Northwest TURFGRASS TOPICS VOL 20 - NO. 3 PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON DECEMBER 1977 Pest Management Short Course ; President's Corner by Sam Angove As the year 1978 approaches, most of the troubles of 1977 seem to be gone. Now may be the time for reflection into what we have done for our profession lately. I believe that in the coming years more and more pressure is going to be brought to bear on our recreational facilities. By keeping informed, sharing information and associating with professional organizations, all of these pressures can be spread out. What this all means is get the word out to your friends and associates about N.T. A. It can help us in the future as it has helped all of us in the past. You will read elsewhere in Turf Topics about a reward for memberships. Your board is working hard on next year's conference in Richland, Washington, and hope it will be the greatest yet. My family and I would like to take the opportunity to extend our HOLIDAY WISHES TO EACH OF YOU AND HOPE 1978 IS A JOYOUS YEAR FOR YOU AND THE NORTHWEST TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION. Plant Pathologist Position Filled The necessary screening, processing and approvals have been completed for the filling of the Plant Pathologist position at the Western Washington Research and Extention Center at Puyallup, Washington by March 1, 1978. Dr. Gary Chastagner was selected by the Search Committee and has accepted the appointment to fill this position vacated by Dr. Charles J. Gould on July 1, 1977. Dr. Chastagner's responsibilities will be approximately 75% turfgrass diseases and 25% bulb diseases. He will be investigating problems in eastern Washington as well as western Washington and cooperating with plant pathologists in Oregon as well. I am sure that all of you will have an opportunity to meet Dr. Chastagner throughout this coming year at the Experiment Station, at our Field Days and the Northwest Turfgrass Conference. The pest management short course for pesticide consultants, applicators, operators, and dealers will be conducted at Tacoma at the Sherwood Inn from January 2427, 1978 and at Bellevue at the Greenwood Inn from February 28 - March 3, 1978. Those attending at Tacoma, take Exit 128 going South or 129 going North. For Bellevue, take exit 13 going North or South. The charges for registration are $7.00 per day at Tacoma and $8.00 per day at Bellevue which is only for lunch and coffee. Registration forms are available from the Pierce County Cooperative Extension Service, 5601 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406. Phone 593-4190. Individuals who plan to take one or more of the exams should own or have access to a copy of the Pacific Northwest Pest Control Handbook. Exams will be given on the final day on diseases, insects, weeds, rodents, and pesticides in general. Registration for Tacoma should be mailed in by January 15 and by February 15 for Bellevue. Other short courses are offered at the following locations: Kelso, Feb. 9 and 10 — Contact Joe Kropf, Kelso, 562-3014; Mount Vernon, Feb. 14-17 — Contact Marvin Jarmin, Mt. Vernon, 336-9322; Chehalis, Mar. 14-15 — Weed Control only — Contact Malcolm McPhail, 748-9121. Hurry, time is short! Western Canada Turfgrass Conference The 15th Annual Western Canada Turfgrass Conference will be held at the Harrison Hotel at Harrison Hot Springs, BC from Monday, February 20 through Wednesday, February 22. There will be registration, get acquainted hour, and reception and hospitality suite between 3:30 and 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 19. The conference will begin with the formal opening of exhibits at 9:00 a.m. followed by the educational session starting at 10:15 a.m. on February 20. The directors and officers of the Western Canada Turfgrass Association have prepared a very interesting and educational conference for all people interested in turfgrasses and ornamentals surrounding them. Canadian hospitality is second to no one's, so why not mark down these dates and lend your support to the conference at Harrison Hot Springs. OSU Turf & Landscape Program 1978 Northwest Turfgrass Conference by Tom Cook Here are some specifics on the new turf and landscape maintenance program at OSU. Presently, we are offering two new courses in turf management. The fall course covers basic aspects of turf such as growth and development, response to stresses, adaption of turf grasses in the PNW, cultural requirements, weeds, disease, and insect control, principles of soil modification and drainage, and fertilizers and their use. The laboratory portion deals with a variety of topics such as seed germination requirements, establishment of common turf grasses, renovation, water movement in modified soils, calibration of fertilizer and seed spreaders, and identification of the common turf grasses and turf grass weeds. An advanced turf course will be offered spring term dealing with some of the more important turf industries such as golf courses, parks, sod farms, commercial maintenance firms, and others. Descriptions of the specific use requirements of these industries and the influences of economic and practical problems on cultural practices will be discussed. Construction and maintenance of special use areas and guidelines for budgeting will also be covered. The laboratory will consist of numerous field trips and discussion sessions oriented towards identification and solution of problems associated with maintenance of the various turf areas. In addition to these two courses, a new course in landscape maintenance will also be offered during the winter term. This course will deal with most aspects of tree, shrub, and flower maintenance including pruning, fertilization, pest control, mulching, and ecological factors such as shade and moisture tolerance. Students in either Horticulture or Crop Science can concentrate in turf and landscape maintenance. Some of the supporting coursework includes basic Botany, Crop Science, and Horticulture. In addition, courses from various departments are offered concerning identification of plant materials, irrigation principles, landscape design, and others. If interest in this program is strong, additional courses may be offered in the future. Students completing this program should have a good exposure to both practical and technical aspects of the field of turf management. The Conference for 1978 will be held at the Holiday Inn in Richland, WA on September 25-28, 1978. It is tentatively planned that the golf tournament will be held on Monday, September 25 and the Conference will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 26. The Conference will be conducted along the lines of 1977 whereas everyone will have free time after about 1:30 each day throughout the Conference. This will give us approximately 4 hours in the Conference room which is about all the average body can absorb effectively. The conference will continue until Thursday noon, September 28, when it will be adjourned. Many of the Conference attendees need to be back home before close of business on Friday and this will give everyone an opportunity to be home Thursday night and have a full day back at work on Friday if they so desire. This may possibly stimulate better attendance in the Conference room on the last morning whereas we have had rather short attendance in the past on the last 1/2 day session. Cliff James and his associates in the Tri Cities area are really planning up a beautiful show for everyone coming to the Conference. He has some surprises which I am sure you will enjoy, so don't miss it. As all of you know, the Tri Cities area is noted for its beautiful September weather and there will be a 99% guarantee that it will not rain throughout the entire conference. There are many interesting things to see in the Tri Cities area both for men and women. Start now to make your plans and also to notify your friends of the dates of this Conference. 15th ANNUAL WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS CONFERENCE Weather & mafic Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. February 20-22 •4* 'THE SPRINKLER PEOPLE' DISTRIBUTORS OF LAWN SPRINKLER rC IRRIGATION Since 1885 [ • J SYSTEMS C^ELANESE thermoplastic pipe valves & fittings A Full Line of Specialities & Varieties of Turf Seed for the Golf Course and Sod Farm. PUMPS STA-RITE Wholesale Seeds and Garden Supplies Irrigation Dept. (206) 622-0820 (Seattle) Pump Dept. (206) 622-2891 (Seattle) PUGET SOUND SEED CO., INC. 1050 West Nickerson • Seattle, WA 98119 • 282-2077 y Write to: 707 S. Lander St. Seattle, Wa. 98134 Northwest Turfgrass Association Directors Meet Your Board of Directors met at the Western Washington Research and Extension Center on Friday, December 2, 1977, to conduct the business of the Association. Prior to the regularly scheduled directors meeting, Bob Wick, Chairman of the Research Committee, met with his committee and Roy Goss to discuss current and planned research programs. The research report presented by Roy Goss was accepted and ths following suggestions were offered with regard to research in eastern Washington. 1. Initiate advanced management studies on selected bentgrasses in the Spokane area. 2. Extablish ryegrass plantings in the Spokane area to determine winter survival. 3. Increase efforts of endothall applications for Poa annua controls in eastern Washington. The exact conference site was discussed by President Sam Angove with board members present and it was decided to have the 32nd Turfgrass Conference at the Holiday Inn in Richland, WA during the week of September 25, 1978. This is a new Inn and has many desirable features for our Conference. Unless something happens very shortly, you can count on this site as being the location for the next Conference. The board has agreed to offer each of the 18 tees at Meadow Springs Golf Course for sale to industrial representatives for advertising during the golf tournament on Monday, September 25, 1978. Industry representatives will be contacted and the first 18 will have their pick of the tees. Since there is no product or equipment show associated with our Conference, this will give some industry contact and participation with many of the turfgrass association membership. President Angove indicated that Cliff James and his group from the Tri Cities area are really going all out to make the Tri Cities an unforgettable Conference location. They are planning activities for the ladies and for the men as well. Considerable discussion evolved around working with Washington State University administration in securing 1/2 FTE (full time equivalent) in both turf research and Extension to be placed at the Western Washington Research and Extension Center. This would give us one full time research scientist and one full time turfgrass Extension agronomist. We have been needing this additional help for a number of years and the directors want to work relentlessly in this direction. Dr. Ernest Bay, Superintendent, WWREC at Puyallup, explained the situation and that the administration was open to any suggestions regarding mutual participation between the Northwest Turfgrass Association and Washington State University. This matter will be pursued intensively in the future. John Monson was welcomed as the new treasurer of the Northwest Turfgrass Association. He gave a financial report of the status of the organization and explained his proposals for carrying out the treasurer's duties. 1978 Cumberland Valley Turf ICVT Professional Turf Growers Supplying Top Quality • Sod • Call Us For Prices 45533 - 212th Ave. S.E. Enumclaw, Wa. 98022 (206) 825-5266 Forklift Deliveries purj^quip^ mobile in service TURF & TORO MOBILE SERVICE 6001 Maynard Ave So. TORO RO 2-7242 SOD LAWNS — TEES — APRONS BEAUTIFUL — DURABLE Ask us for price FOB Sumner or your location NORTHWEST TURFGRASS CONFERENCE Holiday Inn . . . September 25 - 28 Richland, Washington Emerald Turfgrass Farms RT. 1, BOX 146A, U N 3-1003 SUMNER, WASH. 98390 VE 8-9911 Winter Roulette by Roy L. Goss Winter roulette equates to playing on frozen turf during the winter in the turfgrass business. As a matter of fact, your chances of winning are much better at roulette than they are at playing on frozen turf. At least in roulette you can win by chance occasionally but you are always loser when playing on frozen turf. We have written many articles in the past regarding winter damage to turfgrass areas and especially on golf putting greens. Let us reexamine and restate some of the problems after which those of you who wish to continue playing these areas under adverse conditions can ruefully say, "I did it to myself." FROST Any form of traffic on frosted turf results in cellular injury which kills the grass blades. The writer observed several golf courses during December that had minor to extensive damage from both golf play and children playing on frosted greens on golf courses. In one instance they wrote their names in the frost and even included a few four-letter words. Although a limited use and some walking on frosted turf may not result in complete death of the plant, a tremendous amount of damage is sustained and requires two or more months for the grass to recover due to slow growth at this time of the year. If the traffic is extensive, it is likely that the turfgrass area may be destroyed. FROZEN GROUND. If the soil is frozen and no visible frost on the surface, limited use of the area may not result in significant damage. Extensive use of these areas can result in shearing and scuffing of the leaves at the soil level and impart considerable injury. The most important stage of frozen ground is during the thawing process. You have all observed frost penetration 4 to 6 inches deep followed by warming trends and rain where the surface will be flooded with water. The frozen layer presents a barrier to water movement. Where the soil was at field capacity moisture during the freezing process, any additional water will simply build up on the surface. This results in a soft, almost jelly like surface condition. Unstable soft surfaces result in root and crown shearing, extensive crown damage, and severe buckling and warping of the turf surface. Also, an important factor is the pressing or punching in of leaves and crowns into the soft unstable surface creating an organic layer that causes future management problems. The buckling and warping may take several months of continued mowing and topdressing to correct at considerable expense of labor and materials. Let's face it, the number of days in western Washington and Oregon particularly when golf cannot be played are relatively few. I don't think it is any great imposition to ask golfers and membership on private clubs to cooperate in helping to produce fine golf courses. The same principle holds true for colder interior regions such as eastern Washington and Oregon, and the same principles should be observed when these conditions occur. Golf Course Architecture Irrigation System Engineering Turfgrass Management Consultation THOMSON WOLVERIDGE FREAM & ASSOC. 2 Old Town, Los Gatos, California 95030 USA Tele: (408) 354-8240 MELBOURNE NAGOYA ZURICH USGA Green Section Conference on Golf Course Management In 1978 the USGA Green Section annual conference will place emphasis on golf course management. Golf club officials and superintendents who may attend this conference will find a very interesting program concerning the following items: 1. Management Makes a Difference. 2. The search for better grasses 3. The USGA's Stimp Meter 4. Principles of Soil Improvement 5. Water Management Affects Payability 6. Poa annua, It Won't Go Away These are a few of the important issues that will be presented on Friday, January 27, at the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco, CA. This interesting management session will increase the understanding of golf officials of the problems that face the golf superintendent and their own golf clubs and will help to understand rising costs of maintaining quality golf courses. In addition to the one-day conference itself, there will be some interesting tours of golf facilities in the San Francisco Bay area. This looks like an interesting session for all who can make it. LILLYTMILLER Membership Drive An anonymous donor has agreed to give a small black and white portable TV to the N.T.A. member who, from now until the 1978 conference, signs up the most new members. Board members will be excluded from competing. The TV will be presented at our annual banquet in Richland. This is a great opportunity to bring new members in and win a TV, besides. So, GOOD LUCK AND GET GOING! Controlled Release FERTILIZERS also Portland 256-4600 SEEDS & CHEMICALS Seattle 762-0818 Spokane 838-8211 Moss Control in Lawn Turf by T o m Cook Moss control tests were initiated in March 1977 on bentgrass lawn turf at the WWREC turf research center. Plots averaged approximately 60% moss at the time of treatment. Treatments included liquid and granular formulations of ferric sulfate and ferrous ammonium sulfate, and several rates and combinations of captan fungicide plus x-77 spreader. Treatments were applied to both dethatched and undistrubed turf. In general, iron treatments were effective in controlling moss. Liquid applications' acted much faster than granulars, but ultimate control did not appear to be significantly better. Out of all treatments, ferrous ammonium sulfate at 1.5 lb. actual Fe/1,000 sq. ft. sprayed on dethatched turf gave the best control. Dethatching alone removed as much as 75% of the moss present. Since this opened up the turf considerably it apparently allowed much more thorough coverage of moss with the liquid spray. Iron treatments on dense stands of moss often are not entirely effective because only the top portion of the moss plants are injured and recovery often occurs. Captan at 0.2 lb. ai/1,000 sq. ft. plus x-77 spreader at 25 oz/1,000 sq. ft. was surprisingly effective in controlling moss. However, activity was drastically different than that observed with iron compounds. Iron normally turns the moss dark brown and causes a greening response to the turf. The fungicide-spreader combination causes the moss to bleach out and turn almost white. There is no color response on the turf. When considering moss control, there are several important factors. Long term control depends on correcting the cause of the moss infestation. Most areas where moss is a problem, suffer from poor fertility, wetness and at times shades. Often acceptable reductions in moss content can be achieved simply by dethatching to remove moss physically and increasing fertility primarily with nitrogen to stimulate grass growth. As indicated above, moss can be controlled chemically with ferric or ferrous sulfate or ferrous ammonium sulfate applied in either liquid or granular form. Manufacturers recommendations for use will generally yield best results. Materials for moss control should be applied when moss is actively growing, generally late fall through early spring. THE ED SHORT SEATTLE: 18303 Andover Park West Tukwila, WA — Ph. (206) 575-0281 PORTLAND: 9592 S.E. Main Milwaukie, OR. — Ph. (503) 653-0071 TOP VITALITY FOR YOUR TURF . . . with VELSICOL Chemicals VELSICOL BANVEL* 4S This new herbicide was developed especially to combat s t u b b o r n broadleaf weeds . . . even those considered tolerant to phenoxy herbicides. It's absorbed two ways — through the leaves and through the roots—for complete control. And it works in either cool or warm weather. Approved for use on St. Augustine, Centipede, Bermuda, Zoysia, Bentgrass and Bluegrass — Banvel 4S effectively controls: Curly dock, common chickweed, mouse-ear chickweed, stitchwort, dog fennel, carpetweed, knotweed, sheep sorrel, clover, knawel, chicory, lawn burweed, spurry, henbit, English daisy, spurge, purslane, pepperweed, hawkweed, creeping charlie, spotted spurge, and many others. I HAND PUMP TYPE SPRAYER 1 USED IN SPRING OF 1870 JOHN BEAN DEALER NORTHWEST MALSBARY (206) 283-5340 WE SERVICE MORE 2232 - 15th AVENUE WEST SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98119 CO. Powered Turf and Garden Equipment SALES and SERVICE AUTHORIZED JOHN BEAN DEALER T H A N ' W H A T W E SELL 1M A I N W M A 1 W t ^CLL H.P. PUMPS & PARTS SPRAYERS - ACCESSORIES 49th GCSAA Conference at San Antonio The big event for the golf course superintendents will occur at San Antonio, Texas at the convention center from February 13-17. The educational and exhibit conference will be preceeded by the golf tournament to be held in the Corpus Christi area and with the post conference tour to Mexico. The program is well developed and there should be a lot of interesting educational sessions for those who want to improve their knowledge on turfgrass management. It goes without saying that the product and Equipment Show is second to none in the world and is a tremendous educational experience within itself and anyone wishing to do some equipment shopping and update their knowledge on operation care and maintenance of equipment will find this very useful. If you can make it, we will see you in San Antonio. TURF & TORO DISTRIB., INC. Toro—Moist-O-Matic—Ryan, Standard, Par-Aid 6001 Maynard Ave So. RO 2-7242 CUSHMAN TURF - CARE SYSTEM Vehicles - Aerators - Top Dressers - Spikers Sprayers - Seeders COMPLETE TURF-SEED, INC. P.O. Box 2 5 0 Hubbard, Oregon 97032 SALES - SERVICE (in field) - PARTS SUNSET NORTHWEST (Division of Sunset Electric Co.) 1919 120th Ave. N.E. Bellevue, Wa 98005 PHONE: 206-445-5640 NORTHWEST MOWERS, INC. JACOBSEN 926 North 165th St. 542-7484 Seattle, Wash. 98133 IBDU Investigations by Roy L. Goss A new project will be initiated in early spring, 1978 on the response of turfgrasses to applications of IBDU. This product is a synthetic nitrogen compound produced from the reaction of urea and isobutyraldehyde. Where ureaform types of nitrogen are dependent upon temperature and microbial decomposition to release the nitrogen, IBDU is dependent only upon water solubility. Urea formaldehyde sources of nitrogen do not release significant amounts of nitrogen during cool or cold periods whereas considerably more nitrogen is released from IBDU during this period of time. Some marketing of IBDU is expected in the Pacific Northwest during 1978 and coming years and additional information is needed with regard to grass response, the effect on turfgrass diseases and other characteristics. Tests will be conducted both at Puyallup and at selected sites in eastern Washington to observe this product under two environmental extremes. The Effects of Sulfur on Bluegrasses, Ryegrasses and Fescues by Roy L. Goss Plots were established during the summer of 1977 with bluegrasses, ryegrasses and fescues that will receive variable rates of sulfur with two rates of nitrogen fertilization over a period of three or more years to determine the effect of sulfur on these three genera. Considerable information is available on the effects of sulfur on bentgrass, but little information has been developed with regard to these three important turfgrass genera. This project is partially supported by the USGA Green Section and should enhance our knowledge of sulfur applications. mEPRLD SMARAGD • VARIETY cpeepinG Bentsrass Here's the creeping bentgrass that is making users of Penncross a n d Seaside take a second look. S inTERMTIOnilb SEEDS, IRC. P o Box 168 • Halsey. Oregon 97348 USA IT'S TIME TO LIME Tel. (503) 369-2251 Jacobsen E-Z-Go Vermeer Taylor-Dunn Grass will not grow without sufficient a v a i l a b l e Cushman Standard and Par-Aide CALCIUM! COMPLETE LINE OF TURF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES Kiln dried - Fine ground limestone Flour HEMPHILL BROS. INC. Seattle 762-7622 BALTZ & SON CO. J. A. JACK & SONS, INC. High Calcium, Sacked, Bulk or Spread The Pro's Know... • NITROFORM Agro quality really counts! • WEED KILLERS Pacific A g r o C o m p a n y 903 Houser Way No. • HYDROPRILLS Renton 98055 • FUNGICIDES P.O. Box 326 • 228-6565 Suppliers ot all your professional needs! 9817 E. Burnside 256-1453 Portland, Ore. 97216 Instant Lawn - m Consistant high quality Oregon sod (1000 sq. ft. or more) Serving Washington Nurserymen & Landscapers : Fast forklift delivery 5760 - 110th Ave. S.E. Bellevue, Wa. 98006 641-5916 Recap of 31st Northwest Turfgrass Conference Comments were very encouraging with regard to the organization and conduct of the 31st Turfgrass Conference at Salishan Lodge, Gleneden Beach, Oregon, in October, 1977. Everyone seemed to like the long morning session approach beginning Wednesday morning and terminating at Friday noon. The conference ran continuously with only a coffee break from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00-1:15 p.m. after which the attendees were allowed free time in the afternoon for private consultations, business meetings, recreation or sight seeing or just plain loafing and resting. Much better attendance was experienced also in the conference room due to this approach. The speakers all did an excellent job in helping to make this a very good educational program. Our thanks to all of the speakers and in particular to those who came from long distances such as Jim Latham, Andy Bertoni, Jim Watson and Bill Bengeyfield to help make our program a success. O 3D H 70 a.2 m en H y 3 O n S • ^ M - oo O >to > 92 § c/> K> > CO CO o o > • End Turf Moisture Problems H • with DIALOAM * a soil conditioner that absorbs 150% of its weight in water. Not a clay • Will not compact • Write for free sample and prices. MANUFACTURED BY EAGLE-PICHER INDUSTRIES, INC. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 DISTRIBUTED BY Chas. H. Lilly Company 5200 Denver Avenue, South Seattle, Wash. 98108 Chas. H. Lilly Company 228 W. Pacific Avenue Spokane, Wash. 99204 Officers of the Northwest Turfgrass Chas. H. Lilly Company 7737 N.E. Killingsworth St. tfufife / F ^ ^ ASSOCIATION Portland, Ore. 97218 FERTILIZERS Suppliers of All TURF CHEMICALS and FERTILIZERS FUNGICIDES - HERBICIDES SOIL AMENDMENTS TACOMA BR 2-5171 1424 Thome Road Tacoma, Wash. 98421 SEATTLE MA 2-3228 San Angove Joe Pottinger John Monson Dr. Roy Goss President Vice-President Treasurer Exec. Secretary NORTHWEST TURFGRASS TOPICS is sponsored by the Northwest Turfgrass Association and financed through funds of this organization. Any communications concerning distribution of this paper or association business should be directed to John Monson, P.O. Box 274, Redmond, WA 98052, or Roy L. Goss, Western Washington Experiment Station, Puyallup, Washington 98371. ' Communications concerning content of this paper should be directed to Dr. Roy Goss, Editor, Western Washington Research and Extension Center, Puyallup, Washington 98371.