Green World AN INDUSTRYWIDE PUBLICATION OF THE NEW JERSEY TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Volume 4, Number 2 WHY SOD Dr. Henry W. Indyk1 Lawns, as well as various other turf­ grass areas, can be established success­ fully by means of seeding or vegetative techniques. The vegetative techniques involve the transplanting of growing plant material which includes sodding, sprigging, plugging, or stolonization. Among the aforementioned, sodding is the most common means of vegetative­ ly establishing turfgrass areas. Sodding is not a recent innovation. This technique has been in use many years primarily from the standpoint of its value in stabilizing soil against the ravages of erosion. Although sodding is classified as an “old-time” technique, the popularity of sodding characteriz­ ing the present day industry is of re­ cent date. Many factors can be cited as contributing to the intensified inter­ est in sodding. Certainly, an awareness in environmental improvement has been a very significant factor but the availability of high quality sod and the recognition of the advantages of sod­ ding undoubtedly were most influential. The sod industry rapidly advanced from the “pasture-stage” into a highly specialized industry. The conscientious effort of sod growers contributed im­ measurably to the availability of an abundance of high quality sod of superior turfgrass varieties. The marked improvement in sod quality not only aroused interest but also brought about a rapid recognition of the advantages sodding provided as an effective technique in the establish­ ment of turfgrass areas. The advan­ tages of sodding usually are made in comparison with the most common techniques of turfgrass establishment — seeding. Among its many distinct advantages, sodding provides: 1. Instant beautification — within a matter of hours a bare soil situation can be converted into a living lush green carpet resulting in the imme­ diate beautification of the environ­ ment for more pleasant and enjoy­ able living. 2. Soil stabilization — provides imme­ diate protection of the soil against erosion. In areas involving slopes and drainage channels, a means of providing immediate stabilization of the soil is a very critical factor. 3. Rapid preparation of an area for utility purposes — minimizes the time utility areas such as athletic fields, golf greens, and tees, and other recreation areas are taken out of use. In many situations, areas can be put back in use within a month after transplanting. In addi­ tion, areas damaged from concen­ trated use can be repaired imme­ diately. 4. Extension of the establishment sea­ son — sodding can be performed at any season of the year as long as the site can be properly prepared and conditions are favorable for sod harvesting. Establishment from seeding is limited to certain periods of the year. 5. Successful establishment on soils of unfavorable physical condition. On soils of a very light or heavy texture, establishment from seeding becomes difficult. 6. Reduced competition of weeds. Weeds, such as annual bluegrass, crabgrass, chickweeds and others that often threaten newly seeded lawns, lose their competitive advan­ tage when sodding. 7. Opportunity to observe quality be­ fore purchase and installation. 8. A high degree of assurance against failure. Sodding reduces the risks of failures during the longer estab­ lishment period characteristic of seedings. The risks associated with seedings have been assumed by the sod grower. In order for sod to be­ come a marketable and useful prod­ uct, it must have experienced suc­ cessful establishment from seedings. The advantages associated with sod­ ding become important considerations as a criteria in determining whether to establish a turfgrass area from seeding or sodding. Unfortunately, all too fre­ quently, determinations as to whether to seed or sod are primarily based upon comparative costs of the two tech­ niques with little or no regard as to the advantages or disadvantages of each technique as they pertain to a specific situation. Furthermore, a common fal­ lacy is to base costs of seeding solely on the cost of initial seeding without making appropriate allowances for re­ seeding necessary to correct failures in germination, repair of damaged areas July 1974 due to soil erosion or other causes and maintenance costs during the estab­ lishment period which may extend for a year or more beyond the seeding date. Seeding is very appropriate and can provide satisfactory results when favorable growing conditions prevail or can be maintained for germination and seedling development. Also, seeding will provide greater flexibility in the selection of turfgrasses for a specific condition or use. However, when there is an immediate need to provide a ma­ ture turfgrass cover in a relatively short time for aesthetic or utilitarian reasons, and/or conditions are not favorable for turfgrass establishment from seeding, then sodding is the most effective, ef­ ficient, and expedient method of turf­ grass establishment. Under such con­ ditions, the comparative costs of seed­ ing vs. sodding should become a sec­ ondary rather than a primary consid­ eration. 3 Extension Specialist in Turfgrass Manage­ ment, Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J. WHAT HAPPENS TO HERBICIDES AFTER THEY ARE APPLIED TO TURF? The turf growing profession devel­ oped an early concern for what hap­ pens to herbicides. Through experience we have learned that some deteriorate quickly and others stay around for months. This is necessary information since some herbicide residues affect the growth, rooting and/or germination of the turfgrasses. We lack information on these aspects, and most everyone realizes the difficulty of learning what happens to the herbicide after it reach­ es the turf. Dr. S. Wayne Bingham of Virginia State University wrote some easy to read information on this sub­ ject. He has prepared a chart which is especially helpful in visualizing the contrasts of herbicide residues. The time interval of the charts should not be applied too precisely because the grass species, the nature of the soil, previous herbicide treatments, the weather and other factors will cause significant variations in residue life of the herbicide. The following are taken from Dr. Bingham’s article in the Vir­ ginia Plant Protection newsletter: (Continued on page 2) “A large portion of herbicides ap­ plied for weed control in turfgrasses goes into the soil. Postemergence her­ bicides will reach the soil partially during application and more by rain or irrigation washing the material off the foliage. Some is released to the soil through exudation from plant roots and, as plants die, through decomposi­ tion. "The soil is an ideal medium for metabolizing pesticides. Microorgan­ isms, fungi, and bacteria use organic matter and organic compounds for a source of carbon. In some instances, an organism can survive with a herbi­ cide as a source of carbon. Most of the organisms live in the surface soil where oxygen and organic matter penetrates. Organic matter and clays are so charged that herbicides are held on their surface. Bonding depends upon the charge exhibited by the herbicide. Thus, certain herbicides move into the soil more readily than others. This slow soil penetration is a very desirable feature because a herbicide that moves slowly into the soil gives microorgan­ isms the opportunity to degrade the compound. If it moves through the soil too rapidly, as dicamba does in sandy soils, they may become problems in areas with trees and shrubs. "Some turfgrass herbicides are de­ graded more gradually than others. For example, 2,4-D persists for 3 to 4 weeks while silvex remains for 5 to 6 months. These compounds move very slowly into the soil compared with rel­ atively more mobile dicamba, which moves into a sandy loam soil almost as far as water travels. Soil microorgan­ isms are active in degrading dicamba and residues last for 2 to 3 months. In effect, 2,4-D and silvex are absorbed by leaves while dicamba is readily ab­ sorbed through both foliage and roots. "Preemergence herbicides are ap­ plied to reach the soil surface where weed seed germination is controlled. Our Consulting Editor, OR. RALPH ENGEL, would like to hear from you the reader. Drop a line to: N. J. TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 231 New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903 These materials must remain in the surface soil for the period in which the potential grassy weed may germinate and complete its life cycle to produce more seed. For crabgrass in Virginia, this may mean from March through September or about 6 months. The following chart gives estimated residues of commonly used turfgrass herbicides: Relative Persistence of Turfgrass Herbicides "Some herbicides are inactivated within a few days by volatilization or adsorption to soil particulate matter. Degradation by soil microorganisms play a major role in disappearance of turfgrass herbicide.” The above picture is from the former Hort Farm II, Rutgers University. A 3 to 4% slope and uneven soil are receiving correction for uniform test plot purposes. The above is not preparation for trench warfare. Nor is it a new high­ way. It is a terraced field for the new Rutgers Turfgrass Research Center. Nearly one-half of the 26A site will be regraded by late summer and the start of several tests are planned for this date. We expect a question in the minds of some new members who did not read last year’s GREEN WORLD is, "Why the grading and terraces?” The purpose was to develop a gentler and more uniform slope. While this is being done, the topsoil will be remixed to overcome variability from tree stump cavities, tree fertilization, tree burning and soil erosion. The slope, except in waterways, will be 1 to 1 1/2% and it is hoped the great erosion control de­ vice, known as grass, will maintain the site without further erosion. We hope to make you anxious to see this new site. Christening of the site is anticipated for the 1975 Turf Research Field Day. For further information on Rutgers Turfgrass Research Field Days, please read on! NO TURFGRASS RESEARCH FIELD DAY IN 1974 We regret to announce that we will miss our summer visit with our many turfgrass friends because a Turfgrass Research Day is not scheduled. This has not happened since World War II years. We have no objection to the saving of gasoline but our reasons, as you might guess, involve closing out tests on our old site and the developing of test fields and test plots on the new site. Thus, we are not exactly without things to do. We are still maintaining and evaluating most of the tests you saw in 1973. Possibly, you will see some of these in 1975 if buildings and parking lots have not consumed them. THATCH ACCUMULATION IN RELATION TO MANAGEMENT OF BERMUDAGRASS TURF An abstract by V. H. Meinhold, R. L. Duble, R. W. Weaver and E. C. Holt from the AGRONOMY JOURNAL 65: 833-835. 1973. Thatch accumulation and decompo­ sition in a "Tifgreen” bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] putting green was studied in relation to fertili­ ty, fungicides, and clipping manage­ ment. The effects of these practices were evaluated by measuring total thatch accumulation, lignin content of thatch, and soil microbial activity. Two sources of N, (NH4)2SO4 and activated sewage sludge (Milorganite), were applied at rates 0.25 and 0.75 kg/100 m2 every 2 weeks. Potassium was applied at two rates, 0 and 0.75 kg/100 m2, to each N treatment at 4- week intervals. Fungicide treatments consisted of 0.18 kg/100 m2 of Man- ganese ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (Fore) and 0.12 kg/100 m2 of Tetra- methythiuram disulfide (Tersan OM) applied alternately at 2-week intervals. For the clipping management treat­ ments, grass clippings were collected from some plots and left on others dur­ ing each mowing. The high level of N increased thatch accumulation 30% and lignin content 15% and decreased microbial activity 6% as compared to the low level of N. The Milorganite treatments decreased thatch accumulation and lignin 12% and increased microbial activity 3% as compared to the (NH4)2SO4 treat­ ments. Differences may be largely ex­ plained by influence of N on growth rates. Application of K had no influ­ ence on any of the parameters meas­ ured. Fungicide treatments decreased thatch accumulation 16% and lignin content 20% and increased microbial activity 30%; these treatments may have inhibited plant growth. Clipping residue treatments increased lignin 7% and decreased microbial activity 7% as compared to a control. This study sug­ gests that the use of a slow-release N fertilizer applied at a level that main­ tains acceptable aesthetic turf quality may reduce thatch accumulation, whereas high rates of soluble N fer­ tilizers accelerate thatch accumulation. Comments — This research report on thatch of bermudagrass contains help­ ful information for our thatch prob­ lems of N.E. United States. This study concluded that bermudagrass thatch in­ creased with increased use of nitrogen fertilizer. This agrees with data re­ ported for bentgrass by Engel and Alderfer (1967). “The Effect of Cul­ tivation, Lime, Topdressing, Nitrogen and Wetting Agent on Thatch Develop­ ment of Bentgrass.” Bulletin 818. Rut­ gers University. Their finding of dif­ ferences in thatch development with Milorganite and ammonium sulfate fer­ tilization is of interest. On various occasions, a number of us in turf have observed differences in color an dry spots on turf receiving different fertil­ izers. While working on his Master’s Thesis at Rutgers University, R. N. Cook (1961) encountered differences in organism activity with source of N. All this revives the thought of develop­ ing thatch destroying organisms. Also, it is of interest to note that use of car­ bamate and mercury fungicides did not increase thatch. Their effect on total growth was not recorded. For those who do not work in turfgrass research, these findings show some of the com­ plexities of research as well as some answers. Texas, we thank you for this study. R.E.E. Golf Courses Use More MILORGANITE Than Any Other Fertilizer METRO MILORGANITE, Inc. 914/769-7600 P. O. Box 267 HAWTHORNE, N. Y. 10532 ADDING SOIL ORGANISMS The following commentary on soil organisms is from the Central Plains Turfgrass Foundation Newsletter of April 1974. “We would like to warn all members against the claims and promises of products that ‘activate the soil organ­ isms and greatly improve yields, green color, etc.’ Since they are not fertilizers or pesticides these materials are not regulated in Texas, Nebraska, Ohio and Kansas though they are in some other states. We understand that a Nebraska scientist or two were clob­ bered with a lawsuit for ‘ruining the shysters’ business’ when replicated trials in Nebraska were negative (you couldn’t find any difference attributed to the test material). We haven’t tested these materials — they come around too fast — but most are ‘Fermentation Products’ and all are EXPENSIVE. One superintendent paid $8/gal. for the stuff and it was weaker in alcohol enzymes and organisms than good Home Brew. A salesman left a plastic jug on my file cabinet and it really swelled up when I tightened the lid! Told several people we were using it too, the Liar! “Fact: A six inch layer of soil weighs 2,000,000 lbs. per acre. Over two tons of microorganisms are in that acre of soil. The total number is beyond com­ prehension. “Fact: Any organism that can sur­ vive is already there. Adding new ones won’t change things any, especially from the air at 1/2 - 1 gallon per acre. They land on dry soil and are killed by sunshine. “Fact: Ohio State and Nebraska couldn’t find any advantage in such products in extensive replicated trials. So, we are not going to warn you against those products. Try them on a limited scale if you must, with plenty of control area around each trial area and please, send us a pint for analysis! “If we were poor ignorant consum­ ers we would be protected; but since we are rich Country Club ‘Beautiful People’ we’ll have to watch our own dollars.” Editor's comment: This can be a hot issue. What do you, the reader, think? Perhaps you’ve had an experience which should be shared with our members. TAXPAYING OPEN SPACE New Jersey Agricultural Society The one million acres of Garden State farmland offer major open space environmental benefits, and still pay $25 million a year in taxes. Green plants are the source of much of the oxygen we breathe; a single acre of corn, for example, produces enough oxygen for six people for one year. Planted fields also reduce soil ero­ sion, and hold rainfall until what is not needed by the plants can percolate down and rebuild underground water supplies. In contrast, roads, parking lots and buildings seal off the ground, so that rainfall is forced to run off to streams and lakes, increasing flooding and reducing recharge of ground water. Runoff from built up areas also in­ creases water pollution, since it carries with it grease and urban dirt and chem­ icals. And many people are surprised to learn that New Jersey’s seven million people put 245 times more phosphate into the state’s streams than does its million acres of farmland. Scientists at Michigan State University estimate that the annual body wastes from one hu­ man will add as much phosphate to streams and lakes as will be carried by the runoff from 35 acres of well-fertil­ ized farmland. GET READY FOR THE 1974 TURFGRASS SYMPOSIUM AT CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY For Information Contact: DR. HENRY INDYK, Turfgrass Specialist who is serving as General Chairman or Your President, ROY BOSSOLT MOTHER NATURE DOES NOT KNOW BEST "Mother Nature knows best,” said Dr. Barry Commoner in a recent ad­ dress at a major southern land grant university. If this were a laxative com­ mercial I’d be the first to agree. But in the real world in which we live, Mother Nature is often callous, capricious, and indifferent to the feelings and needs of man. According to Dr. Commoner, be­ cause plant or animal species have not synthesized and retained within their chemical structure a particular chem­ ical, then that chemical must be “bad,” because it is not “natural.” He didn’t say, but I assume, based on his argu­ ment, that such chemicals as rattle­ snake vernom, curare, and aflatoxin are “good” since they are produced in nature. In reality, “Mother Nature” isn’t perfect. Just because the 2,4-D, DDT, and aspirin molecules are not found in nature in no way implies they are bad (or necessarily good) for man. The lives saved, the headaches eased, and bellies filled because of DDT, aspirin, and 2,4-D are documented to the sat­ isfaction of all but the radical en­ vironmentalist and the acutely unen­ lightened. Agriculture has often been described as a controversy with nature. Indeed, life itself is dependent on the ability of man to alter the treacherous and un­ predictable courses of nature. History is replete with examples of nature at its worst, such as the locust plagues, the black death, and the everyday dis­ eases of man. In our own times we have observed a sharp curtailment in the world problem with malaria and other serious “natural” diseases. Most of us would not hesitate to utilize man­ made chemicals to stop any serious infection even though this in essence is upsetting the balance of nature. I’ll attribute many things to “Mother Nature,” but I’ll never agree with the general statement that “Mother Na­ ture knows best.” FINE FESCUE CLOSEUPS R. M. Schmit and R. W. Duell We’ve been looking closely at the fine fescues. How close is close? Well, this is how the surface of a spreading fescue seed looks at 400x with the scanning electron microscope. Dr. Jerril Powell and coworkers, at Beltsville, have been able to character­ ize varieties of Kentucky bluegrass, somewhat by the nature of the waxy epidermal platelets of the leaf blade. The advantage for varietal identifi­ cation by the seed or foliage of these important species would be tremen­ dous. The practicality of this approach is being further researched. l o b u c C y r t n i u o r C g A Agrico Country Club Fertilizer for tees and greens provides more efficient feeding. We’ll prove it to you on your own course, free of charge. Dan Brogan 14 Wiedemann Avenue Clifton, New Jersey 07011 Please contact me for a free product demonstration of 18-4-10 and for information on Agrico’s other course-care products. Name___________________________________________________ Title_________________Golf Course________________________ Street or P. O. Box________________________________________ Phone Number__________________________________________ City _ ________________________State____________ Zip______ Offer good only in Agrico trade areas. Congratulations to A Couple of Our Sustaining Members LOFT SEED and TERRE COMPANY OFFICERS OF THE N.J.T.A. ROY BOSSOLT President PETER LOFT Vice President RALPH ENGEL Secretary JANET SCHERNECKE Treasurer EXECUTIVE BOARD ANTHONY GRASSO WILLIAM RITCHIE BERT JONES FRANK CACAVIO PAUL BOIZELLE EDGAR KRAUSE EUGENE A. FIELD Past President 3336 TURF FUNGICIDE - A broad spectrum sys­ temic fungicide that prevents and controls all 6 major turf diseases. Non-toxic, non-mercurial. BROMOSAN TURF FUNGICIDE - The newest broad spectrum systemic fungicide for those persistent problem areas or areas that have gotten out of hand. CADDY — Economical Liquid Cadmium Fungicide. PMAS (10%) - Crabgrass and Disease Control. SPOTRETE — 75% Thiram Fungicide. CLEARY’S GRANULAR TURF FUNGICIDE - For snow- mold, spring and summer diseases. CAD-TRETE - Broad spectrum fungicide containing Thiram and Cadmium. MCPP — Control of chickweed, knotweed, clover on bentgrass greens and fairways, bluegrass and fescues. MCPP—2,4-D — Controls chickweed, knotweed, dock, dandelion, plantain, ragweed, pigweed, etc. METHAR 80 — Controls Dallisgrass and crabgrass. Water soluble. METHAR 30 - A super crabgrass killer. AMA PLUS 2,4-D - Control of Dallisgrass, silver crabgrass, plaintain, dandelion, knotweed, chickweed, and other broad­ leaf weeds. AMA (SUPER METHAR) - The new "AMA" liquid crabgrass killer. ALL-WET — Added to water, it allows quicker and deeper penetration...enables soil to retain needed moisture. CLEAR-SPRAY - Liquid Hygrostatic Sticker to protect against wilt and winter kill. TRU-GREEN - Liquid Chelating agent. GRASS-GREENZIT — Permanent green pigment, restores green color to dormant or discolored grass. Not a dye. P. O. Box 10 Somerset. N.J. 08873