MTC Turf News - Winter 2018 by leadingedgepubs

Winter 2018

Managing Tall Fescue In Maryland Plus, Highlights from the MTC Winter Turfgrass Conference

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Contents • Winter 2018 9 Membership Renewal

14 Cover Story

2019 Membership Dues and Turfgrass Education Sponsor Form

10 Recent Event

MTC’s Winter Turfgrass Conference was a Great Success!

Managing Tall Fescue in Maryland

24 Scholarship Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund

Departments 6 President’s Message 8 Executive Director’s Corner 23 University of Maryland Turf Team 26 Calendar of Events 26 Index of Advertisers

MTC Turf News is the Maryland Turfgrass Council magazine. Subscriptions are complimentary to MTC members. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, its board of directors, MTC Turf News, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as MTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in any issue of MTC Turf News. Copyright © 2019 by the Maryland Turfgrass Council. MTC Turf News is published quarterly. Presorted standard postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: MTC allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to MTC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

MTC Turf News

President’s Message

Thank You!

MARYLAND TURFGRASS COUNCIL 303 S. Talbot St. #389 St. Michaels, MD 21663 ExecDir@MDTurfCouncil.com www.mdturfcouncil.org MTC Turf News is published quarterly for the MTC by:

Hi Folks, Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year!! Your MTC Board heard you, and working with the University of MD Turfgrass Specialists brought the MTC Annual Winter Conference back to Maryland. Anyone who missed the 2018 MTC Winter Conference on Dec. 11 at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City missed a great, informative day. A lot of people are responsible for making this conference a great success, but none of this would be a success without you, our members and the Maryland Turfgrass Professionals – THANK YOU! The fantastic educational program is all due to the fabulous University of MD. Turfgrass Specialists, Dr. Tom Turner, Dr. Joe Roberts, Dr. Mark Carroll, Geoff Rinehart, Farm Manager Dave Funk, Cody Beckley and Joe Doherty – THANK YOU! A great opportunity for mechanics was offered at the Turf Valley Golf Maintenance Shop and instruction was provided by Turf Equipment and Supply – THANK YOU! Our sponsors help provide a lot of comforts for the conference and at the same time increase funding for Turfgrass Research. A special thanks to the following sponsors: arrell’s, Landscape Supply, and Newsom Seed provided for the morning H coffee and sweets. aytonsville Landscaping, Pro-Lawn Plus, and Turf Equipment & Supply L all helped with the cost of the three rooms for the breakout sessions. S yngenta made a big donation toward the Large Hall used for lunch and the trade show. isher & Son and SiteOne Landscape Supply helped provide lunch for everyone. F Central Sod Farms and Turf Center also made donations as Friends of the University. In total, our sponsors provided $7,100 of additional support for turfgrass promotion and research – THANK YOU! Our vendors are critical to an active, vibrant trade show for our turfgrass professionals to visit and interact with. This first year back to MD we had the following vendors: Aquarius Supply, Aquatrols, BASF, Bayer, Capitol Sports Fields, Central Sod Farms, Chesapeake Valley Seed, Cover Sports, Davisson Golf, Dura Edge Products, Finch Services, Fisher & Son, Genesis Green Supply, Landscape Supply, Luck Ecosystems, MASTMA, Nedia Enterprises, Newsom Seed, Nutrion Solutions, Oakwood Sod Farms, PNC Bank-Ag Div, Rain Bird Landscape, SiteOne Landscape Supply, Spectrum Analytic, Syngenta, and the MTC. – THANK YOU! And finally, a big “Thank You” to the MTC Board for all their efforts over the last year to make this happen so well, with a special effort by Vernon Cooper, our Executive Director, for all the extra effort and long hours he has put in to make this all happen. – THANK YOU!! Mark your calendars now for Dec. 10, 2019 for an even bigger and better MTC Annual Winter Conference and Trade Show. THANKS!!

Jamie Roell MTC President 6

MTC Turf News

Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge St. Franklin, TN 37064 Phone: 615-790-3718 Fax: 615-794-4524 info@leadingedge communications.com

2019 MTC Officers & Board of Directors President Jamie Roell AA Co, Rec & Parks 1010 Kinder Farm Rd. Millersville, MD 21108 Rproel09@aacounty.org jamroell@verizon.net Work: 410-222-6250 Cell: 443-370-2582 Fax: 410-222-6138

Vice President Ben Ellis Paint Branch Golf Course 2806 Brewster Rd. Waldorf, MD 20601 Cell: 571-340-0122 Office: 301-935-5184 golfturf54@gmail.com ben.ellis@pgparks.com

Secretary Cheryl Gaultney 12 Pressie Lane Churchville, MD 21028 Home: 410-734-0650 Cell: 410-322-8275 Sandqueen10@aol.com

THREE-YEAR DIRECTORS Keith Bowman McHale Landscape Design 6212 Leapley Rd Upper Marlboro, MD 20722 Cell: 240-375-8753 keithb@mchale landscape.com Matt Coates Washington Nationals Baseball 1500 S. Capitol St. S.E. Washington, DC 20003 Office: 202-640-7545 Cell: 202-731-4774 Matt.Coates@Nationals.com Shaun Meredith Calvert County Rec & Parks 175 Main Street Prince Frederick, MD 20678 Cell: 410-610-9007 Office: 410-535-1600 Shaun.Meredith@ calvertcountymd.gov

TWO-YEAR DIRECTORS Brandon Sands MNCPPC M&D Randall Farm 4200 Ritchie Marlboro Rd Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Office: 301-780-2426 Cell: 240-821-7139 Brandon.sands@ pgparks.com

Treasurer

Kim Bohn Newsom Seed 209 Spruce Ave. Edgewater, MD 21037 Cell: 443-875-5533 kimberly@newsonseed.com

Katy Cooper 303. S. Talbot St. #389 St. Michaels, MD 21663 Office: 410-745-9643 Fax: 410-745-8867 Cell: 443-496-0750 treasurer@ MDTurfCouncil.com

Amanda Stillwagon Anne Arundel Co. Rec & Parks 1 Harry S Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401 410-553-7663 Cell: 704-877-8810 rpstil00@aacounty.org

Past President

ONE-YEAR DIRECTORS

Bill Warpinski Central Sod Farms 920 John Brown Rd. Centreville,MD 21617 Work: 800-866-1387 Work: 410-827-5000 Cell: 410-320-7791 bill@centralsodmd.com

Executive Director Vernon Cooper All States Turf Consultant 303 S. Talbot St. #389 St. Michaels, MD 21663 Office: 410-745-9643 Cell: 443-742-6618 Fax: 410-745-8867 execdir@MDTurfcouncil.com

Perry Whaley Newsom Seed P.O. Box 510 11788 Scaggsville Rd. Fulton, MD 20759 Office: 240-554-0359 Perry@newsomseeed.com Chuck Wilkes Fisher and Son 1603 Landon Rd. Towson, MD 21204 Cell: 443-791-8796 202-280-8187 cwilkes@fisherandson.com Doug Lechlider Laytonsville Landscaping P.O. Box 5216 Laytonsville, MD 20882 Work: 301-253-1481 301-523-0546 Cell: 240-372-2788 doug@laytonsville landscaping.com

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Executive Director’s Corner

To All Turfgrass Professionals Involved in the Maryland Turfgrass Industry

nce again it is time to renew or become a member of the MTC. Your MTC is the “umbrella” organization representing the entire green industry. Membership is the primary function used to raise funds your elected Board of Directors utilize to monitor the legislative action across the state, promote turfgrass use, and support Turfgrass Research and Education at the University of Maryland.

Please complete and return the combined “2019 Dues and Turfgrass Education Sponsor” form. As MTC Members and Turfgrass Education Sponsors, you too are eligible for benefits. Members get discounts at all MTC functions, plus free recertification courses for Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator recertification classes offered by the MTC at MD locations, MD combined Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator recertification classes sponsored by the MTC, and the U of MD scheduled for 2019 which can be found in the Calendar of Events in this magazine or on our web page www.MDTurfCouncil.org As a “Turfgrass Education Sponsor” your benefits increase with the level you wish to participate. This is a great opportunity to get your name in front of your peers, while helping promote Turfgrass Education and Turfgrass Research. These funds are used by the MTC to help expand Turfgrass Education working closely with the University of Maryland Turf Programs in College Park. We are inviting YOU to become a:

2019 Patron Sponsor. Provide a donation of whatever amount you possibly can. We will list your company as “Patron Sponsor” on our letterhead and web page.

2019 Backer Sponsor with a $250 donation. Receive Patron benefits plus signs showing your company name at all the MTC Sponsored Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification Classes, and other MTC events.

2019 Supporter Sponsor with a $500 donation. Get “Backer Sponsor” benefits, plus you will be encouraged to display a table top display at all the functions FREE of CHARGE (except the Turf Conference at Turf Valley).

2019 Benefactor Sponsor with a $1000 donation. Benefits of “Supporter Sponsors” plus we will list your company name on our web page linking it to your own web page and all e-blasts we do throughout the year. Additionally, you will be entitled to do a single annual advertisement blast for your company through our database.

2019 Advocate Sponsor with a $2500 donation. As an “Advocate Sponsor” you will be listed on all the sponsor’s signs, be encouraged to display a table top display at all the functions listed on “Benefactor Sponsor” below FREE of CHARGE and we will list your company name on our letterhead, plus we will list your company name and web page with a link to your web page on our web “Sponsors” page and all e-blasts we do throughout the year. Quarterly, we will blast an advertisement to our blast list of your choice. Additionally, you will be entitled to exhibit FREE of CHARGE using a single booth at the “Annual Winter Turf Conference and Trade Show” at Turf Valley in Dec. Please complete the combined, single page, Membership Dues and Turfgrass Education Sponsor Form and return it as soon as possible. Please be generous and be a “2019 Turfgrass Education Sponsor” and help us continue supporting the University of Maryland Turfgrass Programs for years to come as the University of Maryland Turfgrass Programs continue to support us. The MTC Dues and Sponsorship year runs from February 1, 2019 to the following January 31, 2020. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Vernon W. Cooper MTC Executive Director

MTC Turf News

Membership Renewal

Maryland Turfgrass Council 2019 Membership Dues and Turfgrass Education Sponsor Form MTC Dues and Sponsor year is February 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020. Thanks for your continued support! Name | Company Name | (Please x your choice) |

Home Address or

Company Address

Address | City | State |

Zip |

Email Address |

TYPE of MTC MEMBERSHIP Individual Member.................................................................................................................................................................. $50 Student/Educator/Retiree Member.......................................................................................................................................... $15 Master Gardener/Non-Profit Volunteer Member...................................................................................................................... $25 Public Agency (First 10 Employees per County or Location)*.................................................................................................. $150 Additional employees above 10.............................................................................................................................................. $15 (each) Business: • (1–5 employees)*................................................................................................................................................................ $175 (Bronze) • (6–10 employees)*.............................................................................................................................................................. $350 (Silver) • (11–15 employees)*............................................................................................................................................................ $500 (Gold) • (16 –20 employees)*........................................................................................................................................................... $1,000 (Platinum) • (21+ employees)*............................................................................................................................................................... $1,500 (Palladium) Additional Company Members: (Please list on back or attach a listing of additional members with addresses, e-mail, and phone numbers if different)*

TYPE of Turfgrass Education Sponsors Advocate

Help us help the University of Maryland....................................................................................................... $2,500

Benefactor

Spread the importance of Turfgrass Education............................................................................................ $1,000

Supporter

................................................................................................................................................................... $500

Backer

(Sponsor benefits are listed on page 8)....................................................................................................... $250

Patron

(whatever amount you can help with is greatly appreciated)....................................................................... $_____________

Payment Type Check made to MTC

(Dues and Sponsorships may be combined in a single payment) Credit Card (MC or Visa)

Total Payment |

Name as it appears on credit card (if different from above) | Address where card is billed (if different from above) | Card Number | Exp. Date |

3 or 4 digit code |

Send To Vernon W. Cooper, Exec. Dir. Or ExecDir@MDTurfCouncil.com Maryland Turfgrass Council Office: 410-745-9643 303 S. Talbot St. # 389 Fax: 410-745-8867 St. Michaels, MD 21663 Cell: 443-742-6618 Winter 2018

Recent Event

2018 Maryland Turfgrass Conference was a Great Success!! December 11, 2018 • Turf Valley Resort • Ellicott City, MD

hree years ago, The Maryland Turfgrass Council and the Virginia Turfgrass Council along with the Turfgrass Specialists at the Univ. of MD and VPI decided to try a regional joint conference the, Mid Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E). Pooling everyone’s resources created a top-notch education program and trade show. All the proceeds were to be split evenly between the University of Maryland and Virginia Tech Turfgrass Programs. Those that were able to attend M-A-T-E noticed that the education was fantastic, the trade show was great, but attendance from Maryland businesses and professionals were low to nearly nonexistent due to out-of-state travel restrictions and it being a multiple day conference. After intense discussions between the University of Maryland Turfgrass Specialist and your MTC Board of Directors, it became obvious that we were not meeting the needs of our members and the MD Turfgrass Industry, and the only way to meet those needs was to bring the conference back to Maryland.

Continued on page 12 10

MTC Turf News

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Recent Event • continued

On December 11, The Maryland Turfgrass Conference and the Univ. of MD Turfgrass Specialists brought the “Winter Turfgrass Conference” back to MD with a single full day conference at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland. Anyone who missed this opportunity missed a top-notch, class A event. There were 24 different talks presented, arranged by Dr. Tom Turner and Dr. Joe Roberts, in three educational tracks including sessions in Golf Course Management, Sports Turf Management, Lawn and Landscape Management, plus a great “hands on” Mechanic/ Turf Equipment class hosted by Turf Equipment and Supply Company in Turf Valley Golf’s maintenance shop. This one-day event allowed attendees to fulfill their MD Professional Fertilizer Application credits plus Pesticide recertification needs for MD, PA, DE, DC, VA, and WV. Next year we will also attempt to add NJ per a member’s request. Our morning welcome of coffee, bagels and muffins was a great start to the day. Being able to see old friends and meet new people in preparation for the classes was a nice warming feeling on what was a cold, frosty morning. After the morning education sessions, the Lunch and Trade Show continued some great networking time. Everyone was able to ask questions or see new products, meet new vendors, check out some turf equipment outside, and even had a chance to win the MTC Turf Quilt for Research made by our Treasurer Katy Cooper. Derek Howatt of Grasonville bought the winning ticket for the hand-made turf quilt. The Sports Turf Managers Associations (MASTMA) held a 50/50 raffle to help with research also. The 2018 comeback year could not have been done without the support of all our Sponsors, Vendors, the excellent staff at Turf Valley, and most importantly YOU the Turfgrass Professional. We hope that you saved on your 2019 MTC dues at registration, but if you were not able to, it’s about that time to renew.

We hope everyone has a good year, and we look forward to seeing even more of you at the

2019 Maryland Turfgrass Conference on December 10th again at Turf Valley Resort.

MTC Turf News

Winter 2018

Cover Story

Turf-Type Tall Fescue in Maryland By Dr. Tom Turner, University of Maryland and Dr. Joe Roberts, University of Maryland

urf-type tall fescue has become the predominant species recommended and used for lawns in Maryland. It is also commonly used on athletic fields, institutional grounds, roadsides, and golf course roughs. Before the early 1980’s, only one tall fescue, Kentucky 31, was commonly used for turf areas. Its coarse texture, yellowish green color, and lack of dependable seed quality limited its use. Kentucky 31 did not have acceptable quality for most homeowners and is considered primarily a forage grass. However, compared to most other turfgrasses commonly used at that time, Kentucky 31 did exhibit good drought tolerance, had minimal pest problems, and required reduced maintenance inputs. Thus, turfgrass breeders began intensive efforts on improving the quality characteristics of tall fescue while maintaining or improving upon the desirable characteristics of Kentucky 31. The results have been extremely successful, and numerous excellent turf-type tall fescues are available for homeowner and professional use.

MTC Turf News

Some of the characteristics of turf-type tall fescue include: 1. Excellent in full sun to moderate shade 2. Excellent drought tolerance 3. Excellent tolerance to disease and insect problems 4. Minimal weed problems when maintained properly and mowed at recommended heights 5. Very good wear tolerance 6. Moderate fertility requirements, which become lower as the turf matures 7. Rapid establishment from seed 8. Excellent availability of seed for recommended cultivars 9. Excellent availability of sod certified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture 10. Very good density, which helps maximize water infiltration and minimize runoff 11. Thatch production not a problem

Selecting Cultivars One of the most critical factors in longterm successful turfgrass management is the selection of cultivars that have been shown to persist in this region. Maryland and Virginia cooperate in extensive cultivar testing. Researchers from University of Maryland and Virginia Tech meet annually to review cultivar research data in these states from the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP), Cooperative Breeders Tests, and joint MDVA trials. The list of recommended cultivars is published annually in University of Maryland Turfgrass Technical Update #77 “Recommended Turfgrass Cultivars for Certified Sod Production & Seed Mixtures in Maryland”. The current recommended cultivars are shown in Table 1. Proven cultivars are those that have performed well in research and have had certified seed tested by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). Promising cultivars are those that have performed well in more recent cultivar trials, but for which certified seed has

not been tested by the MDA. Sod certified by the MDA must contain cultivars on the recommended list.

Mixing with other Turfgrass Species Although monostands of turf-type tall fescue perform very well in Maryland, many seed mixtures may contain other species. The only other turfgrass species that we recommend to be mixed with tall fescue is Kentucky bluegrass (using recommended cultivars). Tall fescue — Kentucky bluegrass mixtures have performed very well and may have overall improved disease tolerance and recuperative capacity compared to tall fescue alone. It is, however, very important to limit the amount of Kentucky bluegrass included in these mixtures. For home lawn and professional seed mixtures, the amount of Kentucky bluegrass should be limited to 3–5% by weight of the seed mixture, whereas up to a maximum of 10% may be used in mixtures for sod production. Perennial ryegrass should not be mixed with tall fescue, as diseases such as brown patch, red thread, and gray leaf spot may be much more severe compared to tall fescue alone.

Establishment The preferred time for seeding turf-type tall fescue is late August to mid-October. Natural rainfall tends to be more prevalent during this period and competition from weeds tends to be reduced. Late winter and early spring seeding may be successful, but competition from annual grassy weeds and summer annual broadleaf weeds may be intense. In addition, younger plants going into the summer may be more prone to drought and diseases such as brown patch and pythium. Recommended seeding rates are from five to eight pounds per 1000 ft2. Lower seeding rates tend to result in coarser leaf blades, while higher rates offer no long-term benefits. Establishment from sod can be done over a much wider timeframe as long as water is adequate to allow for good rooting of the sod.

Mowing Proper mowing is essential in maximizing the beneficial characteristics of turftype tall fescue. Of greatest importance is mowing height, which should be in the range of 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches. Many homeowners mow the lawn too low. Mowing at 2 inches or lower weakens turf, reduces root systems, and greatly increases the eventual encroachment of weeds into the lawn. Low mowing heights can also increase the incidence and damage of other pest problems while reducing drought tolerance. Frequency of mowing should be a function of the growth rate of the lawn. The amount of mowing during a season can be reduced if mowing is done on an as-needed basis, not on a set schedule. Turf-type tall fescue can grow relatively fast in early spring and fall. When possible, try not to cut off more than

1/3 of the grass height in any one mowing. Thus, if you are maintaining a 3inch height, try to mow before the grass exceeds a height of 4 inches. During the summer or during dry periods, tall fescue may be growing much more slowly and frequency of needed mowing may be substantially less. Clippings should normally be left on the lawn and are usually beneficial. The only time that clippings need to be removed is when the grass has gotten excessively high and large clumps of clippings remain that may smother turf. Recycling of clippings on the lawn can reduce the future need for fertilizer by as much as 25-35%. If clippings are removed, use them for compost. Don’t bag clippings for trash removal unless your community has a program for sending yard waste to a composting facility. Make sure the mower blades are sharp and are adjusted properly to provide an

Table

Recommended Turf-Type Tall Fescue Cultivars (2018) Annapolis Avenger II Blacktail Bladerunner II Bullseye Catalyst Embrace Falcon V Fantasia Fayette Firebird 2 Firecracker SLS Gazelle II Gold Medallion GTO Guardian 41 Hemi Amity AST 7003 AST 9003 Birmingham Bloodhound Caesar Crossfire 4 Diablo Doubletake Fesnova Firewall

Proven Cultivars Hot Rod Houndog 8 Inferno3 Integrity Justice Leonardo Maestro Michelangelo Mustang 4 Penn RK4 Raptor III Rebel IV Rebel V Rebounder Reflection Regenerate Rendition Rx Promising Cultivars 4th Millenium SRP Foxhound Grande 3 Hover Kingdom Lifeguard Meridan Moondance Nightcrawler Paramount Pro Gold

Rockwell Rowdy Saltillo Screamer LS Speedway Spyder LS SR 86504 Sunset Gold Super Sonic Technique Temple Thor Titanium 2LS Trinity Turbo Xtender Xtremegreen Rhambler 2 SRP Rhizing Moon Standout Swagger Terrano Traverse 2 SRP Trending Turfway Valkyrie LS Vert Wichita

Winter 2018

Cover Story • continued

even cut. Dull blades can shred leaves, which may reduce the visual quality of the turf and increase the incidence of some diseases.

Irrigation Most homeowners in Maryland either do not water their lawns or would prefer not to. Turf-type tall fescue has excellent drought tolerance. Although turf-type tall fescue may go dormant during severe droughts, recommended cultivars will typically recover when temperatures moderate and rainfall occurs. Proper

irrigation during dry periods, however, can help maintain growth, reduce weed encroachment, and reduce wear from traffic on areas such as athletic fields. Deep, infrequent irrigation (wetting soil to a depth of 3–6 inches) is much preferred to light, frequent irrigation. Irrigation equipment should be adjusted to ensure that water is applied only as fast as can be absorbed by soil to prevent water runoff. Avoid evening and nighttime irrigation, as diseases such as brown patch and pythium are much more likely to be a problem due to extended leaf wetness under these conditions.

Fertilization Nitrogen fertilization plays a critical role in the health and sustainability of turftype tall fescue in Maryland. Due to its impact on turfgrass density, proper N fertility plays a key role in reducing weed encroachment (resulting in reduced need for herbicide applications), improving both wear tolerance and recovery from damage, and reducing water runoff and soil erosion. Recommended total annual N rates are shown in Table 2. Nitrogen fertilizer applications must conform to Maryland Department of

Table

Recommended Total Annual Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Tall Fescue Turf Tall Fescue Turf

Initial 2 Years After Establishment

Subsequent Years

Pounds Actual N/1000 ft2

Home lawns, Institutional Grounds, Golf Course Roughs

2.5 – 3.5

2.0 – 3.0

Athletic Fields

2.5 – 5.0

2.0 – 5.0

Lower Cut Golf Course Turf

2.5 – 4.0

2.0 – 3.5

MTC Turf News

Agriculture nutrient management regulations as outlined in University of Maryland Turfgrass Technical Updates. If a soluble N fertilizer is used, no more than 0.7 pounds actual N per 1000 ft2 can be applied in any one application. If a slow release N fertilizer source is used, no more than 0.9 pounds actual N per 1000 ft2 can be applied in any one application. If an enhanced efficiency N fertilizer source is used, up to 2.5 pounds actual N per 1000 ft2 can be applied in any one application, although other restrictions may apply for these fertilizers. As outlined in Maryland nutrient management regulations, N fertilizer cannot be applied to turfgrass between December 1 and March 1, and a maximum of 0.5 pounds actual N per 1000 ft2 can be applied between November 15 and December 1. University of Maryland guidelines generally recommend that 2/3 to 3/4 of the annual N fertilizer be applied between late August and December 1, with the remaining N fertilizer being applied between March 1 and June 1. Phosphorus, potassium, and limestone applications should be made as recommended by a certified soil testing laboratory.

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Mow at 2 Â˝ to 4 inches

Return clippings when mowing

Use a soil test & follow recommendations for lime, phosphorus, and potassium. Do not apply lime or phosphorus unless the soil test indicates a need for them.

Follow guidelines for nitrogen fertilization â&#x20AC;&#x201C; do not over-fertilize For support, please contact your local representative.

If irrigating the lawn, avoid watering the lawn in the evening or night.

Tom Walsh MD/Northern VA 410-375-7226 tom.walsh@nutrien.com

Fred Heinlen Eastern Shore 443-669-4284 fred.heinlen@nutrien.com

Harry Kenney DE, MD/Northern VA 410-375-6148 harry.kenney@nutrien.com

Winter 2018

Cover Story • continued

Diseases of Tall Fescue

Figure

Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia solani) disease of tall fescue turf

Brown patch lesions on tall fescue leaves

Mycelium present on foliage during humid periods Figure

MTC Turf News

There are a variety of common lawn diseases that can occur in Maryland. The incidence of these diseases can be greatly minimized by using turfgrass cultivars that are recommended by the University of Maryland. The extensive turf-type tall fescue cultivar trials conducted at the University of Maryland do not employ any disease control applications and screen cultivars for disease resistance. Also, using recommended mowing, fertilizer, and irrigation practices will greatly help in minimizing any potential disease problems. Further information on the symptoms of common diseases as well as the cultural practices and, if needed, fungicidal control that help minimize disease severity can be found in the University of Maryland publications located on the Maryland Turfgrass Council website (mdturfcouncil.org). Following is information on some of the most prevalent diseases affecting turf-type tall fescue turfgrass in Maryland:

Rhizoctonia Brown Patch – Brown patch is the most important disease of turf-type tall fescue and is caused by the fungus, Rhizoctonia solani. Ideal conditions for infection include high temperature and humidity conditions that are often observed from June to September. Stand symptoms of brown patch are small circular patches (i.e., 3– 6" in diameter) of blighted turf that can appear brown in color (Figure 1). Patches can spread radially when environmental conditions are particularly conducive resulting in larger areas (i.e., >12" diameter) of symptomatic turf. Closer examination of the infected turf in the outer margin of patches can often reveal leaf lesions on individual plants (Figure 2). Plant lesions are often irregularly shaped with a tan-colored center surrounded by a dark brown margin where the lesion meets the green tissue. When high humidity persists or often in the mornings when dew is present, grayish brown mycelium can be observed in the leading margin of the patch (Figure 3). Kentucky bluegrass

and perennial ryegrass can also become infected. Perennial ryegrass is particularly sensitive to this disease and can be badly damaged. Spring seedlings of tall fescue are considered more susceptible and while mature tall fescue can also be severely blighted, brown patch is primarily a foliar disease on this species. When weather cools or becomes less humid, the tall fescue turf will generally recover. Brown patch is more severe under excessive nitrogen fertility in the spring and when turf is irrigated improperly. This disease is most severe when leaf blades stay wet for over 8 hours at night. Thus, if the lawn is irrigated, it is important to make sure leaves have dried before nightfall.

Figure

Pinkish red color associated with red thread disease The effect of the mixing of perennial ryegrass with turf-type tall fescue on red thread disease Figure

Red Thread â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Red thread is a very common disease on cool season grasses in Maryland that is caused by the fungus, Laetisaria fuciformis. It is one of the first diseases to appear in early spring and is associated with cool, wet weather in the spring and fall. The symptoms and signs of this disease are among the most distinctive of turfgrass diseases. Initial infection can be observed as straw-colored dead leaves, but in the presence of morning dew or water from rain, a coral pink or reddish layer of fungal growth is often evident on turfgrass leaves (Figure 4). As the turf dries, the mycelium has a pale pink color. During the latter stages of leaf blighting, a bright red thread-like mass of fungal mycelium may be seen extending from leaf tips. Affected turf can have patches of damaged leaves from one to six inches in diameter. Red thread disease can infect bluegrasses, fescues, and ryegrasses and is usually associated with undernourished turf. Perennial ryegrass and creeping red fescue are often considered the most susceptible and mixtures with these grasses can increase likelihood of disease (Figure 5). Following recommended guidelines for nitrogen fertilization will greatly minimize the occurrence and severity of this disease. If proper fertility is practiced, fungicidal control of this disease is rarely needed.

turf-type tall fescue turf-type tall fescue + perennial ryegrass

Winter 2018

Cover Story • continued

Rust –

Net Blotch –

Rust is a common disease that is caused by multiple fungi. All turfgrass species can become infected, particularly when soil pH is too low or turf is under fertilized. The early symptoms of rust diseases appear as light-yellow flecks on the leaves. As the disease progresses, yellowed flecks will enlarge and develop red, orange, or yellow pustules that can be easily wiped off and produce these colors on your hand (Figure 6). When observed from a distance, the lawn will often have a yellowish or orange appearance while severe infections can cause thinning of the turf canopy. While rust can occur throughout the year, it is most prevalent in late summer and fall. Using recommended cultivars, irrigating to avoid water stress, correcting soil fertility problems as indicated by a soil test, and implementing a sound nitrogen fertilizer program will greatly minimize the occurrence and severity of rust disease on tall fescue lawns.

Net blotch occurs on turf-type tall fescue and is similar to leaf spot disease. The symptoms generally occur as very small brown or purple-brown specks on the leaves that may progress to dark brown spots that have a net-like appearance. Symptomatic leaves can have dieback from the tip downward. This disease, while noticeable, rarely causes severe damage to tall fescue. The disease usually appears in the spring or fall when the weather is cool and moist, particularly with extended periods of overcast weather.

Gray Leaf Spot – Gray leaf spot is a disease that occurs on both cool and warm season turfgrasses. It is caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae and has been well known for causing significant damage to perennial ryegrass but can also be very destructive to tall fescue under ideal environmental conditions. The disease

initially appears as temperatures and humidity increase in July. The disease can progress rapidly with frequent rainfall or excessive irrigation as leaf wetness is a driver of disease. Symptoms initially appear as chlorosis with small, circular lesions on the leaves (Figure 7). The tips of infected leaves can appear twisted or flagged (Figure 8) and can progress to a severe decline of entire turfgrass stands. Applying high amounts of soluble-N during times when environmental conditions are conducive for disease can exacerbate disease. Seedlings are also considered more sensitive to infection, so the use of slow-release N is a viable option for fall seedings. Deployment of resistant cultivars is a viable method in reducing gray leaf spot, particularly on perennial ryegrasses where resistance is well documented. The use of susceptible perennial ryegrass in mixed stands with tall fescue can also increase likelihood of tall fescue infection. Regardless, the use of cultivars that are well adapted

Get ahead of the game in the cold months with FieldSaver® Winter Turf Blankets/Growth Covers. Custom sizes available. We are the manufacturer! Standard sizes ship fast, from Philadelphia!

Actual sequence in same location November: Season ended with less than 10% of turf cover.

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• Heavy 100% woven polypro fabric • Reinforced hems and grommets all edges • Stakes stay in place & won’t rip fabric

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MTC Turf News

Spring: Covers have been removed. (Uncovered turf still dormant) Stakes keep covers in place in brass grommets at 5' intervals.

Figure

Rust pustules on turf foliage

Characteristic gray leaf spot lesions on tall fescue leaf blades

Leaf flagging associated with gray leaf spot on tall fescue

General thinning associated with severe gray leaf spot infection on tall fescue Figure

Winter 2018

Cover Story • continued

to the growing environment can reduce turf loss from disease.

Pythium blight – Pythium blight can occur on all turfgrasses, particularly when turf is subjected to excessive water through overhead irrigation or rainfall. There are numerous Pythium species that can cause blight, which are more prevalent during hot, humid weather. Symptoms can initially appear as small, discolored irregular-shaped spots in the turf canopy that can enlarge rapidly given hot and moist conditions. Given that the pathogen is favored by excessive water, patterns of blight can appear to follow water drainage patterns. Mycelium is often observed in infected areas during the morning hours when the foliage is wet (Figure 10) and can persist well into the daytime if humidity and canopy moisture are high. Similar to gray leaf spot, Pythium blight is more severe in

Figure

10 Pythium blight symptoms and mycelium observed in tall fescue turf canopy following frequent rainfall

seedlings and is favored by high amounts of soluble-N applied when conditions are conducive to disease. Limiting

overhead irrigation to reduce leaf wetness is critical to reducing turf loss from Pythium blight. •

MAATEM

“ A profession which promotes education

to interchange technical and practical knowledge relating to maintenance, safety and proper operation of turf equipment to be shared with others in the industry.

”

P. Stanley Kapulka / Stankapulka@turf-equipment.com / 973-670-3649 (Cell) V.P. Josh Barnes / 410-795-2822 T. Bill Wirts / dianewmd@comcast.net / 410-365-2088 (Cell) S. Brian Kraft / carloman383@gmail.com / 443-413-9597 (Cell)

MTC Turf News

University of Maryland Turf Team

Pete Dernoeden, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-1337 pd@umd.edu

Native grass & wildflower seed

Tom Turner, Ph.D. Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-403-4431 tturner@umd.edu

Mark Carroll, Ph.D. Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-1339 mcarroll@umd.edu

ernstseed.com sales@ernstseed.com 800-873-3321

Joseph Roberts, Ph.D. Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture College Park, MD 301-405-4355 robertsj@umd.edu

Dave Funk Manager, Paint Branch Turfgrass Research Facility University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-403-8195 dfunk@umd.edu

Geoffrey Rinehart Institute of Applied Agriculture University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-4692 GJRinehart@gmail.com

Rick Boldissar MDA / Turf & Seed Section Chief Annapolis, MD 410-841-5960 Rick.boldissar@maryland.gov Winter 2018

Scholarship

The

Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund Administered by The Maryland Turfgrass Association

The

Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund was initiated during the Spring of 2011 in order to honor Jim and his contributions to the Mid-Atlantic area turfgrass industry and financially support students while pursuing a college degree. Jim worked as a salesman for Newsom Seed from the early 1990â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s until soon before his passing on March 20, 2013. He made great contributions to turfgrass related businesses during this period, especially businesses involved in turf production. The Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund allows for a single, annual $500.00 reward to be issued to a winning applicant prior to the fall college semester. Written requests for applications for The Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund, as well as completed applications, with all essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc. should be postmarked and mailed no later than May 31, 2019.

In addition to a possible interview with one or more Maryland Turfgrass Association Board Members, the following criteria will be considered by the MTA board while deciding who will be awarded this scholarship:

Applications can be mailed to:

Preference may be given to students enrolled in a turfgrass related field.

The Maryland Turfgrass Association 303 S. Talbot St #389 St. Michaels, MD 21663 Attention: The Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund And/or: email address of MTA Exec Dir at

Vernon@AllStatesTurf.Com and email address of MTA Scholarship Chairman at

Harry.Kenney@cpsagu.com

MTC Turf News

The applicant should be a current high school senior or be enrolled in a full-time, two year Associate Degree or four year Bachelor Degree college or university program. Proof of college or university enrollment in an Associate Degree or Bachelor Degree program may be requested by the MTA board. The applicant should reside in the Mid-Atlantic area or be enrolled in a college or university located in the Mid-Atlantic area. The applicant should have earned a high school or current college level GPA of at least 2.5. A transcript should be submitted along with the application.

Preference may be given to students with experience in turf production and/or turf maintenance. We ask that you provide an essay of one page or less, using 12 pitch x New Roman or equivalent with a one inch margin. The essay can include how you intend to utilize your Associate or Bachelor degree. A current high school and/or college level transcript and up to three letters of recommendation can be submitted with the completed application. â&#x20AC;˘

The Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund Administered by The Maryland Turfgrass Association Applicant Information Last Name | First Name | Date of Birth |

Gender

Middle Initial |

Female

Male

US Citizen

If not a United States Citizen, list your type of legal United States residency | Current Address | City | State |

Zip |

Zip |

List any academic awards, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, etc. that you would like to be considered for this scholarship.

Signature of Applicant |

Date | Winter 2018

Calendar of Events

Index of Advertisers

March 8

July 17

Support MASTMA (Sports Turf Managers)

Univ. of MD Turfgrass Field Day

Ravenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Practice Facility Owing Mills, MD (Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification)

April 5 Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification

College Park, MD Plus, Early Bird Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification

August 21 Eastern Shore Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification Talbot Agriculture & Education Center Easton, MD

MD Dept. of Agriculture Annapolis, MD

December 10

June 21

Winter Turfgrass Educational Conference and Trade Show

Univ. of MD Turf Research Farm College Park, MD Procrastinatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification

Turf Valley Resort Ellicott City, MD Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification

Keep watching our web page for additional events! www.mdturfcouncil.org

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

All States Turfgrass Consultants, LLC...............17 Alliance Material Handling, Inc..........................23 www.alliancemat.com

Buy Sod, Inc............................. Inside Back Cover www.buysod.com

Central Sod Farms of Maryland, Inc..................13 www.centralsodmd.com

Chesapeake Valley Seed...................................11 www.chesapeakevalleyseed.com

Collins Wharf Sod Farm....................................22 www.collinswharfsod.com

CoverSports USA..............................................20 www.coversports.com

East Coast Sod & Seed.....................................26 www.eastcoastsod.com

Ernst Conservation Seeds.................................23 www.ernstseed.com

Fisher & Son Company, Inc.................................5 www.fisherandson.com

Luck Ecosystems................................................3 www.luckstone.com

Mid Atlantic Association of Turf Equipment Managers............................22 Mid-Atlantic STIHL..............................................7 www.stihldealers.com

Mitchell Products..............................................16 www.mitchellsand.com

Nutrien Solutions..............................................17 www.nutrienagsolutions.com

Progressive Turf Equipment Inc........................13 www.progressiveturfequip.com

Shady Oaks Turf Farm......................................26 www.shadyoaksturffarm.com

Smith Seed Services.........................................22 www.smithseed.com

Summit Hall Turf Farm, Inc................. Back Cover www.summithall.com

The Turfgrass Group.................Inside Front Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Virginia Sand & Stone.......................................11 www.virginiasand.com

MTC Turf News

Give water a break tiftuf bermudagrass is the new drought-tolerance superstar. The newest edition in the “Tif” (Tifton) series of bermudagrasses to originate from the renowned University of Georgia turfgrass breeding program, TifTuf promises to be a true game-changer in stellar yet environmentally friendly performance. Providing unbeatable drought tolerance, it uses 38% less water than Tifway 419, and it is significantly more drought resistant than all other bermudagrasses. In addition to its incredible drought tolerance, TifTuf provides excellent cold tolerance (equal to Latitude 36 at Kansas State University), fast spring green-up, excellent fall color retention and superior wear and traffic tolerance. In the 2015 NTEP trials, TifTuf was the highest-ranked cultivar in North Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi, and across all 17 locations overall, it was the highestranked, commercially available cultivar. TifTuf will not only pay for itself in water savings, but more importantly, it will create eco-gentle lawns for the future. An astounding breakthrough in sustainability, it will soon become the ultimate musthave grass for home and property owners who want to take a break from water use.

www.buysod.com | 866-428-9763 World Class Service On Demand

Buy Sod VarietieS: Golf Putting Greens: Bentgrass and Champion Dwarf bermudagrass

Bermudagrass: TifTuf, TifGrand, Celebration, Patriot, TifSport, Tifway and T10 St. Augustine: Raleigh • Zoysiagrass: Zeon and El Toro • Paspalum: SeaStar Centipedegrass: TifBlair and Common • Bluegrass: Tournament • Fescue/Bluegrass Mixtures