PnjQceedinXfí

i Stít

A n n u a l

ftotitluueái
Gonfjefi&Hce

SeftUmùm*

23, 24, 25,

ßwtHo&t, ß. e.

1964

^u^cyuUl

N O R T H W E S T TURFGRASS M E M B E R S H I P DUES
Golf C o u r s e s —
Less than 18 holes
18 holes or more
Nursery, landscaping and ground spraying firms
Architects and engineering firms
Equipment and material supply firms
Participating membership
Associate membership
All others

Annual dues
$20
40
20
20
20
10
5
20

Cemeteries—
Less than 400 interments per annum
400 to 600 interments per annum
600 to 800 interments per annum
More than 800 interments per annum

20
25
30
40

Park Departments—
Less than 150 acres total area
150 acres or more

20
40

1.

Annual Dues payable on or before M a y 15th each year. Dues
are based on annual due date nonprorated.

2.

Membership includes registration fee for one person at Annual
Turf Conference. Other persons from member organization
registration fee $5.00.

3.

N O I N I T I A T I O N FEES A R E C H A R G E D .

4.

Nonmembers may attend the annual Conference by paying
$10.00 registration fee. For further information on dues, contact Northwest Turf Treasurer.

It certainly has been a privilege to serve as your President of the
Northwest Turfgrass Association during 1963-1964.
I have been an active member since the Association was organized.
It has been gratifying to watch the growth and progress of this organization down through the years.
The Turfgrass Conference held in Burnaby, B.C. this past September
had the largest attendance ever. A good share of the people attending said
it was our best conference. It seems that each year our conferences have
been bigger and better than the previous year. Each year more people
are realizing that Turfgrass management is a complex and finite business.
In order to keep pace with the changes, we have to take part in Conferencs and work shops; as attendance has grown in the past it will grow
in the future.
I would like to thank each Board member for their cooperation this
past year and also to the committee chairman and my fellow officers.
I know that the Association is in good hands with your new President
Ken Putnam and I know that the Association will give him the good
support that has been displayed in the past.
Milt Bauman

*

Northwest Turfgrass Association
OFFICERS

1964
Milt Bauman
Ken Putnam
Dick Haskell
Roy L. Goss

President
Vice Pres.
Treasurer
Exec. Secy.

1965
Ken Putnam
John Zoller
Dick Haskell
Roy L. Goss

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ken Putnam
John Zoller
Dick Haskell
Henry W. Land Sr.
Glen Proctor
Manny Gueho
Harvey Junor
Johnny Harrison
Jack Daniels
Milt Bauman

Seattle Golf and Country Club, Seattle, Wash.
Eugene Country Club, Eugene, Oregon
1000 N.E. 135th St. Seattle, Wash. 98125
Tacoma Country and Golf Club, Tacoma, Wash.
Rainier Golf and C. C., Seattle, Wash.
Vancouver Golf and C. C., New Westminster, B.C.
Portland Country Club, Portland, Oregon
Hayden Lake Golf and C. C., Hayden Lake, Idaho
Greenup Spray Service, Seattle, Wash.
Overlake Golf and C. C., Medina, Wash.

1

TABLE OF C O N T E N T S

Page
Preventing POA Annual Infestations—A. J. Renney
3
The Ecology of POA Annua, Annual Bluegrass—Roy L. Goss
6
Limiting Factors in Selective Annual Bluegrass Control-Norman Goetze 13
Performance of Red Fescues from the Northwest—W. E. P. Davis
15
Turfgrass Varieties for the Interior of B. C.— Alastair McLean
19
Colonial Bentgrass on the West Coast—H. Vaartnou
21
Mowing, an Ecological Factor—J. R. Watson, Jr.
22
Irrigation needs of Sportsgrass Turf—R. H. Turley
26
Trends in Golf Architecture—W. H. B&ngeyfield
33
Effects of Enviroment, Ophiobolus on Composition of Turf—C. J. Gould 35
Amino Acid Nutrition and Turf Fungi—Neil Allan MacLean
40
Minor Element Nutrition of Turfgrass—D. J. Wort
47
Light Responses of Turf grasses—D. P. Ormrod
50
Effect of Herbicides on Turf—E. C. Hughes
51
The 1964 Turfgrass Conference Roundup—Donald A. Hogan
54
Northwest Turfgrass Association Membership
55
Northwest Turfgrass Conference Attendance 1964
59

PREVENTING

POA A N N U A L

INFESTATIONS

A. J. Renney
University of British Columbia
Because of the extreme difficulty of selectively eliminating annual
bluegrass from other turf grasses and because it so readily reinvades even
when controlled it would seem to be extremely important for us to
prevent this weedy grass from becoming established if this is at all
possible. New approaches and new chemicals for control will aid a great
deal, but we will always have to be on guard against reinfestations. An
understanding of the nature of this weed and the ecological factors
associated with its growth is necessary both for the development of
useful preventative procedures and before control measures can be used
with maximum effectiveness. When reviewing our knowledge of Poa
annua we are immediately aware of the fact that more questions than
answers occur, but even bringing to light some of the things we don't
know may serve a useful purpose at this time.
Initially then, let us say that we don't know for sure that Poa annua
is an annual. Whenever greenhouse or coldframe investigations are set
up using isolated plants not under mowing conditions comparable to
those in established turf, our work at the University and that done at
Saanichton supports the description of Poa annua as an annual. However,
at the Agassiz Research Station perennial plants appear to occur in
field turf plots and one authority in the mid western United States has
observed that the weed acts as a perennial there. Associated with this
concept of perennial habit is the observation made in several countries
that stoloniferous growth accompanied by rooting at the nodes occurs,
particularly in moist, fertile soils. Our studies have shown that 360 seeds
per plant can be produced between May and August, but we have no
records for other parts of the season, and seed production may continue
all year in this climate. Counts made in Wales have shown that seeds
of Poa annua as high as 30,000,000 per acre may exist on the surface layer
of soil. The seeds are highly viable and do not exhibit the same dormancy
after maturity as do those of Kentucky or Canada bluegrass. Adding
these characteristics of many seeds per plant, little or no dormant period
and high viability to the fact that this is the only known grass which
can continue to produce seed under the low mowing heights which
prevail on a golf green, we realize that we are faced with a formidable
problem. If to this we also add the possibility of vegetative growth and
perennial habit we compound the difficulty.
Like other seeds, Poa annua requires moisture, warmth and oxygen
to germinate. Thus it does not germinate under a compacted soil layer
but rather near or at the surface. In addition it germinates in greatest
numbers when light is available—one reason it invades broken or open
soil so readily. The seed is small, light and inconspicuous and readily
moved on machinery, the soles and other surfaces of shoes, in pant cuffs
in water and probably in between the toes and on the hair of small
animals.
The other outstanding characteristic of Poa annua which may aid
us is its shallow rooting habit. For the plant this is both a strength and
a weakness. Annual bluegrass is able to invade and survive in conditions
which would not support more desirable species. Conversely, in friable,
deeper soils, and competing with well-established grasses of the more
desirable types, Poa annua finds it much harder to colonize the area.
Unfortunately. Poa annua and the bent grasses share very similar
3

ecological requirements and the problem from this weed species is often
quite severe in bent grass turf. The shorter mowing practice suitable for
bent grass turf, for example, is favourable to Poa annua as the suppression
which might come from the shade associated with higher mowing is at
a minimum.
Disease has long been known as a factor in causing Poa annua to
die out of turf areas. This susceptibility to disease is associated with the
moist habitat just above the actual soil surface where mat develops. This
area, which is largely composed of decaying organic material, is very
favourable to the growth of micro-organisms. Poa annua has been observed to root almost entirely in this medium without the roots ever
coming into contact with the actual soil. It may be true, unfortunately,
that the use of fungicides could be prolonging the life of Poa annua.
With some of the aforementioned factors in mind, what then can be
done by way of prevention? I feel these can be briefly summarized under
the following headings:
Preseeding preparation
Seed
Management.
There is no need for me to detail the preparation of a seedbed, but
it should be emphasized that good preparation is doubly important where
a problem with annual bluegrass is anticipated. Soil preparation and
seeding practices resulting in uniform and complete coverage by the
desired grass go a long way to reduce the establishment of Poa annua.
As an important part of the preparation process, soil treatment with
calcium cyanamid or one of the liquid fumigants is required to reduce
the possiblity of infestation from soil borne seed or plants. Similarly
soil used for top dressing after establishment of the turf should receive
the same sterilizing treatment before being applied. Following in stitu
treatment of soil or the application of treated top dressing material
disturbance of the soil should be kept to the absolute minimum so that
seeds from untreated soil zones are not brought to the surface to
germinate.
Are we seeding Poa annua innocently in the seed we buy? If all
the seed we are allowed as "other crop seeds" in a grass sample was
Poa annua maximum tolerances would permit the following under the
Seeds Act of Canada.
Table 9 (Fescues, ryegrasses etc.)
Grade
Poa annua tolerance
Can. Reg. No. 1
5 seeds per oz.
" Cert. No. 1
2% by weight
No. 1
2% "
No. 3
<5% "
Table 10 (Bents and red top and blue grasses.)
Here Poa annua is listed as a crop species.
Can. Reg. No. 1
1% by weight
No. 1
3% "
No 3
'<5% "
Table 12 (Lawn and turf grass mixtures.)
Can. No. 1 Mixture 3% singly or 5% combined* by wt.
" No. 2
" 5% " " 10%
It must be emphasized that the attainment of these figures is highly
improbable inasmuch as it is extremely unlikely that all of the "other
4

crop seeds" would be Poa armua. In Penncross bent 15 other weed species
are usually represented and in Kentucky bluegrass 90 other weeds occur
and 21 other crop seeds. Poa armua is classified under the "other crop
seed" category in the Seeds Act of Canada.
The Vancouver laboratory of the Plant Products Division, Canada
Department of Agriculture, has furnished me with a considerable amount
of information regarding the occurrence of Poa annua in grass seed. The
1963-64 crop has been broken down in detail to indicate the situation
in a typical year. No seed of Poa annua was found in any of the following
9 grass types: Red top (64 samples), Highland bent (96 samples), Penncross bent (17 samples), Seaside bent (2 samples), Brown top bent (4
samples), Colonial bent (10 samples), Astoria bent (2 samples), Creeping red fescue (721 samples) and Chewings fescue (105 samples). However Poa annua did occur as a contaminant in seed of Perennial ryegrass
(11 of 24 samples), Kentucky blue (7 of 25 samples), Merion blue (2 of
7 samples), Annual ryegrass (4 of 13 samples) and lawn grass mixtures
(1 of 5 samples) in the 1963 crop. Over the period 1960-64. 138 samples
of Kentucky bluegrass were analyzed of which 22 contained Poa annua
and, in the same period, 148 samples of Merion blue were analyzed of
which only 3 contained the weed seed. Thus it appears that annual bluegrass can be a contaminant of the ryegrasses, bluegrasses and lawn
mixtures but does not appear to be a problem in red top, bents and the
fescues. Size of seed would naturally have considerable bearing on these
facts and Poa annua does appear in those samples which are similar
to it in seed size and weight.
What about prevention in established swards? It would appear that
this is one of those cases where we know what should be done but the
difficulties associated with trying to do it are almost insurmountable.
We should keep bare areas to a minimum. No matter how little Poa
annua seems to be growing on the fairways and in the rough we can
always count on a seed source being close by.
We should keep traffic to a minimum, particularly in damp weather.
Both compaction which favours seed germination and dissemination of
the seed are encouraged by traffic. Alternate routes, larger areas,
restriction of traffic—these come to mind as aids but are easier to suggest
than effect.
Remove clippings. This is particularly important in areas where new
infestations of Poa annua are developing so that spread can be restricted.
However, we have noted that seed is set also below the level of the mower
blade. Brushing the greens when the annual bluegrass is flowering has
apparently aided in preventing seed set, particularly when this is accompanied by a thorough removal of clippings.
Keep thatch to a minimum. Removing clippings will, of course, aid
here.
Aeration to encourage the growth of the desired species will also
help it to compete against Poa annua.
Scarification when practical may be used to remove the relatively
high-crowned, shallow-rooted Poa annua before it can shed much seed.
Similarly a complete chemical renovation using Paraquat or similar
chemical mowers followed by reseeding may be the only practical method
of preventing spread.
The above suggestions, when used with the chemical control procedures which will be suggested by the next two speakers, should help in
keeping infestations of Poa annua to a minimum.
5

THE ECOLOGY OF POA A N N U A , A N N U A L BLUEGRASS 1

By Roy L. Goss2
In 1886, Haeckel, a zoologist, defined ecology as the study of the
reciprocal relations between organisms and their environment. Ecology,
however, is usually subdivided into animal ecology and plant ecology.
Plant ecology, according to ecologists, may be subdivided into
Autecology, a study of the interrelations between the individual and its
environment, and Synecology, a study of the structure, development, and
causes of distribution of plant communities.
Since environment is so important in the definition of ecology, we
must consider this term more carefully. Environment can be broadly
divided into three major divisions, namely: (1) climatic, (2) soil, and
(3) biotic, such as symbiosis and parasitism.
This paper shall be concerned specifically with some ecologic factors
affecting the development of Poa annua (hereafter referred to as annual
bluegrass) and likewise how these factors can be utilized in developing
control measures for this plant. If we consider the three major factors
above (climatic, soil, and biotic) as being the most important components
of environment, let us examine them separately and assess their importance on annual bluegrass development and control.
CLIMATIC FACTORS AFFECTING POA ANNUA DEVELOPMENT:
A. TEMPERATURE—Annual bluegrass, as the name implies, is not
a true annual. Under certain environmental conditions it behaves as a
winter annual and otherwise as a perennial plant. A true winter annual
is one that germinates in the fall, makes some development when conditions are favorable in the winter, then makes rapid early growth to
physiological maturity in the early spring.
If conditions remain optimum for continued growth, annual bluegrass may continue living from year to year in a perennial condition.
Temperature is one of the most important factors permitting the perennial habit. In the southwest, south, and midwest, high summer temperatures usually eliminate annual bluegrass plants. For this reason, turfgrass areas with a high percentage composition of this weed result in
dead areas and sparse stands in mid season. However, seasons are known
where summer temperatures in the above areas remainded low enough
for annual bluegrass to continue growth. Except under unusual condition, summer temperatures never become a limiting factor for perennial
growth of annual bluegrass in the Pacific Northwest.
Winter temperatures seem to play a less important role in annual
bluegrass development than the summer conditions. Even so, fall germinated seedlings can fall victim to frozen, dessicated conditions in the
midwest. Due to an abundance of seed, however, spring germination can
rectify this problem.
Mild winter conditions west of the Cascade Mountains can cause
a rapid build-up of annual bluegrass since there is no winter mortality.
17 th Annual Pacific Northwest Turfgrass Conference, Burnaby, B.C.,
September 23, 1964.
3 Assistant Agronomist and Extension Specialist in Agronomy, Western
Washington Experiment Station, Washington State University, Puyallup,
Washington.
1

6

In fact, some seed formation can be noted any month of the year in
this area.
B. MOISTURE—This factor is primary to growth and development
of annual bluegrass. Droughty sites virtually eliminate this species. Due
to a very shallow rooting habit, annual bluegrass must have a more or
less constant supply of moisture in the uppermost soil layer. For this
reason, it finds a Utopian condition in the Pacific Northwest, and particularly on golf course putting greens and protected north exposures.
Annual bluegrass, however, does not require a soil moisture content
higher than other grasses for its existence.
Unfortunately, the mowing height of grasses for certain uses, such
as putting and bowling greens and professionally maintained lawns
results in decreased root systems of desirable grasses, causing water
requirements to be roughly the same as annual bluegrass.
Constant rain during the winter months on the Pacific Coast insures
near ideal germination and development conditions for annual bluegrass over a long period of time. Likewise, these mild conditions encourage use of sport and recreational areas to the extent that permanent,
desirable grasses may be placed in unfavorable competition.
Excessive moisture in heavy soils and poorly drained soils also create
conditions favorable for Poa annua. If soils contain an excess of fines
(silt and clay), these can be brought to the surface by foot and mechanical
traffic. Shallow rooting of all species usually results, and annual bluegrass is favored. And finally, saturated soils contain little or no oxygen,
hence, surface rooting occurs. Many times, this condition is brought on
by over-irrigation and is inexcusable for the most part.
C. LIGHT—Most plants have a critical minimum light intensity for
photosynthesis and other physiologic functions to occur. It has been
quoted that grass requires about 420 foot candles of light for the conversion of nitrate nitrogen to other forms in the leaves of the plant. Not
only are the physiologic functions of the plant closely regulated by light,
but it also exerts many stimulating effects upon the differentiation of
tissues and organs. It has been said that light is rivaled only by water
in its influence upon the morphology and anatomy of plants.
Light intensity can become a limiting factor in turfgrass management. There is always a greater intensity in dry climates than in humid.
Hence, a great difference between areas east and west of the Cascade
Mountains. Light intensity west of the Cascades becomes critical for
plant growth beginning with the wet fall, winter and early spring
months. Intensities of no more than 200 foot candles have been recorded
in December in problem areas and values of 1000 F.C. are the exception
rather than the rule on cloudy days. Trees, buildings, and topographic
variations also reduce the amount of available light.
Annual bluegrass can survive and produce viable seed under lower
light intensities than any other turfgrass in the northwest. This is in
evidence when we examine the botanical composition of turf under
shade and on the north sides of buildings where light is mostly of the
diffuse type and rarely any direct. Many commercial spray applicators
have discovered to their sorrow that this change occurs in small areas.
Often, annual bluegrass is killed outright by herbicides required to effectively eliminate broad leafed weeds while causing little or no damage
to the desirable turfgrasses. Not only is this weed favored in these areas
due to the light intensity, but a high moisture level is usually a concomitant factor.
SOIL FACTORS AFFECTING POA ANNUA DEVELOPMENT:
A. SOIL TEXTURE—Light soils (sandy) are droughty and heavy soils

(loam, silt loam, etc.) are potentially wet soils. Well drained light soils
can discourage the development of annual bluegrass and other shallow
rooted species since the surface can be kept dry enough to be suboptimum for growth. These conditions will encourage deeper rooting
of the normally deep rooted perennial species.
What may be a light textured soil for one use may become a heavy
one for another. As an example, athletic fields and putting greens would
soon encounter problems with a sandy loam soil, whereas this is perhaps
the most desirable soil for the average home lawn, cemetery, or golf
course fairway.
Sandy loam soils can contain 25% or more of combined silt and clay.
Silt and clay particles contribute greatly to the water holding capacity of
a soil and the higher the percentage in any given zone, the wetter the
soil becomes. When excessive foot and machine traffic is induced on
these heavier soils, the fines (silt, clay, organic matter, and even fine
sand) may migrate to the surface layer causing a sealing condition and
resulting in wet and soft conditions during rainy periods and after
irrigation, and compacted slowly permeable conditions otherwise.
For these reasons, annual bluegrass is favored under most maintenance programs especially during the wetter months west of the
Cascades. The other extreme of a soil becoming too light can also occur
and must be avoided whenever possible. Sands can be modified in
their nutrient and water holding capacities by the addition of organic
matter; but we must remember that organic matter can hold up to nine
times its weight of water, which is more than silt and clay.
B. STRUCTURE—The arrangement of soil particles denotes the
structure of a soil. Since compaction, puddling, and other manipulations
of soil can break or alter the structure, it becomes less of a factor in
most turfgrass soils. In fact, sand is said to be single grained or has
no structure. Hence, we are little concerned, in the surface of the soil
especially.
Compaction on most recreational and athletic areas usually does
not occur deeper than 2-3 inches. Soils, then, should retain some
structural characteristics of aggregation below this depth. The pitfalls of
loss of structure and migration of fines as they affect annual bluegrass
have been pointed out in the section under texture.
BIOTIC FACTORS AFFECTING POA ANNUA DEVELOPMENT:
Under this section, a multitude of factors could be introduced that
would affect the development of annual bluegrass; however, we shall
consider those most commonly encountered in management practices in
the northwest. Unfortunately, most of these factors are caused by man
and a few by other causes, as follows:
A. ADAPTED GRASS VARIETIES—If the turfgrass manager does
not plant the best adapted varieties for his locality, it is probable that
reduced vigor will result in annual bluegrass invasion. As an example,
Kentucky bluegrass planted west of the Cascade Mountains is replaced
by annual bluegrass and bentgrass, usually, within 2 or 3 years. Also
the Kentucky type bluegrasses are subject to rust and diseases, resulting
in invasion. The fact that perennial bluegrasses go into a winter dormancy, allows annual bluegrass and the bents to dominate.
Athletic (football) fields are particularly subject to annual bluegrass
domination. Here again, the right species or variety for the area will help
prevent this. For a good football turf, we must have a tough, durable,
deep rooted, and a quick recovering grass to withstand this use (or
abuse), particularly during the dormant season.
8

B. MOWING—This is perhaps one of the most contributing factors
of Poa annua domination. The frequency of mowing has little effect on
reseeding by the plants as reported by Dr. Youngner in California. This
is due to the low to prostrate growth habit, allowing ample seed to be
produced near the ground surface.
The mowing height is more closely related to annual bluegrass
domination, however. There is an optimum height at which most plants
make their best growth in both shoots and roots. Any decrease in mowing height will favor annual bluegrass. This is particularly evident in
closely mowed putting greens but is not nearly so bad in lawns which
are mowed at V2 inch or higher, where the desirable grasses are bent
and/or fescue. This becomes increasingly important with ryegrass and
tall fescue on athletic fields.
C. AERIFICATION, VERTICUTTING, AND LIGHT RENOVATION—
Any mechanical injury that does not heal rapidly leaves invasion routes
for annual bluegrass. This is especially true in areas where grasses are
dormant during the winter months. Dr. Youngner has previously reported
this in California. In fact, the recommended method of overseeding thin
turfgrass areas in the northwest is to aerify, verticut, or lightly renovate
the area, then broadcast a desirable grass seed to strengthen the stand.
As is the case with Poa annua, ample seed is always available for
colonizing bare or thin areas.
D. EFFECT OF DISEASES—Fusarium patch, red thread, fairy ring,
snow mold, and now ophiobolus patch inflict considerable damage to
managed turfgrasses annually. Again, due to the abundance of annual
bluegrass seed ready to fill in these bare areas, it can completely dominate if the diseases are not controlled. Experiments are currently underway to determine the disease effect more specifically.
Fusarium patch, which is particularly severe in areas west of the
Cascades, is most active during the favorable germination period of
annual bluegrass. Likewise, a favorable period for the germination of
this weed occurs in areas east of the Cascades following severe activity
of snow mold. This does not imply that Poa annua is resistant to these
two diseases for such is not true. In fact, it is equally as susceptible
as any of the bentgrasses, but due to its prolificacy, it can replace other
grasses, as well as itself.
E. THE EFFECT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES—Turfgrass areas killed
or severely injured by toxic substances are open to invasion by annual
bluegrass. Some of these substances are fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides,
and insecticides. If the loss of turf is due to a fertilizer burn, the reinvading species should find fertile growth conditions, especially in the
case of nitrogen.
Another instance of a toxic substance may possibly occur as a toxin
produced by Poa annua itself. It is possible that such a substance could
exist and eliminate or reduce other species from becoming established.
This phenomenon is referred to ecologically as aulibiosis, and is known to
occur in numerous ways. If such a toxin is produced by annual bluegrass, then a positive control would be of increasing importance.
PRE- EMERGENCE CONTROL, A CHEMICAL PROGRAM AFFECTING
POA ANNUA DEVELOPMENT
Attempts to control annual bluegrass with pre-emergence chemicals
has been in progress for many years. Perhaps this approach in the control
of this weed is an off-shoot of pre-emergence crab grass control. Dr.
Daniel of Purdue reported good success in the control of annual bluegrass with arsenic materials, but found that under certain environmental
stresses that desirable turf was severely injured or killed as well. Goss
9

has found that lead arsenate applications resulted in greater toxicity to
bentgrass seedlings than to annual bluegrass. Furthermore, the effects
of arsenic are more or less permanent in the soil and applications of this
material as a regular practice should be discouraged or prevented.
Armed with many of the foregoing facts, a research program has
been in progress at the Western Washington Experiment Station at
Puyallup, Washington, for the last four years in an effort to select
chemicals known to have pre-emergence control properties. These materials were applied to plots in a plastic air supported green house that
were planted to both bentgrass and annual bluegrass at intervals up to
9 weeks in duration. All experiments were terminated by 16 weeks at
the latest. The following table illustrates the effectiveness of these
materials in their control of annual bluegrass.
The important factor to note is that in experiment No. 5, only
Dacthal, Zytron, Trifluralin, Betasan, and Enide were used. The other
materials were previously eliminated because of phytotoxicity to established turf or ineffectiveness of control.
Since these data were recorded, additional trials have shown that
Azak and one or two experimental materials are likewise showing considerable promise for pre-emergence control.
The effect of pre-emergence herbicides on the control of annual bluegrass seedlings planted 1 day, 3, 6 and 9 weeks after treatment and rated
3 weeks after planting.
Observed Annual Bluegrass Control
Rate Lbs.
(l=mone, 10=Complete) *
Treatment A.I./A. Exp. 1
Exp. 2
Exp. 3 Exp. 4 Exp. 5
Check
h
1.0
1.0
1.0 c 1.0 c 1.0 1
g
—
f 3.8
2
Dacthal
3.5
g
"
—
5
8.3
c
7.8
e
y>
9.5ab
10
9.0 b
8.3ab 9.3ab 8.5a
15
8.8 be
9.3ab
7.5 b 9.0ab 8.5a
ft>»
20
8.3ab
—
8.8 be
Zytron
10
9.5ab
9.0 b
8.8 be
15
8.3ab 8.5 b 9.3a
Dipropalin
5.8 d
8.3 cd
(2% gran.) 4
7.5 b
Dipropalin
6
(E.C.)
8.3ab 9.0ab
Trifluralin
2
8.3 b 9.0a
4
7.8 b
15
Betasan
9.3a
—
4
Enide
9.3a
Casoron
2
8.0 b
4
10.0a
10.0a
9.3a
.
6
Fenac
8.3 c
10.0a
7.8 b 10.0a
4
3.8
f 6.3
Neburon
f
Vegadex
4.8 ie
6
4.8
1.0 c
g
TBA
3
1.0
h
g 1.0
3
1.0
Velsicol B
h
g 1.0
Dicryl
6
—
—
1.5 c
* Within any one column, means followed by the same letter do not differ
at P = 0.05.
The effect of these materials is predominantly one of root toxicity,
especially to embryonic or primary roots. If no root system can extend
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

10

—

—

beyond the toxic soil layer, the plant may not die readily, but will
certainly remain stunted and susceptible to death from environmental
extremes.
Any good pre-emergence control program must consider these important steps:
1. How long is the material toxic? Most are good for 9-14 weeks,
however, Betasan has shown residual effect for 1 year.
2. When must the material be applied? Certainly, we must encompass the germination period of annual bluegrass. August 15 applications will cover the late summer and fall germinating plants,
and February 15 will cover the spring period. If the material has
a residual life of 12 weeks, then applications at both of these
periods would be in order. The ones with longer residual effect
may be used once yearly.
3. When is it safe to overseed? Only when you are sure the toxicity
has gone. If the chemical is applied in February, no planting
should be done before about June 1.
4. It is obvious that a good disease control program must be exercised
if pre-emergence chemical control is practiced. Overseeding due
to turf loss from diseases should be timed for the period of no
chemical toxicity.
5. These materials appear to be safe in preliminary trials in establishing turf from stolons. This is apparently due to morphologically different roots as compared to seedling or embryonic roots.
SUMMARY:
There is no panacea nor sure-fire means of controlling Poa annua,
but a knowledge of some of the factors such as climate, soil, and the
biotic factor, including man, will aid materially in controlling this weed
and promote better quality turf.
Chemical control, here, as in other crops and other pests, appears to
be our best approach today, but the use must be tempered with sound
research, a good working knowledge, and a practical approach at all times.
FERTILITY

EFFECTS O N DISEASE

DEVELOPMENT

A great amount of work has been done over the past several years
with the turfgrass diseases. A considerable amount of knowledge has
been gained on the effect of fertilizers and other factors on disease
development.
In recent years work has been conducted through the Western Washington Experiment Station at Puyallup and papers have been published
regarding the control of Fusarium Patch caused by the fungus Fusarium
nivale (1). One of the studies incorporated into this experiment on the
control of Fusarium Patch was the effect of Fertilizers both intensity
and ratio upon the development of this disease. The results of these
studies indicated that the level of nitrogen applications as well as the
source of nitrogen could greatly influence the amount of disease development. In all cases the higher levels of nitrogen caused much more
Fusarium development
In these experiments it was also observed that when nitrogen was
obtained from urea that more disease developed than when other sources
of nitrogen were used. Likewise some of the organic source nitrogenous
materials increased the amount of Fusarium development during the
early fall.
11

THE EFFECT OF FERTILITY ON OPHIOBOLUS PATCH
(Ophiobolus graminis)
The fungus Ophiobolus graminis causing the disease Ophiobolus
Patch was first identified in Washington in November, 1960 (2). Even
though the disease was previously reported in England, it has not been
a serious problem elsewhere in the United States according to literature.
In fertilizer plots at the Western Washington Experiment Station, a
variable intensity of Ophiobolus development was observed within the
different fertilizer treatments. A closer watch was kept thereafter on the
diseased area to determine what possible effects nitrogen, phosphorus,
and potassium could have upon the development of this disease.
EFFECTS OF FERTILITY ON OPHIOBOLUS PATCH DEVELOPMENT
Disease Rating
Plot No. and Fertilizer Treatment January '62
September '62
4
7
1. 20-0-0
2. 20-4-0
5
6
3. 20-4-4
6
6
4. 20-4-8
4
6
5. 0-0-0
0
1
6. 20-0-4
4
5
7. 20-0-8
5
5
8. 12-0-0
2
3
9. 12-0-4
2
2
10. 12-0-8
3
2
11. 12-4-0
2
2
12. 12-4-4
2
1
13. 12-4-8
3
0
14. 6-0-0
1
3
15. 6-0-4
0
0
16. 6-0-8
0
0
17. 6-4-0
1
0
18. 6-4-4
0
1
19. 6-4-8
2
2
Disease rated is Ophiobolus patch caused by Ophiobolus
graminis.
Ratings are from 1-10. A rating of 10 is severe, more than 40% of the
plot being infected.
From the table above it is obvious that the amount of nitrogen applied
is the important factor in this case. Perhaps the source of nitrogen is just
as important; however, source experiments have not been conducted at
this time. The source of nitrogen in these experiments is from urea
alone. Urea is being used since all fertilizer applications on these plots
with the exception of phosphorus go on as spray treatments.
As the rate of nitrogen application decreases so does the amount of
infected or diseased area. When this disease first appeared it was even
more pronounced on the higher fertilized plots. However, as time progresses the disease seems to become more generally widespread.
FERTILITY EFFECTS ON RED THREAD (Corticimum fuciforme)
DEVELOPMENT
In trials conducted at Puyallup for two years, it has been shown
that higher rates of nitrogen serve as good control measures for red
thread during the growing season. Since this disease causes a leaf tip
burning or browning effect, subsequent growth and removal of infected
parts by clipping produces a desirable appearance. Nitrogen will produce
1

1

12

this growth effect as long as other elements are present in sufficient
amounts.
•This does not imply that no fungicidal or other controls are necessary,
since the disease can become serious at times in the fall even on weli
fertilized turf. However, a good fertilization program is important
throughout the growing season.
Conclusions
There are no definite conclusions upon these studies at this time.
An experiment is being set up currently to study Ophiobolus Patch in
more detail. However, from two years of observation we can generally
conclude that the higher the amount of nitrogen the greater the infection
from Ophiobolus Patch will be particularly in the early stages of development. At this time there seems to be little interaction between phosphorus
and potassium with nitrogen on the incidence of this disease, however,
these factors will be investigated more thoroughly in the future.
One interesting observation during the summer of 1962 has been
the occurrence of white mold in certain plots throughout the fertilizer
experiment. This white mold is believed to be caused by a Basidiomycete.
Some problems of a rather serious nature are occurring along with this
disease. These areas seem to be puffing more and are being scalped by
the mower. Recovery is generally quite slow. The treatments affected
worse in this case are number 10, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 18. It may be concluded
here again that nutrition may be a factor in the development of this
particular problem.
1. Fungicidal Tests For The Control Of Fusarium Patch Disease Of Turf
by Gould, C. J., Goss, R.L., and Miller, V. L. Plant Disease Reporter
45:2, February, 1962.
2. Gould, C. J., Goss, R. L., and Eglitis, Maksis. Ophiobolus Patch Disease
of Turf in Western Washington. Plant Disease Reporter 45:4 April, 1961.
L I M I T I N G FACTORS IN SELECTIVE A N N U A L
CONTROL

BLUEGRASS

By Norman Goetze
Extension Farm Crops Specialist
Presented at Northwest Turfgrass Conference
Development of a desirable method for the selective control of annual bluegrass in desirable turf species is dependent upon using one
or more of the principles of selective toxicity. Selective toxicity is
defined as the practice of injuring one species of living matter without
harming another species with which the first is in intimate contact. In
the case of controlling annual bluegrass in turf, we would like to completely remove annual bluegrass without damage to the desirable turf
species or any of the users of the turfgrass.
Selective toxicity can be influenced by morphological differences between bluegrass and the other turfgrasses on the basis of differences in
root growth, locations of growing points or depth of rooting. Physiological
differences may be related to the presence or absence of the specific
enzymes or by the presence of detoxifying agents in the resistant species.
Periodicity of growth, especially in the case of annual bluegrass being
an annual or a short lived perennial, allows the use of materials which
are especially effective on emerging seedlings.
The perfect annual bluegrass herbicide should be completely selective
with absolutely no damage to other species. It should be long in residual
activity and it should be equally active on all types of soil and climatic
conditions found under turf conditions. Obviously, the perfect herbicide
13

will never be found, but there has been some recent research results
which may be of interest.
Much of the early annual bluegrass control results were obtained
from research where soil active herbicides were sprayed on the bare
surface and artificial populations of annual bluegrass were seeded prior
to or immediately after application of the herbicides. There are dozens
of chemicals which will control annual bluegrass under these conditions,
but the results are not very typical of turf conditions. Very little turf is
produced on bare soil with all annual bluegrass seed emerging over a
short period of time.
Some very promising annual bluegrass control methods have been
developed in turfgrass seed fields. Most of these effective materials, such
as the carbamates, substituted ureas, and triazines, do not cause any
permanent damage to a stand of turf seed crops. They are applied at
a season when top growth is not very active and minor damage is not
objectionable in seed production. Much basic work on the ecological
factors of soil type, rainfall distribution, exposure to high light intensity
and soil inactivation by either ashes or organic matter, have been
worked out.
The early annual bluegrass control work under turf conditions showed
that metallic arsenicals had greatest promise. These materials, when
left on the surface of the soil, prevented the development of young
seedlings of annual bluegrass. Lead arsenate was found to be more
selective, but required heavier application rates than did calcium arsenate.
Much damage has been experienced, especially to creeping bentgrass,
from calcium arsenate. The substituted ureas, mainly diuron and neburon,
have shown limited promise under turf conditions, but their selectivity
is greatly influenced by soil type and temperatures. Much lower rates
of application on sandier soils and in higher temperature areas could
be tolerated.
Richard Schwabauer completed studies in 1963 at Oregon State
University on the interaction of soil mixtures and soil covers on the
length of residual activity of several promising annual bluegrass herbicides. He found betasan to be least influenced by either soil type or soil
cover and to have the best residual activity. Dacthal activity was influenced slightly by soil type and did not give as long residual activity.
Four other materials gave excellent annual bluegrass control, but were
either damaging to desirable turfgrass or were removed from development by the organizations developing them.
In field trials during the 1963 season, Tom Neidlinger found diuron
and betasan to give the best selective control of annual bluegrass in
Kentucky bluegrass seed fields. Some damage to bluegrasses was incurred when surface water was impounded for a long period of time.
Reasons for this damage have not been determined and additional plots
are being established this season to investigate this problem. Diuron
cannot safely be used on turfgrasses for reasons mentioned earlier. Dacthal
caused slightly more damage than betasan and did not give as good
selective control as betasan. Trifluralin gave excellent control of annual
bluegrass but caused far too much damage to common Kentucky bluegrasses.
In summary then, betasan is showing the best promise for control
of annual bluegrass in turf conditions, at least on its length of residual
activity and equal effectiveness under all soil conditions.
Shorter residual life soil chemicals could be used if more were known
about when annual bluegrass germinates. Present studies are pointing
that annual bluegrass can germinate under almost all turf conditions in
the northern Pacific region. In some laboratory trials, annual bluegrass
14

has been successfully germinated at 34°F, but of course the rate of
germination is much lower. If the seeds can be kept adequately moist,
it can also be germinated at temperatures as high as 90°F. When annual
bluegrass actually germinates in the field has not been carefully determined under actual growing conditions. Some preliminary studies of this
nature are now in progress.
Additional work that is needed on annual bluegrass includes a comprehensive collection of strains of annual bluegrass. Preliminary evidence
indicates that there are many different ecotypes of this species and that
some of them would react quite differently when moved out of their
natural habitat. Similar differences in reaction to selective herbicides
might be predicted.
P E R F O R M A N C E OF RED FESCUES FROM THE

NORTHWEST

W. E. P. Davis
Experimental Farm, Canada Agriculture, Agassiz, B.C.
The bulk of the creeping red fescue seed produced in Canada is
grown in the Peace River region in the provinces of British Columbia
and Alberta. It is generally considered that this seed originated from
the variety "Olds", well-known for its winter hardiness.
In turf trials at Agassiz, B.C. over a period of twelve years, Olds has
shown considerable susceptibility to disease, in particular Red Thread,
Corticium fusiforme (Berk.) Wakef. However, in seeding made in 1962
and 1963 this susceptibility appeared to be greatly reduced and the overall vigour of the turf improved.
This change in the characteristics of turf from northern seed could
be due to many things; to a general improvement in the seed being
sown; to differences in seed lots produced in different parts of the Peace
River region (ecotypes); or to seasonal conditions favourable to the
production of seed from only one plant type within the seed fields in
any one year. With these possibilities in mind, a study was undertaken
at Agassiz, B. C. in 1963 with northern grown red fescue seed obtained
(1) from seven commercial growers in the Peace River region.
Materials and Methods
The test area was roto-tilled out of a turf killed with 3 pounds per
100 sq. ft. of methyl bromide applied under plastic. The area was treated
with 4.5 pounds of 2.5 percent Aldrin dust worked into the soil. Twentyfive pounds of a complete fertilizer (13-16-10) was applied and rototilled throughout the soil. The pH of the soil was approximately 6.2.
The test was planted broadcast on September 3, 1963 at a rate of
4 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. The unreplicated plots were 10' x 10' comprising
a total area of 20' x 60'. Twelve red fescues in all were seeded: 7 northern
grown seed lots and 5 varieties. These were as follows, northern grown:
Sexsmith I, Alta, Dawson Creek. B.C.; Sexsmith II, Alta., Valhala, Alta.;
Ryecroft, Alta.; Rose Prairie, B.C.; Farmington, B.C. And varieties of red
fescue: Reptans (Sweden), Polar (Sweden), Pennlawn, Duraturf, and
Illahee. The latter three varieties were certified No. 1 seed.
Yields of dry matter were obtained by weekly mowings of one
swath per plot, with the same area being mown each week. The size of
the swath was 1.8' x 10', and the mower was set at a height of 1 4". The
amount of nitrogen removed in the clippings was determined by drying
the grass at 100°C, grinding, and analyzing for nitrogen using the Kjeldahl
method. Other agronomic data were obtained by means of either visual
(1) Seed was obtained through the courtesy of Mr. D. W. Thompson, of
the Brackman-Ker Milling Co. Ltd., New Westminster, British
Columbia.
1

15

/

estimates or measurements.
Fertilizer was applied with a Gandy spreader calibrated to spread
at rates considered adequate in this area for good growth and healthy
grass. Dates of application and amounts per 1000 sq. ft. are given in
Table 1.
To permit evaluation of disease infestation, particularly Red Thread,
no fungicide was applied to the test area.
Irrigation was not required due to the frequent rains over the
mowing season.
Table 1. Rates and Dates of Fertilizer * Applications to Turf at Agassiz,
B.C. 1964.
Pounds per 1000 sq. ft.
N
po
Dates
2

5

K2O

1.6
2.6
2
March 19
.0
.0
1
April 15
1.0
.0
1
April 30
.0
.0
1
May 15
1.0
.0
1
June 1
.0
.0
1
June 20
1.0
.0
1
July 6
.0
.0
1
July 28
4.6
2.6
9
Total
*A11 fertilizer was inorganic.
Discussion and Conclusions
The agronomic data presented in Table 2, while not replicated indicates to a marked degree the similarity between the fescues from the
seven northern sources. The seedling vigour data obtained from assessments made 17 days after seeding and in 4 months' time displays not
only this similarity but also the greater vigour of the 7 northern fescues
in comparison to that of the 5 fescue varieties. These findings are substantiated by the height measurements taken in January, 1964. It should
be stated that the two swedish varieties have not been tested previously
at Agassiz, B.C. Thus, it is not known whether this is the normal vigour
of these varieties or the exception. In the case of Pennlawn, previous
trials displayed its vigour to be much greater than that of either Illahee
or Duraturf.
The weed ratings taken this fall reflect to a degree the bearing that
vigour has on resistance to weed invasion. The exception to this was
Pennlawn with the lowest weed invasion of the test.
Sward density determined by removing plugs and counting tillers
correlated very closely with density assessments made from the "feel"
of the turf. Pennlawn had the densest turf, which might indicate a
relationship between density and resistance to weed invasion. However,
Polar also had a dense turf which, in view of its low resistance to weed
invasion, does not bear out the previous statement. This latter variety
had much finer tillers than the other fescues in the test and its growth,
as is indicated by the dry matter data in Table 2, was slower. Which
probably indicates that density and rapidity of growth or vigour are
major factors relating to the weed resistance of a fescue variety. Regarding the 7 northern fescues, a marked similarity between them is
indicated by the density data. This similarity extends to Duraturf, a
selection out of the variety Olds.
16

The data for total dry matter and nitrogen in Table 2, again indicates
the lack of a real difference among these northern fescues. The high dry
matter production obtained from Pennlawn and Illahee represents the
more normal vigour of these varieties than did the vigour ratings
previously discussed.
Table 2. Growth and seasonal data for c.r.f. turf at Agassiz, B.C. 1963
and 1964.
Yield
Fescue
Vigour
Height Weeds Density ( A p r 8 - A u g l l )
sources or 9-20-64 1-10-64 1-10-64 9-17-64 8-12-64 DryM. N.
varieties
(0-9) (0-9) (inches) (0-9) Tillers Lbs./lOOO sq. ft.
I.
73
108
4.0
3.6
3.0
9
Sexsmith, Alta. 8
Dawson Creek
73
108
4.0
2.75
6.0
8
6
B.C.
11.
105
72
4.0
6.0
2.50
8
Sexsmith, Alta. 5
103
5.0
78
4.0
2.25
8
Valhalla, Alta. 6
73
107
4.1
2.75
5.0
8
Ryecroft, Alta 6
Ross Prairie,
4.0
68
4.7
106
9
2.25
7
B.C.
6.0
73
106
2.75
3.9
6
Farmington, B.C. 7
60
106
2.37
8.0
4.0
6
Sweden Reptans 3
121
93
1.25
7.0
3.6
4
Sweden Polar 2
2
134
112
4.3
2
1.50
6
Pennlawn
75
5
103
3.8
2.0
Duraturf
5
8
3
81
112
4
5
1.50
4.3
Illahee
0-low, 9-high
Tillers per 2" x 2" plug, average of 12 plugs.
The disease, Red Thread, failed to establish itself in these plots even
though the disease was present on turf in close proximity to the test
area. Thus, no data could be collected on the response of the northern
fescues to disease, which was one of the main reasons for establishing the
test.
The color of the plots varied little over the mowing season and differences between the 12 fescues were so slight that it was of no great
significance. However, looking at the data in Table 3, it can be seen
that the amount of nitrogen removed in the clipping was never equal to
the nitrogen applied at any one fertilizing interval. This, at a first
glance would indicate that the rate of nitrogen applied was in excess of
the requirements of the plants. But, at no time during the mowing season
did the turf reach the desirable full, dark green color indicative of high
nitrogen fertility. Furthermore, the weekly mowing data for dry matter
(not presented) indicated a fall off in yield of dry matter and in most
instances a decline in the percentage of nitrogen in the clippings. This
would suggest that nitrogen was not in excess but was being leached
by rain or for some reason not available to the turf.
'This somewhat preliminary work with the northern red fescues,
while showing the uniformity of seed from the 7 sources, does not prove
or disprove the possibility of a seasonal influence on the type of seed
produced in this or other regions in any one year. Furthermore, to study
this factor more fully, seed from a given source should be obtained yearly
and tested over a period of five or more years in row plantings as well
as under a mowing regime. This, to determine the genotypic response of
the variety to enviroment.
2

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TURFGRASS VARIETIES FOR THE INTERIOR OF
BRITISH C O L U M B I A

Alasiair McLean
Canada Agriculture Research Station, Kamloops, B.C.
Presented at the Northwest Turf Conference, Vancouver, Sept. 23-25, 1964.
My sincere thanks go to golf pros Rod Palmer, Dave Crane and Bill
Carse of Karnloops, Kelowna and Penticton respectively, for their cooperation in testing some of the bentgrass varieties and for passing on
the benefit of their observations over the past few years.
Golf Greens
At the Experimental Farm, Kamloops, eighteen bent grass varieties
were tested for fine turf from 1958 to 1962, inclusive. The outstanding
varieties were: Congressional, Penncross, Colonial, Cohansey, Waukanda,
(others were Highland, Seaside, Toronto, Metropolitan, Velvet, S-5037
(from Saskatoon), Northland, Arlington, Islington, Astoria, Collins,
Washington and Old Orchard. There is no longer any turf research going
on in the Interior to my knowledge.
The biggest problem was that of snow mold (Fusarium nivale, and
Typhula sp.), which nearly put the Kamloops Golf Club out of bent grass
turf in the first few years until a satisfactory control program was worked
out. Cohansey proved very resistant. The most severely damage varieties
were Highland and Astoria. Penncross and Colonial were moderately hard
hit. Good control was obtained with mercurial fungicides at recommended
rates but applied early and late fall and again in the spring as necessary;
whenever the conditions for the growth of the fungi appeared favorable
during the fall and spring. Improved management practices including
postponing fall fertilization until after all growth stopped and raising the
cutting height in the fall also helped. This example demonstrates the
importance of considering the overall management program and the
ecological requirements of the turf in dealing with any specific phase
of that program, such as pest control.
With respect to earliness of growth in the spring, Cohansey, Seaside,
and Highland appeared the earliest, closely followed by Congressional
and Waukanda. Cohansey and Congressional held their color well into
the fall. Most varieties normally had a good dark-green color with the
exception of Cohansey which was medium to light green in contrast.
Cohansey, Congressional, Penncross, and Waukanda all healed
damaged patches in the turf quickly. Colonial, of course, was at a disadvantage in this regard.
Once the snow mold problem was under control the superior varieties
remained relatively weed free.
In summary then, Cohansey was one of the most hardy varieties
forming a dense turf. It was one of the earliest in the spring, a fast
grower, and held good color retention late into the fall. The most serious
disadvantages were its rather undesirable light color and a tendency to
thatch.
Congressional was undoubtedly the best all-round variety; healing
quickly and carrying an excellent color late into the fall, as well as
having good texture. Penncross, which was grown from seed, was fair
in performance but not too uniform, probably as a result of its being
grown from seed. It crept strongly and had a tendency to thatch and be
unsightly on close cutting.
Colonial was one of the best all-round varieties except for the disadvantage of not being able to heal over damaged areas quickly. It kept
19

a fine color late into the fall and had a fine uniform texture. It also does
better than most varieties on non-acid soils.
A word of caution; our soil and climate are so different in the
interior that many practices used at the coast can be very detrimental
there. For example, liming is unnecessary or harmful except under very
unusual circumstances. I have seen lawns killed by liming slimy or
mossy soils; conditions which may be caused by compaction and low
fertility as well as acid soils.
Lawn, Tee and Fairway Grasses
Ten varieties of bluegrass and fescue were tested from 1958 to 1962
inclusive for use on tees, playgrounds, and home lawns. The varieties
were Chewings, Creeping Red, Kentucky, Merion, Newport, Northwest,
Delta, Pennlawn, Ilahee, and Alta.
The bluegrasses form the basis of most mixtures in the interior.
Selections of Merion were outstanding in this regard. Although Merion
was rather coarse in appearance it had an attractive dark green color
with a springy turf. It had a bright straw color in winter and early
spring which is rather objectionable. It appeared to need heavy fertilization in order to retain its good color. It established slowly but filled in
rapidly with very strong vigorous rhizomes, almost to the point of being
weedy.
A Northwest selection from Pullman, Washington established readily,
had a good dark color, forming a finer turf than Merion and Newport,
but not so fine as Kentucky. It had a greyish white color during the winter
and early spring. It appeared to retain its green color longer in the
fall and held up better in the hot weather than most other varieties in
the test.
All the fescues proved satisfactory but tended to go off color during
the hot weather. Some fescue has been desirable in most lawn mixes in
order to improve the appearance and density of the turf.
Red Top has been recommended as a short-lived filler in mixes where
rapid establishment in turfing is desired. We found this practice highly
undesirable, especially on heavier-textured soils. The grass proved to be
long-lived and very aggressive, often choking out all others. It forms a
heavy thatch and was subject to winter injury and die-back, forming
unsightly brown and bare patches during the spring.
Organic Matter Test
Southern interior soils are notoriously low in organic matter generally (as well as nitrogen). A test was established to determine if fir
sawdust, peat moss, and cow manure plus shavings were all satisfactory
as additives. Sawdust was satisfactory provided enough nitrogen was
added (generally every three weeks to a month for the first two or
three years). The plots of cow manure plus shavings, required less
nitrogen but contained more weeds to the point of requiring herbicidal
treatment. The weed problem would vary depending on the source of the
manure. Peat moss was the most expensive but required less nitrogen
and remained relatively weed free. At the end of three years, however,
no difference could be seen among any of the plots.

20

C O L O N I A L BENTGRASS O N THE WEST

COAST

By H. Vaarinou
University of British Columbia
Colonial bentgrass, as a turf species, is one of the lawn grasses best
suited to our West Coast climate. Normally, if Colonial bentgrass has
been used in a mixture of lawn seed, it forces out of the lawn in a few
years the other grasses, such as fescues and Kentucky bluegrass. It
becomes the dominant species if the lawn receives the maintenance required by Colonial 'bentgrass.
At the present time, Colonial bentgrass seed, which is marketed
under different trade names depending on the locality harvested, is more
or less a mixture of different genotypes. Because of this, it is not
unusual to be able to select out of one pound of seed twenty-five or more
different genotypes which show a variety of growth habits and form
different types of turf.
If you compare the four different genotypes of Colonial bentgrass
on display here, you will see that each one produces a different type of
turf. It is time we start to think of varieties of Colonial bentgrass which
are selected for a specific type of turf, such as for golf greens, bowling
greens, playing fields, home lawns and park lands. I believe that there
is enough genotypic variation within Colonial bentgrass to satisfy all
of these requirements on the West Coast.
Now to consider the question of fertility. How often do we ask ourselves "Why do we fertilize?" Which part of the plant do we want to
grow—the leaves or the roots? Do we want to improve the tillering,
grow rhizomes and stolons, or do we fertilize to obtain greater winter
hardiness and disease resistance. These various growth requirements
need a different type of fertilizer program. Fertilizer is applied at different times of the year, depending on the purpose of the application.
For example, in summer when we want the leaves to grow, we use
mainly nitrogen. The requirements for phosphate and potassium are
very low at this time of the year. However, in fall and spring, when
we would like plants to produce new roots, to obtain additional winter
hardiness and to increase disease resistance, nitrogen is detrimental while
phosphate and potassium are required in a higher ratio. The amount of
fertilizer to use depends on the local growing conditions, management
practices, previous applications and purpose of application.
The topdressing requirements for Colonial bentgrass differ from that
of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass. These latter grasses, since
they are surface rooting types, require topdressing to provide a rooting
media, whereas this is not the case for Colonial bentgrass. Topdressing
of Colonial bentgrass greens is done for the purpose of levelling the
sod. Improving aeration and water absorption. If sand is the material
used, it may on certain types of soil, accumulate on the surface and under
this condition there is no need to add more sand. Instead, a power-rake
or verti-cut is used to loosen the surface, after which the turf is relevelled.
In the production and maintenance of good turf, Colonial bentgrass
ranks as one of the easier grasses to maintain. In view of the great
diversity in the nature and properties of soil types, grass species, management practices and the technical knowledge of superintendents, I believe
that greater use should be made of Colonial bentgrass.
Talk given to the Turf Convention, Sept. 21-25, 1964.
21

M O W I N G , A N ECOLOGICAL FACTOR

J. R. Watson, Jr.1
Plant ecology may be defined as the study of the relationship of
plants to their environment. Hence, any factor that affects environment
or influences growth becomes an ecological factor. Such is the case with
mowing. This technique, so necessary to produce a well groomed appearance, is one of the major management practices with which the turfgrass
supervisor is concerned. Also, it is one of the factors limiting or controlling
the adaptability or suitability of a given grass for turf purposes.
The broad influence of climate (primarily temperature) dictates the
adaptability of groups of grasses—cool season versus warm season. Micro
climate (as well as macro) along with soil conditions and management
practices collectively determine the local environment.
Plant structural features, such as depth of root system, number of
root branches, storage tissue and physiological features, such as rate of
transpiration, water absorption, rate of shoot growth and photosynthetic
efficiency are factors which determine what grass or other plant will
survive under the local conditions existing on any given turfgrass area.
Every species of plant seems to be fitted to a particular set of environmental circumstances, within the limits of which it is able to grow. Some
plants, notably weeds (and in the case of golf greens, Poa annua, in
particular) are tolerant of many types of environments.
This discussion of mowing as an ecological factor will be from the
standpoint of the limited or restricted environment as found on turfgrass
areas.
To be suitable for the production of turf, a grass plant must be able
to grow and persist under the environmental conditions to which it is
subjected. Good turfgrass is judged by standards of play ability and
usability, as the case may be, and unless a grass is able to survive or
adapt to the type of maintenance demanded by players or users, it must
(1) be replaced or (2) maintenance practices must be modified; otherwise, (3) use must be restricted or limited. For those concerned with
the production of turfgrass, limiting or restricting use of a playing
area should be considered as a last resort. The primary objective of the
supervisor is to produce high quality turfgrass suitable for use or play
irrespective of environmental adversity.
More often than not, practices which are desirable for good grass
growth have to be modified extensively to meet turfgrass requirements
for use or play. Such is the case with mowing practices. Height of cut
on a putting green may serve to illustrate this point. The reduction in
root growth that clipping to a height of 3/16 to 1/4 inch produces is
well known—but try and convince a golfer that the green should be cut
at a height of 1 to 2 inches! To compensate for the reduction in root
growth, all other maintenance practices—fertilizing, watering, cultivating
and programs of disease, insect and weed control—must be balanced one
against the other and applied more intensively and with greater care.
Management practices, including mowing, must be keyed to the use
for which the turfgrass area is being produced. Such severely limits the
number of grasses that may be used to produce satisfactory turfgrass—
only a few (25-30) out of the more than 1,100 species adapted to North
America. In view of the limitation that mowing places on selection of
grass and intensity of management, it may be well to ask "Why Mow?"
iDirector, Agronomy Division, Toro Manufacturing Corporation,
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
22

Why Mow? Appearance and playability are the principle reasons for
mowing turfgrass. Unless it is mowed, a turfgrass area would soon
become like an overgrown pasture—an area covered with loose growing,
spindly grasses and tall, rank weeds which cannot persist under normal
mowing practices. The manner in which turfgrass is mowed will greatly
influence its health, vigor, density, degree of weed invasion and longevity.
In fact, good mowing practices are perhaps the most important factor
contributing to a well-groomed appearance and the longevity of any turfgrass area. The development of good mowing practices from an agronomic standpoint must be based on an understanding of growth habits
and characteristics of grasses.
Growth Habits and Characteristics
On the basis of growth type, grasses may be classified into three
general groups. Bunch type grasses, such as ryegrass and chewings
fescue, produce new shoots which grow inside the sheaths of the previous
stem growth. Stoloniferous grasses, such as bentgrass, spread by runners
or stolons which develop from shoots that push through the sheath
and run along the surface of the ground, rooting at the nodes (joints).
Kentucky bluegrass, a rhizomatous type of grass, develops shoots at the
underground nodes. Some grasses, such as bermudagrass and Zoysia,
spread by both rhizomes and stolons. This is one reason why bermudagrass is such a vigorous grower and is so difficult to control and keep
out of flower beds, gravel walks and similar areas. There are also intermediate types with decumbent stems which root at the nodes, such as
crabgrass and nimblewill.
The grass leaf is remarkably adapted for intercepting a maximum
of sun rays which are essential for photosynthesis. The long flattened
grass blades provide a maximum of exposure with a minimum amount of
protoplasm, thus making efficient use of the living tissue. A reduction
in the plant leaf area exposed to sunlight reduces the plant's capacity
to carry on photosynthetic activity. This is a vital and basic consideration
in determining the frequency and height of cut of turfgrasses.
The ability of grasses to withstand frequent and relatively close
cutting is related to certain peculiarities of the grass family. Grasses
exhibit basal growth, as opposed to terminal growth found in most
other plants. Basal growth means simply that growth initiates at the base
rather than at the tip or the blade or stem. From a practical standpoint
this means that normal and frequent mowing does not cut off the growing
areas of the grass leaf. Removal of too much leaf surface at any one
cutting may, however, destroy some of the growing points.
Height of Cut
The height at which a given perennial grass can be cut and still
survive for extended periods is directly related to its ability to produce
sufficient leaf surface for the photosynthetic activity required for its
growth. Basically, this ability is related to the inherent type and habit
of growth found in the grass. The length of internodes, the number of
stolons or rhizomes, and the number of basal buds all influence the
amount of leaf mass produced by a given grass; hence, affects its ability
to withstand low heights of cut.
Creeping type plants, such as bentgrass and bermudagrass, when
properly fertilized and watered are able to produce adequate leaf surface
at very low heights of cut (3/16 inch). Buffalograss, although a creeper,
cannot produce sufficient leaf mass at low heights because too few basal
buds exist and, therefore, cannot withstand low clipping. For this same
reason, Kentucky bluegrass and fescue must be cut relatively high (1-1 Vz
inches). If bunch type grasses are cut close, too much leaf surface is
23

removed and the plant can no longer carry on sufficient photosynthetic
activity to sustain satisfactory growth.
Frequency of Cut
Frequency of mowing is also an important consideration in the maintenance program. Infrequent clipping allows the grass to elongate to such
a degree that any subsequent clipping removes an excessive amount of
leaf surface. At no time should clipping amounts in excess of one-third
of the total leaf surface be removed at a given mowing on lawns.
Removal of large amounts of leaf surface will produce stubby, unsightly
turf, cause excessive graying or browning of the leaf tips, and curtail
the photosynthetic production of food with a resultant depletion of root
reserves. This is the principle upon which mowing to control weed growth
is based.
In addition, the accumulation of excessive clippings may smother
the grass and provide excellent environmental conditions for disease
organisms and insects. The frequency of clipping must be governed by
the amount of growth, which, in turn, is related to weather conditions,
season of the year, soil fertility, moisture conditions, and the natural
growth rate of the grasses, and—most important—the use for which the
area is being grown.
Other Considerations
In addition to the mowing practices related directly to habit of
growth, there are other considerations that must be taken into account
when developing a sound mowing program.
Stage of growth. The stage of growth of turfgrass plays a major role
in mowing practices. Young tender growth in the spring is generally soft
and succulent. The moisture content of young, immature turfgrass is
much higher than that of mature grass. Likewise, the fiber content of
young grass is much lower than that of mature grass. Such a condition
influences mowing practices. 'Tender young grass must be cut with a
sharp, well adjusted mower to avoid mechanical damage, and the early
growth must be cut frequently to avoid the problem associated with high
moisture.
Mowing practices during the early stages of growth exert a material
influence on density of turfgrass. Cutting at heights somewhat lower
than normal during early spring will encourage lateral growth which,
in turn, promotes density and helps prevent weed invasion.
Washboard effect. Turfgrass areas regularly cut with power mowers
or gang mowers sometimes develop a series of wave-like ridges running
at right angles to the direction of mowing. If such is not caused by too
wide a frequency of clip, it may be prevented or partially remedied by
regular changing of the direction of mowing (diagonal or right angles).
Alternate directions of cut will partially control runners of creeping
grasses and aid in the prevention of grain and thatch. If clip is responsible,
the height of cut must be raised or the mower replaced with a unit having
more blades or a faster reel speed.
A very similar washboard appearance is often observed on turf
areas, but is no fault of the mowing equipment or the operator. Many
times land is plowed for seedbed preparation and not properly disked
and leveled prior to seeding. Settling then takes place in the plow furrows
and unevenness develops. Such a situation may be reduced in severity
over a period of years by heavy aeration followed by dragging. The
dragging operation generally will remove most of the soil cores from
the high areas and deposit them in the low areas.
Wet conditions. Mowing wet grass should be avoided as much as
possible, although available labor and time often make it impractical
24

to do so. Dry grass cuts more easily, does not ball up and clog the mower,
and gives a much finer appearing lawn. Timing tests show that mowing
dry grass requires less time than mowing wet grass.
Uneven terrain. Mowers are not built for grading purposes. Turf
areas containing high areas which are continually scalped should be
regraded in order that they may be cut properly and to reduce the wear
and possible damage to mowing equipment.
Inadequate insect control can become a serious mowing problem.
Areas heavily infested with earthworms or ants may have many soil
mounds caused by their activity. Such may cause soil to build up on
rollers, or in severe cases simply cause the units to bounce, both cases
resulted in an uneven cut. Mounds of earth thrown up by gophers and
other soil burrowing animals will have the same result.
Improper operation. Irregular or uneven cutting often occurs due
to bouncing of the mowing units when they are pulled at excessive speeds.
On specialized areas such as putting greens, bowling greens, lawn tennis,
etc., improper handling of the mower on turns will result in turf damage
through bruising and wearing of the grass.
Terraces and banks. Terraces and banks offer a difficult mowing
problem. Scalping generally will occur if the bank or terrace is mowed
across the slope. Up and down mowing generally is the most satisfactory
method of cutting these areas.
SUMMARY
Mowing is not a simple operation to be regarded as merely a means
of removing excess growth. Mowing is an ecological factor because mowing practices influence the species and strain of turfgrass being grown.
The inherent physiological, anotomical and morphological characteristics
of a given grass will determine the height and frequency of mowing that
will give the most satisfactory performance. Mowing is the most timeconsuming of all management practices and has far reaching effects on
the appearance and longevity of any turfgrass area.
Prepared for: Northwest Turfgrass Conference, September, 1964.

25

IRRIGATION

NEEDS OF SPORTSGRASS TURF

R. H. Turley
Canada Department of Agriculture, Saanichton, B.C.
I would like to discuss turf irrigation under three phases: Some
methods of determining irrigation requirements; the effect of various
soils on irrigation requirements; and some remarks on when and how
much to irrigate.
At the Saanichton Experiment Farm we have three methods of
determining irrigation requirements. The first is by taking actual soil
samples, weighing and drying them and determining the actual percentage moisture in the soil. This perhaps should not be called a method
of determining irrigation requirements as it is impractical from a cost
standpoint and tedious to perform. It does, however, give us an accurate measurement of the percent moisture in the soil and allows us
to correlate empirical methods with soil moisture. The second, electrical
resistance readings, has been used for many years at the Saanichton
Farm for determining when and how much to irrigate. This method
consists of burying electrodes embedded in plaster of Paris blocks, in
the soil at various depths and reading the resistance to an electric current
on a modified Wheatstone bridge ohm meter. As the soil becomes drier,
the resistance to the current increases causing a higher reading on the
meter. Under pasture work we irrigate when the meter reading at the
6-inch depth block is 10,000 to 12,000 ohms. Irrigation is continued until
the reading at the 24-inch depth block starts to fall. This method has
been highly successful for irrigating pasture but not too good for lawns.
Lower meter readings, probably 6,000 to 8,000 ohms, would be better
for irrigating lawns.
The third method, and the one we like for determining irrigation
applications on lawns, is based on evaporation readings as determined
by the black Bellani plate atmometer, a model of which is on display.
As you can see the atmometer consists of a porous china evaporation
cup attached to a sealing tube equipped with a one-way mercury valve
and then attached by a hose to a 250 ml reservoir. The amount of water
evaporated from the porous plate can be determined by reading the
scale on the reservoir.
So much for the methods of determining evaporation! Let us consider
how we can use this data as a guide for irrigating fine turf. Temperature,
sunlight, wind and humidity are the factors which determine the rate
of evaporation. These same climatic factors also determine the rate at
which plants use or transpire water. The possibility of using evaporation
data for predicting irrigation requirements is dependent upon the principle
that the rate of evaporation of water from soil completely covered by
growing vegetation cannot exceed a well defined maximum, no matter
how much water is available. The maximum rate depends almost entirely
on the meteorological conditions and very little on the nature of the
vegetation as long as it is in a green growing state and completely
covers the soil. Therefore if we replace this water loss from the soil,
optimum moisture conditions for plant growth will prevail.
Evaporimeters of various types are widely used to estimate potential
évapotranspiration (total possible evaporation from soil and plants). The
U.S.A. class A weather pan is widely used on this continent. We like
the black Bellani plate and have found it to be very responsive to
climatic conditions, accurate and easy to use. The advantage of the black
Bellani plate over the class A weather pan is that it is less expensive,

smaller and easier to install in out-of-the-way places.
I would like to outline the procedure used for determining when
and how to irrigate based on meteorological data. The following observations of weather factors are required:
(a) Rainfall measured daily using a standard rain gauge.
(b) Latent evaporation measured at the same time as the rainfall.
At our Farm we determine latent evaporation using the black
Bellani plate.
These data, that is daily rainfall and latent evaporation, are entered
on a soil moisture budget form (see Sheet 1 of hand-out). It is recommended that two instruments be maintained to act as a check on each
other. When they don't read approximately the same, discard the low
reading plate and install a new one. The average scale reading of both
instruments are entered on the sheet and the amount of water used is
the difference between the previous day's reading. The daily latent
evaporation in c.c. is multiplied by the conversion factor .0034 to convert
it to inches of water used by crops. The water used by crops plus the
accumulated deficit from previous day minus the rainfall is entered
in the column "Soil moisture deficit before irrigation". The irrigation
schedule you have before you is based on a 1-inch deficit; in other words,
each time the soil moisture deficit reaches 1 inch or more, you apply
an inch of irrigation. This returns the soil moisture to field capacity and
the cycle starts over again to determine the next date of irrigation.
There is one thing to note—where rainfall is heavy, leaving a surplus
over and above the soil moisture deficit, the surplus is lost. The soil
has been returned to field capacity and the surplus will be lost to the
plants by deep percolation.
This tells you when to irrigate but how do you determine how
much to apply per irrigation? To do a good job of irrigating you must
consider the rooting habits of grasses. You all know that grasses develop
surprisingly extensive root systems of great depths. However, what is
the effective rooting depth? Dr. Robert M. Hagan of the University of
California lists the following effective rooting depth in inches (1952
Southern Calif. Turf Conference):
Chewings fescue
8 inches
Illahee and F-74 fescue
10 inches
Highland bentgrass
12 inches
Kentucky & Merion bluegrass
30-36 inches
Our lawn irrigation work at Saanichton confirms Dr. Hagan's conclusions. The turfs of Chewings fescue, Highland bentgrass and Merion
bluegrass were showing signs of drying out before soil moisture was
removed from the 15-inch depth. Let us consider a cubic foot of soil
as a water storage reservoir, one foot being the approximate effective
rooting depth of most lawn turf in the northwest area. The amount of
water available to the turf is the difference between the field capacity
of the soil and wilting point. The available water in our reservoir will
vary with the type of soil. Again referring to Dr. Hagen, he states that
sandy soils will hold % to % inch of available water per foot of depth,
loams about IV2 inches, and clays about 2V2 inches. In theory all you have
to do is replace your soil moisture when your atmometer indicates you are
approaching the wilting point of your particular soil. I will very briefly
give you the results of an irrigated turf experiment conducted at
Saanichton in 1962 and 1963. Plots consisting of pure stands of Chewings
fescue, Highland bent and Merion blue grasses were irrigated when the
27

soil moisture as determined by the black Bellani plate atmometer reached
a deficit on V2, %, 1 and 1 A inches. All the plots received the same
amount of total water over the season; only the interval between treatments varied. F_or e;$ample, the plot receiving Vz inch of water was
irrigated twice as frequently as the plot receiving 1 inch of water. Two
complete sets of plots were maintained. One set was located on a heavy
clay soil and one on a light sandy loam. Now if you will turn to the
second sheet of the hand-out you will see some of the results of this
project in tabular form. Actually there was relatively little difference
in dry matter yield and in turf quality between the different irrigation
treatments.
The only really noticeable lack of moisture on the turf occurred on
the 1 A inch irrigation treatment on the sandy soil for a short period in
August 1963. This was the driest part of the entire 1963 season. Now if
you will examine Table 3, the influence of irrigation treatments on the
percent moisture in the soil, you will see that the lighter irrigation
treatments maintained a higher soil moisture over the season. This was
especially true in the light sandy soil. You will see from the graph
at the bottom of the page that the frequent light irrigations maintained superior soil moisture throughout the whole season compared to
the heavier less frequent treatments. This experiment shows quite clearly that light frequent irrigations maintain better soil moisture; but what
is a practical application? This of course varies with the soil type but
for a general recommendation, a 1-inch application of water should
be about right for fairways. On greens, where you are trying for
perfection, a
to
application of water would be recommended.
Now just to sum up . . . you can determine WHEN to irrigate
usine meteorological equipment which records evaporation. In Canada,
we recommend the black Bellani plate atmometer. In U.S.A., the U.S.
Weather Bureau make daily reports of evaporation data which can be
used to establish your own soil moisture budget. The Washington State
University, Extension Service, Pullman, Wash., have an Irrigation
Scheduling Board and Record for recording evaporation data. Simply
ask for Circular 341 including the form and full instructions. Irrigation
requirements vary for each soil type, sandy soils holding a minimum of
Vz" to clay soils holding 2V2 inches of water. The water lost by the
soil should be replaced by an irrigation application before the wilting
point of the turf has been reached. By experience we have found a 1-inch
application of water per irrigation meets most lawn requirements. On
very sandy soils and for very high quality turf, we recommend that
the rate of application be reduced and the frequency of application of
water be increased.
X

X

28

RECORD OF DAILY LATENT EVAPORATION AND CALCULATED
SOIL MOISTURE BUDGET
Station Saanichton, C.D.A. Province B.C., Month July, Year 1964.
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The influence of irrigation treatments on total dry matter yield of
clippings. Grams per plot.
1963
1962
Irrigation
treatments
Clay loam Sandy loam Clay loam Sandy loam
690
575
V2 inch
1308
1128
% inch
609
502
1188
1286
1 inch
660
482
1243
1047
681
1% inches
484
1215
998
L.S.D.
44
91
N.S.
N.S.
C of V.
2.3
2.5
3.9
2.3
The influence of irrigation treatments on visual turf quality ratings*
1962
1963
Irrigation
treatments
Clay loam Sandy loam Clay loam Sandy loam
V2 inch
7.50
7.33
7.58
7.92
% inch
6.42
6.17
7.50
7.86
1 inch
6.83
6.50
7.75
7.79
inches
7.17
6.91
7.66
7.15
*'Turf quality rated 1-10, with 10 highest
The influence of irrigation treatments on the mean percentage of
moisture in the soil from 0-12 inch depth.
Irrigation
treatments
V2 inch
% inch
1 inch
l /4 inches
L.S.D.
C. of V.
x

1962
Clay loam Sandy loam
13.66
12.02
14.90
7.13
12.71
6.97
12.46
6.67
N.S.
2.22
5.58
8.26

30

1963
Clay loam Sandy loam
18.00
13.02
16.44
11.32
14.22
9.88
13.63
9.55
3.11
1.71
6.24
4.80

% Soil moisture
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32

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T R E N D S IN GOLF A R C H I T E C T U R E

W. H. Bengeyfield
USGA Green Section, P.O. Box 567, Garden Grove, Calif.
Perhaps the most misused term in golf is the word "green". How
often have you heard someone incorrectly refer to the Greens Superintendent, Greens Chairman or even the RCGA or USGA Greens Section?
Actually, the word "greens" is concerned only with the putting green
on a golf course. The term "green" refers to the whole golf course.
"Through the green" is that area from the tee to the green itself,
excluding the bunkers. Therefore, the correct terminology is Green
Superintendent, Green Chairman and Green Section.
This leads nicely into our topic of "Trends in Golf Architecture". I'm
sure the Royal Canadian Golf Association and the USGA Green Section
is concerned with everything that takes place "through the green" and
this includes golf architecture as well.
The USGA is becoming seriously concerned with a disturbing trend
in golf architecture today. At a time when golf courses are being built
so rapidly, it is inevitable that many incompetents and unqualified individuals will become active in the business of golf course design. After
all, anyone who considers himself a fair golfer, a fair turfgrass man or
has some type of artistic sense—might well believe that he is also a
qualified golf course architect.
I can cite dozens of examples where the architect through haste,
through lack of supervision, through lack of knowledge, through indifference, and in some cases through greed, has left a golf club with
built in problems which will surely show up at a later date. In many
cases, the golf course superintendent is blamed for lack of maintenance
skill when the difficulty develops. We are concerned because the
architect's clients later become USGA members. Surely the future will
hold a great interest on our part in the area of golf architecture.
Let me cite an outstanding example of this dangerous trend in golf
course building today. This past summer a feature article on a "young
and promising golf course architect" appeared in one of the major
newspapers in Texas. During the interview, the featured golf architect
was asked, "How much formal education does it take to become a golf
course architect?"
"None," replied the young man, "If you know enough bull-dozer
operators. It just takes practical knowledge."
This is indicative of the attitudes of many of those who call themselves architects today. The statement about an architect needing no
education unfortunately reflects the thinking of many people in business.
Furthermore, this feeling is propagated by architects who are regarded
as capable and well trained, but who all too often do not offer much
of a target of excellence for the novices to shoot for.
If I had been called on to give this talk a few years ago, I'm afraid
it would have been almost entirely 'anti-architect'. Today however, the
story is different. I have found it is far easier to criticize an architect
than it is to expose yourself to the actual problem of golf course design
and construction. This is not easy work—if it is to be done correctly.
A few years ago I was visiting with a noted western golf course
architect. When asked why so many poor courses, both in design and
construction, were being built today, he had an enlightening answer:
"You have a client or a prospective one. He has 130 acres and he
wants you to design a championship 18-hole layout that is 7,000 yards
33

long. He then wants you to design it around 80 home building sites on
the property, a clubhouse with adequate parking, roads, a driving range,
a lake and some service facilities as well. And he wants the course built
for $200,000 including an automatic irrigation system!
"Of course, it can't be done but if I don't take the job, someone else
will and I've got just as much interest in economics as the next person."
Sometimes, we just don't undertand or expose ourselves to other
fellows viewpoint. He has to make a living too and the client gets just
about what he pays for. So let's be honest about it: Even the well
trained and well known people in the business frequently do jobs very
poorly. After all, you cannot build a cheap palace.
Some other examples of this trend in design may interest you. The
following are true stories:
Within the past year, a fairly new course was chosen for a major
tournament in 1965. The designer is a student of the game and highly
respected. Yet, somewhere along the line, there was a failure in engineering with respect to a small creek running through the property. Consequently, ever since the course has been opened, the maintenance crew
has been involved in raising greens, raising fairways and creating new
drainage ways to the creek. All this in an effort to keep silt off of the
low fairways and greens. It's a great golf course—if it doesn't rain!
Each year the USGA Green Section receives a number of "trouble
calls" due to built in problems. For example, we have experienced the
following situations in the past year:
1. Two trouble calls relating to putting green soils and poor drainage.
2. One trouble call concerned with a poorly designed irrigation layout
that has just been completed.
3. One trouble call from a new course where a few greens were
built in a pocketed area.
4. A serious problem with trap or bunker drainage. Adequate drainage
was not provided by the architect.
All of these from new courses that are less than five years old.
Marvin Ferguson of the USGA Green Section tells of this true
experience in the recent past. One of the clubs he visits decided to
redesign a hole on their course. The tee did not come out quite right.
Upon inquiring, he learned that the architect had left the job after telling
the bull-dozer operator to "go over on the side of that hill by the oak
tree and shape up a tee." The bull-dozer operator went to the golf course
superintendent, after the architect had left, and asked, "What's a tee?"
Two years ago I experienced an "architectural problem" on a new
course in the west. The 'architect' was retained to lay out 18 holes. He
placed the center stakes marking the first tee, the first fairway, the first
green and so on around the course. Before earth moving was started, the
course representatives took a tour of the area with him. The first hole
was supposed to measure somewhere near 500 yards. It looked a bit long
to one of the officials and he later returned to measure it for himself.
It turned out to be over 650 yards long!
So it seems we are constantly second guessing and trying to correct
the mistakes made by some so-called golf course architects. Something
must be done and, thankfully steps are being taken. The American Society
of Golf Course Architects, the National Golf Foundation and interested
Golf Associations are becoming directly concerned with the problem.
What makes a good golf course? It's a hard thing to define, yet anyone
who plays golf at all has a definite liking for certain courses. They are
34

fun to play, they are interesting, they are challenging and they are
beautiful.
It's the job of architects to discover and utilize every feature of a
piece of property or to manufacture features that will make a course
interesting and appealing. A noted architect once said, "The ideal course
should demand alertness of mind as well as playing skill. If it does not,
the player never senses the enjoyment in meeting the series of tests
and challenges a golf course should offer."
"Trends in Golf Architecture" is such a tremendous subject that we
could dwell on for an entire month, perhaps a year. There are certain
references available from the USGA and, should you be interested, we
would be happy to send them to you. For the purposes of this discussion however, let us summarize by saying that one of the major
trends in golf architecture today is toward mediocrity in the principles
of construction and design. It is a trend that can—yes, must be checked.
EFFECTS OF E N V I R O N M E N T A N D OPHIOBOLUS O N THE
C O M P O S I T I O N OF TURF

Charles J. Gould*
Ecology has been defined as the study of mutual relations among
organisms and their environment. Insofar as turf is concerned, one of
the main environmental factors consists of microorganisms. The inocuous
and benficial organisms usually outnumber and suppress the parasitic
ones, although the latter frequently get the upper hand. When this occurs,
turfgrasses are weakened and/or destroyed. Then the way is paved for
such weeds as annual bluegrass (Poa annua), chickweed (Stellaria and
Cerastium spp.), pearlwort (Sagina sp.), dandelion (Taraxcum officinale),
and clover (Trifolium sp.) to take over.
The importance of annual bluegress in the Northwest has been
demonstrated by the amount of time devoted to it in the opening session
of this Conference. It is the predominant grass on most greens in the
Pacific Northwest, although only bentgrass (Agrostis spp.) was originally
planted. Annual bluegrass is also a major component of other types of
turf in this region. What has brought about this shift from bent to
annual bluegrass? For several years some of us have believed that
diseases can be blamed for much of the invasion by various weeds. Now
we are beginning to get some concrete evidence. Let's consider some
recent data from plots on which Roy Goss, Vern Miller and I are testing
fungicides. Sod of Colonial Bent was laid in these plots at our experiment station at Puyallup in the fall of 1961. Fungicidal applications were
begun in the spring of 1962 and continued at 3 week intervals except
during the dry summer and cold winter months. On September 11, 1964,
Dr. Goss estimated the percentage of bent in the untreated plots at
41% as contrasted with 81% in the plots with the best fungicidal treatment. We believe that most of this decrease of 59% in bent in two years
was caused by parasitic fungi, particularly Fusarium nivale.
At the rate the bent is disappearing only traces would likely remain
if the check plots were left untreated for another two years. Bent is
very susceptible to Fusarium. The diseased areas have been invaded
mostly by annual bluegrass and pearlwort. Some strains of annual blue* Plant Pathologist, Washington State University, Western Washington
Experiment Station, Puyallup, Washington.
35

grass are susceptible to Fusarium, while some appear to be resistant—
but all strains apparently are capable of very rapid reinvasion of the
dead or thinned areas. Pearlwort is apparently resistant to this fungus.
Bent is also killed or weakened by Fusarium in higher cut turf of
fairways, lawns and parks. These areas are then invaded by annual
bluegrass, chickweed, and clover, and by increased growth of fuscue
(Festuca sp.), if the latter was present in the original mixture.
Bents may be attacked by other fungi, including Ophiobolus graminis
var. avenae, which we now consider to be a major disease of highcut
turf in the Northwest. This fungus has been reported from British
Columbia and California, samples have been received from Oregon, and
we have observed it in eastern Washington. The disease is very widespread in western Washington but is often overlooked in high-cut turf
since other grasses and weeds fill in spots where bent is killed by the
fungus. This 'new' disease has been here for a long time probably, but
it wasn't recognized before 1960. However, it is also possible that general
shifts in such cultural practices as fertilization and liming have encouraged its development. Because Ophiobolus Patch now appears to be
of major importance and because we haven't discussed it in detail at
previous conferences, it is appropriate to use it as an example in demonstrating both the importance of a fungus parasite as an ecologic factor
affecting turfgrasses and the effect of environment on parasites. Some
of the following comments on Ophiobolus concern its attack on wheat,
when comparable data for turfgrasses are not available. On wheat and
other cereals the disease is worldwide and is called "Take-All."
OPHIOBOLUS PATCH
Symptoms
On putting green turf the disease at first resembles Fusarium Patch
in the development of a small brown dead area, but even at this stage
there are some differences. An active Ophiobolus patch is often bright
brown, or bleached, or sometimes has a reddish tinge as contrasted to the
dull brown, greenish-brown, or blackish-brown color of Fusarium Patch.
In addition, as it grows, Ophiobolus kills the roots and crown so the
plants can be easily pulled up, whereas Fusarium initially kills only the
tops. Prolonged attacks by Fusarium may result in eventual death of the
roots. Fusarium sometimes affects an area up to 6" wide, but this is
unusual on putting greens and the original grass or annual bluegrass
normally refills the centers of such spots quickly. 'The Ophiobolus fungus,
however, usually continues spreading in an ever-increasing circle, killing
the bent and often annual bluegrass as it grows. It spreads most rapidly
at warm temperatures. In a small scale test at the Western Washington
Experiment Station we placed naturally diseased turf (a mixture of
Colonial bent and annual bluegrass) in illuminated growth chambers at
different constant temperatures. Under these conditions the fungus
spread (or at least the symptoms developed) at a rate of 4" a month
at 51° as compared with a spread of 18" a month at 77°. Under normal
outdoor conditions in western Washington the circles usually increase
about six inches in diameter a year.
The fungus also spreads in a circular pattern in fairway or lawn-type
turf, killing the bent as it grows. However, the dead areas or circles in
such turf are not usually as noticeable as they are in putting greens,
since resistant fescues and partially resistant annual bluegrasses are
usually present and remain essentially undamaged or quickly invade the
open areas. Consequently, the infected area is thinned but is seldom
completely bare. But the thinning does open the way for invasion by
annual bluegrass and other weeds.
36

Hosis
Bentgrasses are very susceptible but fescues are resistant to
Ophiobolus under our conditions. Reports indicate that the reverse may
be true in other areas. It must be remembered, however, that different
strains of this fungus exist which may differ in their preference of hosts.
The only strain that we have identified in our turf is apparently the
type that also attacks oats (Ophiobolus graminis Sacc var. avenae E. M.
Turner). Annual bluegrass is reported to be somewhat susceptible to this
Ophiobolus, but other species of bluegrasses are less susceptible.
Infection
Most Ophiobolus is probably spread by transportation of diseased
leaves and stems on mowing machines. This movement, of course, could
occur at any time of the year. However, the fungus may also be spread
by ascospores (which function as "seeds") that develop in late fall in
small black flask-shaped bodies (perithecia) on the base of grass stems
or on roots. As soon as the fungus becomes established in a plant it can
spread from plant to plant by growing along the roots. It apparently
does not grow very far through the soil in the absence of grass or other
susceptible roots.
New infections in turf usually appear in late spring, enlarge rapidly
in the summer if moisture is adequate, and continue enlarging slowly
during the fall. The spots remain relatively quiescent during the coldest
part of the winter and during dry summers. Margins of the advancing
rings are usually 1-3 inches wide and bright brown in color when the
fungus is actively spreading. Later the dead areas become dull brown
or bleached and during the winter turn light grey as the dead grass
becomes matted. Partially-infected plants may remain green or lightgreen during cool moist periods in the spring or summer but turn brown
in a few hours or days during hot dry weather which puts the plants
under a heavy water stress.
Factors Affecting Infection
Soil Type—Attacks on wheat have occurred in many different types
of soils, but they are usually most severe on light sandy ones (2). The
fungus can attack in heavy soils if other conditions are optimal for the
pathogen. We haven't studied this factor yet but assume that the response
of turfgrasses would be similar.
Moisture—Heavy attacks on wheat have occurred in both Europe
and the United States following unusually wet periods. Sprague (10)
reported that the Take-All disease on wheat was very severe in the
Pacific Northwest in 1948—a year of heavy rainfall in the spring and
early summer. Reports from England also indicate that Ophiobolus
Patch is most severe on turfgrasses following unusually wet periods. The
fungus is suppressed, however, in excessively wet soils where aeration
is poor. In such cases a high carbon dioxide content of air in the soil
apparently retards growth of the fungus along roots (2).
Temperature—The fungus grows most rapidly in culture at 73 to
75° F, but most crown infection of wheat occurs at temperatures of
54 to 61° F (2). Observations in western Washington indicate that
Ophiobolus spreads most rapidly under warm conditions, if the moisture
supply is adequate.
Nutrition—Ophiobolus attacks wheat most often in soils in which the
nutrition is low or unbalanced (2). Likewise, the disease has been noticed
most often in grass which suffers from malnutrition, such as unfertilized
fairways. However, a high level of nitrogen has increased disease loss in
wheat if the nitrogen was unbalanced in relation to phosphorus. On infested soils low in phosphorus but optimum for nitrogen the disease
37

losses in wheat have been reduced in proportion to the amount of phosphorus added. Garrett (2) has shown that addition of nitrogen often gives
control in wheat during the current growing season, apparently because
roots develop faster than the fungus. However, if sufficient food is
available for fungus survival, attack on the subsequent crop may be
greater than if no nitrogen were used.
Because turfgrasses are perennial, their nutrition is complicated, and
procedures that might work for wheat will not necessarily work for
turf. Relatively high rates of nitrogen are required for good growth of
grasses. The age of turf also appears to be a complicating factor. In cooperative tests with Dr. Goss on plots planted in 1959 the disease was
first noticed in June, 1960. By January, 1961, it was slightly less on low
nitrogen and low potash plots than on other plots. By September, 1961,
the low nitrogen plots were definitely superior to the high nitrogen plots.
However, counts made on September 21, 1964 indicate that the effect of
nitrogen has become less important and that the relative beneficial
influence of both phosphorus and potash has increased as the turf has
become older.
pH—The disease most often occurs on wheat grown in alkaline soils
(2). Smith (9) reports that in England the fungus usually affects turfgrasses under neutral or near-neutral conditions. His observations and
tests indicate that a pH of 5 is about the breaking point and any pH above
5.5 is dangerous. The upper V2 or 1" is apparently the crucial zone. In
long term fertilizer experiments at the Sports Turf Research Institute
in England, the disease occurred on all plots treated with calcium nitrate
or sodium nitrate as the sole source of nitrogen. These materials made
the soil less acid, whereas both ammonium sulfate and ammonium phosphate made the soil more acid and less disease was present.
Smith has stated (9) that the disease does not always follow
liming. When fungus attack does occur after liming, it may take 1 to
3 years for the onset of severe symptoms and these begin to decline
within 2 to 3 years. Symptoms may disappear suddenly (9). The disease
has also been seen, although in mild form, where no lime or fertilizers
have been applied for ten years (8). Disease losses increased as the
particle size of lime decreased in Smith's tests. He recommended that if
lime is needed, it should be of a slowly dissolving type (either large
grains or other slowly dissolving types), and applied uniformly at an
exact rate. The action of lime may be one of absorbing carbon dioxide,
the absence of which permits the runner hyphae of the fungus to spread
more rapidly along roots (9).
Organic Matter and Soil Microorganisms—The Ophiobolus strain that
attacks wheat is a poor saprophyte and must have susceptible roots or
stems in order to survive. Without such food it perishes in a few months
so that rotation is an effective means of control. Presumably the same
would be true of turf, but we can seldom rotate turfgrasses. Therefore,
we must seek other approaches. Clark (1) has reported that such organic
substances as fresh chicken manure and alfalfa tops have given excellent
control of the disease in wheat. In view of this it would probably be
worthwhile to test such a material as sewage sludge to see if similar
results might be obtained on turf.
The action of the chicken manure and alfalfa mentioned above may
be due to: increased nutrition (an increase in nitrate nitrogen and available phosphorus was reported); an increase in carbon dioxide which
inhibits growth of the fungus along roots; antagonistic microbial action;
or, most likely, to a combination of these factors.
Ludwig (6), Garrett (2) and others have shown that many microorganisms in the soil can compete with or antagonize the Ophiobolus
38

fungus. One of the most common of these is Trichoderma viride which
shows similar action against many other soil-borne parasites. When such
beneficial organisms are eliminated, as by fumigation of soil with methyl
bromide, attacks of turfgrasses by Ophiobolus often increase.
CONTROL
Based upon reports in the literature plus our observations and
experience in western Washington, the following points are suggested as
guides in attempts to control this fungus.
Moisture—Although nothing can be done to control rainfall, adequate
drainage should be provided. Irrigation should also be adequate but not
excessive.
Nutrition—A well balanced program must be followed. Nitrogen
should be adequate but not excessive. Avoid letting the available phosphorus level drop. Include potash to provide resistance to Fusarium and
perhaps Ophiobolus. Ammonium sulfate has been given good control of
Ophiobolus in our tests in Washington to date and has been reported
effective in England and in Australia. Ammonium phosphate has also
provided good control in the two latter countries.
pH—Apply lime cautiously. For the best Ophiobolus control, keep
the pH below 5.5 and preferably around 5 if the turf is severely infected.
Use acidifying fertilizers (such as ammonium sulfate), if necessary. If
lime applications must be made, use slowly dissolving types. Apply lime
uniformly and exactly at the rate recommended on the basis of a soil
analysis.
Organic matter—Keep its level high. One reason why the disease is
more severe on many fairways than on most other turf areas may be
because recently planted fairways are usually low in organic material,
while old fairways are often undernourished and unbalanced in nutrition.
Insecticides—Ophiobolus was reduced on wheat in England by chlorinated hydrocarbons at 18 lbs. active per acre with heptachlor being most
effective followed by aldrin, dieldrin and chlordane, which was toxic
(7). Similar results were obtained in Europe at 89 lbs. per acre with
chlordane, aldrin, and lindane (4). Chlordane appears promising on turf
in tests underway at the Western Washington Experiment Station.
Fungicides—Some of the organic mercuries were partially effective
on turf in England (5, 9) and phenyl mercuric acetate has been partially
effective in Washington (3). Recent results at the Western Washington
Experiment Station indicate that a very finely-ground mixture of
mercurous and mercuric chloride (Caloclor is being used in our tests)
may be superior to phenyl mercuric acetate.
Conclusions
Because of the many factors involved, it is unlikely that there will
be any simple solution to this widespread and destructive disease. The
more we study any turfgrass disease, the more complicated we find it
to be—with constantly changing interactions between the hosts and
environmental or ecological factors. We have just begun to scratch the
surface in understanding these. We hope to find time to scratch deeper
in the years to come. My thanks to the Northwest Turf Assoc. and Oregon
Turf Managers Assoc. whose dollars are helping us do some of this
scratching.
Literature Cited:
1. CLARK, FRANCIS E. 1942. Experiments toward the control of the
Take-All disease of wheat and the Phymatotrichum Root Rot of cotton.
U.S.D.A. Tech. Bui. No. 835.
2. GARRET, S. D. 1956. Biology of Root-Infecting Fungi. University
39

Press, Cambridge. 252 p.
3. GOULD, C. J., ROY L. GOSS, AND MAKSIS EGLITIS. 1961. Ophiobolus Patch disease of turf in western Washington. Plant Disease Reptr.
45 (4): 296 & 297.
4. GROSSMAN, F., AND D. STECKHAN. 1960. Side effects of some insecticides on pathogenic soil fungi. Z. PflKrankh. 67(1): 7-19.
5. JACKSON, NOEL. 1958. Ophiobolus Patch disease fungicide trial, 1958.
J. Sports Turf Res. Inst. April, 1958. pp. 459-461.
6. LUDWIG, R. A., AND A. W. HENRY. 1944. Studies on the microbiology of recontaminated sterilized soil in relation to its infestation
with Ophiobolus graminis Sacc. Canad. J. Res 21(11-Sec. C) : 343-350.
7. SLOPE, D. B., AND F. T. LAST. 1963. Effects of some chlorinated
hydrocarbons on the development of Take-all of wheat. Plant Pathology 12(1): 37-39.
8. SMITH, J. DREW. 1956. Fungi and turf diseases. J. Sports Turf Res.
Inst. 9 (32): 180-203.
9. SMITH, J. DREW. 1959. Fungal diseases of turf grasses. Pub. by Sports
Turf Res. Inst. 81 p.
10. SPRAGUE, RODERICK. 1950. Diseases of cereals and grasses in North
America. Ronald Press Co., New York. 436 p.
A M I N O A C I D N U T R I T I O N A N D TURF

FUNGI

By Neil Allan MacLean
University of British Columbia
A recent report by C. J. Gould entitled "Turf-Grass Disease Problems
in North America" indicates that there are a number of diseases affecting turf in North America. The report also indicates that some diseases
affect turf in all turf growing areas of North America, i.e., some diseases
are common to all parts of North America. However, it would appear
that these common diseases that appear in all turf growing areas of
North America may be very important in one area and relatively unimportant in another area. The report also shows that some diseases
occur in some areas but not at all in other areas.
There are a number of reasons for the presence or absence of a
disease as there are a number of reasons for the severity of the disease.
Grass species show varying degrees of resistance or susceptibility to
organisms causing disease. The degree of resistance or susceptibility may
be controlled by the genes and is therefore genetic in nature, and is
usually inherited. The degree of resistance or susceptibility may also
be affected by the environment. Such factors in the environment as
moisture, temperature, soil pH, light, and C(X> content may determine
the severity of a disease or even determine whether that disease will
occur or not.
One factor of the envionment that has a direct as well as an indirect
bearing on the incidence and severity of a disease is the nutritional
factor. Organisms as well as the hosts they attack are affected by the
kinds and amounts of nutrients present. We in plant pathology at the
University of British Columbia are interested in the nutritional requirements of fungi and it is on one phase of this work that I would like to
report today. It should be noted that the work we have done has been
done in the laboratory only and with only pure cultures of the fungi
involved.
Before discussing some of the results of our work I would like to
mention some of the factors affecting nutrition of fungi and, in particular,
the nutrition of soil fungi.
40

As I have mentioned the results that will be reported are the results
of laboratory experiments with pure cultures of fungi. However, as
Garrett in his text "Soil Fungi and Soil Fertility" mentions, "such studies
of single organisms in pure culture are an obvious and essential
prerequisite for understanding their behaviour in the complex microbial
community of the soil. But although this is an essential first step to
understanding, it is a first step only; micro-organisms may behave only
one way in pure culture, and in another way in a mixed community in
which factors of association and competition come into play". Other
speakers on this program have referred to ecology as that branch of
biology that is concerned with the study of mixed communities of
organisms in relation to the habitat in which they live. It is with fungi
and their habitats that we will be concerned.
Plant Pathologists usually refer to the habitat or place of growth as
the substrate. In the laboratory the substrate is more commonly referred
to as the medium upon which the organisms grow. Professor Lilly of
West Virginia University lists some of the problems that arise when a
fungus is cultivated and studied in the laboratory. "What medium should
be used, natural, synthetic, semisynthetic, liquid or solid agar? What
carbon and nitrogen sources should be used, and at what concentration?
Should vitamins be added? Will the pH of the medium be critical, and
how can it be maintained at desired levels? Should media be sterilized
by autoclaving, or filtration, or by the use of a fumigant such as propylene
oxide? How can maximum sporulation be obtained or how can certain
species and isolates be induced to sporulate? How should growth and
sporulation be measured? Should the cultures be grown in light or
darkness or alternating light and darkness? What temperature should be
used? How much variation exists among isolates of the same species?"
All of these questions should be considered in the light of the question
as to what is the purpose of the study.
The substrates used in our studies were all synthetic and were
liquid, semi-liquid and solid. Studies using natural media are now underway. Experiments have been conducted in both the light and the dark
and alternating light and dark. Various nitrogen sources have been used
but the emphasis has been on media containing one amino acid or combinations of amino acids. Why the emphasis on amino acids? Garrett
(1956, p. 34) suggests substrates for soil fungi may be defined as: "living
or dead, virgin or partially decomposed plant or animal tissues lying
in or on the soil, or soluble products diffusing therefrom."
For most of the year, even in temperate climates with a winter
season, fresh substrates for soil-micro-organisms are continuously being
provided by animals and plants, as well as the dead cells of other microorganisms. Animals migrate through and over the soil, sloughing off
tissues and excreting while still alive and making a final disposition in
favour of their microbial legatees when death at last overtakes them.
The roots of plants grow through the soil and while still alive they are
continuously excreting small but significant amounts of sugars, amino
acids and other organic materials which support an epiphytic root surface microflora and outside of that a rhizosphere microflora (Garrett,
1963). In addition to this work by Garrett; Brink, Snyder, Wilhelm and
many others have reported the replacement of old and dying roots with
new young vigorous roots in crops such as turf, beans, strawberries, etc.
Most of these workers have also reported the secretion of substances
from the roots, among them amino acids, that aid in fungus growth on
the root or that most important area around the root. Excised tissues
and the dead sloughed off portions of the roots become sources of food
for fungi and other soil micro-organisms. Using these habitats and sources
of food supply the organisms causing disease can now move into the plant
41

(providing other conditions are present for successful penetration and
infection) where similar and other sources of nutrients are available. When
organisms in the soil die, they too release various kinds and amounts of
nutrients, among them amino acids, thus providing sources of nutrients
for continued growth. When a length of fungal hypha or a bacterial cell
has exhausted its zone of enzymatic erosion, then it cannot obtain any
more of the energy-supplying carbon compounds to support life and so it
dies. Nitrogen in various forms is then made available to further cellular
growth. The paramount role of nitrogen in this process has been
emphasized because nitrogen is the mineral nutrient required in largest
amount and therefore most likely to be in short supply.
Stanier (1953) has stated: "Microbial environments (and microbial
substrates or habitats) are micro-environments (and micro-substrates or
habitats) (parentheses are mine), hundreds or even thousands of which
be concealed from the gross ecological eye in any gram of soil. A single
cellulose fibre provides a specialized environment with its own characteristic microflora yet may occupy a volume of not more than a cubic
millimeter."
This abbreviated discussion of substrates or habitats, the importance
of micro-environments and the role of released nutrients from dead and
dying tissues and organisms indicate, at least to some degree, the reason
for our interest in amino acids and sources of nutrition.
In a series of previous initial laboratory experiments conducted by
MacLean and Woolliams and from an extensive review of the literature
it was found that not all amino acids supported growth of the same
organism to the same degree. Not all amino acid supported growth, in
fact, some amino acids suppressed growth. In general we found the single
amino acid media to fall in three categories:
1. Those amino acids that supported fungus growth.
2. Those amino acids that had no effect on fungus growth.
3. Those amino acids that suppressed fungua growth.
It was with the third group that we became, interested. Experiments
were designed incorporating groups of the amino acids instead of single
amino acids. We were interested to know that if we incorporated two or
more amino acids from group 1, would we get a further suppression
of fungus growth? We also incorporated amino acids from group 1 with
amino acids from group 2 and group 3 and noted the fungus growth. Again
we were interested in finding out if one group of amino acids would
act as a suppressant on the other groups.
The results are given for the effects of certain amino acids on the
growth of Fusarium nivale and Corticium
fuciforme.
Summary
Studies on the ability of the two turf pathogens, Fusarium nivale
(Fr.) Synder and Hansen and Corticium fuciforme Berk.Wakef. to grow
on synthetic basal media using a single amino acid, and combinations of
two or more amino acids showed distinct inhibitory or stimulatory effects.
Combinations of two or three amino acids in some cases tended to
stimulate growth, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of certain amino
acids in combination with other amino acids was reduced.
All the growth regulators at 0.01 g./l. concentration inhibited the
growth of Corticium fuciforme. Fusarium nivale was also inhibited, but
to a somewhat lesser extent by most of the growth regulators. 2,4dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid, naphthalene acetic acid, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxypropionic acid, and gibberellic acid stimulated growth of the
Fusarium organism.
42

Questions that now arise:
1. Can we adjust growth of fungi to our advantage by incorporating
amino acids in the soil or can we adjust growth of organisms on the
above-ground parts of the plant by spraying diseased areas?
2. What would be the effect on the plant if it were sprayed with
amino acids? Are they in other words phytotoxic?
3. If the released amino acids are in effect supporting fungus growth,
is there any way we can get rid of them by breaking them down, by
tying them up, or hydrolysing them into other compounds?
4. Are we increasing or adding to our disease problem by adding
weed killers or growth stimulators?
Trial 1A
Growth of Fusarium nivale on basal medium plus single amino
acids and water agar (2 g./l. conc. amino acids). Growth in diameter
(cm.) after 5 days.
Treatment
Growth
No.
Amino acid added
dia.
Density Pigm.
13 DL—lysine HC1
1
6.00
0.917
2.33
24 no. N—source
2
6.17
0.50
0.00
4 DL—oz—amino N-butyric acid
3
6.43
1.50
1.66
15 DL—norleuci ne
4
6.84
1.50
1.00
7 L—glutamic acid
5
7.10
2.00
3.16
12 L—leucine
6
7.35
1.33
1.00
6 L—cystine
7
7.58
1.00
0.66
19 DL—threonine
8
7.58
1.83
1.66
14 L—methionine
9
8.00
1.33
0.66
11 DL—isoleusine
10
8.08
2.00
1.66
8 L—glycine
11
8.25
2.33
2.00
9 L—histidine HC1
12
8.34
2.165
2.00
2 L—alanine
13
8.43
2.50
3.00
23 L—cysteine HC1
14
8.50
0.917
0.33
18 L—serine
15
8.50
2.33
2.33
16 L—phenylalanine
16
8.50
2.00
2.66
10 L—hydroxy—proline
17
8.58
1.83
2.66
22 DL—valine
18
8.58
2.00
1.66
21 L—tryosine
19
8.84
1.25
1.00
1 Control Sodium nitrate
20
9.00
4.34
4.34
20 L—tryptophane
21
9.17
2.165
1.00
3 L—arginine HC1
22
9.35
2.33
2.66
5 L—aspartic acid
23
9.57
2.50
2.00
17 L—proline
24
10.00
2.66
2.66
Trial IB
Growth of Corticium fuciforme on basal media and water agar and
single amino acids (0.2 g./l. concentrations). Growth in cm. diameter
after 25 days.
Growth
Treatment
Nitrogen source
Order
dia. in cm.
L—cystine
6
1
0.000
7
L—glutamic acid
2
0.000
10
L—hydroxy—proline
3
0.000
13
DL—lysine HC1
4
0.000
14
L—methionine
5
0.000
21
L—tryosine
6
0.000
15
DL—norleucine
7
0.033
16
L—phenylalanine
8
0.050
19
DL—threonine
0
0.050
43

0.050
10
L—tryptophane
0.100
DL—oz—amino-N-butyric acid 11
0.100
12
L—glycine
0.100
13
L—leucine
14
0.100
L—proline
0.133
15
Control 1 Sodium nitrate
16
0.133
DL—valine
17
0.150
L—histidine HC1
18
0.166
L—arginine HC1
19
0.166
L—aspartic acid
20
0.233
Control II no. N. source
0.250
21
L—alanine
0.350
22
L—serine
0.500
DL—isoleucine
23
24
1.330
L—cysteine
Trial 2A
Growth of Fusarium nivale on basal media, water agar, and single
amino acids (1.07 g./l. concentration). Growth in cm. diameter after 7
days.
dia (cm.)
Treatment Amino Acids Added
growth Density Pgm. Order
14 L—methionine
3.87
1.77
1
1.66
24 no N—source
4.34
0.367
2
0.00
4.64
18 L—serine
1.63
2.00
3
4 DL—oz—amino-N-butyric acid 5.17
1.40
4
1.66
9 L—Histidine HC1
6.14
1.06
1.33
5
1 Control I Sodium nitrate
6.17
1.23
1.23
6
6.17
15 DL—norleucine
1.80
7
2.00
8 L—glycine
6.52
1.66
8
2.66
10 L—hydroxy—proline
6.67
1.70
3.00
9
2 L—alanine
7.00
1.86
2.66
10
12 L—leucine
7.34
1.96
2.43
11
11 DL—isoleucine
7.54
1.26
1.66
12
19 DL—threonine
7.67
1.20
1.33
13
22 DL—valine
7.67
14
1.70
2.33
13 DL—lysine HC1
7.84
0.868
1.00
15
16 L—phenylalanine
7.84
2.00
1.33
16
20 L—tryptophane
9.00
1.40
2.66
17
17 L—proline
9.00
1.50
1.77
18
21 L—tyrosine
9.00
1.96
2.33
19
\
3 L—arginine HC1
5 L—aspartic acid
\ did not allow the water
6 L—cystine
to solidify
7 L—glutamic acid
// agar
Trial 2B
Growth of Corticium juciforme on basal media, water agar & single
amino acids (1.07 g./l. concentration). Growth in cm. diameter after 25
days.
dia. cm.
Treatment Amino acids added
growth Density Pigm. Order
0.80
1.10
—
1
1 Control I Sodium nitrate
1.30
1.0
—
2
24 Control II No. N. source
1.36
1.66
—
3
13 DL—Lysine HC1.
0.50
—
4
4
DL—oz—amino-N-butyric acid 1.40
1.73
1.03
—
5
20 L—tryptophane
20
4
8
12
17
1
22
9
3
5
24
2
18
11
23

44

18
19
16
8
15
10
14
11
12
22
21
2
17
9
3
6
7
23

0.96
0.63
0.63
0.40
1.00
0.76
1.13
1.23
0.66
0.63
0.66
1.10
0.76
1.20

1.83
1.90
1.93
2.06
2.10
2.13
2.20
2.40
2.43
2.50
2.50
2.80
3.06
3.23

L—serine
DL—threonine
L—phenylalanine
L—glycine
DL—norleucine
L—hydroxy—proline
L—methionine
DL—isoleucine
L—Leucine
DL—valine
L—tyrosine
L—alanine
L—proline
L—histidine HC1.
L—arginine HC1.
L—cystoe° ^
L—glutamic acid
L—cysteine HC1., H 0

—
—
—

—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

^
^
solidify as
/
^
'
/
Trial 3A
Fusarium nivale grown on combinations of 3 amino acids, plus basal
media & water agar initial pH of 7. Amino acid source being 0.2 g./l.
growth in cm. diameter after 7 days.
Combination
dia. in
No.
Treatment
Order cm. Density Pigm.
13
DL—norleucine & DL—amino—N 1 4.125 1.85 1.25
—butyric acid & L—hydroxy—proline
12
Control I sodium nitrate
2 4.30 0.475 1.875
L—leucine plus L—aspartic acid
5 & L—tyrosine
3 4.625 3.75 0.00
L—serine & L—cysteine & L
1 methionine
4 4.89 1.70 2.00
L—histidine & L—lysine HC1 &
6 L—arginine
5 5.175 2.00 1.00
L—methionine & L—serine &
4 L—phenylalanine
6 5.30 2.05 1.00
L—alanine & L—arginine &
9 L—cystine
7 6.50 2.05 1.00
L—isoleucine & L—glutamic acid
8 & DL—oz—amino-N-butyric acid
8 6.74 1.775 1.75
L—serine & L—phenylalanine &
2 L—tryptophane
9 7.00 2.20 1.375
L—aspartic acid & L—valine &
11 L—cysteine
10 7.50 1.825 1.50
L—tryptophane & L—Threonine
3 & L—glycine
11 7.64 2.05 0.750
L—tryptophane & L—lysine HC1
10 & L—proline
12 7.88 1.875 1.00
Control II, no nitrogen source,
14 distilled water & water agar
13 8.75 2.125 1.00
L—proline, & L—cystine &
7 L—valine
14 9.00 2.125 0.75
Trial 3B
Corticium fuciforme grown on combinations of 3 amino acids, plus
basal media, initial pH 7, 0.2 g./l. concentration amino acid source. Gain
in dry weight after 25 days.
a n

2

45

a

a r

m e d i a

Final
Combination
Dry wt. pigm. Growth pH of
No.
Treatments
Order mgm. rating rating media
L—tryptophane & L—lysine
5.26
1 0.76 0.00 0.1
4 & L—histidine
L—leucine & L—glutamic
5.55
2 0.90 0.00 1.0
5 acid & L—serine
L—lysine & L—histidine &
3 1.03 3.00 2.00 5.60
6 L—leucine
L—serine & L—tyrosine &
4 1.10 0.00 1.00 5.63
7 L—threonine
14 Control II no nitrogen source 5 2.26 0.00 1.00 5.80
L—phenylalanine & DL
—oz—amino-N-butyric
6 2.40 2.00 3.00 6.15
9 acid & L—valine
brown
DL—norleucine & L—cystine
13 DL—amino—N—butyric acid 7 2.70 2.00 1.50 5.65
L—methionine & L—glycine
8 2.90 0.00 1.00 5.66
3 & L—isoleucine
L—aspartic acid &
9 3.26 0.00 1.00 5.85
8 L—arginine & water
L—alanine & distilled H,0 &
10 4.10 0.00 1.00 5.85
11 L—cystine
DL—x—amino—N—
black
butyric acid &
10 L—valine & sodium nitrate 11 5.73 0.00 2.00 6.016
12 Sodium nitrate Control No. II 12 6.90 0.00 3.00 5.55
L—cysteine, & L—methionine
2 & L—isoleucine
13 11.56 4.00 8.00 5.725
L—cysteine & L—methionine
14 27.93 5.00 10.00 5.616
1 & L—glycine
Trial 4A
Growth of Fusarium nivale on basal media contain single growth
regulator (0.01 g./l. concentration). Increase in dry weight after 7 days.
Dry wt.
Treatment
Order
Growth regulator
number mycelium mgm.
1
11
3—(2 furyl) acrylic acid (Kinetin)
1.3
3.4
9
2
3—indole propionic acid
8.9
3
p—chlorophenoxy acetic acid
2
4
ethyl—3—indole acetate
9.5
13
B—naphthoxy—acetic acid
12.0
5
10
13.8
6
3—indole butyric acid
8
7
O—chlorophenoxy acetic acid
3
14.9
2—4—5 trichlorophenoxy acetic acid
8
17.8
1
9
3—indole acetic acid
21.0
15
oz—naphthalene acetamide
10
12
22.9
11
maleic acid hydrazide
5
29.8
12
Control
38.9
16
2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
13
7
45.6
14
naphthalene acetic acid
14
84.2
15
2,4,5 trichlorophenoxy propionic acid 6
85.0
16
gibberellic acid (10%) K. salt.
4
101.3
Trial 4B
Growth of Corticium fucijorme on basal media containing single
growth regulators. (0.01 g./l. conc.)
All of the growth regulators inhibited growth at the 0.01 g./l. concentration.
46

M I N O R ELEMENT N U T R I T I O N OF TURF GRASS

D. J. Wort
Dept. of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
About 40 chemical elements have been shown to occur in plants
and of these about 14 are present in appreciable quantities. The kind of
plant and the composition of the soil determine the proportion of each
of the various elements absorbed.
Fifteen elements are "essential" and must be present in order that
the plant may successfully complete its life cycle. Based upon the
amounts required by the plant these essential elements are grouped
as Major (Macro) and Minor (Micro). The former group includes C,
H, O, N, S, P, K, Ca, and Mg. The latter group which is to be considered
in this paper, includes Fe, Mn, B, Zn, Cu, and Mo.
All of the mineral elements come from the soil and, with the
exception of N, are derived from the parent rock. The N of the air is
fixed by bacteria which may be free in the soil or intimately associated
with the roots of such plants as clover and alder. The activity of these
bacteria is slowed if the pH of the soil falls below 5.5 or if a lack of
Mo exists.
It should be emphasized that the total amount of an element in the
soil may be of little importance. Availablity is the important feature as
far as the plant is concerned. It is possible for the top 6 inches of soil
to contain 20 tons of iron (as Fe 0 ) per acre and the plants growing on
the soil may suffer from Fe deficiency. It is evident that any factor which
influences availability of the elements is important in turf grass nutrition.
The assessment of the nutrient status of a soil requires determination of
exchangeable (available) rather than total content of the elements.
Those elements which are present in the soil solution may be readily
absorbed by roots and also may be readily leached from the soil. Elements may be adsorbed on the surfaces of the colloidal soil particles
such as clay and organic matter. In order to become available in the soil
solution these elements must be displaced from the particles by another
ion of the same charge, e.g. H+. This may be illustrated by an equation:
Clay - + 2H+ = Clay - + + Ca++
\ ++
\+\H
Ca
H
The reaction is reversible. The C a + + released may now be absorbed
by the plant or leached away. The soil may become acid because of the
large number of H+ ions adsorbed by the colloidal particles. Methods
other than this "Cation Exchange" may also result in the exchange of ions.
The available elements in the soil solution diffuse rapidly and
reversibly into the intercellular spaces and cell walls of the root epidermis
and cortex and then more slowly and irreversibly (or slowly reversibly)
into and through the living cytoplasm of the cells. For this latter part
of the path to be traversed energy is necessary.
Since 1840 when the mineral theory of plant nutrition was enunciated
by Liebig, much attention has been given methods of determining the
mineral needs of plants. Five types of methods are used to determine
mineral deficiencies.
1) Chemical analysis of plants. The leaves are the most satisfactory
parts for analysis. Petioles may be used for quick tissue tests for N, P,
Ca, Mg, K, Mn, and Zn. Numerous precautions must be taken in the
selection of the leaves. Ordinary methods of analysis are quite slow and
the modern trend is to spectrographic and polarographic methods. The
2

3

spectrographs method is fast and allows the simultaneous determination
of a large number of elements.
2) Field and poi trials. The effect of withholding or adding minerals
to the soil may be shown by field or pot trials. The method is often very
useful and is essentially practical. The cause and remedy are simultaneously indicated. Wrong conclusions may be drawn however. For example,
the addition of sulfur to a soil deficient in Mn and Fe may result in a
growth stimulus, not because the soil is deficient in sulfur but because
the acidifying action of the sulfur frees the bound Mn and Fe.
3) Soil analysis. Analysis should indicate the available or exchangeable ions. Chemical and biological methods may be employed. The latter
have been used to indicate the status of K, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mo, and B.
Recently rapid "color tests" have been used. Unfortunately soil analyses
are expensive, and require costly equipment. The results need skillful
interpretation.
4) Plant injection and spray. This method was used originally for the
detection of trace element deficiencies in trees. Solutions of mineral
salts are injected into leaves or stems or applied as sprays to the foliage.
Spraying methods have the great merit of simplicity and are good for all
sorts of crops. Usually the results become clearly visible in one or two
weeks.
5) Visual diagnosis. Deficiencies are recognized by specific symptoms
usually associated with the foliage. These are determined in the first
instance by growing the plants in nutrient solutions deficient in one or
more nutrient elements. Usually the signs are distinct but where they
are not, special indicator plants may be grown.
Diagnosis is usually obtained by the use of two different methods.
The visual diagnosis is used in combination with one other.
Each of the six minor elements is discussed briefly below.
Iron (Fe)
The deficiency of Fe in soils is seldom a limiting factor. The element
is more available in acid soils and it has been suggested that the best
way of correcting Fe deficiency is a treatment of the soil to lower its
pH. The addition of lime to a soil may decrease the availability of Fe.
Although the iron is usually in the ferric form when it is taken into
the plant it must be changed to the ferrous state to be active. Manganese
is essential for this change. An iron deficiency results in chlorosis of
young leaves with the principal veins remaining darker green. Because
it is one of the most immobile of the elements it is not moved from the
older leaves.
Iron functions within the plant as a part of enzymes of respiration
and energy supply and as a part of the chlorophyll-protein complex.
It may be supplied as ferrous sulfate or in the chelated form. The sulfate
has been found to improve the color of turf grass and to be useful for
the control of such diseases as mildew and fusarium. Moss is also controlled by its application to the grass.
Manganese (Mn)
Manganese is required in very low amounts and like iron, it is
relatively immobile within the plant. It too is likely to be deficient in
alkaline soils and the acidity governs the amount available. A lack of
Mn gives chlorosis of the young leaves accompanied by necrotic spots.
The element is involved in the oxidation-reduction of iron particularly
and in some way is related to chlorophyll synthesis. Photosynthesis is
inhibited in the absence of Mn and recent evidence suggests it is involved
in that part of photosynthesis responsible for the evolution of oxygen.
The application of manganese sulfate sprays has given a marked im48

provement in grass color but was without effect on the yield.
Boron (B)
Most species require less than one part per million boron in the
nutrient solution. It may be deficient in soils to which lime has been
applied since calcium converts the boron to a nonavailable form. Injury
due to over-liming may indeed be caused by the consequent unavailability of boron. This element is not readily mobile within the plant
and oddly enough there may be an injurious excess in the lower leaves
and at the same time the apical meristems may show B deficiency
symptoms.
Deficiency symptoms include constriction of the bases of leaves
followed by decomposition. While the element may be essential for
translocation of sugar in the plant its major function is concerned with
the maturation and differentiation of cells. Boron has been added to
grass but the results are too variable to show if the effect was favorable
or not.
Zinc (Zn)
Zinc is required in very low concentrations and may become highly
toxic if the concentration rises. It functions as part of the enzyme
suffering from Zn deficience are dwarfed. Other deficiency symptoms
protein. Since it is also required for the biosynthesis of tryptophane, from
which the plant growth hormone indoleacetic acid is derived, plants
suffering from y,n deficience are dwarfed. Other deficiency symptoms
incluse abnormally small new leaves mottled with yellow, deformed
root tips, and failure of seed formation.
Copper (Cu)
Copper is highly toxic except at low concentrations. Its absence
may not result in distinct color characteristics but the leaves may take
on a bleached appearance. The element is a constituent of respiratory
enzymes and is essential for chlorphyll formation, perhaps through
protein synthesis.
Molybdenum (Mo)
This element is required in the smallest amount—one part in 100,000,000 of nutrient solution. It is involved in the reduction of nitrates
to ammonia and the further formation of amino acids and proteins.
Nitrogen fixing bacteria require Mo and through their action the element
has an effect on the nitrogen supply in the soil. Mo deficient tomato
plants convert less inorganic phosphorus to the organic form.
Mo deficiency is characterized by yellowing and curling of young
leaves and finally all leaves become mottled. The chlorotic areas become
puffed and the leaves curl inwards. Application of one oz. per acre has
increased crops in various areas.
When nutrition literature is examined little information concerning
turf grass is found. The consensus may be summed up in the statement
"By and large, deficiency diseases, other than occasional iron troubles,
are seldom reported for turf grass".
The reader may find "The diagnosis of mineral deficiencies in plants"
by T. Wallace an interesting and informative book. It is published by
Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Another booklet "Trace element
problems in nature" issued by the Botany Department, University of
Cape Town, is easy to read and tells a lot in its few pages.

49

LIGHT RESPONSES OF TURFGRASSES

D. P. Ormrod, University of B.C.
1964 Northwest Turfgrass Conference. September 25, 1964
There are four essentials for the growth of turfgrass. These are heat,
moisture, nutrients, and light. The light requirement is principally for
the process of photosynthesis by which carbon dioxide from the air
and water are converted to sugars in the plant when bright light falls
on pigment chlorophyll. There are also several other plant processes
which require light. The light used by plants is referred to as white or
visible light and has a colour spectrum of wavelengths ranging from
about 400 to about 750 millimicrons, with colours ranging from violet
to blue to green to yellow to red. Ultraviolet is harmful to plants and
infrared is heat energy.
While the human eye perceives light energy with only one pigment,
visual purple, absorbing light principally in the green and grading off
to violet and red, the plant perceives light by several different pigment
systems absorbing light in several different regions of the spectrum. For
example, chlorophyll a, the most abundant chlorophyll pigment, has a
peak absorption in the blue region and another in the red region. It'
is interesting to note that green light is most effective on the human
eye but hardly absorbed at all by the chlorophyll, being reflected or
transmitted, causing the chlorophyll to appear green.
The plant processes affected by light are directly connected with
many different growth and development features of plants. Chlorophyll
a synthesis is triggered by a light sensitive system which has a primary
peak in the orange-red and a secondary peak in the blue. The chlorophyll
then becomes active in photosynthesis with resultant dry matter production but in this case the peak photosynthesis activity is in the blue
with the secondary peak in the red. Phototropism, the bending of plants
toward the light, is triggered by pigments which only absorb light in the
violet to blue regions. The recently discovered pigment photochrome has
been found to have two forms. One absorbs in the red region and causes
the induction of leaf enlargement, rhizome formation, flower initiation
and development, and many other growth and development features.
The other form absorbs in the far-red or infrared region and causes
reversal of the same processes induced by the pigment form absorbing
in the red. Some processes like photosynthesis require high light intensity
while others can operate at lower energy or intensity levels.
The normal source of light is from the sun. Open sunlight has a
more or less uniform spectral colour distribution from the blue through
to the infrared. Light energy is thus provided for photosynthesis, phototropism and other light processes and there is an approximately equal
balance of red and far-red phytochrome effects. On the other hand, if
artificial light is used for plant propagation, the spectral colour distribution is not uniform. Fluorescent lights have a peak in the yelloworange region and have much lower energy in the blue and red. Tungsten
or incandescent lights have low energy in the blue and a uniform increase of energy on into the infrared. Tungsten lights have a much
higher heat energy production than fluorescent. For a reasonably uniffirm
light simulating sunlight, fluorescent lights are usually combined with
tungsten lights. If sunlight passes through leaves the spectral colour
distribution is drastically changed. The blue and red portions are
aibsorbed and the transmitted light is relatively higher in the green. It
is relatively less effective in photosynthesis in subsequent leaves struck
by the light and is relatively higher in far-red phytochrome activity.
Light measurement may be by either one of two different ways.
Weather stations use the Eppley pyrheliometer which converts light
energy to heat energy and absorbs uniformly from violet through to
infrared. On the other hand, light meters with selenium cells absorb light
with a maximum in the green extending into the blue and red and can
be made to estimate visual purple or human sight effectiveness with a
"viscor" or visual corrected filter. The Eppley is thus more desirable for
50

measurement of light energy for plant processes while the selenium cells
are more useful for lighting for humans.
Probably the most serious problem in turfgrass related to light is
that of the shaded lawn. The area under trees may appear to be light
and airy but the light intensity and colour distribution will be unsatisfactory for grass growth. If the trees have an open leaf arrangement
there may be sufficient sunlight coming through to support healthy
grass. A figure of two hours sunlight per day has been suggested as the
minimum for grass growth. There are also marked seasonal variations
in potential hours of sunlight and in the density of tree leaves which
should be considered.
Plant growth form may be quite different in shade or partial shade
because of the different balance of colour in the light. Mowing patterns should possibly differ in shade because of this. Trees can be
trimmed or removed if excess shade is a problem. The most shade
tolerant species should be used and other ground cover species may be
used in extreme cases.
Light also has an effect on the wilting of grass. It indirectly causes
more shooting or tillering of the grass plants. Some species are particularly
responsive to light in that tillering is directly related to light intensity.
Also mowing practice should be such that sufficient leaf surface remains
for adequate photosynthesis to provide sugar energy for plant metabolism
and growth. Again, there are great differences among species in the
minimum amount of leaf which must be left for adequate growth.
Light also has an affect on the wilting of grass. It indirectly causes
the leaf stomata to open with resultant greatly increased evaporation
of leaf water and subsequent wilting unless there is adequate soil moisture
and rapid translocation of water to the leaves. Experiments have shown
conclusively that wilting is much more rapid in bright artificial light
or sunlight. Activities like placing stolons or transplanting sod should
therefore be done at night, if possible. Also mowing might be generally
more satisfactory if done at night, except that the piling of dewy clippings
should be avoided.
Another effect or light is related to the length of the day or photoperiod. The principal process affected by photoperiod is that of seed-head
formation, for which only low light intensities are required. Grass species
normally head in late spring or early summer but under a normal mowing
regime good lawn species do not have a chance to head. The seasonal
variations which may occur in grasses are probably related in part to
photoperiod, however, and with the advent of night golf it will be
interesting to see if plant form differs near the lighting fixtures where
there will be an artificially long photoperiod.
Light also has other known effects. For example, insect activity in
lawns may be a function of light intensity and photoperiod. Further turf
research may show even more light responses of turfgrasses.
EFFECT OF HERBICIDES O N SPEEDWELL
(Veronica persica) O N TURF

E. C. Hughes
B.C. Department of Agriculture
During July 24-27 a series of duplicate 100 sq. ft. herbicide treatments were applied on severe infestation of speedwell on a primarily
bluegrass (Poa sp.) turf. Weather was warm and sunny, followed by
rains. Soil type was sandy loam. All treatments excepting Zytron &
dicamba granular, were applied with a knapsack in 100 g.p.a. water using
a pressure of 30 p.s.i. Treatments and results obtained from an average
rating on September 8 were as follows—
Chemical
Rate/A
% Control Chemical Rate/A
% Control
Tordon
1 lb/A
75 %
C 3470
51b
99 %
2 "
99 %
Kilmore
2 1b
12.5%
3 "
99 %
"
31b
52 %
51

40 %
Killex
2 lb
5 %
1 "
31b
62.5%
2 "
7.5%
25 %
90 %
Tordon 101 2 lb
7.5 "
80 %
Tordon 101 3 lb
10 "
99 %
. >>
85 %
Celatox
% lb
99 %
15 "
Zytron
88.5%
11/2 lb
30 %
(granular) 7.5 "
35 %
Diphenamid 4 lb
45 %
10.0 "
a
62.5%
61b
72.5%
15 "
25 %
Dicamba E.C. 2 1b
CMPP
ester
3
"
72.5%
ii
87.5%
" 4 lb
4 "
81 %
5 %
Dicamba gran 2 lb
Supertox
2 "
10 %
50 %
" 4 lb
2 "
25 %
*MBC
102
a ii
0
Betasan
15 lb
3 "
52.5%
0
30 lb
Endothal
94 %
1.9 "
ii
ii
2.8 "
96.5%
*Mixed phenoxypropionic & phenoxyacetic acids
At the higher rates Tordon, Zytron granular, endothal, kilmore,
diphenamid, dicamba and C 3470 caused grass injury ranging from
15-40%. Slight grass injury occurred from lower rates of Tordon, CMPP,
Killex, Tordon 101 and Celatox. Diphenamid and Zytron did not affect
daisy or buttercup. Chickweed recovery was rapid in the endothal plots.
MBC 102 was effective on lawn daisy at the higher rate.
(Contributed by the B. C. Department of Agriculture, New Westminster,
B.C.)
To be entered in Research Report by Mr. R. M. Adamson, Experimental
Farm, Saanichton, B.C. Copy sent to E. S. Molberg, Saskatchewan.
Silvex
>>
Zytron
E.C.
»

EFFECT OF HERBICIDES O N L A W N D A I S Y (Bellis Perennis) I N
ESTABLISHED TURF
Sprayed July 10, 1963

E. C. Hughes
100 sq. ft. plots treated on the above date were assessed August 15,
1963 and reported upon in the 1963 Research report, Western section,
N.W.C. On May 5, 1964, those plots were reassessed. Treatments of
2-CMPP (alone and in combination), Zytron and Silvex had generally
lost their effectiveness. Dicamba was partially effective at the 2 lb/A
rate. Tordon was outstanding in effectiveness. Ratings of note were as
follows. Grass growth was normal.
Daisy
Daisy
Chemical
Rate/A % Control
Chemical Rate/A % Control
* Tordon
8 oz/A
60%
Dicamba
lib
10%
16 oz
95%
20%
l%lb
1.51b
20%
50%
21b
21b
50%
(Contributed by the B. C. Department of Agriculture, New Westminster,
B. C.)
To be entered in Research Report by Mr. R. M. Adamson, Experimental
Farm, Saanichton, B.C.
EFFECT OF HERBICIDES O N SPEEDWELL (Veronica oersica) IN
TURF. Sprayed July 3, 1963

E. C. Hughes
100 sq. ft. plots treated on the above date were assessed August 15,
1963, and reported upon in the 1963 Research report, Western section,
N.W.C. On May- 5, 1964, these-plots were reassessed. Complete or nearly
complete recovery of speedwell occurred. Plots of sprays containing
52

2-CMPP (alone or in combination), Dicamba, Silvex, Endothal or Tordon.
Zytron (DMPA) applied as a spray was outstanding in its residual
control as indicated below.
Chemical
Rate/A
% Control Speedwell
DMPA
10 lb
75%
15 lb
95%
Recovery of grass in these plots indicated a tendency to coarser
species but this may be due to very dense speedwell growth initially
crowding out the finer species however.
(Contributed by the B. C. Department of Agriculture, New Westminster,
B. C.)
To be entered in Research Report by Mr. R. M. Adamson, Experimental
Farm, Saanichton, B.C. Copy sent to E. S. Molberg, Saskatchewan.
EFFECT OF HERBICIDES O N ESTABLISHED TURF. QUEEN'S PARK

E. C. Hughes
On July 23, 1964, during sunny warm weather, 100 sq. ft. duplicate
plots of established turf, primarily bluegrass (poa sp.) with some mixed
bentgrass (Agrostis sp), was sprayed at 80 g.p.a. water using various
herbicides, soil type was sandy loam. Weeds present were primarily
narrow and broad leaved plantain (Plantago sp.) black medic (Medicago
lupulina), false dandelion (Hypochoeris radicata) a white clover (Trofolium repens) with some daisy (Bellis perennis). A fertilizer mix 20—
10—5 at 120 lbs. and 240 lbs./A, supplying 1 lb. and 2 lb. 2,4-D amine/A
was also compared. Results were as follows as rated September 6th.
%

%

%

%

Weed Grass
Weed Grass
Chemical Rate/A Control Injury Chemical Rate/A Control Injury
2,4-D ester 16 oz
0
0
80
151b
0
Betasan
>>
0
32 oz
0
93.5
30 lb
5
2,4-DB ester 24 oz
0
2 oz
90
Tordon
60
0
>>
Tordon 101 16 oz
4 oz
97.5
0
99.5
5
>>
MCPA
16 oz
99.5
0
8 oz
72.5
0
32 oz
12 oz 100
5
82.5
0
»
*RD 7693 4 oz
12.5
16 oz 100
5
0
8 oz
Dicamba
16 oz
85
30
0
>>
Dacamine 4D 8 oz
32 oz
94.5
5
50
0
*H 430
16
oz
97.5
16
oz
65
7.5
0
H
32 oz
98.5 10.0
Silvex
16 oz
70
32 oz
95
Killex
16 oz
96.5
a
32 oz
97.5
5
*NPHa 112
16 oz
80
32 oz
99
Supertax
16 oz
93.5
*H 430—Combination of 2,4-D,
32 oz
98
5
2-MCPP & dicamba
*MBC
102
16
oz
95.5
it
*NPH 112—mixture of 2-MCPP
32 oz
99.5
5
& 2,4-D
2-MCPP
16 oz
95
/
*RD 7693—coded
Weed-feed
Fert.
120 lb
45
*MBC 102—mixed phenoxypro240 lb
37.5
pionic & phenoxyacetic acids
In general Tordon was excellent on all weeds, dicamba was ineffective
on plantain, 2-MCPP ester and compounds containing 2 MCPP at lower
rates were somewhat ineffective on false dandelion and daisy. 2,4-D
ester at 16 oz/A gave poor control of clover. The fertilizer 2,4-D mix
was effective mainly on plantain but was markedly inferior to foliar
53

sprays. Tordon was the most effective treatment on daisy followed by
dicamba and 2-MCPP combinations.
(Contributed by the B. C. Department of Agriculture, New Westminster,
B. C.)
To be entered in Research Report by Mr. R. M. Adamson, Experimental
Farm, Saanichton. Copy sent to Mr. E. S. Molberg, Saskatchewan.
THE 1964 TURFGRASS CONFERENCE R O U N D U P
" T H E ECOLOGY OF T U R F G R A S S "

By Donald A. Hogan
One definition of ecology could be stated as the study of biology
concerning the relationship of living organisms and their environment in
plant and animal life. We have heard of the slang phrases, "You can't
beat city hall," or, "If you can't beat them, join them," or, as Dr. Daubenmire so aptly stated, "You can't win a fight with nature." Most speakers
have pointed to environment and conditions favorable for the growth of
turfgrass or, conversely, unfavorable for undesirable plants, diseases, and
so forth when exercising control.
In many instances, the speakers infer that turfgrass maintained for
purposes of sports utilization or with the requirement of supporting traffic
is an artificial culture, as Dr. Neil MacLean expressed this morning.
Recommendations included the soil that serves as a media for turfgrass
life be prepared on the basis of a laboratory formula of compounded
materials.
Increased use of areas, for example roadways, require current
adequate treatment to support the demands placed upon them. Certainly
in turf maintenance there is a need which commands consideration of the
fundamentals of natural environment and timing to achieve the best
results within a reasonable budget when applying management practices.
Possibly, this is exactly what Dr. Goss meant when he posed the question,
"Are we growing as good a turf as we know how to?" A simple observation as mentioned by Mr. Dick Turley that adequate fertilization program
was the most successful control for red thread at their experiment station.
Certainly, we have heard of this basic theory before.
When exchanging ideas, considering the results of research work, or
applying recommendations, many times turf managers take action without
adapting this to their specific situation or conditions. Frequently failure
results and the manager criticizes the research program immediately,
without analyzing his circumstance and adjusting accordingly like a
responsible professional person should. This leads to a point frequently
used by the managers, "Research and recommendations may be alright for
another area, but my conditions are different." To this our travels to many
varied parts of the United States and Canada point out that the following
is true: While conditions differ between the various geographical locations
requiring locally adapted turfgrass maintenance practices, the basic fundamentals of good management do not differ.
There seems to be occasions of differences of opinion between educators and research people as to which approach should be pursued. The
ecologic consideration might suggest that balance is the most significant
factor. Certainly, the correct environment along with natural habitat
conditions must be attempted within the limits of the specific restrictions
that affect the turf manager. Discriminate chemical utilization dictated by
circumstances of unnatural environment or excessive use of an area along
with time limitations on the results, also, is an important part of good
turfgrass maintenance.
Therefore, it is generally agreed that research, knowledge, experience,
and intelligence must be combined to result in a successful turf maintenance program and the ecological factors must never be violated or
disregarded.
54

M E M B E R S OF N O R T H W E S T TURFGRASS A S S O C I A T I O N

A-l Spray Service
Agate Beach Golf Course
Astoria G & C Club
Broadmoor Golf Club
Blue Lakes Golf Course
The Bentley Co.
Bellingham Golf & Country
Club
Bellevue Lawn
R. P. Baltz & Sons
Capilano G & C Club
City of American Falls
Cabinet View Country Club
Cedarcrest Golf Course
Clarkston Golf & Country
Club
College Golf Course
Couer d'Alene Club
Columbia-Edgewater Country
Club
The Dalles Country Club
Dow Chemical Co.
Diamond Alkali Co.
Early Bird Spray and Garden
Service
Elks Golf & Country Club
Enumclaw Golf 6c Country
Club
Eugene Country Club
Everett Legion Memorial
Golf Course
Everett G 6c C Club
Evergreen Memorial Park
Fircrest Golf Club
J. E. Fisher
Faulkner Spray Service
Forest Lawn Cemetery

520 S. 53rd St.
Box 1416
2340 Broadmoor Dr.
Box 127
4126 Airport Way
3729 Meridian St.
311 16th S. E.
9817 E. Burnside St.
420 Southborough Dr.
Box 441
Rt. 1

Tacoma, Wash. 98403
Newport, Oregon
Astoria, Oregon
Seattle, Wash. 98102
Twin Falls, Idaho
Seattle, Wash. 98108
Bellingham, Wash.
Bellevue, Wash.
Portland, Oregon 97216
West Vancouver, B. C.,
Canada
American Falls, Idaho
Libby, Montana
Marysville, Wash..

Box 72
Box 2446

Clarkston, Wash.
Parkland, Wash.
Hayden Lake, Idaho

2137 N.E. Brighton Rd.
307 Broad St.
3945 S.W. 57th Ave.

Portland, Oregon 97211
The Dalles, Oregon
Seattle, Wash. 98101
Portland, Oregon

1523 63rd St.
Box 187
Box 599

Everett, Wash. 98202
Selah, Wash.
Enumclaw, Wash.

255 Country Club Rd.

Eugene, Oregon

Everett, Wash.
Box 146
Everett, Wash.
11111 Aurora Ave. N.
Seattle, Wash. 98133
6520 Regents Blvd.
Tacoma, Wash.
Box 654A
Issaquah, Wash.
2820 S. 150th
Seattle, Wash. 98188
5409 Kitsap Way Box 1279B Bremerton, Wash.
55

Forest Lawn Inc,
Ft. Lewis Golf Course
Floral Hills, Inc.
H. D. Fowler, Inc.
General Spray Service of
Magnolia
Glendale Country Club
Glendoveer Golf Course
Grays Harbor Country Club
Greenup Spray Service
Greenwood Memorial
Terrace Co.
John S. Haines
Hemphill Bros. Inc.
Hercules Powder Co.
Hillcrest Country Club
Don Hogan
John Holms
Inglewood Country Club
Jacklin Seed Co.
Jackson Park Golf Course
Jefferson Golf Course
Johns-Manville
Kelso Elks Golf Club
Kitsap Golf & Country Club
Lasco Industries

6701 30th AVES. W.
Seattle, Wash. 98106
Rt. 3
Ft. Lewis, Wash.
Alderwood Manor, Wash.
409 Filbert Rd.
13440 S.E. 30th St. Ave. S.W.Bellevue, Wash. 98004
1031 N.E. 114th
Box 797
14015 N.E. Glisan St.
Rt. 1
12437 1st. Ave. S.W.

Seattle, Wash.
Bellvue, Wash.
Portland, Oregon
Aberdeen, Wash.
Seattle, Wash.

4700 E. Oregon Rt. 201 Boren Ave. N.

Bellingham, Wash.
Seattle, Wash. 98109
San Francisco, Calif.
Boise, Idaho
Seattle, Wash. 98108
Fairbanks, Alaska
Kenmore, Wash.
Dishman, Wash.
Seattle, Wash. 98125
Seattle, Wash. 98144

Box 1083
9060 37th Ave. S.
Box 1196
Rt. 6
8803 E. Spague
1000 N.E. 135th St.
4101 Beacon Ave. S.
Box 247
Box 3971
1561 Chapin Road
17716-21st. S. N.E.

Kelso, Wash.
Bremerton, Wash.
Montebello, Calif.
Seattle, Wash. 98155
Lewiston Golf & Country Club
Lewiston, Idaho
Liberty Lake Golf Club
Box 235
Liberty Lake, Wash.
Lilly Co.
1900 Alaska Way
Seattle, Wash. 98101
Longview G & C Club
Box 1075
Longview, Wash.
McChord Air Force Golf Course
McChord, Wash.
Manito G & C Club
Box 8025 Manito Station Spokane, Wash.
Mitchell Lumber Co.
Box 555 338-An. State St. Lake Oswego, Oregon
Miller Products Co.
7737 N.E. Killingsworth
Portland, Oregon
Mountain View Memorial Park 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W.Tacoma, Wash. 98409
Mount Vew Cemetery
Box 632
Walla Walla, Wash.
Mt. Si Golf Course
Box 68
North Bend, Wash.
Moses Lake Golf Course
T. K. Nanto
P.O. Box 1694
Moses Lake, Wash.

56

Northwest Mower
7710 24th N.W.
Olympia Country & Golf Club Box 1063
Overlake Golf Club
Box 97
Oswego Lake Country Club 20 Iron Mt. Blvd.
Pacific Equipment Co.
1001 S. lackson St.
Peace Portal Golf Club
190 King George Hwy.
Portland Golf Club
5900 Scholls Ferry Road
Prineville Golf Club
133 E. 3rd St.
Pullman Golf Club
1235 College Station
Rainier G & C Club
1856 S. 112th St.
Ramsey Waite Co.
Box 5173
Rogue Valley G & C Club
Box 427
Roseburg Golf Club
Rt. 2
Royal Oaks Country Club
8917 N.E. 4th Plain Rd.
Salishan Beach Golf Club
Sand Point Country Club
8333 55th Ave. N.E.
O. M. Scott & Sons
Box 327
Seattle Golf Club
145th N. and N. Greenwood
Seattle Park Dept.
100 Dexter Ave. N.
Shelton - Bayshore Golf Club P.O. Box 89
Shoreline School District No. 412 N. E. 158th and 20th N.E.
Ed Short Co.
6th Ave. S.
Spokane Country Club
Rt. 5
Spokane Park Dept.
(City of Spokane)
504 City Hall
Sumner Cemetery
Box 55
Sunset Hills Memorial Park
Box 561,
Loyd Stitt
321 W. Prairie
Tacoma Country & Golf Club Gravelly Lake Drive S.W.
Tacoma Seed So.
Box 468
Taylor, Pearson & Carson, Ltd. 1100 Venables St.
Three Lakes Public Coif Course Box 234
Tri-City Golf Club
Box 456
Turfco Industries Inc.
1340 N. Northlake Way
City of Twin Falls
Box 867
Van Waters & Rogers, Inc.
4000 1st Ave. S.
Veterans Memorial Golf Club
Croydon Wagner
Box 3417
Wandemere Golf Club
Rt. 5

57

Seattle, Wash. 98107
Olympia, Wash.
Medina, Wash.
Oswego, Oregon
Seattle, Wash. 98104
White Rock, B.C. Canada
Portland, Oregon 97219
Prineville, Ore.
Pullman, Wash.
Seattle, Wash. 98188
Eugene Oregon
Medford, Oregon
Roseburg, Oregon
Vancouver, Wash.
Gleneden, Oregon
Seattle, Wash. 98105
Salem, Oregon
Seattle, Wash. 98177
Seattle, Wash. 98109
Shelton, Wash.
Seattle, Wash. 98125
Seattle, Wash. 98104
Spokane, Wash,
Spokane, Wash.
Sumner, Wash.
Bellevue, Wash.
Wheaton, 111.
Tacoma, Wash. 98499
Tacoma, Wash.
Vancouver, B. C. Canada
Wenatchee, Wash.
Kenewick, Wash.
Seattle, Wash. 98103
Twin Falls, Idaho
Seattle, Wash. 98104
Walla Walla, Wash.
Tacoma, Wash. 98499
Spokane, Wash.

C. R. Walters Co.
City of Walla Walla
Walla Walla Country Club
Box 523
Turf and Toro Supply Co.
1200 Stewart Ave.
West Seattle Golf Course
4470-35th Ave. S.W.
Waverley Country Club
1100 S.E. Waverley Dr.
Wellington Hills Golf Club
Wenatchee Golf & Country
Club
Box 1479,
Western Golf Course Supply
1240 S.E. 12th Ave.
Western Plastics Corp.
3110 Ruston Way
Norman H. Woods
Box 204, Station A
Morton Chemical Co.
1620 S.W. Custer St.
Velsicol Co.
76 Anza Ct.
New Meadow Lark Country
Club
Western Farmers Association 201 Eliot W.
Yakima, Metropolitan District ofP.O. Box 171
Vancouver Golf Club

58

Bothell, Wash.
Walla Walla, Wash.
Walla Walla, Wash.
Seattle, Wash. 98101
Seattle, Wash 98106
Portland, Oregon 97222
Woodinville, Wash.
Wenatchee, Wash.
Portland, Oregon
Tacoma, Wash. 98402
Vancouver, B. C. Canada
Portland, Oregon
Fairfield, California
Great Falls, Montana
Seattle, Wash. 98119
Yakima, Wash.
Vancouver, B. C. Canada

A T T E N D A N C E A T 1964 N O R T H W E S T TURFGRASS
CONFERENCE

Milt Allen
R. Ashworth
R. Bailey
Harvey Banks
Clayton Bauman,
Milt Bauman
Norris Beardsley
Heinz Berger
Allen Blair
Andy Brice
Roscoe Brown
Russell Brown,
Jim Bugai
Jack Bytelaar
Dr. V. Brink
L. Butterworth
John Carper,
Jack Chase
Art Clancy
Dave Clark
Virgil Clark
C. Clement
Bob Cockburn
Ron Cole
W. Crane
Jack Cronin
Len Collett
Jim Crook
Reg. J. Crowe

Enumclaw, Wash.
Vancouver, B. C.
Burnaby, B. C.
Bremerton, Wash.
Kirkland, Wash.
Kirkland, Wash,.
Spokane, Wash.
W. Vancouver, B. C.
Seattle, Wash.
Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
Richland, Wash.
Seattle, Wash.
Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
Victoria, B. C.
Seattle, Wash.
Seattle, Wash.
Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
Everett, Wash.
Vancouver B. C.
Everett, Wash.
Fairfield, Calif.
Richmond, B. C.
West Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.

Norm DeChambeau
Graham Drew
R. H. Dennis
Don Dye
Jim Dickie
Jack Daniels
Harold Drobott

Bothell, Wash.
Vancouver, B. C.
West Vancouver, B. C.
N. Portland, Oregon
N. Vancouver, B. C.
Seattle, Wash.
Richmond, B. C.

A. F. Ellis
J. D. Evans
Cliff Everhart

Victoria, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
Spokane, Wash.
59

N. H. Fallis
Bernie Fischer
Max Fletchall
Paul Florence
Ed Fluter
Bud Fraser
Russ Fouts
Les Foster

Vancouver, B. C.
Boise, Idaho
Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Whalley, B. C.
Albany Oregon
Richmond, B. C.

Bill Gabel
Frank Gavan
Ron Getchell
Dick Gettle
L. Gleason
Manny Gueho

Walla Walla, Wash.
Victoria, B. C.
Salem, Oregon
Bellingham, Wash.
Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.

John Halse
J. E. Hancock
John Harrison
George Harvey
Dick Haskell
Henry, Hofseth
Don Hogan
Neale Honeybourne
Jim Hughes
Dave Hulo
Thompson Hayward
John Haines
Carl Hansen

Vancouver, B. C.
New Westminster, B. C.
Hayden Lake, Idaho
Astoria, Oregon
Seattle Wash.
Richmond, B. C.
Seattle, Wash.
Kamloops, B. C.
Fresno, Calif.
Seattle, Wash.
Vancouver, B. C.
Bellingham, Wash.
San Francisco, Calif.

Ron Johnstone

Vancouver, B. C.

Tom Keel
Heinz Knodler
Carl Kuhn

Roseburg, Oregon
Richmond, B. C.
Bellevue, Wash.

Henry Land Jr.
Dean Latimer
George Lawton
Howard Lufkin

Seattle, Wash.
Tacoma, Wash.
Olympia, Wash.
Seattle, Wash.

C. J. Mackay
Sam McCallum
Gordon McKay
Don McLeod
Roy Maling
Art Marston

Vancouver, B. C.
Langley, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
Richmond, B, - C.
Seattle, Wash.
60

E. McCready
Ken McKenzie
A. L. McLeod
R. W. Malpass
Nicholas Metal
A. Miller
A. Mitchell
Don Miller
R. Murphy
Ken Morrison

Vancouver, B. C.
Seattle, Wash.
Vancouver, B. C.
Eugene, Oregon
Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
N. Surrey, B. C.
Seattle, Wash.
Sardis, B. C.
Pullman, Wash.

Doug Oliphant
Richard Oliphant

Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon

W. Peltzer
Robert Pierson
Jim Porterfield
Glen Proctor
Larry Proctor
Ken Putnam

Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
Salem, Oregon
Seattle, Wash.
Tacoma, Wash.
Seattle, Wash.

Byron Reed
Clarence Ripley
Jim Rivers
Chen Rowe
Robbie Robinson
E. T. Rodway

Portland, Oregon
Spokane, Wash.
Nanaimo, B. C.
Tacoma, Wash.
Toronto, Canada
Vancouver, B. C.

Louie Schmidt
Lloyd Scott
R. Schwabauer
Hans Seidlitz
Jack Schultz
J. Sinker
H. Smith
John Snook
Bob Staib
Tim Steenberger
Loyd Stitt
Paul Stockstad
Mike St. Jacque
Merrill Street

Spokane, Wash.
Seattle, Wash.
Eugene, Oregon
Richmond, B. C.
Vancouver, B .C.
W. Vancouver, B. C.
W. Vancouver, B. C.
San Francisco, Calif.
Burnaby, B. C.
Wheaton, 111.
Burnaby, B. C .
Seattle, Wash.
Seattle, Wash.

David Tait
Tommy Thorpe
Norman Theberge
Myron Tucker

Vancouver. B. C.
Victoria, B. C.
Haney, B. C.
Boise, Idaho
61

F. Verkerk
A. van der Pauw

Kelowna, B. C.
Haney, B. C.

Mr. Weddle
John Wainscott
Joe Ward
K. M. Warner
A. L. Warner
Bernard Wellenbrink
Sidney White
W. Wisby
Norman H. Woods

Spokane, Wash.
Saanichton, B. C.
Christmas Valley, Oregon
Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.
The Dalles, Oregon
Vancouver, B. C.
Vancouver, B. C.

John Zoller

Eugene, Oregon

62