Bacterial Wilt on Turfgrass

There has been many questions concerning turf decline in the Ohio Valley. Many people have asked what is Bacterial Wilt? This video from Pace Turf (2010) does a excellent job of outlining this difficult issue to deal with on putting greens.

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien

Summer Patch

The extreme weather conditions over the last months have been a challenge for the staff and turf alike. The putting greens, specifically the Annual Bluegrass populations are exhibiting signs of Summer Patch. Summer Patch, is a soil pathogen that causes root dysfunction on mainly Annual Bluegrass, which generally shows signs and symptoms in July and August when the turf is under a tremendous amount of stress. In order to reduce summer the effects of summer patch we have a comprehensive strategy that includes:

• Promoting Creeping bentgrass (the ideal grass for greens in this region)

• Aggressive aerfication and cultural practices to improve drainage

• The addition of subsurface drainage

• Reducing PH with acidifying fertilizers and added Manganese

• The last line of defense is the fungicide program that includes monthly preventative applications beginning in April and continuing until August

On #6 green we have treated only half of the green curatively. We are going to continue assess how the treated area responds versus non-treated and how rapid the decline will be on the Annual bluegrass. Our goal is to investigate strategies to encourage the bentgrass populations long-term; this project will be only one of many options that will be laid out over the next year.



Thanks,

Pat O’Brien
Grounds Superintendent

Fairy Ring

Over the past couple of weeks, a series of rings have been visible on the putting surfaces and in the fairways. In some cases these areas have even produced mushrooms. These symptoms are consistent with a soil borne pathogen called Fairy Ring. The following video from PACE turf (2010) gives an detailed explanation of fairy ring. Each year fairy ring is targeted with fungicide and wetting agent applications to reduce severity. Currently we are treating the greens with curative applications along with increased hand watering to these specific areas to reduce wilting of the rings.

Summer Patch Test Plot # 6 green

What is the rectangle on the back of #6 green?

There have been few questions concerning this area on the back of six green. This area is used as a check or test plot for our summer patch trials. The putting greens at Hyde Park are over 85 years old and composed of mainly soil, drain poorly and have large populations of Annual Bluegrass (POA Annua). Summer Patch is a soil pathogen that causes root dysfunction on mainly Annual Bluegrass, which generally shows signs and symptoms in July and August when the turf is under a tremendous amount of stress. In order to reduce summer the effects of summer patch we have a comprehensive strategy that includes:

1)-Promoting Creeping bentgrass (the ideal grass for greens in this region)

2) -Aggressive aerfication and cultural practices to improve drainage

3) -The addition of subsurface drainage

4) -Reducing PH with acidifying fertilizers and added Manganese

5) -The last line of defense is the fungicide program that includes monthly preventative applications beginning in April and continuing until August

The trial area shows us if there is an infection as well as the effect of the fertilizer applications. This trial area is monitored on a daily basis by the turfgrass interns and other members of the staff for changes in appearance.

For more information on Summer Patch please click here

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintedent

Large Patch on Zoysia Grass

Rhizoctonia large patch occurs on zoysia grass in the fall and spring as circular, dis­ colored patches that expand over time . The disease is favored by cool temperatures and wet conditions and may be especially severe in poorly drained. Generally, patches begin to appear in early in April through late May and again in the early fall as temperatures cool and zoysiagrass slows growth before going into winter dormancy (University of Arkansas Extension, 2007).

Patches start as circular, discolored areas. At times, the borders of the patches will be orange, which indicates that the disease is active. The orange border consists of newly infected plants where the lower leaves are just starting to die as the fungus invades and kills the leaf sheath below the blades.

The fairways at Hyde Park are treated in the spring and fall each year for Large Patch. With over 13" of rain in April, signs and symptoms of Large Patch are active in small areas and will be retreated when possible.

This photo is taken on #5 fairway, notice the Large Patch thriving well in a puddle.

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

Snow Mold Preventative Fungicide Application

The bentgrass tees and approaches at Hyde Park were treated with a fungicide to prevent Snow Mold on Thursday. One application is applied annually to the greens, tees and approaches from November to January.

What is Snow Mold?????


There are two types of snow mold that may affect turfgrass, gray snow mold and pink snow mold. Gray snow mold is rarely a serious problem in South West Ohio since it requires extended periods of snow cover to develop (30 days for mild infections to begin and 90 days or more for serious outbreaks). Unlike gray snow mold, pink snow mold does not require snow cover but snow cover can promote disease outbreaks in certain situations. Since pink snow mold is promoted by wet conditions, we can reduce the possibility of disease by maintaining normal mowing heights into the fall until growth has nearly stopped to avoid long grass that may become matted and wet (Purdue University, 2004).

Applying fungicides to the 1st tee