UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION NORTHEASTERN OFFICE College of Agriculture ALEXANDER M. RADKO N O R T H E A S T E RN DIRECTOR Vol. 3, No. 6 Rutgers University NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY Telephone: CHarter 9-0225 NORTHEASTERN TURFLETTER December, 1956 L O O K I NG BACK ON THE 6 S E A S ON The Patron Saint of the Golf Course Superintendent was indeed kind in 1956; the turf growing weather of the season was one of the finest that Northeasterners experienced in some time. Timely (almost weekly) rains fell — the summer season was "cool" for the most part, and on very few occasions did the temperature rise above 90°. This excellent turf growing season following on the heels of a disastrous year in '55 helped superinten- dents to quickly restore turfgrass areas that were badly injured last season. humidity was a problem. High humidity and disease usually go hand in hand, and this season was no exception. Normally, Brownpatch and Do liar spot are fairly easy to keep in check through preventative sprayings with presentday fungicides, but there were times when greens had to be sprayed two and three times weekly this year to stay ahead of persistent disease outbreaks. the Dollarspot held on during the entire month of November in sections of Northeast; spring-like temperatures coupled with high humidity apparently favored this disease organism. Yet, although rainfall and temperatures were almost perfect, . Pythium, Curvularia, and Helminthosporium outbreaks were also prevalent at one time or another. Severe abtacks of Helminthosporium In each case, the disease were observed on three separate occasions. infestation was brought about primarily by a combination of poor soil drainage, and the abnormal rainfall. A year ago at the Rutgers Conference, Mr. Elmer Michael, Superinten- dent, Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York, said, "A watering system is cnly as good as your drainage system". We certainly agree, for whether In dry seasons, naturally or artificially overwatered, turfgrasses suffer. superintendents usually get by without serious difficulty because, knowing they control watering the watering requirements of their individual greens, practices. When nature waters all greens uniformly and heavily, then poorly drained greens become problem greens — usually disease problems. In such cases, fungicides are not as effective as they are under normal conditions... Dr. 0. J. Noer of the Milwaukee Sewerage Commission, has in effect said this many times at conferences over the years. In the 1955 Rutgers fungicide tests, Curvularia was about as troublesome as it was in Curvularia is the "piggy-back" disease that usually shows up after the turf has first been weakened by other disease organisms, or other factors such as over- succulence, chlorosis, scald, mechanical injury, etc. A fine example of the saprophytic nature of this fungus was observed this season on one of the New Jersey courses. In Spring a portion of the turf was weakened by the snowmold (Fusarium) organism, and although the snowmold never really got to the troublesome stage, Curvularia peppered the afflicted area. Where the Fusarium organism weakened the turf, Curvularia stepped in; the rest of the surrounding turf was free of either disease organism. Presently there is no "sure-fire" control for Curvularia, and the elusive manner of control may well be tied up in the deceptive manner of occurrence. the mercuries, mercuries plus Tersan, and the cadmium compounds looked promising; in 1956, results with the' same chemicals were variable. Thus the fungicide picture for Curvularia is somewhat uncertain, though the fungicides mentioned appear to have some influence. In any event, a good preventative fungicide program lessens chances for weaknesses developing, hence giving Curvularia less room to ride in on the coat tails of other diseases. Several superintendents had the opportunity to try Malachite Green with reported good results, as recommended by Dr. Frank Howard, Pathologist of the Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station. Dr. Hov/ard reported that Malachite Green (a dye material with fungicidal properties) would check fungus diseases which spread as a result of mycelial growth. Pythium is included in this group. One of the objections to this material, as voiced by many who have worked with it, is the problem of the dye staining golf balls, shoes, and the workmen who apply Pythium was also more prevalent due to y/etness and humidity. i t. Snowmold continues to be a troublesome disease pest in the Northeast. Dr. James Watson and Dr. J. L. Kolb, Agronomists for the Toro Manufacturing Company, recently reported results of tests conducted on plots at their plant in Minneapolis. Excerpts of their report follow: Typhula itoana (gray snowmold) and Fusarium nivale (pink snowmold) responsible ... organisms active between 2E3r"¡and \r¿° F, when excessive for this disease moisture is present ... develop whenever temperature and moisture are favor- able irrespective of snow cover ... apply fungicide in late fall or early winter after soil freezes, prior to first •remaining snowfall . .. 3 to l* ozs. of Calo Chlor per 1000 square feet produced effective control ... 3 to I4. ozs. of RIAS effective under normal conditions, but appears inadequate under extreme environment — re treatment may be necessary . *. Milorganite and/or top dressing as carriers enhanced results treat aprons, approach, and shoulders as we11 as green." ". ..Two organisms, ... Have, yep measured the size of your greens lately? Dr. Jesse DeFrance rarely fails to emphasize at each RhodeTIsland Field Day that turf areas should be measured carefully prior to treatment with herbicides or fungicides. to 'chemicals is Tolerance margins of grasses (putting green turf especially) often slight, is it therefore in order to do a good, safe job of application, first necessary to know the exact size of the areas to be treated. Measure your greens carefully! 3MP0RTANT DATES January 10 - 12, 1957 — Northeast Weed Control Conference January 21 - 2ii, 1957 — Rutgers Turf grass Conference Sheraton-McAlpin Hotel, New York, N. Y, February 10 - 15* 1957 — 28th National Turfgrass Conference and Show Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Jersey Dr. Ralph E. Engel Kentucky Hotel Louisville, Kentucky The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Cornell University Ithaca, New York Dr. John F. Cbrnman February 25 - 28, 1957 — Cornell Turfgrass Conference We cordially invite Green Committee Members and Golf Course Superintendents of U.S.G.A. Member Clubs to attend: The Green Section Educational Program January 25, 1957, 3:00 to 5:00 P. M. Williams Club - 2h East 39th Street New York, N. Y. Program Chairman Mr. Edwin Hoyt, President, Wee Burn Country Club, Darien, Conn, Topic: WORK OF A CLUB GREEN COMMITTEE Part I - Analysis and Planning of Green Committee Work Part II - Relationship between Green Committee and Club Part III - Relationship between Green Committee, Mr. Allan Brown, President, Ekwanok Country Club, Manchester, Vermont Panel Discussion Superintendent and his staff Panel Discussion the Hope to see you at all of these important educational conferences! Northeastern Turfletter USGA GREEN SECTION BULK RATE U. S. POSTAGE P A ID PERMIT No. 366 New Brunswick, N. J. ^ky A*.