The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association and the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association
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The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association and the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
10
F E AT U R E D A RT I C L E S
10 14 18
Plant-Tissue Analysis and Soil-Test Results at a Glance Overseeding: Timing is the Crucial Key Extending Your Bermudagrass Growing Season!
14 D E PA RT M E N T S From the President, Jeff Case
6
A Message from TVSTMA, Billy Clark
8
Green Gatherings, Golfdom Seminar
24
Turf Tips, Putting Green Diagnostics
26
Turf Tips, Herbicide Resistance
28
Turf Talk, Creative Golf Course Maintenance 32
4
Index of Advertisers
34
Calendar of Events
34
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
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FROM THE PRESIDENT JEFF CASE The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association and the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association
Tennessee Turfgrass is the official publication of The Tennessee Turfgrass Association 400 Franklin Road Franklin, Tennessee 37069 (615) 591-8286 tnturfgrassassn@aol.com Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC P.O. Box 680142 Franklin, Tennessee 37068-0142 (615) 790-3718 Fax (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Editors Mr. Bill Blackburn Mr. Derek Oglesby Mr. Lynn Ray Mr. Jeff Rumph
A
s we come through the back stretch of the season, I hope everyone has experienced great turf, under-budget expenses and over-budget revenues! As you all know, it’s hard to get a break when you are managing turf in the transition zone. Cool-season turf or warm-season turf—it doesn’t matter—we all deal with weather extremes. Eight years ago, our friend Jeff Rumph called this area the “Bermuda Triangle” of turf. Also included in his President’s Message was this quote: “This is the area of the country where it is too hot to grow cool-season grasses and too cold to grow warm-season grasses…so we grow both.” It’s no wonder why the best turf managers are right here in Tennessee. The 2005 Tennessee Turfgrass Association’s Annual Conference and Show will be January 4-6, 2005. You won’t want to miss it. Some new and exciting things are in store, so make sure you register early. TGCSA will again sponsor a GCSAA Seminar on Friday, January 7. Information on this event will be available soon. By the time you read this, most details of the 2005 Conference will have been worked out, with only a few things left to do. As usual, big thanks go out to Dr. Tom Samples and the Education Committee, as well as Bill Blackburn and the Trade Show Committee. The dedication and experience of these groups of people are what turn ideas into reality. They truly make it happen. If you have any suggestions or ideas on how to make the Conference better, please let any Board member know. Watch for your Conference registration form in the next issue of Tennessee Turfgrass magazine. If, for some reason, you don’t receive a registration form, notify Jim Uden at the TTA office (615-5918286), and he’ll send you one. Jeff Case TTA President
6
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
TTA OFFICERS President Mr. Jeff Case Quail Ridge Golf Course (901) 388-9114 Vice President Mr. Phil Luckett Brentwood Country Club (615) 370-8054 Secretary/Treasurer Mr. Bill Francis The Ridges Golf & Country Club (423) 913-2276 Executive Secretary Jim Uden (615) 591-8286 TTA 2004 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. Dick Breedlove Mrs. Monica Lalinde-Cooper Mr. Bill Francis Mr. Roger Frazier Mr. Bob Hogan Mr. Mickey Lovett Mr. Tommy Mittlesteadt Mr. Derek Oglesby Mr. Mitch Parker Mr. Bobby Stringer Mr. Dan Stump Mr. Tommy Warden Mr. Scott Wicker TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mr. Bill Blackburn Mr. Jeff Rumph Mr. Lynn Ray Dr. Tom Samples Dr. Dennis Shepard Dr. John Sorochan
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The Tennessee 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, Tennessee Turfgrass Magazine, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or 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 ©2004 by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Tennessee Turfgrass is published bi-monthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to Tennessee Turfgrass Association, 400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Franklin, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Tennessee Turfgrass allows reprinting of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. 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 insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, P.O. Box 680142, Franklin, TN 370680142, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.
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A MESSAGE FROM TVSTMA IF YOU MISSED OUR JUNE PROGRAM IN KNOXVILLE,
Mark Your Calendars for Sept. 9 at UT-Martin!
A
s everyone realizes, we are midway through the year and August is upon us. For those of us who work with warm-season turf, some would say it’s now or never. Hopefully, everyone’s turf is now growing well. On June 24-25, the TVSTMA held our mid-season program at UT in Knoxville. Participants walked through UT’s turfgrass trial plots, attended educational sessions, had the opportunity to operate some fantastic turfgrass equipment and had good food to eat. On Thursday, June 24, Dr. Tom Samples, Dr. John Sorochan and Dr. Scott McElroy (all with the University of Tennessee Plant Sciences Department) presented three very informative sessions. Dr. Scott McElroy guided participants through the trial plots at the Research Center. This program has been long overdue. The old saying “seeing is believing” is very applicable. Dr. John Sorochan walked everyone through the bluegrass and tall fescue plots at the UT Gardens. New varieties of bluegrass will almost certainly hit Tennessee landscapes in many applications. Dr. Tom Samples gave a presentation on aeration and topdressing. Participants were educated on improving soil profile by means of compost topdressing and core aeration. Thursday was topped off by a barbecue dinner at UT’s Soccer Field surrounded by vendors with products needed to maintain any sports field. The interaction was great! THANKS to all of our vendors! Without you, it would not have been a success. On Friday, June 25, Steve Wightman, Grounds Manager with Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA, presented a three-hour session on the proper procedures for baseball field repairs. He also shared stories of his many years in the business, of managing a multi-use stadium and all the work he and his staff must do to get ready for a Super Bowl! Very informative! I want to say a special “Thank You” to Bobby Campbell, Director of UT Athletic Plant Maintenance and President of the National Chapter of the Sports Turf Managers Association, for hosting this event. Bob graciously opened his fields, allowing us to walk on, operate the equipment and much more. For a turf manager to allow this, he has to be a gracious person. Thanks, Bob! For those who missed the event in Knoxville, the next TVSTMA event is tentatively planned in northwest Tennessee at the University of Tennessee at Martin and City of Martin on Thursday, September 9, 2004. Don’t forget to check out our website—tvstma.org—for new information. We need everyone’s participation and interaction. Tell a friend or colleague about the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the national Sports Turf Managers Association. Billy Clark President, TVSTMA
8
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
Vendors discuss their products at the Vendor Show.
Dr. Scott McElroy explains the field results of the trial plots.
Steve Wightman discusses the proper tools for maintaining baseball infields.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
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By Tom Samples and John C. Sorochan, Plant Sciences Department, The University of Tennessee
T
o evaluate the nutrient status of turf, turfgrass managers often rely on planttissue analysis, soil tests and visual characteristics such as leaf color and rate
of growth. Plant-tissue analyses and soil tests are very important tools when developing or adjusting a turf fertilization program. Knowing the deficiency symptoms of the nutrients most often lacking in turf is also very helpful.
10
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
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III, and Olsen) are used to remove available forms of nutrients from a soil sample. The quantity of essential nutrient removed and collected is then calculated. In addition to the concentration of each available nutrient found in a soil sample, the pH and nutrient-holding capacity (cation exchange capacity, CEC) are also commonly reported. If lime is recommended, both the water pH and buffer pH are listed. Clays tend to be more resistant to a change in pH, or have a greater capacity to buffer against a change in pH, than sands. As a result, soils containing large amounts of clay usually require much more lime to increase pH than sandy soils.
Cation Exchange Capacity
The surfaces of many clays and organic materials (organic colloids) in soils are negatively charged. These negative charges attract positively charged mineral nutrients or cations including potassium (K+), calcium (Ca++) and magnesium (Mg++). The CEC is a measure of the total amount of nutrient cations a soil can hold or exchange that are available for uptake by plants. Cation exchange capacity is recorded as milliequivalents (meq.)/100 grams (g.) of soil. If there was one meq. of CEC in a tsp. of soil, the tsp. of soil would contain about 6.02 x 1020 negatively charged adsorption sites. The CEC value of clays such as montmorillonite and vermiculite usually ranges from 40 to 80 meq./100 g. Organic colloids most often have CEC values from 100 to 200 or more meq./100 g. The CEC value of sand-based golf greens and athletic fields may be less than 2 meq./100 g.
Base Saturation Percentage
Plant-Tissue Analyses
A plant-tissue analysis is a snapshot of the nutrient status of turfgrass at the time a sample is taken. Tissue samples (clippings) are digested with strong acids or ashed to remove organic materials before testing. Several analytical methods can be used to determine the content of an individual nutrient in the acid "digest" or ash. Sufficiency or average ranges for the turfgrass species being analyzed are usually reported, along with the actual nutrient concentration found. Sufficiency levels serve only as a guide, since the nutrient concentration in clippings often varies among turfgrass species and varieties.
Soil Testing
Unlike a tissue analysis, which determines the total nutrient content in clippings, a soil test is an estimate of the amount of nutrient in the soil that is available for plant uptake. At least one pint of soil is required for laboratory analysis. Several extracting solutions (including ammonium acetate, Bray P1, Mehlich I and
Some soil-test reports compare the percentage of the basic nutrient cations (Ca, Mg and K) held by soil in an effort to determine whether they are in balance. Desirable ranges are considered to be 2 to 5 percent K, 5 to 15 percent Mg and 60 to 80 percent Ca. Based on saturation percentages of Ca, K and Mg, Ca:K, Mg:K and Ca:Mg ratios may also be reported. Calcium may be deficient if the Ca:K ratio is below 10:1 or the Ca:Mg ratio is less than 3:1. A Mg deficiency may appear if the Mg:K ratio is below 2:1 or the Ca:Mg ratio is above 3:1. Potassium may be deficient when the Ca:K ratio is greater than 30:1 or the Mg:K ratio is above 10:1. Fertilization recommendations are often made with the nutrient concentration, base saturation percentages and these ratios in mind.
Micronutrients
Boron (B), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies are very rarely observed in turfgrasses. However, iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) deficiencies are not unusual. Iron deficiency is often associated with high soil pH (greater than 7), excessive phosphorus (P), cold and wet soils, irrigation water containing high levels of carbonates and bicarbonates, soils low in organic matter and the presence of heavy metals. Acidic, heavily leached sands, calcareous soils and soils containing high concentrations of Cu, Fe, sodium (Na) and Zn may be deficient in Mn.
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
11
P L A N T- T I S S U E A N A LY S I S ‌
CONTINUED
Frequency and symptoms of deficiency of selected nutrients in turfgrassesa DEFICIENCY Nutrient
Frequency
Symptoms
MACRO/PRIMARY Nitrogen (N)
Common
Loss of green color first visible on older, lower leaves; and reduced rate of growth.
Phosphorus (P)
Occasional
Dark green color; limited growth rate; and tips of oldest leaves turn red or purple.
Potassium (K)
Occasional
Margins of lower leaves fire; tissue between veins turns yellow; and plants become spindly and prone to wilt.
Calcium (Ca)
Rare
New, young leaves are distorted; leaf blades may turn reddish-brown; leaf margins dehydrate; and roots become stunted.
Magnesium (Mg)
Occasional
Leaf tissue between veins turns yellow; veins remain green; and red blotches may appear on margins of older, lower leaves.
Sulfur (S)
Occasional
Margins and tips of new leaves turn yellow; and the growth rate of aerial shoots is severely reduced.
Boron (B)
Rare
Leaves curl; tips of young leaves become chlorotic; and roots are stunted and thick.
Copper (Cu)
Rare
Tips of youngest leaves first turn white to bluish, then yellow; leaves often roll or twist; and plants are stunted.
Iron (Fe)
Common
Tissue between veins of upper leaves yellows; leaves eventually become spindly and turn pale yellow or white; and turf appears mottled.
Manganese (Mn)
Occasional
Greenish-gray spots begin to appear on youngest leaves; tissue between veins then turns yellow, while veins remain green; leaf tips may turn white; and turf may appear mottled.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Rare
Oldest leaves become chlorotic; plants are stunted; and other leaves may yellow between veins.
Zinc (Zn)
Rare
Leaves turn pale green, then yellow; leaf margins may roll; young leaves may appear mottled; and plants are stunted.
MACRO/SECONDARY
MINOR/MICRONUTRIENT
a Reference: Carrow, R. N., D. V. Waddington and P. E. Rieke. 2001. Turfgrass Soil Fertility and Chemical Problems - Assessment and Management, Ann Arbor Press. Chelsea, MI 48118, pp. 14-15
Sufficiency levels for nutrient content in clippings of selected turfgrassesb SUFFICIENCY RANGE FOR Nutrient
Bentgrass Creeping
Bermudagrass
Ryegrass Perennial
SUFFICIENCY RANGE FOR Nutrient
Bentgrass Creeping
% Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) Sulfur (S) b
12
4.50 - 6.00 0.30 - 0.60 2.20 - 2.60 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.30 no data
4.00 - 6.00 0.25 - 0.60 1.50 - 4.00 0.50 - 1.00 0.13 - 0.40 0.20 - 0.50
Ryegrass Perennial
ppm 3.34 - 5.10 0.35 - 0.55 2.00 - 3.42 0.25 - 0.51 0.16 - 0.32 0.27 - 0.56
Boron (B) Copper (Cu) Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Molybdenum (Mo) Zinc (Zn)
8 - 20 8 - 30 100 - 300 50 - 100 no data 25 - 75
From: Mills, H. A. and J. B. Jones, Jr. 1996. Plant Analysis Handbook II. Micro-Macro Publ., Inc., Athens, GA
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
Bermudagrass
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
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6 - 30 5 - 50 50 - 500 25 - 300 0.10 - 1.20 20 - 250
5 - 17 6 - 38 97 - 934 30 - 73 0.50 - 1.00 14 - 64
P L A N T- T I S S U E A N A LY S I S …
CONTINUED
Selected bermudagrasses grown under the same conditions
Differences in phosphorus (P) concentration in tissue of four turfgrasses grown under the same conditionse
Differences in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) content in tissue.c
SPECIES / VARIETY
%P
Creeping Bentgrass / ‘Penncross’
0.76
VARIETY
%N
%P
%K
% Ca % Mg % S
Strong Creeping Fescue / ‘Pennlawn’
0.54
‘Tiflawn’
3.95
0.37
2.04
0.46
0.17
0.40
‘Tifway II’
4.35
0.40
1.89
0.49
0.16
0.41
Kentucky Bluegrass / ‘Pennstar’
0.56
‘U-3'
3.70
0.32
1.86
0.47
0.17
0.37
Perennial Ryegrass / ‘Norlea’
0.71
e From: Waddington, D. V. and T. L. Zimmerman. 1972. Growth and chemical concentration of eight grasses grown under high water conditions. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. Volume 3, pp. 329-337
c From: McCrimmon, J. N. 1998. Effect of nitrogen and potassium on the macronutrient content of fifteen bermudagrass cultivars. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. Volume 29, pp. 1851-1861
Sufficiency ranges among selected extracting solutions used to estimate micronutrientsd Low (Deficient) Medium Micronutrient
High (Sufficient)
Low (Deficient) Medium Micronutrient
Extracting Solution: DTPA
High (Sufficient)
Extracting Solution: Mehlich III
ppm
ppm
Copper (Cu)
below 0.2
0.2 - 0.4
above 0.4
Copper (Cu)
below 0.3
0.3 - 2.5
above 2.5
Iron (Fe)
below 2.5
2.6 - 5.0
above 5.0
Iron (Fe)
below 50
50 - 100
above 100
Manganese (Mn)
below 1.0
1.0 - 2.0
above 2.0
Manganese (Mn), pH=6
below 4.0
4.0 - 6.0
above 6.0
Zinc (Zn)
below 0.5
0.6 - 1.0
above 1.0
Manganese (Mn), pH=7
below 8.0
8.0 - 12.0
above 12.0
Zinc (Zn)
below 1.0
1.1 - 2.0
above 2.0
d
Summarized from: Tisdale, S. L., W. L. Nelson, J. D. Beaton and J. L. Havlin. 1993. Soil Fertility and Fertilizers. Macmillan Pub. Co., New York, NY and Mortvedt, J. J. (Ed.). 1991. Micronutrients in Agriculture, 2nd Edition. Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer., Inc., Madison, WI
Sufficiency ranges among selected extracting solutions used to estimate plant-available phosphorus (P)f SUFFICIENCY RANGE Extracting
Very Low
Low
Medium
High
ppm P Bray P1
0-4
5 - 15
16 - 30
more than 30
Mehlich III
0 - 12
13 - 26
27 - 54
more than 54
Olsen
0-6
7 - 12
13 - 28
more than 28
Reference: Carrow, R. N., D. V. Waddington and P. E. Rieke. 2001. Turfgrass Soil Fertility and Chemical Problems - Assessment and Management, Ann Arbor Press. Chelsea, MI 48118, p. 207
f
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
13
T U R F TA L K By Terry L. Vassey, Ph.D., C.P.Ag., and assistant professor of Golf Course & Landscape Management at UT-Martin
Nothing is more difficult than balancing the growth of one species of turfgrass within that of another. We often work very hard to battle all manner of contamination or encroachment into our primary grass from undesirable types. What does it say about us, then, when we intentionally introduce an annual competitor into our perennial turf, as we do when we overseed? 14
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
F
or golf courses that rely on winter play, overseeding is one of the most important practices that superintendents perform. In some instances, these courses receive much of their yearly revenue on overseeded turf. In addition, many of the local businesses depend on the golfers and, therefore, also depend on a successful overseeding for their revenue. This places a tremendous burden on golf course superintendents to be successful, to have “Augusta National pretty” courses during the winter. To accomplish this look, sometime in the fall of each year, superintendents use whatever skills they have to completely establish ryegrass in their bermudagrass. To make things even more difficult, in most instances, the date and the techniques are determined by economics, rather than agronomics. Since early fall is usually dry and warm and can be followed by periods of wet bone-chilling weather, many courses experience less than perfect overseedings. In almost every instance, under these conditions, a poor overseeding is no fault of the superintendent—he or she is just unlucky. Not everyone has to have a poor overseeding, though, as employing proper timing and good management practices can result in excellent overseeding results. Joe Jamison, superintendent at Crow Creek Golf Club in Calabash, N.C., is one superintendent who consistently is able to produce good overseeding results year after year. I recently had the opportunity to work with Joe and to pick his brain about what he does and what things he believes make him successful. What follows is the story that was gleaned from our conversations. Jamison is a 1993 graduate of Horry-Georgetown Community College in Myrtle Beach. His first superintendent position was at Sandpiper Bay Golf Club in Sunset Beach, N.C. from 1994 to 1999. He came to Crow Creek in 1999, where he finished construction and grew in the Rick Robbins-designed 18-hole layout. The greens are L-93 bentgrass, and tees and fairways are TifSport bermudagrass. The rough is 419 Tifway bermudagrass.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
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OVERSEEDING: TIMING IS THE CRUCIAL KEY Preparation
Jamison says one of the most critical factors in successful overseeding is to get the seed as near to the crown of the bermudagrass as possible at seeding. To do this in late October, he starts prepping the fairways in July. He says that brushing is the key. Joe uses an industrial street brush to brush the bermudagrass fairways throughout the active bermudagrass season. “It takes about two days (all afternoon) to sweep, blow and mow all eighteen fairways,” Joe says. “Brushing stands the leaf blades up, giving you a much truer, cleaner cut.” Ideally, he tries to do this once every three weeks until seeding. Late in the summer, he begins adjusting the bedknife attitude and dropping the height of cut. Jamison mows his fairways at 0.500" during most of the summer. As the summer progresses, he gradually drops the height. Following the last brushing and mowing in October, he wants to be somewhere close to 0.375". This is how he achieves the desired seed-to-soil contact without using heavy verticutting. “Continuous brushing doesn’t leave grooves,” Jamison says. “Therefore, seed does not come up in lines like you can get with verticutting. Brushing also provides excellent fairways throughout the summer.” Primo is key to successfully keeping the bermudagrass from competing with the ryegrass in the late fall. Jamison makes his first application in August at 0.21 oz. Primo/1000 sq. ft. This is repeated at four-week intervals, with the last application conducted two to three days before overseeding.
E&S
CONTINUED
Jamison has been overseeding bermudagrass for more than ten years. He has kept meticulous records on the local weather patterns and on the successes he has had with his program. He believes, based on his historical data, that the best window for success is to seed between October 15 and November 1. “This is a very important window because water is less of a problem during late October,” Jamison says. He has observed that September in his area is usually warm with very low humidity. He has consistently seen temperatures in the high 80s during most of September with very little rain. Contrast this with lower temperatures, higher humidity and consistent rains (every five to seven days) in October. With this information, he says it is a no-brainer when to seed. “I find that we are cart-path-only more for rainy conditions than we are for irrigation. This helps get the seed up.”
Seeding
Jamison feels there is no magic to seeding. He makes sure the last brushing and mowing falls two to three days before seeding. Initially, he seeds fairways at 300 pounds per acre and tees at 350 pounds per acre. He supplements an additional 150 pounds on the tees after the first mowing. He holds back about 50 bags to reseed skips and thin areas, especially on fairway mounds or where there are irrigation problems. To prevent wet conditions, he believes if you seed on a Monday and Tuesday (nine holes per day), there is minimal impact to golfers during the weekend. By the following Monday, you
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15
OVERSEEDING: TIMING IS THE CRUCIAL KEY should see your skips and thin areas, and you can begin the reseeding/watering before the next weekend. Water is the key. Jamison feels the first three to four days are the most critical. “This is the time to water heavily. Because the weather conditions allow it, I water only at night and run a lot of water,” he says. “Ideally, I keep the golfers on cart paths for fourteen days.” A trick Jamison uses to ensure success on tees is to leave the tee markers on the very back of the tee for the first 14-20 days of establishment. This keeps the golfer off the teeing surface during grow-in. “The area is turned to dirt,” he says. “I just wait until the turf in the back of the tee is bare and I have mowed at least once, then I move the tees forward, sand the bare areas and re-seed. These areas are hand-watered until they are re-established.”
Mowing
“This is the area where most superintendents make mistakes,” Jamison says. “It is really not their fault because golfers, the pro shop or the owners want the ryegrass cut; they want tournament conditions now. I mow as soon as the turf is rooted into the soil and playing conditions are on the edge of unplayable.” This is normally about 14-20 days after seeding. He starts at about 0.800" with sharp, freshly ground reels and new bed knives. He has found that it is best to start after the dew has burned off, so there is less pulling of the seedlings from the ground. “Rooting is critical,” Jamison says. “I go out and look where
CONTINUED
the seedlings are, to see if they are in the bermudagrass fluff or anchored in the ground. Once they are firmly in the soil, I mow.” Jamison stays at 0.750" throughout the hard winter and until the ryegrass begins tillering. Then he gradually drops the height in anticipation of the heavy play of the spring. By the first of March, he is approaching his final height of 0.500".
Fertilization
Jamison is a big believer in sulfate as a nitrogen source for his ryegrass. “The color I get from sulfate can't be beaten,” he says. “I do not put out a starter before seeding because I do not want the bermudagrass to benefit from any late-season nutrition.” Jamison does not apply any fertilizer until the second mowing or the first frost. He says these dates are usually very close together. He uses LESCO's starter (18-24-12) with ammonium sulfate as the primary nitrogen source at 0.75 lbs. N, 1 lb. P and 0.5 lbs. K/1000 sq. ft. He then targets a second application of nitrogen approximately three to five weeks later. “I watch the weather forecasts and look for the next warming trend,” he says. This is usually around the middle of December. He uses a 21-0-0 (ammonium sulfate) at 200 lbs. per acre, which gives him another pound of N/1000 sq. ft. and about five weeks’ feed. “It is important to be prepared,” he says. “You need to be able to fertilize at a minute’s notice. Having the proper equipment is critical. We have a belt-driven five-ton Agricraft A5 Spreadmaster
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
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CONTINUED spreader that I can load and just fall in behind the afternoon golfers. I can be finished that afternoon. I put down about a quarter-inch of water that evening, and we are done.” The third feeding comes after the five-week feeding period, when he gets another two to three days of 50-degree temperatures. Jamison has observed this is usually around the middle of January. “Again, I use 21-0-0 at 0.75 lbs. N/1000 sq. ft. to give me a rich green color,” he says. Jamison’s fourth and fifth feedings come on the coat tails of his summer split application of pre-emerge. He uses an 18-4-14 with 50-percent PolyCoat plus five-percent iron. This is done in late February/mid-March and followed up six to eight weeks later (around May 1) with another fertilizer/pre-emerge application (3-1-3 ratio, with 60-percent slow release) at 1.2 lb. N/1000 sq. ft. This is also the first feed for the bermudagrass.
Transition
Jamison says he really does not understand what “transition” is. “I try to manage ryegrass for eight months. Really, the bermudagrass is just a foundation for my next ryegrass overseeding. I just fight to keep the ryegrass alive until the bermudagrass just wins.” This usually means some hand-watering and many “spinning heads” during the hot days of May and early June. “Usually I am eighty to ninety percent bermudagrass by July,” he says. “Night-time temperatures are around 60-70 degrees, and there is no chance to keep the ryegrass alive. The ryegrass melts out and bermudagrass fades in.”
Summary
To say overseeding is difficult would be too simple. It has its challenges. Usually, the secret is timing. Too early, and heat and dry conditions create difficulties. Too late, and there may not be enough time to get it established. This makes overseeding a crapshoot. The reason Jamison is so successful is that he has history on his side and he treats the process like a grow-in. For 14-20 days, he babies it, pushes it and ensures that it does not fail. “I precondition the fairways for the whole season,” Jamison says. “They are healthy, tighter and always ready. The golfers love them, and this makes my relationship with the owner and my pro better.” The key is to develop a history. Determine that window that best fits your local. The time to seed should be designed to avoid both the heat of early fall and the chill of early winter. Develop a profile that best fits your overseeding needs. Next, educate your management to how this strategy will benefit the club, your players and, ultimately, the bottom line.
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T U R F TA L K
A
By Mike Goatley, Ph.D., Turfgrass Specialist, Virginia Tech
s a graduate student at Virginia Tech in the mid-to-late 1980s, I was taken aback by the emphasis placed on fall fertility research trials on bermudagrass that I helped conduct for Dick Schmidt. Most of these trials emphasized late growing-season nitrogen applications, and this went against everything I had previously learned about preparing bermudagrass for the approaching winter months. Bermudagrass is a very photoresponsive grass, and earlier
research many years ago indicated just how quickly the morphology and physiology of bermudagrass begins to change as daylength shortens, even in the middle of summer. Have you ever noticed the increased tendency for most bermudagrasses to scalp during the late summer/early fall period? This is due to a change in its growth habit. Shorter days and cooler temperatures are Mother Nature’s way of providing the environmental signals that prompt bermudagrass to begin
preparing for the winter months. A major part of this survival mechanism is the dormancy period when plant growth and development is essentially arrested until warmer temperatures and longer daylengths arrive the next season. If this dormancy period is such an important survival tool, would not the survivability of bermudagrass be negatively affected by reducing the length of the dormancy period (i.e., extending the growing season of the grass)?
[Editor’s Note: This research-study article originally ran in the July/August 2004 issue of the Virginia Turfgrass Journal. The study’s results may be equally helpful, however, to turf managers in Tennessee and surrounding areas.]
This article highlights research that Dr. Goatley has conducted over the past 20 years, research that focuses on extending the growing season of bermudagrass by way of either late-season fertilization or the use of turf blankets. It is being presented from the perspective of sportsfield management, but the principles apply to all segments of the turf industry. Photo #1: Bermudagrass color response to late-season N applications. 18
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
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CONTINUED Before going further, consider some climate data for Virginia, in order to have an idea of what to expect for a bermudagrass growing season. The data presented in Table 1 detail the average number of days in a growing season and the anticipated first and last freeze dates based on climatological data taken from four regions around the state. Virginia has three USDA Horticulture Zones, with Winchester and Blacksburg being in Zone 6, Richmond in Zone 7 and Norfolk in Zone 8. Right away you can understand why it is a challenge to grow any grass on a sports field in the transition zone with a climate as diverse as Virginia’s. Most of the turf textbooks indicate the importance of refraining from significant nitrogen (N) applications (≥1 lb. N/1000 sq. ft.) on bermudagrass at least 30 days prior to a killing frost. The premise of this recommendation is that late-season N applications increase the succulence of the bermudagrass and, thus, increase winterkill potential. If this is true, then N applications should cease around Sept. 1 in Blacksburg, Sept. 25 in Richmond, Oct. 19 in Norfolk and Sept. 14 in Winchester. How many of you do that? I anticipate very few of you do because your experience has shown that there are benefits to N fertilization beyond these dates, especially on sports fields that are being heavily used during some of the nicest weather of the year in Virginia. Is the logic behind the textbook recommendations wrong? Not necessarily, but the reality is that winterkill is most often due to a complex of factors (such as the grass species and cultivar, soil physical and chemical properties, climate extremes and duration of significant weather events before, during and after the winter months, and many more) rather than one thing such as late growing-season N fertilization. In fact, Dr. Schmidt went on to publish work in 1989 that detailed how postdormancy growth of Midiron bermudagrass was improved by late-season N applications. One of Dr. Schmidt’s comments to me that I always remembered was, “Bermudagrass always does better when you hold its color longer in the fall and green it up earlier in the spring.” This was still pretty radical thinking (based on everything you find in the textbooks), and even after helping conduct this research for three years, I still had the need to figure it out for myself. So, one of the first research areas I tackled as a faculty member at Mississippi State was my own late-season fertility research from 1989-91.
BERMUDAGRASS GROWING SEASON
CONTINUED
Table 1. The average dates for first and last freeze and number of growing season days of four geographic regions in Virginia. Location
First freeze date
Last freeze date
Growing season days
Blacksburg
October 1
May 3
151
Richmond
October 25
April 9
199
November 19
March 23
241
October 14
April 23
174
Norfolk Winchester
Research on nitrogen applications in fall
My trials there were designed to specifically determine how bermudagrass responded to excessively high N rates very late in the growing season. Research on ‘Tifgreen’ bermudagrass evaluated applications of both N (applied as ammonium nitrate, 34-0-0) and potassium (K) [applied as muriate of potash], in all possible combinations of treatments of 0, 1 and 2 lbs. of N and K respectively. All fertilizer treatments were applied in the second week of October in each year. The soil was a Marietta fine loam that tested high to moderately high in levels of K and phosphorus (P). The turf was maintained at 3/16" by mowing three times per week with a triplex greens mower. All clippings were removed, and irrigation was supplied as needed to maintain active growth. Just prior to the first forecast killing frost date, leaf tissue N and K analyses were made to determine the levels of the respective nutrients as the plant was preparing for dormancy. When combining the tissue analyses data across years, there was (as expected) a linear increase in N from 3.1% to 4% as N rates increased from 0 to 2 lbs. N/1000 sq. ft., and a linear increase in tissue K of 1.2% to 1.4% as K levels increased from 0 to 2 lbs. K/1000 sq. ft. These results were expected based on the fertilization events. However, I and my colleagues thought that the increase in N of approximately 1% at the 2 lb. N/1000 sq. ft. level was of such magnitude that it would likely increase winterkill potential. However, as with Dr. Schmidt’s research before, this was not the case. Desirable bermudagrass color was maintained through at least Nov. 15 in each year’s trial in Mississippi, and in two of the three years, desirable color was maintained until killing frost events in the third week of November (see Photo #1). From Dec. 22-27 in 1989, record cold enveloped MS, and nighttime air temperatures dropped below 0°F for two consecutive days during this time. It seemed logical there would be turf damage from the high N levels that extended the turf greening so late in the fall, but the results were just the opposite. Spring green-up was noticeably accelerated in the N-treated plots, and there were no apparent detrimental effects of the N 20
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
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Photo #2: Spring greening in response to fall N applications.
Photo #3: Bermudagrass color on December 15 in response to using turf blankets to negate frost damage.
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CONTINUED treatments, even after the record cold of December (Photo #2). We also measured levels of total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC, a form of stored energy) in the rhizomes of the bermudagrass in December and March of each treatment year to determine what effect the late-season N had on energy reserves. The question we asked was if late-season N applications encouraged depletion, increased it or had no effect on TNC reserves. In the 1989-90 trial (the coldest winter’s trial), there were slight decreases in TNC levels in both December and March for the N treatments as compared to the non-treated control. However, there were no significant differences in TNC levels at any other sampling dates in the other year’s trials. The effects on TNC were limited, at best, and certainly not significant enough to increase winterkill potential by way of depleting stored food reserves.
Research on turf covers
Another way to extend the bermudagrass growing season is to modify canopy and soil temperatures by applying a turf blanket. A Tifway bermudagrass turf plot maintained at 0.75" represented a bermudagrass sports turf over the fall and winter months of 1998-2001. The grass was fertilized regularly throughout the growing season to promote density and desirable color. Also, part of our treatment protocol for this research was to evaluate the performance of chelated iron (Fe) in promoting turf color late in the growing season. During the first week of October, one-half of the turf area was sprayed with Fe at the level of 2.5 lbs. Fe/A, and the Fe applications continued on a weekly basis for that month. A Typar7 turf blanket was applied as a covering treatment based on predicted nighttime temperatures from the National Weather Service. The turf blankets were applied according to four temperature covering treatments: no covers applied, or covers applied when night temperatures were predicted to be around 59°, 49° or 39°F. If daytime temperatures the following day were not predicted to reach at least 60°F, the covers remained in place. When the temperatures finally got cold enough to result in killing frost under the blankets, the covers remained in place on the plots until complete green-up occurred the next spring. Rhizomes were sampled from all plots in November, January and April of the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons to determine what effect the use of turf blankets to extend the bermudagrass growing season had on TNC levels.
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BERMUDAGRASS GROWING SEASON The average date for a killing frost in north MS is Nov. 6, and during the three years of the research, the first killing frost dates were Nov. 5, Nov. 3, and Oct. 24. All cover treatments prevented any visible frost damage on these dates. However, there were few differences in turf color between any of the covering temperature treatments, indicating that the application of covers for frost protection was not necessary until the temperatures were forecast to be 39°F (i.e., there was no advantage to covering the turf at the warmer temperature treatments). This is a very desirable aspect of a covering program, due to the time and labor involved in turf blanket application to an athletic field. As expected, turf color was improved by fall foliar applications of Fe. This micronutrient continues to be an excellent nutritional tool to promote late season bermudagrass color without a surge in shoot growth. However, the Fe treatment alone did not prevent killing frost damage,
and it resulted in no visible turf response the following spring. We observed acceptable bermudagrass color while using the covers for frost protection until nighttime air temperatures fell to approximately 22°F. At this temperature, frost damage under the covers resulted in a significant loss in turf quality. The dates when this or colder temperatures occurred in the three years’ trials were Jan. 3, Dec. 22 and Dec. 12, respectively. In all trials, the turf color was acceptable for the duration of a fall football season that would be completed around Thanksgiving. Photo #3 shows the effectiveness of the blankets in maintaining turf color as late as Dec. 15, 2000. We also observed that keeping the Typar covers on the turf over winter resulted in spring green-up four to six weeks earlier than uncovered turf the following spring. Completely green turf was observed in the covered plots by March 16, March 2 and April 2 from 1999-2001, respectively (photo #4 shows
CONTINUED the progression of green-up as of March 15, 2001). The uncovered plots reached complete green-up by May 2, March 30 and May 5 over the same time frame. The only negative response to covering was an increase in annual weed pressure and insect activity, both as a result of the soil-warming effects of the covers. There was no evidence of increased disease pressure and never any indication that extending the growing season of bermudagrass by covering increased winterkill potential. Instead, the turf benefited from the extension of the growing season in each year’s trial. The TNC levels in bermudagrass rhizomes were actually higher in the covered turf plots in January and April of each year as compared to the uncovered turf, indicating that the maintenance of a photosynthetically active turf in the fall, and the encouragement and maintenance of earlier green-up in the spring, allowed the grass plant to produce and store more food reserves.
Summary
Photo #4: Enhanced spring greening of bermudagrass (March 15) in response to leaving the turf blankets in place over the winter months.
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
The extension of the growing season of bermudagrass, whether by way of nutrition or the application of protective covers, has been proven time and again to be a beneficial management practice. A balanced nutritional program is still essential, and it is especially important to ensure that soil K levels are adequate as the bermudagrass prepares for winter dormancy. However, the benefits of extending the growing season by maintaining better turf color and recovery potential, and enhancing spring green-up, have consistently been shown not to be associated with an increased likelihood of winterkill. The extension of the bermudagrass growing season is a management philosophy that warrants consideration by sports-turf managers and golf superintendents who have extensive fall and spring turf use. A sports-turf friend from Alabama put the strategy in terms that everyone can relate to when he told me his observation was that “Bermudagrass does well when you put it to bed late and wake it up earlier in the spring.” This is essentially what Dr. Schmidt was trying to tell me 20 years ago when I was trying to figure this out for myself.
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G R E E N G AT H E R I N G S
✭
Golfdom to Host All-Star Seminar Event at the Louisville EXPO Golfdom has assembled an all-star cast of researchers and experts to provide two days of education and information. Presenters on the morning of Friday, Sept. 24, will include:
✭ Dr. Joe Vargas, of Michigan State University, on new disease trends
G
✭
Dr. Karl Danneberger, of Ohio State University, on Poa annua management
olfdom magazine is partnering with the International Lawn, Garden and Power Equipment Exposition (EXPO) to present a unique and educational mini-conference at the annual EXPO show on September 2326, 2004, in Louisville, Kentucky. Golfdom publisher Pat Jones said the goal of the partnership is to “provide a world-class half-day seminar series and allow superintendents, assistants and equipment technicians to take advantage
Geoff Shackelford on the art and science of bunker design and renovation
of EXPO’s tradeshow and outdoor demonstration area.” The afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 23, will feature a pesticide recertification session and a unique half-day workshop on trends in equipment maintenance presented by Jay Rehr, the former chief mechanic at Augusta National Golf Club. In addition to the seminars, EXPO and Golfdom will host a special Golf Equipment & Supplies Pavilion
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
✭ Pat Jones on “Career Survival Skills for Today’s Superintendent”
featuring the latest course maintenance products offered by EXPO’s 500+ exhibitors. EXPO also provides a huge outdoor “hands-on” demonstration area where superintendents and their staff members can try out equipment from hundreds of companies. “We worked with EXPO to bring superintendents to the show last year, and the feedback was outstanding,” said Jones. “They were particularly impressed with the outdoor demo area. Very few shows offer that in the golf industry. We think the combination of education, training for mechanics and a very cool tradeshow will make this a don’t-miss event for superintendents and their staffs from around the region and even nationally.” Registration for the seminar and tradeshow is just $100 and half-day workshops are only an additional $75 each. EXPO has negotiated a special rate for golf attendees of just $94 a night at the Galt House hotel. For registration information and schedules, visit www.expo.mow.org.
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TURF TIPS By Chris Hartwiger and Patrick O’Brien, USGA Green Section
The car is packed. The kids are playing quietly in the backseat. The engine has been serviced, and now you are all set for a relaxing weeklong vacation. Midway through the trip, the temperature gauge reads hot and the engine light has come on, too. It’s time to pull into the service station for an emergency repair.
W
ouldn’t it be nice if putting greens came equipped with a series of warning gauges that foretold impending difficulties? It may sound like wishful thinking, but it is actually possible to develop your own “control panel” to monitor the overall health, happiness and well-being of your putting greens. A number of diagnostics tests or tools are available to you. Take the time to learn how to conduct these tests and interpret their results. Developing an informative and helpful diagnostic program will involve keeping the information close at hand and understanding how test results work together to affect results in the field. Outlined below are several diagnostics tests that can help you develop more insight into putting-green performance.
Soil-Nutrient Status Regular soil testing has been a staple of golf-course maintenance operations for many years. Test results can help form the basis for your soil fertility program. Soil testing is a complex process and one that continues to evolve. The preparation of the samples and the type of extractant used in the test can have a big impact on the results, too. Take the time to learn as much about the soil-testing process as possible. An excellent book that contains a chapter on soil testing is Turfgrass Soil Fertility and Chemical Problems by Dr. R.N. Carrow, Dr. D.V. Waddington and Dr. P.E. Rieke.
26
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
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Water Quality The presence or absence of certain nutrients and compounds in your irrigation water has a major impact on soil-nutrient status. As more courses find their water quality degrading, and as more courses begin to use alternative sources of water, it is becoming absolutely vital to understand how the water source at your golf course is impacting your soil-nutrient status and putting-green performance.
Tissue Testing Tissue testing is a complementary practice to water quality and soil testing. However, many questions remain with tissue testing. Much research remains to be done to develop and refine standard values for turfgrasses and the conditions under which they are maintained. Little is known about how cultural and environmental factors (such as mowing height, time of season and part of the plant sampled) can impact sufficiency levels. However, tissue tests can provide useful information to the turfgrass manager. For example, if good and bad areas are sampled on a putting green and tissue concentrations of nutrients are similar, nutrient deficiencies can be ruled out as a major contributor to the problem. (Carrow et al., 2001)
Determination of Organic-Matter Levels in Upper Rootzone The management of organic-matter levels in the upper rootzone of sand-based putting greens through core aeration and sand
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PUTTING GREEN DIAGNOSTICS topdressing has a profound impact on soil physical properties and the long-term performance of the putting green. Visual inspection of the organic zone does not reveal detailed information about soil physical properties in this layer. A test called ASTM 1647-b, "Determination of Organic Matter by Weight," is available at USGA-accredited rootzone labs to determine the percentage organic matter by weight in the upper rootzone in the sample sent to the lab. Annual testing can provide feedback as to how well the core aeration and sand topdressing program are working.
Infiltration Tests Many putting greens have unique histories, and upon observing a soil profile, one or more layers may be visible. Conducting an infiltration test can help identify which layers are controlling the rate of infiltration in the rootzone. Knowing this information can help you design a cultivation program that minimizes the negative impacts caused by a specific layer.
Soil Profile A representative soil profile can speak volumes about the performance of the putting greens. Root depth, root development and layering are a few items that can be evaluated. Invest in a good soil-profile sampler, and do not be afraid to use it. This lowtech tool can reveal much about your putting greens.
CONTINUED Conclusion This article has just scratched the surface of how to develop your own control panel to aid in putting-green management. Please realize we are not advocating managing turfgrass on paper through multiple tests. Elements of both art and science are involved in turfgrass maintenance. However, by having as much information about why your putting greens are performing the way they are, you will be in a much more informed position to make decisions on a day-to-day and season-to-season basis. Space constraints have limited the amount of information above on issues regarding each test, including how to test, how often, how to interpret the results and other resources that are available concerning each test. Over the next few months, the USGA Green Section SE Region will be tackling these topics in much greater depth in our USGA Regional Updates. Many of our readers already receive this free email service, but if you would like to be added to our email list, contact us at chartwiger@usga.org or patobrien@usga.org. References: Carrow, R.N., D.V. Waddington, and P.E. Rieke. 2001. Turfgrass Soil and Chemical Problems, Assessment and Management. Ann Arbor Press. Chelsea, MI.
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TURF TIPS
By Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D., Weed Scientist and Professor of Weed Science, Virginia Tech
Goosegrass
Herbicide Resistance in Turfgrass W e are probably all familiar with turfgrass diseases developing resistance to fungicides, as well as insects developing resistance to insecticides. The issue of weeds developing resistance to herbicides, however, is a relatively recent development, especially in turfgrass situations, although herbicide-resistant weeds have been a problem in agronomic crop production for a number of years. I have been involved in investigating two situations of herbicide resistance in turfgrass: Acclaim-resistant smooth crabgrass and simazine-resistant annual bluegrass. Both of these instances occurred in golf course locations, but the situations could occur in other areas where turf is maintained. I am not trying to single out these two herbicides. Resistance could develop to any herbicide on the market.
Crabgrass
Although we all tend to stick with something that has worked well for us in the past, consider doing some rotations every few years. [Editor’s Note: This article originally ran in the July/August 2004 issue of the Virginia Turfgrass Journal. The study’s results may be equally helpful, however, to turfgrass managers in Tennessee.]
28
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
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Acclaim-Resistant Crabgrass
A golf course used Acclaim for crabgrass control in their tees, making multiple applications per year. This was highly effective until about eight years later when control decreased on certain tees. I evaluated the resistance in this biotype of smooth crabgrass, and I found that the resistant type was still not controlled when eight times the maximum use rate of Acclaim Extra was applied. An important point at that course was that the crabgrass growing in places other than the tees was still susceptible to Acclaim Extra. Other grasses, like goosegrass, were not resistant, so the golf course could still use Acclaim Extra in their program. That course switched to Drive for control of smooth crabgrass on their tees. A concern here is that crabgrass resistance to Drive has been reported in California.
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CONTINUED Simazine-Resistant Annual Bluegrass
In southeast Virginia, several golf courses that utilized simazine (Princep and other trade names) for annual bluegrass control in bermudagrass were seeing reduced control. Again, I evaluated the resistance in these plants and found that the resistant type of annual bluegrass at these courses was not controlled by eight times the common use rate of Princep in bermudagrass. Those courses have switched to Barricade and other herbicides to address this issue.
Other HerbicideResistance Cases
Dinitroaniline-resistant goosegrass has been reported in South Carolina. This is particularly noteworthy since the major way we control annual grasses in turf is through application of the yellowish-orange herbicides called the dinitroanilines. The dinitroaniline group includes pendimethalin (Pendulum, Pre-M, others), Surflan, Balan, Team, XL and Barricade. Those facilities infested with dinitroanilineresistant goosegrass must now find alternate control measures. Although not a turf situation, Roundupresistant horseweed has been reported in a number of states. If Roundup-ready turfgrasses are approved for use in the United States (such as Roundup-Ready creeping bentgrass), golf course superintendents who utilize that technology should consider a strategy to reduce the chance of weeds like annual bluegrass developing resistance to Roundup. If we rely solely on Roundup for weed control in these systems, eventually resistance will develop. Another area of concern is the use of the ALSinhibiting group of chemicals, which includes Revolver, Manor, TranXit, Monument and Corsair. These compounds are used for Poa control and spring transitioning in bermudagrass. Herbicide resistance is common in agronomic crops where the ALS-inhibiting herbicides are used.
What is Meant by Herbicide Resistance?
When we talk about herbicide resistance, we are referring to a weed species that was previously controlled by a given herbicide but is no longer being controlled. Often, we once saw very high levels of control, but little to no control now exists. This is different from herbicide tolerance, where the weed never was controlled by that
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CONTINUED herbicide. For example, crabgrass has never been controlled by 2,4-D, and dandelion has never been controlled by Acclaim Extra.
How Did the Herbicide Resistance Develop?
One might infer that application of the herbicide caused the resistance to develop. Current theory, however, is that one or more resistant individuals of that weed species may already have resistance before the herbicide was ever applied to that site. For example, due to some genetic mutation, one out of a million crabgrass plants might be resistant to a given herbicide. Applying the herbicide controls the susceptible individuals of that species, leaving the resistant type. As the resistant type grows, it produces seed that will be resistant to that chemical. As each year goes by, if the same herbicide is reapplied, more and more resistant plants develop until the site is dominated by the resistant form.
What Factors Lead to Herbicide Resistance?
1. Use of the same herbicide each year. 2. Multiple applications of the same herbicide per year. 3. A high degree of effectiveness for that herbicide. 4. Heavy reliance on that one herbicide or herbicide family (no rotation or tank mixing). 5. A single mode of action. 6. Use of herbicides with a long soil residual.
Steps to Reduce Potential for Herbicide Resistance to Develop
1. Utilize nonchemical controls where possible. 2. Rotate herbicides with different modes of action. 3. Use tank mixes of herbicides with different modes of action.
Examples of Herbicide Rotations/Tank Mixes
1. Rotate dinitroaniline herbicides like Barricade (prodiamine) with Ronstar (oxadiazon), which has a different mode of action. 2. Rotate MSMA with Drive or Acclaim Extra. 3. Rotate preemergents with postemergence herbicides, which generally have a different mode of action.
H E R B I C I D E R E S I S TA N C E
CONTINUED
4. Use tank mixes such as Drive plus pendimethalin. 5. Use prepackaged combinations, such as prodiamine plus oxadiazon. 6. Rotate Manage with Basagran. These are only a few examples, and other possible rotations may better fit into your program. One option would be to rotate to something different every three or four years. By rotating herbicides with different modes of action, the development of herbicide-resistance could be delayed by 20 years or more. I have been asked about rotating Dimension with a dinitroaniline. This probably is better than applying a dinitroaniline over and over, but Dimension and the dinitroanilines appear to have a similar mode of action. So it is possible for a weed like crabgrass or goosegrass to develop resistant to Dimension and a dinitroaniline.
Summary
Consider which herbicides you are applying in your weed-management program each year. See if you are using the same chemical over and over. Although we all tend to stick with something that has worked well for us in the past, consider doing some rotations every few years.
Annual Bluegrass
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
31
T U R F TA L K
Creative Golf Course Maintenance (RECRUITING YOUR GOLFERS’ HELP) B Y PA U L H A R T Z E L L , F L O R AT I N E P R O D U C T S , C U L P E P E R , VA
atmosphere, the members ask questions and During the course of my daily sales calls, I [Editor’s Note: This article was gain a better understanding of the growing recently had the opportunity to sit down with Tad Wolford, superintendent of the Loudoun originally published last fall in side of the game. The club has predominantly Golf and Country Club (in Purcellville, VA), the Virginia Turfgrass Journal. ryegrass fairways, except on the par-three and I came across something that may be of While golf course superintendents holes, which are bentgrass, and several interest to others. in Tennessee may manage bentgrass tees with the majority being Back in July, the club hosted an event different grass species at their ryegrass. Tad has been able to show club members where to use the divot-mix bottles called the “Sand & Suds Party,” which Tad facilities, the basic idea in this their carts carry and which areas not to use hopes to hold monthly. With the help of his two assistants, Tad supplied two Carry-all article—recruiting the help of the sand/ryegrass mix. The second recently held “party” required a vehicles with sand/seed mix, and starting at your golfers for ball-mark repair 5:30 p.m., he had various club members and divot filling—is certainly third cart of divot mix and included repairing ball marks on greens. “The opportunities are show up to fill divots on the course. Members applicable at any golf course.] invaluable, especially since we show the who could not be there by 5:30 p.m. joined golfers the proper way to fill a divot so the sand does not dull the group as they arrived later. our reels, as well as showing them the proper technique to The event was a collaborative effort of Tad and his Greens repair a ball mark,” Tad says. Committee. The pro shop provided carts, and the club sent out Tad has also seen another valuable benefit. “When the the beverage cart with drinks and snacks and provided a buffet golfers are on the course, if one of the members who has dinner afterward in their 19th Hole Grill. participated in our party sees another member or guest not The first party had approximately 40 participants. The “Crew” replace or fill a divot or repair a ball mark, they speak up and consisted of the Club President, the Greens Committee, the Board even show how it should be done,” he says. “These members Liaison to the Greens Committee, the Golf Pro and many have experienced what it takes to repair the damage, and they members. “It took us about three hours to cover the entire course,” understand the value of doing it immediately according to says Tad. “What superintendent would turn down one-hundredproper golf etiquette.” and-twenty man hours of labor? It would take one man forty The latest event for the “Crew” was in September when the hours a week to do what we accomplished in an evening, and that greens were deep-tine aerified. “When we deep-tine, I like to handwould be his full time job.” sweep the sand in, to fill the holes completely and prevent a lot of Families came out and enjoyed the event together—one had settling later on,” says Tad. “The group volunteered to help out.” their four-week-old baby riding in a car seat on a cart with mom I hope this gets the creative juices flowing for other while dad worked, and others with young children had them bring superintendents and courses. Tad’s Sands & Suds Party their plastic clubs and balls to hit. “It’s a great educational program is a rare example of the club organization working opportunity,” Tad says. “We interact in ways I don't see during the together to make the golf experience better for all. It’s also an normal daily routine when I am focused on the course for excellent way of promoting maintenance challenges while maintenance and the members are focused on their game.” educating members. Could this be the way high school teams Tad has also found this event to be a great communication earn their keep on the course and learn golf etiquette? tool. By having his two assistants with him in this relaxed 32
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
Sur-Line Turf, Inc.
19637 Gorgas Road, Northport, Alabama 35475 Tel: 1-800-362-1976 or 205-333-1776 Fax: 205-333-8388
Quality Products & Quality Services!
I N D E X O F A DV E RT I S E R S Aquatrols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
CA L E N DA R O F E V E N T S August 17
ETGCSA Meeting Location: Rivertrace GC, Greenville, TN
September 9
TVSTMA Event Location: UT-Martin, Martin, TN
September 21
MAGCSA Meeting Location: Meadowbrook CC, West Memphis, AR
Blalock Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Cleary Chemical Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Covermaster, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Dixie Turf & Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 E & S Soil and Peat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 First Products, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
September 24-26 International Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Expo Location: Louisville, KY September 27
ETGCSA Scholarship & Research Tournament Location: Signal Mountain CC, Chattanooga, TN
September 28
MTGCSA Field Day Location: The Little Course, Franklin, TN
October 12
MAGCSA Meeting Location: Colonial Country Club, Cordova, TN
October 25
MTGCSA Scholarship and Research Tournament Location: Fairvue Plantation, Gallatin, TN
November 1
MAGCAA Scholarship & Research Tournament Location: Tunica National, Tunica, MS
November 3-6
The Green Industry Expo PLCAA 25th Green Industry Conference & GIE Preview (Professional Lawn Care Assoc. of America) 2004 PGMS School of Grounds Management (Professional Grounds Management Society) Location: Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC
November 15
MAGCSA Meeting Location: Glen Eagles GC, Millington, TN
January 4-7 2005
TTA 39th Annual Conference & Trade Show (Tennessee Turfgrass Association) Location: Opryland Hotel, Nashville, TN
January 19-23 2005
STMA Annual Conference (Sport Turf Managers Association) Location: Phoenix Civic Center, Phoenix, AZ
Flowtronex PSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Greenville Turf & Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Harrell’s Custom Fertilizer . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover Jackson Sand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Keeling Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Landforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Oasis Irrigations System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Oldham Chemicals Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Patten Seed Company/Super Sod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Pennington Seed, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 ProSource One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Sigma Organics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Smith Turf & Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover Southeastern Turf, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Sprigger’s Choice, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Sur-Line Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Syngenta Turf & Ornamental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 TifSport Growers Association . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover Turf Mountain Sod, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Turf Solutions, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Turfgrass America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Winstead Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 34
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
Target Your Advertising Audience To find out more information on advertising in Tennessee Turfgrass, call the Ad Sales Department at
(615) 790-3718! Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
Get a jump on the competition. Call your Harrell’s rep or call toll-free at: 1-866-245-5559 Or visit our Web site: www.harrells.com
Harrell’s reps will go the distance for you. That’s because – for Harrell’s – providing you with efficient, high performance service is a top priority. In addition, Harrell’s world-class, custom-blended fertilizers are formulated to give you optimum turf growth and health; state-of-the-art technology and quality ingredients guarantee it. Together we are all part of a fine-tuned team that assures you’ll get what you need, when you need it. It’s a winning combination.
Time.Your Most Important Resource.
So many blades of grass, so little time. When you are responsible for a golf course, it seems there aren’t enough hours in the day to meet all the challenges you face. That’s why STI has developed a portfolio of equipment, service and support that is unmatched in the golf industry. As the exclusive distributor of TORO irrigation systems and TORO commercial turf care equipment since 1925, we provide total turf solutions that maximize efficiencies. Time after time.
Office 1.615.726.8811 • Orders 1.800.585.4784 www.smithturf.com