Northwest TURFGRASS TOPICS V O L . 21 - N O . 2 PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON S E P T E M B E R 1978 32ND ANNUAL NORTHWEST TURFGRASS CONFERENCE PROGRAM PROGRAM CHAIRMEN — Clayton Bauman, Roy L. Goss M O N D A Y SEPTEMBER 2 5 Golf Tournament and Equipment Demonstrations, Meadow Springs 3:00- 6:00 Registration open T U E S D A Y , SEPTEMBER 2 6 Chairman: Sam Angove, Spokane County Morning Parks, Spokane, WA 8:30- 8:45 Welcome 8:45- 9:25 Soil amendments for turfgrasses - Dr. Paul Rieke, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Ml 9:25-10:00 Soil cultivation in established turf - Dr. John Roberts, Washington State University, Puyallup. 10:00-10:20 Break 10:20-10:55 Research Reports - Dr. R. L. Goss and Dr. John Roberts, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA 10:55-11:30 Aquatic weed control - an update - Dr. R. D. Comes, USDA/Washington State University, Prosser, WA 11:30-12:05 New ideas for turfgrass maintenance - Mr. Larry Gilhuly, Assistant Superintendent, Seattle Golf and Country Club, Seattle, WA 12:05-12:35 Research Reports - Dr. R. D. Ensign, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID and Mr. A. G. Law, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 12:35- 1:00 Questions and answers for morning session Adjourn 1:00 W E D N E S D A Y , SEPTEMBER 2 7 Morning Chairman: Cliff James, Supt., Tri-Cities Golf & Country Club, Kennewick, WA 8:30- 9:10 Slide presentation - Bob Wick, Capilano Golf and Country Club, West Vancouver, BC 9:10- 9:55 International Turfgrass Research Conference - Dr. D. K. Taylor, Canada Dept. of Agriculture, Agassiz, BC. 9:55-10:15 Break 10:15-10:50 10:50-11:30 11:30-12:00 12:00-12:25 12:25-1:00 1:00- 6:30 6:30- 7:30 7:30-10:00 Micronutrients in turfgrass managementrequirement, sources, and application Dr. Paul Rieke, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Ml. Research Reports - Mr. Tom Cook, Oregon State Univeristy, Corvallis, OR and Dr. D. K. Taylor, Canada Dept. of Agriculture, Agassiz, BC. PURRWICK and P.A.T. systems in turfgrass management - Dr. John Roberts, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA Questions and answers for morning session. Northwest Turfgrass Association General Membership Meeting Free time No Host Social Hour Conference Banquet T H U R S D A Y , S E P T E M B E R 28 Morning Chairman: Joe Pottenger, Suntides Golf Course, Yakima, WA 8:30- 9:05 The place of gypsum in turf management - Dr. Donald H. Kocher, U.S. Gypsum Company, Orange, CA 9:05- 9:45 G.C.S.A.A. - Richard Eichner, CGCS, Director GCSAA, Lakeside Golf Club of Hollywood, N. Hollywood, CA 9:45-10:00 Research Report - Dr. D. K. Taylor, Canada Dept. of Agriculture, Agassiz, B.C. 10:00-10:20 Break 10:20-11:00 Maintenance pruning of trees and shrubs - David W. Halstead, Halstead's Tree Surgery, Oak Grove, OR 11:00-11:35 Research Reports - Dr. R. L. Goss and Dr. John Roberts, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA 11:35-12:00 Questions and answers for morning session 12:00 Adjourn Win Two Free TV Sets Conference Program Highlights Two free television sets will be given away at the Turfgrass Conference. One TV set has been donated by an undisclosed donor for anyone bringing in the most new members during 1978 up until the time of the Conference. This is an easy opportunity for you to win a TV set because at this point, the individual who has brought in two or three members will probably win the set. If you get out and hustle and sign up 4 or 5 new members, your chances are good of winning this set. The winner of the set will be announced at the general membership meeting, the last thing on the program Wednesday morning. The winner of the second TV set will be announced at a drawing at the banquet on Wednesday evening, September 27, as a prize for early registration. Only those who have registered by September 15 will be eligible for this drawing. This set will be given away by the Northwest Turfgrass Association. The winner of the TV set to be given away at the general membership meeting must be there in attendance at the meeting to win. You'll never win a T y set easier, so let's all get in there and hustle. "^V ** • -^V ~ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ -4V— See you at the 32nd Northwest Turfgrass Conference — RICHLAND, WASHINGTON — -tr- -fj- -if -"1 r- -^f*- -j r- -*rr*~ -tr- -rr^ r- -nr- -i -tr^ -xr- -t^- "ir- -TT^ # proven professional G. M . Si-ott & Soos Ben Malikowski t - i ^ k ^ m ^ W ^ X M m ^ ^ N. 8 3 2 0 C a r o l i n a W a y S p o k a n e , Wash. 9 9 2 0 8 Telephone: 509/326-4344 [James R. Chapman < Senior T e c h n i c a l Representative Craig Lewis ( 17012 N.E. 21st Street 6992 128th Street j Bellevue. Wash. 9 8 0 0 8 Surrey, B.C., C a n a d a V4A 2 R 9 \ Telephone: 206/746-1569 Telephone: 604/594-7857 Early Registration September 15 Closes All of the membership of the Northwest Turfgrass Association have been notified of early registration and the savings you can make as well as winning a free TV set by getting your registration in early. Those of you who are certain you will attend shouLd send in your registration to J o h n M o n s o n , Treasurer of Northwest Turfgrass Association, by September 15. I am sure John will accept all early registrations that were postmarked by the 15th. Your registration packets will be ready for you to pick up at the registration desk between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Monday or on Tuesday or Wednesday morning at the Conference. You can avoid standing in long lines and waiting for registration by accomplishing this task early. NORTHWEST MOWERS, INC. JACOBSEN 542-7484 926 N o r t h 165th St. Seattle, W a s h . 98133 f C A Full Line of Specialities & Varieties for the Golf Course and Sod of Turf Farm. Seed W h o l e s a l e S e e d s a n d G a r d e n Supplies PUGET SOUND SEED CO., INC. 1050 West Nickerson • Seattle. W A 9 8 1 1 9 • 2 8 2 - 2 0 7 7 y si President's Corner by Sam Angove 1 have been working with the fellas at the Tri Cities on this year's conference and things look super. The ladies' programs are excellent and Cliff James has done a lot of work to insure a good time. The golf Tournament this year is going to be a good one. It is being played at Meadow Springs. Greg Higgs has the course in super shape, but let me warn you to bring your long clubs. As my year as president winds down, 1 have found the work of the board to be lacking in applause. I appreciate you as board members and the great efforts and work done by you. Being president is fun when you have such an outstanding group to work with. # 1 still believe that our organization can only improve if you participate. I hope each member will make an effort to contact someone in their area and get them to join for the betterment of themselves and their profession. See you in Richland! The Pro's Know... • NITROFORM Agro quality really counts! • WEED KILLERS Pacific Agro Company 903 Houser Way No. • HYDROPRILLS Renton 98055 • FUNGICIDES P.O. Box 326 • 228-6565 Suppliers of all your professional needs! J.A. Jack & Sons Instant Lawn IMPERIAL AGLIME y o u n e e d C A L C I U M for Turf Vigor Full Fertilizer U t i l i z a t i o n Improved pH S a c k e d o r C o m p l e t e S p r e a d i n g service SOLD by H E M P H I L L B R O T H E R S , INC. SEATTLE 762-7622 Consistant high quality O r e g o n sod Fast forklift d e l i v e r y ( 1 0 0 0 sq. ft. or m o r e ) Serving Washington Nurserymen & Landscapers 12604 SE 38th Place Bellevue, WA 98004 746-1919 New Research Projects For 1978 Your help in the support of a research associate has allowed us to establish a number of new research projects in 1978. Dr. J o h n Roberts is not only technically capable but is also a very serious, dedicated, and hard worker. Without his input, these projects could never have been undertaken and we feel they will contribute significantly to our knowledge and your benefit to the turfgrass management program. L Y S 1 M E T E R P R O J E C T : J o h n Roberts designed and installed a lysimeter plot designed specifically for turfgrasses for the study of the movement of various substances through turfgrass soil profiles, especially those established on sand or highly permeable materials. We have been able to predict nutrient removal or even pesticide removal f r o m soils through tissue analysis that we have never been able to predict what was lost through deep percolation or leaching. Several investigations will be conducted with these lysimeters including the movement of sulfur, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, as well as pesticide movement. Extensive data f r o m this project will be gathered between now and 1979. OVERSEEDING METHODS FOLLOWING E N D O T H A L L T R E A T M E N T : WSU's Poa annua control programs supervised by T o m C o o k f r o m 1975 through 1978 have ben expanded by J o h n Roberts to include efficacy of endothall applications and establishment methods including aerification, spiking and grooving with the Rogers slicer-seeder. Plots were also planted following endothall without any mechanical treatment as a check against the tillage treatments. These tests were initiated on Highland bentgrass with over 50% poa a n n u a population before endothall application. Endothall was uniformly applied and within one week, the tillage treatments and overseading were made. Certain plots within these treatments were also treated with bensulide to inhibit any further germination of Poa annua. Plots were mowed at approximately 7 / 3 2 and 5 / 1 6 inches respectively to determine the effect of mowing height on seeding establishment. O u r assumptions were based on the fact that a putting green can be played with the grass as long as 5 / 1 6 inch (although slow putting) and seedlings may be killed at first mowing when mowed as close as 7 / 3 2 inch. After seeding the plots were maintained with adequate light frequent irrigations to insure excellent surface germination and mowed on a regular basis. The endothall application was very effective in selective post-emergent control of P o a a n n u a and the overseeding program was highly effective with all plots showing 100% recovery within Cont'd from Page 5, Column I 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 Cont'd from Page 2 There will be a no host social h o u r at the Holiday Inn f r o m 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and the banquet will begin promptly at7:30 p.m. All speakers for the Conference have been confirmed and as you will note f r o m the p r o g r a m printed on page 1, a wide variety of topics will be covered. Your program committee has mixed the research reports t h r o u g h o u t the C o n f e r e n c e program so you will be able to take advantage of as m a n y research reports as possible in case you must leave early. T h e conference was designed specifically to end at n o o n Thursday in order to hold the attendance t h r o u g h o u t the last half day session. This will give everyone an o p p o r t u n i t y to easily return home before the weekend without having to rush out on Friday morning. Without singling out any particular p r o g r a m speaker, I think you will find this to be a very interesting p r o g r a m since all of these people are well qualified in their areas of assignment. There will be something in this p r o g r a m for everyone who manages any sort of turf and o r n a m e n t a l plantings. Cliff J a m e s , Greg Higgs, S a m Angove, T o m Wolff and others have worked very hard to come up with some interesting activities to keep you entertained in y o u r off hours and should be complemented for the work they have done. We think you will find this one of y o u r most interesting and exciting conferences in several years so don't miss it and pass the word to a n y o n e you think would profit f r o m this conference. 32nd Annual Northwest Turfgrass Conference Sept 26 - 28, 1978 HOLIDAY INN RICHLAND, WA 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 b r o a d l e a f 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. a period of 30 days. The mature bentgrass without Poa Annua competition began spreading and filling rapidly and helped to support the young seedlings to give this total cover in a period described. It is our feeling that this program is highly successful and can be adapted to practical applicatons with almost any population of Poa annua. As a matter of speculation, any turfgrass area that contains over 75% Poa annua should probably be overseeded with bentgrass two or three times to increase the bentgrass population and then initiate endothall applications when the grass is strong enough to withstand treatment. Areas with 50% or less Poa annua can be initiated with the endothall immediately and overseeded but not with bensulide included. Follow-up applications of endothall can be applied when the seedlings have matured and bensulide applications initiated at that time. These last details have not been completely worked out but there are some good alternatives here that we feel are very viable. We are working with the Pennwalt Corporation at this time to secure a State registration for endothall for the removal of Poa annua from turfgrasses selectively postemergently at rates higher than those currently on the label. We have found in the past as well as present that the labelled rate is not effective against Poa annua to any successful level. As quickly as this label can be obtained, we will publish complete details with regards to rates and timing. We should further mention that the endothall was applied twice during the summer of 1978 to 29 bentgrass varieties and cultivars with excellent Poa annua kill with little or no phytotoxicity to the bentgrass varieties. This leads us to believe that this program will offer a safe and reliable method of post-emergent removal of Poa annua. SLOW RELEASE N I T R O G E N STUDIES: A rather large-scale slow release nitrogen study was initiated on putting green and lawn-type turf on the Research Station at Puyallup and Hangman Valley Golf Course at Spokane, WA. We are principally investigating rates and intervals between applications of IBDU as compared to urea formaldehyde, sulfur coated urea, urea and ammonium s u l f a t e . All n i t r o g e n t r e a t m e n t s receive u n i f o r m 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 Cont'd on Page 6, Column I CUSHMAN TURF - CARE SYSTEM Vehicles - Aerators - T o p Dressers - Spikers Sprayers - Seeders COMPLETE S A L E S - SERVICE (in field) - PARTS SUNSET NORTHWEST (Division of Sunset Electric Co.) 1919 120th Ave. N.E. Bellevue, Wa 98005 P H O N E : 206-445-5640 mEpmD SMARAGD SALES and SERVICE AUTHORIZED JOHN BEAN DEALER B e n t c r a s s H i n T E R M I T I O M b SEEDS, I R C . P . O . Box 168 Halsey. Oregon 97348 USA WE SERVICE MORE 2232 - 15th AVENUE WEST VARIETY Here's t h e c r e e p i n g b e n t g r a s s t h a t is m a k i n g users of Penncross a n d Seaside t a k e a s e c o n d look. NORTHWEST MALSBARY (206) 283-5340 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON M 1 1 9 • C R e e p i n G t l j a k i v a / l j a t 4AiC CC( T H A N W H A T W E S E L L Tel. (503) 369-2251 ^ u r ^ q u i p m e n t l a p p l i c a t i o n s of p h o s p h o r u s a n d p o t a s s i u m in a predetermined ratio. At this point it appears that 1BDU is performing very satisfactorily with normal growth response at both locations. These plots will be tissue-sampled periodically to determine the uptake of nitrogen f r o m all treatments. The experiment is designed to continue for a three-year period. There has been no phytotoxicity or burning f r o m any of the formulations at this point. R E G I O N A L V A R I E T Y T E S T S : The Western Regional Coordiating Committee on Turfgrasses which covers all of the western states as well as Hawaii and Alaska have taken on a project of uniform evaluation of bluegrasses, fescues and ryegrasses. Extensive programs will be conducted at Washington State University's Western Washington Research and Extension Center at Puyallup, Washington; C o l o r a d o State University at Fort Collins, C o l o r a d o ; University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho; University of California at Riverside, possibly Washington State University and University of Idaho cooperating in the S p o k a n e area, and possibly an additional test in Nebraska. This study would continue for 3 years minimum and uniform data assimilated f r o m each location and combined to determine the best performing grasses at all locations and those that are superior at individual locations for local use. mobile service TURF & TORO MOBILE SERVICE 6001 Maynard Ave So. RO 2-7242 TORO Cont'd on Page 7, Column I Cumberland Valley Turf ICVT Professional Turf Growers Supplying Top Quality • Sod Call Us For Prices (206) 825-5266 Forklift Deliveries 4 5 5 3 3 - 212th Ave. S.E. E n u m c l a w , Wa. 98022 k w h NATIONAL THE Jacobsen E - Z - G o V e r m e e r Taylor-Dunn C u s h m a n Standard and Par-Aide COMPLETE LINE OF TURF EQUIPMENT A N D SUPPLIES SHORT CO. SEATTLE: 18303 A n d o v e r Park W e s t T u k w i l a , W A — Ph. (206) 5 7 5 - 0 2 8 1 PORTLAND: 9 5 9 2 S.E. M a i n M i l w a u k i e , O R . — Ph. (503) 6 5 3 - 0 0 7 1 BALTZ & SON CO. 9817 E. Burnside Portland, Ore. 97216 ED Powered Turf and Garden Equipment 256-1453 EXCEL L 1® By the time you receive this edition of Turfgrass Topics the seed will probably be in the g r o u n d and is composed of a p p r o x i m a t e l y 5 bluegrass varieties and cultivars, 50 varieties a n d cultivars of fine leaved fescues, and approximately 35 turftype ryegrasses. Since Poa a n n u a is a major competitive problem in western Washington, the area to be established will be fumigated with methyl bromide and will be irrigated as needed f r o m an automatic irrigation system. By the time we conduct our a n n u a l Field Day in the summer of 1979, these plots should be well established and should offer some interesting comparisons to the field day attendees. G R O W T H R E G U L A T O R S : Interest has revived somewhat more recently in growth regulators; therefore, three separate tests were established in 1978 to investigate new materials coming on the market. Materials applied d u r i n g the first test included Sustar, E m b a r k , and an experimental product from Maag Agrochemicals C o m p a n y . T h e second test was conducted with E m b a r k , M a a g Agrochemicals and a new experimental product f r o m the 3-M C o m p a n y . E m b a r k showed the greatest growth retardation and the least a m o u n t of phytotoxicity in the first test although the M a a g Agrochemicals material was not phytotoxic but at the rates tested was not as effective as E m b a r k . In the second test the 3-M experimental material reveals some very interesting responses. There was no loss of color a n d in fact there was an intensification of color without any initial loss of color indicated. The third test will include different rates of all of these materials as a late s u m m e r test. Additional information will be provided later when all d a t a are tabulated. V E R O N I C A ( S P E E D W E L L ) T E S T S : For several years we have relied on Dacthal ( D C P A ) for the control of speedwell. In general when the material is applied at the p r o p e r rate and timing, Dacthal has performed very satisfactorily for the control of this weed. There have been some failures reported and the exact cause of failure is not specifically known. We are interested, however, in any other materials that will effectively control speedwell selectively post-emergently; hence the reason for establishing new tests. Preliminary tests with a M a a g Agrochemicals herbicide indicated some good activity against speedwell and tests will be continued. The new experimental product will be tested against Dacthal and possibly one or two other c o m p o u n d s as a late s u m m e r test. Additional tests will be established in the spring of 1979 to r o u n d out a full year of data. T h e only objectionable feature with the use of Dacthal t o d a y is the slightly higher cost per acre for the material; hence, if an emulsifiable concentrate with a much lower per acre cost is effective, it will be a useful tool to the turfgrass manager. T h e other objectionable feature of Dacthal is that it is available in most cases in m i n i m u m quantities of 5 lb. This practically eliminates the h o m e o w n e r f r o m making his o w n applications since most of them don't k n o w what to d o with 5 lb. when they generally only need a few ounces. TURF & TORO DISTRIB., INC. Toro—Moist-O-Matic—Ryan, Standard, Par-Aid RO 2-7242 6001 Maynard Ave So. IRRIGATION Since 1885 " THE SPRINKLER PEOPLE' DISTRIBUTORS OF P j u ^ B / p d , Weather |& i LAWN SPRINKLER a [ # J mafic SYSTEMS E L A N E S E thermoplastic pipe valves & fittings PUMPS STA-RITE I r r i g a t i o n D e p t . (206) 6 2 2 - 0 8 2 0 (Seattle) P u m p Dept. (206) 622-2891 (Seattle) M r W r i t e to: 707 S. L a n d e r St. Seattle, W a . 98134 S i o 3D H X LILLYTMILLER Controlled Release FERTILIZERS also SEEDS & C H E M I C A L S Seattle 762-0818 Portland 256-4600 o o . H CD < 0Q £ 8 en C/) r+ CD 8 Spokane 838-8211 •I End Turf Moisture Problems MANUFACTURED BY EAGLE-PICHER INDUSTRIES, INC. Cincinnati, O h i o 4 5 2 0 2 DISTRIBUTED BY Chas. H. Lilly Company S Q. /— 3 Is ° o " 3 • "H -°-BB O > n g 8 i > (0 (/> ^OH-H < rf Crt CD C Ui ^ M t/i CD • w i t h D I A L O A M • a soil conditioner t h a t a b s o r b s 1 5 0 % of its w e i g h t in w a t e r . N o t a clay • W i l l not c o m p a c t # W r i t e for f r e e s a m p l e a n d prices. 5 2 0 0 Denver Avenue, S o u t h H 73 4 • m V) 1 O o > H i Seattle, Wash. 9 8 1 0 8 Chas. H. Lilly Company 2 2 8 W. Pacific A v e n u e S p o k a n e , Wash. 99204 Chas. H. Lilly Company N:E. Killingsworth St. Portland, Ore. 9 7 2 1 8 Officl lwest Turfgrass u ^ l O N NuLife FERTILIZERS TURF CHEMICALS and FERTILIZERS FUNGICIDES - HERBICIDES SOIL AMENDMENTS TACOMA 272-5171 1424 Thorne Road Tacoma, Wash. 98421 SEATTLE 622-3228 U * San Angove ^ T T . President Joe Pottinger Vice-President John Monson Treasurer Dr. Roy Goss Exec. Secretary N O R T H W E S T T U R F G R A S S T O P I C S 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 J o h n 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.