Virginia Turfgrass Journal - November / December 2014

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

November/December 2014

Managing Dallisgrass in Bermudagrass and Tall Fescue

The Influence of Iron, Sulfur and pH on Dollar Spot Development Education Program for the VTC’s 55th Annual Turf & Landscape Conference & Tradeshow, January 26–29, 2015

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | November/December 2014

22

16 12 Upcoming Event

Turfgrass Short Course and New Turfgrass Certification, December 15–19

13 Upcoming Event

Sneak Preview of the VTC’s 55th Annual Turf & Landscape Conference & Tradeshow, January 26–29

16 Cover Story

Managing Dallisgrass in Bermudagrass and Tall Fescue 22 Feature Story

The Influence of Iron, Sulfur and pH on Dollar Spot Development

26 Turf Talk

A Valuable, New Resource for Pesticide Applicators and the Environment

4 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

26 Departments 6 President’s Message

from Fred Biggers, CGCS

8 Director’s Corner

from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

9 Editor’s Perspective

from Mark Vaughn, CGCS

10 VTF Report

from Betty Parker

30 Turfgrass Calendar 30 Advertiser Index

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 Fredrick Biggers, CGCS Wintergreen Resort (434) 325-8252 Vice President Rick Owens, CGCS Laurel Hill Golf Club (703) 674-6934 Treasurer Brian Vincel, CGCS Spring Creek Golf Club (434) 566-2580 Past President Frank Flannagan msg1sg@verizon.net (804) 356-1535 VTC DIRECTORS Marc Petrus Mark Roberts Christian Sain Michael Skelton Steve Smith Rick Viancour, CGCS Jimmy Viars Scott Woodward ­ VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair) Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. Erik Ervin, Ph.D. David McCall Executive Director/ Director of PROGRAMS Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 464-1004 Virginia Turfgrass Foundation Betty Parker (757) 574-9061

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 © 2014 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 Nashville, 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) 790-3718, 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

|5

President’s Message

The Off-Season:

Fred Biggers, CGCS 2014–2015 VTC President

A

Time to Recharge

fter a busy and productive year for all of us in the green industry, we finally get a chance to slow down a little and rest up for the busy season next year. The off-season is an important time to gain some much-needed perspective on the tasks and projects we need to focus on to improve our golf courses, sports fields and landscapes in the coming growing season. This year has been a good one, as far as weather conditions go, and it has enabled many of us to provide some exceptional conditions without the limitations of drought or heat stress.

The first opportunity for continuing education this off-season will be the annual VTC- and Virginia Tech-sponsored “Turfgrass Short Course,” which is scheduled for December 15–19 at the Belmont Recreation Center adjacent to the Belmont Golf Club in Henrico. Dr. Mike Goatley and several other members of the Virginia Tech turf team will be teaching sessions on all aspects of turfgrass management in this informative weeklong course (see page 12).

The next opportunity is the BIG EVENT — the annual VTC Turf & Landscape Conference & Show, scheduled for January 26–29 at the Fredericksburg Expo Center (page 13). Thanks to Rick Owens, CGCS, and his Conference program committee, this year’s exciting program features interesting speakers on a wide variety of topics in all of the various areas of

interest (golf turf, sports turf, general turf/landscape management, sod farms). An improved Mechanic’s Seminar will be held on Wednesday, with a program put together by some of our very own Virginia turf equipment managers (page 15). Also, we have changed our VTC Awards ceremony, and we have added a Past Presidents’ Awards Dinner to our slate of events.

In February, an event that has been rapidly gaining attention is scheduled for February 24–25. With two days of education and pesticide recertification, the VTC-sponsored “Come to the Bay” promises to be a great event to serve the Virginia Beach area.

Free for VTC members, “Come to the Bay” will be a great opportunity to educate fellow staff members from your operations, especially if you are from the Tidewater region.

In closing, I hope to see all of you at many of our off-season VTC events this winter. Try to use your slow times to recharge your batteries so you can take a fresh look at how you do what you do for your sports fields, golf courses, lawns and landscapes in the coming new year.

Fred Biggers, CGCS

2014–2015 VTC President

6 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

Director’s Corner

The Best of the Past, Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

The

with New Endeavors!

VTC’s annual conference is just around the corner. Take a look at the program printed on page 13 of this Journal, and you will see a program that is the culmination of the work of many persons who selflessly gave of their time and expertise to produce a fantastic event. This year’s conference contains just the right mix of the best of the past mingled with exciting new endeavors!

We begin on Monday, January 26, with an Old Dominion Golf Course Superintendents Association workshop titled “Leading Change in Your Organization.” This four-hour interactive workshop, led by Dr. Amy Wallis of Wake Forest University, explores the change management process. Recognizing change and learning to succeed in the midst of it are crucial skills for every professional — especially in these days of economic and demographic upheavals. In the afternoon, the Virginia Golf Course Superintendent’s Association will conduct a forum on various topics.

Tuesday begins with a General Session that features Mr. Kevin Robinson, GCSA, and Mr. John Jeffreys of Pinehurst Resort, as well as zoysiagrass expert Dr. Milt Engelke of Texas A&M University. Mr. Robinson will share his experiences gleaned from hosting the U.S. Open and tips on using the Golden Rule to manage crews. Dr. Engelke, a virtual who’s who of zoysiagrass, has information and knowledge that will benefit anyone who has — or is considering having — this wonderful turfgrass.

The General Session is followed by industry-specific tracks and lunch on the tradeshow floor. As I write this

column, tradeshow numbers are still coming in, but it looks like this year our number of vendors will either equal or exceed last year’s record. Tuesday’s activities continue after lunch with dedicated tradeshow hours and a reception on the show floor.

Now for something brand new. Wednesday morning will feature a series of presentations on “What’s new!”

Come and get a glimpse of innovations and trends that will affect you and your company. These presentations are followed by the opening of the tradeshow at 10:00 a.m. Once again, lunch will be served on the show floor. The afternoon is devoted to classes for sod growers and for pesticide recertification in the three categories most of our members need.

Wednesday also features a new schedule for the popular turfgrass mechanic’s seminar. This highly informative workshop starts in the morning and breaks for the tradeshow and lunch before continuing in the afternoon.

Thursday’s events are a superb example of combining the success of the past with innovations that serve our members. We continue to devote the day to pesticide recertification, pesticide certification and fertilizer certification. But, this day is now being priced as one of our Regional Seminars — namely, free for VTC members and only $60 for non-members.

So, mark your calendars and come to the conference.

You will see and experience the fruit of the behindthe-scenes work done by many volunteers. And, please contact me or any member of the VTC board of directors if you want to help with the 2016 Conference! c

8 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

Editor’s Perspective

For Every Yin, Mark Vaughn, CGCS Virginia Turfgrass Journal Editor

There’s a Yang

“I,I,I,

said I wanna spread the news. That if it feels this good gettin’ used, oh you just keep on using me, until you use me up.” With apologies to Al Gore, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sheryl Crow and other noted celebrity scientists, when I think about the summer of 2014, this Bill Withers classic keeps runnin’ ‘round my brain. Yeah, I know the earth is getting warmer. We’ll leave why for another day, but for the last two summers, I’m loving this global warming thing. I kept waiting for a Chris Paul sucker punch from Mother Nature this July and August, but it never happened.

But for every yin, there is a yang. A moment of silence for those who may not share in our joy. For one, turf pathologists from around the Mid-Atlantic. I remember one July from the early ’80s when the heat was warping vinyl siding on houses. Dr. Leon Lucas from NCSU came to our monthly turfgrass meeting, smiling like the Cheshire Cat. He could utter “brown patch” or “Pythium” like he was Harry Potter that summer, and the pathogens would magically spring to life.

I’m guessing David McCall at Virginia Tech practically had to carpet-bomb test plots with inoculants to get things started in 2014.

And what of those poor guys from the USGA? Their “Year in Review” is not going to be nearly as dark without blight, rot, necrotizing fasciitis or other forms of the plague. Oh sure, they can throw in a few shots of the self-inflicted, dumb things we do, or the obligatory vandalism photos for the stupid things other people do, but still — nothing sends chills up the spine or causes

stomach ulcers like a visual of Pythium root dysfunction wiping out a green overnight. They could focus on the US Opens, but with Bob Farren, Kevin Robinson, et.al., pulling off the double trouble like it WAS no trouble, there’s no gloom and doom there, either. Unless you count the runaway, dull-as-plain-toast victory by Martin Kaymer.

Pity the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. With Pestilence out of the picture, they’re down to three.

The Three Horsemen of the Apocalypse just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Imagine: Batman without Robin, Cheech minus Chong, Tiger without Butch or Hank or Sean, and Thelma with no Louise? It doesn’t work.

It probably hasn’t been a banner year for some of those who do such a great job supporting our industry, either. Let’s face it: when the weather’s tough, those extra fungicide, biostimulant and micronutrient applications are going in the tank. This year, not so much.

For a year that started out with so much promise — the threat of winterkill, the prediction of monster hurricanes, the final demise of bentgrass in the South, the second coming of bacterial wilt and the definite 20% correction of the stock market — it’s really been disappointing. Oh sure, the Kardashians are still on TV, and the politicos are still in D.C. But in the growing-it-green industry, it’s been a tough year for those of us seeking the clouds in the silver lining.

Of course, you know what this means. Enjoy it while you can. You only get to thumb your nose at Mother Nature once every 10 to 15 years. And hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. c

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

|9

VTF Report

Returning Home to Camelot…

Virginia Tech Field Days, August 26–27, 2014

Betty Parker VTF Manager

For

those of us who call Virginia Tech our alma mater, coming up Christiansburg mountain in late summer initiates a flood of memories and, yes, even a warm, fuzzy feeling that you are at last coming home, even when you haven’t lived there for nearly… well, let’s just say a really long time. It’s August 25, and it’s the day before the 2014 annual VT Field Days.

Locals reported dreary, sunless days of cool rain for weeks prior, but these were not the conditions that greeted us. The day before the event, I floated down the New River on tubes with my two grandsons. We walked the drill field the next morning, and I pointed out the dorms where Granny and Papa had lived. We took pictures in front of Burruss Hall (home to the “principal’s office,” in the paraphrased words of an eight year old), a building that to them must look more like a castle than an administrative building.

At about noon the next day, Field Days kicked off on the third floor of Lane Stadium in one of the grand clubrooms of the south end zone. Picture it — you are surrounded by windows that overlook parking lots,

Thank You Platinum Bayer Riverside Turf

baseball and soccer fields, practice fields and a track and field venue. Beyond these manicured turf surfaces, you can see the labs for other agricultural studies in crops, forage and livestock. When you wheel around to the showcased focus of this arena, you see Worsham Field, with its immaculate, pristine turfgrass, ready for its opening day of the season at the end of the week.

WOW! You can’t help but take a deep breath and be proud to be a Hokie.

And, yes, all that beautiful turfgrass you see doesn’t just happen, and that is what we are here to discuss in Camelot. The great and powerful thinking men behind the curtain, pushing all the right buttons to light up this fairy tale, are here to enlighten the good turfgrass professionals of Virginia. Welcome to the really big show!

On these pages are some of the pictures taken on this beautiful Tuesday and Wednesday; thanks to Tony Montgomery and Dr. Mike Goatley for their assistance.

Also, thank you to all the people who put on this event year after year — Virginia Tech’s awesome turf team, in cooperation with the Virginia Turfgrass Council. c

to Our 2014 Blacksburg Field Day Sponsors!

Tuesday Turfgrass Symposium

Wednesday Lunch

Riverside Turf

Textron/Jacobsen

Wednesday Coffee/Orange Juice/Donuts

Wednesday Presentations Bayer

STI

10 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

Supporters Genesis Turfgrass Harmon Turf Services Pennington Seed Revels Tractor

Scott Turf Syngenta Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance

Tom Thomason, Virginia Tech’s CSES Department Head, speaking at Wednesday’s VT Field Days.

Doctoral candidate Sandeep Rana, educating at Wednesday’s Field Day.

Tuesday Symposium at Lane Stadium.

Dr. Mike Goatley (right) and Dr. Thomas Kuhar, speaking at Tuesday’s Symposium.

Virginia Tech researcher Dave McCall, giving it his all in the name of turf at Field Days.

Pennington Seed took part in Field Days, educating attendees about their products.

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 11

Upcoming Event

Turfgrass Short Course and New Turfgrass Certification December 15–19, 2014

Sign-Up Form (Please Print) The Cost:

• $300 for members of the VTC • $330 for non-members of the VTC

Join the VTC for $75

(Membership good thru December 31, 2015)

Sign up for:

o Short Course (Dec. 15–19) o VTC Membership ($75)

Price:

$_________ $_________

__________________________________ Name

__________________________________ Address

__________________________________ City, State, Zip Code

__________________________________

•

Henrico, VA

R

egistration is now open for this five-day class on turfgrass management taught by Virginia Tech turfgrass experts. Sponsored by the VTC and Virginia Tech, the Turfgrass Short Course is designed to meet the needs of all turfgrass professionals, regardless of occupation.

The Short Course is an extensive overview of the principles and practices in sound turfgrass management that can be applied to any segment of the industry (golf, lawn care, sod production, sports turf, etc.). Whether you are new in the business and desire a crash course in the principles of turfgrass management, or even if you have a college degree in turfgrass management and want a refresher course on the basics and an introduction to the latest topics, this course is for you. This training will allow you to make better decisions in daily turfgrass management that will improve the quality of both your turf and your job.

Also, a new Turfgrass Certification program for Virginia turfgrass managers will debut at this year’s Short Course. This program is the brainchild of Dr. Mike Goatley and represents many hours of work by turfgrass professionals from across the state. Sam Doak of Virginia Tech wrote the examination and was able to pilot test it at the 2013 Turfgrass Short Course, and many other Virginia Tech experts are continuing to give input. This new certification program meets a need that has been expressed many times over the past decade.

What types of topics are being covered?

__________________________________

• Turfgrass Identification • Turfgrass Growth and Development • Soil Science for Turfgrass Systems • Turfgrass Selection and Installation • Cultural Management • Nutrient Management • Common Calculations • Pest Management — Weeds, Insects and Diseases • Environmental Considerations

________________ ________________

Short Course location

Company/Organization

__________________________________ Phone

__________________________________ Email

Method of Payment o Check o Visa

o MasterCard o American Express

Credit Card No.

Sec. Code

Exp. Date

__________________________________ Signature

Belmont Golf Course Recreation Center 1600 Hilliard Road Henrico, VA 23228

12 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

Hotel accommodations

Several hotels are within easy driving distance of Belmont Golf Course. A list is available on the Events page of vaturf.org.

For more information

The Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Phone: 757-464-1004 Fax: 757-282-2693 Email: vaturf@verizon.net

Register today!

Register online today at http://vaturf.org/events.html, or complete the registration form at left, and fax it to the VTC at (757) 282-2693. c

Preview of the VTC’s

55th Annual Turf & Landscape Conference and Tradeshow January 26–29, 2015 • Fredericksburg, VA • Fredericksburg Conference & Expo Center For up-to-the-minute updates and to register online, visit http://turfconference.org. Dress for the event is business casual.

Monday, January 26, 2015 ODGCSA Class 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Hydroseeding I ntroduction to Hydroseeding: What a Hydroseeder Can Do Reports from the Field

Leading Change in Your Organization Amy Wallis, Ph.D., Wake Forest University

Regulatory Update

Lunch (on-site, free for attendees)

C an Zoysiagrass Withstand the Traffic, or Is It Too Slow to Recover?

Dr. Milt Engelke, Texas A&M, Emeritus; Team Zoysia; Turfgrass Development, Inc.

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

VGCSA Forum

2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

VTC Annual Meeting 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Main Session 8:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.

2 014 U.S. Open Experience and Managing Crews by the Golden Rule Mr. Kevin Robinson, CGCS, Director of Golf Course Operations, Pinehurst Resort, and Mr. John Jeffreys, Superintendent, No. 2, Pinehurst Resort W hy Zoysiagrass, and What Do I Do with It Once I Have It? Dr. Milt Engelke, Texas A&M, Emeritus, Team Zoysia; Turfgrass Development, Inc. VTC Awards

Sports Turf

A rtificial or Real Turfgrass: Pros and Cons Dr. Mike Goatley, Virginia Tech A rtificial or Real Turfgrass: Utilizing Sod Grown on Plastic Mr. Chad Price, Carolina Green A rtificial or Real Turfgrass: Panel Discussion

General Turf Caring for America’s Front Yard Mr. Michael Stachowicz, Turf Specialist for the National Park Service, National Mall and Memorial Parks I ntegration of Tenacity and Pylex into Weed-Management Programs for Turfgrass Dr. Jeff Derr, Virginia Tech

Break

O rganic Amendments for Turfgrass Dr. Greg Evanylo, Virginia Tech

Breakout Sessions

Virginia Tech Update Video

10:20 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Golf Track U SGA Green Section: Year in Review Mr. Darin Bevard, USGA Green Section, and Mr. Elliott Dowling, USGA Green Section W arm-Season Putting Greens in Richmond?

Dr. Erik Ervin, Virginia Tech

n-going information about the O latest Virginia Tech research.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015 Fellowship Breakfast 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Hot Topics/What’s New 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

S od on Plastic: Alternative to Artificial Turf?

Mr. Chad Price, Carolina Green L ogistics: a Web-Based Order Management and Routing System for Turf Farms Mr. Drew Wagner, Sod Solutions P roper Plant Selection: The Key to a Good Night’s Sleep Mr. C.D. Prillaman, Prillaman Landscape Dimensions, Inc.

Mechanics Seminar

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

See page 15 for details; separate registration required.

Tradeshow and Lunch 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Afternoon Program for Sod Growers 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Questions & answers with Virginia Tech professors.

Pesticide Recertification for 3A and 3B only 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 29, 2015 Free for VTC Members!

Pesticide Recertification

Lunch (on-site, free for attendees)

(for 3A, 3B, 5A, 6, 8, 10, 60) 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tradeshow

Pesticide Certification Training (for Core Exam)

12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

12:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Please visit with our exhibitors!

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Reception

Pesticide Certification Examination (must have

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

On the Tradeshow floor.

VDACS letter to take exams) 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Fertilizer Certification 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Registration Form on Page 14

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 13

Upcoming Event continued

VTC 55th Annual Turf & Landscape Conference and Tradeshow Registration Form Name:______________________________________________________________________ Phone:________________________ Company/Organization:______________________________________________________ Fax:___________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________________ Email:_________________________ City:________________________________________________________________________ State:______ Zip:________________ Monday Class and Lunch _______ $75 (same price for any or all classes offered on Monday) (Sponsored by ODGCSA and VGCSA) _______ Free – VTC Annual Meeting Tuesday Only

(Includes Tues. workshops, Tues. tradeshow, Tues. lunch and Tues. reception)

_______ $120 – Postmarked by January 10 _______ $145 – If Postmarked after January 10 Wednesday Only

(Includes Wed. tradeshow, Wed. workshops and Wed. Lunch)

Wednesday Special Mechanic’s Seminar Wednesday, January 28 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tier 4 Diesel Engines and Electrical Diagnostics

_______ $115 – Postmarked by January 10 _______ $140 – If Postmarked after January 10

Tuesday and Wednesday Only — Best Value

(Includes tradeshow, Tues. and Wed. workshops, Tues. reception, Tues and Wed. lunch)

_______ $210 – Postmarked by January 10 _______ $235 – If Postmarked after January 10

Thursday Only — Pesticide/Fertilizer Day _______ Free for VTC Members _______ $60 – Non-Members if Postmarked before January 10 _______ $85 – Non-Members if Postmarked after January 10 Persons seeking to take a Pesticide Exam Must Have an Approval Letter from VDACS Virginia Turfgrass Council Membership _______ Regular: $75 (dues expire December 31, 2015) _______ Group: See Box A (dues expire December 31, 2015) _______ Subtotal _______ Less Discount for Group Members (Print Name of Group) _______ $35 — Surcharge for Non-VTC Members _______ M echanic’s Seminar Only — $60 for VTC Members $85 for Non-Members (this event is included in any registration that includes Wednesday) _______ Total Due

Box A Group Membership Platinum ($1,200) 11–20 Members 10% Discount to Conference Year-Round listing and link from VTC Web Site Gold ($750) 6–10 Members 10% Discount to Conference Silver ($350) 1–5 Members 10% Discount to Conference

Make check payable to VTC or Charge Card #______________________________________________________________________ o MC/Visa

o Amer. Exp.

Exp Date:________________________ Master Card and Visa “V Code” (last three digits on back):_ _____________________ Signature:___________________________________________________________________ Date:__________________________

Mail to: Virginia Turfgrass Council • P.O. Box 5898 • Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Phone: 757-464-1004 • Fax: 757-282-2693 • Email: vaturf@verizon.net • Web: www.vaturf.org 14 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

continued Upcoming Event

Special Seminar for Mechanics Wednesday, January 28, 2015

During the 55th Annual Turf & Landscape Conference and Tradeshow of the Virginia Turfgrass Council Fredericksburg Expo Center 2371 Carl D. Silver Pkwy.

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Sign-Up Form (Please Print) The Cost:

• $60 for members of the VTC • $85 for non-members of the VTC

Join the VTC for $75

(Membership good thru December 31, 2015.)

* Attendees who pay the Conference Registration – either full or Wednesday only – are granted entry into the Mechanic’s Seminar without extra charge.

Sign up for:

o Mechanics Seminar

(Wed. Jan 28)

o VTC Membership ($75)

Price: $_________ $_________

__________________________________ Name

__________________________________ Address

__________________________________ City, State, Zip Code

__________________________________ Company/Organization

__________________________________ Phone

__________________________________ Email

Time

Schedule

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

OSHA & Small Engines

Topics

Method of Payment o Check o Visa

o MasterCard o American Express

__________________________________

• 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Trade Show & Lunch

Credit Card No.

• Electrical Diagnosis

• 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Hydraulics

Sec. Code

Speakers

Sponsored By

Signature

• Greg Womble, Revels Turf & Tractor

Virginia Turfgrass Council

Virginia Turfgrass Council

• Tier 4 Diesel Engines

• Micky McCord, Consultant • Kenneth Glass, Stihl

________________ ________________ Exp. Date

__________________________________

P.O. Box 5898 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Phone: 757-464-1004 Fax: 757-282-2693

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 15

Cover Story

Dallisgrass Management in Bermudagrass and Tall Fescue

By Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D., and Adam Nichols, Hampton Roads Ag. Research and Extension Center, Virginia Tech

Dallisgrass is easy to see in bermudagrass due to its wider leaf blade.

D

allisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum) is a troublesome weed in both cool-and warmseason turf. Its wide blades and tall seedheads make the weed especially apparent in bermudagrass turf. Dallisgrass is a warm-season perennial that goes dormant in the fall and resumes growth in the spring. This weed spreads by short rhizomes, as well as by seed. Dallisgrass clumps expand over time due to rhizome growth.

MSMA, the most commonly used herbicide for dallisgrass control, currently can be used only in golf courses, sod production and rights-of-way areas, and even in those areas, there are restrictions on use. Current labels for

16 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

MSMA do not allow applications to home lawns or commercial settings.

It is unclear what turf labels will exist for MSMA in the future. Therefore, additional control options are needed for this weed in turf.

Dallisgrass control in bermudagrass

We have been investigating herbicides, herbicide combinations and herbicide application timing for dallisgrass control in bermudagrass and tall fescue. In bermudagrass, the herbicides we tested include Revolver (foramsulfuron), Celsius (a three-way combination of iodosulfuron, thiencarbazone and dicamba), Tribute

Dallisgrass suppression in the fall from Tribute Total after two spot applications (left) versus the untreated (right).

Dallisgrass, however, recovered by the following summer — see the treated Tribute Total plot (left) versus the untreated plots (right).

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 17

Cover Story continued

Total (a three-way combination of foramsulfuron, thiencarbazone and halosulfuron) and Monument (trifloxysulfuron). We included MSMA for comparison.

All of these herbicides will injure dallisgrass, although this weed will recover from single applications. Label restrictions prevent making more than two applications per season for some of these products. We have rotated herbicides in our repeat applications to stay within label restrictions.

Dallisgrass control with two applications of Fusilade II, seven weeks after the initial treatment (top) versus the untreated (bottom).

We have tested multiple spring, multiple fall and spring-followed-byfall applications. We compared broadcast applications to spot treatment. For certain herbicides, a higher dose can be applied using a spot treatment, although only about one quarter of the total turf area could be treated using these doses.

For the broadcast treatments, we applied Celsius at 3.7 ounces per acre, Revolver at 26 fluid ounces per acre and Monument at 0.5 ounces per acre.

We utilized two applications in the fall of 2013 and two applications in the spring of 2014. We added a crop oil concentrate to all treatments. We also evaluated various adjuvants in combination with Tribute Total, looking at various fall and spring applications.

Our results

Four applications of MSMA gave the greatest reduction in dallisgrass cover when evaluated in June and July 2014 (Table 1). Using four applications of

Table 1. Utilizing Monument, Celsius and Revolver for dallisgrass suppression in bermudagrass.

Dallisgrass Cover (%) Treatment 1

Rate

Timing

Untreated Check

Sept.

‘13

Dec. ‘13

May ‘14

June ‘14

July ‘14

68

68

51

65

61

2

MSMA

2 pt./A

ABCD

69

21

1

7

8

3

Monument Celsius + Revolver

0.53 oz./A 3.7 oz./A 26.2 fl. oz./A

AE CF CF

67

4

26

10

40

4

Monument Celsius + Revolver

0.53 oz./A 3.7 oz./A 26.2 fl. oz./A

AC EF EF

80

5

20

19

58

5

Monument

0.53 oz./A

ACEF

77

4

34

15

45

6

Monument

0.53 oz./A

ACGH

76

4

39

14

40

46

15

31

23

36

LSD (P=.05) Application A: September 16, 2013

Application E: October 07, 2013

Application B: September 24, 2013

Application F: May 28, 2014

Application C: May 05, 2014

Application G: October 16, 2013

Application D: May 14, 2014

Application H: June 03, 2014

Table 2. Impact of Monument, Celsius and Revolver applications on dallisgrass seedhead production.

Seedhead Production (1–10) Treatment

Rate

Timing

11 DAIT

21 DAIT

29 DAIT

ABCD

9.0

8.5

8.5

6.3

1.3

1.0

1

Untreated Check

2

MSMA

2 pt./A

3

Monument Celsius + Revolver

0.53 oz./A 3.7 oz./A 26.2 fl. oz./A

AE CF CF

4.0

1.0

1.0

4

Monument Celsius + Revolver

0.53 oz./A 3.7 oz./A 26.2 fl. oz./A

AC EF EF

3.5

1.0

1.0

5

Monument

0.53 oz./A

ACEF

3.5

1.0

1.0

6

Monument

0.53 oz./A

ACGH

4.3

1.0

1.0

LSD (P=.05) DAIT= Days After Initial Treatment Treatments rated on 1–10 scale; 1=no seedheads, 10=full seedhead cover

18 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

continued Cover Story

Monument, or two Monument applications and two Revolver/Celsius applications, significantly reduced dallisgrass cover in November 2013 (after the first two applications), but dallisgrass recovered by May 2014. Making the two spring applications reduced dallisgrass cover in June, but dallisgrass showed considerable recovery

by July 2014.

All applications significantly reduced dallisgrass seedhead production in fall 2013 (Table 2). This should provide a long-term benefit, since dallisgrass readily spreads by seed.

All Tribute Total applications significantly reduced dallisgrass cover in December 2013, reducing its cover to 3% or less, but dallisgrass exhibited significant regrowth by June 2014, even though spring 2014 applications were made (Table 3). The Tribute Total applications also significantly reduced seedhead production in dallisgrass.

Obtaining long-term control of dallisgrass in bermudagrass is difficult with our current alternatives to MSMA. Multiple spring and fall applications would be needed over multiple years to obtain greater levels of control.

Dallisgrass control in tall fescue

We have focused on Fusilade II, which contains the active ingredient fluazifop. We compared applications of Fusilade alone to combinations with Tenacity and Tenacity plus Turflon Ester Ultra. We also included a Pylex plus Turflon Ester Ultra treatment.

We made a total of four applications, two in the fall and two in the spring, and added a crop oil concentrate to all treatments.

Our results

Four applications of Fusilade gave excellent dallisgrass control (Table 4, page 20). Adding Tenacity to Fusilade did not improve control. Tenacity plus Turflon Ester Ultra and Pylex plus Turflon Ester Ultra decreased dallisgrass cover when evaluated in May 2014, but dallisgrass quickly outgrew the injury. In a similar fashion, the

Table 3. Utilizing Monument, Celsius and Revolver for dallisgrass suppression in bermudagrass.

Application Treatment

Rate

Timing

Type

1

Untreated Check

2

Tribute Total + methylated seed oil + ammonium sulfate

0.073 oz./gal.

0.5 % v/v 34 g/gal.

AB AB AB

Spot

3

Tribute Total + methylated seed oil + ammonium sulfate

0.073 oz./gal.

0.5 % v/v 17 g/gal.

AC AC AC

Spot

4

Tribute Total + methylated seed oil

0.08 oz./gal.

0.5 % v/v

ABD ABD

Spot

5

Tribute Total + methylated seed oil + ammonium sulfate

0.073 oz./gal.

0.5 % v/v 17 g/gal

ACD ACD ACD

Spot

6

Tribute Total + methylated seed oil + ammonium sulfate

0.073 oz./gal.

0.5 % v/v 17 g/gal.

AB AB AB

Spot

6

Tribute Total + methylated seed oil + ammonium sulfate

3.2 oz./A 0.5 % v/v 34 g/gal.

D D D

Broadcast

7

Tribute Total + methylated seed oil + ammonium sulfate

0.073 oz./gal.

0.5 % v/v 17 g/gal.

AC AC AC

Spot

7

Tribute Total + methylated seed oil + ammonium sulfate

3.2 oz./A 0.5 % v/v 34 g/gal.

D D D

Broadcast

8

Tribute Total + Capsil ammonium sulfate

0.073 oz./gal.

0.25 % v/v 17 g/gal.

ABD ABD ABD

Spot

9

Tribute Total + Capsil

0.073 oz./gal.

0.25 % v/v

ACD ACD

Spot

10

Tribute Total + Capsil

0.073 oz./gal.

0.25 % v/v

AC AC

Spot

10

Tribute Total + Capsil

3.2 oz./A 0.25% v/v

D D

Broadcast

Application A: September 16, 2013

Application C: October 28, 2013

Application B: October 16, 2013

Application D: May 05, 2014

Dallisgrass Cover (%)

Dallisgrass Seedhead Production

Treatment

Sept.

‘13

Dec. ‘13

April ‘14

June ‘14

July ‘14

Treatment

11 DAIT

21 DAIT

1

90

81

71

96

97

1

9.3

8.3

2

77

1

11

60

84

2

3.0

1.0

3

75

1

9

65

86

3

3.5

1.0

4

93

2

13

34

70

4

3.8

1.0

5

95

2

10

34

65

5

4.3

1.0

6

87

1

7

29

65

6

5.0

1.0

7

84

2

10

34

58

7

3.3

1.0

8

76

1

4

21

55

8

3.8

1.0

9

90

3

20

41

79

9

4.0

1.0

10

86

2

13

41

70

10

4.3

1.0

LSD (P=.05)

23

7

13

23

13

LSD (P=.05)

1.8

1.1

DAIT= Days After Initial Treatment Seedheads rated on 1–10 scale; 1=no seedheads, 10=full seedheads

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 19

Cover Story continued

three-way combination of Fusilade plus Tenacity plus Turflon Ester Ultra decreased dallisgrass cover in May, but dallisgrass recovered rapidly. It appears that there is some antagonism

of Fusilade’s activity against dallisgrass when Tenacity and Turflon Ester Ultra are added. All treatments containing Fusilade reduced dallisgrass seedhead production (Table 5).

Table 4. Applications of Fusilade, Tenacity, Pylex and Turflon Ester for dallisgrass control.

Dallisgrass Cover (%) Treatment 1

Rate

Timing

Sept.

‘13

Dec. ‘13

April ‘14

June ‘14

July ‘14

68

68

51

65

61

Untreated Check

2

MSMA

2 pt./A

ABCD

69

21

1

7

8

3

Fusilade II

6 fl oz./A

ACGH

59

1

0

7

2

4

Fusilade II + Tenacity

6 fl oz./A 8 fl oz./A

ACGH ACGH

74

1

1

5

10

5

Tenacity + Turflon Ester Ultra

8 fl oz./A 16 fl oz./A

ACGH ACGH

74

65

1

36

49

6

Pylex + Turflon Ester Ultra

1.5 fl oz./A 16 fl oz./A

ACGH ACGH

75

68

13

64

81

7

Tenacity + 8 fl oz./A Turflon Ester Ultra + 16 fl oz./A Fusilade II 6 fl oz./A

ACGH ACGH ACGH

82

5

2

18

53

42

21

19

28

23

LSD (P=.05) Application A: September 16, 2013

Application E: October 07, 2013

Application B: September 24, 2013

Application F: May 28, 2014

Application C: May 05, 2014

Application G: October 16, 2013

Application D: May 14, 2014

Application H: June 03, 2014

Conclusions

Table 5. Impact of applications of Fusilade, Tenacity, Pylex and Turflon Ester on dallisgrass seedhead production.

Seedhead Production (1–10) Treatment 1

Untreated Check

2

MSMA

21 DAIT

Rate

Timing

11 DAIT

29 DAIT

9.0

8.5

8.5

2 pt./A

ABCD

6.3

1.3

1.0

3

Fusilade II

6 fl. oz./A

ACGH

4.8

1.0

2.0

4

Fusilade II + Tenacity

6 fl. oz./A 8 fl. oz./A

ACGH ACGH

4.3

1.0

1.0

5

Tenacity + Turflon Ester Ultra

8 fl. oz./A 16 fl. oz./A

ACGH ACGH

10.0

6.0

6.0

6

Pylex + Turflon Ester Ultra

1.5 fl. oz./A 16 fl. oz./A

ACGH ACGH

10.0

5.0

6.3

7

Tenacity + 8 fl. oz./A Turflon Ester Ultra + 16 fl. oz./A Fusilade II 6 fl. oz./A

ACGH ACGH ACGH

7.3

1.3

1.0

1.7

1.5

1.4

LSD (P=.05)

Fusilade II is not registered for use on home lawns. If you want to utilize fluazifop for dallisgrass control in tall fescue home lawns, Ornamec can be used. It contains the same active ingredient as Fusilade, but it has no restrictions concerning use on home lawns.

Ornamec contains a lower concentration of fluazifop than in Fusilade, so application rates of the product are different, although the applications rates of the active ingredient are identical to that for Fusilade.

We also evaluated Solitare (quinclorac plus sulfentrazone) and Drive (quinclorac) plus Dismiss (sulfentrazone), based on reports that combining these two active ingredients was resulting in dallisgrass control. We have seen only slight temporary injury to dallisgrass with these combinations.

Although they control crabgrass, these combinations will not control dallisgrass. Therefore, proper weed identification is needed, since crabgrass can resemble dallisgrass in a mowed turf situation.

DAIT= Days After Initial Treatment Treatments rated on 1–10 scale; 1=no seedheads, 10=full seedhead cover

20 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

Fluazifop is an effective control option for dallisgrass in tall fescue, but it cannot be used in other turfgrasses. Dallisgrass control is more challenging in bermudagrass, requiring multiple applications of available products for significant suppression.

Dallisgrass may still recover, though, even from multiple spring and fall applications. Additional research is needed to improve upon the results we have observed in bermudagrass. c

Research support:

Financial support for this research has been provided by Bayer Environmental Science, Syngenta, the Virginia Turfgrass Council and the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation. We would like to thank them for their support of this research.

Feature Story

The Influence of Iron, Sulfur and pH on

Dollar Spot Development

By Nate Reams; Erik Ervin, Ph.D.; David McCall; and Shawn Askew, Ph.D., Virginia Tech

C

reeping bentgrass provides an ideal putting surface for golf courses located in temperate climates because it provides a uniform playing surface, moderately tolerates heat and disease pressure, has a medium irrigation requirement and is aesthetically pleasing. Dollar spot is the most common disease of creeping bentgrass putting greens.

Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, the causal agent, degrades bentgrass greens by creating small, silver-dollar-sized depressions of dead turf and necrotic tissues that may persist throughout the winter and into the spring.

To prevent disease symptoms, frequent fungicide applications are required throughout the growing season. Even though many fungicides are labeled for dollar spot control, they have become limited due to government regulation, resistant fungal pop-

ulations or a failure to provide consistent control.

Cultural practices alone are not effective at eliminating dollar spot, but they can increase fungicide efficacy and longevity. Research into alternative methods for dollar spot control is required for improved integrated approaches to future disease control.

Previous research

Previous researchers have investigated nitrogen sources for dollar spot suppression, but limited information is available on the use of sulfur, iron or ferrous sulfate as alternatives. One published report indicated ferrous sulfate as a mild fungistat. Iron can assist in the suppression of pathogens that infect plants, or it can aid in the infection process of certain pathogens.

Iron deficiency in wheat has been shown to cause a breakdown in patho-

Figure 1. Dollar spot infection center counts affected by the bi-weekly application of ferrous sulfate on a creeping bentgrass putting green.

22 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

gen resistance, while iron application was shown to cause pathogen resistance in normally susceptible plants.

The combination of iron and sulfur as ferrous sulfate has also been shown to decrease or suppress the infection of rust in wheat. It is unknown, however, if rates of iron, sulfur or ferrous sulfate are toxic to the S. homoeocarpa or hinder the infection process.

Because of the chemical structure of ferrous sulfate, soil pH may be lowered with repeat applications. Previous investigations of pH effects on dollar spot epidemics are inconsistent.

For these reasons, our recent study investigated which element or elements of ferrous sulfate are responsible for dollar spot suppression at various pH levels.

Our research

In previous research at the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Center (VT TRC) during fall 2011, various rates of ferrous sulfate (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 lbs./1,000 ft2 of 19% iron plus 21% sulfur, Hi-YieldÂŽ) were evaluated in combination with paclobutrazol and seaweed extract as an option for annual bluegrass removal from creeping bentgrass. After a fungicide failure with thiophanate-methyl due to resistance, a visual comparison between the control and high ferrous sulfate plots indicated that ferrous sulfate may reduce dollar spot incidence. A subsequent count of individual infection centers from each plot was conducted.

The medium (0.5 lb./1,000 ft2) and high (1 lb./1,000 ft2) ferrous sulfate rates had significantly lower dollar spot infection centers than the low rate (0.25 lb./1,000 ft2) and no ferrous sulfate (Figure 1). Higher ferrous sulfate rates suppressed dollar spot

Untreated

Ferrous sulfate 1 lb./1,000 ft2

Sulfur 0.21 lb./1,000 ft2

Fe-EDTA 0.23 lb./1,000 ft2

June 26, 2012 Photo 1. Dollar spot infection as affected by sulfur, ferrous sulfate and Fe-EDTA fertilizer treatments on a creeping bentgrass putting green in June 2012.

Table 1. Turf quality and Sclerotinia homoeocarpa infection center counts as affected by fertilizer treatments and disease cycle on a ‘Penn A-4’ creeping bentgrass putting green in 2012.

Cycle 1 — Mar. 28 to May 10

Cycle 2 — May 11 to Jun. 27

Cycle 3 — Jun. 28 to Aug. 9

Cycle 4 — Aug. 10 to Sep. 4

Sulfur (10.3 kg Ferrous Sulfate (48.8 kg ha-1)

ha-1)

Cycle 4 — Sep. 4

Untreated

x

Cycle 3 — Aug. 9

Treatment and level v

Turfgrass Quality

w

Cycle 2 — Jun. 27

Infection Centers Per Plot

Cycle 1y — May 10

infection in the early fall when disease pressure was high.

In 2012, further research was conducted to address this occurrence at the VT TRC. The trial was conducted on a mature ‘Penn A-4’ creeping bentgrass putting green built to USGA specifications (90% sand, 10% peat moss) with a history of heavy dollar spot infestation. The green was irrigated (water pH 7.6) as needed to prevent visual signs of wilt. Nitrogen was applied weekly or biweekly in the form of urea at a rate of 0.10 lb. N/ 1,000 ft² uniformly across all plots.

Ferrous sulfate (19% iron and 21% sulfur, Hi-Yield®) and its elemental components were investigated for their effects on dollar spot epidemics.

Sulfur and iron rate were determined by the percentage of each element in 1 lb./1,000 ft2 of ferrous sulfate, using 90% elemental sulfur (Hi-Yield®) and 10% chelated iron (iron EDTA, Sprint®). All treatments were applied biweekly as follows: • Control • Sulfur — 0.21 lb./1,000 ft2 • Ferrous sulfate — 1 lb./1,000 ft2 • Fe-EDTA (chelated iron) — 0.23 lb./1,000 ft2 Dollar spot counts were conducted on four occasions when control plots were infested with approximately 25 to 30 infection centers at the end of each cycle. A cycle includes a recovery period, dollar spot infection period and day of counting. Counts were done using golf tees to mark the loca-

31.0az

60.6a

9.4b

73.6a

6.5a

6.4b

6.8b

6.7b

22.4a

53.0a

31.4a

84.4a

6.8a

6.7b

6.8b

6.3b

25.4a

20.0b

0.4c

2.4b

6.5a

8.1a

7.8a

7.8a

Fe-EDTA 14.8a 3.0b 0.0c 1.0b 6.7a 8.3a 7.2ab 5.2c (11.2 at kg ha-1) v Fertilizer treatments were applied biweekly as liquid applications from March through mid-September. w Sclerotinia homoeocarpa infection center counts were completed when control plots averaged 3% surface area infection or when approximately 25 to 30 infection centers were observed. x Quality ratings based on 1–9 scale, where 1 = dead, brown turf and 9 = dense, dark green turf. 6 = minimum acceptable level for a putting green. Quality ratings were averaged together for each cycle. yA cycle includes a recovery period, Sclerotinia homoeocarpa infection allowed and counted. During the recovery period, fungicides are applied, and urea (7.3 kg ha-1) was applied weekly instead of bi-weekly to allow the Sclerotinia homoeocarpa scars to heal. z Means in the same column followed by the same lower case letter according to Fisher’s protected LSD test (P = 0.05).

tion of each individual infection center in the early morning when dollar spot mycelia were observed (Photo 1).

Following data collection, plots were treated with fungicides and weekly nitrogen applications and allowed to fully recover. Following recovery, fungicides were discontinued, and nitrogen frequency was reduced to biweekly

to encourage the development of a new dollar spot epidemic. Cycles typically lasted six to seven weeks, depending on weather conditions. Turf quality (1–9 scale, 1 = dead, 6 = minimally acceptable, 9 = highest quality) was rated one week after each application from March through September and averaged (Table 1).

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 23

Feature Story continued

Our results

Dollar spot infection centers did not differ between treatments during the first disease cycle, which was characterized as having moderately low dollar spot pressure. During each of the remaining cycles, plots treated with ferrous sulfate and Fe-EDTA had less dollar spot infection centers compared to the control and sulfur treatments.

Ferrous sulfate reduced dollar spot to

less than one infection center per plot by the third cycle count, but was not significantly different from Fe-EDTA. Elemental sulfur had no effect or increased dollar spot infection centers relative to the control during the four cycles.

Creeping bentgrass turf quality was significantly affected by fertilizer during all but the first disease cycle. By the end of cycle two, ferrous sulfate

Figure 2. Interaction of agar pH and iron concentration on in vitro radial growth of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa.

and Fe-EDTA improved turf quality compared to the control and elemental sulfur. As the trial continued, ferrous sulfate continued to improve turf quality, while Fe-EDTA decreased quality. By the end of the trial, FeEDTA negatively affected turf quality, reducing it to below acceptable levels.

Biweekly applications of ferrous sulfate can produce desirable results for dollar spot control, but they may have a negative effect on turf quality at excessive rates. Iron chelate may provide similar reductions in dollar spot, but it may also reduce turf quality over time, if over-applied.

Laboratory trial

Under laboratory settings, a separate experiment was designed to determine direct fungitoxic effects of elemental iron to the dollar spot pathogen. Isolated cultures of the dollar spot organism were collected from the same ‘Penn A4’ creeping bentgrass putting green at the VT TRC and maintained on 1/4-strength potato dextrose agar (PDA) acidified with lactic acid. A representative isolate (TRC 2C-2) was selected for evaluation.

The same agar solution was then amended with ferrous sulfate at iron concentrations of 0, 10, 100 and 1000 ppm. Once the various concentrations Photo 2.

In vitro radial growth of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa on agar amended with iron concentration and adjusted to pH 5.0 and 6.5.

5.0 pH

0 ppm Fe

10 ppm Fe

100 ppm Fe

1000 ppm Fe

100 ppm Fe

1000 ppm Fe

6.5 pH

0 ppm Fe

10 ppm Fe

24 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

of iron were added to the PDA, pH was adjusted to 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 and 6.5, using diluted ammonia hydroxide or lactic acid. A 2 mm disk of mycelia was placed upside down on the solidified PDA. Samples were maintained in the dark at ambient air temperature (~72°F) and randomly stacked.

Mycelial growth diameters were measured after three days incubation. Each treatment was replicated five times and repeated twice.

Our results

Previous in vitro studies have indicated that agar pH does not have an effect on dollar spot mycelial growth. This experiment, however, indicated that agar pH had a significant influence on growth of the tested isolate. A general trend observed for two trials indicates an increase in growth of S. homoeocarpa at 10 ppm iron concentration, regardless of agar pH (Photo 2 and Figure 2). The 1,000 ppm iron concentration was observed to have the least mycelial growth for both trials. The results from this trial indicated that 5.4 pH is an optimal pH for dollar spot growth (data not shown).

Low (10 to 100 ppm) iron concentrations may increase S. homoeocarpa mycelial growth. The increase in mycelial growth indicates the S. homoeocarpa is enhanced by small amounts of available iron for growth and may increase potential pathogenicity.

In these trials, increasing the iron concentrations to 1,000 ppm suppressed or reduced the potential for S. homoeocarpa infection. The biweekly application of ferrous sulfate (1 lb./ 1,000 ft2) used in this trial reduced S. homoeocarpa infection of creeping bentgrass and increased turf quality, even during heat stress and high disease pressure.

Conclusion

Because of the reduction in dollar spot infection centers in our trials, ferrous sulfate may suppress disease alone. Used in conjunction with fungicides, it may extend the period between fungicides, it applications and reduce the potential for development of resistant populations. c Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 25

Turf Talk

A Valuable, New for Pesticide Applicators Resource and the Environment

By Wayne Buhler, Ph.D., Professor, Assistant Dept. Head and Extension Specialist, Dept. of Horticultural Science, NC State University

The

Pesticide Environmental Stewardship (PES) website — at http://pesti cidestewardship.org — is a central, online resource for information on proper pesticide handling and environmental stewardship. The site is designed for anyone who applies, sells, stores or disposes of pesticides; provides advice or training on pesticide use; or is involved in pesticide stewardship or regulation. Each major topic area (of which there are currently 18) contains research-based information, links to key external resources and federal and state regulations where appropriate.

The goals of the PES website are to: • Summarize general principles of pesticide stewardship.

• Provide category-, pesticide- and geography-specific stewardship principles where appropriate.

• Direct users to key resources (links), by stewardship topic, category of use, pesticide and location (including state-specific regulations).

• (coming soon!) Provide quizzes and assessment tools to improve critical thinking and decision-making skills regarding pesticide/non-pesticide options and potential impacts.

All content appearing directly on the PES website is not copyrighted and may be used or adapted

by Extension and other educators

PesticideStewardship.org Homepage

PesticideStewardship.org Resources Page

26 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

to support or enhance their current pesticide-education efforts. This includes the various “Pesticide Stewardship” brochures in the “Resources to Download” link on the homepage (http://pesticidestewardship. org/Pages/Resources.aspx). PES content is directly linked to the USDA’s eXtension website (http://www.exten sion.org/pesticidestewardship) where PES is recognized as a Community of Practice. Content is vetted by subjectmatter experts, where available.

Educational materials are continually solicited, and editorial support is encouraged from many stakeholders or partners, which include agrochemical industry, government agencies, national grower organizations and other professional groups. See the list of PES website “Supporting Organizations” (at http://pesticidestewardship .org/Pages/About.aspx).

I serve as the National Coordinator and have recruited a dynamic team of colleagues that has contributed substantially to the development of PES. Since the inception of the website project in the mid-2000s, team members include: Ron Gardner (Cornell

PesticideStewardship.org Pesticide Drift Page

PesticideStewardship.org Wildlife Protectors Page

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 27

Turf Talk continued

University); Carol Black and Carrie Foss (Washington State University); Jim Wilson (retired, South Dakota State University); Fred Whitford (Purdue University); and Clyde Ogg (University of Nebraska). Dean Herzfeld (University of Minnesota), Patricia Hastings (Rutgers) and Kerry Richards (Penn State) participated in 2014. The website retains independence from specific companies, universities or states.

The PES Website is entirely funded with external monies administered by the Center for IPM (CIPM). CIPM was established in 1991 as part of the National Science Foundation’s Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program. CIPM involves scientists from universities across the nation through grants, contracts or other formal working relationships to foster IPM in both agricultural and urban settings. It is housed within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University.

The PES Website has garnered an enthusiastic response from educators across North America, members of the “Supporting Organizations” indicated above and leaders of national regulatory agencies. It has been selected as the National Clearinghouse for PPE Educational Materials, which will be developed, updated and approved by the National Pesticide PPE Training Solutions Committee (NIOSH). And, the U.S. EPA required that 2014 labels of certain neonicotinoid pesticides contain a text box that lists specific application restrictions to protect pollinators. Among these statements, the label advises applicators to log onto the Pollinator Protection module of the PES website (http://pesticide stewardship.org/PollinatorProtection/ Pages/default.aspx) for “information on protecting bees and other insect pollinators.”

The PES Website is developed with MS SharePoint and resides on a server at Cornell University. Website development and content enhancement is ongoing. It is accessible by smart phones. Several thousand visits to the site have been recorded per month so far. c

PesticideStewardship.org Nozzle Tip Selection Page

28 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org

Digital Marketplace

Turfgrass Calendar December 15–19 Virginia Tech’s Turfgrass Short Course

Henrico County, VA

January 5–6

MTC Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow

University of Maryland College Park, MD

January 5–9

Green & Growin’ Show

(NC Nursery & Landscape Assn.)

Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC

January 14–16

Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS)

Baltimore Convention Ctr. Baltimore, MD

January 13–16

February 16–19

Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.

TPI International Education Conference and Field Day

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa Carlsbad, CA

February 21–26 Golf Industry Show

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center San Antonio, TX

February 24–25

Come to the Bay! Pesticide Certification and Recertification, Fertilizer Certification and Classes for Tree Selection & Maintenance, Plus Pond/Lake Mgmt.

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center Virginia Beach, VA

STMA Conference and Exhibition

Denver, CO

January 26–29 VTC 55th Annual Turf & Landscape Conference and Tradeshow

Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center Fredericksburg, VA

Advertisers Index Aqua-Aid, Inc.............................................. 5 www.aquaaid.com

Leading Edge Communications.............. 29 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

Smith Seed Services................................. 30 www.smithseed.com

Buy Sod...........................Inside Back Cover www.buysod.com

Lebanon Turf............................ Back Cover www.lebturf.com

Southern States Cooperative..................... 3 www.southernstates.com

Collins Wharf Sod Farm.......................... 28 www.collinswharfsod.com

Luck Stone Corporation.......................... 25 www.luckstone.com

The Turfgrass Group.......................... 7, 21 www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Colonial Farm Credit............................... 30 www.colonialfarmcredit.com

Modern Turf, Inc..................................... 25 www.modernturf.com

Virginia Turfgrass Council........................ 5 www.vaturf.org

East Coast Sod & Seed............................ 30 www.eastcoastsod.com

Quali-Pro...................... Inside Front Cover www.quali-pro.com

30 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal November/December 2014 www.vaturf.org