Virginia Turfgrass Journal - September / October 2015

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

September/October 2015

Corn Gluten for Crabgrass Control Sneak Preview of the New Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo, January 22–28, 2016

Synthetic Pigments

Why Do We Spray Them?

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | September/October 2015

18 16 Upcoming Event

Sneak Preview of the New Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo, January 22–28, 2016

18 Cover Story

Synthetic Pigments…

Why Spray Them?

22 Feature Story

Corn Gluten for Crabgrass Control

24 Special Feature

16 Departments 6 President’s Message

from Fred Biggers, CGCS

8 Director’s Corner

from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

10 Editor’s Perspective

from Mark Vaughn, CGCS

11 Index of Advertisers 12 VTF Report

from Betty Parker

14 Industry News 26 Turfgrass Calendar

Improving Bentgrass Recovery Following Annual Bluegrass Removal with Methiozolin (PoaCure) 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 ©2015 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.)

4 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

|5

Presidents Message

Make

the Time to Participate

Fred Biggers, CGCS 2014–2015 VTC President

I

hope, by the time you read this column, you will have attended the Annual Virginia Tech Turfgrass Field Days at the Blacksburg Virginia Tech campus in late August. I know I always look forward to attending Field Day because the event heralds the coming of fall with its cooler weather and the start of the college football season. Let’s also hope that, by the time you read this, Coach Beamer and his Virginia Tech Hokies have beaten the Ohio State Buckeyes for the second consecutive year!

Things have moved quickly on the VTC committee level over the past few months. Back in late spring, your VTC board of directors met, and with Dr. Mike Goatley’s urging, rededicated our board to revitalizing the different committees that make up the VTC. One of the first committees to receive new leadership was a new one — the Certified Turfgrass Professional Committee (or CTP Committee), which was taken on by Mr. Jimmy Viars, a VTC board member who is also the president of the Virginia Professional Grounds Managers Association. Jimmy and his committee have been hard at work, collaborating with Dr. Goatley, on the creation of this new program to certify turfgrass managers across Virginia by creating a one-week CTP educational course followed by a comprehensive exam at the end of the week.

Work has also begun on a two-day Green Industry Team Leader Program. This program should help further build up the VTC membership, while at the same time serving an important segment of our turfgrass industry in Virginia.

Together, these two new programs will bring in new VTC members and should increase membership participation across the board in areas like lawn care and commercial lawn-management companies.

Of course, the really big news is the further refinement of the plans and programs for the new Mid Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E) slated for January 25–28, 2016. It seems like every week, new M-A-T-E developments are cropping up, which will all turn out to be improvements once implemented. Dr. Mike Goatley (Virginia Tech) and Dr. Tom Turner (University of Maryland) have just about all of the details completed on the M-A-T-E’s conference educational program (see page 16).

All of the above progress and programming would not be possible without the dedicated work of the VTC board members, who constantly amaze me with their insight and wisdom. Dr. Tom Tracy is tirelessly working every day to make all of these ideas come to fruition and to keep the board straight on what is happening next! I hope you can get out and attend our programs and educational events when you get the chance. c

6 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org

Director’s Corner

Three New

Endeavors to

Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

Serve You W

hile the VTC represents a diverse industry, there is tremendous commonality within that diversity. From aerating golf greens to manicuring home lawns to restoring a university football field after a playoff game, our members care for turfgrass. Regardless of the venue, roots must be strengthened, grass must be cut, and pests must be controlled.

Because we recognize that diversity, the VTC has formed partnerships to provide three new opportunities for our members: the Mid Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E), the Certified Turfgrass Professional Certification and the Green Industry Team Leadership Certification.

In previous columns, I have listed the various entities that have partnered to form the Mid Atlantic Turfgrass Expo and will not repeat that list here. But allow me to emphasize the unique arrangement we have with Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland. All profit from M-A-T-E will be donated to turfgrass research at those two universities! Yes, 100 percent. Research is the lifeblood of our industry, and we want to ensure that scientists and professors are able to continue providing solutions for the challenges we all face.

Anyone seeking to become a Certified Turfgrass Professional (CTP) must meet exacting standards and pass a rigorous examination that accesses all aspects of turfgrass management. This certificate is the result of years of hard work by Dr. Mike Goatley of Virginia Tech and Jimmy Viars, who is chair of the VTC’s Certification

Committee. During the past two years, we have run numerous trials of the training and examination. The launch is nearly ready and is scheduled for October 1.

Recognizing the continued importance of research, we are donating 10 percent of the revenue from the Certified Turfgrass Professional program to the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation.

Also, we are working closely with the Professional Grounds Management Society of Virginia (PGMS-VA) to develop the Green Industry Team Leader certification (GITL). This new endeavor for us is being formed because of requests from municipalities and universities. Much of the information presented at the GITL program is entry level and covers topics of importance for front-line crews: (1) basics of plant growth; (2) maintenance of turfgrass, ornamentals and trees; and (3) basic management principles. The program will debut in February 2016 at our Come to the Bay event and will involve two days of training and an examination. A notebook is included as part of the training.

Because of the assistance of PGMS-VA, 10 percent of the profit from Green Industry Team Leadership Certification will be donated to them.

I never forget that the Virginia Turfgrass Council exists to serve you, our members. These three new endeavors are our latest moves to serve you. As always, please contact me if there is anything else we should be doing. c

8 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.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 Fredrick Biggers, CGCS Wintergreen Resort (434) 325-8252 Vice President Rick Owens, CGCS Laurel Hill Golf Club (703) 674-6934 Treasurer Scott Woodward Woodward Turf Farms (540) 727-0020 Past President Frank Flannagan msg1sg@verizon.net (804) 356-1535 VTC DIRECTORS Tony Montgomery Marc Petrus Jesse Pritchard Christian Sain Michael Skelton Rick Viancour, CGCS Jimmy Viars, CGM Brian Walker ­ 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

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

|9

Editor’s Perspective

The Cure for

Burnout It’s

burnout time again. Go on — admit it.

And not just on the bentgrass. Yeah, I know by the time you read this, summer will be in the rear view and cool fall breezes will be blowing, but right now it’s 96 degrees in late July, and the cicadas are screaming their summer song. After weeks of left-right combinations of dry winds/summer thunderstorms, winterkilling cold/scorching heat and wilt/root rot, even an old-timer who thinks he’s pretty much seen it all can question the sanity of what he does.

But then again, I think of my friends who are HVAC professionals, physical therapists, ministers, veterinarians, financial advisors, teachers, etc., and I suppose this business is not unlike any other in that we all have our time “in the barrel.”

The curmudgeon in me has always wanted to start a rebuttal company to the “Life is good” moniker slapped on so many things. My wife, bless her heart, even has it on her license plate. I always thought “No, sometimes actually life sucks” would be a runaway hit, but that probably wouldn’t do much to make the world a better place. So, what to do when you start feeling sorry for yourself and that “life sucks” feeling starts to wash over you? Run down to the nearest bookstore to find the latest self-help publication? Oh, that’s right — folks don’t do much running to bookstores anymore. How ‘bout go online, and Google “burned out”? Or try some Hare Krishna Hare Rama chants?

Fortunately for you, our gentle reader, you made the wise decision to become VTC members, which allows you a free subscription to the Virginia Turfgrass Journal rather than to Cosmopolitan or People for all your self-help advice. Where else can you get solid, university and real-

Mark Vaughn, CGCS Virginia Turfgrass Journal Editor

world turf info AND psychological advice in one place?

Ever seen an in-depth discussion of Rhizoctonia solani in those rags? Even my auto correct doesn’t understand Rhizoctonia solani. Stop underlining Rhizoctonia solani in red, stupid computer!!! I wonder if Erik Ervin has this problem on his laptop?

Anyway, where were we? Oh, yeah, a solution to my/ your depression. I would like to say this took days/weeks of crack research to come up with the cure. But actually, and probably just like the cure for Rhizoctonia solani (STOP UNDERLINING IT!), I just stumbled upon it.

You ready?

It’s already on your physical being. Get your mind out of the gutter, and hang with me. Reach into your left pants pocket, and remove your smart phone. Open up the menu. Go to your folders, specifically the photos folder. Open it. What do you see? If there are pictures of car crashes, buildings imploding, floods or dead bodies, seek professional help immediately. More than likely, though, your photo album resembles mine. Smiling faces of friends and family. Mountaintops. Oceans.

Parties. Maybe a trip overseas with some good buddies to the home of golf. Nieces. Nephews. Grandchildren.

Sunrises. Sunsets. And the great thing about smartphones is they catalog everything by date. Oh, yeah, we did do that in January. Man, it WAS cold that skiing day in February. I can still taste that pizza and cold beer we had in April with those friends. You get the picture.

Sometimes, we just need to go back and remember how fortunate we all are to have been given time on this spinning ball. I guess this means my wife was right, once again. Dang it. c

10 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org

Index of Advertisers Agronomic Lawn Management.............. 26 www.fertilizewithalm.com BASF........................................................... 5 www.basf.com Buy Sod......................... Inside Front Cover www.buysod.com Camp Chemical Corp................................ 9 Collins Wharf Sod Farm.......................... 13 www.collinswharfsod.com Colonial Farm Credit............................... 26 www.colonialfarmcredit.com Daniel Sod Farms..................................... 26 www.danielsodfarms.com Geoponics Corporation.................. Inside Front Cover www.geoponicscorp.com Harrell’s LLC............................................. 3 www.harrells.com Leading Edge Communications......................9, 11, 13, 15 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com Lebanon Turf............................ Back Cover www.lebturf.com Luck Stone Corporation......................... 14 www.luckstone.com Modern Turf, Inc..................................... 11 www.modernturf.com Progressive Turf Equipment, Inc.............. 5 www.progressiveturfequip.com Smith Seed Services................................. 26 www.smithseed.com The Turfgrass Group................................. 7 www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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VTF Report

Highlights from the

Virginia Tech

Field Day at Hampton Roads AREC, • June 23, 2015

W

ith temperatures pushing 100°F and a heat index of 105°F, the 2015 Virginia Tech Field Day held on June 23 at the Hampton Road AREC was a hot event for the nearly 200 in attendance. Water trucks followed the throng of attendees around the field trials as Dr. Jeffrey Derr, Adam Nichols, Aman Rana, Jillian Rajevich, Dan Sykes and Matthew Hermann showcased their research and answered questions.

Betty Parker VTF Manager

With a shortened morning program to accommodate the heat wave, participants of the recertification program retired to an air-conditioned classroom for a short program before enjoying a hearty lunch beneath the live oaks that decorate the front lawn of the facility.

Thanks to the VTC and the turf personnel at the HRAREC for another outstanding opportunity for the area’s turfgrass industry. c

The pickup truck loaded with iced water and sodas was a huge hit on this sweltering day.

Adam Nichols provided a wealth of information, fueled by his tremendous work ethic and dedication to the turf industry.

Dr. Derr enlightened attendees with his extensive knowledge and attention to questions.

Dr. Tom Tracy, executive director of the VTC, gave an orientation to the recertification program in the relative comfort of one of the classrooms.

12 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org

Lunch offered a welcome, shady break beneath the beautiful live oaks that adorn the front lawn of the HRAREC.

Five attendees got a perfect score on the Turfgrass Quiz. Barry Kessler of John Deere Landscapes helped draw the winner (from among those five) of a mower donated by Land & Coates.

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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Industry News

Welcome to Larry Nichols, New VDACS Division Director

By Sandra (Sandy) J. Adams, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

As

you may be aware, Andy Alvarez left the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) on June 9 to join our sister agency as the Virginia Department of Forestry’s Chief of Administration. I wish Andy well in his new position and know he will be a valuable asset to the agency.

Earlier this summer, we completed interviews for the vacancy left

by Andy’s departure. We are pleased to announce that Larry Nichols was selected as the new director of the Division of Consumer Protection, effective July 10. The agency was very fortunate to have excellent candidates who were interested in the Division Direc-

tor position. Larry, with his combined experience, background, leadership skills and overall knowledge of the operational aspects of the division, emerged as the top choice from that talented candidate pool.

Larry joined VDACS in 1986 and has approximately 29 years of experience with the agency, serving most recently as the program manager for the Office of Plant and Industry Services, a position he had held since August 2008.

Prior to being a program manager, he served as Gypsy Moth Program Coordinator and as an agricultural inspector. Before joining VDACS, Larry was employed by Goochland County as a vocational agricultural teacher. Larry also has a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Virginia Tech.

I know you will enjoy working with Larry in his new job as division director.

Please join us in welcoming Larry to his new role as VDACS Director of the Division of Consumer Protection. c

Larry with his dog, Jake, at Sandbridge in Virginia Beach.

14 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org

Upcoming Event

Sneak Preview of the

First Annual

MidAtlantic Turfgrass Expo Growing For Our Future January 25–28, 2016 Fredericksburg, VA • Fredericksburg Conference & Expo Center

The

Virginia Turfgrass Council and the Maryland Turfgrass Council are excited and proud to invite you to the organization’s first annual combined conference — the Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E) — slated for January 25–28. And for the first time ever in the history of either council, all profits from the event will be given to the turfgrass research projects at Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland!

While many of the session details are still being worked out at press time, here’s a condensed and somewhat tentative schedule of the program. Dress for both the educational sessions and the Expo is business casual.

For up-to-the-minute updates and to register online,

visit www.TurfConference.org.

16 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org

Monday, January 25 Two Morning Workshops Turfgrass Basics Dr. Mike Goatley, Virginia Tech, and Dr. Tom Turner, University of Maryland A review of basic soils, turfgrasses and cultural and fertility programs for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Turfgrass Pathology for Golf Courses Dr. Lee Miller, University of Missouri; Dr. Joseph Roberts, University of Maryland; and Mr. David McCall, Virginia Tech A three-hour workshop on all things disease-related in golf turf management.

LUNCH

Sponsored by Helena

Four Afternoon Workshops Current Issues for Golf Courses Weed Control for Sod Growers Sports Turf Topics Lawn and Landscape Opportunities Sponsored by Lawn and Landscape magazine Implementing Technology to Improve Your Sales and Productivity Matt and Chris Noon, Noon Turf Care In the competitive suburban Boston market, Noon Turf Care has managed to grow into a multimillion-dollar company, thanks to how the Noons have harnessed technology to streamline their pro-

duction and sales efforts. Matt and Chris will coach LCOs and other landscapers on how they can implement simple technologies to make their operations more productive and profitable.

Taking Advantage of the Outdoor Living Movement Bruce Allentuck, Allentuck Landscaping Bruce is CEO of an award-winning landscape construction company that has been installing outstanding jobs for decades. He’ll share how landscapers can enter the thriving design/build market or take their company to the next level. abor and Recruiting Strategies L for 2016 Kory Beilder, Ruppert Landscape Kory Beilder is the senior employee development manager at Ruppert Landscape, a $110 million company with locations across the Eastern Seaboard and 1,050 employees. He’s a frequent contributor to Lawn & Landscape magazine, where he writes about how landscapers can improve their recruiting and retention and offers specific strategies on how they can find the best employees.

State of the Industry Research Chuck Bowen, Lawn & Landscape magazine

Evening Presidents’ Dinner and Awards Presentations

Late Morning: Four Concurrent Sessions Golf Course Updates Lawn Care Updates Sports Turf Updates Sod Grower Updates

Afternoon Lunch and Tradeshow

Evening Corn Hole Contest and Reception (Tradeshow Floor)

Wednesday, January 27 Fellowship Breakfast Mechanic’s Seminar (Day two of two)

Morning Seminars Golf Research Updates awn/Landscape L Research Updates

Late Morning and Mid-Afternoon Lunch and Tradeshow

Afternoon Sod Growers’ Meeting

Thursday, January 28 esticide and Fertilizer P Recertification

Tuesday, January 26

Virginia Certified Fertilizer Applicator Training and Examination

Morning General Session

Initial Pesticide Review of Core and Offering of Pesticide Exams for Virginia ( We are seeking to add Maryland.) c

Mechanic’s Seminar

(Day one of two)

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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Cover Story

Synthetic Pigments

...

Why Do We Spray Them?

Exploring the role of synthetic pigments on chlorophyll concentrations and light absorption in turf

By David McCall, Turfgrass Pathologist and Research Associate, Virginia Tech

W

e’ve all either used the products or seen them on TV: the blue-green paints applied to turf surfaces to provide a (sometimes unnatural) false green appearance. They can look good, sometimes even great. They can also look bad when something goes awry.

From the sports world, the memory that comes to my mind was a rainy night in Blacksburg in the early 2000s, when the Hokies played on a

freshly pigmented/painted field that ultimately resulted in green uniforms.

It looked pretty bad from the stands, but even worse when I came home to watch the replay on TV. Even with the occasional “oops,” though, the products continue to gain momentum. In fact, synthetic pigment products have flooded the turf market over the last few years. They are used primarily by golf course superintendents to provide added green color,

18 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org

Field collection of turf treated with synthetic pigments for laboratory analysis of chlorophyll concentrations.

improve stress tolerance or simply act as a spray-pattern indicator for other products.

Synthetic pigments: a brief history

The concept of incorporating synthetic pigments into turf products was first introduced in 1997, when Pigment Blue 15 was used as an additive to mancozeb and fosetyl-Al fungicides to enhance turf quality (side note: this

was the same year I began working for Dr. Houston Couch as an undergrad in Virginia Tech’s turf pathology lab).

This led to the widespread commercialization of pigments as both standalone products and additives to existing chemistries.

Most turf colorants are synthesized from phthalocyanines, a group of cyan (blue-green) pigments. Analogous to deck stains, commercially available pigment saturation can range from mostly

translucent (often as additives in existing chemistries that may enhance the coloration) to full coverage (such as those used as colorants or paints on sports turf).

So, why do turf managers continue to use these synthetic pigments on their golf courses, athletic fields and (sometimes) lawns? Quite simply, they often make the turf appear healthier and more stress tolerant, and we’re not entirely sure why. In situations

like this, sometimes “quite simply” is good enough to trek forward and use products. Why? Because turf managers and researchers alike still don’t fully understand how, or even if, the products are improving the physiology of the plants. Several researchers have sought answers to help explain the physiological benefits with limited success.

A common speculation is that turf pigments act as sunscreen, blocking Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 19

Cover Story continued

excess UV light that may be damaging to the plants. Some have reported that pigments will lower the canopy temperatures, although counter-claims have also documented an increase in canopy temperatures. A third scenario is that the synthetic pigments act in conjunction with natural pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids) as both photoreceptors and photoinhibitors. Under these circumstances, the synthetic pigments could essentially become part of the photosynthetic pathway by capturing electrons from sunlight and transferring them through chloroplasts for usable energy production and by sequestering excess light energy similarly to carotenoids and chlorophyll B.

Our research

That last item peaked my interest, as I am currently working on stress detection using canopy light reflectance.

In this research, we are determining the optimal relationship between light reflectance at narrow wavelengths (nm) and natural pigment content, among other things.

Through some of my other research projects at Virginia Tech, we have found that synthetic pigments can interfere with light reflectance that is used for objective turf-quality quantification. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) has become a popular means for objective plant-health measurements in traditional agriculture and turfgrass science. Most NDVI sensors capture a broad band of light (typically 20nm to 100nm) centered at specific wavelengths in the visible red (VR) and near infrared (NIR, which we do not see with our eyes) regions, although the specific wavelength and range varies amongst sensor models.

In some instances of our research, turf-quality values (NDVI) are higher when our plots have been treated with synthetic pigments. This typically falls in line with higher visual assessments in these plots. However, NDVI quality values are often lower than in untreated or non-pigmented plots when synthetic pigments have been

Turf recently treated with synthetic pigments for enhanced coloration.

applied, despite higher visual assessments. Reports and summaries from other researchers have indicated similar inconsistencies in turf canopy reflectance when treated with synthetic pigments, thus sending mixed messages to turf managers about their performance.

A greater understanding is needed about the role pigments play in the light absorption and reflectance of turfgrass. In studies conducted at Virginia Tech, narrow bandwidth (< 3nm) reflectance was collected continuously across VR and NIR regions for pigments alone (lab measurements), on healthy turf and on turf treated with pigments. We found that pigments alone absorb nearly all visible light except wavelengths in the cyan region, reflecting the blue-green appearance that we see, and well into

20 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org

NIR (â&#x2030;¤ 800nm). However, pigment absorption on turf at label rates is overshadowed by the plantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; absorption in VR, resulting in a miniscule reduction in overall reflectance. Issues arise with NIR data, as the synthetic pigments interfere with normal plant reflectance at shorter wavelengths (760nm to 800nm) and enhance reflectance beyond 800nm. Therefore, the specific wavelength frequency and bandwidth used to calculate NDVI (and other indices) can impact the quality of measurement of health when pigments are used. So, buyer beware if you are using this measurement for purchase decision-making for pigmented products.

After the discovery that synthetic pigments can interfere with spectral light absorption, our next research objective was to determine whether

continued Cover Story

Conclusions

The findings of this research indicate that synthetic pigments can and do interfere with sunlight used by plants to produce usable energy.

We have been able to detect pigment applications by unique features that are present within the spectral signature of turf. Fortunately, it appears that turf plants are more efficient at absorbing light than synthetic pigments, therefore limiting the role that pigments may play in normal physiological functions. By knowing the light frequencies to avoid, we are still able to use spectral data to quantify turf

Laboratory radiometric measurements of synthetic pigment light reflectance on artificial media.

70 60 50 Reflectance %

this interference altered the endogenous natural pigment concentrations. ‘007’ creeping bentgrass grown in the greenhouse and ‘L-93’ creeping bentgrass fairways were used to determine chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, total chlorophyll and carotenoid (ß-carotene) concentrations using laboratory procedures. Greenhouse pots treated with Foursome turf pigment (0.4 fl. oz./1,000 ft2) were compared to untreated turf through fourteen replications. One week after application, pigment concentrations were measured from internal leaf tissue content.

Natural pigment levels were not altered by the addition of the pigmented product. However, variability between replications was lower in treated plots. This consistency in chlorophyll concentrations may play a role in the turf-quality enhancement often associated with synthetic pigment applications.

Similar results were seen with a variety of pigmented products on treated fairways. Foursome (spraypattern indicator), Green Pig (spraypattern indicator), Appear (phosphite fungicide + pigment), Interface (trifloxystrobin + iprodione + pigment), Civitas One (mineral oil + pigment) and TurfScreen (zinc and titanium dioxide + pigment) had no effect on endogenous pigment concentrations. Since the study only had four replications, the consistency seen following application to greenhouse plants was not as apparent.

40 30 20 10 0 400

500

600

700 Wavelength, nM

800

900

1,000

1,100

Figure 1. Spectral signatures of synthetic pigment in artificial media (gray), untreated and healthy turf (green) and healthy turf treated with a synthetic pigment (mustard).

Overlay of spectral data shows a unique feature of near-infrared light reflectance, with lower plant reflectance in pigment-treated turf below 800nm (far red visible light region) but higher reflectance at longer wavelengths.

health without over- or under-estimating the role of synthetic pigments on normal plant function.

It also appears that synthetic pigments do not enhance or diminish internal pigment concentrations.

The greater consistency of chlorophyll concentrations following synthetic

pigment applications may alleviate the burden on plants to constantly produce new chlorophyll molecules, therefore allowing more efficient use of energy. We still aren’t entirely sure why these products enhance our turf, but at least we are starting to understand some of the subtle nuances. c Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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Feature Story

Corn Gluten for Crabgrass Control

By Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D., Professor of Weed Science, and Adam Nichols, Research Assistant, Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Ag. Research and Extension Center, Virginia Beach

T

here is interest in organic approaches to weed management in turf. Building on the research conducted by Dr. Shawn Askew and other researchers, we conducted a trial to evaluate corn gluten for crabgrass control. A byproduct of corn milling, corn gluten contains approximately 60% protein and 5% to 10% nitrogen.

Reported preemergence control of crabgrass appears to be due to a combination of the nitrogen component enhancing turf growth and the presence of allelopathic chemicals that inhibit seed germination.

Our research

We conducted our trial in an established stand of ‘Justice’ tall fescue. We compared a single and split application of corn gluten to single and split applications of a conventional fertilizer, Pendulum 2G (pendimethalin), and to a combination of a conventional fertilizer plus Pendulum 2G. The first application (A) was made on March 21, 2014, under 57°F air temperature, 29% relative humidity, 0% cloud cover and wind 3 MPH N. The second application (B) for the split treatments was made May 21, 2014, under 77°F air temperature, 69% relative humidity, 40% cloud cover and wind 3 MPH W. Rates for WOW corn gluten and fertilizer are in pounds N/1,000 ft2. Application rates for

the corn gluten were 10 and 20 lb./1,000 ft2, as WOW contains 8% nitrogen.

Research results

Treatments containing fertilizer or corn gluten caused an increase in turf color at 61 and 125 DAT compared to the treatments that did not receive fertilizer (Treatments 1, 6 and 7) (see Table 1). There was essentially no difference in color among treatments at 137 and 175 DAT. Apparently the N effect from the fertilizer or the corn gluten had run out by these time periods. Treatments that did not contain Pendulum (pendimethalin) had lower quality at 137 and 175 DAT due to brown patch disease and smooth crabgrass infestations (Table 2). Corn gluten did not control crabgrass in this study, while Pendulum gave excellent control (Table 3).

Plots that were fertilized with corn gluten or a conventional fertilizer without application of Pendulum had higher infestations of brown patch; perhaps the higher density of crabgrass in these plots resulted in greater canopy moisture, resulting in greater amounts of Rhizoctonia, or perhaps the crabgrass served as a source of inoculum for the disease.

Crabgrass does show symptoms of Rhizoctonia infection, although it is not controlled by the disease. c

Research Sponsors: The Virginia Turfgrass Council and The Virginia Turfgrass Foundation 22 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org

Table 1. Impact of treatments on tall fescue color. DAT= days after treatment 1. DAT (2) = days after treatment 2.

Tall Fescue Color (1–9 scale) (1 = brown, 6 = acceptable color, 9 = dark green)

Treatment

5/21/14 61 DAT

7/24/14 125 DAT 64 DAT (2)

8/5/14 137 DAT 76 DAT (2)

9/1/14 175 DAT 114 DAT (2)

1

Untreated check

6.0

5.9

6.0

6.3

2

Anderson’s 12–3-12

0.8 lb. ai/1,000 ft2

AB

7.9

6.8

5.4

5.5

Anderson’s 12-3-12 WOW Corn Gluten WOW Corn Gluten Pendulum 2G Pendulum 2G Pendulum 2G Anderson’s 12-3-12 Pendulum 2G Anderson’s 12-3-12 LSD (P = .05)

1.6 lb. ai/1,000 ft2 0.8 lb. ai/1,000 ft2 1.6 lb. ai/1,000 ft2

A AB A AB A AB AB A A

8.8 8.8 9.0 6.8 6.8

7.5 7.0 7.0 5.9 5.5

5.6 5.9 6.3 6.1 5.5

5.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 5.8

7.9

7.0

5.9

5.8

8.4

7.0

6.1

5.8

0.4

0.6

0.9

NS

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1.5 3.0 1.5 0.8 3.0 1.6

lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. lb.

ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000

ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2

Table 2. Impact of treatments on tall fescue quality.

Tall Fescue Quality (1–9 scale) (1 = no quality, 6 = acceptable quality, 9 = best quality)

Treatment

5/21/14 61 DAT

7/24/14 125 DAT 64 DAT (2)

8/5/14 137 DAT 76 DAT (2)

9/1/14 175 DAT 114 DAT (2) 4.0

1

Untreated check

5.1

4.5

4.5

2

Anderson’s 12–3-12

0.8 lb. ai/1,000 ft2

AB

6.9

5.5

4.4

3.8

3 4 5 6 7 8

Anderson’s 12-3-12 WOW Corn Gluten WOW Corn Gluten Pendulum 2G Pendulum 2G Pendulum 2G Anderson’s 12-3-12 Pendulum 2G Anderson’s 12-3-12

1.6 0.8 1.6 1.5 3.0 1.5 0.8 3.0 1.6

ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2

A AB A AB A AB AB A A

8.0 8.4 9.0 7.3 7.4

5.9 5.4 5.4 6.1 6.1

4.8 4.6 4.8 6.0 5.8

4.0 3.8 3.8 5.1 5.8

7.5

6.5

5.9

5.5

7.9

5.5

5.9

5.6

0.4

0.6

0.5

1.1

9

lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. lb.

ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000

LSD (P = .05)

Table 3. Impact of treatments on brown patch infestation in tall fescue (Rhizoctonia) and smooth crabgrass density.

Treatment 1

Untreated check

2

Anderson’s 12–3-12

0.8 lb. ai/1,000 ft2

3 4 5 6 7 8

Anderson’s 12-3-12 WOW Corn Gluten WOW Corn Gluten Pendulum 2G Pendulum 2G Pendulum 2G Anderson’s 12-3-12 Pendulum 2G Anderson’s 12-3-12

1.6 0.8 1.6 1.5 3.0 1.5 0.8 3.0 1.6

9

LSD (P = .05)

lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. lb.

ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000 ai/1,000

Rhizoctonia sp.

7/24/14 % 61DAT

Rhizoctonia sp.

8/5/14 % 125 DAT 64DAT (2)

Smooth Crabgrass 8/5/14 % Cover 137 DAT 76 DAT (2)

Smooth Crabgrass 9/12/14 % Cover 175 DAT 114 DAT (2)

15%

16%

15%

30%

AB

29%

28%

16%

35%

ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2 ft2

A AB A AB A AB AB A A

19% 28% 29% 9% 11%

23% 25% 29% 10% 13%

14% 20% 19% 0% 0%

29% 41% 43% 0% 0%

8%

8%

0%

0%

9%

6%

0%

0%

0.4

0.6

0.9

NS

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 23

Special Feature

Improving Creeping Bentgrass Recovery Following Annual Bluegrass Removal with Methiozolin (PoaCure)

By Kate Venner, Graduate Research Assistant, and Shawn D. Askew, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Turfgrass Weed Specialist, Virginia Tech

Photo 1. Creeping bentgrass cover as influenced by fertility program.

The images above are both field photos and light-box images.

M

ethiozolin (PoaCure®) has the ability to completely control annual bluegrass (Poa annua) with safety to creeping bentgrass when applied at appropriate rates. Sometimes, however, methiozolin removes annual bluegrass more quickly than desired, resulting in a voided turfgrass canopy. Studies are needed to evaluate methods to increase creeping bentgrass recovery rates when dying annual bluegrass leaves voids. We conducted studies to compare increased fertility via soluble fertilizer (SF), SF + trinexapac-ethyl (TE) (Primo) and Floratine® biostimulants (FB).

Creeping Bentgrass Recovery as Affected by Fertility 1 WAIF

Untreated

20-20-20

20-20-20 + Primo

Biostimulant

Untreated

20-20-20

20-20-20 + Primo

Biostimulant

Trial 1 research

Two trials were initiated on March 22, 2013, and March 27, 2014. Trial 1 was conducted at the Virginia Tech Golf Course and repeated on two separate, push-up-style practice greens maintained at 0.125". Each study site was treated with methiozolin at 157 oz. a-1 followed by 26 oz a-1 twice at a twoweek interval in order to facilitate rapid removal of AB. Trial 2 was conducted at the Turfgrass Research Center in Blacksburg on a USGA-specification ‘L-93’ green that is maintained at 0.125". This trial was aerated to remove 30% of the turfgrass canopy on May 5 in 2013 and 2014. Trial 2 included four cultural treatments as main plots and two rates of methiozolin as sub-plots. Sub-plots contained either no methiozolin or methiozolin applied at 26 oz. a-1 six times at two-week intervals.

All cultural treatments were the same between trials and were as follows:

12 WAIF

24 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org

• no cultural treatment • increased fertility using a commercially available SF product • SF plus TE at 0.125 oz./1,000 ft2 • increased fertility via FB All fertility treatments contained 0.19 lb. N, 0.14 lb. K and 0.19 lb. P per 1,000 ft2 and were applied every two weeks, when turfgrass was fully green, beginning on April 14, 2013, and May 2, 2014, in addition to the normal fertility regime of approximately 4 lb. N per 1,000 ft2 per year administered by the golf course.

Figure 1. Creeping bentgrass cover as affected by methiozolin treatments in 2013 and 2014. Recovery was slower in 2014 due to an irrigation failure in early June.

Bentgrass Cover as Affected by Methiozolin

Trial 1 results

At trial initiation, turfgrass was dormant, and creeping bentgrass cover ranged from 15% to 21%. One week after the initiation of cultural treatments (WAIF) in 2013, FB plots had significantly more green cover than SF alone and the untreated, but not SF plus TE (Photo 1). At one WAIF in 2014, no differences between treatments were observed.

By six weeks after initial treatment (WAIT) in 2013, all increased fertility treatments had significantly more green cover than the untreated, but not different from one another. At six WAIT in 2014, SF and FB had significantly more green cover than the untreated and SF plus TE. At the conclusion of the trial (12 WAIT), cover in treated plots ranged from 95% to 96%, and 90% in the untreated in 2013 and 90% to 93% in 2014.

Trial 2 results

At trial initiation, turfgrass was dormant, and creeping bentgrass cover ranged from 11% to 21% across the trial area. One WAIF in 2013, percent green tissue on treated plots ranged from 72% to 78%, whereas the untreated was 54% (Figure 1). In 2014, cover at 1 WAIF ranged from 62% to 70% across all treatments. At two weeks after aeration (WAA) in 2013 and 2014, FB recovered more than all other treatments. SF alone increased green cover more than the untreated but not equal to SF plus TE. At the conclusion of the study in both 2013 and 2014, there were no significant differences between cultural treatments. In 2014, however, at

six WAA until the conclusion of the study, methiozolin-treated plots had significantly less green cover than plots that did not receive methiozolin. This could be due to an irrigation failure that occurred in the weeks following core cultivation and caused drought injury to the entire putting green.

These data suggest that methiozolin applications could influence turfgrass recovery following severe drought but not on an adequately watered green.

Increasing fertility improves

bentgrass recovery following voids left by dying annual bluegrass or by the mechanical removal of bentgrass. Differences between fertility sources were rare but favored the biostimulant program, especially in the early stages of recovery. c Research Cooperator: Suk-Jin Koo, Ph.D., Moghu Research Center, Daejeon, South Korea Research Sponsor: Moghu Research Center, Daejeon, South Korea Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 25

Turfgrass Calendar October 21–23

December 11

Louisville, KY

Belmont Recreation Center Henrico, VA

PLANET Green Industry Conference

October 22–24

GIE+Expo — Green Industry Equipment Expo and School of Grounds Management

Virginia Certified Turfgrass Professional Exam

January 6–8, 2016 Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS)

February 6–11, 2016 Golf Industry Show

San Diego Convention Ctr. San Diego, CA

February 22–25, 2016 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day

Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, MD

(Turfgrass Producers Intl.)

Hyatt Regency Houston Houston, Texas

November 6–9

January 19–22, 2016

February 23–25, 2016

(American Society of Landscape Architects) McCormick Place Chicago, IL

San Diego, CA

Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

ASLA – Annual Meeting & Expo

December 7–10

Virginia Tech’s Turfgrass Short Course

Belmont Recreation Center Henrico, VA

STMA Conference and Exhibition

January 25–28, 2016 Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo

( a joint conference between the Maryland Turfgrass Council and Virginia Turfgrass Council) Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center Fredericksburg, VA

Digital Marketplace

Come to the Bay! Pesticide Certification and Recertification, Fertilizer Certification and Launch of the Green Industry Team Leadership Certification

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center Virginia Beach, VA

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

26 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2015 www.vaturf.org