P*°c o* est i A « 81 O«*- 1 vi0\e\ 9 sp o V c a Proceedings Of The 30th Northwest Turfgrass Conference Sept. 29, 30 & Oct. 1, 1976 Spokane Sheraton Hotel Spokane, Washington PRESIDENTS MESSAGE John Monson It was a pleasure to serve as President of the North west Turfgrass Association through 1975-76. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the officers and direc tors and committee chairmen who worked hard to help run the affairs of the Association and to make the recent Turfgrass Conference a big success. I believe we accomplished a considerable amount in 1976 through the continuation of the Association's support to the Washington State University research program. I compliment A1 Blair for his continuing leadership role in the Finance Committee for the Special Research Fund which has now been going for two years and it appears that there will be adequate funds to continue for the third year. The annual conference is the ultimate gathering place each year for all Association members, so take it upon yourselves to let everyone know about the conference, when it will be and where, and encourage them to attend. It is no more difficult to prepare for a conference for 300 or more than it is for a conference of 150. I extend my best wishes to Joe Lymp and his officers and directors for the forthcoming year. NORTHWEST TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1976 Officers John Monson President Rich Schwabauer Vice President Jim Chapman Treasurer Roy L. Goss Exec. Secretary Board of Directors Sam Angove Director Parks and Recreation Dept. E. 811 Jefferson Spokane, WA 99201 Bud Ashworth Hangman Valley Golf Club 1029 S. Garry Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Clayton Bauman Meridian Valley Golf Club 13801 S.E. 240th Kent, WA 98031 Joe Lymp Sunriver Golf Club Sunriver Properties Sunriver, OR 97701 Bruce Jackman Clarkston Golf Club P. 0. Box 72 Clarkston, WA 99403 John Monson Broadmoor Golf Club 2340 Broadmoor Dr. E. Seattle, WA 98102 Rich Schwabauer Waverly Country Club Box 1100 S.E. Waverly Dr. Portland, OR 97222 Frank Zook E. P. Baltz & Son 9817 E. Burnside St. Portland, OR 97216 Sam Zook Overlake Golf Club Box 97 Medina, WA 98039 TABLE OF CONTENTS Adapting Turfgrasses to Shade - John Thorne 7 Water and Salt Problems in Turfgrass Production Jackie D. Butler 17 Pre and Post Emergence Poa annua Control Program - Thomas W. Cook 30 Bluegrass, Fescue and Ryegrass Varietal Evaluations after Three Years Testing Stanton E. Brauen 35 Preparing a Sound Budget -- Items to Include William H. Bengeyfield 47 Current Status of Pesticides Used in Turf Grass Management - Dick Maxwell 49 The Need for Technically Trained Turfgrass Superintendents for Parks - Joe Lymp 53 The Past, Present and Future of Turfgrass Disease Research in the Northwest - C. J. Gould. . . 59 Remodeling, Eventually Essential - Ronald Fream. . . 76 Remodeling Golf Courses - Milt Bauman 81 Maintenance of Trees and Shrubs for Parks and Golf Courses - Bernard G. Wesenberg 84 Overseeding on Golf Courses - Richard Malpass. . . . 89 Overseeding Programs that Really Work Roy L. Goss 92 Turfgrass Iron Problems and Solutions J. D. Butler 98 1975-76 Snowmold Studies - R. E. Ensign 104 1976 Idaho Turfgrass Trials - Ron Ensign 108 Measurements of Biodethatch Effect on Thatch Accumulation Under Bent and Bluegrass Turf Alvin G. Law . . . . 113 Nitrification Inhibitors on Turfgrass R. L. Warner and A. G. Law 118 Fungicidal Tests for Control of Fasa/Uum Patch (F. n¿vale,) - C.J. Gould and R. L. Goss. . . .121 Fu¿cvUum Patch - Disease Resistance C. J. Gould 124 Turfgrass Agronomic Research Report Roy L. Goss 126 ADAPTING TURFGRASSES TO SHADE 1 John Thorne 2 It has been estimated that over 20% of all turfs are maintained in some degree of shade. I'm sure you can all think of those problem areas where little or no grass will grow. They are normally associated with trees but can also occur on the north side of buildings. Shade is a common component of golf course design, in that the trees surrounding tees and lining the fairway contribute to both aesthetics and course difficulty. Greens are usually spared this problem, unless they are flanked by dense shrub or tree plantings as part of their landscaping. Under these circumstances, shadeassociated problems -- such as decreased air circulation, elevated relative humidity, and increased disease -are present. While shade itself produces a microclimatic change, its effects can be modified by local weather conditions. For example, a 1966 Pennsylvania survey of 326 golf course superintendents indicated shade as their number one maintenance problem. But a similar Washington survey conducted by Goss, Wilcox and Law in 1967 ranked shade tenth behind weeds (1st), wear (2nd) and diseases (8th). The differences between the two surveys undoubtedly involved the vastly different state climatic conditions. A decade after that survey was published the maintenance of good turf under shaded conditions continues to be a major challenge to professionals and 1/ To be presented to the 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference, Spokane, W A , September 29, 30, and October 1, 1976. 2/ Agronomist, Jack!in Seed Company, Spokane, WA. homeowners alike. This is in spite of varietal development research and considerable sophistication in our understanding of the natural microclimate encountered in the shade. Because of the aesthetic value of ornamental plantings, the superintendent usually can only minimize the problems and make the best of the situation. He should know that he cannot expect to maintain as high a quality of turf in the shade as full sun. However, he can often provide acceptable turf. To do this, he needs to develop a basic understanding of the shade environment and its effects on the growth and development of turfgrasses . THE SHADE ENVIRONMENT The most obvious effect of shade is the reduction in solar radiation. As sunlight filters through a dense tree canopy, deciduous tree leaves can often almost totally exclude light. Trees such as maples, oaks, and linden will provide the greatest light reduction. Others such as birch, locust, or poplar allow considerable light in the form of sunflecks to reach the turf. Thus shade can be extremely variable, from relatively bright open shade where peripheral trees block only direct sun, to a complete overhead canopy of leaves which filters and restricts all incoming radiation. Unless the canopy is dense, shade can also be extremely dynamic. Solar altitude changes during the daily cycle cause bright sunflecks and deep shade to continuously move to new positions. More rapid fluctuations result from winddriven leaf movements. The effect of reduced light intensity on turf is. initially a reduction in photosynthesis, the fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) into sugars. For most turf species, photosynthesis in an unshaded condition will exceed respiration, a process by which sugars are utilized as an energy source in plant growth. Adequate carbohydrate reserves are critical for the seasonal development of roots and shoots. When the photosynthetic rate is reduced below the level of carbohydrate accumulation, continued respiration can exhaust supplies and lead to the deterioration of turfgrass quality. Not only intensity of solar radiation is affected by tree leaves, but altered light quality is also a major problem encountered beneath deciduous trees. Their leaves will absorb most of the red and blue wavelengths of visible light, but show less interest in the green or infrared wavelengths. While this causes the leaves to appear green, it also means that the turf below receives transmitted light that is greatly enriched in green and infrared wavelengths. Many growth processes relative to shaded conditions (eg. inhibition of seed germination, elongated stem, leaf, and internode growth, and depressed reproductive growth) are caused by this wavelength imbalance. No great change in light quality occurs in the shade of evergreen trees such as fir (in western Washington) and pine (in eastern Washington). These needles (leaves) merely act as a neutral filter, reducing the intensity with little spectral change. Perhaps part of the difference between the Pennsylvania and Washington surveys was due to the deciduous vs. evergreen tree shade encountered. Other factors affecting turfgrass growth are associated with the peculiar microenvironment of shade. Air movement restricted by vegetative growth is a particularly covert problem. Due to inadequate mixing of the atmosphere, transpiration by the turf and trees causes increased relative humidity. Dews and rainfall are also very slow to evaporate, creating ideal conditions for disease development. The moderation of both air and soil temperature by the tree canopy significantly alters the shade environment. Day temperatures will be lower without direct sunlight and night temperatures higher because radiation cooling is prevented by the tree canopy. Tree-root competition for water and nutrients provides eastern Washington superintendents a major challenge. Shallow feeder roots can seriously deplete the soil of these important products, especially when the infrequent rainfall is also intercepted by the tree canopy. Deep fertilization and infrequent, heavy soaking will help discourage shallow tree roots. TURF GROWTH IN SHADE Plants that are shade-adapted actually thrive under the environmental conditions that I have just described. Their dark green leaves develop into broad, thin antenna for gathering the dim light. Their greater photosynthetic efficiency allows them to "turn-on" at much lower light intensities than sun plants brought into the shade. Because of this, they can accumulate carbohydrates and grow at light intensities prohibitive to sun plants. If moved into bright sun, their sensitive photosynthetic mechanism would actually be damaged. The respiration of shade-adapted plants is almost unaffected by temperature, a protective mechanism which also dictates slow growth rates. The respiration rate of most sun plants is strongly affected by temperature - usually doubling for every 10 degree rise in temperature. This can burn up an extraordinary amount of carbohydrates. True shade plants are also not overly responsive to the enhanced infrared light found under deciduous canopies. Thus they maintain conservative growth patterns and are not forced to produce undesirable plant characteristics as are sun plants brought into the shade. For example, a truly shade adapted grass would retain a horizontal growth pattern. Most sunadapted grasses develop long, thin leaves and take on an upright growth pattern. At low light levels, a reduced shoot density occurs in sun grasses as root, tiller, and rhizome production drops off. Another protective mechanism of true shade plants is an ability to store water without becoming overly succulent. Turfgrasses, on the other hand, respond to reduced light intensity by developing increased succulence due to underdeveloped vascular and support tissue, and thinner cell walls. Shade grown turf is thus particularly sensitive to disease attack. This succulence also leads to decreased tolerance to wear, heat, cold and drought stress. Since most, if not all, cool season turfgrasses are sun species and not truly shade plants, their existence in dense shade will be threatened as follows: (1) seriously reduced photosynthesis due to reduced solar radiation, resulting in a depletion of carbohydrate reserves, and producing undesirable plant characteristics, such as thinner leaves, reduced shoot density, reduced shoot and root growth, reduced tillering, and reduced sod strength; (2) more succulent leaf tissue, predisposing turf to injury from wear, disease, or climatic stress; and (3) increased disease development caused by decreased air turbulence, increased relative humidity, prolonged dews, and a more delicate, succulent leaf structure. TURF SPECIES WITH MODERATE SHADE TOLERANCE A number of turfgrass species can be maintained as a suitable turf under moderate shade, despite the lack of true shade adaptation. The key is a proper management program coupled with selection of species with acceptable levels of shade tolerance. The following table lists the relative shade adaptation of cool season turfgrasses in Washington. In western Washington, shaded areas are usually d o m i n a t e d b y b e n t g r a s s , Poa annua, a n d Poa £/Uva¿¿69 especially on w e t , poorly drained sites. In fact, the heavy precipitation, low levels of daily solar radiation, and acid soils encourage the dominance of these species almost everywhere there. Although these grasses will, for the most part, perform quite adequately, their limitations in terms of wear, heat, cold, drought, or disease tolerance must be recognized. LU O n= oo z: i—i i—i z ^ Cu O c co co 03 d cr> Hd 3 +-> e Oo — c 0 3 co cu CL CO 3 O d 1— o CD o o C •i— M—sz O 4-> d •i— O •r— >> +-> (T3 0 3 > -M CL 03 >> 03 "D 03 E eu i— eu "O 03 >eu -d CO eu > eu •I— CL 40-3 > CL 3 i— eu CL o =3 co -M co d o3 CU en d CU +-> co i— O _Q z: CO CO co CO co co 03 03 03 d LU CD en cn O 4-> 4-> eu C d d eu eueu d •= U1 _Q _Q 3 o i— -ZI r- en co 03 LU 03 d ceu •r— CL •I— -1—4- d d CL d O oe u •e u r— .eui1— d O d — 03 eu u U 1- CL LU Q > \ >«— • CO CL eu eu jd en co CO CO CO CO 03 03 co Ld 03 en en d eu eu en 3 3 eu <— Í — _Q -Q r3—_Q >> * * * "O d 03 ~C5 CO d d 3 eu >1 o > d o d CD O O >> O U ^ 15 3 O 4-> 4d-> +3-> Ceu eu d ^ nl eu eu eu "O ^j" en 03 oo en i—<1 z3 o eu .d o "O eu CL en d CL eu eu od co eu eu 3 CJ "O 3 CO i— eu Oe LL •1—"O en 03 d n= •i— CLM— 3 d Od 03 CD Q 1 LU O men o C LT) >- CL Q * * * Eastern Washington shaded areas are usually dominated by one or more species of fescue. Over the years, a reputation has been established for an ability to persist in dry, shaded conditions. For this reason, grass seed mixtures formulated for shade have traditionally included large percentages of fine fescues. There are several species to choose from and often many varieties within a specie. Table 2 describes the major fescue characteristics . The performance of tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and bluegrass in the shade has been variable, but generally they have proven medium to poor. Recently, however, three improved varieties of Kentucky bluegrass have demonstrated moderate shade tolerance, often outperforming red fescues, especially on wet sites. Glade, Nugget, and A-34 are now finding their way into more and more shade blends, especially when the site is to be sodded. Their resistance to powdery mildew is unusual for Kentucky bluegrasses. Glade's improved resistance to the diseases encountered in the sun as well has sparked a reputation as a "dual-purpose" turfgrass. SHADE ADAPTIVE MECHANISMS What factors, morphological or physiological, confer a degree of shade tolerance to one variety or specie when others cannot persist? Surely resistance to shadeencountered diseases, especially powdery mildew and leafspot, contributes. But other adaptive mechanisms are functioning as well. Red fescues, for example, retain their horizontal leaf angle at low light intensities and modified spectral quality. Bluegrasses demonstrate an upright growth pattern and are possibly less efficient at intercepting available light than fescues. Certainly a low growth profile allows less photosynthetic tissue to be mowed away. As mentioned previously, there are a number of additional mechanisms of shade adaption evident in true shade plants (non-turfgrass species). These include anatomical and physiological characteristics which allow them to thrive in deep shade (but usually not in full sun). These adaptive mechanisms are fairly well understood. Shade adaptive mechanisms of turfgrasses must be inves- THE FINE FESCUES (all are tolerant of dry, moderate FESCUE TYPE Hard Fescue Sheeps Fescue Creeping Fescue GROWTH HABIT SPREADING ABILITY ] shade) TYPICAL VARIETIES COLOR** Narrow leave s, low growing, attractive turf, weak seedling vigor. Drought tolerant. bunch type, Bilj art Dk green Dk green very little Scaldi s Dk green spread (by Durar (not a tillering turf type) only) Very low growing narrow, tough, wirey blades. Very drought tolerant. Tufted densely. bunch type, very little spread (by tillering only) Medium texture, little spread drought tolerance, and growth Poor heat tolerance . Bar ok Covar BlueGrey Dawson Golf rood Oasis Dk green Lt green Md green Spreading Broader leaves Fescue (more like Kty. bluegrass).Moderately tall growing (should be cut at 2-2V') Fairly good spreading, slowly fills in damaged areas. Boreal Ensylva Fortress Novorubra Olds Pennlawn Ruby Md Md Dk Dk Md Md Dk green green green green green dark green Chewing s Fescue bunch type , very little spread (by tillering only) Atlanta Banner Barfalia Cascade Halifax Highlight J ade Jame stown Koket Minue t Scarlett Waldorf Wi ntergreen Md Md Md Md Md Lt Md Md Md Md Md Md Md dark dark dark dark green green dark dark dark dark dark dark dark Narrow leaves, low growing, densely tufted. Poor heat tolerance . Many varieties are suscept ble to powdery mildew. * Ranked according to decreasing shade tolerance by Dr. Order may change Robert Duell, Rutgers University. considerably with local environment and management. **Color will vary with fertility and maintenance. tigated more thoroughly so that plant breeders can develop truly shade tolerant turfgrass species and varieties. WHAT CAN YOU DO? 1. Increase light intensity at ground level by selectively pruning limbs of a dense canopy, allowing sunflecks to move across the shaded turf. Prune lower limbs to a height of seven feet or more to allow penetration of early morning and late afternoon sunlight. 2. Enhance light interception by mowing one-half inch above normal in the shade. This also helps conceal the thin turf. 3. Improve air drainage by thinning or underbrush or shrubs in the path of wind. This will lower the relative enhance drying of the turf, helping 4. Provide fungicides where necessary. Benomyl or cycloheximide will both do an excellent job on powdery mildew. 5. Prune shallow feeder roots with a rototiller when establishing turf in shaded areas. Deep fertilization and irrigation will discourage their return. 6. Establish turf in the fall under deciduous trees to take full advantage of the increased light intensity. 7. Minimize succulence by irrigating only when needed and then deeply. 8. Avoid excessive fertilization, helping to,be conservative in its growth and development. This is very important for good root development. Increased tissue succulence is also avoided -- helping the plant better withstand environmental stresses and disease attacks. 9. Minimize wear by routing carts away from trees. removing dense the prevailing humidity and reduce disease. Presently no turfgrass specie will survive as a turf in dense shade. Research in this area is ongoing, but if you are unable to grow acceptable turf despite all attempts, you may need to use a truly shade tolerant ground cover. In non-use areas, English Ivy, Myrtle, or Pachysandra may be necessary. WATER AND SALT PROBLEMS1 IN TURFGRASS PRODUCTION Jackie D. Butler 2 In the more arid regions of the U. S. there are several indigenous, and often serious, turfgrass problems. A general shortage of water for irrigation, and soil and water salt problems are frequently of concern to the turfgrass professional in drier areas of the west. WATER In the past, grasses used for turf have not varied much, if any, between areas that receive adequate or near adequate precipitation for quality turf, and those areas where serious moisture deficits exist. Today, with a rapid increase in population in the drier regions of the U. S., and a general concern for food production, the use of so much water for turf irrigation is being seriously questioned. And, in Colorado when priorities for water use have been established, water for turf irrigation has normally been given a very low priority. The need for careful planning of water use throughout the U. S. is evident if one considers that the dependable supply of water, as well as man's ability to store and transport this exhaustible resource is limited. The largest dependable fresh water supply for the U. S. is anticipated to be about 650 billion gallons per day (Lunin). - To be presented to the 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference, Spokane, WA, September 29, 30, and October 1 , 1976. 2/ Extension Associate Professor, Dept. of Horticulture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Presently in the U. S., about 400 billion gallons of water are used daily. By 2000 A.D. the projected daily water needs will be in excess of 100 billion gallons. Therefore, by 1980 it is likely that water will need to be used at least twice before release to the environment. WATER CONSERVATION In the more arid regions of the U. S., there is a definite need for careful planning in developing additional turf sites. In the future the water requirements and allocations for golf courses, parks, home lawns, etc. will have to be justified, and in much of western U. S. regulations will determine just how much water of a given quality can be used for a given purpose. An important aspect of water economy for any turfsman is the consideration of conditions on site. Too often slopes and flat, low areas are given the same treatment. When this happens, drainage, as well as drought, often becomes a problem. The removal of topsoil can reduce the rate of infiltration, and the ability of the soil to store and supply water to plants. Areas that are protected from the wind and sun require less water than more exposed sites. Thus, it is evident that a site review could point to ways of saving significant amounts of water without detracting from turf quality. Tremendous improvements have occurred in turfgrass irrigation equipment during the last decade. Most irrigation systems can be used, or altered, for efficient water use. Night watering, cyclic watering on slopes (to allow for better infiltration with minimum runoff), etc. will allow better utilization of water. Because of poor planning (for example, the same valve operates heads on turf grown on very heavy and very light soils), and the ease of pushing a button, it has become easy to over water and to waste water. Improper irrigation has caused frequent disease and weed, notably Voa annua, problems. On site inspection to determine turfgrass water needs seems to be done less and less. A n d , when it is done, the presence of one small dry spot often calls for the activation of the whole system. Many irrigation systems give very poor distribution, even if there is no wind, and it seems that virtually no turfsman will work on improving distribution if simply more water will solve the problem. A good wear tolerant turf depends upon the relationship of soil, air and water. A turf grown under wet soil conditions will usually lack a suitable root system to withstand stress; whereas, inadequate water may produce a sparse stand, and a turf that can be easily damaged by traffic. Turfgrass watering programs remain more of an art than a science. Factors such as footprinting and loss of leaf lustre are useful indicators of drought stress, and the need for water. Indicated water need may or may not call for immediate irrigation. An immediate or delayed need for water will depend on environmental conditions. If available water for the plant is limited and évapotranspiration losses are high, it is not unusual to see turf go out in a short time. Tensiometers, soil moisture blocks and other sophisticated equipment may be used as a basis for irrigating. Observations indicate that, through conditioning, it may be possible to "harden" turfgrass to where it will provide an acceptable turf through 2-3 weeks or more of dry weather without watering. In the drier areas of the West, it has not been unusual for golf courses to plant high water requiring turfgrasses from fence to fence, and to face annual water bills of $40-50,000 or more. Other segments of the turf industry have tended to overuse high water requiring turfgrass and other plant material. True, the irrigated greenery is an oasis in the desert; however, with water in short supply, many governmental agencies and landscape planners are seriously looking for ways to conserve water. Today, primary thoughts are toward the use of more "native" or low water requiring plants, with high quality turf and landscape material being located where they will be more fully utilized and enjoyed. TURFGRASSES FOR DRY AREAS In the northern cool regions of the U. S. there are several "turfgrasses" that occur naturally. Some of these grasses are now used extensively for turf, and others have turf potential. A brief review of some of the grasses and their possibility for turf use in dry areas is now in order. Buffalograss is a short prairie grass which has good drought tolerance. Irrigation can be beneficial in establishing stands of buffalograss, but watering, unless very carefully done, will cause it to be replaced by cool season grasses. The lack of competitiveness of buffalo is partially due to its low growth habit. Buffalograss is very "shade intolerant". Buffalograss is a warm-season grass that is not competitive under conditions of poor light and spring moisture. Such conditions may be adequate for cool season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, quackgrass, and tall fescue. Buffalograss, in pure stands, under certain climatic and soil conditions, may not require mowing; however, it will withstand frequent and close mowing. Mowing is a useful tool for keeping competition for light from taller growing grasses and forbs in check. It needs little, if any, supplemental fertilizer for satisfactory growth. Pure stands of buffalograss are quite variable and patchy with individual plants ranging from yellow-green to blue-green. Buffalograss is an important grass for unirrigated home lawns, fairways, roadsides, etc. in the high plains. This grass does not seem to do well at altitudes above 6,000 feet. Buffalograss will stand traffic well. Blue grama is often associated with buffalograss in semi-arid regions, and it is known to survive extreme drought. It is a warm season grass and produces short rhizomes that may result in a relatively dense turf. Blue grama requires little, if any, supplemental fertilization under arid conditions. It can be maintained at a height of 2 to 3 inches. Its population under arid conditions tends to increase when taller growing grasses and weeds are mowed low or heavily grazed. Because of its open and somewhat bunchy growth, it does not have enough density to form a really smooth turf. Blue grama can be readily propagated from seed, but requires special machinery and treatment to assure a reasonable stand when planted under arid conditions. Saltgrass - Desert saltgrass grows well on dry sites and stays green during long dry periods. Without mowing, its height usually does not exceed 4 to 6 inches. Saltgrass turf is often relatively low and open, but some plants may produce a dense turf. It has excellent wear resistance, and it can be found on walkways and playgrounds where other grasses do not exist. Some drawbacks of this grass result from the fact that it is a warm season grass and may not compete well with cool season grasses that receive good maintenance. Although especially sought after by park superintendents in Colorado, there is no commercial source of saltgrass seed. It can be established vegetatively from sod pieces. The rhizomes may be 6 to 8 inches deep in native soil. Nurseries established from rhizomes produce stolons on the soil surface the second year. This grass will grow through asphalt causing it to break and deteriorate, and it can become a serious weed in landscape plantings. Bermudagrass - Although "common" bermudagrass is found widely in northern Colorado, the hardiness of the elite turf types in cooler areas is questionable. Bermudagrass found in cool, dry areas is normally coarse and stemmy and produces an open, low-density turf. This warm season grass may exhibit exceptionally good drought tolerance, and it may deserve testing for use on certain adverse growing sites. The wheatgrasses, in general, have exceptionally good drought tolerance, and are found growing under adverse conditions throughout cool dry areas. The wheatgrasses show little promise of providing fine, highdensity turf. Their accepted place is normally as range grasses and for roadside erosion control. The wheatgrasses are frequent components of native grass mixtures for droughty areas. Tall wheatgrass - This coarse bunch grass often grows 3 to 4 feet high. It is not of value for a high density turf, but has ornamental value for certain sites. This grass will remain fairly green through extended drought periods. Western wheatgrass - This strong, drought resistant rhizomatous grass is found growing widely in the West. It is found growing at high altitudes and under very droughty conditions. Western wheat will remain bluishgreen during extended dry periods. However, under extremely dry conditions it may produce only very sparse stands. Western wheatgrass does not produce a dense turf with low cutting (2 inches) and frequent irrigations. At 4 to 5 inches mowing height, and infrequent watering, this grass can develop into a tough, drought resistant turf of fair density. Quackgrass - This rhizomatous grass can develop a strong sod that will remain green through extended drought periods. It may retain good density when subjected to either high or low levels of maintenance. Quackgrass is a restricted noxious weed in many states. Although long considered a serious weed of cultivated fields, it seems to have a promising place in turfgrass culture. Under conditions apart from cultivated crop areas it seems to be worth further consideration for revegetation projects. As laws and attitudes change, this grass may become important for turf. Crested wheatgrass - Crested wheatgrass has very good drought tolerance. It has the disadvantage of turning straw colored in the heat of summer, but it is green in spring and fall. The major disadvantage as a "turfgrass" of this relatively fine-textured grass is its bunchy growth habit. The slowly spreading bunches can be a nuisance on golf course roughs when the raised clumps cause undue playing hazards. Crested wheatgrass originated in Russia, but has achieved it major success in the U.S. Fairway crested wheatgrass is sometimes used for lawns, particularly in the northern plains states. It needs only infrequent watering to remain green. Other wheatgrasses - Two other coarse stemmed wheatgrasses adapted to droughty and semi-droughty conditions that may have use on specialized sites are intermediate wheatgrass and thickspike wheatgrass. Smooth brome - This coarse-textured, strongly rhizomatous grass was introduced from Europe, and it is now quite common throughout the northern U. S. This brome can be found growing under very dry conditions and at high altitudes. Smooth bromegrass plants often appear with distinct differences in density, texture, etc. Smooth brome will remain green through extended periods of drought. Smooth bromegrass plants may be used for pure seedings, and it is a frequent component of mixtures for revegetating areas. It seems to offer promise as an economically important turf of the region. About 20 named varieties of smooth brome are available. Some 1,500 individual plants of smooth brome are being screened at Colorado State University for "better" turf types; of these, 15 that seem the most promising are being increased. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future specially adapted smooth bromes will become available, especially for use on playgrounds, golf course roughs, roadsides, roadside parks, etc. Tall fescue - In the Transition zone, between the cool-and-warm-season areas of the U. S., this grass is considered to have good drought tolerance. The deep root system of tall fescue would be expected to contribute to good drought tolerance. However, under natural arid conditions there may be little moisture that reaches the "root area" of tall fescue. With heavy, but infrequent irrigation, tall fescue often remains green and does well through much of the growing season. This coarse grass certainly seems to have more of a niche in dry areas as a turfgrass than it now enjoys. Kentucky bluegrass - This grass is generally considered to be very intolerant of drought, but it is found persisting in certain areas with about 12 inches yearly precipitation. Often Kentucky bluegrass will go dormant during prolonged dry periods, but there are individual plants that remain green well into extended dry periods. In 1974 some 200 Kentucky bluegrass selections were made from semi-arid regions of Colorado, and these have been increased for further evaluation, both for drought tolerance and turf quality. In 1975, Dernoeden at Colorado State University, in a project supported in part by G.C.S.A.A., did extensive research on the drought tolerance of many varieties of Kentucky bluegrass. In general "common" type Kentucky bluegrasses exhibited the best tolerance to drought. Unfortunately, these common types do not possess turf characteristics which are normally desirable such as good color, density and disease resistance. For quality turf, savings on water from the use of common types could be offset by increased costs for pest control. SALTS Because of the shortages of water in the western U. S., turfgrass irrigation is often dependent upon low quality water. In the West sewage effluent is frequently used to irrigate turf, and the availability of effluent water is considered a valuable asset that can dictate the location of turf installations. For irrigation, the contamination of water with nitrates, phosphates and sediment may not be of great concern; in fact, certain contaminants may be beneficial for plant production. A major concern in plant production is the presence of significant amounts of soluble salts, especially sodium in the irrigation water. In order to determine the suitability of water for irrigation, a water test will provide general information on whether or not the water is suitable for irrigating plants. It is also necessary that one know the crop to be grown, soil and climatic conditions, etc. before a sound judgement on the suitability of water for irrigation can be made. The table below presents basic guidelines for water use relative to salt content. TABLE 1: Salinity hazard of irrigation water. Dissolved Salt Content ppm EC - micromhos/cm Hazard 1. 2. 3. 4. Waters for which no detrimental effects will usually be noticed 500 750 Waters which may have detrimental effects on sensitive plants 500-1000 750-1500 Waters that may have adverse effects on many plants and require careful management practices 1000-2000 1500-3000 Waters that can be used for salt tolerant plants on highly permeable soils with careful management practices and only occasionaly for more sensitive plants 2000-5000 3000-7500 C.S.U. S/A .506 Salt Affected Soils Saline soils contain large amounts of water soluble salts which limit germination and plant growth. Sodium soils are high in exchangeable sodium. If more than 15% of the ions retained by the clay in the soil is sodium, then the soil is considered to be a sodium soil. Saline sodium soils contain large amounts of salts as well as more than 15% exchangeable sodium. Saline soils are not reclaimable by chemical means. However, leaching can remove salts from the root zone. The soil must have adequate internal drainage to allow the water to pass through and remove the salts. The quantity of water required for leaching is related to the amount of salt in the soil, the final salt level desired, and the quality of the irrigation water. The amount of good quality irrigation water passing through a foot of soil will decrease the salt concentration by the approximate precentage listed below: Acre-feet of water/acre C.S.U. % salt reduction % 50 1 80 2 90 S/A .503 Since sodium soils are high in exchangeable sodium, such soils may be treated by replacing absorbed sodium with a soluble source of calcium. Calcium in the irrigation water, native gypsum or chemical amendments such as gypsum can supply calcium to reduce the sodium. Water is necessary to dissolve applied or native gypsum. One acre-foot of irrigation water will dissolve about one ton per acre of gypsum. Soil test results in the West often provide information on soluble salt levels. When the pH is above 8.5 or when salt levels are high, a sodium absorption ratio (SAR) test should be considered necessary. The SAR test is reported as a special ratio of sodium to calcium plus magnesium. A gypsum test in conjunction with the SAR test provides information on native gypsum in the soil. If sufficient gypsum is present in the soils, additions of this material may not be necessary and reclamation can proceed provided water can move adequately through the soil. SALT TOLERANT TURFGRASSES In many instances, because of impervious soils, the use of water high in salts, etc., leaching to lessen soil salt problems does not provide for satisfactory soil improvement. As with other crops, more salt tolerant turfgrasses are sometimes sought and used to provide a solution, although perhaps temporary, for salt problems. Kentucky bluegrass has a low salt tolerance. As soluble salt readings approach 4.0 mmhos/cm, problems in establishment and maintenance of Kentucky bluegrass turf can be anticipated. Typically, Kentucky bluegrass, especially during hot summer weather, will thin and brown out as salt levels exceed 4.0 mmhos/cm. Grasses such as perennial ryegrass, creeping bentgrass, quackgrass and alkaligrass will thrive as the Kentucky bluegrass goes out. The noticeable presence of such grasses is often indicative of salt problems in Kentucky bluegrass turf. Although there are probably significant differences in Kentucky bluegrass cultivar tolerance to soluble salts, such information is presently quite sketchy. Red fescue is sometimes grouped with Kentucky bluegrass for salt tolerance. However, field observations would indicate that this grass is superior to Kentucky bluegrass in salt tolerance. Golfrood, an earlier cultivar of fine fescue, was said to be salt tolerant (tolerated more salts than certain other cultivars). The colonial bentgrasses are normally considered to have salt tolerance below 4 mmhos/cm. Whereas, creeping bentgrass cultivars appear to exhibit relative salt tolerances of 8-12 mmhos/cm. In the west, Seaside creeping bentgrass, which has medium salt tolerance, is sometimes used where salts have proven to be a limiting factor in turfgrass production. Field observations indicate that perennial ryegrasses grown for turfgrass will tolerate salt levels of 8-10 mmhos/cm or more. With the development of elite perennial ryegrasses, more dependence has been placed on them for turfing areas relatively high in salts. And in regions where salt problems are common, there often seems to be merit in the use of Kentucky bluegrass perennial ryegrass mixtures. More information on the salt tolerance of specific perennial ryegrass cultivars is needed. Perhaps, in the not too distant future there will be perennial ryegrass cultivars marketed specifically for use on sites with salt problems. Tall fescue is tolerant to salt levels of 8-10 mmhos/cm. Currently most of the turf developmental work with tal 1 fescue is being carried out in the East, where salt problems receive little, if any, consideration. As more refined cultivars of tall fescue become available they will likely, because of drought and salt tolerance, become more widely used in the West. Bermudagrass will tolerate salt levels of 16-18 or more mmhos/cm. Even with substantial improvements, bermudagrass semms to offer only little promise to provide high quality turfgrass for northern areas of the West. Three alkaligrasses - weeping alkaligrass (puccfneZtia dsUtayiA), lemmon alkaligrass (P. Immowi), and Nuttall alkaligrass (P. cujioldu) - are found growing rather widely in the West. The alkaligrasses seem to have relative salt level tolerances of 30-40 (or even more) mmhos/cm. In the West on salty sites, alkaligrass is often an alternative to mud. Lemmon and weeping alkaligrass are fine textured, low growing, cool season bunch grasses. These grasses appear to be quite similar to Kentucky bluegrass except that they are not rhizomatous. These grasses have a rapid rate of tiller production, and they develop extensive root systems. The alkaligrasses are not found growing where drought stress is severe. The U.S.G.A. Green Section has supported management studies on alkaligrass at Colorado State University. Although "Fults" weeping alkaligrass will tolerate a short (golf green) mowing height, it did not, during the first y e a r , produce density comparable to creeping bentgrass. At higher cuts it has been possible to produce an attractive turf of weeping alkaligrass. Desert saltgrass is a strongly rhizomatous, warmseason perennial highly tolerant to salt. This grass is found throughout the West, eastward to Iowa and Missouri. Its presence is especially noticeable on heavy use playgrounds in cities of the West, and on salt flats where it may be found as a companion of alkaligrass. This dioecious grass is a poor seed producer, and propagation, as noted earlier, presents problems. Unfortunately, it is not possible within the scope of this presentation to discuss other grasses that would further point out variability in salt tolerance, and their possible use for vegetating salty sites. PRE AND POST EMERGENCE 1 POA ANNUA CONTROL PROGRAM Thomas W. Cook 2 Work on the Voa annua control program has progressed rapidly in 1976. Considerable refinement of rates and procedures has been accomplished on both bluegrass lawn turf and bentgrass putting turf. At this time there appear to be several factors that are very important in determining whether or not control is successful. Foremost is the need for timely pre-emergence herbicide application to prevent Voa annua recovery from germination. All tests conducted so far show that when no pre-emergence control is used, Voa annua recovers rapidly from germinating seed. In many cases germinating seedlings have been ovserved as soon as three weeks after apparently successful post-emergent applications of endothall. Repeated applications of endothall without pre-emergence herbicides have reduced Voa annua populations, but not to the extent that pre-post emergent combinations have. Next is the importance of growth rate of the turf as affected by season and nitrogen fertility. For example, in western Washington best control of Voa annua in Kentucky bluegrass is achieved between June and midSeptember. This coincides with the peak growth period for Kentucky bluegrass in this area. Early spring applications of endothall are often ineffective and may injure 1/ To be presented to the 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference, Spokane, WA, September 29, 30, and October 1 , 1976. 2/ Turfgrass Research Associate* Western Washington Research and Extension Center (WSU), Puyallup, WA. the slow growing Kentucky bluegrass. Late fall applications often give good Poa annua kill, but do not allow time for the Kentucky bluegrass to fill in the gaps left by dead Poa. Best Poa annua control in bentgrass putting turf comes between late April and mid June and again during the first three weeks in September. This also coincides with peak growth periods for bentgrass putting turf in western Washington. Mid-summer applications of endothall often cause unacceptable discoloration of the bentgrass turf. Nitrogen fertility seems to influence the tolerance and rate of fill in by both bentgrass and bluegrass turf. With both grasses, turf growing slowly due to lack of nitrogen will show more discoloration and be slower to fill in areas where the Poa annua is killed. For this reason, optimum fertility aimed at juvenile vigorous turf facilitates best control of Poa annua and minimum injury to desirable turfgrasses. Weather conditions during the treatment period are very important. During peak control periods endothall gives best control when applications are followed by at least one day without rain or irrigation. Significant rainfall during or shortly after application reduces the effectiveness of endothall. On the other hand, it does not appear critical that the sun be shining though activity may be slower under cloudy conditions. Temperatures above 85°F may contribute to a loss of selectivity. Finally, endothall applied to turf under drought stress may cause general injury and a loss of selectivity. Fortunately, with our mild climate these last two factors are not major considerations. One other factor about which there is some confusion concerns spray volume. My general impression based on work done so far is that spray volumes in excess of 100 gal/acre maximize Poa annua kill by enhancing physical coverage of the plants in the field. However, generally acceptable control has been achieved with volumes as low as 50 gal/acre. It is possible that lower volumes may give good results on short cut turf, but not on taller turf. More recently it appears that addition of a spreader may enhance control at lower volumes. We hope to get more information on this next season. Successful Experimental Programs Kentucky Bluegrass Lawn Turf - 3/4" to 1-1/2" 1. Encourage growth with adequate fertilizer during late spring. 2. Apply pre-emergence herbicide near the end of May or in early June and thoroughly water in. Ex) bensulide 10-12 lb ai/acre. 3. One to two weeks later apply endothall at 6 to 8 qts/acre (equals about 2-3 lb acid equiv.). At lower rates add spreader at rate of 1 pt/ 100 gal spray solution. 4. One week to 10 days later apply nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate recovery and filling of bare areas. 5. Repeat endothall application 6 to 8 weeks after first application if necessary. Follow all repeat applications with adequate nitrogen fertilizer. Bentgrass Putting Turf - 3/16" to 1/4" 1. Encourage growth with adequate fertilizer during spring. 2. Around mid-April apply pre-emergence herbicide. Ex) bensulide 10 lb ai/acre. 3. One to two weeks later apply endothall at 2 2% qts/acre (equals about 3/4 to 1 lb acid equiv. 4. One week to 10 days later apply nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate recovery and fill in. In general, the program for Poa annua control in Kentucky bluegrass has worked better and more consistently than the program for putting turf. The major difference seems to be that at the lower rates used on putting turf numerous Poa annua variants show resistance. As a result, treatment of putting turf reduces the POOL annua population, but does not eliminate it. At the higher rates used on Kentucky bluegrass, resistant types have not proven to be a problem yet. Recent tests indicate hope for solving the current resistance problems on putting turf. These experimental programs unfortunately are not in accordance with label recommendations which make it impossible to recommend endothall based on our research. However, as our program continues we will be in close contact with the manufacturer in an effort to gain enough information to warrant any necessary label changes. UNTIL THAT TIME WE CANNOT MAKE ANY OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATIONS concerning the use of endothall turf herbicide for Pea annua control. Continued Research At the present time it appears we will be able to fund this project for one more season. Because of the short time period left our work will concentrate on the following areas: 1. Continued refinement of current procedures. This includes additives and combinations to increase efficacy. All work so far has been done with the 19.2% di-sodium salt solution. In 1977 testing of the di-potassium salt and granular form will be initiated. 2. Accumulation of repetitive data to generate support for possible label changes. 3. Expanded work with bentgrass lawn turf and perennial ryegrass turf. 4. Attempt to gain additional information for basic programs in eastern Washington. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The existence of this program is due largely to the members of the Northwest Turfgrass Association who realize the need for continuing research on the many problems in turf management. Believe me when I say, we appreciate your contributions very much. BLUEGRASS, FESCUE AND RYEGRASS VARIETAL 1 EVALUATIONS AFTER THREE YEARS TESTING Stanton E. Brauen 2 In western Washington in recent years there has been considerable interest in seeding turf areas to grass types other than bentgrass or fescue. Bluegrasses in particular and ryegrasses in some instances, are being seeded where once mostly bentgrass was seeded. For example, bluegrasses dominate the sod industry. Bluegrass and ryegrass mixtures are recommended for sports turf. A great part of the increased interest in the use of these grasses has been due to the improved availability of improved grass varieties and increased national advertising of these varieties. However, turf managers know that bluegrass varieties of the past have not been well adapted to persistent use in western Washington. More agressive KgnoAtiA and Poa species invade the bluegrass plantings and often times result in less than desirable turf conditions. These trends in turfgrass use plus the recent increase in availability of improved turfgrass varieties from both foreign and domestic sources led to the initiation of extensive turfgrass variety screening studies at Puyallup. Collection of turfgrass materials was intiated four years ago from turfgrass breeders, seed companies and seed suppliers from throughout the world. 1/ To be presented to the 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference, Spokane, W A , September 29, 30, and October 1, 1976. y Associate Agronomist/Extension Agronomist, Western Washington Research and Extension Center (WSU), Puyallup, WA. Varieties and selections of approximately 120 bluegrasses, 90 fescues and 60 ryegrasses were seeded three years ago in July, 1973. Regular evaluations have been conducted since that time for turf quality, general appearance, density, texture* color, and acceptability plus turf reaction to specific diseases that have been identifiable over this period of time. I am sure you are all aware that true variety adaptability to an area cannot be determined in the course of a three-year evaluation. Persistent, competitive varieties that have good turf quality characteristics that are nearly resistant to the major disease organisms in the region can only be identified through long-term variety management evaluations in conjunction with demonstrated and intended use under turf conditions. These variety evaluations as they are reported here encompass the weaknesses of any short-term variety evaluations. These shortcomings are reflected in the fact that they represent only one soil-plant microclimate being managed under one set of cultural conditions and are evaluated by two or three, perhaps not unbiased, human individuals. Nevertheless, these trials do identify the varieties or selections that may be adapted to western Washington conditions and will identify those varieties which are least desirable for use in the area. The list of potentially adapted varieties will likely be narrowed by further experience and management research, while the list of least acceptable types will expand. The line of acceptability versus non-acceptability will be drawn by others for my ideals of acceptability may be somewhat different than yours. Your standards for turf quality, density, texture, disease reaction, compatability with other varieties or grass types and general turf desirability or mowing characteristics may not be recognized in research evaluations. Thus, the results presented to you today should not be construed as absolute but should be used as indicators of progress in variety evaluation and variety usage development. For presentation today only 50 varieties have been chosen out of 200 varieties being evaluated. These 50 varieties were selected either because of their superior performance among the varieties being tested or because they are named varieties currently available or potentially available and familiar to you. Many other experimental types have been omitted because the developers are no longer interested in their performance, their release is not anticipated or their performance to this point has been below average or absolutely unacceptable. BLUEGRASS The bluegrasses as a genus are susceptable to several disease organisms. Probably most important of these diseases for the area west of the Cascades are several rusts, several Holmlyvtho^ponyiim species and perhaps blister smut. Table 1 lists the ratings on several bluegrass varieties for blister smut, WdlmlntkoAposLtum leaf spot and a winter crown disease (probably caused by HelmZntko^po^Uum sp). Although nearly all the varieties listed in Table l>with the exception of Pennstar, Newport and Park, show considerable resistance to the winter crown disease. Nearly all varieties show considerable susceptability to H^lmintko^ponlum leaf spot. Pennstar, Newport, Park, P-59, Galaxy, Victa, Bonnieblue, Baron, Rugby, Fylking, Geronimo and Parade all showed high susceptabil ity to blister smut which was observed for the first time at Puyallup in the winter of 1976. Touchdown, Brunswick, Merion, Glade, Cheri, Kimono, Monopoly, Entensa, A-34, Adelphi, Birka, Sydsport and Nugget showed near resistance to the smut condition. The combination of blister smut and winter crown disease drastically effects the appearance, turf quality and resulting acceptability of affected bluegrasses during the winter months. Blister smut may be a disease which will not develop each year. This past winter the duration of disease was quite short-lived lasting only for a period of 6-8 weeks. Accordingly, blister smut may be a disease which could be tolerated at least where varieties are blended with the resistant types. Varieties that are susceptible to the winter crown disease should be avoided entirely. A tentative classification of the susceptibility of bluegrass varieties to winter crown disease and blister smut is listed in Tables 2 and 3. Blends and/or mixtures should use two or more combinations of bluegrass varieties that most nearly reduce the total susceptibility to these diseases yet are compatable in other agronomic characteristics. Little is know at present about the compatabi1ity of these bluegrass varieties in blends. It is good to know the reaction of individual varieties to specific diseases. But general turf quality at different times of the year and in the end acceptability will add meaningful information to variety users. Table 4 lists the ratings of some bluegrasses for these characteristics. Generally, those varieties that combine good to moderate resistance to winter diseases plus have good winter density and color rate highest in acceptability. Table 5 provides a listing of adjusted acceptability of bluegrass varieties. This classification of varieties is an attempt to group the varieties when their total year-round performance is considered. During the first three years of these evaluations, numerous varieties have changed in reaction to the environment from year to year. Some that performed well the first years have declined in performance this past year. Others that were moderate in performance the first year have maintained that level or improved. Undoubtedly, continued testing will separate the varietal performance more dramatically and make varietal preferences more distinct in the future. TABLE 1. Reaction of Kentucky bluegrass varieties to Blister Smut, HdtMlvtfho*ponjjLm and Winter Crown Disease at Puyallup, WA. Variety Leaf Spotsi/ Blister Smut Helminthosporium Winter^/ Crown Disease P-59 9.0 6.6 17.1 Adelphi 2.0 8.5 17.9 Bonnieblue 8.0 8.8 17.9 Rugby 9.8 7.9 17.9 A-34 1.8 9.0 18.8 Birka 1.3 8.0 18.8 Parade 9.0 8.5 18.8 Majestic 2.0 8.6 19.2 Merion 1.0 6.5 19.6 Geronimo 7.8 8.4 20.0 Galaxy 9.3 6.5 22.5 Touchdown 2.0 5.0 22.5 Kimono 2.3 6.8 22.5 Entensa 1.0 5.4 24.6 Baron 6.8 7.3 25.0 Monopoly 1.0 5.8 26.3 Cheri 1.0 7.9 27.1 Victa 8.0 8.3 27.9 Glade 1.3 8.0 29.6 Sydsport 1.0 8.9 29.6 Brunswick 1.5 8.3 31.9 Newport 7.8 7.2 33.8 Pennstar 7.5 8.3 34.2 Fylking 6.0 7.8 34.6 Nugget 1.5 7.9 37.9 Park 8.5 7.9 55.8 1/ Rated 1 to 10. 1 = resistant, 10 = very susceptable 1/ Percent of turf area affected TABLE 2. Classification of susceptibility of bluegrass varieties to winter crown disease in western Washington. Winter Crown Disease Variety Good Resistance Adelphi, A-34, Parade, Merion, Bonnieblue, Rugby, P-59, Majestic, Geronimo, Nugget Moderate Resistance Touchdown, Galaxy, Victa, Baron, Glade, Cheri, Kimono, Monopoly, Entensa, Sydsport, Brunswick Moderate Susceptible Fylking, Pennstar, Newport, Vantage Very Susceptible Park, Cougar, Delft, Prato, Kenblue, Palouse, Arboretum TABLE 3. Classification of the susceptibility of bluegrass varieties to blister smut {Entoloma InAdQuLa/iz) in western Washington. Blister Smut Variety Resistant Monopoly, Entensa, Glade, A-34, Adelphi, Cheri, Birka, Sydsport, Kimono, Nugget, Merion, Majestic, Touchdown, Brunswick Susceptible Geronimo, Parade, Victa, Bonnieblue, Baron, Rugby, Fylking, Pennstar, Newport, Park, P-59, Galaxy TABLE 4. Winter turf quality plus winter and summer acceptability ratings of Kentucky bluegrass varieties at Puyallup, WA. Variety A-34 Winter!/ Turf Quality 6.6 Acceptability^/ Winter Summer 4.5 4.5 Monopoly 7.2 3.8 4.3 Nugget 6.0 4.8 4.3 Sydsport 6.0 4.8 4.3 P-59 6.5 4.0 4.0 Bonnieblue 5.8 4.3 4.0 Parade 6.3 4.0 3.8 Birka 6.0 4.0 4.0 Baron 5.6 4.0 4.3 Merion 5.9 4.0 3.8 Rugby 5.5 4.0 4.0 Victa 5.9 3.8 3.8 Majestic 5.6 3.8 3.8 Touchdown 6.1 3.5 3.5 Adelphi 6.0 3.5 3.8 Glade 5.3 4.3 3.3 Kimono 4.4 4.5 4.0 Galaxy 5.5 3.5 3.5 Cheri 5.6 2.8 4.0 Brunswick 4.4 4.0 3.5 Fylking 3.6 4.0 3.3 Newport 4.6 2.8 3.0 Pennstar 3.5 3.5 2.5 Park 2.8 1.5 1.3 1/ Rated 1 to 10. y 1 = poor quality, 10 = excellent quality Rated 1 to 5. 1 = very unacceptable, 2 = unacceptable, 3 = questionable, 4 = acceptable, 5 = very acceptable FESCUE The majority of fine leaved fescues being evaluated are better adapted to our climatic conditions than the bluegrasses. Due to the lack of time, little rating information will be presented. Acceptability and thatch accumulation data is listed for only the better performing and named varieties (Table 6). Many very acceptable and acceptable varieties of chewings and spreading fescues exist. These are listed in Table 7. As with bluegrasses, many of the common named and available fescues were questionable or unacceptable as turf varieties in these tests. Several of the fescue varieties listed in Table 7 are currently under production and should be used in place of common types for good turf performance. PERENNIAL RYEGRASS Only a few high quality turftype ryegrasses exist for western Washington use. Table 8 shows the average performance of many known varieties. Clearly, Manhattan and Pennfine are far superior to older varieties such as Norlea, Game and Linn. Newer varieties such as Citation, Derby, Yorktown and Ensporta sometimes perform better than Manhattan although Citation, Derby and Yorktown have been observed for only two years. Much attention will be needed to more clearly define variety performance. Particularly, compatability between blends within species (bluegrass variety blends) and mixtures among species (chewings fescues-bluegrass; spreading fescue-bluegrass, etc.) will need extensive study. Of course these can only be done successfully under different management schemes involving nutrition, cutting practices, turf use and shade. This work has been done in cooperation with Dr. Roy L. Goss and Dr. Charles J. Gould. The variety testing was supported in part by the Northwest Turfgrass Association. TABLE 5. Adjusted acceptability rating of Kentucky bluegrass varieties at Puyallup, Washington. Adjusted Acceptability Variety Very Acceptable A-34, Sydsport, Nugget*, Birka Acceptable Bonnieblue, Baron, Rugby, Adelphi, P-59, Monopoly, Touchdown, Glade, Parade, Meri on, Vieta, Kimono, Majestic Questionable Galaxy, Cheri, Brunswick, Fylking Unacceptable Pennstar, Park, Newport, Prato, Belturf, Cougar, Vantage, Delft * Winter dormant type TABLE 6. Winter and summer acceptability ratings and thatch development of fine-leaved fescue varieties at Puyallup, WA Variety Acceptability!/ Summer Winter Thatch!/ (mm) Frida 5. 0 4.8 28.8 Dawson 5.,0 4.8 22.5 Halifax 5. 0 4.8 21.5 Waldorf 5. 0 4.5 26.5 Sonate 5.,0 4.5 21.3 Polar 5.,0 4.3 21.5 Wilton 5.,0 4.3 15.8 Jade 4..8 4.5 24.3 Biljart 4.,8 4.5 23.0 351 Daehnfeldt 5.,0 4.0 22.5 Menuet 5.,0 4.0 27.5 Checker 4.,5 4.5 23.0 Koket 4..5 4.3 23.0 Highlight 4..3 4.5 22.3 Earfalla 4.,8 4.0 27.5 Banner 4..8 4.0 24.3 Atlanta 5..0 3.5 24.3 Famosa 4,.0 4.5 23.5 Encota 4,.0 4.5 24.8 SVR-007 4..8 3.8 19.8 Lifalla 4,.0 4.5 21.0 Wintergreen 4,.3 4.3 22.0 Paj 72-1-93 4,.0 4.3 23.8 HF-11 4,.8 3.5 24.3 S-59 4,.3 4.0 19.8 Rolax 4,.3 4.0 21.5 Mariet 4,.0 4.0 24.0 Oasis 4,.0 4.0 18.3 Jamestown 4,.3 3.8 25.6 1/ Rated 1 to 5. 1 = very unacceptable, 2 = unacceptable, 3 = questionable, 4 = acceptable, 5 = very acceptable 2J Millimeters of accumulated thatch compressed by 32 g/cm^. TABLE 7. Chewings Turf acceptability classification of chewings, spreading, creeping and hard fescue varieties at Puyallup, WA Creeping Spreading Hard Very Acceptable Frida Polar Dawson Halifax Wilton Sonate Waldorf 351 Daehnfeldt Biljart Jade Menuet Checker Acceptable Koket Highlight Oasis Barfalla SVR-007 HF-11 Atlanta Li fai la Famosa Wintergreen Encota S-59 Mariet Jamestown Scaldis Banner Questionable or Unacceptable Cascade Durlawn Duraturf Illahee Olds Durar TABLE 8. Variety Density, texture, leaf shredding, turf quality and acceptability ratings of perennial ryegrass at Puyallup, WA Densi tyl/ Texture!/ Shredding!/ Quality!/ Acceptability!/ Citation 8.8 6.,8 6.8 7.5 3.5 Derby 9.0 7..0 7.4 8.0 4.0 Yorktown 7.7 6..7 7.1 8.0 3.5 Manhattan 9.3 7.,2 7.8 7.3 4.0 Pennfine 7.8 7..3 6.6 6.5 4.0 Ensporta 7.1 8..2 7.0 7.2 4.0 Birdie 7.5 6.,7 6.8 5.7 3.0 Norlea 5.1 5,.0 3.6 6.3 2.0 Game 6.0 5..8 5.6 4.8 3.0 Pelo 6.6 7,.0 6.4 6.5 3.0 Linn 4.1 3,.7 3.9 2.3 1.5 !/ Rating 1 to 10. 1 = low density, broad leaf texture, high leaf shredding, and poor quality turf. V Rated 1 to 5. 1 = very unacceptable, 2 = unacceptable, 3 = questionable, 4 = acceptable, 5 = very acceptable. PREPARING A SOUND BUDGET 1 —ITEMS TO INCLUDE William H. Bengeyfield 2 I II III Description of Facilities and Extent of Services Organizational Chart Labor Costs A. Salaries and Wages 1. 2. 3. 4. B. Salaried personnel Hourly personnel Holiday, sick and vacation pay Overtime pay Related Salary Expenses 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. F.I.C.A. F.U.I. S.U.I. Health and Welfare Workman's Compensation Medical group insurance Retirement Life group insurance Meals Laundry — To be presented to the 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Conference, Spokane, W A , September 29, 30 and October 1, 1976. V Western Director, USGA Green Section, Tustin, CA. IV Materials and Supplies A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. Fertilizers Irrigation parts & repairs Pesticides & other chemicals Equipment parts Sand, topdressing, etc. Plant material & care of trees Seed Cart path repair & maintenance Expendable supplies Tools, new & replacement Miscellaneous Utilities A. B. C. D. E. F. Water & pumping costs Trash service Power, light Sewer Heating fuel Telephone Gas, oil, grease, etc. VII VIII IX X XI XII Equipment Rent and Lease Professional fees and other outside service including Superintendent and Committee expenses Property - State and Federal Taxes Depreciation Capital Equipment Purchases Capital Improvement Expenses, Building Repairs, Fence Repairs, etc. j CURRENT STATUS OF PESTICIDES USED 1 IN TURF GRASS MANAGEMENT Dick Maxwell 2 In February of this year I discussed this same subject at a turfgrass management workshop in Pullman. Many of the items I covered then are still pertinent today, so I will simply modify my previous talk to bring it up to date. Currently, the turfgrass industry faces the same problems as all other users of pesticides-namely, the real and potential loss of many chemicals that have been extremely useful for many years, some for longer than 25 years. Perhaps the greatest threat at the moment is in the reregistration process scheduled for completion by October 1977. (It is doubtful this deadline can be achieved.) All currently registered products must be reviewed during this period to see if they meet the new registration requirements, which are considerably more stringent than they were in the past. Very few products will satisfy these requirements, so additional data will be required in most instances. At this point much depends upon the attitude of the manufacturers. If the additional data requirements are very extensive and the market potential of the product is low, they may simply decide to abandon their products. It is too early to know what their decisions will be. -1/ To be presented to the 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference, Spokane, W A , September 29, 30, and October 1, 1976. y Agricultural Chemicals Specialist, Washington State University, Pullman, WA. EPA has classified pesticides into one of five categories, depending on the data required for reregistration. Category I is for those products which have satisfied the data requirements. It includes most of the copper fungicides. Category II pesticides require toxicological studies which may require several years to complete. Chemicals in this category include Baylan, Betasan, Lorsban, Demosan, Tersan SP, Bravo, and many others used on turf. If anyone is interested, I can supply him with a complete list. Although the time required to complete these studies may exceed the 1977 deadline for registration, EPA has indicated it will allow these uses to continue beyond the deadline if the manufacturer can show the necessary studies are underway. Category III pesticides require short term studies which can be completed by October 1977. These studies may involve toxicity tests on mammals, birds, fish, etc. There are only 17 pesticides in this category. Those which might be of interest to the turfgrass industry include Bandane and Vorlex. Category IV pesticides are those which are considered too toxic or too environmentally hazardous for reregistration. Manufacturers will be given the opportunity to present arguments and/or data to persuade EPA these pesticides can be used safely. More will be said about this category later. Category V pesticides are those which have not been reviewed and are waiting for assignment to one of the other categories. Pesticides in categories II and IV are, of course, of the most immediate concern -- category II because of extensive data requirements and possible abandonment by the manufacturer, and category IV because the odds against registration of these products is very great. To date we know of four pesticides placed in category IV. None are important to the turfgrass industry. They are Kepone, chlorobenzilate, chloroform, and endrin. However, EPA has provided a list of about 40 more which are definitely being considered for this category and unofficially we have been told the list may be expanded to 180. Of the list of 40, products of particular interest to the turfgrass industry include cadmium fungicides, PCNB, paraquat, benomyl, silvex, and a group called ethylene bis dithiocarbamates. This group includes nabam, maneb and zineb with trade names such as Dithane M-45 and Tersan LSR. Pesticides which have been lost to the turfgrass industry or which have been restricted include the following: 1. Chlordane and heptachlor. Production of these chemicals has been suspended for all turf uses. Existing stocks can still be used in accordance with label directions. 2. Mercury fungicides are being phased out for some uses, but other uses will be permitted. This is the end (for now at least) of a long, drawn-out battle between EPA and five companies producing mercury fungicides. Last February EPA banned nearly all uses of mercury fungicides leaving only treatments for mold on sawn timber, Dutch elm disease, and treatments for outdoor covers such as tarps, boat covers, etc. The manufacturers appealed to the courts and legal proceedings have continued ever since. However, an agreement has been reached which apparently satisfies all concerned. It consists of a decision to discontinue use of mercury for seed treatments and summer turf diseases after two years' production is reached. Existing stocks will then be allowed to be used. Thus, seed treatments and summer turf disease uses can be continued for the next two years or more. The use of mercury for winter turf diseases will be continued indefinitely, subject to certain restrictions. They cannot be used within 25 feet of any water where fish are taken for human consumption, and they can be applied only by or under the direct supervision of golf course superintendents. The products will be classified as restricted use pesticides, requiring that golf course superintendents be certified by the states to apply restricted use pesticides. At the moment this is as much as I know about the status of turfgrass pesticides. We will try to keep abreast of what is happening and do what we can to retain the pesticides we have, or to test and help in the clearance of new ones. THE NEED FOR TECHNICALLY TRAINED 1 TURFGRASS SUPERINTENDENTS FOR PARKS Joe Lymp 2 Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Joe Lymp, and I am the superintendent of the Golf Course and Grounds for Sunriver Properties, Inc. I have been the Golf Course Superintendent at Sunriver since 1969 and have had the combined Golf Course and Grounds responsibility since 1975. As many of you remember, Sunriver hosted the Northwest Turfgrass Conference in 1974. In the turfgrass business many of us tend to have a limited scope of vision. By this I mean we tend to think of our particular facit of the turfgrass industry as being the most important. We forget about the other areas and their problems. This opportunity to speak to you members of the NTA allows me to cover areas that pertain not only to golf courses, but also to parks and school districts. Sometimes I feel as though the NTA is primarily golf course oriented. However, it strives to serve all segments of the turfgrass society. Most of my turfgrass experience has dealt with golf courses, but the past year has had its share of parkrelated challenges. Because of this recent experience I hope to present informative material to all areas of turfgrass management. 1/ To be presented at the 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference, Spokane, W A , September 29, 30, and October 1, 1976. U Superintendent, Sunriver Golf Course, Sunriver, OR. There is a definite need for technically oriented turfgrass superintendents for parks. Measures must be taken to prevent damage to turf areas from the constant wear caused by the ever-increasing public use of parks, sport fields, and golf courses. Proper cultural practices, wear-tolerant grass varieties and traffic control where possible will help to keep the turf resilient. The proper management of turf is the same in parks, sport fields and golf courses. The differences lie in the turfgrass varieties and the uses made of the turf areas. I recently talked with a park director and a park superintendent who told me "Maintenance isn't much of a problem - but we do need to know more about propagation, what makes the grass tick." One of the best ways for the park people or other turfgrass managers to become more knowledgeable is to attend all local conferences and turf "Short Courses". If a problem arises and we are not sure of the solution, perhaps we should talk with someone who has had a similar situation. They may have tried an unsuccessful method and discovered an alternative solution. This could mean we might be able to use their method or a modification of their method to achieve success on our first try. Today's parks must be designed to fit many varied needs and desires. These multi-use facilities, by their nature offer the park superintendent a real challenge. If it is a true multi-use park, it will appeal to everyone and will see much traffic. Soon the park superintendent will be asking himself, "When will I be able to perform the maintenance that I need to do?" About three years ago Sunriver started to build a multi-use park. Our first step was to put together a complete design of the park area. We call it Fort Rock Park. We began with two plexipaved tennis courts and a 5+ acre multi-purpose turf field. This turf field has a combination of two baseball diamonds and a soccer field. The next year we added six more plexipaved tennis courts. This year we added restrooms, a sand volley ball court and horseshoe pits. Next year we plan to add a playground, three more acres of irrigation and hard surfacing of the parking lots. Along with the major improvements already mentioned, we will also add more picnic tables, benches and assorted play equipment. We didn't have the money to build the entire park in one y e a r , so we will build it over a 5 to 7 year period. Joggers can be a problem on some turf areas and as their numbers grow they will continue to cause problems for turf managers. One solution is to have jogging trails to concentrate the wear on paths instead of on the turf. The least expensive year around trails would be constructed with gravel or cinders. This type of path requires continual maintenance. We tried to hand rake these paths and it was an impossible task and very expensive. So several winters ago we decided to build a path leveler to be pulled by a tractor. We saw a picture of a 3 point hitch mounted path leveler in an advertisement in Grounds Maintenance. With the help of this picture my mechanic was able to build a most fantastic path leveler. This tool is a real labor saver. With it we are able to grade our five plus miles of cinder path in two directions in about four hours. It does a much better job of path leveling than hand raking. It cuts down the high spots and fills in the low spots. We also have over 17 miles of paved bicycle paths. We have learned quite a lot about building bicycle paths since we started. Our bicycle paths are now built flush with the ground instead of 6 to 8 inches above ground level. We now use one way bicycle tunnel underpasses instead of two way. The asphalt paths need to have weeds killed that grow up under the paths and cause the asphalt to crack. We spray the edges and any cracks with a non-selective herbicide annually. Occasionally we have to patch a hole where a ground squirrel has under-mined the bike path with his tunnel. We find both the cinder and asphalt paths are popular with the jogging community. The asphalt paths require less maintenance than the cinder ones. We are currently building a Jog Par Course. The original idea was developed by a Life Insurance Company in France. The original courses were called Vita Par Courses. Our course is a one mile loop with sixteen stations. The start and finish of our first course is at the swimming pool. Approximately every 100 yards there is a routed wooden sign to mark the exercise station. Half are calisthenic stations where the jogger does something like Jumping Jackson, toe touch and the other half are more elaborate exercise stations. These exercise stations include balance beam, log vault, chinup bar, horizontal ladder, leg raise, leg stretch, etc. As turfgrass managers, I am sure that everyone in this room is involved with budgeting to one degree or another. A very important aspect of managing any turf installation is the efficiency of operation or the cost of maintenance. The cost of mowing is one of the biggest expenses accrued in maintaining large turf areas. Labor runs as high as 50 to 70 percent of our total budget. If we attempt to hold the costs of budgets down, we must analyze our mowing practices. We should select the largest mower that can easily do the job. One of the past issues of Grounds Maintenance had an interesting feature article on selecting the most efficient mower for your particular needs. For instance, a 21" rotary mower is rated at 4 acres per day and a 72" rotary mower is rated at 20 acres per day. Example Problem: We have a twenty acre turf area to be mowed twice a week. We have a 12 month growing season and the grass grows at the same rate year around. Should we mow this 20 acres with 5 four-acre-per-day machines or with 1 twenty acre per day machine. We pay $2.00 per hour. 1 Mower Cost $5000 5 Mowers Cost $1375 5 - 4 A/P 1 - 20 A/P 10 x 8 = $80/day 80 x 2 = $160/week 160 x 4 = $640/month 640 x 12 = $7680/yr labor cost 2 x 8 = $16/day 16 x 2 = $32/week 32 x 4 = $128/month 128 x 12 = $1536/yr labor Cost of 5 - 21" mowers $1,375 + 1 yr labor 7,680 Cost at end of 1 yr 2nd yr labor Total Cost of 1 - 72" mower + 1 yr labor Cost at end of 1 yr 2nd yr labor Total 9,055 7,680 $16,735 $5,000 1,536 6,536 1,536 $8,072 This illustration does not take all the facts into consideration, but it does show the importance of matching the proper mower to the job. Some of the turf areas we take care of are probably not as efficient to maintain as we could have them. By removing a rock or a tree, so a larger mower could do the job, we are going to save valuable dollars. If care is taken during this process, the aesthetic value will not be damaged. Another important area to save money is by eliminating as much hand trimming as possible. By using a nonselective herbicide around trees, buildings and other hand trim areas, many labor man hours can be eliminated. If you spray these areas twice a year as opposed to hand trimming every two weeks, the savings becomes readily apparent. When these sprayed areas first die, they look bad. The brown dead grass is very striking next to the green grass. By the second year when it has turned into a ring of bare dirt next to the tree, it adds to overall manicured appearance. The question may arise whether the chemical trimming is harder on the trees than the mechanical trimming. I have found that the mechanical method of using a small rotary mower in conjunction with a weedeater can leave scars on the tree trunk. Extra care should be taken around deciduous plants when using herbicides. I haven't found any adverse effects from chemical trimming of evergreens. Both methods depend on the person doing the work as to their degree of success. I always warn a person going out to spray a non-selective herbicide that they are just like an artist with a paint brush. Where they apply the spray material on purpose or by accident they leave their signature. Pay attention to the main focal areas in your landscaping. It is important to keep these areas especially well groomed. A wise man once told m e , "What people see first is going to form their lasting impression. . ." Watering and fertilizing are probably the most important aspects, followed closely by weed control. One of the easiest components to overlook, because you see it every day and its change is gradual - is the mulching material, ie., barkrock, river rock, etc. It has two main functions. First is moisture control - protection from winter and summer desiccation. Its second function is appearance. After several years a fresh layer of this material should be put down to cover the old material and accumulated debris. It's like icing on a cake. I would like to leave you with a challenge to get better acquainted with all of the people in your area that work in turfgrass related jobs. Get together with these people several times during the next year to exchange ideas and get to know one another better. If you do this, I am sure you will realize the benefits of exchanging ideas. THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF TURFGRASS 1 DISEASE RESEARCH IN THE NORTHWEST Charles J. Gould 2 Most people are known by the company they keep; but golf course superintendents are recognized by the turf they keep. Anything that affects their turf adversely, reflects on their reputations. Among these adverse factors are disease. Diseases undoubtedly exist on native grasses even before man attempted to grow them for turf, but they appear to be increasing both in number and in severity. Part of this apparent increase is the result of better diagnosis. The improved handling of turf (correcting nutritional deficiencies, preventing thatch, etc.) has made it easier to recognize diseases as a major problem. The increase in diseases may also be due in part to the planting of a single grass variety, more liberal summer irrigation, heavier fertilization, and perhaps, an increased spread of pathogens resulting from a combination of such factors as more area planted, more movement of propagative material (seeds, stolons, sod, etc.) and more movement of people - whose shoes may be second only to mowers in their efficiency as vectors of parasitic turf fungi. Although Sprague listed 384 fungi (not including rusts and smuts) on various wild and cultivated grasses, 1/ To be presented to the 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference, Spokane, W A , September 29, 30, and October 1, 1976. 2/ Plant Pathologist, Western Washington Research and Extension Center (WSU), Puyallup, WA. only a relatively few of these organisms seriously affect turfgrasses. The disease situation, however, is still poorly understood and has proven to be very complex. In fact, the more turf is studied, the more diseases are found and the more complex the picture becomes. Consequently, we are often amazed that any grass can survive at all. In the "good old days", golf was played under rather adverse conditions so a few blemishes did not create much excitement. Gradually, golfers began to expect perfection (I'm told that they still do) and then they decided to do something about diseases. The first serious attempt to control fungi started about sixty years ago in the eastern United States, primarily under the auspices of the U. S. Golf Association. Until recently, however, turfgrass was neglected by most pathologists as indicated by the dearth of publications in this field - only two books and a few comprehensive bulletins. The agronomists have us far outnumbered in both numbers of workers and in publications, but we are trying to catch up. The ever increasing value of the crop certainly justifies more research in all fields. Dr. Felix Juska estimated that there were about 14,000,000 acres of established turf in the United States in 1957 with an annual maintenance cost of 2-3 billion dollars. We should be safe in assuming that because of inflation and an increase in acreage planted, the current maintenance cost is near 5 billion dollars with a replacement value of at least $15 billion. In fact, Dr. Goss estimates the present annual maintenance cost of over $100,000,000 for turf in Washington State and a replacement value of one half to one billion dollars. The costs of all the turf research to date represent only a small fraction of this. Although research on the control of turf diseases was underway sixty years ago in the East, it did not get started seriously in Washington State until 1949. However, prior to that time, various scientists, particularly Drs. Roderick Sprague and George Fischer had been identifying fungi on all types of grasses, including turf types. Dr. Sprague also was a great help to us when we were getting started. RESEARCH IN EASTERN WASHINGTON Apparently, the first research on the cause and control of turfgrass diseases in eastern Washington was started in 1951 by Dr. Jack Meiners (WSU) who worked on snowmold (Fcua/iium vuvaJtd a n d TypkuZa ¿nca/incuta) a t Pullman and Spokane. He found that phenyl mercury acetate was the most effective fungicide available. In the late 1950's, Prof. A1 Law and Ted Filer ran some tests and found that the time of application was a critical factor. Ted also did some research at WSU on the Fairy Ring problem for his PhD thesis. During 1972/73 and 1973/74, Gould, Goss, Ensign and Law compared the effectiveness of several new and old fungicides as well as different rates and times of application for snowmold control in five locations in Washington and Idaho. We found that an application of a Fa607Lcum-fungicide in early fall, followed by a combination against both FuAasvLum and TypkuZa before snowfall gave excellent control. A new material, chloroneb, proved to be very effective against the TypkuZa. In 1974 we established plots at the Hangman Valley course with the help of Bud Ashworth to test the resistance of 138 varieties of bentgrasses to snowmold. Another study was started at Spokane Golf and Country Club with the help of Norris Beardsley to study the effect of different types of nutrition on snowmold invasion. RESEARCH IN WESTERN WASHINGTON The first research on turfgrass disease in western Washington was on Fairy Ring disease in lawns. At that time, Fairy Ring was the cause of more inquiries from homeowners than all other ornamental diseases combined. Vern Miller and I began working on this problem in 1949 and continued for several years. In 1955, the Northwest Turfgrass Association asked us to take a look at some of their problems on golf courses, including "Dollar Spot", which they were having trouble controlling. It soon appeared that the suspected Dollar Spot was actually FUACVUUM patch for which different control measures were required. At that time we also discovered that Corticium Red Thread was a serious problem. An experimental green was established in 1955 at the Experiment Station in cooperation with Dr. Herman Austenson to use for fungicidal testing. In 1956 we also started a cooperative experiment on a green at Overlake Golf and Country Club in cooperation with Milt Bauman and a newcomer by the name of Roy Goss. The testing area was expanded in 1957 to the Tacoma Golf and Country Club with the help of Henry Land Sr. and to Broadmoor Golf Club in cooperation with John Jaslowski, and later to many other courses. In 1958 Roy Goss came to the Station as a full time research and extension turf agronomist. We have cooperated ever since on most of the disease research and also with Dr. S. E. Brauen for variety testing and Professor A1 Law on research in eastern Washington. Our first goal was to determine what types of diseases were present and which ones were most important. After we found that Vuu>axlm patch and red thread were major threats {OphioboluA patch was found later), Roy and I decided to attack them by three methods: fungicidal, nutrition, and disease resistance. Fungicidal Research It was obvious that fungicides would give us the quickest response so we rapidly enlarged our experimental program, working on our own turf as well a s , whenever possible, setting up plots on nearby golf courses (such as Allenmore, Broadmoor, Earlington, Enumclaw, Fircrest, Inglewood, Overlake, Rainier, Seattle, and Tacoma). In recent years, because we were constantly testing new materials which might damage turf, and because funds were tight, we have had to confine the experiments to our own area at Puyallup. This research has paid off and we now have several effective fungicides available for use against both Ftua/Uum patch and ConZiclum red thread. Our present situation is much different from that encountered by superintendents sixty years ago. The only common fungicides they had available against Rhizoctoyila brown patch were sulfur, which was ineffective, and Bordeaux mixture. The latter mixture was the first fungicide generally used to control turfgrass diseases on golf courses in the United States. It was first tested in 1917 and was in general use by 1919 according to Monteith and Dahl of the USGA. However, repeated applications of Bordeaux resulted in toxic accumulations of copper. Bordeaux was then replaced by mercuric chloride and Semesan in the early 1920's. The next major advance was the recommendation in 1927 by the USGA Green Section for use of a mixture of mercuric and mercurous chloride. This mixture is effective and is still frequently used against many turfgrass pathogens. Thiram, developed in the early 1930's, came into widespread use during the second world war when mercury supplies were short. Thiram was followed by many other related (dithiocarbamate) fungicides including one which we still depend upon - Fore (mancozeb). Next came a multitude of new materials, including Dyrene, Daconil, Terraclor, Actidione, Cadmiums and others, plus newer types of mercury of which PMA (phenyl mercuric acetate) was one of the best. Finally, in the late sixties, came the breakthrough for which we had long been dreaming systemic fungicides (benzimidazoles). The first was Mertect (TBZ) which, unfortunately, proved to be slightly toxic to most grasses. It was soon followed by Ben!ate (Tersan 1991 or benomyl) which became very popular for the control of many fungus diseases. Unfortunately, several of these fungi, including F. vilvalz, have developed resistance to the benzimidazoles. Fortunately, another new fungicide appears to be ready to take its place. It is a hydantoin (Rhodia 26019), which is very safe and very effective against most major diseases of turfgrasses including FuAcvUum patch and red thread. We have been told that it should be registered by next summer. The question is: how long will it last? We cannot predict, but we do know that the pathogens are constantly mutating so I would expect it to fail, sooner or later. To delay this development, Roy and I suggest using a procedure which we have been recommending for several years and that is to alternate the 26019 with another fungicide, such as Tersan 1991 (Benlate) or Fore. Another method of reducing the opportunity for development of resistance by the pathogens is to apply mixtures of different fungicides. Such mixtures are commercially available and often produce excellent results but, in general, I believe that alternating the fungicide may be more effective as well as a less expensive procedure. Nutrition We realized, at the start, that the study of nutritional effects on diseases would take longer than that of fungicides. But, it didn't take long to observe that high nitrogen helped control red thread while low nitrogen was best against FU^a/ilum patch. Potash gave some reduction in FUACVUUM, but phosphorus was relatively ineffective. Later, we found that a balanced (3-1-2) ratio of N-P-K was best for keeping OplvLoboluA at a minimum, although the effect was somewhat influenced by the age of the turf. In general, to control most diseases most of the time, a balanced fertilizer is usually superior. Certain fungicides rather consistently made the grass a darker green and often reduced disease incidence. Finally, Dr. Goss and I realized that their molecules contained large amounts of sulfur. This led to the discovery by Roy that (1) we were in a sulfur deficient area insofar as turf was concerned, and (2) sulfur alone could often reduce the incidence of FUACVUUM patch to a certain extent. Sulfur also proved to be our best weapon against OphsioboluA patch and is still more effective than any fungicide we have tested. The addition of chlordane also aids in control, but how it works and how sulfur works is unknown at present. Do they act directly as fungicides; or indirectly by changing pH; or by inducing resistance in the plants; or by increasing the numbers of beneficial and antagonistic microflora of other microorganisms which may either kill the pathogen or compete with it for food supplies in the soil? I think the indirect activity may be important with OpkioboluA but to prove it may require a great deal of research. We suspect the microorganism possibility because Opklobo¿u6 is most severe in three locations where microbial activity is low: (1) in recently fumigated soils; (2) in recently cleared forested areas planted to grass; and, (3) in sand and organic matter mixes. Qpkloboluk is usually much less severe in old established turf where microbial activity is much greater. Although nitrogen is the single most important nutrient affecting diseases, we have found that certain forms of nitrogen react differently. Thus ammonium sulfate is much more effective in reducing both Furanium and OpkioboluA than other inorganic types of nitrogen. In recent experiments Milorganite also reduced FuAcvUum, but it stimulated Poa annua (annual bluegrass) so Dr. Goss is now trying to overcome that problem by adding sulfur at various rates to the Milorganite. In addition to nutrition, there are other cultural/ management factors such as temperature, relative humidity, soil and air drainage, pH, soil type, and others which need investigation in relation to disease development. Disease Resistance The third major goal in our fight against diseases was the search for bentgrass varieties which had good cultural characteristics, but were more resistant to fu6cuUum than were Highland, Astoria, and other types in common use. Dr. Austenson and I had tested a few varieties at the Tacoma Golf and Country Club as early as 1957. Penncross was the best of these for two years but then it went to pieces - not only in our plots but also on a couple of golf courses. After that the resistance study was dormant until 1971 when we began collecting varieties and selections from all over the world. There are now 160 different bentgrasses in the experiment. Many of these are very susceptible to PuAasiium patch. Some others have poor texture, produce too much thatch, or go dormant during the winter. However, several have good resistance, good color and good texture. Among these are: Boral, Congressional, Dudeck's ARC-1, Emerald, Huffine's MCC-3, Kingstown, Kozelnicky's TG040, Nimisila, Penncross, Rusta and Szego's Z-2000. Dr. Goss has planted these and 18 other promising types in larger plots for studies involving low and high levels of nitrogen and the application of fungicides. Several varieties continue to give outstanding results. A similar study was started in 1973 in cooperation with Roy Goss, Al Law, and Bud Ashworth at Hangman Valley Golf Club to test resistance to 138 bentgrass varieties to Snowmold (T. IncaJincuta + F. viivaJLd). In general, the stolonized types seem to be more susceptible to Typkula than do the seeded types, but none are highly resistant. The most resistant appear to be: Bardot, Boral, Congressional, Contrast, Kingstown, Metropolitan, Mommersteeg's AT4, Saatzucht's ACA-61, Skogley's (AC-5, AP-1, APD1-1 and Hyannasport Velvet), Svertge's N-010, Tendenz, Toronto, Yale Selection, and Vaartnou's (HV-T-2, HV-T-3, and HV-TC-4). Several of these resistant varieties also have good cultural characteristics. Dr. Goss and I have also been cooperating with Dr. S. E. Brailen in the evaluation of a number of bluegrasses (117), fescues (94), and ryegrasses (56) planted by him in 1973. Several of these appear very promising but no one variety is resistant to all pathogens so a blend of at least three of the better varieties will probably be desirable. The main disease on both fescues and ryegrasses has been red thread, while bluegrasses have been regularly attacked by leaf spot HelmlntkoApodium vaganA) in cool weather and by various rusts (Pu.cc¿n¿a spp.) in warmer months. In addition, some bluegrass varieties are susceptible to red thread and a few varieties have been severely attacked by Szpto/Ua Viitici which causes a leaf blight. Also, during the winter of 1975/ 76, most bluegrasses were infected with a blister smut (Entyloma ¿n/i^guZa/io,). The only other severe attack by this smut occurred at Pullman in 1951, so we are hoping that this disease will not become a chronic problem. THE FUTURE We now have the knowledge and materials to produce reasonably disease-free turf in the Pacific Northwest by growing disease-resistant varieties under proper management, supplemented with fungicides whenever necessary. Of these three factors, I consider management as being the most critical in most situations. Although we are in reasonably good shape now for giving recommendations, we cannot stop at this point. The disease picture is constantly changing with changes in climate, in fertilizer practices and in other conditions. For example, the possible increased use of bluegrasses in western Washington may result in disease problems that we don't even know about today. Therefore, we cannot stand still. Among the factors needing additional investigation are: 1) DISEASE SURVEY. An expanded survey is desirable in order to determine more accurately the distribution of some of our 'new' and still minor pathogens such as S&ptoisLa and Entyloma since these could develop into major problems. We also need to find out if pathogenic organisms are responsible for certain unresolved problems, such as 'dry' spots on greens, dying out of bluegrass in the Columbia Basin and Yakima areas, etc. Also, in order to obtain better control of Snowmold, a pathologist should 'live with 1 this disease for a few weeks in the fall and again after snowmelt in the spring. For both disease survey and evaluation of test plots, we need better methods of diagnosing different diseases more rapidly. As one means to this end, I have been experimenting with the use of welder goggles fitted with different colored filters. This approach appears promising. For example, a filter containing pink will accentuate red thread, yellow helps with rusts and a deep amber seems best for fuAa/Uum patch. However, we have only had time to 'play' with this technique so additional research is needed to determine whether it is consistent under all conditions and also if it can be used with other diseases such as Typkula snowmold, and Heyimintho A podium blights. 2) CULTURE. Good culture represents more than half the battle against diseases. We know that nitrogen is very important, but research on the effect of different sources of nitrogen needs to be expanded. The experiments with combinations of sulfur and sewage sludge for FuAa/Uum control are exciting. If they work, then we need to determine the reasons, so we can adopt them for use against other diseases. And how does sulfur affect diseases - by its effect on the pathogens, on the hosts, on beneficial microorganisms, or in all three ways? Turf under stress usually becomes more susceptible to many pathogens. Therefore, we need detailed studies on disease development as affected by compaction, thatch, and the deficiency or excess of water, major and micro nutrients, and other factors. We all know that, in general, cool moist weather favors development of TUACUVLUM patch, but how cool and how moist? Also needed are detailed studies of the micro-climate around each infected leaf, crown or root to help explain disease outbreaks and to help plan both preventative strategies and counter attacks accordingly. 3) FUNGICIDES. We now have a good arsenal of fungicides effective against fuAa/Uum patch, red thread and TypkuZa snowmold but periodic screening of new materials should be continued in case the pathogens develop resistance to the old fungicides, or EPA cancels their registration (as it may do with Fore), or sales decline and companies withdraw them from the market. There is also the hope that new materials may be more effective (as with Rhodia's 26019) or cheaper than the old ones. We need to study the long range effect of fungicide accumulation and their possible interaction with herbicides, insecticides, surfactants, and fertilizers. Turf and the soil combine to form a living system containing many organisms. A single spoonful of soil usually holds millions of bacteria, spores, and fragments of fungi. Fortunately, probably 99 percent or more of these are beneficial. They retard growth of the parasitic types by secreting substances antagonistic to pathogens or simply by competing for the available food. Some also serve as mycorrhiza in a symbiotic relationship. If it were not for these benficial microorganisms, there wouldn't be any grass. By using unnecessary fungicides we may be unfavorably affecting many of these beneficial organisms. This could result eventually in increased pathological problems, perhaps of a different type than those for which treatment was originally made. Most of us have witnessed dramatic losses when damping-off organisms reinvaded fumigated soils. We have also seen OpkioboluA become very destructive to turf grown on methyl bromide-treated soil, while adjacent unfumigated areas remained relatively diseasefree. Therefore, the effect of fungicides should be considered not only on pathogens but also, insofar as practicable, on the beneficial organisms. As mentioned previously, we suspect that the beneficial effects of sulfur and chlordane against OpkioboluA may be an indirect one through their favorable influence on beneficial organisms. The selection of materials favoring development of beneficial organisms might even provide a new approach to the control of turfgrass diseases. Finally, we must accept the probability that in the future there will be fewer fungicides available and they will take longer to come on the market. This will result from a combination of stiffer EPA requirements, increased costs of research from inflation, registration of labels, etc. The costs have risen so much that there is also a growing reluctance on the part of many companies to register their products for a crop unless sales will be fairly high. Therefore, most major turf fungicides in the future will probably be 'spin-offs' after their use has been established on such major crops as potatoes, apples, corn, etc. 4) DISEASE RESISTANCE. This seems to me to be the best long range solution to most of our turfgrass disease problems, particularly for lawn, park, cemetery and similar type turf. On the basis of our research to date, it appears that good strong resistance, rather than immunity from disease is the most we can hope for. We have discovered several good cultural varieties which were developed elsewhere, that are resistant to our major pathogens. Now we need a breeding program to incorporate the best features of these varieties into turfgrasses especially adapted to the Pacific Northwest. 5) INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND RETRIEVAL. We still need more effective methods of transmitting information rapidly, both among turfgrass pathologists as well as between pathologists, agronomists, and horticulturists. In the West, the formation of WRCC-11 (Western Regional Project on Turfgrasses) has helped in this regard. As one means of promoting such an exchange of information, Dr. John Haridson of Oregon and I organized in 1962 an informal conference of turfgrass pathologists for an exchange of ideas at the annual meeting of the American Phytopathological Society. These annual informal conferences continued through July of this year when we met in Kansas City for the last time. A formal Turf and Ornamental Committee has now been appointed and will arrange future meetings. Under the auspices of WRCC-11, I also started a Turfgrass Pathologist's Newsletter in 1975 as a means of expediting the exchange of information nationwide. Presumably this newsletter will also be carried on by the new committee of APS. These measures have helped somewhat in speeding up the exchange of new information but they have been only partially successful. We also need a good system of retrieving information. There is a tremendous amount of useful data which is buried in annual reports, miscellaneous proceedings, or obscure publications. Literature on disease resistance is a good example of this burial. In almost every Proceedings that I have seen, someone touches upon disease resistance, usually in the middle of a paragraph. How much time we could have saved if, for example, we could only have had all this fragmentary information available before we started checking bluegrass varieties for their resistance to H r^ Oo ren — 1— ra 00 LO LO 00 oo LO o o f— evi CVJ LO CVJ CVJ LO CO 00 LO o o co o LO F— evi evi r— 00 O f— co CO CO CVJ CVJ CVJ VJ- 00 o co co o I— r— CVJ CVJ CVJ Locococvioooo r— n»r^Lor>.LOoor^LOLO r-^ «DV}- CVJ CO CVJ 00 LO CVJ CVJ oo o r^ CVJ LO LO LO CU LO LO LO LO oo oo CO CO LO 00 LO ex) r— .— LO CO LO LO LO LO 0 0 L O L O "O <— (Ti CTi CTi LO LO CU C VJ C VJ L OCVJ oc oc ce oo O O o co co oo FUSARIUM PATCH — DISEASE RESISTANCE 1 Bentgrass Variety Resistance Tests (Gould, Goss and Brauen 2 ) Four more varieties were added, bringing the total number under test to 160 at Farm #1 (WWREC). Several varieties have appeared sufficiently promising to justify expanded testing at Farm 5 (see report on Bentgrass Management Studies by Dr. Goss). Among those showing good resistance to F. wLvcULd in the small plots are Boral, Congressional, Dudeck's ARC-1, Emerald, Huffine's MCC-3, Kingstown, Kozelnicky's TG040, Nimisila, Penncross, Rusta and Szego's Z-2000. A mimeographed progress report on all varieties is available upon request. We appreciate the continued support of this investigation by the USGA Green Section Research and Education Fund, Inc. SN0WM0LDS (FUSARIUM AND TYPHULA)!/ Bentgrass Disease Resistance Trials (Gould, Goss, Law, and Brauen)2/ Most of the varieties now being tested at Puyallup for resistance to FuAcvUum have also been planted at Hangman Valley Golf Club (Spokane) to determine their resistance to fuAaAlum and TypkuZa and their general suitability under eastern Washington conditions. In 1/ To be presented to the 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference, Spokane, W A , September 29, 30, and October 1, 1976. 2/ C. J. Gould (Plant Pathologist), R. L. Goss and S. E. Brauen (Agronomists) at Western Washington Research and Extension Center (WSU), Puyallup, W A , and Prof. A. G. Law (Agronomist), Washington State University, Pullman, WA. general, the stolonized types seem to be more susceptible to TypkuZa than do the seeded types, but none are highly resistant. Those most resistant to TypkuZa at the present time appear to be Bardot, Boral, Congressional, Contrast, Kingstown, Metropolitan, Mommersteeg 1 s AT4, Saatzucht ACA-61, Skogley's (AC-5, AP-1, APD1-1 and Hyannasport Velvet), Svertge's N-010, Tendenz, Toronto, Yale Selection, and Vaartnou's (HV-T-2, HV-T-3 and HV-TC-4). Nutrition Test (Goss, Gould and Law) This test was started in the fall of 1974 at the Spokane Golf and Country Club to study the effect of different sources, rates and time of application of nitrogen and certain other elements on development of snowmold. Unfortunately, so much ice damage occurred last winter that results to date are negligible. This experiment has been supported by the Northwest Turfgrass Association. Survey (Gould) TypkuZa ZncaAnata snowmold appeared in October of 1975 for the first time in our bentgrass variety plots at Puyallup. Oddly, it only infected one variety - a selection (UCR-30) that was sent to us several years ago from southern California. The diseased areas resembled brown patch more than they did the typical gray snowmold, but typical fruiting bodies of the TypkuZa fungus were present. DISEASE RESISTANCE IN BLUEGRASSES, FESCUES AND RYEGRASSES We are cooperating with Drs. Brauen and Goss by periodically rating the above grasses for resistance to various pathogens in plots at Farm 5. Two "new" diseases have appeared in the bluegrass plots during the past two years. One is a S&ptonZa, to which most varieties were resistant. The other disease is a smut {EntyZoma). Unfortunately, most bluegrass varieties were susceptible to it. The only previous severe outbreak in Washington occurred at Pullman in 1951. Therefore, we are hoping that this smut will not become a chronic problem. TURFGRASS AGRONOMIC RESEARCH REPORT1 Roy L. Goss2 SULFUR AND NUTRITIONAL STUDIES Two avenues are open to the turfgrass manager for providing sulfur to turfgrasses. One is the use of elemental wettable sulfur and the other is ammonium sulfate nitrogen fertilizer. The choice of material will depend on your program. Sulfur has been proven to be effective in the control of VOCL annua, OpkiobotuA patch disease, black algae and aids in the reduction of the severity of attacks from FuAa/Uum patch disease. Turfgrass areas that are free from Poa annua can probably be maintained in this condition from the use of ammonium sulfate provided that ammonium sulfate is used as the major portion of the nitrogen program. Occasional use of ammonium sulfate will not provide adequate sulfur to aid in the prevention of Poa annua invasion although it will supply needed sulfur for nutritional purposes. If Poa annua is already a problem and does not constitute more than 60% of the total turfgrass stand, the best avenue is with elemental wettable sulfur. We cannot predict under all soil conditions the most judicial timing of applications although our tests have shown that rates up to 150 lb elemental wettable sulfur per acre (approximately lb per 1000 sq. ft. annually) applied throughout early spring has gradually reduced Poa annua to the point of near extinction. One pound of wettable sulfur — To be presented to the 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference, Spokane, W A , September 29, 30, and October 1, 1976. 2/ Agronomist/Extension Agronomist, Western Washington Research and Extension Center (WSU), Puyallup, WA. can be applied per 1000 sq. ft. at 3-week intervals provided that the last application is not later than April 15. If it is not practical to make these applications by this date, lighter applications of 1/2 lb per 1000 sq. ft. can be applied up to the middle of June. Fall applications (September-October) can also be made. Caution should be exercised in the combination use of high rates of sulfur {3h lb per 1000 or more) with bensulide (Betasan, Presan, Prefar). We have some indication that the combination of these two materials can result in severe turf damage, particularly under poorly drained conditions. It is doubtful that the recommended rate of both materials will normally create problems, but if the rates are not carefully calibrated and accurately applied, problems may result. Under circumstances where regular applications of bensulide is practiced, the best avenue would be to use ammonium sulfate as the fertilizer along with occasional applications of other materials (complete formulas, etc.) to supplement the ammonium sulfate. NUTRITIONAL INVESTIGATIONS ON SAND A putting green 10,000 sq. ft. in area was established to Emerald creeping bentgrass in July, 1975. After nine months of maintenance, nutritional treatments were initiated in May, 1976. These treatments include urea, ammonium sulfate and Milorganite as the nitrogen suppliers at rates of 10 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per year. Ammonium sulfate has two added rates of 8 and 12 lb of nitrogen. The urea plots receive 1/2 and 2 1b of phosphorus which is equivalent to 1.15 and 4.6 lb P2O5 phosphorus per 1000 sq. ft. per season. No additional phosphorus is applied to the Milorganite plots since adequate phosphorus is supplied through this material. All nitrogen plots uniformly receive 3 lb K per 1000 sq. ft. per year (equivalent to 3.6 lb K2O potassium per 1000 sq. ft. per year). Each of these nitrogen treatments in addition receive sulfur at 1, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 lb elemental wettable sulfur per year. These applications are uniformly distributed throughout the year with the exception of one set of plots in the urea treatment which will receive 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 lb of sulfur per 1000 sq. ft. all in the early spring. We are attempting to determine the interrelationships between nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur on sand culture. We have sufficient information of the activity of sulfur on a sandy loam soil, but need response data on sand. Since the nutritional treatments have only been in effect for 4 months, no data will be reported at this time. In the future, additional plots will be established to determine the interaction between bensulide and sulfur maintained at uniform N , P and K levels on sand culture. We hope to determine the phytotoxic factors as well as leach rate and effectiveness of these treatments on sand. BENTGRASS ADVANCED MANAGEMENT OBSERVATIONS Selections from 157 bentgrass varieties or cultivars were made on the basis of the greatest resistance to ftiócvUum patch disease and turfgrass color and texture. Twenty-four of these selections were established at Farm 5 in 10' x 10' plots in September, 1973, to be managed as golf course putting green turf. Fourteen of the selections were vegetatively propagated by stolons and 10 are seeded types. One-half of each plot has continuously received 12 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per season plus phosphorus and potassium in a 3-1-2 ratio. One-half of each plot was cross-checked with alternating schedules of fungicides and the other half left fungicidally untreated. In this manner we could observe the response of the varieties to high and low fertilizations and further observe the acceptability of the varieties to f u A c w h m patch disease with and without fungicides. Table 1 shows ratings in early 1975, April, 1975 and May, 1976. Although the plots are rated for color and texture, only the color ratings were shown in this Table. There are textural differences among these varieties although this was one of the major criteria for selection. If they did not have good texture, it would not be reasonable to take them into advance management studies. Therefore, the textural ratings are not shown in this Table. TABLE 1. Bentgrass Advanced management trials EVALUATION DATES AND RATINGS* Variety Stolonized 1-22-•75 Hi N** Low N*** 4-11 -75 Hi N Low N 5-10 -76 Hi N Low N Arlington 5.3 3.8 8.5 3.5 8.3 6.3 Nimisila 5.0 3.3 8.0 5.0 9.0 7.3 Northland 3.5 2.5 7.8 4.8 9.3 7.8 Waukanda 4.5 2.3 8.0 5.0 8.8 7.5 Yale 5.0 3.3 7.8 5.0 9.8 7.8 Keen 36 7.5 5.8 7.5 5.0 9.0 6.3 Arrowood 7.0 5.0 8.0 5.0 8.8 6.8 MCC 3 7.0 5.3 7.8 6.0 8.3 5.8 Smith 721 5.0 3.5 7.8 5.0 8.3 6.0 Smith 732 4.3 2.5 6.8 3.8 8.0 6.0 Smith 736 4.5 2.5 6.8 4.2 9.0 7.0 UCR 30 5.0 3.8 8.2 5.8 8.5 7.0 Penn 5 5.0 3.0 8.0 5.0 8.8 7.0 Hayden Lake 4.3 3.0 7.0 4.2 9.0 7.5 6.0 3.8 9.2 5.2 9.0 7.0 5.8 Seeded Bardot Boral 5.0 3.3 8.2 4.8 8.5 Highland 8.0 6.8 8.8 5.0 9.0 6.3 Kingstown 5.5 4.3 9.0 4.0 9.8 6.8 Novobent 5.0 4.8 7.2 3.8 9.3 6.5 Penncross 6.3 3.5 8.2 4.5 9.0 6.3 Prominent 6.0 3.3 7.2 4.0 8.5 5.3 Emerald 6.3 4.0 7.5 4.2 9.0 6.0 Tracenta 4.8 4.0 8.8 4.5 9.0 6.8 5.0 9.0 6.3 A-75 6.3 * Rating scale 1 - 1 0 . 7.8 3.5 1 = Brown 10 = Darkest Green ** High N = 12#/1000 ft 2 /year from urea *** Low N = 6#/l000 ft 2 /year from urea Most of the sto"Ionized or vegetatively propagated varieties exhibit strong winter dormancy characteristics and in general show lower ratings for 1-22-75 than most of the seeded varieties. Recovery from winter dormancy was generally good by April 11, 1975, with some of the varieties showing a little faster green-up. In general, the 12 lb rate of nitrogen produced a better color response in all varieties as compared to the 6 lb rate of nitrogen at all rating dates. In some cases little or no differences were exhibited between high and low nitrogen effects during the major growing season. This is an important characteristic since we are looking for varieties that will exhibit good agronomic characteristics at lower nitrogen levels. We are looking ahead for times when fertilizer shortages and prices may be much more critical than they are now. These management studies have been conducted only with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization along with aerification and topdressing. Beginning in 1977, these plots will receive applications of iron, sulfur and magnesium to determine if better color can be enhanced on the low nitrogen treatments from the use of these materials. If this is true, then we can use these varieties effectively at reduced nitrogen rates and perhaps avoid many problems. In general, POOL annua populations are higher in the high nitrogen treatments as compared to the low although some varieties exhibit little difference in Poa annua invasion. Scalping ratings were taken in 1976 and most high nitrogen plots of the stolonized varieties exhibited varying degrees of scalping due to the vigorous growth nature of these vegetatively propagated varieties. This was to be expected. Little or no scalping occurred in the low nitrogen treated areas of the plots. Liekwise, thatch accumulation is increasing faster in the high nitrogen plots as compared to the low nitrogen plots although varietal differences are appearing. Contrary to most opinions, the velvet bentgrasses respond better to higher nitrogen than to low nitrogen during most seasons of the year and the color is definitely superior during the winter months at higher nitrogen levels. Textural characteristics of the velvet bentgrasses are also improved with nitrogen levels over 6 lb N per 1000 sq. ft. per season. The plots still remain relatively free of Fcua/Uum although differences in disease attacks have been noted by C. J. Gould. These plots will be continued for one or two more years to complete the advanced management studies.