green world AN INDUSTRYWIDE PUBLICATION OF THE NEW JERSEY TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Vol. 19 No. 2 August 1990 Special Concerns of Watering Bentgrass Watering of bentgrass turf has been recognized as a most demanding and vital part of maintain­ ing this species. Guidelines on bentgrass watering have been slow to develop because: (1) the ever-present threat of annual bluegrass; (2) the needs are difficult to pinpoint; (3) fun­ damental knowledge is lacking; (4) me­ chanical needs are very specialized. We developed this lecture program on bentgrass watering to present both general knowledge and the changing methods on the subject. On this latter aspect, we examined the thoughts of (a) different watering needs at green sites for various types of turf condi­ tions and (b) the possible use of mist watering rather than larger amounts when roots don’t function in or near moist soil. We believe watering of bent­ grass requires some non-traditional turf watering procedures. High Sand Soils and Watering Comments of James Snow, Turfgrass Agronomist, USGA More bentgrass greens are grown in sand only and there is general agree­ ment on high sand content on greens for water and root penetration. Of This paper is a series of summarized com­ ments by various speakers in March 1990 whose backgrounds range through the general subject of bentgrass and related subjects. The breadth of subject matter was created to assure perspective on the many specialized aspects of water use. Other subjects related to watering such as conditioning of turf, soil profile, turf­ grass cultivation, dry spot phenomenon, etc., are two-day subjects themselves. course, we must remember sand con­ tent influences greens watering. Water is the most misused practice on the golf course. The nature of the plant and the high sand soil base mandates more frequent watering. Accomplishing this properly is a big challenge for the golf course su­ perintendent. Water Content of Soils Related to Turf Growing Dr. Roy Flannery, Extension Soil Spe­ cialist, Emeritus, Rutgers University Water is a large part of the bentgrass plant. The soil supplies most of this wa­ ter and helps maintain a uniform supply. Water entering the soil carries oxygen downward for the roots and aides in ex­ change of gases. Water evaporation along with plant transpiration helps reg­ ulate soil temperature. Soil water is in­ volved in nutrient availability to the plant. Soil water can have negative effects. In excess, it ruins soil structure, causes loss of valuable nutrients, in­ creases soil erosion and becomes an unhealthy medium for turfgrass roots. Of course, wetness prevents proper mowing. The high sand soils used for growing bentgrass make it necessary to adjust watering and management. Sandy soils hold less water per foot of depth. Sands accept and percolate water more rapidly. Their water content is given up readily to the plant. Also, less water re­ mains in the sandy soil, and less water moves upward through the soil at the plant's wilting point. This contributes to the suddenness and severity of wilt. The very sandy soils tend to require — continued on page 3 Figure 1. The enigma of turf watering. Avoid severe dryness. Avoid excess wetness. OPINIONS AND COMMENTS Observing Research at Turfgrass Field Days We are in the season when most have a chance to attend Turf Research Field Days. What should we look for? All of us are impressed with a neat, well- manicured turf. This is something to appreciate, but is is not the mission of research. One research leader of years past had an exceptionally good fore­ man and crew, a good site for turf and he doted on attractive turf. His plots were largely impressive appearing. In fairness to all in research, it is difficult to design a test that will answer prob­ lems clearly. Also, often research re­ sults occur at a time when the action story cannot be seen. Dr. Funk’s hy­ bridization of Kentucky bluegrass was a big and basic story. Only those who were around from week to week saw the momentous happenings. I ran preemerge crabgrass tests for more than 25 years. I had no set area for tests because research land was not available, This forced me to go from area to area (where there was wa­ ter, where it was permissible to grow crabgrass, where no other herbicide residues were present, and hopefully where a field day was feasible.) One of the real problems was growing a uni­ form stand of crabgrass on the test site with a good mixture of turf. I especially remember that my three last years had some excellent crabgrass control plots that included the fenoxyprop ethyl (AC­ CLAIM). The test treatments showed clear-cut control and were attractive. Young crabgrass plants were con­ trolled very effectively in late spring — continued on page 3 Green World is published three times a year by the New Jersey Turfgrass Association, P.O. Box 231, New Brun­ swick, NJ 08903. Consulting editor: Dr. Ralph Engel; advertising chair­ man, Sam Leon; production editor and layout artist: David Crismond. Sustaining Members of NJTA A-L Services Incorporated A. Lombardi Landscaping Aabar, Inc. / The Morie Co. Agri-Diagnostics Associates Alpine Country Club Aqua-Flo, Incorporated Aquarius irrigation Supply Aquashade, Incorporated Aquatrols Corp, of America Arthur's Landscape & Irrigation Co. Associated Marketing, Incorporated Barefoot Grass Lawn Service Basking Ridge Golf Course, inc. Benco Services, Landscape Div. Brickman Industries, Inc. Brouwer Turf Equipment Cedar Creek Golf Course Champion Landscape and Tree, Inc Coger Farms & Garden Center D & J Landscaping D. Marzano Landscaping, inc. Del Val Design Landscape De Lalio Sod Farms, Incorporated Del Val Design Landscape Double Eagle Equipment Company Dow Chemical, USA Dowelanco DuBrows's Nurseries Duke's Lawn Service, Inc. Ehrlich Green Team Evergreen Lawn Sprinklers Farmstead Golf & Country Club Fertl-Soil Turf Supply, Incorporated Fiddler's Elbow Country Club Flanagan's Landscape-lrr Service Florence Landscape Services, Inc. Forest Hill field Club Forsgate Country Club Fredette Landscaping Freehold Township Parks & Rec. G & L Lawn Service, Inc. 1990 OFFICERS OF THE N.J.T.A. Robert Dickison, President Richard Hurley, V President Ralph Engel, Secretary Carol Wolcott, Exec. Secretary Joseph Bianco, Treasurer William Waddington, Past President Henry Indyk, Expo Chairman EXECUTIVE BOARD Robert Dobson Richard Hurley Armand LaSage Samuel Leon L.J. Makrancy, Jr. Joseph W. Manning, Jr. Peter McCormick Ed Milewski Bruce Nagy Steve Stys Garfield Williamson, Incorporated Glen Summit Nurseries, Inc. Grass Roots, Incorporated Green Grass Landscape Svc., Inc. Gress Oasis Landscaping Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc. Homestead Landscaping Homestead Lawn Sprinkler Co., Inc. Hopewell Valley Golf Club Horizon Estates Irrigation Unlimited, Incorporated Jade Run Turf & Sod Farm JEP Sales, Incorporated Lawn Champ Lawn Spray Company Lebanon Chemical Company Lee Rain, Incorporated Leon's Sod Farm Leonard Reinhardt, Incorporated Lesco, Incorporated Lofts Seed Incorporated MacAndrews & Forbes Company Meadowbrook Lawn Service, Inc. Mid Atlantic Equipment Corp. Middletown Sprinkler Company Montco / Surfside N.E. Criaris Enterprises, Inc. National Lawn Services of NJ, Inc. NJ Nursery & Landscape Assh., Inc. Northrup King Co. O.M. Scott & Sons Paige Electric Corporation Partac Peat Corporation Pennsauken Country Club Pine Island Turf Nurseries, Inc. Pocono Turf Supply Company Rapp Sod Farm Reed’s Sod Farm Reid Sod Farm Rhone-Poulenc Ag. Co. Rich Green Lawns Riverside Cemetary Rockland Chemical Company Rosedale & Rosehill Cemetery Assn. Royal Lawns of Monmouth Rumson Country Club Sacco's Landscape, Incorporated Sandoz Crop Protection Scian's Landscaping Incorporated Seabright Lawn Tennis Club Seacoast Labs Sequoia Lawn Care Spring-Green Lawn Care Storr Tractor Company Surf Landscaping Sweeney Seed Company The Bedens Brook Club The Green Machine, Inc. Toms River Lawn & Sprinkler Inc. Trenton Country Club Turf Grass Sod Farms, Inc. Turf Seed Inc. Upper Montclair Country Club Vaughan Seed Co. W. A. Cleary Corporation Wayne Township Parks Department Wells Lawn Service, Incorporated Wilfred MacDonald, Incorporated Woodbridge Center Woodbury Public Schools Woodruff/Lerco Lawns of So. Jersey Special Concerns of Watering Bentgrass — continued from page 1 more frequent watering. Adding organic matter to high sand soils adds to their water retention, but this must be done with discretion as it can decrease water percolation. Or­ ganic materials can differ greatly in na­ ture and content. Remember soil layers influence water movement. A well-limed soil has better moisture characteristics than the same soil in a very acid condition. Wetness and watering ef­ fects on turf disease Dr. Eugene Varney, Plant Pathologist Emeritus, Rutgers University Large brownpatch (Rhizoctonia spp.) and Pythium blight (Pythium spp.) are classic examples of turf dis­ eases that are well known for their as­ sociation with wet conditions. Summer patch (Magnaportha sp.) is favored by high temperatures and moisture and appears to be of increasing impor­ tance. Symptoms are commonly more severe on turf stressed by low cutting heights and heavy traffic. There are reports by golf course su­ perintendents from this area that even­ ing watering causes more dollarspot than morning watering. Dr. Hodges of Iowa State has reported pythium prob­ lems with newer greens on high sand soils. He has theorized that this is caused by a lack of antagonists to turf pathogens (or disease organisms) in the new soil which is high in sand. The disease situation will remain dy­ namic and fluid as cultural practices change and new cultivars are re­ leased. Studies on the epidemiology of turf diseases need to be explained. [Summarized by REE.] Water’s Role in in the Plant Dr. A. Robert Templeton Plant Physiologist, Aquatrols Water is vital to living things and the turfgrass plant. It is the medium in­ volved in nutrients entering the plant. These nutrients move through chan­ nels of water to the leaves of the plant. The plant foods produced in the leaves move down as needed. Water is involved in the many reactions in the plant. It contains and carries oxygen which is involved in respiration. Water is involved in transpiration which has a cooling effect. Without its availability, wilt becomes increasingly severe with increased temperature. We often forget that with deficient moisture, growth can become so slow that turf fails to recover from traffic and other injury._______________________ Research Observations on Wa­ tering Bentgrass Ralph E. Engel My thoughts on bentgrass watering developed from my golf course obser­ vations, my research, and my technical reading and writing on the subject. Like most agronomists, I was taught that watering should be deep enough to re­ wet the rootzone and the problems of excessive wetness should be avoided. My first season in New Jersey was a very wet June and July. There was more than enough wet wilt for me to realize that timely light watering could save bentgrass and annual blue­ grass. During the first years, I saw a lot of turf injury from wilt where there was plenty of soil moisture at a depth of one to two inches. These cases were very convincing les­ sons to me on over- and under­ watering. I have heard many re­ marks that Univer­ sity personnel’s advice is limited to ’’water deeply.’’ This was a side re­ mark I heard again during the March — continued on page 4 OPINIONS AND COMMENTS — continued from page 2 and early summer (usually before late July). Results were poor on mature crabgrass. This information was written and reported to many who appreciate this valuable technique. Yet I am dis­ mayed annually to see growers make the treatment too late. This reminds us to watch for key fac­ tors in research. Look for side-by-side comparisons of the treatments and the check. Compare the standard, the good and the poor treatments. Listen to comments and questions. Take notes. Take pictures and review reports on things you would file for your use. • REE STORR TRACTOR CO. 3191 U.S. Highway 22 Somerville, N.J. 08876 201-722-9830 1385 Lakeland Ave. Bohemia, L.I., N.Y. 11716 516-589-5222 Special Concerns of Watering Bentgrass — continued from page 1 meeting. Hearing and reading my thoughts clears this misrepresentation. I still say deeper watering is needed at intervals, especially with drier periods to flush salts and other chemicals deeper in the soil. The fresh water also carries dissolved oxygen in and helps flush other gases out of the soils. The potential of light misty watering on bentgrass was demonstrated to me years ago on the turf research plots when I used 3/4 inch greenhouse pipes with mist nozzles on a dry border. Often we ran these 12 to 48 hours. Once, I left them on for approximately three days to determine if I could generate a problem. No harm ever developed on this site which had good air movement. Of course, this did not prove that none would ever occur. Surely the continu­ ous wetness will cause problems with enough time, high temperatures, and poor air movement. One of my conclusions has been that scarcely two golf course superinten­ dents water alike. It is true that condi­ tions vary from course to course, sea­ son to season, and local use; but this does not preclude respecting certain basic principles of proper watering. Everyone makes mistakes in watering, but fortunately not all bad watering ’’sinks the ship." Failure to prevent wilt and continuous wetness are probably the two most deadly mistakes. We should develop and use the best water­ ing to leave room for error and to save water. We know continuous overwater­ ing leads to the dangerous situation of relying on turf that is 90-100% annual bluegrass. With more research, we may learn to avoid more no-no's on wa­ tering with regard to turf disease con­ trol. This can reduce the amount of fun­ gicide used. My research and study taught me that water moving freely into the soil sup­ plies most of the oxygen needed by bentgrass roots in our temperate cli­ mate. We also showed and reported that continuous wetness of soil at field capacity or saturation gives poor bent­ grass. Simple observations show bent­ BEAM CLAY THE PROFESSIONAL'S CHOICE . . . SINCE 1922 THE BASEBALL DIAMOND MIXES USED BY OVER 50 PROFESSIONAL TEAMS PLUS TOWNS AND SCHOOLS ACROSS THE U.S.A. AND CANADA. SPECIAL MIXES FOR INFIELDS, PITCHER'S MOUNDS, HOMEPLATE AREAS, & WARNING TRACKS. Terra-Green REDUCE RAIN DELAYS! THE REDDER, LESS DUSTY SOIL CONDITIONER & DRYING AGENT THAT RETAINS MOISTURE IN HOT WEATHER PARTAC GREEN SAND FOR DIVOT REPAIRS The Ultimate Solution to Unsightly Divots at Televised Golf Tournaments and other Sports Events! AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE 1-800-247-2326 IN NJ. 201-637-4191 PARTAC PEAT CORPORATION KELSEY PARK, GREAT MEADOWS, N.J. 07838 PARTAC GOLF COURSE TOP-DRESSING AMERICA'S PREMIUM TOP-DRESSING HEAT TREATED CONTROL THATCH, PROMOTE HEALTHY TURF & SMOOTH PLAYING SURFACES grass does very poorly with dryness. Thus, wetness and dryness injury can occur during the same summer. We would like to see more research on root failure. It is safe to assume that bentgrass roots often die or become nonfunctional in summer. Dr. Varney told us that many things contribute to root failure. Bentgrass and annual blue­ grass roots are highly vulnerable to the summer stresses of sudden drying, ex­ cessive wetness, heat, and root dis­ eases. Bentgrass wilt can be prevented brief­ ly with a light mist. This avoids serious injury when the grass plant gets too little or no water from the roots. The mist tests we reported in the August 1982 GCSAA issue showed fear of sur­ face misting is overemphasized. Prop­ er misting helps maintain turf quality de­ spite root malfunction. Most importantly, misting reduces the chance of adding water to a soil that is already too wet for good roots and their best performance. Misting is not the way to recharge a dry soil — in case you start liking it too much. Why I Renovated Fenway's Wa­ tering System Joseph Alonzi Fenway Golf Club My watering system at Fenway was old and needed a lot of repair. Also, I wanted a system with more flexibility that required less labor. Since this was a large project in time and money, I de­ cided to include as many of the im­ provements as possible while the work was underway. As with Bob, it was my hope to develop the controls and layout that would give me maximum control over watering. My installation was done the same year as Bob's. Both of us proceeded with similar layouts of con­ trols. While I had an 18-hole course, I had the ugly complication of redoing all the main lines. This, plus rocks, rain and the anxiety of my members, made my summer very difficult. However, my use of the system to date has con­ vinced me that I did the right thing. — continued on page 5 Rockland. Professional Products For Lawns, Gardens And Trees ■ Fertilizers ■ Fertilizer/Pre-emergent Crabgrass Control ■ Fertilizer/Herbicide Combinations ■ Crabgrass Preventers ■ Herbicides ■ Fungicides ■ Insecticides ■ Specialty Products ■ Granulars & Liquids ■ Custom Formulations and Blending Available Rockland Chemical Co., Inc. PO. Box 809. West Caldwell. NJ 07007 From NJ 201-575-1322 Outside NJ 800-543-1311 Special Concerns of Watering Bentgrass — continued from page 4 Changes in Watering Systems Jim Barrett, Irrigation Engineer James Barrett, Associates Watering systems have changed in part because we are able to meet more of the desires and wishes of the golf course superintendent. Sensors and clocks have opened new possibilities. Also, better materials have become available. Irrigation engineers and in­ stallers will develop what you need. One of the biggest improvements has been our ability to give more variations in control. A well-designed system is worth the time and money. Also, it can save wa­ ter — a most valuable resource. My Irrigation Installation and Purposes Robert Alonzi Winged Foot Country Club Irrigation systems must be custo­ mized to coordinate irrigation with to­ day’s turf management practices. Wa­ ter has become a limited and guarded resource, labor has become more ex­ pensive and golfers have become more sophisticated. Today, an irrigation system must offer the flexibility of both automatic and manual operation so that the disparate needs of perimeters, collars, approach­ es, fairways, greens and tees can be individually satisfied. Any system, new or old, can be cus­ tomized to include a perimeter mist sys­ tem, an approach compensating sys­ tem, a syringing system and a tip-to-tip system for tees. The results will in­ clude highlighting of stress areas, re­ duction of overtime, use of less water, improved playing surfaces and in­ creased bentgrass population on col­ lars, approaches, fairways and greens. Today’s sophisticated technology can accommodate the innumerable va­ riations that will allow the application of water where we want it, when we want it and how we want it, without waste. Count the Water Lines Multiple water lines with separate controls were installed at greensites by Robert Alonzi. He was seeking more personal control of watering, a minimum of hand watering, and avoiding water where it was not needed. Note the five types. __ a typical perimeter system to cover the greensite — a misting system to cover green — a collar misting line — a line for banks and bunkers — a line to water the apron inde­ pendently of green and fairway. Another Kind of Water Pressure Al Rathjens, Golf Superintendent Raritan Valley Golf Course Interestingly, Al spent many hours of his youth with his father watering fair­ ways with hose and movable sprinklers. His father changed over annual blue­ grass fairways to bentgrass which eased the watering program somewhat. Al has a new fairway watering system at Raritan Valley. He worries about (1) lacking willpower on overwatering and (2) giving in to the membership’s pressure for more water. Several summers ago, I was with him in later afternoon when Al was checking the turf by looking into the sun to help recognize the potential for the next day's wilt. COUNTRY CLUB greenskeeper Lebanon Pro Professional Turf Products Lebanon TOTAL TURF CARE P. O. Box 189, Dayton, NJ 08810 P. O. Box 180, Lebanon, PA 17042 A division of Lebanon Chemical Corporation Prompt Watering and Stress Paul Latshaw, Wilmington Country Club Pau, has grown bentgrass in the di­ verse climates of western Pennsylvania (Oakmont), and Georgia (Augusta) prior to Wilmington. He commented that wa­ tering bentgrass is not as different be­ tween these locations as might be ex­ pected. Of course, temperature makes a lot of difference and Georgia has the long, hot season. Paul emphasized how critical it is to recognize water stress promptly and water as needed. He also believes in snap-in connections that enable watering for those spots _______________ —continued on page 6 Wilfred Mac Donald, Inc. 340 Main Avenue Clifton, NJ 07014 201-471-0244 •Jacobsen • Olathe • National • Gravely •Giant Vac •Droyhill •Cushman • Howard • FMC • Smithco •Terra-Care Special Concerns of Watering Bentgrass Consider the advantages of sod — continued from page 5 that develop serious stress. This local­ ized watering seems to be saying, ’’Avoid water on spots where it is not needed."_________________________ Watch and Handwater — Does Not Syringes Bruce Peeples Spring Lake Golf Club Bruce is a believer in keeping a close watch and promptly watering only when the need arises. He uses a moderate amount of syringing. He says he is ’’ a big believer in hand watering but not hand syringing." Some Closing Comments On the subject of misting, no one raised a question about its effects on disease. It seems certain that misting could be used in ways that enhance dis­ ease, but nothing insurmountable has been noted yet. I was "mystified" by the lack of violent remarks against the misting procedure. The suggestion of an increase in equip­ ment and the added dimension of mist­ ing might have started a storm of argu­ ment 40 years ago with the most temperate superintendents. Are they too polite to argue or are they pleased with a misting approach? Trap banks and edges, green and tee banks and areas along cart paths need special attention. Or even those traffic areas around the club and halfway houses. Consider Rebel sod: • Holds up better than Kentucky bluegrass • Requires less irrigation compared to Kentucky bluegrass • Requires less fertilizer than Kentucky bluegrass • Heat tolerant • Excellent dark green color • Greater disease resistance than most other turfgrasses In tough areas or wherever you want good-looking turf and less maintenance. Use Rebel sod. Lofts Seed Inc. World’s largest marketer of turfgrass seed Bound Brook, NJ 08805 (201) 356-8700 • (800) 526-3890 LOFTS Available through: S. Novasack Bros. Turf Farm South Seaville, NJ (609) 263-2400 Tuckahoe Turf Farms Tuckahoe, NJ (609) 628-2415 Bohm’s Sod Farm Woodbine, NJ (609)861-2785 Pine Island Turf Pine Island, NY (914) 258-4545 I expect misting will help us avoid some needless wetness on bentgrass and save some water. Use care to avoid overuse of misting. Temporary check of wilt and misting to start rewet­ ting of hydrophobic turf without runoff seem the two best uses. The meeting would have pleased valve manufacturers. While valves are a pain in the neck during the years of operation, no one, from Jim Barrett through the group, seemed to object on use of "enough” valves. This appears to say there are places and times when water is not needed everywhere. The need for precise bentgrass water­ ing is receiving increased recognition. • REE PATRONS LISTING Samuel Leon LEON’S SOD FARMS Instant Lawn-Cultivated Grass Sod RD#1 Box 169 Frenchtown, NJ (201) 996-2255 08825 Marty Futyma FERTL-SOIL TURF SUPPLY, INC. Greens, Top-dressing, Turf Supply 514 Martin Road Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 (201) 322-6132 Bob Scott DOWELANCO 560 Ashwood Road Springfield, NJ 07081 (201) 376-7290 Ken Stattel BROOKREST SOD FARM P.O.Box 122 Marlboro, NJ 07746-0122 Drew Madzin ROYAL LAWNS P.O. Box 236 Farmingdale, NJ 07727 (201) 780-4950 Rick Apgar, Joe Stahl METRO MILORGANITE, INC. 365 Adams St. Bedford Hills, NY 10507 (914) 666-3171 W.A. CLEARY CHEMICAL CORP. 1049 Somerset Street Somerset, NJ 08873 (201) 247-8000 [Turf Chem & Fert] Call: Barbara Cleary or Russ Ward