Lawn Management in Oklahoma. Benefits of Turfgrasses. Selection and Adaptability

Transcription

1 Lawn Management in Oklahoma Steve Batten, Turfgrass Extension Assistant Dennis Martin, Turfgrass Specialist David Hillock, Consumer Horticulturist Justin Moss, Turfgrass Water/Environ Quality Scientist Oklahoma State University Benefits of Turfgrasses Erosion control Noise, dust and glare reduction Reduces runoff and increases water infiltration A safe surface for recreation Increased property value Beautification and Presentation Selection and Adaptability Must match turf to the specifics of the site. To do so, one must know about the: Soil type and ph, fertility, drainage, exposure to sun, rainfall patterns, etc. 1

2 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map Average Annual Minimum Temperature Zone 6a -5 to -10 F Zone 6b 0 to -5 F Zone 7a 5 to 0 F Zone 7b 10 to 5 F Growth Patterns Warm season grass type that grows best in late spring through summer into early fall. Cool season grass type that grows best in in fall and spring 2

3 Selection and Adaptability Know client expectations/abilities Quality expected or demanded? Follow through on management? Management practices can include: Mowing (height & frequency) Fertilization (amount & frequency) Irrigation (amount & frequency) Aeration and dethatching Pest management inflorescence vein (rib) culm leaf blade sheath node rhizome tiller crown stolon 3

4 Growth Habits Turfgrasses exhibit one or more of the following growth features Rhizomes below ground horizontal stems Stolons above ground horizontal stems Simple tillering production of daughter plants from mother plants. All grasses have this type of growth. Naming Variety natural botanical grouping within a species Variety in the common language (vernacular) it means a type within a species Cultivar means cultivated variety Example: Riviera bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Riviera ) In the horticultural trade, Variety and Cultivar terms are used interchangeably Legal ownership Public domain means a cultivar can be legally propagated and sold without getting g permission of an owner of the cultivar. There may or may not be an owner. Proprietary means the cultivar is afforded legal protection under US Federal Law 4

5 Types of ownership (continued) Trade Mark does not protect the cultivar but protects against unauthorized use of the branded trademark or registered trade mark or marked terms. Protected for an indefinite time period if maintenance of the marks are in place. Registered =, Common trade mark= Branding and Trademarking does not tell you what the species or variety is in the bag! Read the legal seed label to find out what is in the bag. Seed Law Requires The Label Provide Information on the: Cultivar or variety Species or type Amount of seed in bag Seed purity (%) Germination (%) Date of seed testing Lot number Seller and seller s location Weed seeds present, noxious weeds present Other crop seed present note this may behave like a weed in lawns 5

6 Purchase: improved varieties adapted species turf-type grasses free of objectionable weed and crop content blend or mix should be of compatible types certified seed or sod certified as to varietal purity Warm-season Turfgrasses Bermudagrass Buffalograss Centipedegrass St. Augustinegrass Zoysiagrass Bermudagrass 6

7 Numex Sahara (Sahara) Bermudagrass Numex Sahara (Sahara) Bermudagrass medium texture medium density and quality seed-propagated seed from May mid-july advantages ease of establishment low maintenance requirements low purchase price disadvantages very susceptible to winter-kill very susceptible to Spring dead spot disease Guymon no longer available Wrangler is available 7

8 Guymon no longer available Wrangler is available medium coarse texture acceptable density and quality seed-propagated seed by Aug 1 Adapted state-wide, where ever bermudagrass is adapted advantages ease of establishment Low maintenance utility turf winter-hardy widely adaptable drought hardy good spring dead spot resistance disadvantages will not produce a showcase turf Yukon bermuda in front, Riviera bermuda in back Yukon Bermudagrass currently in short supply Medium fine texture Moderate to high quality lawns Seed propagated Seed by Aug 1 Adapted stated-wide, where ever bermudagrass is adapted OSU release 1999 Advantages cold hardy Improved spring dead spot resistance slower growing g than many other seeded bermudagrasses Disadvantage slower to establish than many other seeded bermudagrasses seed more expensive than most others 8

9 Riviera Bermudagrass Medium fine texture Moderate to high quality lawns Seed propagated Seed by Aug 1 OSU release 2001 Advantages cold hardy Improved spring dead spot resistance compared to Sahara most rapid growing of high quality seeded types Disadvantage seed more expensive than most others U-3 Brand Seeded Bermudagrass medium texture medium density and quality seed-propagated p seed from May mid-july Is a Brand name, not a cultivar name, thus VNS seed is in the container labeled as U-3 Brand ie this is not U-3 variety advantages ease of establishment disadvantages usually very susceptible to winter-kill very susceptible to spring dead spot disease often expensive performance can vary as this is not an actual cultivar or variety Bermudagrass sold as U-3 9

10 Bermudagrass sold as U-3 Many types are sold as U-3, thus material from one farm can differ from the next farm or from within the same field medium fine-texture vegetatively-propagated p g adequate quality for most lawns, parks, grounds and golf course fairways and teeboxes Most widely used bermudagrass in Oklahoma Do not confuse with U-3 Brand advantages nice lawn lower maintenance requirements than many hybrids good cold hardiness good drought tolerance disadvantages seed not available fairly susceptible to SDS highly variable from producers as there is no single type being sold as U-3 Tifgreen (328), Tifway (419) Hybrid Bermudagrasses Tifgreen (328), Tifway (419) Hybrid Bermudagrasses fine-texture; Tifgreen finer textured than Tifway vegetatively-propagated sterile hybrids very dense; Tifgreen more dense than Tifway excellent visual quality due to increased risk of winter kill, should only be considered south of I-40 in south east OK where winters are more mild advantages Outstanding visual quality Known performance disadvantages less cold hardy, frequently suffer winter kill very susceptible to spring dead spot disease very high maintenance requires access to irrigation 10

11 Use Patriot or TifSport Patriot and TifSport are more winter hardy than Tifgreen or Tifway Use Patriot or TifSport if hybrid bermudagrass quality is demanded Patriot, OSU s newest turf bermuda release. Patriot Bermudagrass Released by OSU in 2002, became available for purchase in 2004 excellent visual quality, equal to Tifway and exceeding Midlawn Med. fine texture vegetatively-propagated hybrid very dense adapted statewide if irrigated advantages outstanding visual quality known performance establishes more rapidly than any other hybrid bermudagrass very good cold hardiness, higher than Tifway and Tifgreen, slightly less than Midlawn Better spring dead spot resistance than Tifway, less than Midlawn disadvantages will be more expensive than other vegetative types during first few years in the market high maintenance like other hybrids Best if irrigated 11

12 St Augustinegrass St. Augustinegrass warm-season grass medium to coarse-texture spreads by stolons extreme southern regions, sheltered site St. Augustinegrass full-sun to lightly-shaded areas of south eastern OK. Do not use north of Ardmore- Sulfur-Ada-McAlester-Poteau area high water requirement better soil conditions required use only Raleigh variety at this time Raleigh is vegetatively propagated, more cold hardy and St. Augustine Decline virus resistant, but still susceptible to Take-all disease expect occasional winter-kill 12

13 Zoysiagrass Zoysiagrass warm-season grass fine to medium-texture yellow green color stolons and rhizomes winter hardy full-sun to light-shade requires less fertilizer requires less mowing requires more water than bermudagrass, but less than tall fescue Zoysiagrass Variable establishment rate more frequent watering top-quality, high-maintenance 13

14 Zoysiagrass Seeded Sunrise Brand Zenith Vegetative Cavalier Meyer Matrella El Toro Sunrise Brand Zoysiagrass It is VNS = variety not stated Seeded By July 15 Medium course texture Rapid spreading Do not use north of US 412 Advantage reduced establishment cost Disadvantage very susceptible to Large patch and rust diseases Meyer (Z-52, Amazoy) Zoysiagrass medium texture high quality slow to grow advantage or disadvantage? Sod 2-3 months before frost Adapted state-wide if irrigation is present Advantages Low fertilizer rate Reduced mowing Some shade tolerance Disadvantages High water use rate Moderate to low drought tolerance Large patch of zoysia Zoysiagrass mite 14

15 El Toro Zoysiagrass Vegetatively propagated Rapid spreading Do not use north of US 412 Advantages reduced fertilizer reduced mowing Disadvantages susceptible to Large patch disease less winter hardy than Meyer Cavalier variety and Matrella (VNS types) Zoysiagrass Vegetatively propagated fine texture Do not use north of US 412 until additional information is available Native warm-season turfgrass in Cleveland county Buffalograss Bluegrama Sideoats grama Inland saltgrass 15

16 Buffalograss Buffalograss Mowed at 3 inches (left) and non-mowed (right) Buffalograss warm-season, sod-forming grass native prairie grass - spreads by stolons fine texture, grayish-green color excellent heat and drought tolerance most varieties are cold tolerant full-sun adapted to most of Oklahoma on soils other than sands. Do not use in high rainfall areas of southeast Oklahoma buy treated seed seed by July 1 Reduced fertilizer and mowing requirements 16

17 Buffalograsses Seeded types adapted state-wide except in high rainfall areas of SE Oklahoma Bison, Texoka, Topgun, Comanche, Sharp s improved, Bowie*, Cody* Tatanka no longer sold. *seeded turf types offering higher quality Vegetatively propagated types Adapted except in high rainfall areas of south east Oklahoma 609** - do not use north of US 412 due to increased risk of winter kill. Chinch bugs can be problematic. Prairie adapted state-wide except in high rainfall areas. Chinch bugs less of a problem but not resistant. t Prestige adapted state-wide except S.E. Oklahoma. Improved chinch bug resistance. Legacy - adapted state-wide except S.E. Oklahoma. Chinch bugs less of a problem but not resistant. **highest quality vegetative type Flowers of bluegrama (bottom) & sideoats grama (top). Leaves and shoots look similar to buffalo but flowers are different. Gramas do not produce stolons. Inland saltgrass 17

18 Inland saltgrass Salt, heat and drought tolerant Low maintenance and low quality Destructive to concrete and asphalt Not currently available for purchase but cultivars expected in the next 3 years Responds to fertilization and irrigation Mowing at 3 inches Cool-season Grasses for Oklahoma Turf-type tall fescue (perennial) Perennial ryegrass (perennial to annual) Annual ryegrass (annual) Intermediate ryegrass (annual) Kentucky bluegrass (perennial) Texas X Kentucky hybrid bluegrass (perennial) Tall Fescue 18

19 Turf-type Turf-type definition. Selected, breed, developed first and foremost for use as a turfgrass. Modern turf-types are selected for improved color, texture, density, visual uniformity, prostrate growth habit. Forage-type Forage-type definition: Developed for use as a general purpose soil-stabilization type or for animal forage. Usually produced good biomass and vigor under natural or lower maintenance conditions Often selected for higher protein and digestibility by grazing animals. Usually has a rapid rate of growth and rapid vertical leaf growth rate. Not selected for color, texture, density, uniformity or for traits valuable for aesthetic or sport use appeal. Turf-type tall fescue 19

20 Turf-type tall fescue cool-season grass, bunch-type with very short rhizomes perennial medium shade to full-sun seed or sod create and use blends, a mixture of 2 or more varieties, for wider adaptability establish in fall Turf-type tall fescue many cultivars forage-type tall fescues provide a forage quality lawn is that what you want? Forage types: Fawn, Alta, Kenhye, Johnstone Soil stabilization type: Kentucky 31 is a soil stabilization/forage type that has been used for lawns but is less dense, lighter green, and more coarse Turf type vs forage type tall fescue Left: KY 31, non-turf type Right: turf-type 20

21 Turf type vs forage type tall fescue If little to no management is intended, Kentucky 31, K31 or KY 31 may be a better choice. Better for turf than other true forage types. If high visual quality is intended, choose any of a number of turf-types, developed for improved color, texture and density. Turf-Type Tall Fescues Many cultivars suited Includes: Millennium, Rembrandt, Falcon II, Houndog V, Plantation, just to name a few. Managing a cool-season lawn properly will influence its summer survival more dramatically than which cultivars you use. Perennial ryegrass 21

22 Perennial ryegrass cool-season, bunch-type Light shade to full-sun Short-lived perennial or for winter overseeding warm-season grasses As a perennial turf, mixed with tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass at 20 to 50% by weight Seeded if for 100% stands Sod is not available Sod available for mixtures with tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass establish in fall Many good turf-types are available. Linn offers poor quality. Linn Perennial ryegrass an old forage type ryegrass Linn Kentucky Bluegrass 22

23 Kentucky bluegrass Cool-season spreading type by rhizomes Do not use it as a 100% stand. Use only in mixes with tall fescue and/or perennial ryegrass at 5 to 10% Kentucky bluegrass by weight Many good performers. Pick types resistant to dollarspot and summer patch, the two most serious diseases of Kentucky bluegrass in Oklahoma Use in full sun to light shade Not as shade tolerant as tall fescue Powdery mildew a problem in heavy shade Older, less improved types that have problems in Oklahoma Park, SD Common Establishment Soil and site preparation is critical Planting seeding sodding plugging Sprigging Overseeding warm-season turfgrasses 23

24 Steps to proper soil and site preparation 1. soil sample 2. calculate area 3 control weeds 3. control weeds 4. remove debris 5. cultivate 6. install subsurface irrigation systems 7. incorporate amendments 24

25 Cultivation tips complete just prior to planting smooth, without clods loose and granular (min. of 4-6 deep) uniformity is critical Soil friable but firm 8. incorporate P, K, and other elements except N, adjust ph 9. complete final grading 10. apply starter fertilizer, 1-2 lb N/1000 ft 2 25

26 Seeding use spreader or mechanical seeder divide recommended amount, apply in different directions favorable temperature and moisture conditions warm-season - soil surface is 68 o to 95 o F cool season - soil surface is 68 o to 86 o F Seeding cover seed with 1/8 soil firm soil around seed mulch keep upper 1 soil moist, 10 to 14 days hydroseeding 26

27 Seeding Rates per 1,000 sq. ft. for perennial lawns of a single species Kentucky bluegrass 2 lbs Tall fescue 4 6 lbs Perennial ryegrass 4 6 lbs Bermudagrass lbs Zoysiagrass 1 2 lbs Buffalograss 2 lbs (treated) Overseeding warm-season turfgrasses Winter overseeding Reynolds stadium for improved winter appearance and playability. Winter overseeding rates Use excessively high rates of seed to stunt the growth and development of the seedlings so that they look fine in winter, but are weak and die out in spring, reducing their competition with bermudagrass For winter overseeding using Annual, Perennial or Intermediate ryegrass, use 12 to 15 lbs/1000 sq. ft. in mid to late Sept. Do not use tall fescue for winter overseeding as its stress tolerance is too high and some will remain as a perennial weed in the bermudagrass stand. 27

28 Sodding provides almost instant lawn moist seedbed place in staggered, checkerboard pattern, fit snugly tamp or roll area water immediately warm-season in full sun, lay sod at least 1 month prior to first fall frost, in shade, lay sod at least 2.5 months prior to first fall frost Cool-season do not sod in June-Aug. Choose quality sod a good roll or slab of sod can be picked up by it s end and will not break under it s own weight 28

29 Plugging transplant small pieces of sod (1-2 ), use only those grasses that spread by stolons used when transplant shock to sprigs will be excessive. requires more time for total coverage more labor intensive 6-12 centers (zoysiagrass - 6 ) roll or tamp, keep moist plug at least 2 months before first fall frost Sprigging mechanically or manually plant 1-2 deep in furrows apart with sprigs 4-6 apart leave 1/4 of sprig above ground roll or tamp, keep moist sprig at least 2 months before first fall frost Sprigging broadcast sprigging uniformly spread sprigs cover with 1/4 to 1/2 topsoil or sand cover with 1/4 to 1/2 topsoil or sand or, lightly press sprigs into surface with disk or roto-tiller set 2-3 deep 29

30 Lawn Management Fertilization Irrigation Mowing Thatch control Aerification Pest control - weed, insect, disease Fertilization Promotes Dense Turf reduces weed invasion Improves tolerance to heat, cold, drought, and wear Needed during Initial Turf Establishment Beginning of Each Growing Season Fertilization Programs based on N needs straight N source in summer or if soil test indicated P and K are adequate slow-release fertilizers are good for summer applications on warm-season grass when adequate moisture is present never fertilize if a heavy rain is expected. Heavy rainfall immediately following fertilization may increase nutrient runoff to storm water 30

31 Fertilizer runoff Fertilization Programs bermudagrass 3 to 5 lb N/1000 sq ft/season* Apply 1 lb N/1000 in May, June, July, August, September if quick release N is used Blended d sources containing i slow release fertilizer can be applied at 1.6 lbs N/1000, each, in May, July and Sept buffalograss and zoysiagrass 1-3 lb N/1000 sq ft/season* *applied in single ½ to 1 lb N/1000 sq ft applications Fertilization Programs cool-season grasses 3-4 lb N/1000 sq ft/season October, December, March, early May October, December, March, early May Do not fertilize in June August to reduce heat and drought stress and risk of brown patch disease 31

32 Fertilizer How Much to Apply? Example: N-P-K fertilizer Typically fertilizers are applied at rates based on the amount of nitrogen. Example: To apply 1 lb of N per 1,000 sq. ft divide 100 by 16% = 6.25 lbs fertilizer /1000 sq ft Fertilizer What About P & K P Promotes Meristematic Growth Use P for Promoting Root and New Plant Growth K- Stimulates Strong Cell Walls Use K to Increase Wear Tolerance, Drought Tolerance, and to Stimulate Upright Growth. Soil Amendments (Lime or Sulfur) Use for ph Control to Promote Plant Nutrient Uptake Soil testing How to take a Soil Test Sample at 3 inches deep Remove turf near soil surface 32

33 Collect and Mix Multiple Samples A minimum of 10 samples per Site Irrigation avoid frequent shallow watering in most cases as it often encourages shallow roots, thatch accumulation and weed seed germination determine irrigation based on soil and plant needs rather than on a strict calendar schedule due to different soil types fluctuations in temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation management practices Irrigation attempt to moisten soil to 6 deep or to the depth of the majority of the rootzone check with soil probe water again when grass footprints water early morning 12am to 8am water 1 to 2 inches per week during drought periods 33

34 Irrigation Turfgrasses vary in their need for irrigation, the following ranking is generally true 1. Tall fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass (uses the most water) 2. St. Augustinegrass 3. Most zoysiagrasses 4. Many hybrid bermudagrasses like Tifway 5. Many dactylon or common bermudas, U-3 6. Buffalograss (uses the least water) Remember Not every day is a drought in Oklahoma Select grasses based on practical needs and adaptation to the entire range of conditions expected Mowing Frequent enough to not remove more than 1/3 of the shoot length. If you mow at 2 height-of-cut, cut grass when it is about 3 tall. 34

35 Mowing Height Suggested mowing heights for a general purpose, common bermudagrass or U-3 lawn* inches pre-greenup scalping 1 spring and summer 1 to 2 fall 1 to 2 ½ *Hybrid bermudagrasses such as Tifway, Tifgreen, Patriot and Midlawn as well as zoysiagrasses may require closer mowing to reduce thatch and grain. Buffalograss should not be mowed to less than 3 inches Mowing Height Cool-season* inches fall and spring 2-2 1/2 summer 2 3 *suitable for tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and their mixtures Mowing Why mow? cultural (social implications) increases uniformity of turf improves density of turf decreases leaf width (finer texture) help control woody and weed invasion 35

36 Mowing Clippings To catch or not to catch? Thatch Control occurs when production of plant tissue (roots and stems) exceeds decomposition impedes movement of water, air, and nutrients leads to shallow roots and thin turf Thatch Control manage through proper mowing, fertilization, watering, and responsible pesticide use if thatch is greater than 1/2 deep, then dethatch warm-season grasses prior to spring greenup cool-season grasses in early fall thatch removed from a lawn Excessive thatch on the left 36

37 Thatch Control Dethatching machines Aerification provides proper aeration and soil water movement through soil remove 1/2 to 1 dia. cores at least 2 deep warm-season grasses prior to greenup or during active growth if irrigation is present cool-season grasses early fall Aerification 37

38 Weed Control ID weed Modify management program to favor desired grass over the weed Small numbers of weeds can be tolerated or removed by hand select herbicide to kill the weed and not injure turf (Label) Proper use of pesticides is the responsibility of the applicator Left, turf injury from 2X rate of the broadleaf weed killer Right, Herbicide drift injury to ornamentals apply herbicide when conditions favor rapid weed growth. preemergence postemergence apply at the recommended time rate coverage 38

39 Chemical Weed Control pre-emergent - control applied so weed is killed when it germinates post-emergent - control applied to existing iti weeds Chemical Weed Control Left, No pre-emergent herbicide; yellow appearance is due to seedling crabgrass. Right, Pre-emergent utilized. 39

40 Widely available pre-emergent herbicides Effective against weedy annual grasses and some small seeded broadleaves Surflan Balan Barricade Dimension Scotts Halt Scotts Halts Team XL Portrait (granular) or Gallery (sprayable) effective against broadleaves but not grasses Widely available post-emergent broadleaf herbicides Generally pre-mixes of 2,4-D; MCPP and Dicamba are used. Examples include: Trimec and Weed-B-Gone Avoid simply saying 2,4-D. 2,4-D alone is weak on many broadleaves, thus 3-way herbicide pre-mixes are used to expand the number of different broadleaves that can be controlled Recent Consumer Trends in Broadleaf Postemergent Weed Control In 2007 premixes containing 2,4-D; MCPP, dicamba and either MSMA or Quinclorac became common-place on the garden center shelves. Quinclorac or MSMA are in the mix for postemergent crabgrass control. Quinclorac will not control sedges, while MSMA controls sedges other than purple nutsedge but several application may be needed. 40

41 MSMA is in phase out MSMA and other arsenical herbicides such as CMA, AMA and DSMA are in phase out. No longer available for purchase for use on residential lawns after December Use of existing labeled arsenicals can be used on residential lawns through December Broadleaf + Crabgrass post control products for consumers Ortho Product Line Weed B Gon Max Plus Crabgrass Control Spectracide Product Line Weed Stop For Lawns Plus Crabgrass Killer Bayer Product Line All In One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer 41

42 Post-emergent nutsedge control Certainty use only on warm-season lawns Image use only on warm-season lawns MSMA use only on warm-season lawns Basagran warm or cool-season lawn Sedgehammer warm or cool-season lawn Only Image, Certainty and Sedgehammer will control both yellow and purple nutsedge, the others will not control purple nutsedge Sandbur Control Strategy Most sand bur in OK is field sandbur and is a perennial that forms new plants by seed Control for the consumer is a good fertility program, proper irrigation and digging out sandburs on a small scale. If a herbicide program is needed then MSMA is used in repeat applications as per label in May and June, in combination with cultural management. Common Winter Annual Grassy Weeds annual bluegrass (Poa annua) downy brome, cheat, rescuegrass Annual bluegrass 42

43 Winter Annual Broadleaf Weeds Carolina geranium henbit Creeping speedwell Winter Annual Broadleaf Weeds Shepard's purse Johnny jump-up violets Winter Annual Broadleaf Weeds Lawn burweed or spurweed Mouse-ear chickweed Common chickweed 43

44 Summer Annual Grassy Weeds crabgrass crabgrass goosegrass Summer Annual or Perennial Grassy Weeds sandbur Summer Annual Broadleaf Weeds knotweed prostrate spurge 44

45 Summer Annual Broadleaf Weeds common lespedeza black medic purslane carpetweed Perennial sedges Yellow nutsedge (left) Purple nutsedge (right) Warm-season Perennial Grassy Weeds dallisgrass 45

46 Cool-season Perennial Broadleaf Weeds dandelion white clover yellow woodsorrel Biennial Weeds wild carrot some thistles such as musk thistle Cool-season Perennial Broadleaf Weeds curly dock broadleaf plantain buckhorn plantain 46

47 Cool-season Perennial Broadleaf Weeds Violet A typical full-scale weed control program follows. Note, not all of the applications are needed if proper management is practiced or if client is tolerant to some weeds being present Feb to mid March apply 1 st preemergent summer annual herbicide Feb to early March apply dormant Roundup + Trimec program for winter annuals in bermudagrass Early to mid May apply 2 nd application of preemergent summer annual herbicide Late May to mid June spot treatments of post emergent broadleaf herbicide Late May to early June post emergent nutsedge control if needed Late May to mid June post emergent crabgrass control if needed 47

48 July to August too late, the optimum window of application is passed, increased risk of herbicide drift, injury to desirable turf and ornamentals and decreased herbicide susceptibility of summer annuals and cool and warmseason perennials is present Last week of August to mid Sept apply preemergent winter annual weed control October to early November apply post emergent broadleaf herbicide for control of cool season perennial broadleaves Insect Control Principle problems include: White grubs Fall armyworms Damage from moles 48

49 Disease Control Diseases are caused by infectious, living agents such as viruses, bacteria, mycoplasmas, and fungi. Most turf diseases are caused by fungi. For disease to occur, there must be a susceptible host, a virulent pathogen, the proper environment for the pathogen and adequate exposure time of the pathogen to the host. Spring Dead Spot disease fungus, active in fall damage appears in spring avoid late, high applications of N chemical controls not reliable remove dead plant material to speed up regrowth allow remaining grass to cover or reseed/ plug with resistant cultivars Varieties with increased spring dead spot resistance Midiron, Riviera, Yukon, Patriot and Tifsport are more resistant Celebration, Sahara, Sunturf, Princess 77, Tifway, and Tifgreen, are more susceptible 49

50 Dollar Spot disease Small circular spots size of silver dollar appear in N deficiency chemical control Brown Patch Most prevalent on tall fescue Disease severity increases with reduced air movement, high temps (80+), high humidity, heavy dew, summer fertilization, heavy shade Fungicides often necessary Fairy Ring 50

51 Abiotic Conditions compaction wear and tear Abiotic Conditions poor N distribution fertilizer burn Abiotic Conditions hail damage frost damage 51

52 Abiotic Conditions Urine damage 52