Association will host our traditional Poa Annua Classic to raise funding for turfgrass research. The Tournament will be held at 8:00 a.m. at the Lake Course at Grand National Golf Club in Opelika. We encourage everyone to bring their own team and come out in force to support turfgrass research through the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation! Following the tournament we will adjourn for a wonderful grilled lunch at Beck’s Turf! Don’t miss it!

July 13

Poa Annua in conjunction with Auburn Field Day with Lunch at Beck’s Turf

July 14

Auburn Turfgrass Research Field Day – HIGH IMPACT in 2020

September 16–17

Mississippi State Turfgrass Research Field Day

November 2–5

Deep South Turf Expo Mississippi Coast Convention Center Biloxi, MS

November 4

Alabama Turfgrass Association Annual Business Meeting

December TBD

ATA Sponsor Appreciation

Index of Advertisers >>>

BWI Companies, Inc................................ 9 www.bwicompanies.com Clark Plant Nutrients, Inc............ Inside Front Cover www.clarkplantnutrients.com Coosa Valley Turf Farms........................ 13 www.coosavalleyturffarms.com Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc..............Inside Back Cover www.greenvilleturf.com Leading Edge Communications............18 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com Mid Tenn Turf......................................... 17 www.midtennturf.com Progressive Turf Equipment Inc........... 9 www.progressiveturfequip.com RD Murphy, LLC........................................7 www.rdmurphy.com Regal Chemical Company...................... 5 www.regalchem.com Riebeling Farms, Inc.................................7 Smith Seed Services................................ 9 www.smithseed.com Steve Nichols / Soil Technologies Corp. / Armorex Nematicide................................3 www.soiltechcorp.com Southeast Turf Maintenance..................7 www.southeastturf.com Southern Specialty Equipment..............11 www.ssequip.net

The Turfgrass Group..............Back Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com

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TriEst Ag Group, Inc...............................16 www.hendrixanddail.com

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Jim Brewster Office Phone:

(877) 366-5399 Mobile Phone:

(352) 284-8029 jim@ssequip.net www.ssequip.net 11

Al abama Tu rf T ime s >>> S um mer 2020

Sur-Line Turf, Inc.....................................11 www.surlineturf.com

Southern Specialty Equipment, Inc.

Feature Story >>>

A WHOLE LOT OF TURFGRASS VARIETIES

By Dave Han, PhD and Beth Guertal, PhD, Alabama Extension and Auburn University

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim es > >> Su m mer 2020

It

sometimes seems as though the turfgrass world is being bombarded by new turfgrass varieties. Although turf managers who come from the world of seeded coolseason grasses are more used to changes in variety names and blends, the world of vegetatively-propagated warm-season grasses has traditionally been more static. After all, Tifway bermudagrass has been with us since the 1960s, and Meyer and Emerald zoysiagrass had a decades-long run as the dominant varieties in the Southeast. But in recent years, the market has seen newer varieties making inroads into the warmseason markets, especially bermudagrasses and zoysiagrasses. Here is an overview of some of the new and new-ish varieties to the market in the Southeast in the last few years.

Where do these new grasses come from?

Universities and the USDA There are several sources of new turfgrass varieties. Some of the most well-known warm-season turfgrasses 12

were developed by universities working alone or in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. The prime example of such a cooperative effort is the breeding program at Tifton, Georgia, where the breeding program shared by the University of Georgia and the USDA-ARS has given us many famous bermudagrass varieties over the decades, from Tifgreen (328) and Tifway (419) in the 1950s and 1960s all the way to TifTuf, released in 2016. TifTuf, the newest in the ’Tif’ series of hybrid bermudagrasses, maintains its color under drought conditions much better than Tifway and is fast growing. TifBlair centipedegrass, bred for increased cold tolerance, is another release from this group, while several seashore paspalum varieties such as the SeaIsle series and SeaStar have come from the University of Georgia’s breeding program at Griffin, GA. The University of Florida maintains an active turfgrass breeding program focusing mainly on developing St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass varieties.

Released in 1973 in cooperation with Texas A&M, Floratam St. Augustinegrass is still a standard variety, while their newer St. Augustinegrasses Captiva and CitraBlue came out in 2007 and 2018, respectively. Captiva is a semi-dwarf variety with a lower growth habit than most St. Augustinegrasses, and CitraBlue is a UF has also released several zoysiagrasses in 2018 and 2019, such as FAES 1319 and FAES 1307.

Texas A&M University also has a new St. Augustinegrass variety, TamStar, bred for improved drought tolerance and tolerance to gray leaf spot. They are perhaps best known for their zoysiagrass releases. In the 1990s and 2000s, they released Diamond, Crowne, Palisades, Royal and Zorro. The latest zoysiagrass releases from Texas A&M since 2015 include Chisolm, Lazer and Innovation. Chisolm and Innovation were developed in cooperation with Kansas State University. Lazer is a putting green variety, while Chisolm and Innovation are medium and fine textured grasses, respectively, suitable for fairways, lawns, etc. Both Innovation and Chisolm have been bred for improved cold tolerance. This is a common goal among all warm-season grass breeders.

Another common characteristic of newer zoysiagrass varieties – from all sources – is that they tend to be faster growing than older zoysiagrasses. This offers quicker establishment and better recovery from damage, but may mean they need more frequent mowing.

Oklahoma State University is another prolific producer of warm-season turfgrass varieties, especially bermudagrasses with improved cold tolerance. In the past twenty years, OSU released Patriot (in 2006), Latitude 36 and Northbridge in 2011, and most recently Tahoma 31 in 2019. Oklahoma State also has released seeded bermudagrass varieties such as Riviera and Yukon. It has also shown improved shade tolerance in bermudagrass variety trials.

Other universities in the southern USA also have research ongoing aimed at developing warm-season turfgrass varieties, such as North Carolina State, where the breeding program has released a commercial tall fescue variety and has St. Augustinegrass varieties under trial in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). Mississippi State University is testing several of its bermudagrasses in the latest NTEP test also. Auburn University is not breeding warm season turfgrasses at this time; the latest release from Auburn was AU Victory bentgrass.

Seed companies Seed companies are, unsurprisingly, a source for seeded turfgrass varieties. In the warm-season sphere, this usually means bermudagrass, though there is some interest in seeded zoysiagrasses.

Within the seeded bermudagrass world, there is something of a changing of the guard happening, with several large seed companies introducing new flagship varieties to replace some familiar names. Johnston Seed has recently come out with Monaco seeded bermudagrass, a cold tolerant, visually appealing common bermudagrass that Johnston is marketing as a replacement for the older Riviera, a variety developed at Oklahoma State and also marketed

by Johnston Seed. Johnston also has some vegetatively-propagated common bermudagrasses under development, and has released one under the variety name Landrun.

Pennington Seed’s newest seeded bermudagrass variety is Arden-15, which is slated to replace the venerable Princess-77, itself one of the most popular of the fine-textured, visually appealing seeded bermudagrass varieties of the past two decades. Pure-Seed Testing and DLF-Pickseed are also developing seeded bermudagrass varieties for use as turfgrasses, and have entered some possibilities in the most recent NTEP bermudagrass variety trial.

Sod Farms Although many farms grow sod, a few also run their own programs to find and develop new varieties to sell themselves and/or license to other farms to grow. In Alabama, the most well-known example of a variety developed by a private sod farm is Classic St. Augustinegrass, from Woerner Turf. Perhaps the largest sod farm that is releasing turfgrass varieties is Bladerunner Farms in Poteet, TX near San Antonio. Bladerunner has released many zoysiagrasses over the past 20 years or more, including Jamur, a medium-textured zoysia and Zeon, a finebladed variety. Recent releases include Trinity, formerly called L1F, a finetextured variety marketed for everything from fairways to home lawns, Cutlass (formerly Lowrider), a semi-dwarf type needing less mowing at lawn height, and Leisure Time (Y2), a medium textured general purpose zoysia.

Licensing companies Almost all of the turfgrass varieties released these days are patented. In order for a sod producer to grow them, that sod farmer must buy a license to do so and pay a fee back to whoever developed and patented the variety. Although some breeders (or their respective state seed commissions) handle the licensing of their own varieties, there are also companies that handle licensing issues for a number of different turfgrass varieties from different sources. Perhaps the largest two in the Southeast are Sod Solutions and The Turfgrass Group.

Of these two, Sod Solutions not only licenses varieties developed by universities, it also owns its own varieties, such as Empire and Geo zoysiagrasses, Santee centipedegrass and Celebration bermudagrass.

Other sources Golf courses are a natural source for greens grasses, especially ultradwarf bermudagrasses. Many ultradwarfs began life on golf courses, including Sunday, Mach1, Miniverde and Champion.

With such a wide array of new turfgrasses hitting the market from so many different sources, it’s probably not surprising that there are lots of data available on the performance of some of them and less for others. Varieties tend to undergo many years of testing

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After that, they are often entered in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP), which sends them to various sites – usually university research plots – for evaluation over a five-year period.

This allows collection of data over many sites for an extended period of time, and weeds out the poorly performing ones. Companies will often cite NTEP

results, because varieties that make it through that process usually will perform well in general use. In addition, companies and universities often feature their variety trials at field days and open houses, allowing visitors to see the tests for themselves. In the Southeast, almost every major land-grant university with a turfgrass program hosts NTEP trials.

For more information go to www.ntep.org.

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Where can I find out about these varieties?

GroWers oF QuAlITY TurF sInce 1987

PermaGreen Triumph Border Pass

Cover Story >>>

Photo credit: PermaGreen

RIDE ON APPLICATORS:

A TOOL FOR SUCCESS?

By J. Bryan Unruh, Professor and Associate Director

INTRODUCTION The use of ride-on applicators in the landscape is common in the northern and transition zones of the United States.

However, it has only been in recent years that these machines have made their way south. Ride-on applicator use on warm-season landscapes has been steadily rising over the past few years.

In visiting with lawn care operators, the consensus is that the increasing difficulty in finding labor is prompting the shift towards the ride-on applicators. In a leading industry survey, 56% of survey respondents listed labor as a major concerni. The challenge is due to the aging workforce and the difficulty in attracting younger workers. A cursory review of Lawn & Landscape Magazine reveals several articles aimed at attracting and retaining young employees.

The use of ride-on applicators is seen as a key move to keep younger workers satisfiedii. Ride-on applicators also allow for increased productivity since one can spray and spread at the same time. Additionally, ride-on applicators require less manual labor, putting an end to dragging hoses or pushing spreaders. The advantages and disadvantages of the ride-on applicators are listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1: Advantages and disadvantages of ride-on type applicators used in the landscape maintenance industry.

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim es > >> Su m mer 2020

ADVANTAGES • Cover larger areas more quickly • Convenience (two-in-one) • Easy to make spot applications • Consistency of applications throughout the day • Less labor intensive — retain skilled workers • Higher profit potential

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DISADVANTAGES • Initial cost ($4,600 +) • Hauling requirements (safety) • Operating on slopes and in small areas • Maintenance adjustments/costs • Sprayer uniformity concerns • Low volume applications only • Small spray tanks • Calibration is more complicated • Training / Learning curve

PermaGreen Triumph Spray Pattern Photo credit: PermaGreen

TYPES OF RIDE-ON APPLICATORS There are basically two types of ride-on applicators: spreader only and spreader/sprayer. The spreader only applicators are useful for applying granular products such as fertilizer or fertilizer sparged with a pesticide. Examples include the Ferris Rover™ Ride-On Spreader, the Spyker Ride-On Spreader, and the LESCO HPS Chariot Ride-On Spreader. Retail pricing for spreader only models range from $4,600 – $6,775.

The spreader/sprayer applicators allow for singular or simultaneous application of both dry and liquid products.

There are two types of sprayer designs: Boomless and boomtype. The boomless sprayers employ a cluster of FloodJet® type nozzles that distribute the spray solution through a single nozzle operating at a given time. The boom sprayer, as the name implies, has three or four nozzles uniformly spaced along a rigid boom. Examples include the PermaGreen, Ferris Venture™, Z-Spray, and the Turfco T3100 Spreader & Sprayer. Retail pricing for the spreader/sprayer systems range from $10,000 – $13,000.

PermaGreen Triumph, Head On Photo credit: PermaGreen

A boomless-type applicator Photo credit: J. Bryan Unruh

A boom-type applicator Photo credit: J. Bryan Unruh

PermaGreen Triumph, Edging Closeup Photo credit: PermaGreen

CALIBRATING RIDE-ON PESTICIDE SPRAYERS AND FERTILIZER SPREADERS

DO RIDE-ON APPLICATORS WORK AS WELL AS CONVENTIONAL EQUIPMENT? As noted, proper calibration is the first step in achieving success with any application equipment. The application

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As with any fertilizer or pesticide application equipment, calibration is critical for achieving effective pest control and providing uniform greening without yellow streaking from fertilizer misapplications. When combining two distribution methods (granular and liquid), the calibration can be quite challenging. Fortunately, Purdue University Extension has a fantastic publication on Calibrating Ride-on Pesticide Sprayers and Fertilizer Spreaders available as a free download (https://ppp.purdue.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2016/08/PPP-104.pdf) or scan the QR Code using a smart phone to access the publication.

of fertilizer using a ride-on applicator does not differ too much from a standard push spreader. Assuming the machine is operated in the intended manner, one can achieve uniform results. Conversely, the spray delivery systems on rideon applicators can offer some unique challenges that differ from conventional landscape sprayers — namely the low volume applications and operating the equipment in small, tight areas.

Historically, most lawncare spray volumes ranged from 1.0 — 3.0 gallons per 1,000 ft2 [43 — 130 gallons per acre (gpa)] delivered through industry standard spray guns such as the Lesco ChemLawn Spray Gun or the JD9® High Pressure Spray Gun. However, most ride-on applicators are configured to deliver a quart per 1,000 ft2 (11 gpa) which significantly reduces the coverage and may impact the efficacy of the plant protectant or liquid nutritionals.

For a pesticide to work properly, the active ingredient must come into contact with the target organism and remain at a lethal concentration for a specific amount of time. There are many factors that influence effective pest control — regardless of whether weeds, diseases, or insects are the targets.

Cover Story >>> Continued

Questions that should be answered prior to using a particular pesticide in a low volume applicator include: 1. Is the targeted insect or disease soil-borne or does it inhabit the foliage?

2. Does the targeted weed have attributes (e.g., waxy or pubescent leaves) that make control difficult?

3. Is the most effective pesticide for the targeted pest a contact or a systemic?

4. Does the label recommend (require) the use of adjuvants (i.e., spreaders, stickers, drift reduction agents)?

5. What is the relative sensitivity of the turfgrass to the pesticide being applied? Is there a margin of safety should treated areas get overlapping coverage?

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim es > >> Su m mer 2020

A tremendous amount of research goes into the development of pesticide products and the label statements are the proven means to achieve maximum pest control while minimizing adverse impact on human and non-target exposure and environmental impact. At the present time, most pesticide manufacturers do not include instructions for low volume (ride-on) applicators. In fact, many pesticides labels include minimum carrier volumes and sprayer pressure requirements. Figure 1 is one of the few examples of a turf pesticide with low volume spray equipment instructions.

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FIGURE 1: Example of a pesticide label with low volume applicator instructions.

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY? At the present time, few research papers report on testing the efficacy of ride-on applicators in landscape management.

More is known about the use of low volume applicators, but most studies are not specifically focused on turfgrass management. The findings from this limited number of studies suggest the following: Disease Control Appears to be Very Product/Pest Specific Researchers at North Carolina State University compared various application methods (ride-on spreader/sprayer, spray wand, and research backpack) on Brown Patch management in tall fescue and found no differences in control

(Butler et al., 2019)iii. The authors stated that as long as a highly efficacious fungicide is used, the application method was not a factor. Conversely, Benelli and Horvath (2015) determined that the use of low spray volumes, with or without adjuvant additives, resulted in reduced penetration of the spray solution and decreased fungicidal control of Large Patch in zoysiagrassiv.

In the deep south, confusion exists with the naming of diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani. For many years, the term “Brown Patch” was commonly used for diseases on both cool- and warm-season turfgrasses. However, the term “Large Patch” is now the accepted name for Rhizoctonia solani diseases affecting St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and centipedegrass.

Brown Patch is primarily a leaf disease whereas Large Patch rarely produces leaf spots and generally produces rotted sheaths near the soil surfacev. Delivery of efficacious fungicides at lower carrier volumes (i.e., via ride-on applicators), can be effective on foliar diseases (i.e., Brown Patch).

However, fungicides that must be applied on the sheath or stem near the soil surface (i.e., Large Patch) require greater carrier volumes to deliver the fungicide into the turf canopy.

No published research exists reporting on the use of ride-on applicators for dollar spot (foliar disease) or take-all root rot (soil borne disease) — two common turf diseases in the deep south.

Pre- and Postemergence Weed Control Researchers at Purdue University tested the performance of eleven postemergence broadleaf herbicides applied through boom (10 or 20 GPA) and boomless (10.9 GPA) ride-on

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applicators and compared it to a traditional Lesco ChemLawn Spray Gun (87 GPA), and a hand-held research grade boom sprayer (87 GPA) on dandelion and white clovervi. They reported no differences in dandelion or white clover control with various postemergence herbicides as influenced by application equipment. Additionally, despite a low carrier volume and coarse droplet size, weeds were equally controlled by herbicides with low-volume equipment.

Similarly, a graduate student thesis research project at the University of Nebraska compared ultra-low volume sprayer applications (2 GPA) to a conventional application (60 GPA) of Trimec Classic®, Tenacity®, and Pendulum Aqua Cap® targeting dandelion, ground ivy, and crabgrassvii.

Across four studies, sprayer type did not produce a statistical difference.

A demonstration was conducted in conjunction with a University of Tennessee Turfgrass Field Day showing that prodiamine applied at either 11 or 80 GPA was equally effective at preventing crabgrass germination (J. Bartley, personal communication, October 3, 2019).

Landscapes in the deep south often have a tremendous number of different weed species; many of which are very difficult to control. Additionally, centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass are particularly susceptible to herbicide injury. Oftentimes, successful control comes via a combination of an effective herbicide applied at a specified rate, carrier volume, and sequential treatments along with prescribed adjuvants. Each of these possible scenarios may or may not produce the desired results when delivered through a low volume applicator.

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Cover Story >>> Continued

Application of Liquid Nutritionals The only reported research on application of liquid nutritionals through a low volume applicator is the previously mentioned thesis from the University of Nebraska. The student applied two industry leading liquid fertilizers at 5 and 60 GPA to creeping bentgrass golf course fairways.

None of the treatments differed from the untreated control on relative chlorophyll content, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and tissue dry weight.

Researchers at the University of Florida conducted a large-scale demonstration trial on anemic centipedegrass looking at four liquid fertilizer products (macro- and micronutrients), each applied at a low and high label rate, and with or without an adjuvant. One week after application, only one product showed subtle differences when observed using drone imagery. At ground level, no observable differences could be detected.

i http://giecdn.blob.core.windows.net/fileuploads/document/2018/10/05/ soi%20research%20pdf.pdf

Insect Control through Low Volume Applicators At the time of writing this article, no published data exists that reports on control of the Southern Chinch Bug, White grubs, webworms, or armyworms — the most troublesome insects found in landscapes in the deep south.

vi Patton, A. J., D. V. Weisenberger, G. P. Schortgen, J. C. Fausey, and J. M. Breuninger. 2018. Performance of postemergence broadleaf herbicides applied with novel lawn care application equipment. Crop, Forage, and Turfgrass Management. 4:180039.

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Final Thoughts The use of ride-on applicators will continue to rise given the stated reasons. At the 2019 Deep South Turf Expo, lawn

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care operators reported having good success with ride-on applicators and some expressed concerns that are in line with the pro’s and con’s stated herein. Additionally, chemical companies are starting to look at their products applied through low volume applicators which will greatly benefit our understanding on how to most effectively use this technology in the landscape industry in the Deep South.

ii https://www.lawnandlandscape.com/article/ride-on/ iii Butler, E.L., G. H. Galle, and J. P. Kerns. 2019. Influence of nitrogen rate and timing, fungicide application method, and simulated rainfall after fungicide application on brown patch severity in tall fescue. Crop, Forage, and Turfgrass Management. 5:190018. iv Benelli, J. J. and B. J. Horvath. 2015. Influence of spray rate volume and adjuvant additives on fungicidal control of large path. https://archive. lib.msu.edu/tic/ressum/2016/191.pdf v https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/brown-patch-large-patch-diseasesof-lawns/

vii Ferguson, J. C. 2013. Application carrier volume: A comprehensive evaluation of an ultra-low volume sprayer compared to conventional sprayer for row-crop and turfgrass production systems. Master’s thesis.

University of Nebraska. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl. edu/agronhortdiss/63/

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