FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021
The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
Highlights from the
2021 VIRTUAL TTA CONFERENCE
Member Spotlight on
KENNY FRANKS HERBICIDE RESISTANCE
in Turf, Nursery And Landscape Ornamentals – Can it Happen on Properties you Maintain?
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The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
TABLE OF CONTENTS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021
10 12 18 20 28
Guest Column — The Evolving Employee Focus Feature Article — Member Spotlight on Kenny Franks
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Upcoming Events — TN Turf Tuesdays Cover Story — Herbicide Resistance in Turf, Nursery And Landscape Ornamentals – Can it Happen on Properties you Maintain? Feature Article — Highlights from Virtual 2021 TTA Annual Conference
DEPARTMENTS From the TTA President
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From the TVSTMA President
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News from ETGCSA
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The Turfgrass Team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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News from TTA
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Index of Advertisers
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Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: THETURFZONE.COM
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021
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FROM THE TTA PR ESIDENT
Doug Ward
Edging Back to Normalcy To
begin with, I would like to extend a big “thank you” to everyone who participated in our 2021 TTA Online Educational and Awards Program. No doubt, there were some legitimate question marks hanging out there on how the production would unfold, be received by our audience or even connected to with minimal challenges. In the end, following much positive feedback, I for one would like to call this year’s production a favorable success while operating under such extenuating circumstances.
LOOKING AHEAD As mentioned at the conclusion of our online program, I along with everyone out there, am looking forward to (and planning for) a year that is edging back to normalcy. With that said, our first board meeting of the year in which committees are formed and preliminary ideas for our 2022 conference are discussed will be an in-person event. And, I trust with that beginning, our plans and efforts will lead us all back to the Embassy Suites next January in a welcoming and much needed in-person reunion of our associated turf professionals.
RECOGNITION As we begin a new year of TTA activities, I would like to thank outgoing board members Darren Seybold (University of Tennessee Sports Facility) and Paul Webb (Humboldt Golf and Country Club) for their service as board members over the last two years. Likewise, I would like to offer a warm welcome to incoming board members, Jason Bradley (Memphis Country Club) and Jason Wagman (Franklin Parks & Recreation). We appreciate you both for your willingness to serve, knowing your time and input will prove to be a rewarding experience for you and our association. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge our Executive Director, Melissa Martin, for her steadfast work this past year. In a time of uncertainty, which required a multitude of adjustments and improvisations to be made as we worked through the year and ultimately to the finish line with our conference, Melissa’s contributions cannot be overstated. So for now, as we all head into another busy springtime of both personal and professional activities, I would like to wish safety and good health to all of our members as we look forward to a most improved 2021.
Doug Ward TTA President
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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) 928-7001 info@ttaonline.org www.ttaonline.org PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 info@leadingedgecommunications.com EDITOR Dr. James Brosnan TTA OFFICERS President Doug Ward Belle Meade Country Club (615) 292-6752 Vice President Chris Sykes Tellico Village (865) 458-5408 Secretary/Treasurer Ryan Storey Vanderbilt University (615) 343-6694 Past President Jason Pooler Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc (731) 642-3092 Executive Director Melissa Martin Tennessee Turfgrass Assn. (615) 928-7001 TTA 2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ryan Blair, CGCS Jason Bradley Bart Cash Ashley Gaskin Cal Hill Jeff Huber Brad Jean Jeff Kuhns Jason Sanderson Mark Stovall John Wagnon Jeff Wyatt TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Bill Blackburn Dr. Jim Brosnan Joe Hill Dr. Brandon Horvath Lynn Ray Jeff Rumph, CGCS Dr. Tom Samples Dr. John Sorochan Dr. Wes Totten
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FROM THE TVSTMA PRESIDENT
John Wagnon
2021 Events & Meetings T
VSTMA will be hosting several virtual meetings during the first several months of 2021. Our plan is to resume meeting in person this summer with our annual Field Day & Equipment Demo. We are also planning a meeting with the University of Tennessee at their Center for Athletic Field Safety. It is tentatively scheduled for late October or early November. Our 2021 Board is responsible for planning these meetings. If you have any suggestions you would like to make as plans are being made, feel free to reach out.
NEWS FROM ETGCSA
CALENDAR OF EVENTS APRIL MEETING April 19 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Centennial Golf Club Oak Ridge
MAY MEETING May 17 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Link Hills Country Club Greeneville
JUNE MEETING June 7 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT ELECT
John Wagnon
Byran Farris
City of Franklin Parks & Recreation
City of Columbia Parks & Recreation
COMMERCIAL VICE PRESIDENT
Ryan Storey
Cleveland Country Club Cleveland
Vanderbilt University
JULY MEETING SECRETARY/ TREASURER
Stephen Callis
PAST PRESIDENT
AT-LARGE
Tom Garner
Vacant
City of Pigeon Forge Parks & Recreation
AT-LARGE
AT-LARGE
Ashley Gaskin
Eric Taylor
AT-LARGE (Non-voting)
The Hogan Company
July 20 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Johnson City Country Club Johnson City
AUGUST MEETING Pure Green
Memphis Redbirds
AT-LARGE (Non-voting)
AT-LARGE (Non-voting)
Chris Fondren
Michael Brownlee
Advanced Turf Solutions
Ben Dodd
McCurdy Sod Farms
Simplot
August 16 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Green Meadow Country Club Alcoa
31st ANNUAL ETGCSA SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH GOLF TOURNAMENT November 1 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
John Wagnon TVSTMA President 8
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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GUEST COLUMN
THE EVOLVING EMPLOYEE FOCUS T
he way that world-class companies are thinking about their employees is evolving dramatically. If we want our people to be more engaged, more productive, more satisfied, and more likely to stay with our organizations, then not only learn from this new perspective but we can execute it faster and be a more competitive employer.
The CEOs of the companies I’m talking about belong to an organization called The Business Roundtable. They represent more than 250 of the leading companies in the U.S. including places like Amazon, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Dell, Ford, Home Depot, Marriott, Proctor & Gamble, UPS, Visa, and Xerox. Together, these companies touch every single sector of the economy and employ more than 15 million people. From 1997 until 2018, The Business Roundtable published what they called a Corporate Purpose. This statement is what every major CEO believed was the reason for business to exist and what good leaders should deliver. The basis of their Corporate Purpose was based on the philosophy of Milton Friedman and for which he was awarded the 1970 Nobel Prize in Economics. In summary, he believed that “there is one and only one social responsibility of business: to engage in activities designed to increase its profits.” But nearly 50 years after this ground-breaking theory won global acclaim, the CEOs of The Business Roundtable realized it wasn’t working for them in today’s world. They determined that putting profit first didn’t deliver the long-term benefits they needed for their stockholders and that it was not a sustainable business philosophy. So, in August of 2019 they published a new Corporate Purpose. This new purpose prioritizes value for customers, investing in employees, fostering diversity and inclusion, dealing fairly and ethically with suppliers, supporting the community, and protecting the environment ahead of delivering long-term value to shareholders. They explicitly state “too often hard work is not rewarded, and not enough is being done for workers to adjust to the rapid pace of change in the economy.” These CEOs know more about managing people, motivation, and building successful companies than anyone. When they say that
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By Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM
employees need more recognition and skills development, you can bet it’s a successful plan. In fact, Gallup has shown that teams that have seen progression in their development in the last six months are 10–15% more productive than those who haven’t. The problem is that 250 CEOs can’t change the culture and execution of job training for 15 million employees nearly as fast as our small and nimble teams can. So, we can leverage the philosophy and beat them to the punch by investing in our people starting immediately and becoming a superior employment option as they struggle to pivot. The studies prove that when we care about and invest in our people’s development, they’ll be more involved in, enthusiastic about, and committed to our work and workplaces. What’s more, productively, profitability, and safety increase while turnover, absenteeism, and defects decrease. So, the only question is where do we get started? If you’re not sure how to train your team for the next level, you’re not alone. Fortunately, we started GrowTheBench.com to provide affordable, on-demand, virtual education for the green industry to help. When you set up your employees, they’ll be learning and developing the skills they need to succeed in the workplace and become more engaged in the process. There is even content that is 100% free. It’s never been easier, or more important, to invest in employees than it is today. Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM is a managing partner of GrowTheBench.com – a leading provider of affordable online education, professional development and peer networking for green industry professionals. Connect with Neal via email at Neal@GrowTheBench.com.
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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Member Spotlight on
KENNY FRANKS SPORTS TURF MANAGER West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex City of Jackson, TN
We sat down with TTA member Kenny Franks to discuss his career, his advice for young turfgrass managers and his future plans.
How many years have you been in this position? I have been with the City of Jackson for 19 years. I was first put at the City Golf Course (Bent Tree) as the superintendent, the worst two-and-a-half years of my life (besides the ones with my ex-wife). Then the city leased out the course and then-Mayor Farmer put me over all the athletic fields for the City for about two years. In 2005, the City of Jackson built the 17-field Sportsplex where I became the Sports Turf Manager. How did you decide to pursue a career in turfgrass management? From my college baseball to coaching and being Parks & Recreation director in two municipalities, I spent a lot of time trying to improve the athletic fields. During this time, I also attended turf seminars which increased my interest and enjoyment in development of this career. Also when I worked for the City of Portland, TN, during my spare time, I went to Nashville, and helped Tom McAfee prepare the grounds for the Nashville Sounds.
AT RIGHT: West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT What path led you to your current position? In addition to the Parks & Recreation director positions, I worked for the Nashville Sounds as turf manager, Tennessee Titans as groundskeeper, West TN Diamond Jaxx as turf manager, then to my current position. What is the best part of your job? The best part of my job is being able to maintain the best quality playing fields, making sure it is player safe and being able to communicate with staff how to properly maintain the fields. What are some unique challenges of your job? Unique challenges of my job include pop-up summer showers while continuing play and to have the ability to keep high school age staff interested in maintaining the highest quality fields. Another challenge I face is training a new seasonal staff each year. How many employees are part of your team? We maintain three full-time staff and 20–30 seasonal workers. What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the turfgrass industry right now? Currently, I feel the biggest challenge is finding the best quality turf free of diseases and weeds as well as stress from the weather and the high volume of foot traffic. What is one lesson you’ve learned the hard way in your career? It is a struggle to make supervisors understand how or why you make decisions, spend money or others choices necessary to maintain the fields at the highest quality. Do you have a mentor in the industry? Who? I have several; Tom McAfee (Nashville Sounds), Terry Porch (Tennessee Titans), Tom Neilson (Louisville Bats), Billy Clark (Clarks Sports Fields), and Bill Marbet (Southern Athletic Fields). Even though I had an idea of what I wanted to do – I would call and get their opinion. I would either use their idea or coordinate with mine.
AT RIGHT: Field maintenance
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021
SERVICES • Sod Installation • Sprigging • Laser Grading
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• Athletic Fields • Topdressing • Hydroseeding
SOD VARIETIES • Tifway 419 • Latitude 36 • NorthBridge
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Member: TPI • Tennessee Turfgrass Association Tennessee Valley Sports Turf • STMA
1-800-643-TURF www.TriTurfSod.com
CONGRATULATIONS John Clintsman & staff at Ensworth School
Tennessee Turfgrass Association’s High School Field of the Year
Tahoma31Bermudagrass.com
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT What do you do in your free time? I enjoy spending time with family & friends at the river, fishing, playing golf and drinking adult beverages. I have also started a Seasoned Nut business for extra income when I retire in 2022. kennysnutz.com My wife is Kathy and we’ve been married 16 years. My children are daughter Kassi and stepsons Ryan and EJ. We have 4 grandchildren & my buddy Lacie Lou (King Charles Cavalier Spaniel).
What would your advice be for people entering the turfgrass industry now? Never be afraid to ask for advice on problems or to get ideas from other turf managers or golf course superintendents in the turfgrass industry. You are never too old to learn new things. I would like to give a pat on the back to the Sportsplex Ground Staff for making this Sportsplex the showplace it is. The fields could not be the quality they are without their hard work.
Kenny and Kathy Franks
Lacie Lou enjoys lake days
The Franks Family
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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Tennessee Turf Tuesdays – A Digital Learning Series for 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS
All sessions will be Zoom webinars hosted from 11:30am – 12:30pm EDT
JULY 13 th Managing Warm Season Sports Turf in a Changing Climate Presenters: Dr. Kyley Dickson & Tyler Carr, University of Tennessee
Advances in both bermudagrass and zoysiagrass have made varieties more adaptable to survive in changing conditions. This presentation will cover new cultivars of bermudagrass and zoysiagrass varieties for use in sports turf. Learn management strategies of these new cultivars to help improve environmental stress tolerance while reducing invasion from weed, disease, and insect pests. Also, learn how the use of these new cultivars can help reduce inputs without lowering field performance.
APRIL 6 th Spring is Here: Time to Get that Tall Fescue Lawn Ready for the Coming Season. Presenters: Dr. Tom Samples & Dr. Jim Brosnan, University of Tennessee
AUGUST 3 rd Zoysiagrass Putting Green Roundtable Presenters: Dr. John Sorochan & Tyler Carr, Univ. of Tennessee, & Dr. Mike Richardson, Univ. of Arkansas
Each year lawn care professionals and homeowners have the same goal: ensuring that well maintained tall fescue lawns thrive during the upcoming season. This presentation will provide an overview of strategies for managing tall fescue including nutrition and irrigation requirements as well as pest management practices targeting both weeds and diseases.
There is growing interest in the development of dwarf zoysiagrass cultivars for use on golf course putting greens in the southeastern United States. This presentation will provide an overview of the latest research on zoysiagrasses for putting greens. Topics covered will include cultivar performance comparisons, nutrient regimes, performance under shade, responses to plant growth regulators, weed control techniques via pre- and postemergence herbicides, and control of fungal pathogens.
MAY 4 th
SEPTEMBER 14 th
Poa Control: North and South
What Just Happened? – A Review of Summer Diseases in the Southeast
Presenters: Dr. Jim Brosnan, Univ. of Tennessee & Dr. Matt Elmore, Rutgers Univ.
Controlling Poa annua is a challenge for everyone in the turfgrass industry. In this session presenters will discuss the latest strategies for controlling Poa annua in all areas: from bermudagrass fairways and sports fields to creeping bentgrass putting greens.
Presenters: Dr. Brandon Horvath, Univ. of Tennessee, Dr. Jim Kerns, N.C. State Univ, & Dr. Joe Roberts, Clemson Univ.
Numerous diseases can affect turfgrasses during the summer and this year was no exception. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of diseases that were problematic in the southeastern U.S. this summer and discuss the most effective options for control.
JUNE 1 st
OCTOBER 5 th
Hot, Humid, and Time for Brown Patch
Winter is Coming! Be Prepared for Shoulder Season Foes like Poa annua and Large Patch
Presenters: Dr. Brandon Horvath and David Shell, Univ. of Tennessee
Summer can be the season of disease on tall fescue lawns in the transition zone, particularly brown patch. This presentation will provide an overview of the latest tactics lawn care professionals can use to control brown patch (and other diseases) in tall fescue lawns.
Presenters: Dr. Jim Brosnan and Dr. Brandon Horvath, University of Tennessee
Warm season turfgrasses are targeted by many pests during the shoulder seasons including weeds like Poa annua as well as diseases like large patch and spring dead spot. Research based recommendations for controlling these pests be offered during this session to prepare turfgrass managers for the road ahead.
www.tennesseeturfgrassweeds.org/Pages/TurfTuesday.aspx 18
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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COVER STORY
Herbicide Resistance
in Turf, Nursery, and Landscape Ornamentals – Can it Happen on Properties you Maintain? By Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. and Adam Nichols, Virginia Tech This article was originally published in Virginia Turfgrass Journal, July/August 2020.
H
erbicide-resistant weeds in turfgrass, ornamental, and nursery crop commodities have been an increasing issue over the past 10 years. It has been a while since we have seen a new herbicide mode of action so we are primarily relying on herbicides developed 20, 30, 40 or more years ago. Until new herbicide modes of action are developed, the issue of herbicide resistance will increase.
Definition of resistance
How resistance develops
First, some definitions here. When I say “Herbicide Resistance,” I am referring to weed species that used to be controlled by a given herbicide, but now are no longer controlled. This is different from weed species that were always difficult to control — we refer to these as troublesome or tolerant weed species. Examples of troublesome weed species would include species like kyllinga, wild garlic, wild violets, Virginia buttonweed, bindweed, poison ivy, and mugwort (wild chrysanthemum). These troublesome weeds can be controlled, but it may require higher application rates or repeat applications. For herbicide-resistant weeds, increasing the application generally has no effect, as the biotype often can tolerate many times the highest use rate.
It is thought that in a population of a given weed species, there may be a few individuals that, through a genetic mutation developed resistance to an herbicide. The mutation may have been present before that herbicide was ever used on the property. Current thinking is that herbicide application does not cause the genetic mutation that confers resistance, but that the mutations occur as a separate, random process. Often the herbicide provided a high level of control for the susceptible biotypes of that weed species. Repeated applications of that herbicide quickly control the susceptible biotypes, allowing the resistant biotype to spread through uninhibited seed production. If that herbicide is reapplied every year or so for say eight or nine years, the resistant population
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
will increase until it is the dominant biotype. Over that eight or nine years, that herbicide will be less and less effective until it provides no control at all.
Examples of resistance in turf situations There are certain weed species that appear to be prone to developing herbicide resistance, such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua). There are documented cases of annual bluegrass biotypes that have developed resistance to certain herbicides. In 2019, Ian Heap (International survey of herbicide resistant weeds, www.weedscience.org) reported that annual bluegrass ranks third among all herbicide-resistant weed species globally, with resistance to nine different herbicide sites of action.
Triazine-resistant annual bluegrass has been detected in turfgrass, with simazine being the primary triazine used in turf (mainly used in bermudagrass), with specialized uses of atrazine in certain warmseason turf species. Adam Nichols and I documented triazine resistant annual bluegrass at a golf course in Virginia a number of years ago. We kept seed from that biotype and discovered that biotype was also resistant to Xonerate (amicarbazone). Simazine and amicarbazone both are photosynthetic inhibitors.
PICTURED ABOVE: Horseweed (reported as a
herbicide-resistant weed by Heap 2019.
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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COVER STORY
Groundsel Poa in bermudagrass
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Annual bluegrass biotypes resistant to the dinitroaniline herbicides have been identified in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. The dinitroaniline herbicide class incudes prodiamine (Barricade, others), pendimethalin (Pendulum, others) , oryzalin (Surflan, others), and trifluralin (Treflan, others), key turfgrass and ornamental herbicides. Annual bluegrass resistant to glyphosate (Roundup, many others) has been identified in Tennessee and Missouri. Biotypes of Poa annua resistant to the sulfonylurea herbicides have been documented in Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia. The sulfonylurea herbicide class includes foramsulfuron (Revolver), trifloxysulfuron (Monument), flazasulfuron (Katana), rimsulfuron, metsulfuron (MSM, Manor, others), and rimsulfuron + metsulfuron (Negate), chemicals used to selectively control cool-season grasses in bermudagrass and certain other warm-season turfgrasses. We have verified a biotype of annual bluegrass from a golf course that is resistant to the commonly used sulfonylurea herbicides in bermudagrass. The golf course had been using Monument yearly to control annual bluegrass but after years of use had noted reduced control. In this case, one would have to look at preemergence applications of chemicals like Barricade, Specticle or simazine, or use postemergence treatments of glyphosate or Kerb (pronamide). Recently, annual bluegrass resistant to early postemergence applications of Specticle (indaziflam) was detected at several locations in the southern U.S. Of extra concern in that research was that one of those annual bluegrass biotypes that tolerated early post-emergence applications of Specticle also tolerated postemergence applications of flumioxazin, foramsulfuron, glyphosate, metribuzin, pronamide, and simazine. So that biotype could tolerate six different herbicide modes of action. How can one control such a biotype? Recently, annual bluegrass biotypes have been identified in Georgia that exhibit differential susceptibility to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors, which includes Ronstar (oxadiazon) and flumioxazin (SureGuard, others). Whether it is due to genetic variability in this species or some other reason, clearly annual bluegrass is prone to developing herbicide resistance. Other weeds besides annual bluegrass have developed resistance to certain herbicides (Table 1). Goosegrass has developed resistance to Ronstar in Virginia and to the dinitroaniline herbicides in Tennessee. Lawn burweed in New Zealand and buckhorn plantain in Indiana has developed resistance to the synthetic auxins, so the problem is not limited to grassy weeds. Compressed sedge in Alabama has developed resistance to key sedge herbicides, including halosulfuron (Sedgehammer, Prosedge). Large crabgrass and smooth crabgrass have developed resistance to the postemergence grass herbicides, which includes Acclaim Extra (fenoxaprop), as well as sethoxydim (Segment) and fluazifop (Fusilade, Ornamec). A concern I have is if crabgrass species in Virginia develop resistance to quinclorac (sold by itself under the name Drive, and as a component of combination products such as Q4 Plus, among others.) Quinclorac is the primary herbicide used for postemergence crabgrass control in turf situations and is one of the few postemergence options in bermudagrass. One of the studies we have been conducting at the research station is evaluating alternative herbicides to quinclorac for postemergence crabgrass control in bermudagrass. There are more alternatives to quinclorac for postemergence crabgrass control in cool-season turf.
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
Table 1 lists resistant weeds reported from general turf areas to the weedscience.org website. It is not a complete list as some cases of resistance in turfgrass have not been reported to this website but it does an indication of the problem. These listings in Table 1 do not mean all populations of those weeds in the states listed are resistant, just that
resistance has been documented in at least one location in that state. As these weeds flower, mowers can move seed from one site to another. Seed can also spread through wind, soil or sod, moving the resistant biotype to new locations.
TABLE 1: Herbicide resistant weeds reported from turf to the International Herbicide-Resistant Database, www.weedscience.org #
YEAR
SPECIES
COMMON NAME
COUNTRY
MOAs
ACTIVES
1
2009
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
Australia (Victoria)
Unknown (Z/27)
endothall
2
1982
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
Japan
Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)
simazine
3
1999
Soliva sessilis
Lawn burweed
New Zealand
Synthetic Auxins (O/4)
clopyralid, picloram, triclopyr
ALS inhibitors (B/2)
imazaquin, bispyribac-sodium, foramsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron-sodium
4
2012
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
United States (Alabama)
5
2012
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
United States (Alabama)
Microtubule inhibitors (K1/3)
prodiamine, pendimethalin, dithiopyr
6
2015
Cyperus compressus
Compressed sedge
United States (Alabama)
ALS inhibitors (B/2)
halosulfuron-methyl, sulfometuronmethyl, imazapic, trifloxysulfuron-sodium
7
1992
Eleusine indica
Goosegrass
United States (Georgia)
Microtubule inhibitors (K1/3)
trifluralin
8
2008
Digitaria sanguinalis
Large crabgrass
United States (Georgia)
ACCase inhibitors (A/1)
sethoxydim
9
2014
Chamaesyce maculata
Spotted spurge
United States (Georgia)
ALS inhibitors (B/2)
metsulfuron-methyl
10
2003
Eleusine indica
Goosegrass
United States (Hawaii)
Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)
metribuzin
11
2016
Plantago lanceolata
Buckhorn plantain
United States (Indiana)
Synthetic Auxins (O/4)
2,4-D
12
1996
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
United States (Mississippi)
Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)
atrazine, simazine
13
2010
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
United States (Missouri)
EPSP synthase inhibitors (G/9)
glyphosate
14
1996
Digitaria ischaemum
Smooth crabgrass
United States (New Jersey)
ACCase inhibitors (A/1)
fenoxaprop-P-ethyl
15
1995
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
United States (North Carolina)
Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)
simazine
16
1997
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
United States (North Carolina)
Microtubule inhibitors (K1/3)
prodiamine, pendimethalin
17
1988
Eleusine indica
Goosegrass
United States (Tennessee)
Microtubule inhibitors (K1/3)
prodiamine, pendimethalin, trifluralin
18
2007
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
United States (Tennessee)
Microtubule inhibitors (K1/3)
prodiamine, pendimethalin, dithiopyr
19
2011
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
United States (Tennessee)
EPSP synthase inhibitors (G/9)
glyphosate
20
2013
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
United States (Tennessee)
ALS inhibitors (B/2), Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)
simazine, foramsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron-sodium
21
2001
Poa annua
Annual bluegrass
United States (Virginia)
Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)
simazine
MOAs = mode of action. The letters and numbers listed by the MOAs are from the Weed Science Society of America’s classification system (numbers) and the Herbicide-Resistance Action Committee’s classification system (letters).
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
23
COVER STORY Herbicide resistance in the nursery and landscape maintenance industries
One weed that has developed resistance to glyphosate in Virginia and other states is horseweed, often called marestail. Resistance developed primarily due to the extensive use of glyphosate in agronomic crop production. Horseweed seed can blow a considerable distance in the wind, so it can spread from crop fields to nursery production areas, landscape beds, and non-crop areas. Generally combinations of preemergence herbicides are used in nursery production and in maintenance of landscape ornamentals to broaden the spectrum of weed control. The herbicides being combined usually differ in their mode of action so applying such combinations helps to reduce the potential for resistance development. A common combination as an example would be combining Gallery (isoxaben), more effective on annual broadleaf weeds, with Barricade (prodiamine), more effective on annual grasses.
Despite substantial reliance on herbicides for weed management, herbicide-resistant weeds have generally been perceived to be less of an issue in the nursery crop and landscape maintenance industries compared with larger-acreage agronomic cropping systems. Annual bluegrass, common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), horseweed (Conyza canadensis), and fringed (northern) willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum) have been reported to be herbicide resistant in nursery production in at least one country (Table 2). A majority of the reports are weeds developing resistance to the Photosystem II (PS II) inhibitors, such as simazine (Princep). Although simazine is commonly used in field nursery production, it is not used in maintenance of landscape ornamentals.
TABLE 2: Herbicide-resistant weeds reported for the nursery industry throughout the world as reported by Heap 2019 (International Survey of herbicide resistant weeds, www.weedscience.org).
24
SPECIES
COMMON NAME
COUNTRY
FIRST YEAR
SITE OF ACTION
Abutilon theophrasti
Velvetleaf
United States (MI)
2004
PS Inhibitors
Amaranthus powellii
Powell Amaranth
United States (MI)
2001
Multiple Resistance PSII inhibitors
Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Common Ragweed
United States (MI)
1990
PSII inhibitors
Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Common Ragweed
United States (MI)
1998
ALS inhibitors
Chenopodium album
Common Lambsquarters
United States (MI)
1975
PSII inhibitors
Conyza canadensis (=Erigeron canadensis)
Horseweed
Switzerland
1982
PSII inhibitors
Conyza canadensis
Horseweed
Belgium
1989
PSII inhibitors
Conyza canadensis
Horseweed
Belgium
1998
PSI Electron Diverter
Conyza canadensis
Horseweed
Czech Republic
1987
PSII inhibitors
Conyza canadensis
Horseweed
United States (MI)
2007
EPSP synthase inhibitors
Epilobium ciliatum
Fringed Willowherb
Belgium
1980
PSII inhibitors
Poa annua
Annual Bluegrass
Belgium
1981
PSII inhibitors
Poa annua
Annual Bluegrass
Norway
1996
PSII inhibitors
Senecio vulgaris
Common Groundsel
United States (WA)
1970
PSII inhibitors
Senecio vulgaris
Common Groundsel
Belgium
1982
PSII inhibitors
Senecio vulgaris
Common Groundsel
Norway
1996
PSII inhibitors
Senecio vulgaris
Common Groundsel
Norway
1996
PSII inhibitors
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
TURF & HORTICULTURE
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COVER STORY These two herbicides differ in their mode of action. Besides combinations of sprayable herbicides, there are quite a few granular formulations that contain two active ingredients. An example would be Snapshot, a combination of isoxaben and trifluralin. If herbicide-resistant weeds are present in nursery production areas, these biotypes could be spread to landscape beds through the planting of infested trees or shrubs. However, we do not have good information on the spread of herbicide- resistant weed populations from nurseries to landscape beds.
Preventing herbicide resistance What can we do to prevent the development of herbicide-resistant weeds? One should rotate herbicide modes of action or look at tank mixes of herbicides with different modes of action. One does not need to do this every year, but maybe every three or four years.
For example, one could alternate use of a dinitroaniline herbicide like prodiamine with Specticle (indaziflam) or oxadiazon in bermudagrass turf on a golf course. Simazine could be alternated with flumioxazin at a tree nursery. Halosulfuron could be alternated with sulfentrazone (Dismiss) for yellow nutsedge control in woody landscape beds and in turf areas. Alternating between FreeHand and Snapshot would be an option in ornamental beds. Utilize both preemergence and postemergence herbicide where possible as these 2 groups generally have different modes of action. To use this strategy, one needs to learn how each available herbicide controls weed (their mode of action). Use non-chemical means of weed control in your control program. Hand weed plants that survive an herbicide application, thus preventing seed production. Clean equipment when going to other locations to prevent spread of weed seed. By following these suggestions, there is less potential for herbicide resistance to appear on properties you maintain.
Jeffrey Derr, Professor of Weed Science, and Adam Nichols, Turfgrass Research Manager, are located at Virginia Tech’s Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Virginia Beach. Trade names are listed only for information purposes as examples, and do not imply discrimination of products not mentioned.
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
Blue Tag Certified grasses ••• over 2,500 acres in Production
THE TURFGRA SS TEAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE José Javier Vargas Almodóvar Research Associate II Turf & Ornamental Weed Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996 (865) 974-7379 jvargas@utk.edu tnturfgrassweeds.org @UTweedwhisperer
Jim Brosnan, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Weed Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-8603 jbrosnan@utk.edu tnturfgrassweeds.org @ UTturfweeds
Frank Hale, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201 (615) 832-6802 fahale@utk.edu ag.tennessee.edu/spp
Tom Samples, Ph.D. Professor, Turfgrass Extension The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-2595 tsamples@utk.edu turf.utk.edu @ tnturfman
John Stier, Ph.D. Associate Dean The University of Tennessee 2621 Morgan Circle 126 Morgan Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7493 jstier1@utk.edu turf.utk.edu @ Drjohnstier
Greg Breeden Extension Specialist, The University of Tennessee 2431 Center Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7208 gbreeden@utk.edu tnturfgrassweeds.org @gbreeden1
Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. Associate Director, Center for Athletic Field Safety Turfgrass Management & Physiology (865) 974-6730 kdickso1@utk.edu @ DicksonTurf
Brandon Horvath, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Science The University of Tennessee 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. 2431 Joe Johnson Drive Knoxville, TN 37996 (865) 974-2975 bhorvath@utk.edu turf.utk.edu @ UTturfpath
John Sorochan, Ph.D. Professor, Turfgrass Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 363 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7324 sorochan@utk.edu turf.utk.edu @ sorochan
Alan Windham, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201 (615) 832-6802 https://ag.tennessee.edu/spp/ @ UTPlantDoc
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
27
RECENT EVENT
TTA’S VIRTUAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE While we all would have preferred to be together in person, TTA found a way to provide fantastic virtual education opportunities to its members. We were delighted to welcome a variety of researchers and speakers from both instate and out. TTA depends on the support of our sponsors and members, and as always, you showed up in force. Thank you to all who participated, and we look forward to seeing you in person again as soon as possible!
H I G H L I G H T S F R O M THE 2021 TTA CONFERENCE
DAY 1 TTA President Doug Ward welcomes attendees.
DAY 1 Dr. Matt Elmore (Rutgers) presented alongside Dr. Jim Brosnan (UT) to share research on Weed Control.
28
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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RECENT EVENT: TTA’S VIRTUAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
DAY 1 Dr. Brandon Horvath (UT) and Lee Butler (NC State) share information regarding disease control for bentgrass and bermudagrass.
DAY 1 Dr. John Sorochan (UT) and Dr. Mike Richardson (University of Arkansas) share new zoysiagrass research.
30
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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RECENT EVENT: TTA’S VIRTUAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
DA Y 1 Tim Moraghan of Aspire Golf Consulting closed Day 1 with professional development for turf professionals.
DAY 2 Doug Ward kicks off day two by introducing Kentucky Golf Course Superintendents John Ballard, Wyatt Warfel and Bob McLean for their session ‘Turfgrass Management North of the State Line’.
DA Y 2 TTA’s own Ryan Storey and John Clintsman share their sports turf expertise. The chat function was a great benefit for participants.
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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RECENT EVENT: TTA’S VIRTUAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
DAY 2 Dr. Kyley Dickson (UT) and Dr. John Sorochan (UT) shared cutting-edge Field Testing techniques.
DAY 3 Bill Bergin of Bergin Golf, led a session on golf course renovation.
DAY 3 Radio Voice of the Tennessee Titans Dave McGinnis was the final speaker for a very productive and successful conference.
34
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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Andy Milligan - West Tennessee andymilligan@bwicompanies.com 901-428-7004
Jeff Gordon - West Tennessee jeffgordon@bwicompanies.com 901-937-9230
Jeff Easley - Middle Tennessee jeffeasley@bwicompanies.com 615-585-1522
RECENT EVENT: TTA’S VIRTUAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD WINNERS At the end of Day 3, TTA still honored members who showed exemplary skill in their work through our annual awards. We’d like to congratulate all who were recognized.
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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RECENT EVENT: TTA’S VIRTUAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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NEWS FROM TTA
The Tennessee Turfgrass Association is an organization representing the collective turfgrass industry across the State of Tennessee. Our association is comprised of passionate individuals working on golf courses, sports fields, lawns, landscapes, and sod production, as well as vendors supporting these industries. Membership in the Tennessee Turfgrass Association provides individuals a singular platform to network with all facets of the turfgrass industry.
GOLF COURSES
SPORTS TURF
SOD PRODUCERS
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
THE VALUE OF BEING A MEMBER OF THE TTA TODAY:
BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR OUR INDUSTRY
Be part of our Annual Conference and Tradeshow with more than 500 people from across the United States. Our conference has become the marquee event in the Southeast and continues to grow year after year.
The Tennessee Turfgrass Association supports the efforts of the turfgrass program at the University of Tennessee in conducting research and education efforts to benefit those working in the turfgrass industry across Tennessee as well as advocating for advancing the turfgrass industry in all 95 counties. Every membership in the Tennessee Turfgrass Association helps further our mission.
Build your professional network in all sectors of the turfgrass industry. e the first to know about industry alerts and B job opportunities. Continue your education through continuing education opportunities while at the same time staying in compliance with state pesticide points requirements. Stay informed thru our bi-monthly magazine, annual membership resource guide, and webpage.
40
LAWN & LANDSCAPE
Membership Builds Value in Our Industry romotes advocacy to benefit the industry across P the state rovides scholarships to support the next P generation in the industry upports research at the University of Tennessee S to advance the industry
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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NEWS FROM TTA
ADVERTISER INDEX
FROM OUR MEMBERS...
A & W Southern Sod Farms................................. 35
“ I have been a member of the TTA for over 25 years now and the greatest thing about being a member are the relationships that are forged. TTA has not only positively impacted my career but also my personal life outside of work. I feel like a part of one big turfgrass family where we are there to support one another no matter the circumstances. I strongly encourage membership and the more involved you are in the association the greater the benefit.”
Andersons............................................................. 11
CHRIS SYKES
Director of Golf at Tellico Village and Vice President of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association
www.awssod.com
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Buy Sod, Inc................................. Inside Back Cover www.buysod.com
BWI Companies, Inc.............................................. 35 www.bwicompanies.com
Carolina Green Corp.............................................. 41 www.cgcfields.com
Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc................................. 9 www.greenvilleturf.com
Greene County Fertilizer Co.................................. 39 www.greenecountyfert.com
Kesmac.................................................... Back Cover www.brouwerkesmac.com
Lawn & Pest Solutions......................................... 31 “ In these uncertain times, being an essential worker is both rewarding and tough. Another thing that is essential is our continued support of TTA. We rely on membership interaction and sponsors to help promote and sustain the turfgrass industry in the state of Tennessee. Your continued support helps an assistant reach a Superintendent job, applicators maintain their licenses, information being shared from leading researchers and vendors, and someone getting an internship, scholarship, or an award. Enough can not be said about our membership and vendors. As a sports turf manager, I am challenging our side of the industry to ‘step up to the plate.’ ”
lawnandpest.net
Leading Edge Communications............................. 41 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com
McCurdy Sod Farms, LLC...................................... 27 www.mccurdysodfarms.com
Mid Tenn Turf....................................................... 26 www.midtennturf.com
Mid-Atlantic STIHL............................................... 19 www.stihldealers.com
Modern Turf, Inc................................................... 39 www.modernturf.com
North Georgia Turf Company, Inc......................... 11 ngturf.com
RYAN STOREY
Assistant Manager of Facilities, Services, Systems, Vanderbilt University and Secretary/ Treasurer of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association –
Progressive Turf Equipment Inc............................ 33 www.progressiveturfequip.com
R.W. Distributors.................................................... 7 www.Exmark.com
RD Murphy, LLC.................................................... 27 www.rdmurphy.com
“ Being a part of Tennessee Turfgrass Association has been a blessing for me personally and for our sod business. The opportunity to meet and share with professionals that enjoy growing grass has been priceless.” BOB McCURDY
Owner, McCurdy Sod Farms and Past President of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association
Regal Chemical Company....................................... 3 www.regalchem.com
Sigma Organics, Inc.............................................. 27 www.SigmaTurf.com
Simplot Partners................................................... 25 www.simplotpartners.com
Smith Seed Services............................................. 41 www.smithseed.com
Smith Turf & Irrigation............................................ 5 www.smithturf.com
Sod Production Services....................................... 15 www.sodproductionservices.com 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 © 2021 by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Tennessee Turfgrass is published bi-monthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. 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, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.
Southeast Turf Maintenance................................ 41 www.southeastturf.com
Sur-Line Turf, Inc................................................... 37 www.surlineturf.com
Syngenta Turf........................................................ 33 www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com
The Turfgrass Group....................................... 17, 29 www.theturfgrassgroup.com
Tri-Turf Sod Farms................................................ 15 www.triturfsod.com
Turf Mountain Sod, Inc......................................... 37 www.turfmountain.com
42
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
Winstead Turf..............................Inside Front Cover www.winsteadturffarms.com
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAY WITH Bart Cash, Territory Manager, Buy Sod Inc. bcash@buysod.com • 615-946-1023
