UNITED STATES GOLF GREEN M i d - C o n t i n e nt T u r f l e t t er No. 6 December - 1959 D R. M A R V IN H. F E R G U S ON M I D - C O N T I N E NT D I R E C T OR N A T I O N AL R E S E A R CH C O O R D I N A T OR J A M ES L. H O L M ES M I D - W E S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST J A M ES B. M O N C R I EF S O U T H W E S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST M 1 D -W E S T E RN D I S T R I CT R O OM 2 4 1. L A S A L LE H O T EL C H I C A GO 2. I L L I N O IS T E L E P H O N E: S T A TE 2 - 7 4 85 S O U T H W E S T E RN D I S T R I CT T E X AS A FIE M C O L L E GE C O L L E GE S T A T I O N, T E X AS T E L E P H O N E: V I C T OR 6 - 5 2 IO TREATMENT OF WINTERKILL Turf on greens last spring and late winter was affected seriously as a result of a number of conditions. Turf suffered from what is commonly called "winterkill." Much has been said and written about this problem. It would appear that a con- stant ice cover which drastically reduced the supply of air or oxygen to roots along with fungal activity were the primary causes of the loss of turf. It has been observed that early aeration, along with frequent, constant syringing of deadened areas did more to initiate recovery than any other practice. If similar circumstances are encountered in the future it is suggested that damaged areas be vigorously aerated and the area be kept constantly moist by following a syringing program similar to one followed during the most severe period of heat and humidity. Last spring many superintendents hand watered damaged greens as often as five or six times daily if dry winds prevailed. It would appear that nodes located on bentgrass stolons were not killed. The mat which contains these nodes on a putting surface will dry rapidly. In the spring when growing weather arrives growth will be initiated from these nodes. There- fore, if the matted area is not kept constantly moist the nodes from which growth has been initiated will desiccate and death will result, dead all hope of recovery has vanished. Once these nodes are SEASIDE BENT SEEDING HELPS TO RESTORE GREENS Last spring, turf on greens at South Bend Country Club was severely damaged. Mr. Mike Platts, superintendent at the country club, aerated all greens, sowed both Penncross and Seaside bentgrass at a rate of 3 pounds per 1000 square feet, then kept the newly worked areas moist. In a relatively short period of time, but not without constant supervision and work which might be considered above and beyond the call of duty, Mr. Platts once again had the putting conditions that his members have grown to expect. Mr. Platts is to be congratulated on a job well done. It would appear from the results he obtained that Seaside performed in a superior manner to Penncross. Seaside germinated in a shorter period of time, generally was more vigorous and held up better during periods of extreme heat and humidity which arrived in record breaking force in August and September. Mike says "I m not sure I can stand another year like this one." ! FAIRVJAYS RESPOND TO CAREFUL MANAGEMENT f Mr. Robert Williams, superintendent at Bob O Link Golf Club, certainly pulled his fairway turf through the severe weather which hit the Midwest area in August and September. Bob is of the opinion that proper timing on use of fertilizers, water, cutting, dew removal, and use of fungicides and iron sulfate was largely respon- sible. He applied PMA at a rate of 4/b quart and iron sulfate at 3 pounds per acre five times during this period of adversity. His timing on applications was dictated by the weather and the condition of the turf. As Bob has often said, "timing is of utmost importance in maintaining a golf course in top condition." No doubt other superintendents will begin to consider seriously the use of fungicides and iron sulfate on fairway turf during periods of extremes. OKLAHOMA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION HONORS TOM LEONARD Bill Tom Leonard, who moved recently from the position of superintendent at the Muskogee Country Club of Muscogee, Oklahoma, to the River Oaks Country Club of Houston, Texas, was honored by the Oklahoma Turfgrass Association at their annual conference on December 3. Mr. Leonard was given the Award of Merit, an annual award which is presented to the association member considered to have made the greatest contribution to the betterment of turf in Oklahoma during the past year. Lester Hare, of Enid Country Club, was elected president of the association for the coming year. He succeeds Bill Melton of Meadowbrook Country Club. MODERNIZATION IN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT was the theme of the 14th annual Texas Turfgrass Conference. Out of state speakers included Mr. David Lilly; Dr. Jim Watson; Mr. Charles Wilson; Dr. Gene C. Nutter; and James L. Holmes, Midwestern Agronomist of the USGA Green Section. Planning, organization, and management for efficient use of manpower, equipment, and pesticides were stressed during this meeting. One of the highlights of the conference was Mr. Lilly's talk on "Personnel Management and Relationships." Mr. Lilly stated that there were scientific^ principles which could be used in management planning. He said that scientific methods are applicable to inexact sciences such as management as well as to exact sciences such as chemistry and physics. Mr. Lilly urged periodic evaluation by the supervisor of his own efforts as well as those of his employees. L. W. DuBose, superintendent of the Houston Country Club, is the new president of the association. Mr. DuBose is also a member of the board of directors of The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. ' * > -3- Mammalian Toxicity and Persistence of Pesticides The following information is taken from a paper presented by Mr. R. R. V/alton at the Oklahoma Turfgrass Conference. It illustrates the relative danger of various materials used for pesticidal purposes. L D on 50 rats Pesticide oz./lOO lbs. 1. Parathion 2. SD 4402 3. Demeton (Syston) 4. Paris green 5. Endrin 6. Nicotine 7. Aldrin 8. Toxaphene 9. Dieldrin 10. Heptachlor 11. Lead arsenate 12. Lindane 13. Diazinon 14. DDT 15. Dibrom 16. Chlordane 17. Kelthane 18. Malathion 19. Sevin 20. Methoxychlor 0.005 0.012 0.014 0.035 0.040 0.088 0.107 0.110 0.130 0.144 0.160 0.200 0.200 0.400 0.688 0.732 0.920 1.600 3.500 9.600 Safety equip.; label type respirator rubber gloves protective clothing; "skull & crossbones" Rubber gloves Prot. cloth., respirator if inside closed space; "Warning" "Caution" - * Average residual period Years in Days on Vegetation Soil 1-2 — — 6-10 6-10 — 6-8 6-10 6-10 6-8 6-10 6-8 6-10 6-8 6-10 16 — 20 60 24 6 20 60 24 12 60 20 20 36 10 36 — 12 12 32 and best wishes for a happy and prosperour New Year Christmas Greetings to all our readers - The Green Section Staff Mid-Continent Turf letter USGA GREEN SECTION B U LK R A TE U.S. POSTAGE P A ID College Station/ Texas Permit No. 80