PACE Turf

Weather conditions leading to gray leaf spot in Florida

admin — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:01:21 -0500

by: admin

April, 2013 temperatures vs. bentgrass growth

admin — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:04:19 -0500

by: admin

Description: Slow bentgrass growth in the northeast and mid-Atlantic during the spring of 2013 was caused by abnormally low average temperatures, as seen in this April data from King of Prussia, PA. For more information, [url=http://www.paceturf.org/memberedition/bentgrass_in_the_northeast]read this post from Steve McDonald[/url] of [url=http://www.turfgrassdiseasesolutions.com/public/default.asp]Turf Disease Solutions[/url].

May temperatures vs. bentgrass growth

admin — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:03:52 -0500

by: admin

Description: Slow bentgrass growth in the northeast and mid-Atlantic during the spring of 2013 was caused by abnormally low average temperatures, as seen in this May data from King of Prussia, PA. For more information, [url=http://www.paceturf.org/memberedition/bentgrass_in_the_northeast]read this post from Steve McDonald[/url] of [url=http://www.turfgrassdiseasesolutions.com/public/default.asp]Turf Disease Solutions[/url].

Brown ring patch

admin — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:24:08 -0500

by: admin

Description: April 2013, Sacramento, California region. Symptoms present when the sample arrived at the lab.

Weather pattern leading to spring drought damage

admin — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:23:35 -0500

by: admin

Description: Note the rise in temperature, and the commensurate drop in dew point and humidity, as well as frequent wind gusts that southern California experienced from April 17 - 20. The sudden hot, dry conditions led to unexpected [url=http://www.paceturf.org/photo/showphoto.php/photo/1596]drought damage[/url] on poa, [url=http://www.paceturf.org/memberedition/be_prepared_for_rapid_temperature_changes]as described here.[/url]

Spring drought damage

admin — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:22:23 -0500

by: admin

Description: Following a rapid rise in temperature, and a rapid drop in humidity, Poa annua was selectively damaged on a bent/poa green. For more information [url=http://www.paceturf.org/memberedition/be_prepared_for_rapid_temperature_changes]read this article[/url].

Smut

admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:11:45 -0500

by: admin

Description: Coastal southern California, April, 2013. Bermudagrass inflorescence smut, Ustilago cynodontis.

Earth Day 2013

admin — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:33:42 -0500

by: admin

Accumulated Growing Degree Days

admin — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:58:26 -0500

by: admin

Description: We have added accumulation of growing degree days (GDD) for the past 30 days to aid in management of poa seedheads and some other pests. See this [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/reference/Poa_and_degree_days]Reference[/url] for more information on use of GDD for poa seed head management this [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/memberedition/insect_degree_day_models_for_turf_an_important_integrated_pest_management_t]PACE Update[/url] for information the use of GDD for insect IPM.

Use guidelines for turf colorants

admin — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:05:06 -0500

by: admin

Description: For more information on using pigments, dyes and paints, [url=http://www.paceturf.org/memberedition#mearticle_14324]see this report.[/url]

Best performing turf colorants

admin — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:03:57 -0500

by: admin

Description: University trials across the U.S. have tested turf colorants for their color and longevity. Some of the top performing products are listed above. For more information on using pigments, dyes and paints, [url=http://www.paceturf.org/memberedition#mearticle_14324]see this report.[/url]

Types of turf colorants

admin — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:23:38 -0500

by: admin

Description: For more information on using pigments, dyes or paints, [url=http://www.paceturf.org/memberedition#mearticle_14324]see this report.[/url] AI = active ingredient.

Spring dead spot and herbicides

admin — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:36:57 -0500

by: admin

Description: With the exception of Ronstar, all herbicides tested caused a reduction in the ability of bermudagrass to recover from spring dead spot. Recovery data is the average of data taken in 2011 and 2012 by LL Beck and colleagues from Texas Tech and the University of Georgia. For more information, [url=http://www.paceturf.org/memberedition/spring_dead_spot_and_herbicides] see this summary.[/url]

Low altitude photo from drone

admin — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:30:13 -0500

by: admin

Description: Following in Dr. Phil Harmon's footsteps at University of Florida (@turfdrman on Twitter), we have been utilizing low altitude photography to assist in evaluation of turfgrass conditions. This photo is from The Reserve Golf Club in Palm Desert, Felix Milward, Superintendent. The trial is sponsored by Bayer and the focus of the trial is management of poa annua in ryegrass overseeded bermuda. Results will be posted in Super Journal.

Rapid blight hits Coachella Valley

admin — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:16:21 -0500

by: admin

Description: The first diagnosis of rapid blight (Labyrinthula terrestris) in the Coachella Valley of California occurred in March, 2013 on Poa trivialis that was overseeded on bermudagrass greens. Soil salts were moderate at 2.7 dS/m, but soil sodium was high, at 190 ppm, which is above the [url=http://www.paceturf.org/memberedition/rapid_blight_and_soil_chemistry]110 ppm threshold we see for this disease[/url]. Photo courtesy of Craig Shafer, Simplot Partners, Palm Desert, CA.

Olpidium

admin — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 13:11:35 -0600

by: admin

Description: February, 2013, bentgrass green. Olpidium is an obligate parasite that typically does not cause serious damage. In this instance, foliage exhibited symptoms of phosphorus deficit and anthocyanin accumulation. The fungus penetrates the root after zoospores encyst on the surface of the roots. Sporangia are formed in root cells and produce thousands of zoospores that are released into the soil. Resting spores are also formed that can survive in the soil for years. Olpidium is also known to transmit a variety of virus diseases, none of which have been described to cause disease on turfgrasses - yet.

Rapid blight on ryegrass

admin — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 19:04:03 -0600

by: admin

Description: Southern California, February, 2013, ryegrass overseeded bermuda fairway. This composite image illustrates the distribution of rapid blight (photograph from low-altitude drone-mounted camera) upper left, photo from ground level lower left, dissecting microscope upper right and compound microscope illustrating spindle shaped cells of rapid blight in epidermal cells of ryegrass. For more information on rapid blight see: [url=http://www.apsnet.org/publications/apsnetfeatures/Pages/RapidBlight.aspx]Rapid Blight: A New Plant Disease[/url]. PACE Turf members refer to the following reference: [url=http://www.paceturf.org/reference/Rapid_blight]Rapid blight[/url]

Impact of paclobutrazole on moss

admin — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:04:51 -0600

by: admin

Description: In a 2 year Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station study on the impact of iron sulfate and paclobutrazole (Trimmit) on poa invasion, researchers N. Reams and colleagues found that paclobutrazole appeared to encourage moss growth, especially when it was applied without iron sulfate. For more information, [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/memberedition/iron_poa_and_moss/]see this report[/url].

Leaf spot and melting out

admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:42:25 -0600

by: admin

Description: November, 2012, Northern California, Poa annua green. Leaf spot and melting out caused by Drechslera poae.

Rapid blight after aeration

admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:39:02 -0600

by: admin

Description: November 2012, Southern California, poa annua green attacked by rapid blight after aeration. Causal organism, Labyrinthula terrestris.

GLS damage

admin — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:26:30 -0500

by: admin

Description: Southern California ryegrass overseed 2012. Arrows indicate seeding dates. Gray leaf spot thinned the seedlings for several weeks after seeding. Unusually warm conditions extended the threat of disease longer than normal.

GLS Stress Index

admin — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:26:04 -0500

by: admin

Description: Southern California ryegrass overseed 2012. Arrows indicate seeding dates. Gray leaf spot thinned the seedlings for several weeks after seeding. Unusually warm and humid conditions extended the threat of disease longer than normal.

GLS Threat

admin — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:25:24 -0500

Leaf spot on kikuyugrass

admin — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:14:11 -0500

by: admin

Description: Leaf spot caused by Bipolaris on kikuyugrass. October, 2012, San Diego, CA.

Leaf spot on kikuyugrass

admin — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:13:39 -0500

by: admin

Description: Leaf spot caused by Bipolaris on kikuyugrass. October, 2012, San Diego, CA.

Leaf spot on kikuyugrass

admin — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:13:12 -0500

by: admin

Description: Leaf spot caused by Bipolaris on kikuyugrass. October, 2012, San Diego, CA.

Leaf spot on kikuyugrass

admin — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:12:35 -0500

by: admin

Description: Close up of leaf spot lesions caused by the fungus Bipolaris. October, 2012, San Diego, CA.

Leaf spot on kikuyugrass

admin — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:11:58 -0500

by: admin

Description: Germinating spores of the fungus Bipolaris on kikuyugrass. October, 2012, San Diego, CA.

Gray leaf spot hits in many locations

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:12:03 -0500

by: admin

Description: This table from the PACE Turf weather update illustrates the severe stress conditions that were observed at three locations where GLS was reported in early September, 2012. Refer to this document for the background on the [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/reference/Stress_Index/]stress index[/url] (aka Wong GLS index - Max T (F) + minimum RH (%) > 140 = high stress/gray leaf spot). This model was developed by Dr. Frank Wong.

Seedcorn beetle

admin — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:23:37 -0500

by: admin

Description: The seedcorn beetle, in the genus [i]Stenolophus[/i], is usually a pest of corn seeds, but the adult beetles sometimes invade golf course greens, where they produce small mounds of sand. In most cases, they do not cause direct damage to turf, and usually disappear in a short period of time. Greens that are near strong lights are most susceptible to invasion. The two photos above illustrate some of the variation in color and markings that are common in this group of beetles.

Gray leaf spot on ryegrass

admin — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 19:03:48 -0500

by: admin

Description: Early summer gray leaf spot on ryegrass in San Diego, 2012. Note the twisted leaf tip and characteristic spores (inset).

Rolling plot design

admin — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:03:22 -0500

by: admin

Description: Plot design for practice putting green at Pender Harbour Golf Club, Jason Haines Superintendent. The numbers outside the circle (green) indicate the number of times and direction of the roll on a daily basis. The number in the upper left corner designates the plot number and the number in the center of each square (plot) represents the number of times a roller passes over the plot on a daily basis.

Rolling and microdochium patch

admin — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:22:16 -0500

by: admin

Description: Jason Haines, Superintendent, Pender Harbour Golf Club, started a rolling experiment to determine the impact of rolling on moss colonization. In the process, the practice green where the rolling study was established was attacked by microdochium patch caused by Microdochium nivale (aka pink snow mold, fusarium patch). The results suggest that rolling twice per day might suppress microdochium patch and more rolling improves suppression. Jason is not suggesting multiple rolling, he is trying to simulate traffic and rolling on moss infestation. The microdochium patch observation is serendipitous. The observation is interesting.

Selecting an alternate weather station on Weather Underground

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:40:57 -0500

by: admin

Description: For more information on using PACE Turf's member weather services, [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/memberedition/alternate_weather/]see this description[/url]

Selecting an alternate weather station on Weather Underground

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:40:10 -0500

by: admin

Description: For more information on using PACE Turf's member weather services, [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/memberedition/alternate_weather/]see this description[/url]

Mystery calcium sulfate

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:19:22 -0500

by: admin

Description: Here is an example label from a gypsum replacement product of ambiguous composition. It claims to be gypsum and derived from CaSO4*7H2O, but the [url=http://www.commonchemistry.org/ChemicalDetail.aspx?ref=14798-04-0]chemical abstract citation for 41798-04-0[/url] indicates that the product is actually calcium sulfate anhydrite, CaSO4. Only the gypsum quick test will help you figure this one out. [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/memberedition/video_quick_test_for_gypsum_products/]Gypsum quick test[/url]. If you are interested in the CAS number for gypsum it is [url=http://www.commonchemistry.org/ChemicalDetail.aspx?ref=13397-24-5]13397-24-5[/url].

Billbug

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:47:34 -0500

by: admin

Description: March 22, 2012. Billbug on hybrid bermuda fairway in Southern California. First observed at this site about 14 days prior to this photo.

Plot photography

admin — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:08:07 -0600

by: admin

Description: Simple setup for consistent photography of on-site research plots. Set the camera up at a height that will capture the entire plot area when the tripod has been placed at the front of a plot. Simply move the tripod to each plot in a fixed sequence to make data acquisition fast and simple.

Saturated Paste vs. Mehlich 3

admin — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:58:33 -0600

by: admin

Description: Comparison saturated paste extraction to Mehlich 3 extraction systems. Saturated paste extraction is only effective at measuring dissolved salts and cations weekly held on the soil exchange sites. Saturated pastes should not be used for evaluation of soil nutritional analysis.

GIS Brookside and PACE Turf booth location

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:30:46 -0600

by: admin

Description: Visit Dr. Stowell at booth #2281 between 1pm and 4 pm on Wednesday and Thursday during the 2012 Golf Industry Show.

Earwigs

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:42:28 -0600

by: admin

Description: Male earwig (top) and female earwig (bottom). These insects feed mainly on decaying organic matter and also on other small insects. The distinctive forceps on their last abdominal segments are their main identifying feature. [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/reference/Earwigs/]Read more here[/url] about earwigs and the damage they can cause on turf.

Deep tine aeration

admin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:55:07 -0500

by: admin

Description: Example of deep tine aeration and sand-filled holes that break through impervious soil layers to allow water movement to drain.

Wireworm

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:51:58 -0500

by: admin

Description: Wireworms are the larval stage of click beetles (Family Elateridae). They are pests on many crops, and occasionally cause damage to turf. Note the hardened cuticle on the head and the segments immediately behind the head. These are characteristic of wireworms. See this [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/reference/Wireworms]Reference on wireworms[/url] for more information.

Click beetle

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:49:41 -0500

by: admin

Description: Click beetles (Family Elateridae) are the adult stage of the pest known as wireworms. Click beetles do not damage turf, but are entertaining for their ability to click and somersault when disturbed. See this [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/reference/Wireworms]Reference on wireworms[/url] for more information.

Wireworm damage

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:48:36 -0500

by: admin

Description: Small dead spots of turf appeared on these poa greens soon after fall aeration. The damage was caused by wireworms, who apparently found the sand filled aeration holes very appealing. Photo submitted by Jim Husting, CGCS, Woodbridge Country Club, CA. See this [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/reference/Wireworms]Reference on wireworms[/url] for more information.

Wireworm damage

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:47:58 -0500

by: admin

Description: Small dead spots of turf appeared on poa greens soon after fall aeration. The damage was caused by wireworms, who apparently found the sand filled aeration holes very appealing. Damage is due to underground feeding by wireworms on plant roots. See this [url=http://www.paceturf.org/index.php/reference/Wireworms]Reference on wireworms[/url] for more information.

Wireworm damage

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:46:38 -0500

Drought recovery of bermudagrass cultivars

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:19:05 -0500

by: admin

Description: 8 cultivars of bermudagrass and 1 cultivar of buffalograss were subjected to 60 days of drought during 2006 and 2007. The number of days for each cultivar to re-gain 50% of its green color, after irrigation resumed again, was determined. Celebration and TexTurf bermudagrass had the best recovery in both years of the study, while Premier bermudagrass was the slowest to recover. Data from K. Steinke et. al. 2011. Crop Science 51:1215-112.

Drought tolerance of bermudagrass cultivars

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:16:03 -0500

by: admin

Description: 8 cultivars of bermudagrass and 1 cultivar of buffalograss were subjected to 60 days of drought during 2006 and 2007. The number of days for each cultivar to lose 50% of each green color were determined. Celebration bermudagrass had the best drought tolerance in both years of the study, while Premier bermudagrass had the least drought tolerance. Data from K. Steinke et. al. 2011. Crop Science 51:1215-112.

Masked chafer grubs

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:54:08 -0500

by: admin