Green World AN INDUSTRYWIDE PUBLICATION OF THE NEW JERSEY TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Volume 3, Number 2 May 1973 A Guide To Writing Seed and Fertilizer Specifications Correctly Among the rank and file turf grow­ ers, there is a lot of confusion concern­ ing the proper writing of specifications for bids of grass seed mixtures and fertilizer formulas. Good specifications help you buy what you wish at the best price. We thought it would be appro­ priate to write sample specifications which you might adapt to your require­ ments. Here are simple basic specifications for a grass seed mixture:— GRASS SEED MIXTURE X % Min. Germ. % Min. Purity % Max. Weeds .09 .09 .09 .09 Per­ cent 30 Kentucky Bluegrass 27 Pennlawn Creeping Red Fescue 23 Merion Kentucky Bluegrass 20 Perennial Ryegrass 98 98 92 95 80 85 80 90 Note: The mixture is written with the greatest percentage of seed in the mixture listed first; then list in descend­ ing order to the least. The purity and germination percentages are taken from the standard list published by the At­ lantic Seedsmen Association. The weed seeds will vary with each lot; the rate shown is a high average (lower weed content is usually available at a higher price). Indicate the number of pounds of seeds requested in the bid; the size of package or bag required and the. time of delivery required. When bidding a specific grass seed variety simply state: 400 lb. Merion Kentucky Blue­ grass, certified, purity 95%, germi­ nation 85%. Maximum Weeds 50%. To be delivered in 50 lb. bags (or whatever other package you desire). Sample specifications for a 10-6-4 50% fertilizer mixture: A chemically (homogenized or blended) (granular or pulverized) fertilizer containing a minimum total of Nitrogen 10%; available Phos­ phoric Acid 6%; Soluble Potash 4%. One half of the total 10% (please turn to page 2 ) The Hairy Chinch Bug and Its Control by Herbert T. Streu Department of Entomology and Economic Zoology Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J. 08903 The hairy chinch bug Blissus leu- copter us hirtus Montandon is a com­ mon pest of turfgrasses in the northeast. It feeds on and damages most of the common turfgrasses, including rye­ grasses, bluegrasses, red fescues and bentgrasses. The insect thrives in hot, dry, well-drained areas and tends to congregate in portions of the turf to its liking. As a result, feeding damage is usually observed as a number of dry brown spots in well-drained sunny lo­ cations. Chinch bugs do not live in shady or wet locations. Adult chinch bugs are about 1/6- inch long, are black-brown and have either short or long white wings with a dark spot on each side. When the long wings are in the normal folded position over the abdomen they give the appearance of a white “X”-shaped marking (Fig. 1). Immature bugs are wingless and range from bright red to yellow during the early stages to darker brown in the later stages. When first hatched, the bugs are about the size of a pinhead. FIGURE 1 Adult, long-winged form of the hairy chinch bug. (please turn to page 2) Are Preemerge Herbicides Required Annually? Some theorize that preemerge turf herbicides should be applied annually as insurance against a crabgrass prob­ lem. If one or two years of consecutive treatment have not given good control, something is wrong with the chemical or general procedures. Some might ex­ plain need of these herbicides, on areas where a few scattered plants remain, to give “absolute” control; or they might propose that a modest annual retreat­ ment maintains a continuous guard against crabgrass. These viewpoints may have some merit, but it seems they must be weighed with the fact that none of these herbicides cause turf­ grasses to grow better. In most cases their margin of safety is small. While serious kill is uncommon if directions are followed, weaker growth and subtle thinning occur frequently. Also, some of these chemicals have not been stud­ ied enough with regard to residue prob­ lems that could arise from annual treat­ ment over long periods of years. Rather than make preemerge crab- grass herbicide application an annual habit, it would seem best to use them for a determinate period of time, such as 1, 2, or 3 years as needed, to give control of this weed pest. Often this treatment program can be followed with hand weeding or DSMA treat­ ments the same season on any uncon­ trolled crabgrass to prevent scattering of seed. Following this, annual remov­ al of a few crabgrass plants may suffice. Hopefully this would give complete control or nullify the need for pre­ emerge for several years. The bent- grass-annual bluegrass type turf is too sensitive for use of preemerge herbi­ cides on a continued annual basis. While Kentucky bluegrass may be more tolerant of this type herbicide program, it should scarcely be necessary when high cut and judicious watering and mowing programs are followed. Ralph E. Engel Rutgers University April 1973 SEED SPEC. — cont. Nitrogen must be derived from slow release organic sources (ureaform or animal) and must contain a min­ imum of 3% water insoluble Nitro­ gen with an activity index of 40. (New York State requires a declara­ tion of the potential acidity or basici­ ty) the Potential Acidity Neutral (in this formula). The screen size for a good granular fertilizer suitable for spinning may be written as follows: 99% to 100% of the fertilizer shall pass through an 8 mesh sieve and 90% to 95% shall be retained on a 16 mesh sieve. An 8 mesh screen has 8 cross wires to each inch. A 16 mesh screen has twice as many. A Tyler Standard screen is used by the fertilizer industry for this purpose. Complete the specifications by indi­ cating the number of tons of fertilizer to be bid; method of delivery, in bags or bulk; and the date required. It is important to realize that each fertilizer formula will have its own chemical and physical properties, de­ pending on your requirements. Adopt the above format to suit your needs. There is a limit as to how much (slow release) organic nitrogen you can get in a given formula. The water insoluble nitrogen guarantee is based on 60% of the stated percent of or­ ganics in the formula. The activity index simply indicates that the organic nitrogen used is bio­ degradable and useful as a source of nitrogen (as opposed to ground up plastic buttons, which are a ureaform product 100% organic, but will not break down and has a zero activity in­ dex; not satisfactory for use in fer­ tilizer) . The potential acidity means that a given number of pounds of calcium carbonate are required to neutralize 1 ton of this fertilizer. With the more acid fertilizers, more lime (calcium carbonate equivalent) is required to maintain the Ph. Conversely the bas­ icity stated in pounds of calcium car­ bonate per ton indicates the sweetening affect the fertilizer will have on the soil. WRITE YOUR SPECIFICATIONS CORRECTLY — SAVE CONFU­ SION — GET FULL VALUE FOR YOUR DOLLAR. Roy C. Bossolt CHINCH BUG — cont. The hairy chinch bug overwinters as an adult. In New Jersey, there are two generations per summer season (Fig. 2). The second generation is the largest and produces the overwinter­ ing adults. The following spring, these adults become active and the females lay the eggs which give rise to the first summer generation. Adults develop within four to five weeks, and produce the eggs of the second generation. In New Jersey, the second genera­ tion is the largest and causes the most damage, usually during late August and early September. Damage is most se­ vere during hot, dry seasons when large sections of a turfgrass area may be killed. Recovery of this turfgrass is slow even following chemical control, and careful maintenance must be fol­ lowed during the following season. Early identification of chinch bug infestation is therefore essential to pre­ vent population buildup to levels capa­ ble of producing severe damage. Early recognition of a damaging population can be made by partially sinking one end of a large can, open at both ends, into the turf at the edge of a brown area, filling the can with water and watching for about 10 minutes for chinch bugs to float to the surface (Fig. 3). If 15-20 bugs per square foot are found in early June, need of treatment is indicated. FIGURE 2 Peak populations of various instars of hairy chinch bugs as mean numbers count­ ed per square foot in a New Jersey turf­ grass in 1971. A = adults; B = first and second instars; C = third instars; D = fourth and fifth instars. Adults of the 1970 second generation (9/30/70) overwinter to the following spring (5/28/71). The first generation extends from June (6/17/71) through July (7/28). The second generation extends from August (8/26) through Sep­ tember (9/29). These second generation adults are, in turn, the overwintering in­ sects which lay the eggs for the first gen­ eration of the following season. Flotation cylinders used for identification of chinch bugs in turfgrass. Note the serrated edge of the inverted cylinder (left) which facilitates penetration into the soil. FIGURE 3 In the past, chlordane was widely recommended and used for chinch bug control, until control failures became common and widespread. Although control failure has been attributed to resistance, studies at Rutgers have in­ dicated that chlordane is not toxic to the hairy chinch bug, but rather con­ tributes to population buildup through interference with chinch bug predators. For example, comparisons of diazinon and chlordane effectiveness in 1970 showed typical population increase in chlordane treated areas (Table 1). These differences have been found con­ sistently over several years. TABLE 1 Mean numbers of hairy chinch bugs count­ ed per square foot in a Kentucky blue­ grass-red fescue turfgrass treated with insecticides in 1970. Insec­ ticide lb. a.i. per acre Av Nos Counted on 9.2 0.4 6.11 6.25 7.15 8.3 8.24 9.30 5.2 27.4 47.1 32 18 20.3 18.9 18.8 69.9 76.7 9.1 23.1 56.3 39.0 8 Diazinon Chlordane 8 Check a. Pretreatment counts b. Mean of 3 counts per replicate-treatment - 20 30 replicated 3 times c. Counts made after 1st application in mid-June d. Counts made after 2nd application in mid-July A number of chinch bug predators have been isolated and identified from turfgrass in New Jersey, including the big-eyed bug Geocoris bullatis (Say) (Fig. 4). The big-eyed bug is some­ times confused as a pest of turfgrass, and is commonly seen running over open spaces in the grass, especially dur­ ing hot dry weather. This bug is re­ lated to the chinch bug but causes no economic damage. Rather, the insect should be regarded as beneficial since it has been shown in laboratory work at Rutgers to attack and feed on chinch bug nymphs. It is a voracious feeder, and has been observed to feed on up to six nymphs in a day. One female con­ sumed 70 nymphs during a month. Several species of mite predators, as well as other predatory insects and spiders, have been identified from New Jersey turfgrass and are considered to be important mortality factors regulat­ ing chinch bug populations. Chlordane and other similar long residual-type pesticides apparently interfere with and limit population of these important or­ ganisms and thereby contribute to the development of larger chinch bug pop­ ulations than might be expected if no pesticide were used. There are many good insecticides available for control of chinch bugs and other pests in commercial turf- are used, sufficient water must be used following application to move the in­ secticide into the thatch, the amount of water applied, again dependent upon individual conditions. Current recommendations for chinch bug control in New Jersey are present­ ed in Table 2. All chemicals should be used strictly according to label di­ rections. Pesticides should not be used indiscriminately in turfgrass. Continued and heavy pesticide usage may con­ tribute to thatch and severely aggra­ vate chinch bug problems commonly associated with high maintenance turf. TABLE 2 Insecticides, formulations and amounts recommended for control of hairy chinch bug in New Jersey. Insec­ ticide Aspon Carbaryl Diazinon Dursban Ethion Trithion Formulation 5% granules 6E liquid conc. 5% granules 50% W.P. 5% granules 14% granules 50% W.P. 4E liquid conc. 0.46% granules 2E liquid conc. 5% granules 4E liquid conc. 8E liquid conc. 5% granules 2E liquid conc. Dosage of formulation per 1000 ft.2 3.5 Ib. 4.0 fl. oz. 4.0 Ib. 8 oz. 4.0 Ib. 1.0 Ib. 6 oz. 3-6 oz. 5.0 Ib. 1.5 oz. 5.0 Ib. 8.0 oz. 4.0 oz. 3.5 Ib. 10.5 oz. SUSTAINING MEMBERS OF N.J.T.A. TERRE COMPANY LOFTS SEED CO. We Thank You! Companies interested in Sustaining Membership should call Association Headquarters (201) 379-1100 FIGURE 4 Big-eyed bug feeding on a chinch bug nymph. Compare this common predator with the chinch bug in Figure 1. grass maintenance. Among the best of these are short-residual type materials of the organophosphorus-type, such as diazinon, ethion, Aspon® or Trithion®, or of the carbamate-type, such as car­ baryl (Sevin®), Baygon® and others. Dursban® is a newer material with exceptionally good insecticidal activity. In New Jersey, two applications of most materials are generally necessary. The first should be applied in mid- June and provides control of the first generation early instars. A second ap­ plication in mid-July insures resid­ ual effectiveness through the second generation. Typical population re­ sponse to diazinon, for example, is shown in Table 1. Since chinch bugs live in the thatch, a deep and extensive thatch contributes to chinch bug population development by providing habitat. Research at Rut­ gers has shown that heavy or contin­ ued pesticide usage with some materi­ als, like chlordane and certain others, may contribute to thatch build-up through interference with decomposer organisms such as earthworms and certain insects. Heavy thatch, in turn, provides increased protection for chinch bugs from predators, provides better drainage and therefore a drier and more favorable habitat for popula­ tion increase, and at the same time pro­ vides protection from insecticides. When applying any insecticidal ma­ terials, sufficient water must be used to thoroughly penetrate the thatch and carry the toxicant to the insect. Since thatch thickness and development var­ ies with grasses, locality, cultural con­ ditions and age of the turf, varying amounts of water will be necessary. In general, sprays and drenches are more effective in heavily thatched turf, whereas granules may be more efficient in lightly thatched areas. If granules Helminthosporium Diseases Of Grasses P. M. Halisky and R. A. Cappellini The genus Helminthosporium com­ prises a large and variable group of fungi. These fungi are highly destruc­ tive and cause substantial economic losses in cereals and grasses. The 1970-71 epidemics of Southern Corn Leaf Blight caused by Helminthospori­ um maydis illustrate the destructive potential of these fungi. to alternate between a saprophytic ex­ istence and parasitic activity with sim­ ple seasonal changes in the weather make these fungi versatile parasites capable of inflicting substantial losses in turfgrass stands. Many Helminthosporiums Virtually every turfgrass has its own select Helminthosporium pathogens. The exact species of the fungus varies from grass to grass. Some of the com­ mon Helminthosporiums and their dominant turfgrass hosts are given in Table 1. The spores of these fungi also are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Generally, spores of Helminthosporium are dark colored ranging from oliva- ceous-grey to brownish-black. These infective propagules have many cross- walls or septations and are reminiscent of segmented worms from which the name “Helminthosporium” was de­ rived (Figure 1). In grasses and cereals the Helmin- thosporiums cause disease symptoms described variously as leaf spots, eye spots, spot blotches, net blotches, tar­ get spots, zonate leaf spots, leaf strip­ ping, stem rots and leaf blights. Often these symptoms originate because of injury to the host tissues from toxins produced by these fungi. When Hel- minthosporiums attack the basal parts of grass plants including crowns, roots and rhizomes, the diseases are called crown rot, foot rot, root rot, fading- out, thinning-out or melting-out. Disease Spread Generally, the Helminthosporiums are considered to be the worst enemies of turfgrasses. These fungi are partic­ ularly well-adapted for rapid produc­ tion of large quantities of spores which are readily propelled by air currents. After wind-dissemination occurs, each spore can germinate by two or more germ tubes which can penetrate grass leaves to produce new infections. Since each germ tube can initiate a single in­ fection, each spore constitutes a “dou­ ble threat” since it has the potential for two or more infections. When temperature and moisture conditions are favorable, the disease spreads rap­ idly from plant to plant. Following the initial infection of the leaves the fungi often progress downward into the grass crown and destroy the basal grass tillers resulting in crown rot, root rot, and ultimately thinning-out or melting- out of the turf. In addition to wind dissemination these fungi can also be seed-borne. Over-Wintering From a perennial standpoint, the Helminthosporiums survive the winter months in the mat or thatch layer of turf. What makes these fungi especial­ ly difficult to control is their ability to survive saprophytically in the absence of a living plant. It has been shown that under laboratory conditions these fungi can live in culture for 15 years and still retain their infective potential. In nature they survive in decaying or­ ganic matter, in soil, or on plant debris such as found in the thatch layer. Eventually, when the weather condi­ tions are right and green turf is present the Helminthosporiums can become destructive turf pathogens. This ability TABLE 1 Temperature Preference cool cold cool warm warm Dominant Host bluegrasses ryegrasses fescues bentgrasses bentgrasses Helminthosporium Species H. vagans (Fig. 2) H. siccans H. dictyoides (Fig. 1-D) H. erythrospilum (Fig. 1-B) H. giganteum H. cynodontis (Fig. 1-C) H. sativum (Fig. 1-A) Some common Helminthosporiums attacking turfgrasses Disease Name leaf spot & melting-out brown blight net blotch red leaf spot zonate leaf spot & patch disease leaf blotch leaf spots, leaf blotches, crown rots, root rots, thinning-out, melting out cool warm bermuda grass most turfgrasses (over 100 grass hosts) Spores of six Helminthosporium fungi showing variations in spore sizes, shapes, color, and number of cross-walls. The species shown are A) sativum, B) erythrospilum, C) cynodontis, D) dictyoides, E) victoriae, and F) triseptatum. FIGURE 1 Temperature is an important factor in relation to the spread and develop­ ment of Helminthosporium diseases. As shown in the table, erythrospilum, giganteum and sativum are classified as “warm-weather” pathogens. Usually, they are active during July-September. In contrast, vagans, dictyoides and cynodontis cause “cool-weather” dis­ eases. These fungi are injurious in early spring. The fungus causing Brown Blight of ryegrasses, H. siccans, is active in New Jersey during Decem­ ber-February (Table 1). Bluegrass Diseases The most common Helminthospori­ um diseases in the Northeast are the leaf spot and crown rot (melting-out) diseases of Kentucky bluegrass. One fungus, Helminthosporium vagans, causes both leaf spot in bluegrass foli­ age (Figure 3) as well as melting-out in bluegrass stands. Research at Rut­ gers University has shown that the severity of these diseases can be re­ duced significantly by the following management practices: (a) Selecting improved bluegrass vari­ eties resistant to this disease, such as Merion, Fylking, Pennstar, Bonnieblue, or Adelphi. (b) Raising the cutting height to IV2- 2V2 inches. (c) Judicious timing of fertilizer ap­ plications. Approximately V2 to % of the total fertilizer should be applied in September and Oc­ tober. Avoid spring lushness. (d) Fungicidal applications when nec­ essary should be made in early spring when the turf begins to green up. The effective fungicides are Terraclor, Daconil, Dyrene and Maneb. Systemic fungicides are not effective and should not be used against Helminthospori­ um diseases. Summary Helminthosporium leaf, crown, and root rots are among the most com­ mon and most destructive groups of diseases attacking turfgrasses. All turf- grasses can be infected by one or more of the Helminthosporium fungi, which also infect numerous pasture grasses and wild grasses. During wet, humid weather or where turf is sprinkled fre­ quently these diseases can become very damaging. Infected turf first turns yel­ low, then brown, and finally is de­ stroyed by progressive attrition or thin­ ning-out of the stand. In bluegrass turf Helminthosporium diseases can be controlled by judicious use of select management practices such as choice of variety, height of cutting, timing of fertilizer applications, and using fungi­ cidal sprays when necessary. Agrico puts you eighteen up on the competition, before the competition even begins Agrico Country Club fertilizers will help you get the most out of your golf course... the most people, the most wear, the most green, We’ve spent a lot of time developing a custom-tailored program for your golf course. We sincerely believe that it’s the best there is. If you want a thicker, greener golf course, use Agrico. And you can stay eighteen up all year long. See your Agrico Country Club Products Distributor Agrico Representative: Sky Bergen Phone (201) 377-2054 ABSTRACTS Benomyl Tolerance Exhibited By Sclerotinia Homoeocarpa G. W. Goldberg and Herbert Cole Pennsylvania State University During the 1972 growing season the first instance of lack of control of Sclerotinia dollar spot with benomyl was reported from an Akron, Ohio golf course in early July. This followed with similar reports from locations in Illinois, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Isolates representative of S. homoeo­ carpa, on the basis of morphological characteristics, were obtained from dis­ eased grass samples from these sites. When grown on autoclaved rye grain and inoculated on bluegrass and bent- grass varieties in the greenhouse, typ­ ical dollarspot lesions appeared from which isolates similar to the originals could be obtained. Tolerance was measured by amount of radial growth on benomyl amended agar. Isolates from the failure locations were 100 times as tolerant to benomyl as isolates from areas where no control difficulties had been experienced. Comments At a recent meeting of the Phyto- pathological Society held in Syracuse, New York on November 1-3, 1972, researchers from Pennsylvania State University reported that the dollar spot fungus was once again “playing games” with fungicidal control measures. This particular fungus, Sclerotinia homoeo­ carpa, is known to be stimulated in FIGURE 2 Spores of Helminthosporium vagans which spread the disease. Each spore is capable of producing an individual leaf spot. FIGURE 3 Kentucky bluegrass leaves showing leaf spots with dark borders and light centers caused by Helminthosporium vagans. BENOMYL — cont. turf plots by carbamate fungicides, not­ ably “difolatan.” During the past dec­ ade, research at Rhode Island and Pennsylvania State University demon­ strated that the dollar spot fungus had developed tolerance to Cadmium fun­ gicides. Now, this versatile fungus is beginning to demonstrate tolerance to the systemic benlate-benomyl fungi­ cide. How this development will relate to the use of systemic fungicides and their effectiveness in controlling dollar spot is a question mark. One word of caution is advisable. Benlate is a systemic fungicide that should be drenched into the root zone for best results. Once absorbed by the grass roots the chemical is translocated upward within the plant immunizing it. Drenching should be done at the time of application using sprinklers, water hose, or perchance rain. In many in­ stances failure to control dollar spot may be due to improper application of the chemical rather than a tolerance of the fungus to the fungicide. With systemic chemicals it is important to drench rather than to spray. Philip M. Halisky December 12, 1972 Abstract. Sewage Effluent Effects on Soil. D. E. Hill (1973). J. Environ. Qual. 1:163-167. To determine the waste water renovation potential by ion removal of diverse Connecticut WANTED For This Publication Advertisers who believe in their products and want results. soils, 2.54 cm (1 in.) of a synthetic sewage effluent was applied semi-week­ ly for 2 years to undisturbed cores, 30 cm diameter and 100 cm deep. Chem­ ical analysis of the leachate revealed that virtually all Po4 was removed from the effluent by the A horizon of all acid soils. All soils except the sandy Merrimac soil and the calcareous Stock- bridge soil removed greater than 85% K, 75% Ca and Mg, but less than 10% Na. The Stockbridge soil, con­ taining abundant dolomitic limestone particles removed less than 50% Ca and released three times the Mg added in the effluent for 21 months. The source of the Mg was readily available Mg associated with the weathered dolo­ mite. Sulfate was partially removed for 1 year in all acid soils. After 1 year sulfate passed through the column. Ni­ trate and chloride passed through the cores from the start. Estimates of the total cation exchange in the columns and the amount of cations absorbed after 2 years indicates that the longevity of the soil systems studied will vary be­ tween 10 and 13 years. Since each soil varies in permeability and its capacity to remove ions, each soil must be ex­ amined to determine safe loading rates. Comments Most turf growers know sewage ef­ fluent (water discharged from sewage treatment plants that has undergone a measure of purification) and activated sewage sludge (solids developing from the oxygen-biological processing of sew­ age) have been used on turf with ben­ efit. Many have used some form of such materials. Also, we know the soil is an effective retainer of many solutes found in water. This study, as summarized, shows soil cannot handle limitless amounts of chemical, and soils differ in their ability to handle quantities of chemicals safely. Since many concerned with sewage waste problems will propose the use of turf­ grass areas for disposal sites, we as turf growers might consider several things before starting trial or general application of such materials. First, with generous use of sewage wastes some effort should be made to guard against excessive accumulation of sev­ eral chemicals in the turfgrass soil or drainage waters. Secondly, a single source of sewage products can vary greatly in N, heavy metals, and other items according to efficiency of the treatment plant and the raw materials that enter the plant from week to week or season to season. Third, remember that some sewage wastes are highly sanitary and safe while others may be very unclean, according to type of treatment and care in managing the sewage plant. Fourth, solid residues can vary greatly from rather raw sew­ age sediments to high quality activated sewage products. It is the writer’s opinion that only the higher quality materials with consistent characters should be used on established turf. Ralph E. Engel Rutgers University April 17, 1973 GREEN WORLD EDITORIAL STAFF ROY BOSSOLT ................... Co-Editor RALPH ENGEL ..................Co-Editor DON MARSHALL ...............Publisher & Advertising Contributions or inquiries for GREEN WORLD should be addressed to: N. J. Turfgrass Association, P.O. Box 356, Springfield, N. J. 07081 or call (201) 379-1100 PRINCETON TURF We Now Offer a Complete Line of Sod MERION • FYLKING • K-30 • PENNLAWN MIX PENNCROSS BENTGRASS • WARREN’S A-20 — Sod or Plugs WARREN A-34 — Sod or Seed • BERMUDA —Sod, Plugs, Stolons OLD YORK ROAD “Highest Quality and Service” Is Our Motto PRINCETON TURF FARMS, INC. HIGHTSTOWN, NEW JERS EY 609-448-9300 P.O. Box 245