NORTHERN MICHIGAN F MANAGERS ASSOCIATION C. E. “TUCK” TATE, PRESIDENT THOS. J. REED, SECRETARY-TREAS. MICHAEL T. GARVALE, VICE-PRESIDENT 3733 APOLLO DRIVE CUlKTION TRAVERSE CITY, Ml. 49684 PHONE: 616/943-8433 Many things have happened since our last news letter and so, we will try to bring you up to date. The first big thing in I98U, was the most successful Michigan Turfgrass Conference, January 17 and l8th, with almost 900 persons being present. This all points out the desire and need for continuing education for those interested in turfgrass, not to mention the attendance at the seminars held on Wednesday afternoon. All seminars were filled to capacity with various courses given by Dr. Karl Danneberger, Dr. Paul E. Rieke, Dr. Noel Jackson, Dr. Harry Niemczyk, Dr. Robert Dhearman and Dr. Alex Shigo. Other speakers in the program included Dr. Jim Watson, Douglas Chapman from Dow Chemical, Dr. A., J. Turgeon, Tru-Green, James Prusa, G.C.S.A.A., Bill Hoopes, O.M. Scott St sons, Jim Vaccard, Dow Chemical, Charles Bardsley, Mallinckrodt Chemical, K.T. Tautvydas, 3 M Ag., Dr. Bruce E. Branham, Dr. Jos.M. Vargas, Jr., plus many fine superintendents who all did a beautiful Job. For those of you that did not attend, even though we feel that you have missed something, remember the 55th Annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference will again be in January of next year. It too will be something that anyone in the green industry cannot afford to miss. The annual Michigan Turfgrass Foundation meeting is always held during the Conference and five directors were elected to the Board. They are Kevin Dushane, Bloomfield Hills C.C., Ed De Jong, Grand Rapids, Billy Olsen, Sod Growers, Tom Reed, Tri Turf and Dr. A1 Turgeon, True Green. At the Board of Directors meeting following the Conference, Bruce Wolfrom was elected President, John Read was elected Vice-President and Kurt Thuemmel was elected Treasurer. This is a good time to speak for the Foundation and raise the question, "Are you a member or is your club a member"? If not, you should be as well as any other group, club, course or business in the green industry. Most of the research done in Michigan is and has been funded almost exclusively by contributions from the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation. We welcome you to become a part of this fine organization. The 55th Annual Golf Course Sup’t Ass'n of America Conference and Show was held at Las Vegas, January 29th thru February 3rd. It was a record setting event with records broken in attendance by having over 9000 registrants, 262 exhibitors, 80,000 square feet of exhibit space, 200 hours of educational seminars, 1800 persons attending the closing banquet, 296 golfers participating in the GCSAA member tournament. These record numbers alone do not say all about the Conference and Show. It was all highlighted by the presentation of the "Old Tom Morris" award to Bob Hope on Thursday night by none other than the only other receipient, Arnie Palmer. Now all eyes look forward to next years big event that will be the 56th Annual GCSAA Conference and Show at the nations capital at Washington, D.C. For we Michiganders the big event of the Conference was the election of one of our people to the president of GCSAA, Mr. James W. Timmerman, CGCS, of Orchard Lake Country Club. He succeeds Robert W. Osterman of Easton, Conn, as head of this 5500 member international body. Eugene D. Baston, CGCS, golf course superintendent for the Country Club of Birmingham, Alabama was elected Vice-President. Knowing how and when io use growth regulators can make a difference on your golf course. Growth Regulators — New Tools for the ’80s? by STEVE M. BATTEN Agronomist, Southeastern Region, USGA Green Section rowth regulators are plants, chemical edging, seed head the air for a better understanding of the G not new. Almost 50 years ago plant scientists found they could actually change and often control growth patterns of many plants by apply­ suppression, and retardation of not only broadleaf weeds but grassy weeds thewell. Highway departments used them as to suppress growth on embankments limitations and effectiveness of growth regulators on fine-bladed turfgrasses. The trick to their successful use is in a basic understanding of their selectivity ing small amounts of certain organic and steep slopes, and other commercial among grass species and their mechanical chemicals. A new frontier had opened. turf interests soon followed suit. But the action on plants. In basic terms, this It was an agricultural miracle that con­ acceptance of growth control agents on means the successful golf course super­ tinues today. golf courses has been slow. Under­ intendent should learn all he can about In those early years, growth regulators standably, golf course superintendents these new management tools and then were widely used to control broadleaf have been reluctant to slow grass growth put them to work. weeds on lawns and golf courses. Since on the same general areas they are being Growth regulators can either stimulate then, gradually, subtly, scientists paid to grow quality turf for golf. or suppress shoot growth, root growth, developed even newer compounds, and Now, even that may be changing. or tillering effects of a plant. The most these are now capable of controlling Continuing research, particularly commonly applied growth regulators on the growth of grasses and landscape during the last five years, has cleared golf courses are those that suppress 2 MAY/J l'NE 1983 shoot growth. These are maleic hydra­ bermudagrasses are usually more sensi­ new tools for managing weed populations zide (Slo Gro) and mefluidide (Embark). tive to growth regulators than the more and multi-species turfgrass sites. On the other hand, a growth regulator coarse common types. The most common use of growth regu­ that stimulates vertical shoot growth is Discoloration can make a golf course lators at present is the reduction of gibberellic acid. It had even been used superintendent humble if the chemical mowing time on hazardous slopes. Some to grow deeper rough in preparation for regulators are improperly applied to manufacturers suggest that mowing time a U.S. Open Championship some years conspicuous turf areas. To avoid this can be reduced as much as 50 percent ago. embarrassment, first experiment with over a five- to eight-week period. Even the suggested label application rate on though growth regulators are expensive S A GROUP, maleic hydrazide an out-of-the-way area. Fitting the to initially purchase, they do have great and mefluidide are often referred right growth regulator to your turfgrass potential for saving mowing costs. to as “growth inhibitors. ” This is because condition can be accomplished simply Another factor beyond cost is in the turfgrass height is not altered during by contacting a technical representative equipment and personnel safety. There the period of suppression. In reference of the manufacturer. Then, one must be is no merit in exposing dangerous to the mechanics of action, maleic hydra­ sure to apply the right material at the equipment such as rotary mowers to zide and mefluidide suppress turfgrass right rate to the targeted turfgrass steep embankments any more than shoots by inhibiting cell elongation. species. Remember, these color changes necessary. In this regard, much safer More important than how they work, depend on the turfgrass species and control of vegetation along drainage- however, both are primarily absorbed application rates, and you are in control ways or rough terrain can be possible. by the leaves. In order to achieve the of this operation. Chemically edging the grass at the best possible inhibition, as much leaf base of trees holds a great potential surface as possible should be present N EXPERIMENTAL group of for growth regulators. If the proper at the time of application, and dead leaves and thatch should be removed. A growth regulators are presently application rate is used, the turfgrass being evaluated on warm- and cool-will remain green and very acceptable Timing of application, when the turf­ season turfgrasses. These growth regu­ for play. Another obvious advantage is grass is actively growing, such as in the lators inhibit the formation of gibberellic less mower damage to the tree trunks. spring, will allow for good translocation. acid in plants and thus suppress cell For this type of chemical edging, regu­ Likewise, application after a rain or elongation. By governing the actual rate lators should be selected that are onto irrigated turfgrass will also improve of plant growth, they are considered true primarily shoot and not root absorbed. translocation. growth regulators and not growth Within recent years, a great deal of Scheduling of mowing prior to or after inhibitors. Their ability to suppress concern has been given to chemically application can be critical. Because growth can be reversed by applying edging sand bunkers. Mefluidide has growth regulators are not instantly gibberellic acid. Therefore, they may been successfully used for this purpose translocated, some manufacturers sug­ become useful for manipulating different on cool-season turfgrasses. Several gest mowing seven to 10 days after levels of retardation. research studies are continuing at state application in order to remove any flush Two of these experimental growth universities for use of mefluidide alone, of growth observed during the first regulators are paclobutrazol (PP 333) or in combination with EL 500. The week. This is especially the case with and flurprimidol (EL 500). EL 500 has objective of these studies is to increase maleic hydrazide. Common sense should been given the trade name Cutless™ The the residual effects of shoot suppression. be exercised in not removing too much main difference in these two and the leaf material after application. growth inhibitors previously described INCE GROWTH regulators are If the turf must be mowed prior to application, a good rule of thumb is is that they allow a continued but very much retarded lateral stolon growth. A S expensive, weed control is usually considered a fringe benefit. Realistically, not to mow any sooner than two days distinct shortening of the internodes weed control on areas where growth before the growth regulator is applied. causes a witch-broom effect or multiple regulators have been applied is extremely clustering of shortened leaves. It has important in order to maintain an LL OF THE growth regulators even been noted that bermudagrass acceptable appearance. Fortunately, A mentioned above can cause dis­ treated with EL 500 can have a more coloration. For example, mefluidide hasmeasured reduction in shoot height than many fast-growing broadleaf weeds such as white clover (Trifoloum repens) and the ability to darken shoot color. Maleic that observed at the initial mowing prior oxalis (Oxalis stricta) are easily sup­ hydrazide can cause yellowing. The to application. pressed. effects of different growth regulators Another difference is that these growth Rendering weeds to be less competi­ vary on different turfgrass species and regulators are primarily absorbed by the tive is the basis for most weed control on their cultivars as well. roots. This could be a real plus on fine- efforts with growth regulators. Research Kentucky bluegrass discoloration is bladed turfgrasses where granular for­ is being conducted on the timing of more likely to be apparent with maleic mulation could be applied. In order to spring and fall applications of mefluidide hydrazide than with mefluidide. Ken­ enhance root absorption, irrigation and EL 500 in the northeastern United tucky bluegrass also requires a much would also be necessary. States for selective retardation of annual lower application rate of mefluidide Although most species of turfgrass bluegrass in Kentucky bluegrass. On than bermudagrass to get the same and landscape plants can be suppressed, the other hand, in the Midwest, late amount of shoot suppression. On the there is a distinct difference in tolerance spring applications of mefluidide at low other hand, bermudagrass is more sensi­ to PP 333 and EL 500 among species. rates have actually improved the summer tive than bluegrass to maleic hydrazide. Utilizing these tolerance differences, vigor of annual bluegrass. Obviously, Furthermore, the fine-bladed improved these compounds could be exciting the timing of application and the rate USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD 3 -------------------------- -------------7------------ overseeding in the fall to renovate an existing bluegrass or ryegrass turf. In the Southeast/Southwest, the use of Characteristics of Growth Regulators growth regulators prior to overseeding Commercially Common Site of Plant has also been suggested, and there does Available Trade Name Inhibition Absorption Comments exist the possibility of spring applied maleic SLO GRO inhibits cell primarily shoot for use on cool- growth regulators to aid in the transition hydrazide (Uniroyal elongation and absorbed, some season turfgrass Chemical, stops shoot root absorption zone in the southern part of the United Div. of States. Clemson University is investi­ Uniroyal, Inc.) gating this approach and reports some mefluidide EMBARK same as above primarily shoot warm- or cool-season success, although further investigations (3M Agricultural absorbed turfgrasses, bermuda­ Products, grass required higher will be necessary. Div. of 3M) application rate than cool-season species esearch has significantly Experimental Experimental Number Inhibition Site of Plant Absorption Comments R increased during the last four years in regard to growth regulators and their flurprimidol EL 500 inhibits primarily root presently being effect on the physiology and development (Cutless1*) production of absorbed, some evaluated on both (Eli Lilly gibberellic acid shoot absorption warm- and cool-season of turfgrass. For example, at North Laboratories, and retards cell turfgrasses Carolina State University, evaluations Div. of Elanco elongation are underway in regard to seedhead Products) development and the effects of dormancy pactobutrazol PP 333 same as above primarily root same as above (ICI America«, absorbed and root growth. Fertilizer interactions Inc.) are being studied at Penn State. At Purdue, the University of Rhode Island, and Cornell University, the effects of growth regulators on annual bluegrass control and their effects on many other species of cool-season grasses are the main objectives of research. Across the applied can have an entirely different cides with growth regulator properties Southern states. Auburn, Clemson, effect on weed control. are also being evaluated for seedhead Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and the In California, kikuyugrass has been a suppression. University of Florida have all taken target of growth retardation in bermuda- In Southern California, maleic hydra­ interest and initiated studies on the new grass turf. Altering turfgrass species by zide has been applied to bermudagrass compounds that inhibit gibberellic acid selective retardation has drawn con­ fairways in the fall for shoot suppression formation. siderable interest and opens the door to prior to overseeding perennial ryegrass. Some of the most interesting research future research. Likewise on Kentucky bluegrass in the is being done with the new growth One of the most important charac­ northeastern United States, mefluidide regulators and their effect on reduced teristics of maleic hydrazide and mefluid- has been effectively applied prior to water use in turfgrass management. ide is their ability to impair flowering Texas A&M University has been investi­ and seedhead production. This has led gating EL 500 for this purpose on warm- to their use in suppressing annual blue­ season turf. Field studies are being grass in Kentucky bluegrass turf. Appli­ Embark™ usedfor annual bluegrass seedhead evaluated with the use of weighable cation rates of mefluidide for annual control in Kentucky bluegrass. ly si meters (weigh able containers) to bluegrass seedhead suppression are less determine water use rate. EL 500 has than half that suggested for suppression shown promise. In theory, PP 333 may of Kentucky bluegrass alone. Thus, the also be used for this purpose, since its manufacturer’s recommendations this mechanics of action are very similar to year will include annual bluegrass seed- EL 500. Interest has also been shown head suppression. It is, in effect, a form by several major northeastern univer­ of weed control. sities to initiate similar research on cool- Taking advantage of seedhead season turfgrasses. This concept of inhibition characteristics, many com­ water use retardation may mean a new binations of experimental growth regu­ dimension for the use of growth regu­ lators are constantly being tested for lators in the 1980s. seedhead suppression on both warm- Research continues to open new doors and cool-season turfgrasses. At Cornell to knowledge. Growth regulators are University, an interesting study is increasingly becoming management tools underway to suppress annual bluegrass for the golf course superintendent. Now seedheads with multiple applications is the time to investigate these new tools of Aqua-Gro, a commonly used wetting under your conditions. Do it today. The agent. The technique is patent pending, experience and knowledge you gain will and the results are very positive to date. unquestionably find a place in your Other materials, including new fungi- many tomorrows. USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD MAY/JUNE 1983 Non-Conforming Glove T he half-fingered golf glove, which has been a staple Thoughts in golf shops for so many years, is a on the Business of Life favorite of women golfers who like to wear their nails long. They can’t keep long nails and wear a full­ fingered glove. The trouble is, though, that sometimes these gloves All through the ages, the most worthy characters have been violate the Rules of Golf. those who were dynamically The glove pictured here does not enthusiastic over some definite conform with the Rules, but not aim and end. The young man because of the half fingers. Rule who is afraid to manifest 37-9c provides, in part, that a golfer enthusiasm lest his dignity may not use any artificial device to suffer is not likely to have assist him in gripping the club. As much dignity to lose by and The reinforcing band across the palm of by. Enthusiasm is the it is written, the rule prohibits this fingerless glove violates the Rules of propelling force that is entirely the use of gloves of any kind. Golf. necessary for climbing the However, an Exception has been ♦ * * ladder of success. added. Husband calling wife to tele­ B.C. Forbes “Exception to Rule 37-9c: Plain phone: “Dear, somebody wants to listen to you.” gloves and material or substance applied to the grip, such as tape, gause, or resin.” This exception permits the use of a plain glove. The glove pictured here, however, has a strip with rubber stitching sewn across the palm, and, therefore, does not fit into the category of “plain gloves.” The USGA has requested that manufacturers of this type of glove advise their customers that the glove does not conform with Ten Commandments of Golf I. Thou shall complain about how badly thou hast been playing the Rules. As yet, those manufacturers before teeing off on the first hole. have not done so, and, consequently, some confusion has resulted. Golfers II. Thous shalt always stand close enough to thine opponent so often assume that a product distributed that thy shadow can be seen. by a reputable manufacturer conforms III. Thou shah always remind thine opponent of hazards such as with the Rules. The ruling that water, sand or out-of-bounds. declared this type of glove in violation IV. Thou shalt keep count of thine opponent's strokes, reminding of the Rules of Golf was made in 1967. him or her of any overlooked. Women golfers need not trim their V. Thou shalt determine when "Winter rules" are in effect at thine nails, however; they can simply cut own option. the ends off the fingers of full-fingered VI. Thou shalt determine when a mulligan is in order. gloves, or else they can ask their professionals to stock half-fingered VII. Thou shalt declare all thine own second putts to have been a “gimme". gloves that do not have this stitching across the palm. We believe some half­ VIII. Thou shalt offer advice to thine opponent after every errant fingered gloves without stitching are shot. available. IX. Thou shalt express sympathy for thine opponent whenever his or her putt rims the hole. Sign outside an Italian restaurant: X. Thou shalt conclude thy round by advising thine opponent that “Come in for a pizza the action.” "everybody has one bad round". A professor asked his class, “Who is happier—the man with six million dollars, or the man with six children?” One student had an instant answer: “The man with six children.” “Why?” asked the professor. Because the guy with the six million dollars always wants more,” explained the student. If you have not paid 1983 or I98U dues, your name will be dropped from the new 198U membership booklet which will go to press in about ten days. Further, your name will be dropped from our mailing list in accordance with our By-Laws. If you do hot receive further mailings, you will know the reason. At the Las Vegas GCSAA Conference & Show, "Tuck” Tate received his 25 year pin for being a member of GCSAA for that period of time. Two years ago, Merton E. Nye received his 25 year pin and is the oldest member of GCSAA in our Association in years of membership of GCSAA* Our congratulations. mover, which is made from orange peels, An insecticide on a fire ant hill, and all the ants sub­ sequently died. with a twist Sheppard suspected that the insectici­ dal action was due to the hand cleaner’s Grate the skin of an orange, lemon, lime citrus base. He reports that intact fruit, ob­ or grapefruit and you may have a potent tained at a local grocery, does no harm to insecticide. Tons of orange peels, usually insects confined with it in a cage. But, for discarded by the juice industry, could example, when he scored the outer peel of provide raw material for a pesticide that a lime with a knife, after 15 minutes house­ is not only safe for humans but also flies were unable to walk and after 2 hours smells good, say University of Georgia they were dead. Sheppard says, “The liq­ scientists. uid containing the toxic factor or factors In preliminary studies, oil from citrus must be released from the glands within peels killed all insects tested — fire ants, the [citrus] skin before it can act as a fumi­ houseflies, stable flies, black soldier flies, gant or a contact poison.” In further expe­ paper wasps and grey crickets. The insects riments liquid collected from bent seg­ generally showed hind leg paralysis, soon ments of orange peel also killed insects. In followed by convulsions and death. Direct a final test, Sheppard successfully treated contact and exposure to vapors both a flea-ridden cat with a bath of Dirt Squad proved effective. The lethal chemical has and water. not been isolated yet, but D. Craig Shep­ “This natural insecticide, a by-product pard finds no detectable residues of any of the citrus industry, could prove valu­ commonly used insecticides in the citrus able for treating pets, livestock and hu­ peel extract. mans for ectoparasites [parasites living on “Citrus peels seem to be non-toxic to the exterior of their hosts], for fumigating humans and other vertebrates in our food handling and storage facilities, and everyday contacts and are used as flavor­ for pest control around households,” ings in soft drinks and baking,” Sheppard Sheppard says. says. He was led to test citrus peel oil when “The next step,” he adds, “must be to a group of mechanics brought a hand- isolate and identify the insecticidal factor cleaning product, called Dirt Squad, to the or factors present and to characterize the Coastal Plain (Ga.) Experimental StTffiS&h toxicological properties of the pure sub- They had dumped some of the grease re- stance or substances.” —/.A. Miller * 4 ----------- SCIENCE NEWS, VOL. 124 BEARD N This newsletter needs imput from the poeple that read it, we would like to publish what is happening to you, that would be of interest to others. If you have any good ideas which would benefit others, short cuts which work for you we are interested in passing on your ideas. Your suggestions as to how this letter can be improved plus maybe you would like to help put it together, be an associate editor? Let us hear from you? Thanks. ***^******************#*************************