Modified Smith-Kerns Model

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Comparison between the Smith-Kerns Dollar Spot Model (SK) and a modification  (SKmod) used by PACE Turf. Weather data from Columbia Missouri where a dollar spot epidemic was taking place. The modification to the Smith-Kerns model removes the five-day running average temperature and relative humidity computation and instead uses daily temperature and relative humidity. The result is a more responsive illustration of the likelihood of dollar spot. The spikes in the modified Smith-Kerns model are used to trigger enhanced scouting for disease, not to direct fungicide applications. A fungicide is not recommended until the disease is first identified in the field. The use of the modified Smith-Kerns and scouting helps prevent application when the disease is not present and attacking the grass.

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