green world AN INDUSTRYWIDE PUBLICATION OF THE NEW JERSEY TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Vol. 16 No. 2 Take-all Patch Disease: An increasing problem of bentgrass Noel Jackson Professor of Plant Pathology Department of Plant Pathology/Entomology University of Phode Island; Kingston, Rl appearance, later turning tan to brown and bleaching as they die. The plants have little root hold as the fungus pro­ gressively invades roots, crowns, and stem bases. Dark colored, stranded, runner hyphae may be seen investing these plant organs, often forming dense aggregations or ’mats' of myceli­ um between the leaf sheaths. Black, flask shaped fruiting bodies (perithecia), just visible to the naked eye, are borne between the leaf sheaths and stem bases of infected plants, their long necks often protrud­ ing through the sheaths. In mixed grass stands, the susceptible bent­ grasses are killed out leaving behind the other sward components. Disease patches in pure stands of bentgrass become colonized by volunteer spe­ cies, commonly Poa annua and broad­ leaved weeds. First reports of the disease on bent­ grass turf were made in Holland during the early 1930's. Twenty years later widespread damage by take-all patch was documented in Britain and since the 1950's it has been recognized as an increasing problem in several other European countries and in Australasia. Take-all patch disease was confirmed for the first time in North America during 1960 in the Pacific northwest. It now rates second in importance to Fusarium patch as a disease problem on bent­ grass turf in western Washington and is common in coastal British Columbia. The first authentic record of take- all patch for the eastern part of the con­ tinent was reported in Rhode Island in 1975. Since then, numerous outbreaks have been confirmed from New England and the mid-Atlantic states. Recent re­ Circular Pattern of Injury on Bentgrass Agrostis, from Gaeumannomyces graminis and commonly referred to as Takeall. Grasses throughout the world are common hosts to fungi in the genus Gaeumannomyces. These root­ infecting pathogens, formerly included in the genus Qphiobolus. damage ce­ real crops and some turfs to incite symptoms commonly referred to as "take-all" diseases. In turf, Agrostis species are particularly susceptible and the variety of the fungus found on oats, G. qraminis var. avenae. is pri­ marily encountered as the causal agent of take-all patch on bentgrass turf. Affected turf dies in roughly circu­ lar areas a few centimeters wide initial­ ly, increasing to a meter or more in di­ ameter in the course of one or several growing seasons. The patches may form a shallow depression in turf with a heavy thatch. Infected plants at the advancing margins of patches become yellowed or frequently red to bronzed in November 1986 ports indicate the increasing occur­ rence of take-all patch in the mid- western states of the U.S. and in the eastern and central Canadian provinc­ es. Isolates of the causal agent from turf throughout North America in most cases conform closely to the descrip­ tion of G, qraminis var. avenae and bentgrasses, predominantly under golf course management, are the common host. Other grasses may support infec­ tion by the fungus but rarely are dam­ aged severely. Spore sac and spores of Gaeumannomyces qraminis. a root infecting fungus. The conditions particularly favoring the disease involve soils with high sur­ face moisture and surface pH values of 6.5 and above. Cool to warm wet weath­ er is conducive to growth of the fungus, but symptoms, first apparent in spring and fall, may be more noticeable as hot, dry conditions further stress the infect­ ed plants. Recently, limed or newly es­ tablished turfs are most vulnerable. This is especially true for the latter where bentgrass turf is established on fumigated sites or on land recently cleared from forest. Thus, take-all patch, for reasons which at the moment are at best specu­ lative, appears to be an increasing problem for turf managers and they continued on page 4 Sensitivity of Turfgrass Root Systems While turf has seen the introduction of some very valuable chemicals, re­ search showing their effects on the grass plant has been very limited. The phenoxy herbicide, 2,4-D, has been in use approximately 40 years. At first, it was commonly said to have no effects on the turfgrass plant. Yet some early observations showed this was not true. Several years ago, GREEN WORLD pub­ lished pictures of what the phenoxy her­ bicide can do to the anatomy of the bent- grass root. Close observation has shown 2,4-D may cause additional stress at various seasons. Some grow­ ers became painfully aware of calcium arsenate effects on turfgrass roots. In Weed Science, 1967, 15:128-130, New Jersey published results of pree­ merge herbicide inhibition on Merion Kentucky rooting. This with other results and observations have convinced us that most preemerge herbicides are root inhibitors and can interfere with rooting for 3 to 6 months and more. We have little information on turf inhibition with fungicides, insecticides, and other simi­ lar compounds. We would hope and ex­ pect it would be less than with herbi­ cides. Recently, Schmidt, White, and Bing­ ham of VPI published an article on a root measuring technique used in determin­ ing the effects of benefin and triadime- fon on rooting of Kentucky bluegrass and bermudagrass. The benefin treat­ ment, as we expected with other pree­ merges, caused severe inhibition of turf sod rooting. There was some sugges­ tion that triadimefon aided turf roots. Turf pesticides need more study on their effects on roots, survival of the de­ sired species and their effects on dis­ ease and insect antagonists. For some types of turf, we should know the effect of turf chemicals on earthworms. Without more research, leave check strips (untreated) on appropriate occa­ sions. In the case of root inhibition, the turfgrasses will often show stress in very hot or dry weather. Specific recommendations are: • use the minimal rates of phenoxy com­ pounds on bentgrass turf (1/2 pound 2,4-D plus 3/16 to 1/4 pound dicamba per acre is usually adequate) • be very cautious with the minimum rate of the more severe root-inhibiting pree­ merge where overseeding may be re­ quired at most any season such as tees and athletic fields. □ REE WE CAN HELP YOU GROW better quality turf Sustaining Members — NJTA 1986-87 Jonathan Green stocks more bluegrass, fine textured rye­ grass and turf-type tall fescue varieties than any other seed house in the mid- atlantic and eastern states. Jonathan Green stocks an entire range of insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers and specialty turf products for professional lawn services, golf courses, municipalities, sod growers, hydro-seeders and all landscape contractors. Jonathan Green provides you with product information, custom turf care programs and prompt knowledgeable attention to your particu­ lar turf problems... large or small. FOR THE FASTEST SERVICE IN THE EAST CALL Jonathan Green FARMINGDALE, NEW JERSEY 07727 IN NEW JERSEY 201-938-7007 1-800-526-2303 OUT OF STATE 1986 OFFICERS OF THE N.J.T.A. Joe DeSantis, President Jack Poksay, Vice President Ralph Engel, Secretary Joseph Dodgson, Treasurer Dave McGhee, Past President Henry Indyk, Expo Chairman EXECUTIVE BOARD Samuel Leon Richard Hurley Joseph W. Manning, Jr. James Stewart Robert Dobson William A. Nist David Pease Ed Milewski William Waddington Sustaining Members — NJTA 1986-87 cont. Wildwood Golf & CC Wilfred MacDonald, Inc. Wilpat Turf Sprinklers, Inc. Woodbridge Center Woodruff/Lerco Lawn Care of South Jersey AABAR, INC. A & A Lawn Sprinklers A-L Service A. Lombardi Landscaping Aquarius Irrigation Supply Aqua-Flo Aquashade, Inc. Arthur's Landscape & Irrigation Co. Atlantic Distributors Barnes Landscape Brickman Industries, Inc. Brouwer Turf Equipment Bunton Turf Products, Inc. Chevron Chemical Co. Coastline Equipment Co. D & J Landscaping Double Eagle Equipment Co. Dow Chemical USA DuBrows's Nurseries Elite Land Care Evergreen Lawn Sprinklers Fairway Coif Car, Inc. Farmstead Golf & CC Fertl-Soil Turf Supply, Inc. Fiddler's Elbow CC Florence Landscaping SVC. Forest Hill Field Club Garfield Williamson Gimni Cricket, Inc. Green Grass Landscape Svc., Inc Grass Roots Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc. Homestead Landscaping Horizon Estates Hummer Turfgrass Systems, Inc. International Seeds Irrigation Unlimited Inc. Jade Run Turf & Sod Farm Jep Sales, Inc. Jesco, Inc. Keystone Lawn Spray, Inc. L & M Irrigation, Inc. Lawn Doctor I Matawan Lawn Doctor Mountainside/Cranford Lebanon Chemical Co. Lee Rain, Inc. Leon Sod Farm Lesco, Inc. Lofts Seed, Inc. MacAndrews & Forbes Co. Metro Milorganite, Inc. Middletown Sprinkler Co. Montco / Surf Side Newton Country Club Nor-Am Chemical Co. Paige Electric Corp. Partac Peat Corp. Pfeiffers' Pfarms Equip. Co. Pocono Turf Supply Rapp sod Farm Reid Sod Farm Rick's Cycle Center Rockland Chemical Co. Rosehill Cemetery & Crematory Rumson Country Club O.M. Scott & Sons Seacoast Labs Spring Irrigation Co., Inc. Storr Tractor Co. v Surf Landscaping Tuckahoe Turf Farms Toms River Lawn & Sprinkler Inc. Vaughan Seed Co. Hollow and Solid Tine Cultivation Jacobsen Turfcat II GW 224 Wilfred Mac Donald, Inc. 340 Main Avenue Clifton, NJ 07014 201-471-0244 •Jacobsen •National •Giant Vac •Cushman •FMC •Olathe • Gravely • Broyhill • Howard •Smithco •Terra-Care Considerable interest in solid tine culti­ vation for greens magagement exists be­ cause it eliminâtes much of the cleanup time required for removal of cores created by hollow tine equipment. Research on the effects of core cultivation on the physical characterisitcs of turf soils is limited. However, Murphy and Rieke1 re­ cently presented the following information on the effects of hollow and solid tine cul­ tivation on soil underlying a creeping bentgrass putting green. The influence of soil compaction and soil moisture content during cultivation with hollow and solid tines was evaluated over three years. Cultivation treatments on a modified loamy sand soil were ap­ plied with a vertical operating tine unit at two compaction and two soil moisture lev­ els. As expected, compaction resulted in pronounced detrimental effects on soil structure and root growth. Cultivation with either tine increaed the percentage of pores drained between 0 and 0.01 bars of suction with hollow tine cultivation being more effective in increasing porosity in this range. However, cultivation in non- compacted soil resulted in lowering the percentage of pores drained between 0.01 and 0.10 bars of suction. Water movement through noncompacted soils dropped dramatically with cultivation by either method. Initially, solid tine cultiva­ tion was more effective in reducing sur­ face soil strength than hollow tine cultiva­ tion, however, this effect was reversed within 2 years. Cultivation decreased sur­ face rooting in noncompacted soil but had no influence on rooting in compacted soil in the fall of the second year. In an unpub­ lished study (1951), Engel observed indi­ cations of reduced rooting and water pen­ etration from trufgrass cultivation of non­ compacted soil. The work of Murphy and Rieke demonstrates the potential for addi­ tional compaction problems caused by in­ appropriate cultivation techniques. Research suggests turf cultivation to create voids offers the most promise where an impermeable surface layer ex­ ists in the upper soil profile. There are oth­ er reasons for cultivation such as thatch control. Additional research is needed on cultivation and "core vs. tine." Turfgrass managers should keep in mind that core cultivation is no sustituto for mangement which discourages soil compaction such as sound irrigation management, proper soil drainage, and where possible, traffic control. □ RHW and REE I am not a politician and my habits are good. —Artemus Ward Keeping Up on Herbicide Names WHIP should be registered in time for the 1987 season. This product from Hoechst-Roussel Agrivet Company is for use on rice and soybeans. It’s one of the new annual and perennial grass herbi­ cides and should fit in very well with the rest of them. The WHIP contains the same active ingredient as that present in ACCLAIM, registered for use in crab­ grass control in turf areas. —Weed Notes, Dec 1986 A 2,4-D Substitute?? And here comes our first 2,4-D-less turf herbicide. It contains the dimethyla- mine sals of MCPA, MCPP, and 2,4-DP. This combination is being marketed by the Riverdate Chemical Company out of Chicago Heights, Illinois. MCPA has been around for many, many years. Pri­ mary use has been for broad lead weed control in small grains. —from Weed Notes, Dec 1986 by Rutgers - NJ Cooperative Extention [Ed. Note: What will be gained with this treatment that will apply a large to­ tal of phenoxys to turf when the sister phenoxy, 2,4-D, at 1/2 pound plus di- camba at 1/4 pound per acre offers equivalent if not safer weed control? The "good old boy" 2,4-D herbicide has rare potential and is still in first place for dandelions (turf's No. 1 weed).] Parkmaster The Professional for large areas. People who buy books on good lawn care become good weeders. —Fred Allen 1 Murphy, J.A. and Rieke, P.E. 1986. Hollow and solid tine coring effects on a creeping bentgrass green. Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, Wl, p. 137. The Toro’ Parkmaster mows swaths from 30 inches to 18 1/2 feet wide -up to 80 acres a day. With a 7 or 9 unit hydraulically-controlled frame, it has a compact pattern of gangs for easy mowing, easy transporting. The Parkmaster is the mowing tractor built to take Spartan gangs. Comes with powerful gas or diesel engine with cab and roll over protection system (ROPS) optional. TORO Storr Tractor Co 3191 US Highway 22 Somerville. NJ 08876 201/722-9830 The Professionals That Keep You Cutting Country Club greenskeeper Lebanon Pro Professional Turf Products Old Green Plants Scientists report microscopic fossils had diversified and become established 3.5 billion years ago. Paleobiologist J. William Schopf of UCLA has reported ev­ idence that green cyanobacteria emerged and began contributing oxygen through photosynthesis to the atmos­ phere 700 million years earlier. As com­ pared with modern mankind’s existence, it seems organisms of that era took a long time to develop and do their thing. After all, nothing was in a hurry in those days. John Hayes, an Indiana Universi­ ty Geologist-Chemist cautioned the new fossils look like cyanobacteria, but this is not definitve proof. □ REE Lebanon TOTAL TURF CARE P. O. Box 189, Dayton, NJ 08810 P. O. Box 180, Lebanon, PA 17042 A division of Lebanon Chemical Corporation continued from page 1 should be on the alert for any occur­ rence of symptoms. Early diagnosis and the rapid implementation of control measures are needed to minimize losses from this potentially destructive dis­ ease. However, only moderate benefit can be expected from currently available turf fungicides. In recent field trials, phe­ nyl mercury acetate (PMA) continued as the most effective chemical control agent, but some jurisdictions preclude mercury fungicide use on turf or limit them to snow mold control. New fungi­ cides are being tested and biological control strategies are being explored but management practices aimed at moder­ ating high surface pH and promoting re­ covery growth with a balanced nutrient program afford the only practical means at present for reducing the damage caused by this disease. □ Green World is published three times a year by the New Jersey Turfgrass asso­ ciation, P.O. Box 231, New Brunswick, NJ 08903. Consulting editors: Ralph En­ gel and Rich White; production editor and layout artist: David Crismond. Statesman: "A political leader regarded as a disinterested promoter of public good.” —American Heritage Dictionary The Pimentel Report As we mentioned in the PANJ Newlet- ter, Harold Collins, of the Natiohna, Agri­ cultural Aviation Association (NAAA), has written a critique of this report in the Agricultural Aviation Magazine for No- vember/December 1986. Harold, in con­ junction with professionals from univer­ sities, private industries and the govern­ ment, has critiqued the article thorough­ ly. The problem results from UPI report­ ing that more than 99% of pesticides miss the target and insecticides miss the mark 99.9% of the time. Not only was the article misquoted, but the article itself contains many factual misstate­ ments. Harold's concern, of course, is that the article not be used as a refernce educators and students. It was pub­ lished in Bioscience, Volume 36, Number 2. As an example of the misstatement, Pimentel claims that there are about 200 fatalities annually caused by pesticides. No government agency nor the State of California could even come close to that figure. In California, they have reported 85 pesticide fatalities from 1965 through 1985 for an average fo 4+ per year. Fig­ ures at the national level indicate 37 fa­ talities per year attributed to pesticides, fertilizers and plant food between 1969 and 1978. □ FERTILIZERS COMBINATIONS OF NITROFORM I.B.D.U. S.C.U. And And WITH INSECTICIDES PRE-EMERGENCE CRABGRASS KILLERS HERBICIDES GRANULAR LIQUID SELECTIVE AND TOTAL FUNGICIDES GRANULAR FLOWABLE WETTABLE POWDERS INSECTICIDES GRANULAR LIQUID WETTABLE POWDERS Ask your supplier or write: ROCKLAND CHEMICAL CO., INC. Passaic Ave., West Caldwell, N.J. Mystic KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS Mystic is so aggressive it rapidly fills in divot scars and fights Poa annua invasion making it ideal for use on golf course fairways and tees. It possesses the following characteristics: ★ Tolerant of close mowing (3/4") ★ Provides a dense and aggressive turf ★ Resists Poa annua invasion ★ Fine texture ★ Bright green color Mystic was evaluated at Rutgers University by Dr. Ralph Engel and Dr. C.R. Funk under the experi­ mental designation P-141. For more information contact your local Lofts distributor, or Lofts Seed, Inc. Bound Brook, NJ 08805 (201) 356-8700 LOFTS