A New Disease of Annual Bluegrass, Ryegrass and Poa trivialis
Bottom line: A new disease of cool season turf was first diagnosed in California, in 1995 from Poa annua greens. Since that time, the disease has been observed in 7 different states, and in addition to Poa annua, it has caused serious damage to Poa trivialis and Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) used to overseed greens, tees, fairways and roughs. The disease, which is caused by an unusual, single-celled organism that grows inside the leaf cells of turf plants, has tentatively been identified as a chytridiomycete fungus. The frequency with which this disease occurs seems to have escalated in the past few years, causing severe yellowing and death of acres of overseeded turf, and increasingly severe damage to Poa annua greens. Because this disease has not been studied in the past, it’s management is an unsolved question, although the fungicide mancozeb appears to have at least ome ability to prevent widespread damage. And preliminary data from Clemson University suggests that products such as trifloxystrobin (Compass) and the yet to be registered product pyraclostrobin (Insignia) can actually control the disease curatively. A more comprehensive management program will be developed during the next ear, based on a collaboration between Clemson University and the PACE Turfgrass Research Institute.
The common name for this disease is rapid blight.
Printable version of full report PACE Insights Vol. 7 No.11
by Larry J. Stowell, Ph.D. and Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D.
Use of Turf Covers for Improved Overseeding Establishment on Hybrid Bermudagrass Greens
Summary: In a replicated field trial conducted to determine methods for improving the establishment and uniformity of greens overseeding programs, the role of turf fabric covers and of different renovation methods was investigated. Key findings include:
- All five turf covers tested resulted in improved ryegrass establishment and bermudagrass recovery when compared to uncovered turf. Protection from high winds (upt to 30 mph) and irrigation-induced movement of seed appeared to be the major benefit.
- The best performing turf covers (Typar T-518 and Bunker liner fabric) shared the qualities of resistance to high winds without tearing, and sufficient light transmission to support the growth of emerging seedlings. In addition, the best performing covers appear to have maintained slightly higher temperatures underneath the covers, thus allowing more rapid growth of emerging seedlings.
- Covers that did not perform as well either tore and blew away in high winds (Reemay fabric and seed blanket fabric) or were so dense that they blocked light to emerging turf seedlings (frost blanket). through are the optimal materials to use for improved overseeding on greens.
Printable version of full report
Principal Investigators: Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D. and Larry J. Stowell, Ph.D., CPPP, CPAg
Cooperators: Joe Foster, West Coast Turf; Rick Sall, Tamarisk Country Club; Craig Shafer, Turf Partners;
Mark Smith, The Quarry
Sponsor: Hi-Lo Desert GCSA
A Guide to Testing Products and Practices
New products, new ideas, new pests and problems and new controversies abound in the world of turfgrass management. Combined with the currently registered pesticides, fertilizers, amendments, and various new pieces of cultivation equipment and turfgrass management approaches, the task of selecting the correct blend of products and practices can sometimes be daunting. The only way to gain more confidence that a management system is the best one for your site is to start a testing program at your golf course, as outlined in this guide. Part I of this Research Guide, “Getting Started”, will describe the basic elements of testing program, attitude, components of an experiment, record keeping; Part II, “Experiment Design”, will provide expanded details on how to set up experiments that will be simple and efficient, plot design, replication and randomization techniques will be discused; Part III, “Interpreting Results”, will provide a background on how to evaluate your findings and how to decipher scientific publications with an introduction to basic statistics.
Printable version of full report
By Larry J. Stowell, Ph.D. and Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D.
