Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | July/August 2009
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12 12 Cover Story
Controlling Weeds in Landscape Beds
24 DEPARTMENTS 6 Director’s Corner
from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.
8 Editor’s Perspective
from Mark Vaughn, CGCS
18 Turf Talk Rescue 911 for Bentgrass Golf Greens
10 VTF Report
from Betty Parker
22 Applied Research
26 Turfgrass Calendar
Crumb-Rubber Topdressing for Sports Fields
26 Index of Advertisers
24 Turf Safety Feeling the Heat: a Heat-Injury Prevention Program Cover photo courtesy of Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, Williamsburg, VA 4| VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2009 www.thevtc.org
Director’s Corner
A SHINING EXAMPLE of What Happens Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director
When We All Work Together 2009 Virginia Turfgrass Foundation’s Research Golf Tournament broke all records! We expanded from 18 to 27 holes and fielded over 45 teams! All these accomplishments happened in the midst of a depressed economy. What happened? Why did the tournament do so well? I think there are three reasons. One, Brandon Horvath encouraged the VTC last year to set our sights higher. He pushed us to have a tournament that not only would raise significant dollars for research but would also become a “must-attend” event for the industry. Following his advice, last year’s tournament was able to give about $18,000 to research! This year, Brandon helped jumpstart the planning even though he had only a few months left in Virginia. His dedication to the industry and his vision for the future as evidenced by the Research Golf Tournament are just two reasons why he will be missed. Two, the turfgrass industry recognizes the importance of research. Our industry will suffer without cutting-edge studies that find answers to challenges that turfgrass professionals face every day. Research benefits all aspects of our industry — golf courses, athletic fields, cemeteries, residential/commercial, parks and others. Three, many hours were spent by a dedicated group of volunteers making sure the tournament was a success. The committee made the phone calls and did other behindthe-scenes work that made the event happen. Please thank the committee members when you see them: Fred Biggers, Patrick Connelly, Jason Field, Jeff Holliday, John Pennypacker, Marc Petrus, Dan Taylor and Brian Vincel. The Research Golf Tournament serves as an example of the success that can happen when professionals work together to achieve a common goal. That example is also demonstrated in the Annual Conference — the next big item on the horizon. The conference is scheduled for the week of January 18 and will once again be held at the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center. This year’s them is “Fifty Years of Helping You Grow More Green.”
The
Don’t Miss the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Field Day September 1–2 | Blacksburg, VA 6| VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2009 www.thevtc.org
Virginia Turfgrass Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Office: (757) 464-1004 Fax: (757) 282-2693 vaturf@verizon.net PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com EDITOR Mark Vaughn, CGCS VTC OFFICERS President Rick Viancour, CGCS Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (757) 220-7489 Vice President Melissa Reynolds Dura Turf Service Corp. (804) 233-4972 Treasurer Brian Vincel, CGCS Spring Creek Golf Club (434) 566-2580 Past President Stephen Glass University of Richmond (804) 289-8605 VTC DIRECTORS Patrick Connelly Sam Doak Frank Flannagan Gil Grattan Vince Henderson Jeff Holliday, CGCS Steve Smith VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair) Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. Erik Ervin, Ph.D. Rajandra Waghray, Ph.D. Rod Youngman, Ph.D. HISTORIAN John Shoulders, Ph.D. CSES Retired EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 681-6065 VIRGINIA TURFGRASS FOUNDATION Betty Parker (757) 574-9061
Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council |7
Editor’s Perspective
A Few Ideas to
GET THE CA$H FLOWING at Your Facility
Mark Vaughn, CGCS Virginia Turfgrass Journal Editor
entlemen, start your billboards! I mean, if we really wanted to be honest, this is the cry that the designated celebrity-of-the-moment would start every NASCAR race with, correct? Die-hard (no ad intended) race fans might beg to differ, but the business of racing is much more about corporate endorsements than who has the fastest car. Why am I talking about racing in a magazine devoted to turf? A conversation with a friend and fellow NCSU alumnus about the “naming opportunities” at the golf course that it took our alma mater over 30 years to build got this ball rolling. After I got over my initial revulsion at the idea, my mind drifted, er… rather focused with laser sharpness, on the absolute kings of this sort of thing — The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Oh, sure, NASCAR likes to tell those folksy stories about the good ol’ boys runnin’ shine. And though you won’t hear one from a driver (except for maybe Dale Jr.), the announcers still have that southern twang going on enough to make you think this is just a bunch of country bumpkins out for a little fun on a Sunday afternoon. What you will hear is this: “Congratulations on another good win, [fill in the blank].” “Thanks, Darrell. Man, my guys had the GMAC Quaker State Viagra Depends KFC Juicy Fruit M&Ms #21 Goodwrench Chevy cranking today. And those Goodyear tires [shameless plug for MY employer] kept us glued to the track.” “Thanks, ______. Now let’s go to the garage where voluptuous Vicki is with _____, who you put into the wall on lap 183 on your way to victory.” “Well, first of all, I feel real bad for my guys in the pits and back at the shop. They had this Pennzoil J.C. Penney Goody’s Slim Jim Greased Lightning Busch Bank of America Mopar Dodge on the edge. We had the fastest car, but I guess it was just one of them deals.” Whew. Driving ability to be sure, but what about those memorization skills? I picture in my mind a classroom full of drivers, led by my 10th grade Shakespeare teacher, reciting soliloquies from Hamlet. So, with this being a down economy, I decided to remain positive, proactive and in the true capitalistic spirit by offering you yet another set of ideas (remember carbon credits from a few issues back?) to get the Benjamins flowing at your facility. Do what I recently did. A little I.P.M. No, not Integrated Pest Management. That stuff is so yesterday. Do your own analysis for some Income Producing Mechanisms. They’re everywhere, if we would just get the Rhizoctonia out of our eyes. For instance, by my calculations, there are over 4,800 square inches of logo-able space on the exterior of each of our 50 Club Cars. And that’s not counting the cup-holder console, the dash compartment or seats on the interior of the car. Speaking of seats, what about your locker-room facility? We’ve all seen the ads above urinals in restaurants, convenience stores and, yes, even in some golf
G
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facilities. But, what about the toilets? What Wolfpacker wouldn’t like to sit down on a baby-blue seat? What would a Buckeye give to warm his/her buns on a maize and blue throne? Maybe your members should get together and name one of the stalls after one of their more “difficult” brethren. Moving on to the dining room, why should the wait staff give all that space to drab black? You don’t see pit crews running around in monotones. And I suppose staid draperies are fine, but what about something similar to the rotating courtside signage in place at all major arenas? Want the same table in the 19th hole after every round? LTR’s (lifetime rights), my good man! Similarly, bar stools would be a PERFECT place to honor the professional imbibers every club has. Out on the course, the naming-rights possibilities are endless. Every hole
begins between two tee markers and ends at the bottom of a cup, with a lot of stuff in between. “Hey, Bob, what tees are we playing today? Michelob, Mic Light, Mic Ultra or Amber Bock? Don’t tell me you want to go all the way back to the Heiny tees again this week.” “Nah, Stan, I can’t carry Diet Pepsi Creek on #7 or cut the corner of Cialis Lake on #14 from those boxes. Although it did make my round when I blew it over the Wells Fargo cross bunker on #5 the other day. Hey, Mike, you’re up.” “Uh oh, looks like he’s got the driving iron out again. Better get your CVS divot bottle ready. Nice drive, big guy.” “Thanks Stan. Looks like I’ll have the angle so I won’t have to worry about the Norfolk and Southern crosstie wall on my second shot.” “Yeah, but the Whole Foods white oak may be a problem.” “Good putt, partner. Let me get that out of the hole for you. Wow,
looks like Food Lion is running their ‘buy one, get one free’ special again this week.” What about all that maintenance equipment running around the course? With a little homemade ingenuity, your equipment tech could wire one of those scrolling mini L.E.D. signs to the side of your fairway mower. “Buy one, get one chicken sandwich free at Chick-Fil-A through Friday.” And the crème-de-la-crème: all those plain white pickup trucks we ALL ride around in. What a total waste of capitalistic ad space. So, come on, guys and girls — it’s 2009, baby! Get over your aesthetic hang-ups and that old-school vision of classy. “Get outside the box,” “shift your paradigm,” “kaizen” and “Six Sigma,” and “at the end of the day,” the bean counters will be ecstatic. Oh, and thank you to our sponsors!
Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC) 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, Virginia Turfgrass Journal, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or VTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bimonthly publication. Copyright ©2009 by the Virginia Turfgrass Council. Virginia Turfgrass Journal is published bimonthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of VTC. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to VTC, P.O. Box 5989, Virginia Beach, VA 23471. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Franklin, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Virginia Turfgrass Journal allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to VTC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37068-0142, (615) 7903718, Fax (615) 794-4524. Deadlines are the first of the month prior to the following month’s publication. (Example: August 1 for the September issue.)
Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council |9
VTF Report
VAC APPROVES FUNDING Betty Parker VTF Manager
for Several Research Projects Virginia Agricultural Council (VAC) met on March 23 in Charlottesville to approve the VTF-endorsed projects for partial funding through the Seed Law Monies. The Seed Law Fund was established to support turfgrass research. From this, and the money which all of you so generously donate, we were able to provide $74,100 in support of the following projects.
The
Continuing Projects • “Integrated Pest Management for Tall Fescue and Bermudagrass,” conducted by Drs. Brandon Horvath* and Jeff Derr. Year two/of two: $33,280 • “Organic Matter Dilution Programs for Sand-Based Putting Greens in Virginia,” conducted by Drs. Erik Ervin and Brandon Horvath.* Year two/of three: $14,500 • “On-Site Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Evaluation for Putting Green Use in Eastern Virginia,” conducted by Dr. Mike Goatley. Year two/of three: $7,820 • “Pest Management Options for Annual Bluegrass Weevil, Cicada Killer and White Grubs on Golf Courses and Sod Farms,”** conducted by Drs. Rod Youngman and Mike Goatley. Year two/of two: $8,500 *Dr. Brandon Horvath recently took a position at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He will continue to support these projects, with Drs. Derr and Ervin assuming the position of primary researcher. **Drs. Rod Youngman and Mike Goatley contributed a wonderful article in the March/April issue of the Virginia Turfgrass Journal as a result of this research. Check it out!
New Projects • “Evaluation of Unique Warm-Season Turfgrass Varieties for Low-Input Virginia Lawns,” conducted by Dr. Erik Ervin. One year: $5,000 • “Bermudagrass Control Programs in Kentucky Bluegrass,” conducted by Dr. Shawn Askew. One year only: $5,000 Also on March 23, Sterling Caudle (president of the VTF), Rick Viancour (president of the VTC) and Tom Tracy (executive director of the VTC) met with
Thanks to the Virginia Sod Growers Association for their generous donation of $5,000 for sod-related turf research AND an additional $5,000 to support the maintenance of the Virginia Tech Research Center. This is such an unselfish donation and an area that is often overlooked. Times being what they are, this is sorely needed and much appreciated by our turf team at Tech.
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the VAC to discuss the VAC’s proposal to charge an administrative fee for allocation of the Seed Law Funds. Several items were discussed, including: • Clarification of why they are now asking for an administrative fee for this service after 14 years of the seed law being in effect. (The state already keeps 50% of the proceeds for the execution and administrative costs of this fund.) It was decided that they would deduct a fee from the Seed Law money for administrative fees based on a five-year average and wait until 2010 to begin this. We feel the amount they came up with was fair and greatly reduced from the original thought. • Clarification on the issue of turf researchers competing for VAC grants being offered for agricultural research. Since the induction of the Seed Law, we have not been granted any money from the general fund set aside for this. We were assured that turfgrass researchers would be eligible to compete for these funds • Highlighting the role of the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation and the Virginia Turfgrass Council within Virginia’s agriculture community, and the vital part that the turfgrass industry plays on the well-being of Virginia’s economy. Past surveys were distributed, and this was an opportunity to educate the VAC board on the scope of our industry. Once again, we want to thank Jack Hall who represents our industry on the VAC. We feel we have made great strides in acquiring a position on this board, and we look forward to an even better relationship with them as we strive to further educate ourselves and others as part of Virginia’s agricultural community. Thanks also to Sterling Caudle, Rick Viancour and Tom Tracy for their time and direction.
Cover Story
CONTROLLING
WEEDS in Landscape Beds By Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D., Professor of Weed Scientist, Virginia Tech
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Cover Stor y continued
B
New landscape beds You should try to eliminate perennial weeds — especially perennial broadleaf weed species — prior to
establishing new beds. Generally, we can selectively control perennial grasses and, to a lesser extent, perennial sedges; in most post-establishment situations, however, there are no selective control options for perennial broadleaf weeds like bindweed, horsenettle or poison ivy. One option would be to apply a nonselective systemic herbicide such as glyphosate (Roundup ProMax, Touchdown Pro, GlyphoMate 41, etc.) prior to planting. Apply the herbicide at least a week before planting. If you have the time, it would be best to make a second application of glyphosate about three or four weeks after the first to ensure that complete control is obtained prior to planting. Although glyphosate is a systemic herbicide, one application generally does not kill the entire underground portion (rhizomes, roots, etc.) of a tough weed like bermudagrass. Also, some weeds (like mugwort, also called wild chrysanthemum) are not readily controlled by glyphosate. Alternately, you could use a fumigant such as Basamid prior to planting. Fumigants kill dormant weed
Mulches suppress weed growth and conserve soil moisture in landscape beds.
seeds, while herbicides only control weeds that have already germinated. Another advantage of a fumigant application is that few herbicides are available for bedding-plant use. Fumigants, however, involve special concerns: they are much more toxic in general than herbicides; they require careful application; and they will require a waiting period for the gas to dissipate before the site can be planted. The waiting period for Basamid can be 30 days or longer, primarily dependent on soil temperature. If perennial weeds were controlled successfully during site preparation, then annual weed species become your primarily concern. More options are available for controlling annual weeds like crabgrass and spurge.
Preemergence weed control after bed establishment Mulches Apply mulch at a 2" to 4" depth. Avoid buildup of deep mulch layers, and do not pile deep depths of mulch against the bark of trees. Excessive mulch depth can lead to the rotting of tree bark, excessive soil moisture and less air circulation to the soil. Ensure that the mulch does not contain weed seed, tubers or rhizomes; contaminated mulch is one way that weeds spread. Do not spread mulch that has a rottenegg or ammonia odor, as the chemicals being released could damage landscape plants. Use of solid black plastic will improve weed control over mulch alone. However, water and gases cannot readily pass through solid black plastic. Therefore, black plastic’s best fit is probably for shortterm weed control in annual beds and not for long-term use in woody plant beds. Landscape fabrics allow for water and gas exchange, but overall they provide lower weed control than solid black plastic. They are therefore a better choice for long-term
Opposite page: photo by Randy Rogers, Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, Williamsburg, VA
eds of annual flowers, perennials and woody ornamentals are important components of home and commercial landscapes, with additional uses on golf courses. Weed management is an important concern in the maintenance of these beds. For certain weed species, some techniques that are employed in turfgrass can also be used in beds. There are important differences, though, between the two areas, especially when addressing management of perennial weeds. Weed management should be considered during the planning phase for new beds. Certain techniques can be used prior to planting to eliminate weed species that cannot be easily controlled after planting. Regardless of the methods chosen, some hand weeding will be necessary during the season (sorry, if you were hoping that we could eliminate all hand weeding!).
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Cover Stor y continued
For even greater weed control in woody ornamental beds, use a chemically treated fabric like Biobarrier (which contains slow-release trifluralin) or a copper hydroxidetreated fabric like Tex-R. Biobarrier and Tex-R have provided greater weed control than fabrics lacking a chemical treatment. Both trifluralin and copper are root inhibitors. If a weed like bermudagrass creeps over one of these landscapes, it cannot peg down and thus can be pulled up easily.
Preemergence herbicides with annual bedding plants Mulches generally will not control perennial weeds like yellow nutsedge and bermudagrass.
Granular herbicides (as opposed to spray formulations) are safer options in bedding plants such as pansy.
weed management. One fabric that has worked well in my trials is Weed-X from Dalen. Perennials like yellow nutsedge have penetrated through all of the fabrics I have tested. Weeds can also germinate in the mulch layer above the fabric, with weed roots penetrating down through any holes in the fabric. So, additional weed-control
measures will still be needed if a landscape fabric is installed. Do not use landscape fabrics with groundcovers since the fabric will inhibit their spread, and do not use them over the tops of bulbs since they will restrict shoot emergence. Landscape fabrics primarily fit long-term weed control in woody ornamental beds.
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My suggested steps for weed control in new annual beds are: rototilling, transplanting, irrigation to settle the soil, followed by application of a granular preemergence herbicide, followed by irrigation to activate the herbicide and then followed by mulching. All of these steps can be done the same day. Some people suggest waiting a few weeks after planting prior to preemergence herbicide application. The intent is to have a more-established planting that should have greater herbicide tolerance. The problem is that weed germination can occur during this waiting period, and most preemergence herbicides will not control emerged weeds. We essentially do not have preemergence herbicides that can be used safely at the seeding of wildflowers and other species. The herbicides we have tried reduced the seeding stand or caused seedling stunting. If you want to plant annuals from seed, preemergence herbicide applications will have to wait until the plants become established. Most herbicides that we have tested perform better when applied prior to mulching (as opposed to after mulching). There probably are several reasons for this. Assuming you are using quality mulch free of weed seed, then the weeds are coming from the soil underneath the mulch. Applying the herbicide prior to mulching puts the herbicide in close contact with the germinating
Cover Stor y continued
weed seed. Applying mulch after application also probably reduces herbicide losses due to volatilization, as well as reducing breakdown from sunlight. Herbicides applied after mulching may partially bind to the bark particles, reducing the amount available for weed control. Since many of our preemergence herbicides are root inhibitors, the soil should be settled prior to application. We want to fill in soil cracks prior to application to prevent the herbicide from moving too deep into the soil, thus stunting the root development of the desired plants. I recommend using a granular herbicide formulation since I have observed stunted growth and reduced flowering with certain sprayable formulations, while the granular version of the same herbicide would cause no stunting.
I suggest using a granular herbicide such as trifluralin (sold as Treflan 5G and Preen Garden Weed Preventer, among other trade names), pendimethalin (Pendulum 2G) or XL 2G (benefin + oryzalin) for weed control in flower beds. These products will control annual grasses like crabgrass or annual bluegrass, as well as small-seeded broadleaf weeds like spurge and common chickweed.
Preemergence herbicides in perennial beds Certain perennials, such as liriope, hosta and daylily, can tolerate some herbicides that are not registered for use in annual bedding plants. One specific example is Snapshot, a granular combination of the herbicides in Gallery (isoxaben) and Treflan (trifluralin). Snapshot provides
broader-spectrum control than a single ingredient product like Treflan. Therefore, it is a better choice in beds of tolerant perennials, and it is also extensively used in woody ornamental beds. Herbicides containing isoxaben, like Gallery and Snapshot, can injure certain species, such as sedums, ajuga, Veronica and ox-eye daisy, so they cannot be applied to all perennials. If yellow nutsedge is a problem, use a preemergence application of Pennant Magnum, Tower or FreeHand. Since FreeHand is a granular formulation, it is one that I am most interested in. It is a fairly new registration, so test it out in a small area prior to widespread use. I have seen good tolerance in bedding plants, perennials and woody ornamentals with FreeHand. Both Pennant Magnum and Tower are sprayable,
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The two main types of landscape fabrics are nonwoven, often called spun-bonded, and woven.
emulsifiable concentrate formulations, and thus they can burn tender growth when applied overtop during active growth. These two chemicals are best sprayed to dormant plants using a directed spray.
Preemergence herbicides with woody ornamentals Woody species such as junipers, Japanese holly, maple, oaks, etc., can tolerate a greater number of pree-
mergence herbicides than perennials. Options include Rout (oxyfluorfen plus oryzalin), SureGuard (flumioxazin) and Ronstar. These chemicals can burn the foliage of plants like liriope, so they cannot be used on most perennials. Granular forms are safer than sprays (compare the much longer list of ornamentals species on the Ronstar 2G label compared to the sprayable form, Ronstar WP).
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Apply these products to dry ornamental foliage, and irrigate or use a leaf blower after application to remove the granules off the leaf surface. If possible, apply the herbicide to dormant ornamentals or after new growth has hardened. Avoid applications during the spring flush of new growth since tender foliage is more susceptible to injury. Products like Rout or SureGuard will provide better broadleaf control than the herbicides available for annual bedding plants. A preemergence herbicide for broadleaf weeds, Gallery can be combined with herbicides such as Pendulum, Surflan, Dimension or Barricade for control of a wide range of annual weeds. Combinations of Gallery with Pennant Magnum or Tower would be an option where yellow nutsedge is a problem. Do not apply Gallery to dwarf burning bush, although other euonymus species are tolerant. Dichlobenil, sold as Barrier and Casoron, can be applied in winter to a range of well-established woody ornamentals. It traditionally has been applied as a 4% granular form, although a sprayable form is being developed. Do not apply this chemical to annuals, perennials or groundcovers. It controls most winter annual weeds from both a preemergence and early postemergence application, plus it will control certain perennials including mugwort, quackgrass and tall fescue. It is therefore the broadest-spectrum preemergence herbicide available. Since it is a volatile chemical, it is best applied under cold conditions. Calibrate to avoid over-application, do not use it soon after transplanting, and do not allow granules to reach turf areas.
Postemergence weed control in ornamental beds Grassy weeds Both annual and perennial grassy weeds can be selectively controlled
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in broadleaf ornamentals by applying a postemergence grass herbicide like Segment (sethoxydim), fluazifop (Fusilade/Ornamec) or clethodim (Envoy). Repeat applications will be needed to completely eradicate perennial grasses like bermudagrass. Acclaim Extra (fenoxaprop) can also be used in broadleaf ornamentals for control of emerged crabgrass, but it is less effective on perennial grasses like quackgrass than the three previously mentioned grass herbicides. Envoy is the only member of this group that controls annual bluegrass. These herbicides can also be in non-grass monocots such as liriope, sedges and certain bulbs for selective control of grassy weeds. Avoid applications to ornamental grasses, and do not allow drift into turf areas.
Yellow nutsedge SedgeHammer can be used as a directed spray in established woody ornamentals for postemergence control of yellow nutsedge. Although azalea, loropetalum, juniper, crape myrtle and vinca appeared to tolerate SedgeHammer well in my trials, I saw unacceptable injury in butterfly bush, variegated privet, chrysanthemum and viburnum. It cannot be used in bedding plants or perennials. I am frequently asked if SedgeHammer can be used in liriope. I have seen stunting and reduced flowering in liriope following SedgeHammer application. Basagran causes burning in liriope, so there is not a safe postemergence herbicide for sedge control in liriope.
absorbed by both roots and leaves, it poses a hazard to desired ornamentals in the legume, aster (composite) and nightshade families; therefore, do not apply Lontrel near mimosa, locust, mums, coreopsis, coneflower and other desired plants in these three plant families. In strictly conifer beds, SureGuard could be used for control of small broadleaf weed seedlings. It should be applied as a directed spray, since it can burn tender growth of conifers if applied during active growth. For control of broadleaf weeds in other situations, use either handweeding or careful application of a nonselective herbicide. Reward (diquat) is strictly a contact herbicide, so it poses no risk of systemic damage in ornamentals if some drift occurs, but multiple applications would be needed for perennial weed control. Finale (glufosinate)
is a contact herbicide with limited systemic action. It is more effective on perennials than Reward. Since they are not systemic, Reward or Finale have been used to control undesired suckers on trees. Glyphosate is the compound of choice for most perennial weeds, but it poses the risk of systemic injury if it drifts onto desired plants. Consider shielded-spray or wiper applications to improve the safety in desired ornamentals.
Summary Weed control in landscape beds requires a year-round program. Generally, this will entail integration of mulches, hand weeding and pre- and postemergence herbicides to maintain the aesthetic value of annual and perennial flowers, and woody shrubs and trees, in beds.
Broadleaf weeds In most situations, there is no selective control of emerged annual broadleaf weeds or perennial broadleaf weeds in ornamentals. Lontrel (clopyralid) can be used in certain woody ornamentals (conifers like pines, spruce and fir, along with dogwood, maple and oak) for control of Canada thistle, white clover and certain other weeds in the legume and aster families. Since Lontrel is Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council |17
Turf Talk
Photo by Liz Nutter 18| VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2009 www.thevtc.org
Turf Talk continued
By Chris Hartwiger, USGA Green Section
J
uly heat has arrived. Unwanted rain pours every afternoon. With a root system nowhere to be found, your bentgrass putting greens are heading south, and the member/guest tournament looms in four weeks. All of a sudden, one day at a time takes on new meaning. This scenario is about as bad as it gets for a golf course superintendent. This article will offer the best crisis-management tips we have accumulated over the years. These tips are not intended as a replacement for sound agronomic practices and good construction, nor are they guaranteed. They are designed to give bentgrass putting greens the best chance to make it to the end of the summer with as much turf as possible.
Venting Rapid root dieback during summer months can seal off bentgrass putting greens. Even worse, oxygen demand in the rootzone is high during this time of year. The process of plant respiration takes stored carbohydrate reserves and converts them to energy for plant growth. Oxygen is a crucial element in this process, and the root system is the main site for oxygen uptake. If the macropores in the putting greens are clogged with swollen and/or decaying roots, soil oxygen levels will decrease. Rapid root dieback creates a scenario where oxygen demand is at its highest, but supply is limited. The most rapid and cost-effective method to increase soil oxygen levels is to use either solid aeration tines or the Hydroject to vent the putting greens with thousands and thousands of tiny holes to increase the flow of oxygen into the rootzone. This is a golfer-friendly practice that causes little disruption to the putting surface. Dr. Bob Carrow of the University of Georgia has con-
firmed the value of this practice through his research. The standard recommendation is to perform this practice every 21 days, beginning 8 weeks after spring core aeration.
Water management Summer heat is not kind to the root system of creeping bentgrass. A significant root loss is expected, and with any combination of high temperatures, excess rainfall, high organic matter and poor internal drainage, a catastrophic root loss is a real possibility. Irrigation practices must be altered as a root system dies back. A 4" root system has a soil moisture reservoir 4" deep. A 3/4" root system can only access moisture 3/4" deep. Evaluate your root system, and adjust irrigation practices accordingly. For instance, many Southeast golf course superintendents whose bentgrass putting greens have developed shallow root systems have success with daily watering in the summer months. If your root system is gone and your greens cannot go more than one day without water, set up your overhead irrigation system based upon the wettest portion of the putting green. Because no watering system has 100% uniformity, some areas may need supplemental handwatering in the morning, before the grass undergoes any drought stress. A sign that the proper amount of water has been applied on the greens is that they have just the right amount of moisture when checking them in mid- to late afternoon the day following irrigation.
Mowing practices Mowing is an essential part of turfgrass management. Unfortunately, it also mechanically injures the turf and creates points of entry for pathogens. Sharp reels are an advantage
any time of year, but they are even more important in times of stress. Would you prefer a surgeon cutting you open with a rusty nail or a sharp, clean scalpel? Mowing height is another variable that can impact summer survival. Keep in mind that, as heat increases, the rate of photosynthesis decreases (food production) in creeping bentgrass, and the rate of respiration (food consumption) increases. No plant can continue forever if respiration occurs faster than photosynthesis. Research by Dr. Bingru Huang of Rutgers University has shown that by raising the mowing height, more leaf surface area remains, and photosynthesis levels are higher. If your greens are in trouble, an immediate increase in mowing height of 10% to 20% is a good start. Mowing frequency is another variable that can be adjusted to promote better summer survival. Dr. Thom Nikolai of Michigan State University has found that when greens are under heavy stress, substituting one or two mowings with rolling will not impact green speed but will improve turfgrass quality.
Fertility Plants have relied on their root system for millions of years to supply nutrients. What happens when 90% or more of the root system is dead? Answer: The plant has less capacity to take up nutrients, and the soil reservoir of plant-available nutrients is much smaller. When the root system dies back, continue spoonfeeding all nutrients frequently and in small quantities.
Fungicides A wide variety of fungicides are available for disease control with different modes of action. When the plant is sick, understanding the mode of Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council |19
Turf Talk continued
Venting is an important tool to help bentgrass putting greens survive difficult summer conditions.
action and the best method of application can mean the difference between wasting money and buying another week of survival for the bentgrass. For example, if rain is forecast shortly after fungicide application, contacts and localized penetrants will not be as effective if they do not have time to completely dry. A systemic fungicide may be a better choice. When selecting a fungicide, understand the mode of action, and take note accordingly. Another variable with fungicides is the amount of recommended spray volume and nozzle type. Read the label carefully. A specific volume of solution will be provided. Nozzle manufacturers such as Tee Jet have
charts that recommend nozzle types based upon whether the fungicide is a contact or systemic. Droplet size can make a huge difference in coverage and, ultimately, disease control. One size does not fit all in the nozzle department.
Air movement Hopefully, the fans around your bentgrass putting greens have been operational all summer. If a given site is suffering without a fan, do whatever is necessary to install one or more temporary fans around the green. We have seen temporary fans used with some success. Most superintendents find it necessary to position the temporary fan on the edge of the greens and move it every
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few hours to prevent an area from drying out. This cultural technique is labor intensive, but it can be effective.
Conclusion This article has provided a few basics of summer crisis management. Study each of these components. Go to the Turfgrass Information Center at Michigan State http:// tic.msu.edu/ to retrieve more information. Better yet, schedule a USGA Turfgrass Advisory Visit, and we can discuss these topics in greater detail while offering sitespecific recommendations.
Applied Research
Topdressing for Sports Fields By Matthew J.R. Goddard, Graduate Research Assistant, Turfgrass Weed Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
T
urfgrass wear is inevitable in high-use athletic fields. Therefore, athletic fields require a turfgrass species that can recuperate from heavy traffic. Ideally, athletic fields would be surfaced with a turfgrass species that actively grows during the athletic seasons, allowing it to fill in worn areas after a playing event.
The dilemma One of the main problems, though, not just in Virginia but throughout the transition zone region of the United States, is that there is no single species that is perfectly adapted for growth and wear recovery during all athletic seasons. Bermudagrass is the common turfgrass species selected for use on athletic fields. Although it is a very aggressive and wear-tolerant species, it enters winter dormancy during the early parts of the fall athletic season. As a result, much of the athletic season is played on dormant turf, which lacks the ability to recover from wear. Other common turfgrass species in Virginia include Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. Both of these species remain actively growing in the fall and spring, but neither one is as wear tolerant as bermudagrass. Continual use of athletic fields can prevent the rejuvenation of injured turf and result in turf loss on high-trafficked areas, such as
between the hash marks and the 40-yard lines on a football field, or in soccer goal mouths. Removal of turfgrass cover can cause an increase in soil compaction, a decrease in surface uniformity and an increased safety hazard. Some athletic facilities are fortunate enough to limit the amount of play on specific areas by using additional fields or rotating the playing surface in a different direction. Fall overseeding of bermudagrass with
perennial ryegrass is also a common practice that provides an actively growing surface during the fall and spring athletic seasons. However, low budgets and limited labor prevent many athletic field mangers from using these options.
An alternative: crumb rubber Crumb rubber is a material produced from old automobile tires.
Photo 1: Close up of crown region in a hybrid Kentucky bluegrass plot topdressed with crumb rubber, showing new shoot growth emerging from within rubber topdressing.
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Applied Research continued
Studies evaluating crumb-rubber topdressing for use in athletic fields have shown that it can improve the wear tolerance of actively growing turf. Crumb rubber helps protect the crown or growing points of the turf, allowing the turf to actively grow and reduce the amount of injury sustained during use (Photo 1). Topdressing crumb rubber at a depth of 1/2" provides a softer, more resilient playing surface. In 2006, a study evaluating crumb-rubber topdressing in bermudagrass and hybrid Kentucky bluegrass turf was established. Crumb rubber was topdressed to each of four turfgrass species: ‘Tifway’ hybrid bermudagrass, ‘Riviera’ and ‘Quickstand’ common bermudagrasses, and ‘Thermal blue’ hybrid Kentucky bluegrass (HBG). Crumb-rubber topdressing was compared to no crumb rubber under simulated athletic field traffic. Crumb rubber effectively reduced the amount of wear sustained during simulated athletic play. Results revealed that significantly more turfgrass cover remained in plots with crumb rubber topdressing than those that had no crumb rubber (Photo 2). Comparisons among traffic levels (low and high) also revealed an effect on the amount of turfgrass cover following simulated traffic (Figure 1). Of the turfgrass species tested, Riviera and Tifway bermudagrasses were the most wear tolerant, followed by HBG, with Quickstand bermudagrass performing the worst. Crumb rubber is an effective method of increasing the wear tolerance of athletic fields. This research has introduced a new management practice that can be used by many athletic-field managers to increase the performance and life of their athletic fields. In management situations where multiple use and budget constraints are problems, crumb rubber can be used extend the life of the playing field.
Without Crumb Rubber
With Crumb Rubber
Photo 2: Overview of trial area showing hybrid Kentucky bluegrass plots with and without crumb rubber topdressing. Note the increased turfgrass cover in plots receiving crumb rubber topdressing. Foreground: high traffic area, 21 simulated games. Background: low traffic area, 7 simulated games.
Figure 1. Effects of traffic level and crumb-rubber topdressing on wear tolerance of turfgrass species after seven weeks of simulated athletic-field traffic. Data is averaged across turfgrass species.
† Low traffic equals 1 simulated game per week with the traffic simulator or 7 simulated games. High traffic equals 3 simulated games per week with the traffic simulator or 21 games. Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council |23
Turf Safety
a Heat-Injury Prevention Program By Joan Spencer, Compliance Assistant Specialist, OSHA
crew was getting ready to leave the field. Trash had been hauled away, working materials were collected, and everyone went to the crew leader’s van except for one. Where was the new guy? One of the crew spoke up saying he remembered him going to sit under a tree a couple of hours earlier. Immediately the crew leader left to get the new guy by the tree, only to find him lying in the sun, unresponsive. Emergency services were called but it was too late. The employee was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Anyone can succumb to the effects of heat. Work tasks involving high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact with hot objects and
The
strenuous physical activities have a great potential for inducing heat illnesses in employees. In the Southeast, such places can be found almost anywhere, especially in work operations, such as agriculture and landscaping.
What Are Heat-Induced Disorders? Heat stroke is a medical emergency! The signs and symptoms of heat stroke are usually dry, hot skin with no sweating, mental confusion or losing consciousness, as well as seizures and convulsions. Seek professional medical treatment immediately regardless of the worker’s protests. No employee showing signs of heat stroke should be left unattended.
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Heat exhaustion should not be dismissed lightly! The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are headache, nausea, vertigo, weakness, thirst and giddiness. Workers suffering from heat exhaustion should be removed from the hot environment and given fluid replacement and adequate rest.
Fainting is heat collapse! Heat collapse occurs when the brain does not get enough oxygen because the blood is pooling in the extremities of the body. As a result, the employee may lose consciousness and get hurt during a fall. Other heat-related disorders include heat cramps, heat rashes and heat fatigue. Injuries can also result when incidents occur due to conditions caused by slippery sweat-drenched
Turf Safety continued
hands, fogged safety glasses, perspiration in the eyes, dizziness, falls during fainting and direct contact with hot surfaces.
How to beat the heat? It is difficult to predict just who is more prone to heat-induced disorders or when they will be affected. Individual susceptibility depends on age, weight, degree of physical fitness, degree of acclimatization, metabolism, use of alcohol or drugs, and a variety of medical conditions such as hypertension. Even the type of clothing must be considered.
What can employers do? Employers who have employees working in outdoor and hot environments should develop and implement a Heat-Injury Prevention Program. The company’s Heat-Injury Prevention Program should include engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment, environmental assessments and medical surveillance. The Heat-Injury Prevention Program should include ways to reduce convective, radiant and evaporative heat by implementing engineering controls. A variety of engineering controls, including general ventilation and spot cooling, can be utilized. Local exhaust ventilation at points of high heat or steam production is helpful. Protection from radiant heat sources can be achieved by shielding. Air conditioning can reduce temperatures and lower humidity. Fans can also increase evaporative cooling if the temperature is lower than 95°F. Metabolic heat is not a major contributor to the total heat load. However, it does contribute to an extra load on the circulatory system and can be a critical component in high-heat exposures. Equipment modifications, the use of power tools and power-assisted lifting equipment reduces manual-labor activities. Work practices such as providing plenty of drinking water at the work-
place and allowing for unscheduled breaks to drink or rest can help reduce the risk of heat-induced disorders. Other useful practices are to utilize relief workers, pace the work and create a “buddy system” so that workers can monitor each other for heat-stress symptoms. Alternating work and rest periods with longer rest periods in a cool area can help workers avoid heat stress. If possible, heavy work should be scheduled during the cooler parts of the day or at night. Acclimatization to the heat through short exposures followed by longer periods of work in the hot environment can reduce heat stress. The number of days someone needs to acclimatize to his or her work environment may vary, but an employer must think in terms of weeks, and not days, for full acclimatization. For new employees or others who may have lost their acclimatization due to absence or illness, the acclimatization period should begin with 20% of the normal workload and exposure time the first day and gradually build in 20% increments to 100% of the workload and exposure (NIOSH 1986). The Heat-Injury Prevention Program should also establish criteria for declaring a heat alert for indoor or outdoor temperature extremes. In addition to environmental monitoring, employees working under extremely hot conditions, at extreme metabolic loads or in semi-permeable or impermeable clothing, should be personally monitored. Personal monitoring can be done by checking the heart rate, recovery heart rate, oral temperature, or extent of body water loss. The employer should also provide personal protective equipment. Some cooling personal protective equipment can be simple to use and very inexpensive, while other systems (although more effective) can be complex, more costly and may limit worker mobility. Types of personal protective equipment include reflective clothing to reduce the absorp-
tion of radiant heat and body-cooling equipment such as ice vests, wetted clothing for high-temperature and low-humidity situations, watercooled garments and air-cooled systems. Employee involvement in the selection of equipment is key to employee acceptance and usage.
What do employees need to know? First, employees should know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Training is essential to successfully recognizing and treating a heat-induced disorder. Employees need to know, at minimum, information on the hazards of heat stress, heat stress symptoms, awareness of first-aid procedures for heat-induced illnesses, the health effects of heat stroke and employee responsibilities for avoiding heat stress. Employees must also be aware of the need to replace fluids, the use of hazard controls and the dangers of using both therapeutic and illicit drugs. Workers must understand the use and limitations of protective clothing, actions to take during a heat alert and the environmental and biological surveillance programs. The field worker’s death (above) is similar to the 22 heatinduced deaths that Region IV area offices have investigated since 2005. Most fatalities occurred in August and were evenly distributed among agriculture, construction and general industry. OSHA’s website contains more heat-stress information, assessment tools and publications. Access to the information can be obtained at www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/in dex.html. NIOSH Publication “Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Hot Environments (Revised Criteria 1986)” is an extensive resource for heatstress information. You may view and print the publication for free at www. cdc.gov/niosh/86-113.html.
Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council |25
Calendar of Events
Turf Industry Events
Index of Advertisers
July 27–31
December 7–9
TPI Summer Convention & Field Days East Lansing, MI
Virginia Tech Turfgrass Short Course Blacksburg, VA
Collins Wharf Sod . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 www.cwsod.com
December 14–16
E & S Soil and Peat . . . . . . . . . . . 11 www.eandssoil.com
Virginia Tech Turfgrass Short Course Virginia Beach, VA
East Coast Sod & Seed . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.eastcoastsod.com
January 18–21, 2010
Egypt Farms, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 www.egyptfarms.com
September 1–2 Virginia Tech Turfgrass Field Days Blacksburg, VA
November 4–6 Pesticide Certification Training (3B) and Exam Henrico, VA
VTC 50th Annual Turf & Landscape Conference and Trade Show Fredericksburg, VA
Herod Seeds, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 www.herodseeds.com Jacklin Seed, A division of Simplot . . . . . Inside Front Cover www.jacklin.com Luck Stone Corporation . . . . . . . . 9 www.luckstone.com Mid-Atlantic Sports Turf . . . . . . . . 7 Modern Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 www.modernturf.com Oakland Plantation Turf Farm, Inc. . . . . . . . . . Back Cover www.ncturfgrass.com Oakwood Sod Farm, Inc. . . . . . . . 11 www.oakwoodsod.com Phoenix Environmental Care, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.phoenixenvcare.com Quali-Pro . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover www.quali-pro.com Roxbury Farm & Garden Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 www.roxburyfarmgarden.com Scott Turf Equipment, LLC . . . . . 17 Southern States Cooperative . . . . 15 www.southernstates.com Texas Sod Leasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.texassod.com The Turfgrass Group . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.theturfgrassgroup.com WMI, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.wmitsh.com
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