Northwest TURFGRASS TOPICS VOL 20 - NO. 2 PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON SEPTEMBER 1977 31st Annual Northwest Turfgrass Conference Sponsored by Northwest Turfgrass Association and Washington State University Salishan Lodge, Gleneden Beach, Oregon October 5-7, 1977 Program Chairman - Clayton Bauman PROGRAM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4 Handicap Golf Tournament - All Conference participants Late Conference Registration WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5 8 : 0 0 and after Late Registration Morning Session Ul Chairman — Clayton Bauman, Supt., Meridian Valley Golf and Country Club, Kent, WA. 8:30- 8:40 Welcome, Introductions and Announcements - Joe Lymp, President, Northwest Turfgrass Association, Supt., Sunriver Properties, Sunriver, OR 8:40- 9:20 "Different ways to water t u r f ' - Jim Latham, Milwaukee Sewerage Commission, Milwaukee, WI. 9:20-10:00 "Practical uses of turftype perennial ryegrass in the Pacific Northwest" - Dr. Bill Meyer, Turfseed Inc., Halsey, OR. 10:00-10:15 Discussion Coffee 10:15-10:35 Morning Session U2 Chairman — Dick Malpass, C.G.C.S., Supt. Riverside Golf and Country Club, Portland, OR. 10:35-11:35 "Topdressing - experiences, successes, methods and problems" Panel Discussion: Charlie Nolan, Kevin Van, Tim Manion 11:35-12:35 "Trees - establishment and maintenance for golf courses, parks, etc." - Dr. Dale Bever, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. Research reports 12:35-12:50 Discussion 12:50- 1:00 Free time 1:00 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 Morning Session #1 Chairman — Joe Lymp, Supt., Sunriver Properties, Sunriver, OR. 8:30- 9:00 "Correcting wet spots on established t u r f ' Roy L. Goss, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA. 9:00- 9:40 "Management in turfgrass programs" - Sam Angove, Director, Parks and Recreation, Spokane County, Spokane, WA. 9:40- 9:55 Research reports 9:55-10:10 Discussion Morning Session #2 Chairman — John Monson, C.G.C.S., Broadmoor Golf Club, Seattle, WA Coffee 10:10-10:25 10:25-11:15 "Poa annua - It can be controlled" - Tom Cook, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 11:15-11:55 "Turfgrass nurseries" - Bill Bengeyfield, USGA Green Section, Tustin, CA. 11:55-12:10 Research reports 12:10-12:25 Discussion 12:25- 1:00 General Membership Business Meeting THURSDAY EVENING 6:30 No host cocktails 7:30 Banquet FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 Morning Session #I Chairman — Dick Fluter, C.G.C.S., Oswego Lake Golf and Country Club, Lake Oswego, OR 8:30- 9:00 Research reports "Water, an exhaustible resource" - Jim Wat9:00- 9:40 son, Director of Research, Toro Company, Minneapolis, MN. Research reports 9:40-10:00 Coffee 10:00-10:20 Morning Session #2 Chairman Sam Angove, Director, Spokane County Parks and Recreation, Spokane, WA. 10:20-11:00 "You're the difference" - Andy Bertoni, W. A. Cleary Co., Somerset, NJ. "Equipment maintenance for all turf' - Babe 11:00-11:40 Brinkworth, Toro Company, Cupertino, CA. Discussion and adjournment 11:40-12:00 SEE YOU AT SALISHAN From the President's Corner by Joe Lymp It's Conference time again and we look forward to seeing all of you at Salishan Lodge. Your directors have worked hard to provide you with a different and most interesting educational opportunity. We will have about four hours in the Conference room each day and the remainder of the day will be yours for Committee Meetings, private sessions, or recreation, relaxation, and sightseeing on the Oregon Coast. Salishan is a beautiful lodge that offers a wide range of recreational activities including golf, tennis, swimming, and many more. You will note from the program attached that a wide variety of subject matter is being presented, hence there is something for everyone. An interesting program is planned for the ladies, so be sure to bring yours. See you at Salishan. Tom Cook Moves to Oregon State University Friday, September 9, will be Tom's last official day at the Western Washington Research and Extension Center at Puyallup, Washington. Tom has accepted a position at Oregon State University to teach Turf Management and Ornamentals in the Horticulture Department at OSU. He will be responsible for developing both teaching programs and will begin teaching the first courses in September of this year. Tom promised in January of 1975 that he would solve all our problems in six months, and his six months period is just about up and he has succeeded in all but a few minor areas. On the serious side, Tom's persistence with Poa annua pre and post emergent control investigations have paid off. Unquestionably, his program with endothall and bensulide applications will definitely and safely control Poa annua. Safe control implies that little or no damage is incurred to the bluegrasses or ryegrasses while removing Poa annua. This program will be continued and results written up during the winter and spring of 1978. In the meantime, negotiations are under way with Pennwalt Corporation to include dosage recommendations on their label for the control of Poa annua more effectively. A great deal more must be learned about Poa control with the endothall program, particularly in areas east of the Cascade mountains, but we have every confidence that the program will work equally effectively in those regions. In addition to his own investigations in Poa annua, Tom has played a significant role in helping to establish and maintain all other turfgrass research areas during his tenure, j Our research plots have never been in better condition and certainly this is a credit to Tom's hard work and persistence. Of course, due credit also goes to Stan Orton, Experimental Aide, who has worked closely with all of us in maintaining our turfgrass research program. Tom's departure will create a great deal more work for those of us remaining but it is hoped that we can find a suitable replacement for him in our program for as long as we are able to generate outside funds for his support. Tom's leaving can be viewed with mixed emotions First, we are sorry to see him go, and secondly, we are very happy to see him obtain this position at Oregon State University. With Tom's enthusiasm, energy, and imagination I am sure he will develop a first class program for Oregon State and close cooperation can be maintained between the two Universities. Tom will continue to remain in close contact with the total turfgrass industry in the Pacific Northwest and I am sure that we will all see him from time to time. We wish you every success, Tom, and the best of luck to you. 31st Annual Northwest Turfgrass Conference Salishan Lodge, Gleneden Beach, Oregon Turfgrass Field Day at Agassiz, BC Dr. Doug Taylor, Canada Department of Agriculture, Research Station, Agassiz, British Columbia, will host a turfgrass field day at l :00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28 at the Experiment Station in Agassiz. Dr. Taylor has greatly expanded his turfgrass research program at Agassiz over the years and has developed a very interesting and productive program. If you will take the time to put this date on your calendar and drive up to Agassiz, you will observe some excellent turfgrass variety trials, wear resistance trials, fertility trials and a number of other interesting investigations. Let's all join with our BC friends and associates at Agassiz, BC on September 28. SOD LAWNS — TEES — APRONS BEAUTIFUL — DURABLE Ask us for price FOB Sumner or your location Emerald Turfgrass Farms RT. 1, BOX 146A, U N 3-1003 SUMNER, W A S H . 98390 VE 8-9911 31st Annual Northwest Turfgrass Conference The Turfgrass Conference for 1977 has a slightly different atmosphere than the previous conferences. The first major change is the beginning time for educational sessions set for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5. Since most conference attendees usually arrive the night before, it was decided to start the conference on Wednesday morning in order to allow free time for most of the afternoon by the conference participants. Salishan Lodge and the Oregon Coast offer numerous opportunities for sightseeing and recreational activities; hence, a few hours in the afternoon will allow the attendants time to get rid of the conference room kinks and enjoy the surroundings as well. We will try to finish the educational session each day by 1:00 p.m. so you may have lunch and do whatever you wish thereafter. This will be an excellent opportunity for you to meet with industry representatives, have private conferences, or indulge in relaxation or recreation. The conference will adjourn promptly at noon on Friday, October 7. Early registration for Northwest Turfgrass Association members is $12.00 provided that you followed the instruction in the mailing to have your registration in by September 1. All registration at the Conference will be considered late registration and will cost members $16.00. All non-members of the Northwest Turfgrass Association will pay $25.00 for registration which will include the Conference and Proceedings. Salishan Lodge is holding a block of 130 rooms for Conference participants. You must send your reservation and one night's lodging for at least $38.00 to insure your reservation. There may be other rooms available after September 15, but you will be taking your chances. In case you wish to call your reservation to the Lodge, you may phone Gleneden Beach, OR (503) 764-2371 and be sure to indicate you will be participating in the Northwest Turfgrass Conference. There are a number of other accomodations between Lincoln City and Newport where you may obtain accomodations as well and is in reasonable driving distance of the Conference site. All checks for registration and lodging should be made payable to Salishan Lodge. Do not include your Conference registration and one night's prepaid lodging in a single check. Make separate checks for Conference registration and the lodging. Your Conference Program Chairman, Clayton Bauman, and his committee have tried to put together an interesting and useful educational program for your benefit. Be sure to tell someone about the Conference and the program who may not have gotten the word in your respective areas. Many parks, schools and cemetery turfgrass managers will not receive word about the conference and your calling a few will help to increase the attendance. A valuable door prize will be given away at a drawing during the Conference for all early registrants who sent in their pre-registration fees. Pre-registration helps avoid long lines and delays of registration at the Conference, therefore, send in your registration even if you will not be eligible for the door prize drawing so your receipts can be made out and avoid the lineup. A golf tournament will be held on Tuesday, October 4, at the beautiful Salishan Golf Links. An entry fee will be charged and prizes will be awarded. The banquet will be held on Thursday evening preceeded 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 CUSHMAN TURF - CARE SYSTEM Vehicles - Aerators - Top Dressers - Spikers Sprayers - Seeders COMPLETE SALES - SERVICE (in field) - PARTS SUNSET NORTHWEST (Division of Sunset Electric Co.) 1919 120th Ave. N.E. Bellevue, Wa 98005 PHONE: 206-445-5640 • End Turf Moisture Problems • 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. 99*204 Chas. H. Lilly Company 7737 N.E. Killingsworth St. Portland, Ore. 97218 by a no host cocktail hour. The banquet committee has come up with a great dinner and you will learn all about that when you arrive. The ladies program has been well planned with many interesting activities. There will be a ladies registration desk set up at the lodge where you girls can pay your fees and enjoy this interesting program. All of you guys be sure to bring your wives along. They'll hate you if you don't. Frank Zook, one of your directors, has been working closely with President Lymp and Salishan personnel to coordinate most of the conference activities. We'll see you at Salishan. Summer Woes By Roy L. Goss Early warnings back in the spring about summer water shortages unfortunately became a reality for many turfgrass managers during the summer of 1977. Inadequate water was sharply felt by many golf courses, parks, cemeteries, schools and home lawns. In most cases, grass that went completely dormant will revive now that we have had some rain and with the onset of cooler and more moist fall weather. Now is an excellent time to proceed with overseeding thin or weak areas and those that you feel have burned out — principally areas dominated by Poa annua. If you have a Rogers seeder in your collection of equipment, blow the dust off it and get it in gear. You will be surprised how much grass you can establish between now and November with this machine. Turftype perennial ryegrasses alone or in mixtures with bluegrass and bentgrass or fine leaved fescues can lend a lot of wear resistance and greater drought tolerance to areas you may have lost this year. In general, most turfgrass areas have weathered the hotter than usual and dryer than usual summer quite well. Some problems have developed, particularly on golf course putting greens, from excessive water application to keep the grass cool, but end results were saturated soil with poor rooting. Saturated soils induce shallow rooting through the loss of deeper roots caused by lack of oxygen in the soil. Some areas were lost due to heat stress during the extremely hot days of mid-August. These areas may be developed due to faulty sprinklers, excessive runoff, droughty soils, or a combination of all. It is extremely important to maintain high infiltration of the surface through aerifications, spikeing or the use of surfactants and carefully examine the soil at regular intervals with a soil tube to determine soil moisture. An excellent article was written by Jack Jagur in the July issue of the U.S.G. A. Green Section Record with regard to the drought in Northern California. He has summed up what we have talked about for years with regard to conditioning turf for heat and drought stress. It would pay you to run down a copy of this article and read it thoroughly. Some summer diseases have shown up ranging from fairy ring, unidentified basidiomycetes fungi, brown patch (caused by Rhizoctonia solani), Ophiobolus patch, some Helminthosporium, and more recently an unidentified spotting condition on putting greens. No organisms have been isolated from these small yellow spots the size of a dime or slightly smaller; therefore, we are working on it. These spots can develop by the thousands over a green surface and when they run together, extensive turf loss can occur. The leaves eventually die completely and the roots are stubby or nonexistent. Nematodes may be a contributing factor and samples are being tested at the present time. One case of a high nematode population has emerged and nematicides were recommended in this one case. We feel that anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum graminicola) may be causing more severe damage than most people are aware. We have suspected this fungus as a threat for a number of years but the problems seem to be increasing. We hope you were not too hard hit and that your grass will recover quickly if you were. NORTHWEST MOWERS, INC. J A CO BSE N 542-7484 926 North 165th St. Seattle, Wash. 98133 TOP VITALITY FOR YOUR TURF . . . with VELSICOL Chemicals VELSICOL BANVEL® 4S This n e w herbicide w a s developed e s p e c i a l l y to c o m b a t stubborn b r o a d l e a f w e e d s . . . e v e n those considered tolerant to phenoxy herbicides. It's absorbed two w a y s — through the l e a v e s and through the roots—for c o m p l e t e control. And it works in either cool or w a r m weather. Approved for use on St. Augustine, Centipede, Bermuda, Zoysia, Bentgrass and B l u e g r a s s — Banvel 4S e f f e c t i v e l y controls: Curly dock, c o m m o n c h i c k w e e d , m o u s e - e a r chickweed, stitchwort, dog fennel, c a r p e t w e e d , knotweed, s h e e p sorrel, clover, knawel, chicory, lawn burweed, spurry, henbit, English daisy, spurge, purslane, pepperweed, h a w k w e e d , creeping charlie, spotted spurge, and m a n y others. TURF & TORO DISTRIB., INC. Toro—Moist-O-Matic—Ryan, Standard, Par-Aid 6001 Maynard Ave So. RO 2-7242 AUTOMATIC - MANUAL Sprinkler Systems Complete Line of Water Handling Equipment POLSON CO. DISTRIBUTORS SEATTLE MA 2-2891 SPOKANE FA 7-9571 En Garde for Fall Now that we have some cool, moist weather, you have another set of problems facing you instantly. No. 1 is Fusarium patch disease in all areas of the Pacific Northwest. You should have already made your first application or two of fungicides prior to reading this article. If you do not practice preventive maintenance of applying fungicides once each month, then you should have made an application in August to prevent massive attacks of Fusarium. You have a good arsenal of fungicides to select from, so be sure to stock up now. If Fusarium patch disease hits hard and fast, it may be necessary to come back with applications of fungicides on 5 to 10 day intervals as opposed to 2 to 3 week intervals. Since mercury is available, one of the best ways to knock Fusarium down quickly is to treat with PM AS or Caloclor at recommended rates and then maintain good fungicide schedules. Observe your areas early in the morning when dew is present and then you will be able to detect the first beginnings of Fusarium and can initiate your program the same day. If you wait until the spots are already brown, you can lose a significant amount of grass before you get it stopped. Fall is one of the best times for weed control and you should be geared up to spray major turfgrass areas in September and up to the 15th or 20th of October if weather conditions are still suitable. Cool, moist weather, shorter days and fall regrowth of weeds makes this period particularly ideal. For the most part, mixtures of Banvel, MCPP, and 2,4-D are best since they will control a broad spectrum of weeds. Silvex may be substituted for one of the ingredients of the mix just mentioned if desirable. The usual precautions should be followed with regards to root absorption by susceptible ornamentals when these materials are used and, of course, avoid drift by spraying only when there is no wind. Veronica filiformis (creeping speedwell) can still be treated up to the first part of October with good success with Dacthal at the rate of 16 lb. of 75% wettable powder per acre. Don't expect fast results from the Dacthal but you should observe a good kill within three to four weeks. Use that sand! Sand has proven its value in numerous cases and should be among your standard practices for wet putting green surfaces as well as wet ball fields west of the Cascade Mountains. You may continue light sand topdressings every 3 weeks on into early November. Light sand topdressings would be very useful to most golf courses east of the Cascade Mountains as well. Your cutoff date would be perhaps a month earlier than west of the Cascades. This will significantly aid in drier surfaces, prevention of layering and in thatch control. Be sure to pay particular attention to the sand particle size. Most of your sand particles should fall betweenaNo. 16and 100 mesh screen, preferably somewhat finer than the No. 16 and try to limit the amount finer than the 100 to a very low percentage. By all means, avoid the use of gravelly sand mixtures since the gravel does you absolutely no good and can do significant damage to turf maintenance equipment. NATIONAL THE ED SHORT CO. Powered Turf and Garden Equipment SEATTLE: 18303 Andover Park West Tukwila, WA — Ph. (206) 575-0281 PORTLAND: 9592 S.E. Main Milwaukie, OR. — Ph. (503) 653-0071 EXCEL Si LILLY/MILLER Controlled Release FERTILIZERS also SEEDS & CHEMICALS Portland 256-4600 Seattle 762-0818 Spokane 838-8211 IT'S TIME TO LIME Grass will not grow without sufficient available CALCIUM! Kiln dried - Fine ground limestone Flour HEMPHILL BROS. INC. Seattle 762-7622 J. A. JACK & SONS. INC. High Calcium, Sacked, Bulk or Spread Don't miss the Turfgrass Conference• Salishan Lodge•Gleneden Beach, Oregon October 5-7, 1977 Turfgrass Plant Pathologist Being Sought H l u r ^ q u i p m ^ EKE mobile service Your efforts in preserving the turfgrass plant pathologist position at the Western Washington Research and Extension Center have paid off. The University administration has agreed to maintain the research position at Puyallup. Requests for application for the position were sent out earlier in the summer and the application date was closed on August 31. To date, approximately 30 qualified individuals have made application for the job and the selection committee is now in process of screening the applicants and reducing the list to the top five or six candidates. It is anticipated that a qualified person will be selected by the end of October. ] TURF & TORO MOBILE SERVICE 6001 Maynard Ave So. RO 2-7242 TORO The duties of this plant pathologist will be 75% in the turfgrass area and 25% in the ornamental industry. As you are well aware, Dr. C. J. Gould developed disease control programs and significantly contributed to the understanding of turfgrass diseases for many years here at Puyallup. Although we would all like to think that Chuck solved all the problems, there are still many that plague us and answers are needed as soon as possible. Among the unsolved problems are the following: 1. Low temperature rhizoctonia. 2. Unidentified basidiomycetes causing small green depressed circles and sometimes with brown margins. 3. Investigations into anthracnose to determine its pathogenicity. 4. Unidentified losses of turf in eastern Washington and presumably eastern Oregon, from what appears to be Ophiobolus patch or possibly Fusarium blight. As soon as this new man is settled in, you will be making his acquaintance and feel free to present any disease problems that you are now having problems in controlling. We will be working closely together in the Agronomy and Plant Pathology programs to help solve these problems. We hope the next issue of Turfgrass Topics will carry an announcement regarding the filling of this position. Turfgrass Field Day September 28 Agassiz, B.C. DAN HACKETT Home: 827-5239 Work: 283-5340 H A N D p UMP TYPE SPRAYER USED IN SPRING OF 1870 NORTHWEST MALSBARY (206) 283-5340 WE SERVICE MORE 2232 - 15th AVENUE WEST SEATTLE. WASHINGTON 98119 J SALES and SERVICE \ AUTHORIZED JOHN BEAN DEALER ' ' MAIN W M A w_ ' W t J O H N BEAN DEALER H P. PUMPS & PARTS SPRAYERS - ACCESSORIES TURF-SEED, INC. P.O. Box 250 Hubbard, Oregon 97032 I I I I I I I mERRLD SMARAGD • VARIETY C R e e p i n G B e n t c r a s s Here's the creeping bentgrass that is making users of Penncross and Seaside take a second look. • infiRnnnonnb SEEDS, inc. P.O. Box 168 Halsey. Oregon 97348 USA Tel. (503) 369-2251 Cumberland Valley Turf Professional Turf Growers DERBYi^^ T u r f - t y p e Perennial R y e g r a s s Supplying Top Quality Sod • Seed • Fertilizer Call Us For Prices (206) 825-5266 We Deliver 45533 - 212th Ave. S.E. Enumclaw, Wa. 98022 Rarely has a turf grass moved so rapidly into the "preferred" group. Derby did it because it performed . . . lived up to advance notices . . . even exceeded the expectations of some very demanding turf managers. I E innRnnnonnb SEEDS, inc. P.O. Box 168 Halsey. Oregon 97348 USA Tel. (503) 369-2251 mmM mmm Jacobsen E-Z-Go Vermeer Taylor-Dunn Cushman Standard and Par-Aide COMPLETE LINE OF TURF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES Z o 30 H BALTZ & SON CO. X £ 9817 E. Burnside Portland, Ore. 97216 m (/> H 256-1453 so n — ~ -J o © c !3 * Z Instant Lawn VX • Consistant high quality Oregon sod * F a s t f o r k , i f t delivery (1000 sq. ft. or more) Serving Washington Nurserymen & Landscapers V© ~ Sr _i ~ C 30 Q 3D > C/> > (/> CO O O > 5760 - 110th Ave. S.E. Bellevue. Wa. 98006 tfujjfe § w H 641-5916 FERTILIZERS Suppliers of All TURF CHEMICALS and FERTILIZERS FUNGICIDES - HERBICIDES SOIL AMENDMENTS TACOMA BR 2-5171 1424 Thorne Road Tacoma, Wash. 98421 SEATTLE MA 2-3228 Officers of the Northwest Turfgrass ASSOCIATION 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 of all your professional needs! Joe Lymp President Sam Angove Vice-President Jim Chapman Treasurer Dr. Roy Goss 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 Jim Chapman, 17012 N.E. 21st St., Bellevue, Washington 98008, 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.