Developing Best Management Practices for the Control of Anthracnose on ABG Putting Greens What s New from 2011 James A. Murphy Bruce B. Clarke Chas Schmid James Hempfling Wrennie Wang http://www.turf.rutgers.edu
Anthracnose Foliar Blight on Poa (Stowell) Acervuli (reproductive structures), with setae (sterile hairs) protruding
Anthracnose Symptomology Chlorotic Leaves Acervuli on Infected Poa annua Tillers Photo: Landschoot, APS Press
What s New in Anthracnose Disease Control? Nitrogen Application Strategies N Rate, Amt/Yr, Source, Type (Gran. vs Liquid) Topdressing Application Strategies Spring/Summer/fall timing, Amt/Yr, Mid-Season Cultivation Impact of verticut, scarification, groom, aerification Fungicide application strategies New products: Daconil Action, Civitas, and Velista
Nitrogen (N) Fertility ٠Crucial to the health and vigor of the turf, which, in turn, affects playability ٠0.1 lb per 1000-ft 2 per week (late spring through summer) reduces anthracnose compared to every month ٠0.2 lb per 1000-ft 2 per week is better
% Disease Effect of Soluble N on Anthracnose Severity (Poa annua turf during 2004) 60 50 28-d Low (N N at (75 0.1 kg lb ha 1000-ft -1 yr -1 ) -2 [4.9 kg ha -1 ]month -1 ) (150 kg ha -1 yr -1 ) High 7-d (N N at 0.1 lb 1000-ft -2 week -1 ) 40 30 20 10 0 11-Jun 7-Jul 5-Aug 30-Aug
Nitrogen (N) Fertility ٠Initially, N at 0.4 to 0.5 lb per 1000-ft 2 per week very effective at reducing anthracnose ٠However, these rates continued into the summer dramatically increase disease
Effect of Soluble N Rate on Anthracnose Severity of an Annual Bluegrass Green: 2010 90 80 Disease Severity (%) 70 60 50 40 30 0.1 lbs 1000 ft -2 0.2 lbs 1000 ft -2 0.3 lbs 1000 ft -2 0.4 lbs 1000 ft -2 0.5 lbs 1000 ft -2 20 10 0 01-Jun-10 01-Jul-10 01-Aug-10 01-Sep-10 Date
Anthracnose severity response to total N applied on annual bluegrass in 2009, 2010 and 2011 50 40 2010 2011 2009 AUDPC 30 20 10 0 0 2 4 6 Total N (lb 1000 ft -2 )
What about N source Does it matter what N source you use or do all N sources reduce anthracnose
Nitrogen Source Study Randomized Complete Block with 4 reps N Source and Frequency Ammonium Nitrate 1, 2, 4 wk Ammonium Sulfate 1, 2 wk Potassium Nitrate 1, 2 wk Calcium Nitrate 1, 2 wk Urea 1,2 wk UMAXX 1, 2 wk N Rate 0.1 lbs 1000 ft -2 (4.9 kg ha -1 )
Anthracnose severity response to soluble- N source 2010 80 60 Disease Severity (%) 40 20 Potassium Nitrate Ammonium Sulfate Calcium Nitrate Urea UMAXX Ammonium Nitrate 0 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Date
Nitrogen Source and Potassium Study
Anthracnose Disease Response to N Source and Potassium Treatments during 2011 Disease Severity (%) 40 30 20 Potassium Nitrate Ammonium Sulfate Ammonium Sulftate +KCL Urea Urea + KCL 10 0 20-Jun 04-Jul 18-Jul 01-Aug 15-Aug Date
N Source and Potassium Effects on Anthracnose Severity Urea Urea + KCl Ammonium Sulfate Ammonium Sulfate + KCl
ph Study
ph Effect on AUDPC during 2011 30 25 R 2 = 0.837 20 AUDPC 15 10 5 0 4 5 6 7 8 Target ph
Preliminary Results Increased rates of lime decreased anthracnose severity Unclear whether it is a ph or calcium effect For 2012 a expanded study to assess effect of calcium nutrition.
Superintendent Questions: What about granular fertilization?
Nitrogen (N) Fertility ٠Granular-N applied in the fall affects disease severity but requires more N compared to spring apps (at least 1.5 lb or more per 1,000 ft 2 /yr)
EFFECT OF SEASON OF GRANULAR N FERTILIZATION 70 60 Autumn Spring 2009 Spring granular-n reduced disease severity compared to autumn granular-n on all but two dates Disease Severity (%) 50 40 30 20 10 0 01-Jun 01-Jul 01-Aug 01-Sep This is contrary to recommendations that granular-n should be emphasized in autumn Disease Severity (%) 70 60 50 40 30 20 2010 10 0 01-Jun 01-Jul 01-Aug 01-Sep
Spring Granular 0 lbs 1000 ft -2 Summer 20 July 2009 Granular Rate 0 lbs 1.5 lbs 3.0 lbs 4.5 lbs
Nitrogen (N) Fertility For putting greens with a history of anthracnose ٠May need to re-evaluate the distribution of N fertilization throughout the yr ٠Late-season N is not an efficient timing to manage anthracnose disease ٠Summer timing much more effective ٠Spring compliments the summer program
Mowing Height has a major Impact on Anthracnose
31 August 2005 0.141-inch 0.110-inch
The Take-Home message is you can significantly reduce anthracnose and maintain green speed (ball roll distance) by: (1) increasing heights of cut AND either (2) increasing mowing frequency, and/or (3) initiating frequent lightweight rolling
Modify thatch/soil Smooth the surface Sand Topdressing Southern Hills CC, Oklahoma Crown protection Winter protection
Impact of Summer Topdressing Rate and Frequency on Anthracnose Interval (days) Rate (ft 3 1000-ft -2 ) 7 No sand 14 1 (0.3 L m -2 ) 28 2 (0.6 L m -2 ) All plots brushed uniformly 2 ft 3 1000 ft -2 1 ft 3 1000 ft -2
No Sand Sand 1 ft 3 /1000-ft 2
No Sand 1.0 ft 3 /1000-ft 2 2.0 ft 3 /1000-ft 2 Topdressing improves surface characteristics Firmer surface raises effective height of cut Deeper crowns reducing stress
Topdressing Practices Summer topdressing, while successful, has challenges that limit implementation 2 ft 3 1000 ft -2 1 ft 3 1000 ft -2
Topdressing Practices Research indicates that both fall and spring applications reduce anthracnose severity Spring topdressing is the most beneficial timing
6 June 2010 8.0 ft 3 /1000-ft 2 spring 1.0 ft 3 /1000-ft 2 summer 10% Disease Severity No Sand 44% Disease Severity
AUDPC 14 Anthracnose severity response (AUDPC) to total sand accumulation (L m -2 ) in 2009 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sand L m -2
What s the Impact of Cultivation on Anthracnose? Objective (2009-10): Evaluate the effect of mid-season cultivation techniques on disease severity at the start of anthracnose
Grooming Verti-cutting Solid-tine aeration Scarification
Verti-cutting Recent studies of mechanical injury indicates that neither wounding of leaves, crowns, nor stolons affects anthracnose severity
Irrigation First reported observations on the influence of cultural practices on anthracnose were related to poor irrigation and soil conditions (Sprague and Evaul, 1928) So we decided to: evaluate the effects of irrigation quantity on anthracnose
Disease (%) Irrigation Practices Influence on Anthracnose of an Poa annua Green 80 70 100% ET 80% ET 60% ET 40% ET 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 7-Jun 21-Jun 5-Jul 19-Jul 2-Aug 16-Aug
Controlling Anthracnose Basal Rot with a Sound Fungicide Program
Chemical Control of Anthracnose I. Demethylation Inhibitors (Sterol Inhibitors) Banner, Bayleton, Eagle, Torque, Tourney, Trinity, Triton II. Strobilurins Heritage, Compass Insignia, Disarm III. Benzimidazoles Fungo, 3336 IV. Nitriles Daconil, ChloroStar, Echo, Concorde V. Combinations (III/IV, I/II, & I/ IV) ConSyst, Spectro, Headway, Tartan, Reserve, Renown, Pillar, Interface, Concert, Disarm C
Good Control of ABR until Late August ٠Phosphonate fosetyl-al Chipco Signature 80WG (4.0 oz) ٠DMI myclobutanil Eagle 40W (1.0 oz) ٠Dicarboximide iprodione Chipco 26GT 2SC (4 fl oz) ٠Phenylpyrrole - fludioxonil Medallion 50W (0.25 oz) Civitas, Daconil Action, Velista? 14 d interval
What is Daconil Action Daconil Action contains acibenzolar, a systemic compound which induces the plant s natural resistance to disease. This is a unique mode of action which mimics natural systemic acquired resistance (SAR) found in most plants. It has no direct effect on the pathogen.
Control of Anthracnose with chlorothalonil + acibenzolar (Daconil Action ) on an Annual Bluegrass Green - RU * * Treatments applied every 14 days (15 May 15 Aug 2008) *sign. 0.05
Untreated Daconil Action 2.0 fl oz Daconil Ultrex 1.8 oz Daconil WeatherStik 2.0 fl oz
Control of Anthracnose Basal Rot with Civitas 98AS on an Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua L.) Green in North Brunswick, NJ - 2009 Excellent disease control obtained with a 5.7% solution of Civitas applied on a 14-day interval from 15 May 21 August 2009 ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
Control of Anthracnose Basal Rot with Civitas 98AS on an Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua L.) Green in North Brunswick, NJ - 2010 Relatively poor disease control obtained with a 6% solution of Civitas + Harmonizer pigment applied every 14-d from 18 May 17 August 2010 Note thinning and sealing off of the soil surface on Civitas treated turf
Evaluating Tank Mixtures for the Control of Anthracnose
Curative Control of Anthracnose Basal Rot on an Annual Bluegrass Green Univ. Riverside, CA Rated on 24 July Applied every 14 days from 15 Jun 1 Sept Wong et al (2002) Plant Dis Mgm t Rpt 1:T064
Chemical Control of Anthracnose New Fungicide Mixtures: Concert (chlorothalonil + propiconazole) Disarm C (fluoxastrobin + chlorothalonil) Disarm M (fluoxastrobin + myclobutanil) Honor (boscalid + pyraclostrobin) Instrata (chlorothalonil + propiconazole + fludioxonil) Interface (iprodione + trifloxystrobin) Pillar (pyraclostrobin + triticonazole) Renown (chlorothalonil + azoxystrobin) Reserve (chlorothalonil + triticonazole) Tartan (trifloxystrobin + triadimefon)
A Programmatic Approach to Controlling Anthracnose Basal Rot
Excellent Control of ABR: Programs (Alt/R) Rutgers Alternation Program for NE and Mid-Atlantic States ٠Mid-May DMI ٠Early-June Nitrile (chlorothalonil) ٠Mid- June Phosphonate (fosetyl-al) + Nitrile ٠Early-July Dicarboximide (iprodione) ٠Mid-July Phenylpyrrole (fludioxonil) + DMI (reduced rate) ٠Early-August Phosphonate + Nitrile ٠Mid-August Polyoxin-D + DMI (reduced rate) ٠Late-August (if weather is still hot) - Nitrile 14 d interval
Best Management Practices Nitrogen Fertility maintain turf vigor ٠Spring N at 1 to 2 lb per 1000-ft 2 (rather than autumn) ٠Up to 3 lb per 1,000-ft 2 in spring if disease pressure is severe ٠At higher rates, include slow release nitrogen
Best Management Practices Nitrogen Fertility maintain turf vigor ٠Begin light-frequent N early in the year ٠1.5 to 3 lb of N per 1000 ft 2 over summer ٠At higher summer rates, likely to need less N the spring; ٠ however, higher spring N recommended if anthracnose is severe by mid spring
Best Management Practices Mowing and Rolling ٠Avoid mowing below 0.125 inch ( fixed head) ٠To achieve ball roll of ~10 ft at higher mowing heights, light-weight roll and/or increase mowing frequency ٠Rolling every other day may slightly reduce anthracnose
Best Management Practices Topdressing ٠Spring topdressing very beneficial (e.g., 4 to 8 ft 3 per 1,000-ft 2 ) if summer topdressing is minimal ٠Spring topdressing more effective than fall ٠Weekly or bi-weekly sand topdressing at 1 or 2 ft 3 per 1,000 ft 2 during summer
Best Management Practices Topdressing ٠Incorporate sand to minimize wear on mowing equipment incorporation doesn t affect disease ٠Foot traffic over topdressed turf does not increase disease severity; in fact, it reduces the severity!
Best Management Practices Verti-cutting and other cultivation ٠We CANNOT confirm that wounding from these practices increases disease ٠Don t avoid the use of verti-cutting or other cultivation practices if needed even if anthracnose is present
Best Management Practices Irrigation ٠Wilt stress or excessively wet conditions will increase anthracnose ٠Irrigate at 60 80% of ET₀ and hand water to avoid wilt stress ٠ Avoid irrigation that increases likelihood of waterlogging & anthracnose infection
Best Management Practices Plant Growth Regulators Use for better turf and playing quality Will not increase anthracnose severity; may reduce 1) Proxy or Embark at label rates during March/ April for Spring seedhead control 2) Primo throughout the Summer every 7 to 14 days @ 0.1 to 0. 2 fl oz per 1000-ft 2
Best Management Practices Fungicide Management ٠Use best cultural management practices stated above to decrease anthracnose severity and potentially reduce fungicide rates and/or extend intervals between applications while maintaining acceptable disease control. ٠Avoid sequential use of any fungicide chemistry.
Best Management Practices Fungicide Management ٠Tank-mix (or use pre-mixed products) and alternate fungicide chemistries with different modes of action to enhance efficacy and reduce the potential for fungicide resistance ٠Develop fungicide programs that focus on the strengths of anthracnose fungicides; time their application during the growing season so that they also control other major diseases that historically occur on your golf.
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