Tennessee Turfgrass - June / July 2021

JUNE / JULY 2021

ZOYSIAGRASS PUTTING GREENS:

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

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED SO FAR

PLUS BETTER PLANNING AND EXECUTION THROUGH

WEATHER APP ADOPTION

1

Turfgrasses for the 21st Century

Our goal is to produce the highest quality, innovative turfgrass on the market today while providing the best customer service. Our affiliation with several research and development professionals gives us access to some of the best varieties of turf available for difficult applications. We are also a grower of Tennessee Crop Improvement Association Certified Turfgrass.

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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 JUNE / JULY 2021

14 16 18 28

Feature — U.S. Sod Checkoff is Working Hard to “Bring Grass to Life” Guest Column — When Doing Good is Good Business

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Cover Story — Zoysiagrass Putting Greens: What We’ve Learned So Far Feature — Better Planning and Execution Through Weather App Adoption

DEPARTMENTS Index of Advertisers

5

Upcoming Event

6

From the TTA President

8

News from TTA

9

From the MTGCSA President

10

From the TVSTMA President

11

The Turfgrass Team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

27

Calendar of Events

35

For turf news & updates, follow TWITTER.COM/THETURFZONE Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: THETURFZONE.COM

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS JUNE / JULY 2021

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ADVERTISER INDEX A & W Southern Sod Farms................................13 www.awssod.com

Andersons............................................................13 www.andersonsplantnutrient.com

Buy Sod, Inc.........................................................35 www.buysod.com

BWI Companies, Inc.............................................31 www.bwicompanies.com

Carolina Green Corp.............................................34 www.cgcfields.com

Coosa Valley Turf Farms......................................26 www.coosavalleyturffarms.com

GURU Scapes.......................................................23 www.guruscapes.com

Jackson Sand.......................................................31 www.jacksonsand.com

Kesmac.................................................................21 www.brouwerkesmac.com

Leading Edge Communications............................27 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

McCurdy Sod Farms, LLC.....................................23 www.mccurdysodfarms.com

Mid Tenn Turf......................................................10 www.midtennturf.com

Mid-Atlantic STIHL................................Back Cover www.stihldealers.com

Modern Turf, Inc....................................................5 www.modernturf.com

North Georgia Turf Company, Inc........................11 ngturf.com

Progressive Turf Equipment Inc...........................17 www.progressiveturfequip.com

Pure Green Sports Turf........................................17 www.puregreenllc.com

RD Murphy, LLC...................................................26 www.rdmurphy.com

Regal Chemical Company......................................3 www.regalchem.com

Sigma Organics, Inc.............................................24 www.SigmaTurf.com

Smith Seed Services............................................34 www.smithseed.com

Smith Turf & Irrigation...........................................7 www.smithturf.com

Sod Solutions.......................................................15 www.sodsolutions.com

Sur-Line Turf, Inc..................................................25 www.surlineturf.com

The Turfgrass Group......................................19, 29 www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Tri-Turf Sod Farms.................................................5 www.triturfsod.com

Turfgrass of Tennessee.......................................24 Turf Mountain Sod, Inc........................................25 www.turfmountain.com

Winstead Turf............................ Inside Front Cover www.winsteadturffarms.com

SERVICES • Sod Installation • Sprigging • Laser Grading

• Construction

& Renovation • Golf Courses

• Athletic Fields • Topdressing • Hydroseeding

SOD VARIETIES • Tifway 419 • Latitude 36 • NorthBridge

Bermuda

• Meyer Zoysia • Fescue Blend • Innovation Zoysia • HGT Bluegrass • Geo Zoysia • RTF

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UPCOMING EVENT

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS JUNE / JULY 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

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FROM THE TTA PR ESIDENT

Doug Ward

IN FULL SWING As

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

everyone is gearing up for another Tennessee summer, whether it be work related or pleasure – one thing is for sure, the “heat” is off from the COVID issues that plagued us at this time last year. I, for one, enjoy the pleasure of walking to the front door of my grocery store and not have to do a U-turn to my car for the forgotten face mask…good grief!!!

With that said, I’m hoping everyone is now living a less complicated life as we inch back to a more unrestricted lifestyle.

PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 info@leadingedgecommunications.com

TTA / Turf Thoughts for the Summer

TTA OFFICERS

No doubt, with the growing season in full swing, our focus is largely on turf issues at work and not much for the business of TTA and the 2022 conference.

Even with so many things going on, I wanted to throw out a couple of things for our members to consider.

• We are always looking for worthy nominations from our membership that recognize notable work done in the turf industry.

• The categories of management that we would like to highlight at our next conference are Tom Samples Professional of the Year, Environmental Stewardship Award, Sports Field of the Year and Golf Course of the Year.

• We have two scholarships that are awarded annual, which are the Legacy Scholarship and the Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship.

• Please try to keep any operations or individuals in mind that make a statement to you or the industry and let us know. It’s easy…we want to hear from you!!!

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

UT Turf Research Updates • As most of you already know, it is not on the books for the traditional Turfgrass Field Day this year in Knoxville.

• However, to keep current with research findings, UT is conducting TN Turf Tuesdays that offer the latest program information.

• Conducted on the first Tuesday of each month, connecting to this live presentation, Professional CEU’s and pesticide points will be awarded.

• For complete information and specifics concerning this educational program, go to www.ttaonline.org and click on events. You will see the full line-up including registration information.

Finally, it’s over six months away, but it is exciting to know that preparations are being made for a, once again, live conference and tradeshow in 2022.

As mentioned in last issue’s message, several new ideas are being considered to make this year’s educational program a unique experience.

Other aspects of the conference and show are being studied as well, all of which I hope to comment on further in the next issue as plans are solidified.

Until then, have a great summer as we all enjoy a much less restricted way of life.

Doug Ward TTA President

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS JUNE / JULY 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

EDITOR Dr. James Brosnan

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

NEWS FROM TTA

CALL FOR AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS It is time to start submitting applications for TTA Annual Awards and Scholarships! Each year, we recognize professionals across the industry for their outstanding work in turf. Whether it is Golf, Sports, Lawn and Landscape, Educators or Environmental Stewardship, we love to recognize those who excel in the turfgrass industry! And don’t forget our support of future turf professionals through scholarships.

You can find more details at ttaonline.org/page-1583684

ANNUAL AWARDS and SCHOLARSHIPS INCLUDE: TOM SAMPLES PROFESSIONAL of the YEAR One of the most prestigious and highest recognitions bestowed on a Tennessee turfgrass professional by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association is the Tom Samples Professional of the Year Award. Each year TTA members are given the opportunity to nominate those who they feel have made contributions to the turfgrass industry.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD The Tennessee Turfgrass Association 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 which have demonstrated outstanding contributions to environmental protection and improvement.

SPORTS FIELD of the YEAR AWARD and GOLF COURSE of the YEAR AWARD The Tennessee Turfgrass Association recognizes that you make personal and professional contributions to our industry and to the organization you serve. Therefore, the TTA would like to distinguish fields across the state with the Sports Fields of the Year and Golf Course of the Year Awards. Through these awards we further one main element of our mission which is to gain acknowledgement for the professionalism of our members.

LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP The Tennessee Turfgrass Association Legacy Scholarship offers financial aid to children or grandchildren of active TTA members in good standing. Scholarship applicants are not required to be pursuing education in a turfgrass related field to be eligible for the TTA Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship is funded and administered by the TTA.

ERNEST HARDISON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP The Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship offers financial aid to students interested in pursuing a career in turf management.

The scholarship is funded and administered by the TTA. The Scholarship and Awards Committee will review all applications and select the scholarship recipient. All decisions of the committee will be final. This scholarship will be awarded at the TTA annual conference and a check will be made payable to the recipient in the amount of $2000.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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FROM THE MTGCSA PRESIDENT

Justin Browning

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING I

hope this issue finds all our members doing very well. We have seen a little bit of everything this spring from wet and cool to warm and dry. With Tennessee weather that should not really surprise any of us.

I have received great feedback from our first two meetings this year. I feel the same way. It has certainly been nice to see everyone again in person. I feel confident that the remaining meetings that we have scheduled for this year will also be well received.

We still have a few things to confirm for the annual scholarship tournament. Watch for an email announcement in the coming

DAILY REGIONAL DELIVERY

weeks with the date and location and please make plans to attend.

The scholarship tournament is a great opportunity to see our peers and the money we raise is used to provide scholarships for those who are pursuing a career in the turf industry.

I want to wish all of you the best of luck in the upcoming weeks as we are approaching the summer grind. Thank you all for your support and I hope to see you at one of our next events.

Justin Browning MTGCSA President

The Southeast’s

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS JUNE / JULY 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Blue Tag Certified Grasses ••• Over 2,500 Acres in Production

FROM THE TVSTMA PRESIDENT

John Wagnon

BACK TO BUSINESS T

in late October/early November. Please check our website for more information.

Thank you goes out to our Commercial Sponsors for their continued support. As of this writing they are: Advanced Turf Solutions, GroundsCARE Unlimited, Rain Bird, McCurdy Sod Farm, Pioneer Athletics, PureGreen, The Hogan Company, ABM, Syngenta, & Warner Athletic Construction. Please consider supporting the companies that support TVSTMA.

VSTMA will begin holding in person meetings again, beginning with our Annual Field Day & Equipment Demonstration. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at the Civitan Park in Clarksville, TN. Joe Rodocker, Zack Williamson, and Montgomery County Parks & Recreation will be our hosts. At this event you will get to see the products used to maintain your athletic fields up close and personal. There will be several new, innovative products on display as well. For more information or to register for the event please visit our website, www.tvstma.org.

We also have a meeting planned for the fall. It will be at the University of Tennessee’s Center for Athletic Field Safety

John Wagnon

TVSTMA President

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UPCOMING EVENTS JULY 13 th

AUGUST 3 rd

TENNESSEE TURF TUESDAYS A DIGITAL L EA RN I N G S E RI E S FOR 2021 All sessions will be Zoom webinars hosted from 11:30am – 12:30pm EDT

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS JUNE / JULY 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

SEPTEMBER 14 th

OCTOBER 5 th

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FOLTEC LQ ULTRA 0-0-27 Foltec LQ Ultra 0-0-27 is a potassium phosphite fertilizer for use on premium turfgrass. The unique, 24%-phosphite formulation makes this product an ideal selection for providing potassium, which is important for cellular structure and plant energy production.

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FEATURE

U.S. Sod Checkoff is Working Hard to

“BRING GRASS TO LIFE”

S

od producers in the U.S. have been discussing the benefits of creating a sod checkoff since 1996, but only in recent years has there been more intentional discussion around how the industry can begin that process.

The goal of any checkoff program is to increase product demand and/or expand markets. For the sod industry specifically, the checkoff program will seek to Bring Grass to Life and increase value and profitability per square foot. This can include programs that will increase preference for sod, promote sod to consumers nationally and conduct research to educate and inform industry regulators and politicians.

Dr. Casey Reynolds, TPI Executive Director, has been a powerful voice behind the effort, rallying the industry around the benefits of an industry-wide checkoff.

“The sod checkoff will benefit every producer and farm by increasing visibility and value of sod that includes driving preference for natural grass sod with both consumers and customers, and by uniting the U.S. sod industry to protect and even grow market share in the face of threats from misinformation, building codes that seek to reduce our market, grass bans, and even competitors like artificial turf and others that compete for our space,” said Reynolds.

HOW WOULD A SOD CHECKOFF IMPACT YOU? Checkoff programs are industry-funded initiatives that help improve the market position of agricultural products. A sod checkoff would help showcase the value of natural grass in several ways, including the following:

• Research can help gain insights into generational attitudes towards lawns, which are currently shifting in the wrong direction, and consumer messaging can educate consumers on the benefits of natural grass.

• Scientific research on ecosystem services can change the narrative around lawns and other green spaces and showcase the value that natural grass brings to urban and suburban areas.

• A network can be established for monitoring headlines for negative media and responding to them swiftly, effectively, and in unison with one voice.

• Marketing tools can help farms access and promote their products locally, to achieve a consistent message across the industry.

“I see the sod checkoff advancing the industry, positively impacting my own sod farm and creating a legacy for future generations to love their lawn,” said Diane Mischel with DeBuck’s Sod Farm in Michigan. “As individual farms, our message is just a voice in the crowd, but the sod checkoff will be a megaphone, funneling our message into a clear powerful channel.”

GETTING THE PROCESS STARTED As of January 2021, a draft order that outlines the key points needed for an efficient, successful checkoff program has been written and submitted to the USDA for review. Once approved, it will be published in the U.S. Federal Register for public viewing and commentary prior to a vote in spring of 2022.

If passed by a majority vote of U.S. sod producers, the program will be implemented and governed by sod producers who are nominated by fellow producers. This group will invest checkoff dollars in national and consumer marketing collateral, agronomic and consumer research, promotional kits that can be customized by growers and customer and regulator education and outreach, to help increase value and profitability per square foot of sod for the U.S. sod industry. The proposed assessment rate is 1/10 of one penny for every square foot of sod sold.

With a checkoff, the U.S. sod industry can bring producers across the country together to change the narrative around the benefits of natural grass. Please consider voting yes in the upcoming referendum, so we can finally give our industry the unified voice it needs to protect and grow markets for many years to come.

• The checkoff can help fight against regulations like grass bans, fertilizer bans, invasive species lists, building codes, etc.

• Marketing can help combat competitive products in the marketplace.

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS JUNE / JULY 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

If you are interested in learning more about the US Sod Checkoff, please visit WWW.SODCHECKOFF.ORG.

GUEST COLUMN

WHEN DOING GOOD I S GOOD B U S I N E S S

By Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM

A

lmost every organization is facing unprecedented difficulty in recruiting and hiring employees today. Whether the hesitancy to return to work is due to elevated unemployment benefits, lack of vaccination adoption, inconsistent childcare, or family health concerns, the labor problem remains. Quite simply the standard job offering isn’t sufficient to move the needle anymore. Here’s how to change the outcome and do good in the process.

In an effort to find workers, many entry-level jobs have prominently advertised wages starting at $15/hour. Others have created giant signs touting signing bonuses of $250. Some have proclaimed retirement matching. But none of these are compelling anymore.

What is compelling is creating an opportunity for people to find the skills they need to literally change their lives for the better.

People will sign up for an established program of mentorship that will help them achieve their potential and realize their dreams. Jobs that enable people to thrive will always find willing applicants, and it’s possible to implement in any organization.

The clothing retailer Old Navy has made a commitment to hire 20,000 underprivileged youth by 2025, representing a full 5% of all new hires. Their program, called This Way ONward, has been in existence since 2007 and is active in 576 cities across the US. Through the program, Old Navy works with community partners like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to provide youth with job mentoring opportunities. Managers interview youth and are directed to “hire for potential, not credential.” What’s more, youth receive post-hire support through coaching from managers, a job coach, and experienced peers.

The results? 10-year alumni of the program have found stable employment 72% of the time compared with 55% of their peers.

68% report a significant increase in self-confidence, enabling success in life. And Old Navy hired more than 2,500 youth last year for jobs that may have otherwise been unfilled. Clearly, doing good for the community is good business.

But can small teams adopt the same approach without huge budgets and years of experience? Absolutely. The first step is to make a commitment to coaching others. Investing an hour per week of time with each person is a prerequisite to successfully mentoring staff. When time and space is given towards coaching conversations without daily work pressures, a real human connection can be established, and people can start to thrive.

What do coaching conversations sound like? I prefer to start with hopes and dreams. What’s your dream job? What do you want your life to look like? What do you want to provide for your family?

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What do these look like in six months and one year and five years and ten years? People usually don’t have all the answers upfront and they often change over months and years, but these are the motivations we’ll use to fuel growth.

Next, I try to collaboratively build individualized action steps which consider the person’s unique talents, benefit on-the-job outcomes, and lead toward realization of their goals. For this step I use specialized assessments to provide self-awareness and idea generation. As a result, the coaching is always relevant, wellreceived, and applicable.

Finally, we shift to driving accountability by setting shortterm commitments and ensuring that success is realized. When obstacles arise, I guide mentees through self-reflection to overcome them in the future. This is where skill training tends to enter, either directly or through third-party resources. When priorities change, we rework the process.

It can be an awkward process to start, but as one of my direct reports recently told me, “Our coaching conversations are by far my favorite part of the job.” Every week I’m helping her develop skills and experience. And doing good to help someone else has become my favorite part of the job.

But, as I said, doing good is good business. Those who I’ve been blessed to coach thrive in life and on the job. Their performance is higher, they contribute more positive energy, and work gets done with less stress. I’ve successfully recruited from partners including colleges, halfway houses, faith-based recovery programs, and job-training organizations. The people who participate are some of the most appreciative employees because they have a chance to significantly improve their lives.

If you’re seeking your next employee, maybe it’s time to rethink the approach. Save the money from the job boards and invest the time to find community organizations like vocational schools, foster care programs, churches, homeless shelters, or after-school youth programs. If you need help training them, we’d love to partner with you with our industry-specific courses on www.GrowTheBench.com.

Commit to doing good for people who want jobs but lack skills and filling positions will no longer be such a challenge. It’s just good business.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS JUNE / JULY 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Neal Glatt is the Managing Partner of GrowTheBench, an online training platform for the green industry. You can learn more about him and his solutions at www.NealGlatt.com.

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ZOYSIAGRASS PU T T I N G G R E E NS :

COVER STORY

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED SO FAR

By Tyler Carr, John Sorochan, and Jim Brosnan — Dept. of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee

Z

oysiagrass is a warm-season turfgrass used on lawns and golf courses in the transition zone and southern United States. Zoysiagrasses have become popular in part because they require fewer inputs and offer enhanced cold and shade tolerance compared to bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). On golf course fairways, tees, and roughs, two different species of zoysiagrass are most common: Zoysia japonica (e.g., ‘Meyer’, ‘El Toro’, etc.) and Z. matrella (e.g., ‘Zeon’, Zorro’, etc.) (Patton et al., 2017).

Continued turfgrass breeding efforts have sparked an interest in zoysiagrass for use on putting greens.

In 1996, ‘Diamond’ (Z. matrella) was released as a fine-textured zoysiagrass with potential to be used on putting surfaces; however, research from Clemson University determined that ball roll speeds were too slow for tournament purposes (Engelke et al., 2002; Stiglbauer et al., 2009). More recently, three Z. matrella cultivars [‘Prizm’ (M60), ‘Primo’ (M85), and ‘Trinity’ (L1F)] have been released for use on putting greens in addition to ‘Lazer’ (DALZ 1308), a first-generation hybrid of Z. matrella and Z. minima (Doguet and Lehman, 2014; Doguet et al., 2016, 2017; Chandra et al., 2020). These improved zoysiagrasses were planted at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN) in 2018 to study their

potential for use on putting greens over multiple seasons. This article will provide a brief overview of what has been learned in that research effort.

NITROGEN (N) FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS AND GREEN SPEED One of the major topics surrounding zoysiagrass management on putting greens is N fertilizer requirements. A 16-week study in 2020 compared the performance and quality of Prizm, Primo, Trinity, and Lazer when receiving annual N rates of 1.5 or 3 lb N 1000 ft-2 (0.19 or 0.38 lb N 1000 ft-2 every two weeks during summer) supplied as urea. All plots were mowed at a 0.115" height of cut with a walk-behind reel mower (Greensmaster Flex 2100, The Toro Company, Bloomington, MN).

Most golf course superintendents are very familiar with using a Stimpmeter to provide a measure of green speed (i.e., ball roll distance; Radko, 1980). When mowing and rolling five times weekly, green speeds for all zoysiagrasses tested averaged at least 10.5' over the 16-week study period, even when receiving 3 lb N 1000 ft-2 (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1. Ball roll distances for four zoysiagrasses after 1.5 or 3 lb N 1000 ft-2 over 16 weeks in Knoxville, TN. These data are pooled across all evaluation dates. Treatments with different letters have significantly different ball roll distances (P ≤ 0.05).

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS JUNE / JULY 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

31°28’36.5” N x 83°31’33.3” W

Marks the Spot

UGA Tifton, GA

COVER STORY In general, the 3 lb N 1000 ft-2 rate resulted in superior color compared to 1.5 lb N 1000 ft-2 (Figure 2) while still maintaining green speeds greater than those historically reported for Diamond. Further testing of other annual N rates between 1.5 and 3 lb 1000 ft-2 will be needed to determine the specific amount of N required to maintain acceptable quality and optimal green speed on zoysiagrass putting greens in Tennessee. Nonetheless, the range of N rates tested in this study provides a starting point for golf course superintendents considering renovating to zoysiagrass putting surfaces.

BERMUDAGRASS ENCROACHMENT Aside from managing zoysiagrass for performance, golf course superintendents will likely face encroachment from another warm-season turfgrass, bermudagrass. Controlling bermudagrass in Z. japonica typically involves multiple applications of Fusilade II (fluazifop) + Turflon Ester (triclopyr) (Brosnan et al., 2011); however, the tolerance of greens-type zoysiagrass to this treatment is unknown. A twoyear study was initiated in August 2020 at the University of Tennessee and the University of Arkansas to evaluate the tolerance of Prizm and Lazer zoysiagrass to several postemergence herbicides including Fusilade II (4 fl oz/A), Turflon Ester (32 fl oz/A), Fusilade II (4 fl oz/A) + Turflon Ester (32 fl oz/A), Revolver (26.2 fl oz/A), and Dismiss NXT (8 fl oz/A).

CONTINUED

FIGURE 2. Visual quality and color of zoysiagrasses affected by N rates of 1.5 or 3 lb N 1000 ft-2 over 16 weeks during summer 2020 in Knoxville, TN.

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS JUNE / JULY 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

COVER STORY Unlike Z. japonica, both Fusilade II + Turflon Ester and Turflon Ester alone resulted in unacceptable and prolonged injury to both Prizm and Lazer zoysiagrass. Interestingly, Fusilade II applied alone resulted in limited injury (Figure 3). The same negative effects of Turflon Ester and acceptable tolerance of Fusilade II have been previously reported for Diamond zoysiagrass (Lewis et al., 2010). Additionally, Revolver was safe on

Prizm and Lazer whereas Dismiss NXT resulted in unacceptable injury. These treatments will be applied again in 2021 at both locations to make sure responses are consistent over time. As zoysiagrass use on putting greens increases, additional research will be needed to understand tolerance of greens-type cultivars to other herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides used for pest management.

FIGURE 3. Prizm zoysiagrass injury from treatments containing Turflon Ester (triclopyr; 32 fl oz/A) 21 days after treatment application in Knoxville, TN.

FIGURE 4. The effect of planting date on turfgrass coverage during establishment of ‘Prizm’ zoysiagrass sprigs when planted at 1200 bu/A in April, May, June, and July 2020 in Knoxville, TN.

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ESTABLISHMENT The single greatest concern golf course superintendents express about renovating putting greens to zoysiagrass is the slow establishment from sprigs (8–12 weeks) compared to ultradwarf bermudagrass (6–8 weeks). A major research focus at the University of Tennessee is to explore methods to hasten zoysiagrass establishment from sprigs. A field study evaluating establishment of Prizm zoysiagrass in April, May, June, and July was initiated in 2020 and is being repeated in 2021. In this study, Prizm zoysiagrass was sprigged at 1200 bushels/A at each timing. One week prior to sprig harvesting, Lexicon (21 fl oz/A) was applied to established Prizm zoysiagrass at Bladerunner Farms (Poteet, TX). Before planting sprigs, starter fertilizer (18-24-12) was applied to the experimental area at 0.5 lb P2O5 1000 ft-2 and organic fertilizer (6-2-0; Milorganite Classic, Milorganite, Milwaukee, WI) was applied at 0.25 lb N 1000 ft-2 totaling 0.63 lb N 1000 ft-2, 0.58 lb P2O5 1000 ft-2, and 0.25 lb K2O 1000 ft-2. Additionally, Ronstar Flo (80 fl oz/A) was applied immediately prior to planting. During establishment, irrigation was applied five times daily replacing 150% of the previous day’s evapotranspiration, which was estimated using the mesur.io Earthstream platform (mesur.io, Yanceyville, NC).

Planting date affected establishment in 2020, as establishment rates increased with planting month (Figure 4). However, Prizm zoysiagrass planted in June and July did not fully establish in 2020, which was likely a result of fall temperatures that were not conducive for warmseason turfgrass growth. Prizm planted in late spring (April or May) had slower establishment rates than the summer plantings but established fully in the same growing season. Planting Prizm sprigs in early summer and at rates greater than those used in this study could accelerate establishment and warrants further investigation, as several golf courses have shown success when establishing zoysiagrass sprigs at rates of 1800 to 2000 bu/A.

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COVER STORY FIGURE 5. Confidence intervals (95%) for the estimated number of weeks for ‘Prizm’ zoysiagrass planted at 1200 bu/A to reach 50, 75, and 95% turfgrass coverage with a preplant herbicide application of Ronstar Flo (122 fl oz/A), Tower (32 fl oz/A), Regalstar II (200 lb/A), Anderson’s Crabgrass and Goosegrass Control (305 lb/A), and an experimental herbicide from PBI Gordon in May 2020 in Knoxville, TN. Herbicide treatments with overlapping bars are not significantly different.

24

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The effect of preplant herbicides on Prizm establishment was tested in May 2020 and repeated in May 2021 using the same, previously described, establishment methodology. Treatments tested included Ronstar Flo (122 fl oz/A), Tower (32 fl oz/A), Regalstar II (200 lb/A), Anderson’s Crabgrass and Goosegrass Control (305 lb/A), and an experimental herbicide from PBI Gordon. Anderson’s Crabgrass and Goosegrass Control and Regalstar II both severely prolonged establishment, which was not unexpected given the active ingredients in those herbicides. An application of Tower before planting hastened establishment compared to the non-treated control (Figure 5).

CONCLUSION While much has been learned about managing new zoysiagrass cultivars on putting greens over the past 18 months, many things still remain unknown and warrant further research. The University of Tennessee will be diligently working to learn more about these grasses to support golf course superintendents considering a renovation to zoysiagrass in the future. For more information on our work, please connect with us on Twitter (@UTturfgrass) or visit the University of Tennessee Turfgrass Science & Management Website, https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/ turfgrass/.

T Y LE R C AR R Graduate Research Assistant @TylerTalksTurf JO HN S O R O C H A N Distinguished Professor @Sorochan JIM BROSNAN Professor and Director @UTturfweeds

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COOSA VALLEY TURF FARMS LLC

COVER STORY REFERENCES Brosnan, J., Breeden, G., Elmore, M., & Zidek, J. (2011). Application timing affects bermudagrass suppression with mixtures of fluazifop and triclopyr. Weed Technology, 25, 591–597. https://doi. org/10.1614/WT-D-10-00165.1 Chandra, A., Genovesi, A. D., Meeks, M., Wu, Y., Engelke, M. C., Kenworthy, K., & Schwartz, B. (2020). Registration of ‘DALZ 1308’ zoysiagrass. Journal of Plant Registrations, 14, 19–34. https:// doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20016

MEMBER OF

Doguet, D., Doguet, D. A., & Lehman, V.G. (2016). Zoysiagrass plant named ‘M85’.

US Plant Patent 27289. Date issued: 18 October.

Doguet, D., Doguet, D. A., & Lehman, V.G. (2017). Zoysiagrass plant named ‘M60’.

US Plant Patent 29143. Date issued: 23 November.

Doguet, D., & Lehman, V. (2014). Zoysia grass plant named ‘L1F’. US Plant Patent 25203. Date issued: 30 December.

Engelke, M. C., Colbaugh, P. F., Reinert, J.A., Marcum, K. B., White, R.H., Ruemmele, B., & Anderson, S. J. (2002).

Registration of ‘Diamond’ zoysiagrass.

Crop Science, 42, 304–305. https://doi. org/10.2135/cropsci2002.3040

CENTIPEDE

Lewis, D., McElroy, J., Sorochan, J., Mueller, T., Samples, T., & Breeden, G. (2010).

Efficacy and Safening of Aryloxyphenoxypropionate Herbicides when TankMixed with Triclopyr for Bermudagrass Control in Zoysiagrass Turf. Weed Technology, 24, 489-494. https://doi. org/10.1614/WT-D-10-00029.1

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Patton, A. J., Schwartz, B. M., & Kenworthy, K. E. (2017). Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) history, utilization, and improvement in the United States: A review. Crop Science, 57, 37–72. https://doi.org/10.2135/ cropsci2017.02.0074 Radko, A. (1980). The USGA Stimpmeter for Measuring the Speed of Putting Greens. In J.B. Beard (Ed.), Proceedings of The Third International Turfgrass Research Conference (pp. 473–476).

American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America.

Stiglbauer, J. B., Liu, H., McCarty, L. B., Park, D. M., Toler, J. E., & Kirk, K. (2009).

‘Diamond’ zoysiagrass putting green establishment affected by sprigging rates, nitrogen sources, and rates in the southern transition zone. HortScience, 44, 1757–1761. https://doi.org/10.21273/ hortsci.44.6.1757

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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FEATURE

BETTER PLANNING and EXECUTION THROUGH

WEATHER APP ADOPTION

By Brad Jakubowski, Instructor in Agronomy, Center for Turfgrass Science

K

eeping an eye on the weather is something professional turfgrass managers have ingrained into our systems. Can I mow today? We check our phones for the most recent forecast. Should I spray today?

We monitor dewpoints, humidity and temperatures. Will I pull the tarp prior to today’s game? We study the weather radar. There is a tremendous amount of weather information out there and nearly all of us have some form of aweather app on our phones or a link to our favorite weather website to help us make day-to-day management decisions. Let’s take a journey, to see what is out there and what information will help us make the best weather-based decisions possible.

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FEATURE WHICH APP IS THE BEST?

INTERMEDIATE INFORMATION

Honestly, there is no one best app so it is important to find an app or a number of apps that provide you the most reliable and quickly available information.

When making game-time decisions such as tarp pulls or field evacuations due to severe weather, radar becomes an important tool. There are numerous good weather radar apps available. Many are free, some require an annual fee of $US 10 to 50. Many of the fee-based apps offer expanded functionality, precision and overall quality of information. Regardless of cost, radar app selection should prioritize the type of reflectivity the radar images are based upon. There are two types, Base Reflectivity and Composite Reflectivity. Each time a radar transmitter spins, it sends out a microwave ‘sweep’ at different elevations to get a complete picture of all atmosphere elevations. A Base Reflectivity image represents only a single sweep of the radar transmitter. This means that near the transmitter the radar ‘sees’ low in the storms and as distance increases the beam rises and can overshoot the core of heavier precipitation. Many High-Resolution (Hi-Res) radar images feature only Base Reflectivity sweeps.

Basic Information

that is important to have available with the least number of clicks would be: • High and Low Temperatures (including overnight lows) • Dewpoint • Relative Humidity • Short-Term Weather Forecasts

Intermediate Information

includes:

• Radar (Base and Composite Reflectivity) • Satellite Imagery • Severe Weather (especially lightning).

Advanced Information

would be:

• Echo Tops • Vertically Integrated Liquid • Digital Storm Accumulation • Forecast Discussion FIGURE

BASIC INFORMATION When looking for basic information, it is best to have most or all important data on the first screen or within one or two clicks from the first screen. That is often a good way to judge how well your app will benefit you over time. As an example, The National Weather Service includes much of the basic data (Figure 1). At a glance, you can get a good idea of what is happening now and what will happen in the immediate future. High and low temperatures provide a quick mental image of how the day (and night) may influence your maintenance plans, while winds, dewpoint and relative humidity provide a quick insight on irrigation requirements, disease potential, and infield skin management requirements.

It is beneficial to see both relative humidity and dewpoint together. Viewing only either limits your view of the big picture.

For example, a relative humidity of 65% with dewpoints over 70 degrees indicate that less time may be spent watering the infield skin and instead used to scout for diseases. The same relative humidity with dewpoints under 40 may indicate a majority of the day should be dedicated to watering the skin and irrigating.

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FEATURE Composite Reflectivity stitches together all elevation scans, in order, to create an image that represents a more complete picture of an incoming storm. These are often lower-resolution images and may be more pixelated. Figures 2 and 3 are of the same storm with the former being a Base Reflectivity image and the latter a Composite Reflectivity image.

Figure 4 shows the different reflectivity options you may have within a radar app, and again illustrates not all radar imagery is the same. So, when trying to make critical game-time decisions, a radar image using Base Reflectivity may grossly underestimate the significance of an incoming storm. When selecting a radar app, be sure investigate the types of radar images it provides and be prepared to spend a few dollars for radar that will prove worthwhile in the future.

FIGURE

Base Reflectivity

2

SATELLITE IMAGERY There are numerous Satellite Imagery options as well. They provide visible cloud cover, infrared (the most common that we see), moisture content, and all-in-one maps that include a combination of radar, infrared, and weather station models to tell a complete weather story. Satellite images can give you a broader perspective of how the weather is behaving on a wider, more continental scale. The images and loops illustrate air flow, cloud and moisture movement and overall dynamics of frontal systems. These large-scale images and video loops can help in longer-term planning. They can aid in project preparation and be used as a tool to help protect fields when communicating with administrators that may be considering additional unexpected events during non-use days. It is useful to compare these images with regular weather maps to get a good working knowledge of fronts and changing weather systems.

FIGURE

4

FIGURE

Composite Reflectivity

3

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SEVERE WEATHER

ADVANCED INFORMATION

Lightning is the most critical facet of severe weather for sport turf managers. In 2019, one in five people struck by lightning were engaged in an outdoor sporting activity. Having an app that can provide you lightning information instantly or within a click on your phone is important. The lightning information from the WeatherBug app for Figure 5 only required a short scroll down and a single click. An old AM radio is also good to have on-hand as a back up lightning detector. Significant increase in crackles and static transmitted across AM radio bands are dependable indicators of lightning activity in the area. Old School!

As we work towards becoming more proficient with understanding weather and being able to make better weather-based decisions, we find more advanced tools to help us. Echo Tops or Cloud Height is another function to help us assess the intensity of an oncoming storm. An Echo Top measures the overall height of a storm, which is an indicator of the strength of storm updrafts. Stronger updrafts make convective wind gusts and large hail more likely.

FIGURE

6

FIGURE

5

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FEATURE When several storms are on radar, the Echo Tops tool can point out the more severe storms and the direction they are travelling (Figure 6). This can be valuable information to report to the front office when asked about making a call on a game or whether the conditions will be safe to conduct a last-minute tarp pull. Another tool to assess the strength of a storm is Vertically Integrated Liquid (VIL). The VIL index measures how much water is being transported vertically throughout a storm cloud and is another indicator of a storm’s updraft strength. Taller updrafts tend to have higher values of VIL and are more likely to produce hail.

One more tool that can be used to help determine the total accumulation of a precipitation event is Digital Storm Accumulation.

By allowing you to assess discrete accumulations over short periods of time, this tool may help you determine whether or not to pull a field cover for a particular rain event, saving time and energy that could be used elsewhere and avoid unnecessary delays. This tool may also aid in determining the potential of a flash flood event in your area.

SUMMARY Technological advancements afford us incredibly convenient tools and information apps that support worker and clientele safety while improving our maintenance, irrigation, pest management, and playability decision-making. Take advantage of this opportunity by investigating these different apps and functions. Poll your colleagues, service providers, and blogs/forums to best experiment and discover what works best for you and your facility.

This article was originally published in Pennsylvania Turfgrass Magazine, Summer 2021.

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Andy Rushing arushing@cgcfields.com Phone: (704) 634-9799 Toll Free – Office: (866) 753-1707

www.cgcfields.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.

To discuss advertising opportunities, Contact Leading Edge Communications:

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