The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010
F E AT U R E D A RT I C L E S
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Cover Story – Understanding and Reducing Surface-Related Injuries on Sports Fields
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Turf Tips — Maximize Fungicide Effectiveness with Proper Application to Strengthen Turfgrass Health
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Applied Research — Impact of Signature® Fungicide on Bentgrass Leaf Structure in Shade
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Cover Story
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Turf Tips
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Applied Research
D E PA RT M E N T S
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From the TTA President, Jay Willis
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From the TVSTMA President, Theo Lankford
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News from TTA Tennessee Turfgrass Goes Online Awards Nominations
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News from The University of Tennessee Research Center for Safer Athletic Fields
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Calendar of Events
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Index of Advertisers
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
F R O M T H E T TA P R E S I D E N T Jay Willis
Field Day, Conference and Awards,
O h My ! hope this letter finds everyone having a great season in the turf industry. I know I have enjoyed staying away from so much rain here at our course. In fact, as I write this letter, today is the first day we have seen rain in about a month. Some might say that is too long to go without “natural irrigation,” but with the excessive rainfall we had last summer, I’m not complaining at all. With the sales papers advertising school supplies and the talk about SEC football, you know our summer is coming to an end. By the time you read this, we might have college game day on Saturdays waiting on us to cheer for our favorite team. That also reminds me about the 2010 UT Turfgrass Field Day. The event will be held on September 16 at the East Tennessee Research and Education Center in Knoxville, TN. A total of 11 TDA pesticide re-certification points will be available in categories C3, C10 and C12. The research field day is also a great way to network with your peers out in field. After the Field Day in September, and then going through the holiday season, we run right into the 2011 TTA Conference and Trade Show,
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from January 5–7 at the Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, TN. The Conference and Trade Show Committee has put together a great conference for you, with some changes that I think will be welcomed and make it more enjoyable by all. The Awards Committee is compiling nominations for Professional of the Year and our new award, the Environmental Stewardship Award. Please send in your nominations (see page 12) to the TTA office so that exceptional TTA members can be considered for these awards. The TTA board of directors will have a board meeting in August to review the conference and trade show schedule and coordinate all the particulars. If any member of the TTA has any questions, feel free to contact a board member by email or phone, and let us know what you’re thinking. The TTA welcomes any comment or insight that its members may offer to make the association better for all of us. I hope the rest of your summer is a healthy and prosperous one! Sincerely, Jay Willis TTA President
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
Tennessee Turfgrass is the official publication of The Tennessee Turfgrass Association 400 Franklin Road Franklin, Tennessee 37069 (615) 591-8286 tnturfgrassassn@aol.com www.ttaonline.org Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax (615) 794-4524 Email:info@leadingedgecommunications.com Editor Mr. Bill Marbet TTA OFFICERS President Jay Willis Glen Eagle Golf Course (901) 508-1986 Vice President Bob McCurdy McCurdy Farms (731) 692-3515 Secretary/Treasurer Paul Carter Bear Trace at Harrison Bay (423) 344-6374 Past President Bob Hogan The Hogan Company (888) 224-6426 Executive Secretary Mr. Jim Uden (615) 591-8286 TTA 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. Joel Beckham Mr. Bob Elliott Mr. Doug Estes Mr. Thomas Garner Mr. Bill Marbet Mr. Scott McNeer Mr. Tommy Mittlesteadt Mr. Mitch Parker Mr. Chris Simon Mr. Doug Ward Mr. Sean VanHoose TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mr. Bill Blackburn Mr. Lynn Ray Mr. Jeff Rumph Dr. Tom Samples Dr. Dennis Shepard Dr. John Sorochan
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 Š2010 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 Nashville, 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, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.
FROM THE TVSTMA PRESIDENT Theo Lankford
Fabulous OPPORTUNITIES
for Information and Fellowship
AT TVSTMA FIELD DAYS ello again, everyone! I hope everyone is doing well! With the economy in somewhat of a comeback, I hope most of you are able to work with a little more ease. For you salespeople out there, I hope sales are being made. I can’t express how much I enjoy seeing and talking with everyone at our field days. If you have not been to a TVSTMA field day, I encourage you to attend one. You can see a full schedule of events at our web page at www.TVSTMA.com. Our final field day for 2010 will be held on October 13 at Ensworth High School in Nashville. For those of you who made it to our Lower East Tennessee Field Day at Lee University, I know you had a great time. For those of you who could not come, you really missed out! We had a great education session from our speaker, Dr. Jim Brosnan (from The University of Tennessee), who presented information on ryegrass removal with new chemicals and how they performed in trials. Dr. Frank Hale (also from UT) filled in for Dr. Alan Windham, who was under the
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weather. Dr. Hale gave us some insight on insect control. Also, Larry Berry, the head grounds keeper for Lee University, brought us up to speed on recent maintenance of the athletic fields there on campus. Before lunch, we had time with our vendors who were in attendance and got a chance to see some of their new products. After lunch, we had a short tour of some of Lee University’s athletic fields and saw what real traffic on turf looks like. I’d like to give a special thanks to our sponsors — without your help, these field days would not be possible. Anyone who is interested in running for an officer position with the TVSTMA, now is the time to turn your name in. You can contact me or any other officer. Until the next issue of Tennessee Turfgrass, when I will give an update on our Upper East Tennessee Field Day, stay cool!
Theo Lankford 2010 TVSTMA President
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
NEWS FROM THE TTA
ave you ever regretted lending your copy of the Tennessee Turfgrass to someone when he or she didn’t return it? Have you ever wanted to find a past article but had no idea how to find the right issue? Now, you can lend your print edition with abandon, and quickly find that elusive article, because it’s a new day for Tennessee Turfgrass — we’ve gone online! We’ll give you a quick walk-through to get you started.
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Accessing the online Tennessee Turfgrass To access the current issue of Tennessee Turfgrass, go to www.ttaonline.org, and click the magazine button on the main menu on the left-hand side. On the Magazine page, click the link to view the current issue, and Tennessee Turfgrass opens in a new tab (if you’re using a tabbed browser).
Figure 1
• The small left and right arrows open the front and back of Tennessee Turfgrass, respectively. • The large left and right arrows advance one page at a time, backward and forward, respectively. • The box in the middle displays the current page numbers. Along the top, you’ll find a menu of navigation icons (see Figure 2).
Navigating the online Tennessee Turfgrass To browse through the pages, click the top or bottom left or right corner of the “page.” You can also use the buttons at the bottom to navigate the pages of the magazine (Figure 1). 10
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
Figure 2
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
Each icon opens a window superimposed over the current page. Some windows contain a scroll bar on the right side of the window. Use the scroll bar to navigate to content that is currently out of view. To close the window and return to the previous page, click Close.
Opens a print window. Click the thumbnail of the page(s) you want to print. To remove a page from the print queue, click the thumbnail(s) a second time. After selecting pages to print, click Print at the bottom of the window, or click Cancel to return to the previous page. Opens an email box where you can email a link to the current issue of Tennessee Turfgrass or a link to the current page and include an optional message.
Opens the Table of Contents. Click a title to view the feature or department.
The bookmark feature is under construction, but in the future, you will be able to bookmark portions of Tennessee Turfgrass that you would like to come back to visit.
Opens a page of thumbnails. Click the page you want to view. Use the arrows on the left and right to view more thumbnails.
Opens a download box, allowing you to download a PDF of the current issue.
Opens a thumbnail list of archived Tennessee Turfgrass. Click the thumbnail of Tennessee Turfgrass that you wish to view. Opens a window with a list of advertisers. Click an advertiser to go directly to their ad in that issue. Opens a control panel where you set viewing preferences for this session.
Opens a search window where you can search through the current issue or all archived issues. Opens a help window.
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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NEWS FROM THE TTA TTA Announces New Award for
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ave you — or has a fellow TTA member that you know — helped make the environment better for everyone? The TTA board of directors would really like to know about it! For the first time ever, a special TTA award will be presented at the 2011 TTA Conference — the TTA Environmental Stewardship Award. TTA members from all industry segment — golf, sports turf, lawn/landscape, sod, education, vendor/supplier — are eligible for nomination. To nominate yourself or other TTA members, simply contact a TTA board member (see page 7, and then check your 2010 TTA Resource Guide/membership directory for contact details) with information about the environmental project undertaken and/or completed. Nominations will be presented to the TTA board of directors for consideration, and the winner will be announced in January at the Conference.
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Additions to 2010 TTA RESOURCE GUIDE/MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY TTA members were inadvertently omitted from the 2010 Resource Guide. Please make a note in your copy and add these two members to the following pages:
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Add to page 16 & 18 — Lynn Rushing The Pond Lady 5196 Shephard Lane Lexington, KY 40515-8534 Work: (859) 278-7663 Fax: (859) 278-3656 lynn@thepondlady.com
Add to page 17 & 18 — Bobby Winstead Winstead Turf Farms 8601 Highway 70 Arlington, TN 38002 Work: (901) 867-8116 Fax: (901) 867-0232 bkrswin@aol.com
Who Would You Select As TTA Professional of the Year? you know an outstanding turfgrass professional in Tennessee who deserves the recognition of his or her peers? If so, now’s the time to let the TTA know who you believe should receive one of the association’s highest honors — the TTA Professional of the Year Award — at the TTA Annual Conference and Tradeshow this coming January. Please take a moment to mail in the nomination form below. Nominees will be reviewed by the TTA Awards & Scholarship Committee, which will make a recommendation for approval by the TTA Board of Directors. Nominations must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2010.
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TTA Professional of the Year Nomination Form Person Being Nominated: __________________________________________________________________________________ Person Making the Nomination: ______________________________________________________________________________ Reason for Nomination: ____________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nominations must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2010. Please mail nominations to: Tennessee Turfgrass Association 400 Franklin Road Franklin, TN 37069 12
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
COVER STORY
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
CONTINUED
By Adam Thoms, Ph.D. Candidate; Jim Brosnan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor; and John Sorochan, Ph.D. Associate Professor; The University of Tennessee
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nferior surface quality on an athletic field can jeopardize not only the integrity of the game, but also the safety of the players. Player safety is a pertinent issue to everyone involved in athletics, as over 3.5 million children are injured annually during competition, with these injuries costing the public over $49 billion a year. While injury rates have been reported to vary by sport, the National Safe Kids Coalition has stated that over half of these injuries are preventable. One method of prevention is to improve the condition of the playing surface. Reportedly, over 20 percent of injuries suffered on high school football fields are likely surface related. Many other epidemiological studies have reaffirmed this theory. One such study determined that the condition of the playing surface was the key risk factor in determining the frequency of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in Australian Rules Football, with more ACL injuries occurring on drier playing surfaces.
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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COVER STORY
Photo 1: This baseball cleat is designed to reduce vertical ground reaction force (VGRF).
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
CONTINUED Although epidemiological studies have established relationships between surface conditions and injury incidence, more detailed information is needed. Turf managers, coaches, athletic trainers and players, for example, will all agree that an athlete’s likelihood of suffering an injury increases as the playing surface becomes harder and more compacted. We also know, however, that as fields become softer, traction can decrease, leading to poor performance. Despite these associations, the research community has not collected enough data to determine the specific point at which a field classifies as “too hard” or “too soft.” While researchers are diligently working on this issue, it is important for everyone involved in athletics to have a working knowledge of what types of injuries an athlete can suffer and the potential role that playing-surface conditions play in increasing or decreasing the likelihood of these injuries occurring. This knowledge not only improves professionalism, but it also fosters communication between turf managers, coaches and trainers, who all share the common goal of keeping players safe and healthy.
injuries, so the goal of all athletic field managers is to limit non-contact injuries resulting from a player’s interaction with the playing surface.
Ground-reaction force Force is the product of mass times acceleration. When athletes run, they generate force due to the fact that their
Types of injuries Injuries suffered by athletes can be either acute or chronic in nature. Acute injuries occur suddenly, while chronic injuries develop slowly over time. A broken arm would be classified as an acute injury, while delayed onset muscle soreness (DOSM) would be considered a chronic injury. Each type of injury can be either contact or non-contact in nature. Contact injuries are the result of a player’s body being struck by an external force, which is usually generated by contacting another player or piece of equipment. Non-contact injuries are the result of internal forces generated during an athletic maneuver. Rules of the game and players’ actions often dictate contact
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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COVER STORY mass is fixed and they accelerate while running. Each time an athlete’s foot strikes the surface, his or her body is subjected to another force, called vertical ground reaction force (VGRF), which balances the force generated during a running (or walking) stride. VGRF can range from three to five times an athlete’s body weight. VGRF can cause an eccentric contraction of the quadriceps muscles, which can lead to the muscle-fiber damage associated with chronic, over-use injuries. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are arguably the most well known, and most debilitating, ailment suffered by athletes. Each year, 100,000 people in the U.S. suffer ACL injuries, of which a significant percentage classify as sports related. Statistics show that over 72% of these injuries are non-
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contact in nature. Numerous experts in sports medicine have suggested that VGRF-induced contractions of the quadricep’s muscles reposition the femur (the bone above the knee) relative to the tibia (the bone below the knee) in a manner that strains the ligament to the point of potential rupture.
Changing VGRF Playing surface hardness can affect the degree of VGRF that an athlete is subjected to during competition. Softer surfaces absorb more of the force generated during footstrike, leading to less VGRF being placed back on the athlete. Consequently, athletes using these surfaces will be less likely to suffer non-contact injuries. On natural-turfgrass fields, hollowtine aerification, topdressing, proper
fertility and regular irrigation can reduce surface hardness and, theoretically, VGRF. The Clegg Soil Impact Tester (made by Lafayette Instruments in West Lafayette, IN; www.lafayetteclegg.com) can be used to monitor the hardness of natural-turfgrass athletic fields. Every athletic program should regularly use this simple, portable device.
On the other hand… Surfaces can become excessively soft, which can also lead to injuries. Consider the center of a natural-turf football field during a rainy game at the end of the season. Often, turf has worn away in this area to the point that athletes are competing on muddy, wet soil. While the amount of VGRF generated on this type of surface will be low, athletes can be injured on these surfaces due to the
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
reductions in traction and surface stability associated with excessively wet soils. Increases in traction have also been associated with lower-body injury incidence. Excessive traction can lead to a phenomenon termed “foot fixation,” where an athlete’s shoe becomes fixed to the playing surface during an athletic maneuver. This fixation leads to stress being placed on the lower limbs.
The importance of cleat selection Cleat selection is an integral part of preventing injuries. Newer shoe technology has led to changes in heal designs that reduce VGRF (Photo 1, page 16). However, when selecting the correct cleats for an athlete, the shape and configuration of the studs on the shoe sole are critical. Research has shown that cuboid-shaped studs can produce 20% more traction force than cylindrical-shaped studs. This force has the potential to increase injury incidence. Athletes wearing cleats with a peripheral stud orientation also suffer more injuries. Players wearing shoes with shorter studs, though, have been found to suffer fewer injuries than those wearing longer studs.
Conclusion Multiple factors affect an athlete’s likelihood of suffering a non-contact injury. These factors include (but are not limited to) the athlete’s gender, physical stature and level of fitness and level of fatigue at the time of injury, as well as the type of maneuver made when the injury occurred, the type of cleat selected for competition and the condition of the playing surface. Turf managers will agree that several factors affect the condition of a playing surface, all of which may vary as weather and environmental conditions change. This complexity renders developing a model to predict injury incidence extremely complicated. Research at The University of Tennessee will continue to investigate strategies to improve playingsurface conditions and reduce athleticinjury incidence.
THEY WERE RIGHT. small town. BIG CREATIVE
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
CONTINUED By Wayne Ducote, Senior Sales Specialist, BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals
golf course superintendents, the battle against fungal diseases that attack and destroy turfgrass is never-ending. While today’s science has produced many fungicides designed to prevent and cure outbreaks of the most-damaging turf diseases, superintendents need to both properly choose the correct fungicide for a particular pathogen and then properly apply that fungicide. Superintendents with the healthiest, disease-free turfgrass are those who have developed a comprehensive strategy to protect their turf, including cultural controls, proper fertility and a fungicide application and rotation program to prevent disease resistance. Such a strategy increases the chances for successfully keeping disease outbreaks at bay and decreases the likelihood of future flare-ups.
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Understand the challenges More than 20 known fungal diseases attack turf, degrading its density, color and overall health. Some of the most common — and toughest to control — turfgrass diseases in the Tennessee area include: • dollar spot • brown patch • Pythium blight • gray leaf spot • anthracnose • take-all patch • summer patch Cultural controls and proper fungicide use are vital for helping maintain turf health and reducing plant stress. This wellrounded approach is critical for managing golf course turf, especially on greens.
Greens are the areas most closely scrutinized and most susceptible to damage, primarily due to the diseasecausing challenges placed upon the turf by regular, short mowing heights (1/8" or less), heavy traffic and the low disease resistance of grass species adapted to the environment. Given these disease-favoring conditions, golf course superintendents who take the time to understand the conditions that lead to turf ailments and disease mode of action will have a greater chance at successfully preventing disease. With knowledge in hand, superintendents can be better prepared to make superior choices when it comes to managing cultural controls, determining fungicide selection and calculating proper application timing and techniques.
Create a turfmanagement plan Any good turf-management plan for combating fungal diseases should include strategies that mix both chemical and cultural controls to help balance the effect on people, the environment and the turf. When developing a program, superintendents should consider their plan as a “work in progress,” using several different, varying methods to promote long-term health. Key strategies to consider include the following.
Develop a base of knowledge. Through building reference resources, superintendents will have a better understanding of key grasses, the pests that attack them and conditions that favor disease development. Common sources of knowledge might include fellow
superintendents and university researchers, professors and Extension specialists, as well product distributors and manufacturers, all of whom can provide a wealth of knowledge and background to help develop a successful strategy. Additionally, many university Extension offices, distributors and manufacturers have developed websites that house their many published research reports, informational articles, application guides and product labels. For instance, the University of Tennessees’ turfgrass website can be accessed at tennesseeturf.utk.edu (no www. before the address).
Develop a plan. Create a written plan outlining key tasks, overall plan purpose and the seasonal timing for both chemical and cultural controls. Having a written plan can help superintendents and staff to identify priorities and concerns at distinct times, helping keep management efforts on track.
Rely on cultural practices. With rising disease resistance, ecological concerns and the need to manage time and money more effectively, the benefits from cultural practices to develop healthy turf should always be considered as a key part of an overall disease program. While cultural practices are not a quick fix, the long-term benefits of proper cultural turf care can help keep devastating outbreaks at bay.
Regularly scout your turf. During daily course drives, pay particular attention to trouble areas, and monitor the environmental conditions
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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TURF TIPS that can lead to disease, so that disease onset can be predicted and managed before reaching an epidemic stage. Maintaining a course map or diagram annotated with problem-prone areas can help provide a visual reminder of symptoms and areas to monitor.
Maintain a log. Keeping a record of turf conditions, weather, course activity, disease occurrence, the actions taken and the results of those actions can assist in building a plan and furthering success in disease prevention.
Do your own research.
Contact fungicides In order to protect turf, contact fungicides must cover the plant surfaces before fungi attack. If the target fungi attack the leaves, it is easy to apply a contact fungicide to the leaves; but as the leaves grow, new leaf tissue is exposed and unprotected. In order to maintain protection, frequent application is necessary. In the spring, this could be as often as every week. If the fungi attack the crown, rhizomes, stolons or roots, similar challenges are encountered, but they are further complicated by the fact that the soil and organic matter surrounding the plant will filter and bind many chemicals to their surfaces.
Select locations on the golf course where you can make product comparisons and create your own test plots. Evaluate cultural practices such as removing dew before spraying versus not removing dew. Test other factors that may impact product performance.
Local penetrant fungicides
Choosing the correct products and preventing resistance
Systemic fungicides
Choosing a fungicide that is effective against the fungus causing the disease in your turf is a critical first step, as products are not equally effective against all fungi. Knowing the benefits and effects of a diverse range of fungicide products is important, because relying on a single product or type of fungicide can spur the development of areas that resist fungicides, which is an increasingly common trait amongst fungal diseases. To maintain effectiveness, consider rotating fungicide products as part of an overall diseasecontrol program. Additionally, it is very important to maintain a log of the effectiveness of fungicides for your particular turf against prevalent turf diseases in your region. Fungicides are characterized as contacts, local penetrants or systemics in the way they move about in the turfgrass. All three types have their advantages and disadvantages, and a balance of all three is needed for a comprehensive disease control program.
Local penetrants move into the plant, but they have limited movement once inside the plant. However, they are effective at providing protection to areas of the turf that are not sprayed.
Once applied to the turf, systemic fungicides are able to “move� within the plant. Because the application, delivery and incorporation of fungicides play a major part in ensuring proper coverage and protection, systemic fungicides have the added advantage of making themselves present throughout the plant.
Proper application is key Many times, the efficacy of a fungicide has more to do with the timing of its application than any other factor. As a general rule, preventive applications of fungicides generally have the greatest success against turf loss. This rule is especially true for root and crown diseases such as brown patch and pythium, where disease is not easily seen until foliage is affected by damage caused at the plant’s lower extremities. Preventive fungicide applications in the fall and spring can help reduce the amount of pathogens before the arrival of conditions favorable to the onset of such maladies. At the same time, seasonal
CONTINUED applications of fungicide can help give the turf time to grow and become stronger. Applying fungicide before infection occurs is key because once a turf area is infected, it becomes stressed, meaning that some degree of loss will almost certainly occur, regardless of how quickly superintendents react to the outbreak. In addition to treating turf at the appropriate times, applying fungicide in correct quantities at the appropriate target location is also critical to success. Flatfan nozzles spaced on 20" centers and placement of spray booms at 16" aboveground height have been shown to help provide excellent coverage and overlap. The most common problem related to poor application is caused by improper spray-nozzle selection. Selecting the proper nozzle type — which controls spray droplet size — is an important management decision, because the size of a spray droplet can have a direct influence on the efficacy Brown Patch
TURF TIPS of chemicals applied. As an example, if the average diameter of a droplet is reduced to half its original size, eight times as many droplets can be produced from the same flow, so a nozzle that produces small droplets can theoretically cover a greater area with a given flow. It is important to note, however, that extremely small droplets may not be able to deliver fungicides on target, because factors such as relative humidity and wind speed can affect the application accuracy of small droplets. As a general rule, flat-fan nozzles are the preferred nozzles for use when treating for foliar diseases (such as dollar spot) where the active ingredient should be concentrated at the turf canopy. When treating for diseases that attack the crowns and roots (such as summer patch, anthracnose and pythium), fungicide needs to be delivered below the turf’s foliage.
While leaf wetness is less of a problem with systemic fungicides, efficacy is only possible with contact fungicides when the active ingredient comes in contact with the affected area. To help keep fungicides on target (especially contacts), applications should be made when the turf is dry, not dew-covered, and sprayer water volumes should be appropriate for the chemistry being applied. In areas where there is poor irrigation-water quality, the use of buffering agents may be necessary to correct extreme pH levels or water hardness to ensure that they do not hinder the active ingredient’s effectiveness. Before considering the addition of buffering agents, read the label and consult with your local manufacturer or dealer sales representative to understand how your current water quality and how changing that water quality will affect the product that you are applying.
Know your turf and its enemies There is no “universal program” available when it comes to preventing turf diseases and maximizing the effectiveness of fungicides. Therefore, superintendents need to consider many factors, including turfgrass species, disease type and persistence, cultural controls, fungicide spectrum of control, efficacy and length of control and environmental concerns. By understanding the challenges associated with turf diseases and how today’s modern chemistry helps support cultural control measures, superintendents will be able to best develop their individual, supporting fungicide program that considers the best products to use and the appropriate timing and application practices to ensure the greatest success in protecting turfgrass against fungal diseases.
CONTINUED
Summer Patch
APPLIED RESEARCH aintaining cool-season turfgrasses in shaded areas is one of the most challenging aspects of turf management. The shaded microenvironment is considerably different than what is found where turf is exposed to sun. Shaded turf, especially on putting greens, has reduced airflow that promotes higher humidity levels. Besides increased soil moisture, the high humidity reduces the evapotranspiration (ET) rate of the turf. Thus, the cooling effect is minimized. Morphologically, shade results in (1) reduced stem and root growth, (2) reduced tillering, (3) poor shoot density and (4) thinner, more delicate leaf blades prone to mechanical injury and disease infection. Over the last decade, we have tried to better understand the impact of low light conditions on turf from a molecular to a whole plant level, with the purpose of developing management practices that will better help maintain turf in shade. One of the studies we have conducted over the last few years is looking at the impact that potential turf products have on creeping bentgrass health in shade.
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2. Photo 1: Cross-section of a creeping bentgrass leaf maintained under shaded conditions. Photo 2: Cross-section of a creeping bentgrass leaf treated with Signature under shaded conditions. 30
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Our research In 2008 and 2009, we set up a study on a two-yearold stand of creeping bentgrass turf mowed at 0.5 inches (1.25 cm) under heavily shaded conditions. The treatments — Aliette® and Signature® — were applied at 4 oz./1,000 ft2 each on a 2-week schedule starting in mid-May and terminating mid-August. What we found is rather striking. In the control or untreated photograph (Photo 1), the leaf cells are typical of the response you would expect under low light conditions — thin cell walls, poor structure and gaps among the cells. In the Signature-treated plants, however, the leaf cross-sections look like the type of cells that you would find under full sun conditions (Photo 2). It appears, at this time in the study, that repeated applications of Signature impacts positively the morphological characteristics of the plant, maybe making it more stress tolerant. We are continuing this study to further evaluate any visual impact of morphological changes, primarily turf quality and disease susceptibility. Photos 3 and 4. The study site is under intensive shade conditions both in the morning (Photo 3) and afternoon (Photo 4).
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NEWS FROM UT The University of Tennessee and AstroTurf® Break Ground on the
Research Center for Safer Athletic Fields ignifying a new era in athletic-field research focused on injury prevention, The University of Tennessee and AstroTurf® broke ground on June 18 on the Center for Safer Athletic Fields. The center is a comprehensive research initiative to improve athletic performance and reduce injuries that can occur on both natural and synthetic turf playing surfaces. Ceremonies were held at the research site located at the UT Institute of Agriculture’s East Tennessee Research and Education Center in Knoxville, Tenn. “Possessing all facets of synthetic-turf manufacturing from polymer development
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to field installation, AstroTurf® is an integral research partner,” explained Jim Brosnan, Ph.D., assistant professor of Plant Sciences at the UT Institute of Agriculture and research co-investigator. “We needed to work with a company that can use our research findings to advance the products installed in stadiums across the globe. It is our hope that comparing natural and synthetic turf surfaces to this scale will allow for fields to be safer at all levels of play.” Bryan Peeples, president of AstroTurf, added, “Ensuring the highest standards for athletic field safety and outstanding performance is our top priority. Advanc-
ing the science behind injury prevention helps athletes of all ages and the sports turf industry overall.” During the groundbreaking ceremonies, special guest Eric Berry, former Tennessee Volunteer and first-round NFL pick for the Kansas City Chiefs, discussed the importance of the initiative. “Reducing playing field injuries keeps professional and student athletes in the game longer,” said Berry. “When I heard AstroTurf® was launching this program with my alma mater, I definitely wanted to attend, in light of my commitment to player safety.”
A game-changing initiative
Pictured from left: Dr. Caula Beyl, dean, UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; Andy Belles, AstroTurf® brand manager; Dr. Jim Brosnan, assistant professor, UT Department of Plant Sciences; Jim Prettyman, AstroTurf® chief operating officer; Dr. Bob Auge, department head, UT Plant Sciences; Eric Berry, former Tennessee Volunteer and first-round draft pick for the Kansas City Chiefs; Bobby Simpson, director, East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center; James Berry, Eric’s father; Dr. John Sorochan, associate professor, UT Department of Plant Sciences; Buddy Mitchell, associate vice president, UT Institute of Agriculture; and Dr. Bill Brown, dean, UT AgResearch. 32
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The Center for Safer Athletic Fields aims to make a long-term difference. While determining the safety and performance of AstroTurf® products compared to various natural-turfgrass systems, UT turfgrass scientists will also monitor these relationships over time. Additionally, they will evaluate the environmental impacts of each system. The research should lead to the development of new, more accurate methods for testing the safety and performance of all synthetic turf systems. Initial research will start as soon as fall 2010, and the center will be fully operational by 2011. Natural surfaces will be planted with bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass and others. Both mechanical and human studies will be performed to create “real play” conditions. The research will be scientifically based for statistical analysis. In addition, the geographic location of the site will enable scientists to conduct research on a variety of surfaces from both cool- and warm-season climates. The unique outdoor research facility will comprise 60 small-scale athletic research fields constructed from a variety
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
CONTINUED of playing surfaces. UT turfgrass scientists will compare the safety and performance of synthetic playing surfaces to natural grass surfaces. Field qualities will range from those employed for professional–level sports to surfaces used by schools, public parks and recreation fields. “This has been a lifelong dream for both me and my colleague, Dr. Jim Brosnan,” said John Sorochan, Ph.D., associate professor in Plant Sciences at the UT Institute of Agriculture and research coinvestigator. “As graduate students, we both focused our research on improving athletic fields for all levels of play. It is especially rewarding to have the support of highprofile athletes like Eric Berry who share our vision for safer playing surfaces.” The UT Center for Safer Athletic Fields will also further education for University of Tennessee students, enabling UT Plant Sciences faculty to add another level to the curriculum to train and educate future sports turf practitioners.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER 13 Middle Tennessee GCSA Meeting
OCTOBER 13 TVSTMA Middle Tennessee Field Day
NOVEMBER 9 Middle Tennessee GCSA Meeting
Montgomery Bell GC Burns, TN
Ensworth High School Nashville, TN
Hermitage GC Old Hickory, TN
SEPTEMBER 16 University of Tennessee Turfgrass Field Day
OCTOBER 18 Memphis Area GCSA Meeting
NOVEMBER 11 Memphis Area GCSA Meeting
University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN
Fair Oaks GC Oakland, TN
Chickasaw CC Memphis, TN
SEPTEMBER 20 Memphis Area GCSA Scholarship & Research Tournament
OCTOBER 28 – 30 Green Industry & Equipment Expo
JANUARY 5 – 7, 2011 45th Annual TTA Conference & Trade Show
Spring Creek Ranch Collierville, TN
OCTOBER 5 East Tennessee GCSA Scholarship & Research Tournament Cleveland CC Cleveland, TN
Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY
Marriott Cool Springs Franklin, TN
NOVEMBER 1 Middle Tennessee GCSA Scholarship & Research Tournament
Correction to June/July Issue In the previous issue of Tennessee Turfgrass, the incorrect dealer/ sales representative for Tennessee was listed in an ad for JRM, Inc. We regret the error and have listed the correct information below. Please make this correction to page 11.
Tennessee Turf Products Tom Sherrill 901-620-8867 ghx131@gmail.com
Westhaven CC Franklin, TN
ADVERTISERS Barenbrug USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 www.barusa.com
JRM, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 www.jrmonline.com
Texas Sod Leasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 www.texassod.com
Covermaster, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 www.covermaster.com
Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 www.midtennturf.com
The Pond Lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 www.thepondlady.com
Dickens Turf & Landscape Supply . . . . . . . . . .9 www.dickenssupply.com
Modern Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 www.modernturf.com
The Turfgrass Group . . . . .13, Inside Back Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com
Ewing Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 www.ewing1.com
Oldham Chemicals Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 www.oldhamchem.com
Turf Mountain Sod, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 www.turfmountain.com
Gowan Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 www.gowanco.com
Quali-Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover www.quali-pro.com
Turfgrass America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 www.turfgrassamerica.com
Graham Lawn Equipment, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 www.grahamlawnequipment.net
Sigma Organics, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 www.sigmaturf.com
U.S. Chemical Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 www.uschemicalstorage.com
Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 www.johndeere.com
Sur-Line Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Winstead Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 www.winsteadturf.com
Harrell’s Custom Fertilizer . . . . . . . . .Back Cover www.harrells.com John Deere Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 www.johndeerelandscapes.com
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Syngenta Turf & Ornamental . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com
Wood Bay Turf Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 www.woodbayturftech.com
Tennessee 811 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 www.tennessee811.com
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com