Tennessee Turfgrass - August / September 2013 by leadingedgepubs

August/September 2013

Mobile Weed Manual:

A New Resource for Managers of Turf and Ornamentals

Understanding Researchâ&#x20AC;Ś Sifting Through the Data

Professionalism and the Turfgrass Manager

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

TABLE OF CONTENTS

August/September 2013

FEATURED ARTICLES

Upcoming Event —

Cover Story —

22 26

Applied Research —

University of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Field Day, September 12 in Knoxville

Mobile Weed Manual: A New Resource for Managers of Turf and Ornamentals

Understanding Research… Sifting Through the Data

Career Enhancement — Professionalism and the Turfgrass Manager

DEPARTMENTS From the TTA President, Bob McCurdy

From the TVSTMA President, Wayne Treadway

From the MACSA President, Nathan Sullivan

News from TTA — Call for Nominations

Index of Advertisers

Calendar of Events

From the TTA President Bob McCurdy

Why Do They Call It a

Field Day?

hen my daughter was in the second grade, her teacher sent home a note declaring that the following Friday would be the School Field Day. Having grown up on the farm, Liz’s thoughts of a Field Day revolved around pulling weeds, stacking sod or planting grass by hand. I could tell that she was troubled by the upcoming event, but she knew that the rest of her class of city kids was excited. The big day at the park finally arrived, and she went to school with hesitation. Later that afternoon, I asked her how her day went. With a grin, her response was, “Why do they call it a Field Day?” I’m like Liz. You would think that the UT Turf and Ornamental Field Day would be called anything but a Field Day. There are educational sessions on turfgrass cultivars and pest management. Experts offer tips for managing athletic fields and putting greens. This year, your Tennessee Turfgrass Association will even hold a raffle for an iPad and will operate a Plinko Game, WITH PRIZES! Needless to say, there will also be plenty of opportunities to network with turf professionals from all around the Southeast. All of this will take place at the East TN Ag Research and Education Center on the UT campus, on September 12, beginning at 8:30 a.m. You should also make your plans to join us for some social networking at Barley’s Tap Room & Pizzeria, located at 200 E. Jackson Avenue, in downtown Knoxville at 8:00 p.m. on September 11. With so much activity and education, I too wonder why we call it a “Field Day.”

Bob McCurdy

2012–2013 TTA President

Resource Guide Correction In our recent 2013 Resource Guide, the following TTA member was inadvertently left off of the membership list and the company contacts list. We regret the omission and apologize for any inconvenience.

Ralph Foley ReeCourse Golf, LLC 221 Stoners Glen Court Hermitage, TN 37076 (615) 885-1764 ralphfoley@gmail.com

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS August/September 2013 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@leadingedge communications.com Editor Dr. James Brosnan TTA OFFICERS President Bob McCurdy McCurdy Sod Farms (731) 692-3515 Vice President Paul Carter, CGCS Bear Trace at Harrison Bay (423) 344-6374 Secretary/Treasurer Theo Lankford Nashville Sports Leagues (615) 799-8664 Past President Jay Willis Glen Eagle Golf Course (901) 508-1986 Executive Secretary Jim Uden Tennessee Turfgrass Assn. (615) 591-8286 TTA 2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bob Elliott Thomas Garner Luke Hankins Cal Hill Joe Hill Robert A. Main, CGCS Bill Marbet Mitch Parker Jason Pooler Jason Sanderson Sean VanHoose Doug Ward TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Bill Blackburn Dr. Jim Brosnan Dr. Brandon Horvath Lynn Ray Jeff Rumph Dr. Tom Samples Dr. John Sorochan Dr. Wes Totten

From the T VSTMA President Wayne Treadway

Start with

Good Preparation

nother youth baseball season has come and gone. Football season is starting. No rest for the weary! I look back at the past season and think about what I can do better next year to make the field better. This past spring and early summer combined to create the worst growing season for bermudagrass I’ve experienced. We started with a wet cold spring that continued in east Tennessee through June. There was one silver lining, though. Irrigation was not needed. I wished I could have reversed the pumps and sucked some water out of the fields. When the growing season is not optimum, what can a turf manager do? My opinion is to make sure you have done the basic practices, which starts with good preparation. In the winter, make sure all of your equipment is working well, making repairs where needed. Sharpen mower blades, and adjust them to your preferred height. Also, in winter, take a soil test in all turf areas. It is hard to get where you want to be if you do not know where you’re starting. Soil tests will let you know what nutrients are needed, and if the test is conducted early enough, you can budget accordingly. Make sure the nutrient level is optimum to start the growing season. As the season begins, keep notes on problem areas. Are these areas caused by poor drainage, over-use, disease, low fertility or insects? This year, I had more problem areas than ever, primarily caused by low areas with poor drainage. I hope to correct these areas before the next season. One problem often causes other problems. My low, wet areas were susceptible to disease. Over-use, compaction and poor growing conditions kept the areas from recovering before July. Ample aeration

cannot be over-appreciated. Good airflow was a must this past growing season. Even if you haven’t yet needed to run irrigation, still make sure that all facets of the system work properly. Check pumps, lines, valves, controls, rotors and nozzles. I’ve learned that if any part of the system is faulty, the turf suffers. Another area of preparation is education. Attend as many workshops and turfgrass meetings as possible. Learn what’s

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS August/September 2013 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

new in the turgrass industry. Share your experience with others, and learn from others, also. You may not be able to predict what the next turfgrass growing season will bring, but good basic preparation will make it easier to handle whatever problems do pop up.

Wayne Treadway

2012–2013 TVSTMA President

From the M AGCSA President Nathan Sullivan

Two Great

Events Ahead!

are quickly moving through the hot, humid summer months, and many of us are looking forward to the cooler days of fall soon to come. Summer 2013 has been somewhat unusual, seasonally speaking. If you are like me and have been at the same facility for several years, you have the opportunity to compare the progress, changes, etc., of your course year to year. I make comparisons such as: the greens were just a little better this year, the rough was cleaner than last year, and things seemed to dry out more in past years. In considering another comparison, I would like to see a show of hands that have experienced a July 4th week with the temperatures we recently experienced. I had prepared for a packed week of golfers, and as I started my morning ride, I made a quick U-turn and headed back to the office. I needed a pullover in July! That was truly something I may never experience again, but I will always remember being “chilled” on a July morning. I trust you feel as I do in that this year’s MAGCSA meeting schedule has included very educational and helpful topics for our members. As fall approaches, we are preparing for a new and exceptionally important event in our schedule for the season. September 9 is the date for our Scott McNeer Scholarship and Research Tournament, which will be held at Spring Creek Ranch. This tournament is greatly supported, and it enables us to prepare

for the next year. Without an event such as this one, we could not make the contributions we are committed to each year. In years past, we have been able to assist young students with scholarships and to proudly support local research programs from different universities. Thanks to all for the continued support and great tournament participation. Also, this year we have combined our 3rd Annual Bushwood Classic with a GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic Qualifier. This event will be held on October 15 at Mirimichi Golf Course. This is an opportunity for the MAGCSA to be represented in the 2014 GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic. All participants will be required to pay a $50 entry fee and must meet all GCSAA requirements to participate, including

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS August/September 2013 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

good standing with GCSAA and possessing an active USGA handicap. Participants will compete in both gross and net divisions, with winners of each division being awarded a $500 expense credit and paid entry into the 2014 GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic. Please mark your calendars for this opportunity to represent the MAGCSA. Again, we are looking forward to great days ahead, with exciting events still on the calendar for our association. Thanks to all our superintendents for their support this year by donating their time and facilities for meetings. Your support makes our association successful! Hope to see you at our upcoming events.

Nathan Sullivan 2013 MAGCSA President

Ne w s from TTA

Who Would You Select As

TTA Professional of the Year? Do

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 28, 2013.

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 28, 2013.

_____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS August/September 2013 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

Please send entries to: TTA Awards Program Paul L. Carter 8919 Harrison Bay Road Harrison, TN 37341 (423) 344-6374 paul.carter@tn.gov

2014 TTA Environmental Stewardship Award

The

Tennessee Turfgrass Association (TTA) would like to recognize outstanding contributions by individuals, organizations, businesses, educational institutions and agencies for successful projects or activities designed to improve the environment through wildlife-habitat preservation, water and resource conservation and reduction, and educational outreach. Through our Environmental Stewardship Award, we can create greater knowledge and awareness of environmental and conservation practices and projects by members of TTA who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to environmental protection and improvement. All entry materials must be submitted according to the procedures outlined below. The TTA Awards Committee, consisting of highly regarded TTA professionals, will independently judge the entries. The winner will be notified in November 2013, and the Environmental Stewardship Award will be presented at the TTA Awards Ceremony at the 2014 TTA Annual Conference.

Criteria for Consideration The following criteria must be met to submit for the TTA Environmental Stewardship Award:

• Property must be fully managed by an active and in-good-standing member of TTA. • Property must have been in use for at least two years. • All materials must be submitted in one application packet.

How to Apply In order to be considered for the TTA Environmental Stewardship Award, the following materials must be submitted to the TTA Awards Committee no later than October 28, 2013: 1. A type-written essay, no longer than one page in length, that includes the following information: • Name and location of the property • Name and contact information of the person in charge of the property • A detailed account of how the property has improved, protected and/or promoted environmental protection and conservation. The Awards Committee is looking for unique and innovative ways in which individuals have changed practices or programs on the property to either reduce the use of (and conserve) natural resources, improved or created natural habitats, or encouraged environmental awareness through outreach and education.

2. A minimum of two original photographs of the property, with captions. The committee encourages creative photos that show how actions and activities on the property have improved or benefitted the environment. Documentation of environmental certifications from Audubon International, The Groundwater Foundation or the Environmental Institute for Golf is encouraged. Materials prepared for education and outreach, as well as any published articles or case studies promoting environmental stewardship, are also encouraged. Photos of wildlife, unless unique in nature, should not be submitted.

All entries must be postmarked no later than October 28, 2013. Please send entries to: TTA Awards Program Paul L. Carter 8919 Harrison Bay Road Harrison, TN 37341 (423) 344-6374 paul.carter@tn.gov

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Ne w s from TTA

2014 TTA Golf Course of the Year Award

The

Tennessee Turfgrass Association (TTA) recognizes that golf course superintendents make personal and professional contributions to our industry and to the organizations/ golfers that they serve. Therefore, the TTA would like to distinguish golf courses across the state with the Golf Course of the Year Program. Through this program, we are able to greatly further one main element of our mission: To gain acknowledgement for the professionalism of our members. This year, based on the results of the judging, the following awards may be presented at the TTA Awards Ceremony at the TTA Annual Conference in January 2014: • TTA Private Golf Course of the Year • TTA Public Golf Course of the Year All entry materials must be submitted according to the procedures outlined below. The TTA Awards Committee, consisting of highly regarded TTA professionals, will independently judge the entries. Winners will be notified in November 2013.

Criteria for Consideration

How to Apply In order to be considered for the TTA Golf Course of the Year Awards Program, the following materials must be submitted to the TTA Awards Committee no later than October 28, 2013: 1. A type-written essay, no longer than one page in length, that includes the following information: • Name and location of the golf course • Level of play (i.e., private, public) • Name and contact information of the golf course superintendent • An explanation any special challenges faced by you and/or your team. These challenges may include funding, lack of labor, weather, drought, event preparations/conversions or anything else that you feel the Awards Committee should know about why this golf course should be recognized as Golf Course of the Year. Include anything unusual or new that you have done to overcome these challenges. The Awards Committee is looking for innovative solutions to turfgrassmanagement problems.

The following criteria must be met to submit for the TTA Golf Course of the Year Awards Program: • The golf course must have had two full seasons of play. • All materials must be submitted in one application packet.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS August/September 2013 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

2. A minimum of two original photographs of the golf course, with captions. The committee encourages creative photos — photos that show the versatility of the course, display unique characteristics of the course and show the crew’s unique talents. Focus on issues specific to your golf course that tell the story (issues such as drainage, environmental stewardship, weather, etc.). Do not simply provide “beauty shots” of the course, as they do not reflect the true struggles and triumphs of you and your crew.

All entries must be postmarked no later than October 28, 2013. Please send entries to: TTA Awards Program Paul L. Carter 8919 Harrison Bay Road Harrison, TN 37341 (423) 344-6374 paul.carter@tn.gov

2014 TTA Sports Field of the Year Award

The

Tennessee Turfgrass Association (TTA) recognizes that sports field managers make personal and professional contributions to our industry and to the organizations/athletes that they serve. Therefore, the TTA would like to distinguish athletic fields across the state with the Sports Field of the Year Program. Through this program, we are able to greatly further one main element of our mission: To gain acknowledgement for the professionalism of our members. This year, based on the results of the judging, the following awards may be presented at the TTA Awards Ceremony at the TTA Annual Conference in January 2014: • TTA Professional Sports Field of the Year • TTA Collegiate Sports Field of the Year • TTA High School Sports Field of the Year • TTA Municipal Sports Field of the Year All entry materials must be submitted according to the procedures outlined below. The TTA Awards Committee, consisting of highly regarded TTA professionals, will independently judge the entries. Winners will be notified in November 2013.

Criteria for Consideration The following criteria must be met to submit for the TTA Sports Field of the Year Awards Program: • For the purposes of this program, a “field” constitutes ONE natural grass playing surface. • A field must have had two full seasons of play (may be concurrent — i.e., football and soccer on the same field in the fall, etc.). • All materials must be submitted in one application packet.

How to Apply In order to be considered for the TTA Sports Field of the Year Awards Program, the following materials must be submitted to the TTA Awards Committee no later than October 28, 2013: 1. A type-written essay, no longer than one page in length, that includes the following information: • Name and location of the field • Level of play (i.e., professional, collegiate, high school – public, high school – private, municipal) • Name and contact information of the head turf manager

• An explanation any special challenges faced by you and/or your team. These challenges may include funding, lack of labor, weather, drought, event preparations/conversions or anything else that you feel the Awards Committee should know about why this sports field should be recognized as Field of the Year. Include anything unusual or new that you have done to overcome these challenges. The Awards Committee is looking for innovative solutions to playing-surface problems. 2. A minimum of two original photographs of the field, with captions. The committee encourages creative photos — photos that show the versatility of the field, display unique characteristics of the field and show the unique talents of the crew. Focus on issues specific to your field that tell the story (issues such as drainage, environmental stewardship, weather, etc.). Do not simply provide “beauty shots” of your field, as they do not reflect the true struggles and triumphs of you and your crew. T

All entries must be postmarked no later than October 28, 2013. Please send entries to: TTA Awards Program Paul L. Carter 8919 Harrison Bay Road Harrison, TN 37341 (423) 344-6374 paul.carter@tn.gov

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Upcom ing Event

University of Tennessee

Turf & Ornamental Field Day September 12, 2013

The

2013 UT Turf & Ornamental Field Day will be held September 12 at the East Tennessee Research and Education Center in Knoxville, TN. One of the largest and fastest-growing field day events in the United States, the event features current research on managing weeds, diseases and insect pests of warm- and cool-season turfgrasses, as well as strategies for maximizing the quality of athletic-field playing surfaces. For the second consecutive year, the event will also provide education on managing ornamental plants in landscape settings.

What’s new in 2013?

• Field demonstrations highlighting the latest green-industry technology for managing problematic weeds and diseases of both turf and ornamentals. • Step-by-step demonstrations of successful (and unsuccessful) approaches to renovating home lawns. • A session to assist professionals in communicating with Spanish-speaking employees. • Mobile Weed Manual: A new tool for managing weeds of turf and ornamentals, optimized for use on mobile devices such as iPhones, iPads, etc. • The latest information on maximizing the safety of natural and synthetic turf surfaces used on athletic fields. • Pulp Fiction: an interactive quiz where attendees will be asked to identify mistakes made in managing ornamental plantings.

• New information and plot demonstrations on ornamental grasses for Tennessee golf courses. • A lunchtime raffle to support the UT turfgrass program — featuring great prizes — sponsored by the Tennessee Turfgrass Assn.!

Numerous continuing education credits will be available!

• Tennessee attendees will earn SIX pesticide re-certification credits in categories C3, C6, C10, C12. • Pesticide re-certification credits for Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi attendees will also be provided. • A total of 0.55 continuing education points will be available for GCSAA members. • International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) continuing education credits are also available.

Pre-Field Day TTA Social September 11 • 8 p.m.

Barley’s Tap Room & Pizzeria 200 E. Jackson Ave. • Knoxville

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS August/September 2013 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

Field D ay Schedule 7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

New Bermudagrass Cultivars for Tennessee Athletic Fields

With coffee and donuts.

Kyley Dickson, Univ. of Tenn. Learn about the newest cultivars to optimize performance and minimize pest infestation.

Field Day Registration 8:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Welcome Addresses

Dr. Bobby Simpson, Director, AgResearch and Education Center Dr. Jim Brosnan, Associate Professor, UT Dept. of Plant Sciences Dr. Scott Senseman, Professor and Head, UT Dept. of Plant Sciences

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Each session will be repeated every 30 minutes throughout the morning. An air horn will be used to alert attendees when an new 30-minute seminar is starting.

Weed Management in Turf Dr. Jim Brosnan and Greg Breeden, Univ. of Tenn. Learn the latest strategies for managing weeds of warm- and cool-season turf on golf courses, athletic fields and home lawns.

Golf Course Disease Management Dr. Brandon Horvath, Jesse Benelli and David Shell, Univ. of Tenn. Learn the latest strategies for managing diseases of warm- and cool-season golf course turf.

Putting Green Mowing Technology to Minimize Pest Invasion Dr. John Sorochan, Univ. of Tenn. This session will demonstrate the latest in mowing technology for golf course putting greens.

Managing Synthetic and Natural-Turf Athletic Fields Adam Thoms and Eric Reasor, Univ. of Tenn. Learn to manage stress and pests of athletic-field turf to maximize field safety and playability.

Ornamental Grasses for Tennessee Turf Dr. Tom Samples and Johnny Parham, Univ. of Tenn. Learn about pest management for naturalized areas established with ornamental grasses.

New Technology for Managing Pests of Turf and Ornamentals Matt Elmore, Javier Vargas, Dr. Amy Fulcher and Dr. Bill Klingeman, Univ. of Tenn. Learn about new applications for mobile devices to assist in pest management.

Identifying Disease and Insect Pests of Turf and Ornamentals Dr. Frank Hale and Dr. Alan Windham, Univ. of Tenn. Learn to identify problematic pests of turf and ornamentals.

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch

Plus, the TTA Raffle to support the UT Turf Program!

Fall Is Turf Time in Tennessee Matt Elmore, Dr. Matt Cutulle, Dr. Tom Samples, Kyley Dickson and Eric Reasor, Univ. of Tenn. Learn correct chemical and cultural practices for renovation tall fescue lawns and optimizing growin using integrated pest-management techniques.

Pulp Fiction: Facts and Fiction Pertaining to Managing Ornamental Pests Dr. Amy Fulcher, Dr. Bill Klingeman, Whitney Yeary, Dr. Diana Cochran and Phil Flanagan, Univ. of Tenn. This interactive session will focus on pest management of common ornamental plants used throughout Tennessee.

Spanish for the Pest Management Professional Javier Vargas, Univ. of Tenn. Learn the basics of communicating pest management operations to Spanish-speaking employees. T

R egistration Categories/Fees Individuals Pre-registration by Aug. 29: $60 On-site registration: $75

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Each session will run the full two hours of this time slot, so select the one that will be most beneficial to you.

Weed Management in Turf and Ornamentals Dr. Jim Brosnan and Greg Breeden, Univ. of Tenn. The results from these field trials present new options for grassy and broadleaf weed control in turf and ornamental management.

Groups Pre-registration by Aug. 29: $60 for the first individual, $30 for additional individuals from the same company On-site registration: $75 for the first individual, $45 for additional individuals from the same company

UT Faculty, Staff or Student Free

Non-UT Student Pre-registration by Aug. 29: $10 On-site registration: $15

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Cover Stor y

Mobile Weed Manual: A New Resource for Managers of Turf and Ornamentals

By James T. Brosnan, Ph.D., and Greg K. Breeden, The University of Tennessee

erbicide selection is an important step in effectively managing weeds throughout the landscape. Individuals caring for warm- or cool-season turfgrasses and/or ornamental plants can face unique challenges in selecting herbicides for weed control. Weeds that persist in ornamental areas are often different from those found in turfgrass stands. Additionally, desirable ornamental plants found throughout the landscape can be quite diverse and thus exhibit variable tolerance to herbicide applications. Lastly, many herbicide products labeled for use in turfgrass are not labeled for use in ornamentals and vice-versa. All of these factors make the process of herbicide selection in turf and ornamentals quite challenging.

What is Mobile Weed Manual? The University of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Weed Science Team has developed a new resource to help green-industry professionals meet this challenge. Mobile Weed Manual is a new mobile website â&#x20AC;&#x201D;www.mobileweedmanual.com â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to help practitioners select herbicides for use in both turfgrass and ornamental areas (see Figure 1). The site contains weed-control efficacy data and turfgrass and ornamental tolerance information for over 2,300 different species, as well as labels for nearly 100 different herbicides, 18

all of which are optimized to be easily accessible from the palm of your hand.

How does Mobile Weed Manual work? Mobile Weed Manual will work on any mobile device (i.e., smartphone, tablet, etc.), regardless of manufacturer or operating system. Although the site will also function on a desktop or laptop computer, it was designed for use on devices with touchscreen capability. Mobile Weed Manual offers users three means of selecting herbicides for weed control (Figure 2).

Search by Herbicide This option is designed for individuals who are curious about which products are labeled for preemergence (PRE) or postemergence (POST) weed control in either turfgrass or ornamentals, regardless of species. How could this be useful? Select PRE herbicides for turf, and the site will list all active ingredients labeled for PRE weed control in turf. Interested in POST weed control in ornamentals? This function will populate a list of all products labeled for such use.

Search by Desirable Species This option is designed for individuals who need to know which herbicides are labeled for PRE and POST weed control

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS August/September 2013 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

Figure 1. Mobile Weed Manual

(www.mobileweedmanual.com) is a new turf and ornamental weedcontrol resource.

in or around the specific turf/ornamental species that they manage. For example, this option would allow a lawncare professional to view a list of all the herbicides labeled for PRE weed control in tall fescue turf or determine products labeled for POST weed control in a species of Liriope. The opportunities are endless.

Figure 2. Mobile Weed Manual

Figure 3. The “Search by Weed

Figure 4. The color-coding of

Figure 5. List of herbicides

provides three options for selecting herbicides.

Species” function.

Search by Weed Species This is the most powerful function of Mobile Weed Manual. This function allows user to select herbicides to control a specific weed that is growing in a particular species of turf or ornamental planting. The steps are simple (Figure 3): • Select a use area (i.e., turf or ornamentals). • Select an application timing (i.e., PRE or POST). • Select the desirable species (i.e., the type of turf or ornamental planting in which weed control is needed). • Select the weed type. • Select the specific weed to be controlled. These steps serve as filters to narrow down the 100 different herbicides and 2,300 different plant species to best fit the user’s situation. All of these filters must be completed for the site to function properly and provide correct herbicide recommendations. Users will be alerted in the event that they omit required information. The site will then display a list of herbicides labeled to control the weed selected. Herbicides are color coded by the level of control that can be expected by an application made, according to label directions (Figure 4). These rankings are based on the results of research trials conducted at the University of Tennessee. It is important to note that it is impossible to research the efficacy of every herbicide for control of every weed that could possibly invade a landscape. Thus, herbicides coded gray are labeled for control of the weed selected but have not been evaluated in research trials at the University of Tennessee (Figure 5). Users can select a particular product from the list to access additional information about how to best use this herbicide for weed management. Mobile Weed Manual will display a page that provides users information on the full array of turf and ornamental species listed on the product label, suggested application rates and remarks and precautions to adhere to before applying the product

herbicides corresponds to expected levels of control.

displayed from a Mobile Weed Manual search.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Cover Stor y

Figure 6. Additional information

Figure 7. Links to herbicide

Figure 8. Mobile Weed Manual

Figure 9. Support link for users

on a particular herbicide.

label and MSDS information.

(Figure 6). Lastly, this page will contain links to each product’s label and material safety data sheet (Figure 7). It is always the herbicide applicator’s responsibility, by law, to read and follow all current label directions for the specific herbicide being used.

How to Access Mobile Weed Manual Using the internet browser on any mobile device, simply visit www.mobileweed manual.com. We recommend that users bookmark the site and create a shortcut to it on their home screen (Figure 8). Directions on the Mobile Weed Manual home page can guide users through this simple process. Creating a shortcut on the home screen will facilitate faster access to Mobile Weed Manual content in the future. At the current time, Mobile Weed Manual is a free resource. Should users find value in the content provided, they can donate funding (in an amount of their choosing) to support the continued development of this new weed-control resource. Donations can be made by selecting the “Support” button on the Mobile Weed Manual main page (Figure 9).

Impact The University of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Weed Science Team hopes that Mobile Weed Manual becomes a valuable tool for all green-industry professionals. The site will be updated continually to expand the database of turf, ornamental and weed species information, as well as to include information on new herbicides entering the marketplace. Since debuting online in May 2013, the site has been used by individuals managing turf and ornamentals in all 50 U.S. states and 72 countries worldwide. Our hope is that Mobile Weed Manual use expands even further in the future. Please send any questions, concerns or comments about the Mobile Weed Manual to info@mobileweedmanual.com. Also, be sure to stay in touch with the University of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Weed Science Team at http://tennessee turfgrassweeds.org. T 20

shortcut on the bottom righthand side of the home screen on an iPhone.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS August/September 2013 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

interested in donating funding to support the continued development of Mobile Weed Manual.

Applied Research

… h c r a e s e R g n Understandi Si ft in g Th r o u g h th e D a ta By John Kaminski, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science, Penn State University

ithout research from university turfgrass programs, turf managers of all kinds would be at a huge disadvantage. Fewer new cultivars with improved performance would be developed, and information essential to managing turfgrass pests, using plant growth regulators, selecting the proper rootzone material, optimizing fertilizer applications and other vital issues would be limited or unavailable. The bottom line is that the turfgrass industry as a whole benefits from ongoing research, and advancements would not be possible without it. In an age of instant information shared via newsletters, blogs, Facebook and Twitter, however, we are often too impatient to wait for science to tell the full story, and instead we opt to hold faith in the word of others. Unfortunately, the purported success of a product is often attributed to the anecdotal findings of one or more people and not based on actual research results. That’s not to say that “perceived” benefits aren’t in fact true, but without sound scientific research, it’s impossible to say. Let’s take a look a closer look at some of the ways research is conducted and reported. Reported results may come

from anecdotal observations or sophisticated, controlled experiments. Regardless of what data you use to make your decision, it’s important to understand the differences in research methods, and it’s essential to understand how to critically review and interpret the results put in front of you.

Anecdotal Although often used as a basis for a product’s success, anecdotal information is simply a report or story from an individual or group. For example, a superintendent may attribute the success of the course’s healthy greens in a given year to his or her use of a new product. Unfortunately, many other factors (Mother Nature being a primary one) may have contributed to the improved turfgrass quality. Without a comparison, it’s impossible to determine the cause for the improved turf. Testimonials based on anecdotal reports are often used in advertising or promotion of a product. Such claims, however, can be accepted as truth only with the support of stronger evidence, usually scientific in nature. This doesn’t mean that the information isn’t true; it just means that it has not been proven or subjected to rigorous

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scientific analysis. Unfortunately, many companies have significantly larger advertising and marketing budgets than the funds they set aside for research.

The board method Although not considered a true scientific evaluation, using the board method can, at a minimum, help you see what would have happened had you not applied a specific product. This process simply involves spraying over a piece of plywood set on the ground. This untreated area can serve as a side-by-side comparison of the treated vs. untreated turfgrass. A great example of where this may be useful is in pest control. Let’s say that a superintendent switched to a new preventive fungicide for his anthracnose control this year and reported excellent control. My first question would immediately be,

Replication in a research trial is important in order to be able to determine true statistical differences among individual treatments based on experimental error.

“How severe was the disease pressure?” Without an area of turf left untreated, it’s impossible to attribute the reduction in disease symptoms to the fungicide application, since it may have simply been due to a lack of disease pressure this year versus last. Many golf course superintendents utilize this method to evaluate the efficacy of their applications.

Scientific research trials The true test of whether a product or method works is the conducting of one or many scientific experiments. A research program is generally a well-organized effort by a scientist and is designed to gain a better understanding about a specific subject. At Penn State, each faculty member has his or her own research program involving specific areas of emphasis (e.g., nutrition, soils, pathology,

weed control, etc.). The research conducted involves numerous experiments (sometimes spanning an entire career) conducted by the faculty with the help of graduate students, technicians and others. Experiments can be defined as “investigations that establish a particular set of circumstances under a specific protocol in order to observe and evaluate implications of the resulting observations” (Kuehl, 1994). A basic example of a comparative experiment would be the evaluation of various fungicides for the control of a specific disease. The individual fungicides included in the experiment serve as the treatments for comparison. An untreated control is also an essential component and serves as a standard to evaluate the efficacy of the fungicides evaluated. So, that’s it, right? We can just spray an area with a fungicide and call it science?

Not really. The details are a little more complicated than that and involve a better understanding of experimental error, research design and statistical analysis. Although I won’t go into too much detail regarding all of these factors, I do think that it’s important to at least touch on a few important components. Experimental error represents the “variation among identically and independently treated experimental units” (Kuehl, 1994). Using the comparison fungicide experiment example above, the experimental error would refer to differences in the percent anthracnose within individual plots (also known as a replication) treated with the same fungicide. These differences could be caused by a number of things, including: • Natural variation within the study area • Variability in measuring the response

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

App lied R esearch • Inability to reproduce treatment conditions from one plot to the next • Interaction of treatments and experimental units • ANY other outside factor that influences the study Using specific data from one of my disease trials last summer, I observed differences in dollar spot severity in my untreated plots, ranging from 151 to 221 infection centers (Figure 1, at right). Although the reported average on that rating date was 169, all data from the four replications of that treatment are needed in order to determine if significant differences exist among all treatments being evaluated. Why is this important? This is the primary way for you as the decisionmaker to determine whether one product is better than another. To explain this point, let’s use the following data from two disease studies at Penn State. Look at the level of dollar spot control shown in Figures 2 and 3, and decide which fungicide you think is providing the best control in each study. When you have decided, continue reading. Now for the answer. First, the figures are exactly the same. The only difference is that I rearranged the treatment names so that the data is associated with different fungicides. Using Figure 2 for reference, the fungicides providing the greatest dollar spot suppression (based on statistical analysis) are Fungicides 1, 2 AND 3. Due to the natural variation of dollar spot within the study area (refer to the discussion above and Fig. 1), statistically there is no difference in disease control between Fungicide 1 (<1 infection center on average per plot) and Fungicide 3 (an average of 21 infection centers per plot). The differences in the number of infection centers can’t be attributed to the fungicide treatment, but rather some other unknown factor. So, how are you supposed to know this? Let’s take a look at Figure 3. In this figure, we can see letters above the means for each fungicide. Any data you see in an advertisement or in a presentation should

CONTINUED

Figure 1. Natural variation in the level of disease within the study area can be seen in the number of dollar spot infection centers within each of the four untreated plots. All plots were treated exactly the same way (no fungicides, same cultural practices, etc.), but dollar spot infection centers ranged from 151 to 221 spots per plot.

Figure 3. Dollar spot severity in a fungicide trial conducted at Penn State in 2012 (Study II).

include some information that allows you to determine statistical differences among treatments. The letters that I used in the figure allow you to determine what those differences are. In this example, all fungicides labeled with the same letter are providing an equivalent level of dollar spot control. In this trial, the untreated control had the greatest number of dollar spot infection centers (DSIC). Fungicide 1 had significantly fewer DSIC than the untreated but significantly more DSIC than all other fungicide treatments. Fungicides 2, 3, 4 and 5 have varying levels of DSIC. Fungicide 5 provided a similar level of suppression as Fungicide 2 and 3, but signif-

Figure 2. Dollar spot severity in a fungicide trial conducted at Penn State in 2012 (Study I).

Data collection for research projects can be a tedious task, but precise and repeatable assessment techniques help improve the validity of the results.

icantly less than Fungicides 4 and 6. Fungicides 2 to 4 provided equivalent levels of control, as did Fungicides 3, 4 and 6. Fungicide 2, however, did not provide as much dollar spot suppression as Fungicide 6. Many would say that Fungicide 6 provided the best control of dollar spot, but this is incorrect. If you were looking for the “best” fungicides based on this data, you would select Fungicide 3, 4 or 6, which all provided a statistically similar level of disease suppression. These separations are based on the least significant difference (often referred to as the data’s LSD). The LSD for this data was 28.09 — therefore, ANY fungicide treatment

that had a mean number of infection centers within 28.09 of another treatment provided similar levels of dollar spot control.

Final thoughts I hope this information will help you better understand some of the fine details of conducting research and the reporting of results. Proper interpretation of data from research experiments will help you select products and implement cultural practices that are best for your turf and also your budget. Although interpreting data can be confusing at times, it is important to keep this information in mind so that you can make informed decisions based on the available research. T

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Career Enhancem ent

Professionalism and the

Turfgrass Manager By Michael Goatley Jr., Ph.D., Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Dept. of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech

was my privilege in 2012 to address two professional audiences in locations and settings that mean a great deal to me based on how my career as a university faculty member developed. In late May, I visited with the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association chapter at a meeting in Tuscaloosa where Gib Fox, the director of golf at Ole Colony Golf Course, was one of my Mississippi State students. I saw many of my former advisees in Tuscaloosa, and most university faculty members will tell you that one of the most rewarding aspects of being a university faculty member who works one on one with young people is having the opportunity to watch their growth, both professionally and personally. Then, in early June, I returned to my hometown of Springfield, Ken-

tucky, to address the Kentucky Sports Turf Managers Association chapter. The KSTMA executive secretary is now Dr. A.J. Powell Jr. (my advisor and mentor at the University of Kentucky), and their current president is Marcus Dean (sports turf supervisor at UK and, like me, a graduate of Washington County High School). Neither of these venues will mean that much on my annual evaluation, but they were very important for me, as they allowed me to say thanks, renew old acquaintances, make some new friends and, I hope, inspire another WCHS graduate to enter the world of turfgrass management. Plus, my dad (Mike Goatley Sr.) got to be in the audience in Kentucky and see first hand a little bit of what it is that I do in my job as an Extension turfgrass specialist at Virginia Tech.

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What made these talks a little different from others is that each had significant components of my “words of wisdom” outside the realm of turf (as I seem more prone to do, the older I get… my kids tell me this carries over into my parenting techniques, as well). For the KSTMA chapter meeting, my topic was entirely dedicated to professionalism. This is certainly not a typical subject for an agronomist, but it is one that I decided to tackle as an “I can do this” presentation. My wife, Lisa, is a licensed professional counselor, and she gives these types of talks all the time. She had a worksheet on professionalism already developed, but she encouraged me to ponder my own concepts of professionalism in our industry before reviewing her materials (her list is presented as the last part of this article).

So, here is Mike Goatley’s

top 10 list on

“Professionalism and the Turfgrass Manager”:

rofessionalism means P “giving your best.”

It doesn’t necessarily mean “being the best,” but instead it requires you to put your best effort into everything you do.

Be yourself.

It is pretty easy to spot a phony, and I think it is important to remain true to your identity, values, etc. There are times and places, though, where we must consider our surroundings and how we present ourselves and our opinions. I remember two quotes heard over the years: “You only get one chance to make a first impression,” and “It’s great to be yourself, as long as your self can pay the bills.”

Respect everyone.

Every person I encounter has skills, talents or knowledge that I don’t have, and there is always something to learn.

Professionals are good listeners.

Slow down, and L-I-S-T-E-N.

Try to keep “the job” away from home.

Find and/or make time to unwind from the stresses of your job somewhere away from your family.

Don’t be afraid to resolve conflicts.

Address problems promptly, rather than waiting for problems to take care of themselves.

stablish a reliable E network of professionals.

Keep growing that network — from within and outside your industry — as much as possible.

se professional terms U when speaking.

This goes a great way towards improving the perception of others regarding your profession and job. For instance, you are a “golf course superintendent,” not a “grass cutter.” You are a “sports turf manager,” not “the guy that drags the dirt.” Don’t hesitate to throw a little scientific terminology into the discussion when the opportunity presents.

Give something back.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be money (although there are some great initiatives to fund), as your time and attention to others are frequently more valuable than any financial contribution. I recall a homily at church given by our deacon (and professor of agriculture economics at Virginia Tech), Mike Ellerbrock, regarding paying your “social mortgage.” Deacon Mike’s point was that you should not feel guilty or the need to apologize for having a successful career, a great family, a nice home, etc. What you should try to do, however, is to find some way to make payments on your social mortgage by doing something beyond the minimum for your profession, your church, your community, etc. I am always asked, “So, Goatley, what is your social mortgage payment?” My wife and I teach sacramental preparation for the 2nd grade CCD class at St. Mary’s church. I used to think it was tough teaching college students, but I have learned otherwise. I have developed a whole new appreciation for grade-school teachers.

10.

Put your resources to work.

A lot of topics aren’t necessarily our favorites when it comes to paying attention: labor issues, budgetary issues, environmental issues, etc. Often, however, professionals within your organization are staying abreast of these topics for you.

My top 10 tips and thoughts on professionalism are certainly in no particular order, and I know that you could easily come up with many others of more importance to you. The following details a more complete listing of tips for professionalism from Lisa Goatley’s background in counseling services. I am pleased to see some overlap in my list and hers, as it suggests that maybe I have been listening over the years!

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Career Enhancem ent

Professionalism By Lisa Goatley, MS-LPC, New River Valley Community Services, Blacksburg, VA

Making a Good First Impression • Dress and groom appropriately. • Maintain a positive attitude. • Indicate an air of confidence. • Cultivate an image of maturity through your words and actions. • Demonstrate a willingness to accept new challenges. • Speak with a pleasant, positive tone of voice, particularly when your first interactions tend to be over the telephone. • Make the first 30 seconds count! Rehearse introductions, if necessary. • Make the last 30 seconds count! Make a unique, personal impression.

Building and Maintaining Professional Relationships • Remember: Building relationships takes an investment of time and energy. • Maintain high standards of courtesy and respect. • Be accessible, and respond promptly. • Respect the opinions and feelings of others. • Treat others as they would like to be treated. • Maintain personal ethical standards. • Cultivate an attitude of service — you and your position exist because you have people who need your help. • Accept accountability for your actions. • Always respond in a dignified manner, demonstrating respect for yourself and respect for others. • Handle complaints and problems promptly.

Handling Problems/Service Recovery • Own the problem. • Empathize/summarize. • Take action, and offer options. • Follow up. Professionalism. Don’t discount how important being a professional is for your 28

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS

career and your relationships with others. Our guest speakers that come to town to talk to our turf students always tell them, “Growing the grass is the easiest part

of a successful career in turf management. It’s all that other ‘stuff ’ that really requires some effort.” Truer words were never spoken. T

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ation. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the

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managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising

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Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Calendar of Events September 9

MAGCSA Scholarship & Research Tournament Spring Creek Ranch Collierville, TN

September 10

MTGCSA Meeting

Graymere Country Club Columbia, TN

September 12

UT Turfgrass & Ornamental Field Day Knoxville, TN

November 14

MAGCSA Meeting

Memphis Country Club Memphis, TN

November 15

MTGCSA Meeting

Bluegrass Yacht & C.C. Hendersonville, TN

November 15–18

ASLA - Annual Meeting & Expo  (American Society of Landscape Architects)

October 15

Boston Convention & Expo. Center Boston, MA

Mirimichi Golf Course Millington, TN

January 6–8, 2014

MAGCSA Meeting

October 23–25

PLANET Green Industry Conference

48th Annual TTA Conference and Trade Show

Louisville, KY

Marriott Cool Springs Franklin, TN

October 23–26

January 21–24, 2014

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

October 28

ETGCSA Scholarship & Research Tournament Chattanooga Golf & C.C. Chattanooga, TN

October 29

STMA Conference and Exhibition Grand Hyatt Hotel San Antonio, TX

February 3–6, 2014

Golf Industry Show and GCSAA Education Conference Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL

MTGCSA Scholarship & Research Tournament Greystone Golf

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS August/September 2013

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