Northwest

TURFGRASS TOPICS
PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON

Vol. 25, N o . 3

D e c e m b e r 1982

RESEARCH
CONTRIBUTIONS — 1982

PRESIDENT'S CORNER
by Dick Malpass
Not long a g o , we visited an O r e g o n golf course where we
had the o p p o r t u n i t y to play golf f o r two days. It is a fine
c o u r s e a n d the golf course s u p e r i n t e n d e n t has d o n e much to
i m p r o v e the golf course by overseeding with improved varieties of t u r f g r a s s s a n d controlling turf disease o u t b r e a k s with
timely chemical applications.
D u r i n g the course of o u r visit we met a n d talked with the
m a n a g e r . He questioned the value of m a i n t a i n i n g m e m b e r s h i p in the N o r t h w e s t T u r f g r a s s Association, d o u b t i n g that
they received much benefit f r o m such membership. We
spent the next half h o u r telling him of the m a n y research
projects p r o m o t e d a n d s p o n s o r e d by the Association; of
i m p r o v e d turfgrasses evaluated for use on athletic fields,
golf courses, parks, a n d f o r h o m e lawns; of turf diseases
identified a n d control measures tested and r e c o m m e n d e d ; of
d r a i n a g e a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n m e t h o d s evaluated f o r N o r t h w est a p p l i c a t i o n on athletic fields a n d golf courses. We told of
the facilities with which we have cooperated in O r e g o n ,
W a s h i n g t o n , a n d I d a h o . T h e A n n u a l Turf Field D a y , at
P u y a l l u p , for turf m a n a g e r s to observe fertilizer and chemical a p p l i c a t i o n s a n d various c o m b i n a t i o n s of grass mixes,
was e x p l a i n e d . We invited his participation in our a n n u a l
three-day Turf C o n f e r e n c e held at varying locations in the
Northwest.
At the conclusion of o u r visit, he indicated his intention of
m a i n t a i n i n g his c o u r s e m e m b e r s h i p in the Association, f o r
which we t h a n k e d him.
This year, 1982, we changed the f o r m a t of o u r a n n u a l
C o n f e r e n c e . T h e first d a y subjects considered turf p r o b l e m s
a n d m a i n t e n a n c e which were of general interest to all turf
m a n a g e r s . T h e next t w o d a y s we had split sessions with
p a r k s a n d athletic field m a n a g e r s in one session a n d golf
c o u r s e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s involved in the other. We expect to
c o n t i n u e with, a n d i m p r o v e , this type of f o r m a t . We feel we
have m u c h to offer all w h o a r e responsible f o r the mainten a n c e of turf facilities.
We e n c o u r a g e m e m b e r s h i p in o u r association, and p a r ticularly need c o n t r i b u t i o n s to o u r turf research p r o g r a m so
that all w h o use o u r p a r k s , athletic fields, a n d golf courses
(as well as h o m e lawns) might c o n t i n u e to benefit f r o m o u r
work.

T h e Northwest T u r f g r a s s Association extends a w a r m
t h a n k you to 52 individuals and organizations w h o contributed nondesignated f u n d s to the Special Research P r o g r a m
d u r i n g 1981 -1982. All gifts, grants, d o n a t i o n s , and c o n t r i b u tions to the Northwest T u r f g r a s s Association are tax deductible. T h e following list of beneficiaries of the turfgrass
research p r o g r a m s represents only a small fraction of those
w h o benefit f r o m research p r o g r a m s . M a n y individuals and
firms are p r o b a b l y not even aware of this p r o g r a m and
would c o n t r i b u t e if they were m a d e a w a r e of the value of the
p r o g r a m . W h e n you really stop to think that a $200 contrib u t i o n a m o u n t s to a little m o r e t h a n a couple of cups of
coffee a day, it seems very small indeed when c o m p a r e d to
research accomplishments.
T h e Northwest Turfgrass Association m e m b e r s h i p dues
a n d c o n t r i b u t i o n s are stretched thin over a wide project
area. Your participation is helping to s u p p o r t research and
scholarship p r o g r a m s at O r e g o n State University and
W a s h i n g t o n State University, w h o have active p r o g r a m s in
all essential areas that benefit the turgrass industry.
Look a r o u n d you a n d let this worthwhile cause be k n o w n
at every o p p o r t u n i t y . Your contributions are an i m p o r t a n t
key to the f u t u r e of turfgrass progress.
A l d e r b r o o k Golf C l u b
Tim Ansett
B r o a d m o o r Golf C l u b
C o o s C o u n t r y Club
Emerald T u r f g r a s s F a r m s
Eugene C o u n t r y C l u b
Everett Golf & C o u n t r y C l u b
Fircrest Golf C l u b
Glendale C o u n t r y C l u b
Hayden Lake Golf C l u b
Inland Empire Assoc. of Golf Course S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s
International Seeds, Inc.
Carl K u h n
City of L a G r a n d e
LaGrande Country Club
Lake T a p p s Development Co.
Lake Wilderness Golf Course
Lakeside School
Leavenworth Golf C l u b
Linden Golf C l u b
Longview C o u n t r y C l u b
M a n i t o Golf & C o u n t r y C l u b
Meridian Valley C o u n t r y C l u b
M o n s a n t o Chemical Co.
Nile C o u n t r y C l u b
N o r t h T h u r s t o n School Dist.
N o r t h s h o r e Golf Club
Northwest Golf Course Supt. Assoc.
Northwest Mowers, Inc.
O a k b r o o k Golf C l u b
Oregon Turf F a r m s

(Continued P. 3, Col. 1)

WELCOME NEW NTA DIRECTORS

Mike Nauroth

Gary Sayre

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
FOR GARY SAYRE

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF MIKE NAUROTH

G a r y Sayre is a native of the Pacific Northwest. He was
b o r n in Caldwell, I d a h o , and raised in P o r t l a n d , Oregon. He
has been a resident of S t e i l a c o o m , W a s h i n g t o n , f o r two a n d
one-half years, where he resides with his wife P a m a n d t w o
sons, Paul and M a r k .
Gary has been associated with turfgrass m a n a g e m e n t
since 1972 and has been the golf course superintendent at
O a k b r o o k Golf a n d C o u n t r y Club, in T a c o m a , Washington, since April, 1978.
Gary is an avid (10 Hdcp.) golfer w h o greatly enjoys the
g a m e and wants to help in c o n t i n u i n g to c o m e up with new
and better ways of providing t o p quality turf on which to
play golf. He is looking f o r w a r d to serving on the Board of
Directors of the N o r t h w e s t T u r f g r a s s Association f o r the
next three years.

Mike was b o r n and reared in the Seattle area (Bothell). He
attended W a s h i n g t o n S t a t e University f r o m 1971 t h r o u g h
1975 a n d g r a d u a t e d in A g r o n o m y (Turf M a n a g e m e n t P r o gram). In 1978, he began work for the City of Walla Walla as
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of Veterans M e m o r i a l Golf C o u r s e . Mike
assumed a d d i t i o n a l responsibilities in 1982, as supervisor of
cemetery and building m a i n t e n a n c e as well as the golf course
superintendent's position d u e to budget cuts a n d layoffs.
Mike served as vice president of the Inland Empire Golf
C o u r s e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s ' Association in 1981, a n d succeeded to President in 1982. Mike is also a Class A m e m b e r
of the Golf C o u r s e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s ' Association of A m e r ica. He and his wife Marleen have t w o children, Michael,
age 4, and Katie, age 2. His hobbies are lake fishing, m o t o r cycle riding, golf, a n d keeping a 1959 Volkswagen alive.

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Research Contributions — 1982

1983 NORTHWEST
TURFGRASS CONFERENCE

Continued from Page 1, Column 2
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S h e l t o n - B a y s h o r e Golf C l u b
Similk Beach Golf C o u r s e
Skagit Golf a n d C o u n t r y C l u b
Spokane Country Club
S u n River Properties
T a c o m a Golf & C o u n t r y C l u b
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W a n d e r m e r e Golf C l u b
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THANK

The b o a r d of directors a n n o u n c e d at an early N o v e m b e r
meeting that the site of the 1983 T u r f g r a s s Conference
would be at Kah-Nee-Ta. Kah-Nee-Ta is a w a r m springs
Indian resort in the high desert area of north central O r e g o n ,
in the general vicinity of Bend and R e d m o n d , O r e g o n . T h e
facilities f o r a conference are beautiful and isolated, but with
m a n y a t t r a c t i o n s f o r people c o m i n g to e d u c a t i o n a l meetings
in a relaxed a t m o s p h e r e . There are m a n y recreational
o p p o r t u n i t i e s including golfing, trail rides, river rafting,
swimming, tennis, and other a c c o m o d a t i o n s .
T h e p r o g r a m c o m m i t t e e is hard at work at the present
time developing a p r o g r a m that will be interesting and exciting f o r all a r e a s of t u r f g r a s s m a n a g e m e n t . A special evening
p r o g r a m is already being planned for a T u e s d a y evening
session, a n d it will provide valuable i n f o r m a t i o n to a n y o n e
in turfgrass m a n a g e m e n t .
As the p r o g r a m develops, m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n will be m a d e
available and pre-registration i n f o r m a t i o n will be mailed
out by m i d s u m m e r of 1983. We promise you a very interesting and enlightening p r o g r a m . C o n t a c t all of your friends,
or a n y o n e in the turfgrass m a n a g e m e n t business, and
e n c o u r a g e t h e m to attend the Northwest's most e d u c a t i o n a l
conference.
The tentative dates f o r the conference have been established f o r S e p t e m b e r 20-23, 1983.

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Telephone: 206 254-6172

DR. DAVID ALLMENDINGER
PASSES AWAY

TUCO SCHOLARSHIP
TO RUSSELVANDEHEY

Dr. David Allmendinger, f o r m e r superintendent of the
Western W a s h i n g t o n Research a n d Extension Center f r o m
1954 t h r o u g h 1975, passed a w a y on N o v e m b e r 7, 1982, a f t e r
a long and serious illness.
Dave was always a strong s u p p o r t e r of turfgrass research
p r o g r a m s and was previously a w a r d e d a lifetime h o n o r a r y
m e m b e r s h i p in the Northwest T u r f g r a s s Association. Dr.
Allmendinger was instrumental in setting up the first fulltime turfgrass research p r o g r a m at the P u y a l l u p Station in
1958, in c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h t h e N o r t h w e s t T u r f g r a s s
Association.
Dr. Allmendinger was a horticulturist by profession,
working intensively in the tree fruit industry as well as the
berry industry. He served in a n u m b e r of capacities with the
university a d m i n i s t r a t i o n until his retirement.

Russell V a n d e h e y , Senior in Turf M a n a g e m e n t at O r e g o n
State University, has received a $500 T u c o Turf Scholarship.
T h e a n n u a l scholarship, sponsored by T u c o , a part of the
U p j o h n C o m p a n y , was presented at the recent N o r t h w e s t
T u r f g r a s s C o n f e r e n c e in Y a k i m a by R a n d y King, a T u c o
representative. T h e T u c o s c h o l a r s h i p is a w a r d e d f o r scholastic ability, personal integrity, a n d career interest in t u r f grass m a n a g e m e n t .
Vandehey is the son of M r . a n d Mrs. Ellis Vandehey, 425
East C e d a r Street, S t a y t o n , O r e g o n . In the picture a b o v e ,
Russell received the a w a r d f r o m R a n d y King.

NT A CONFERENCE
SUMMARY
The 36th Northwest T u r f g r a s s Conference was considered
a great success at Yakima. T h e f o r m a t for the conference
was highly accepted by all who attended, a n d especially
non-golf course people w h o participated in the g r o u n d s
m a n a g e m e n t special sessions. T h e quality of papers presented by all speakers was excellent and all sessions were well
attended.
Regardless of the feelings of some coaches that they d o
not like sprinkler heads within a football field, Carl K u h n ,
Professional Engineer, emphatically stated that it was virtually impossible to adequately irrigate a football field without
some heads within the playing area. A local N o r t h w e s t
professional football coach has been q u o t e d as saying,
" T h e r e would never be any sprinkler heads within his playing field." P e r h a p s coaches should stay with coaching a n d
winning and agronomists and engineers provide them with
acceptable managed surfaces.
D o n H o g a n , P.E., stressed the i m p o r t a n c e and various
designs f o r p r o p e r drainage on sports field complexes. He
stressed the i m p o r t a n c e of properly placed drains and
enforcing the specifications f o r accurate installation. O t h e r
speakers keyed in on p r o p e r m a n a g e m e n t , budgeting, a n d
scheduling the use of sports fields to p r o l o n g the life of
natural grass surfaces.
In general, it a p p e a r s that the m a j o r problems on properly
c o n s t r u c t e d , irrigated, and drained sand sports fields is neglecting the ABC's of organic debris removal, balanced nutrition, and overseeding concepts.
The general sessions had a n u m b e r of excellent papers
presented by persons like Dr. Jim W a t s o n ; D o n Tolson,
Yellowstone Golf and C o u n t r y Club; Lee Bean, Irrigation
Engineer; a n d others alluding to economical use of water,
proper application, and water quality.
A special session with golf architects stressing designing
golf courses for economical m a i n t e n a n c e was well attended
and discussed at a special evening session. Architects serving
on the panel were Ron F r e a m , Bob Graves, J o h n Steidel,
Bill R o b i n s o n , a n d Dave Powers. All had excellent ideas on
design that affects the p a y a b i l i t y and economical measures;
a n d , Bill R o b i n s o n presented his views on c o n t o u r m o w i n g
to reduce the a m o u n t of intensively managed acreage.
Overall, the conference was a huge success, better attended
than 1981, and the absentees were the definite losers.

Russell Vandehey, Oregon State University senior (left),
receives a $500 TUCO Turf Scholarship from Randy King,
TUCO representative, at a Yakima, WA, meeting of the 36th
Northwest Turfgrass Conference.

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RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
POSITION TO BE FILLED
P l a n s f o r refilling the T u r f g r a s s R e s e a r c h A s s o c i a t e posit i o n at P u y a l l u p a r e c u r r e n t l y u n d e r w a y . D r s . S t a n B r a u e n
a n d R o y G o s s interviewed c a n d i d a t e s at t h e recent A m e r i c a n S o c i e t y of A g r o n o m y m e e t i n g s at A n a h e i m , C a l i f o r n i a ,
a n d D r . B r a u e n will c o n t i n u e t o receive a p p l i c a t i o n s until
t h e c l o s u r e d a t e . W e a r e s e e k i n g a c a n d i d a t e with e i t h e r a
M a s t e r s o r P h . D . d e g r e e in A g r o n o m y with special e m p h a sis o n t u r f g r a s s science a n d a m a x i m u m of p l a n t p a t h o l o g y
in his b a c k g r o u n d . It is h o p e d t h a t t h e p o s i t i o n c a n be filled
by F e b r u a r y o r M a r c h of 1983 in o r d e r t o h a v e t h e individual e s t a b l i s h e d in this p o s i t i o n b e f o r e the m a j o r g r o w i n g
s e a s o n begins.
T h e R e s e a r c h A s s o c i a t e p o s i t i o n is s u p p o r t e d t h r o u g h
g r a n t s a n d c o n t r i b u t i o n s f r o m all allied i n d u s t r i e s , a n d n o n e
c o m e s f r o m s t a t e a p p r o p r i a t e d f u n d s . T h e University, h o w ever, d o e s p r o v i d e m a n y f u n c t i o n s of s p a c e , e q u i p m e n t , etc.,
t o s u p p o r t the i n d i v i d u a l ' s p o s i t i o n .
Previous research associates include Mr. T o m C o o k , who
w a s t h e f i r s t . D r . J o h n R o b e r t s , a n d D r . J o h n T . L a w . All of
the f o r m e r research associates have moved on to fulltime
p o s i t i o n s of t h e i r o w n . T o m C o o k is p r e s e n t l y at O r e g o n
S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y in a t e a c h i n g a n d r e s e a r c h p o s i t i o n ; J o h n
R o b e r t s at t h e U n i v e r s i t y of N e w H a m p s h i r e , t e a c h i n g ,
r e s e a r c h , a n d e x t e n s i o n in t u r f g r a s s m a n a g e m e n t ; a n d D r .
J o h n L a w is c u r r e n t l y with t h e C h e m l a w n C o r p o r a t i o n .
W e h a v e a n u m b e r of e x c i t i n g p r o j e c t s t h a t r e q u i r e i n t e n sive s u p e r v i s i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t a n d we a r e l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o filling t h e p o s i t i o n as q u i c k l y as possible. All i n q u i r ies a n d a p p l i c a t i o n s s h o u l d be sent t o t h e a t t e n t i o n of D r .
S.E. Brauen, Western Washington Research and Extension
C e n t e r , P u y a l l u p , W A 98371.

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WINTER PLAY ON
TURFGRASS FACILITIES
By Roy L. Goss
I will not a t t e m p t t o predict w h a t t h e r e m a i n d e r of t h e
w i n t e r of 1982-83 will be like, b u t we h a v e seen e n o u g h
a l r e a d y in N o v e m b e r of 1982 t o c o n v i n c e us t h a t w i n t e r is
really here. A n u m b e r of d a y s with t e m p e r a t u r e s r a n g i n g
b e t w e e n 20 a n d 30° F h a v e essentially s t o p p e d t h e g r o w t h of
nearly all t u r f g r a s s e s . Excessive w e a r o n golf c o u r s e s a n d
s p o r t s fields f r o m n o w o n t h r o u g h the w i n t e r will result in
s i g n i f i c a n t losses of t u r f g r a s s e s a n d will cost a g r e a t deal of
m o n e y t o r e p a i r this d a m a g e in t h e s p r i n g a n d s u m m e r of
1983, to say n o t h i n g of i n f e r i o r playing c o n d i t i o n s .
T u r f g r a s s e s h a v e little or n o r e g r o w t h p o t e n t i a l d u r i n g the
w i n t e r a n d t h e leaf, c r o w n , a n d r o o t d a m a g e s u s t a i n e d by
intensive w e a r c a n be d e v a s t a t i n g . S o m e suggestions f o r
having b e a u t i f u l turf in t h e s p r i n g of 1983 m a y be listed as
follows:
1. D o not play on heavily f r o s t e d or f r o z e n t u r f .
2. R e m o v e light f r o s t with a n a p p l i c a t i o n of irrigation
w a t e r if it is available.
3. M o w p u t t i n g greens a little higher d u r i n g t h e winter. A
little m o r e leaf a r e a e q u a t e s t o m o r e p h o t o s y n t h e s i s
when conditions are favorable for growth.
4. I m p r o v e s u r f a c e d r a i n a g e t h r o u g h a e r i f i c a t i o n t o keep
s u r f a c e s free of s a t u r a t i o n .
5. D o not a l l o w play o n f r o z e n soil.
6. P r o h i b i t play w h e n the s u r f a c e is t h a w e d a n d the r o o t
zone is f r o z e n .
7. A p p l y Vi t o VA lb of a v a i l a b l e n i t r o g e n per 1000 sq. ft.
f r o m a b a l a n c e d fertilizer f o r m u l a in D e c e m b e r or J a n u a r y if the g r o u n d is not f r o z e n . T h i s p r a c t i c e s h o u l d h a v e
been p e r f o r m e d east of t h e C a s c a d e M o u n t a i n s by mid
t o late N o v e m b e r .
8. W h e n soil is f r o z e n w i t h o u t s n o w c o v e r , a p p l y small
a m o u n t s of w a t e r t o t u r f g r a s s s u r f a c e s t o p r e v e n t desicc a t i o n . R o o t s e n c a s e d in solid f r o z e n g r o u n d c a n n o t
e x t r a c t w a t e r a n d m o v e it t o the leaves.
9. If n e c e s s a r y , use c o v e r i n g s of v a r i o u s s o r t s t o p r e v e n t
desiccation.
T h r o u g h the c o o p e r a t i o n of e v e r y o n e c o n c e r n e d a n d
j u d i c i o u s use of o u r t u r f g r a s s a r e a s , we can p r o v i d e m a x i m u m quality turf at the b e g i n n i n g of s p r i n g in 1983.

r C

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1120 West Ewing • Seattle, WA 98119 • 282-2077

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3820 Sebastopol Road, P.O. Box 1823, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
Tele: (707) 526-7190
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NITROGEN — WHAT SOURCE?
Eeeny, meenie, miney, moe, which source of nitrogen
makes my t u r f g r a s s green and glow? Shall I use a m m o n i u m
nitrate, a m m o n i u m sulfate, urea, urea f o r m a l d e h y d e , methylene ureas, I B D U , or s u l f u r - c o a t e d urea? These a r e the
questions that arise very f r e q u e n t l y and I believe it is a b o u t
time we address the issue with some solid facts. Basically, the
a n s w e r is it m a y not m a k e that m u c h difference what you
use, so you pay y o u r m o n e y a n d t a k e y o u r chances. It isn't
really all that simple, but nearly so.
Known Facts
T u r f g r a s s e s t a k e up nitrogen principally in the nitrate
f o r m but can readily use v a r i o u s a m o u n t s of the a m m o n i u m
ion f o r m . All nitrogen-supplying materials, whether organic
or inorganic in f o r m , must be broken d o w n and converted to
NCb — or NH4+. O r g a n i c sources of nitrogen generally cost
m o r e per p o u n d t h a n a n y other source. Slow release or
slowly soluble nitrogen sources vary in price but are e x p e n sive. Urea is the cheapest source of nitrogen a n d is a synthetic organic. A m m o n i u m nitrate and a m m o n i u m sulfate
are b o t h soluble sources a n d a little m o r e expensive t h a n
urea but significantly less t h a n all other sources. All f o r m s of
nitrogen will leach f r o m the soil with excessive water application a f t e r they have been c o n v e r t e d to the a m m o n i u m ion
or nitrate f o r m of nitrogen. Soluble sources of nitrogen are
m o r e a p t to b u r n grasses t h a n slowly available sources.
Slowly available or slowly soluble sources of nitrogen
release the nitrogen over a longer period of time a n d are less
liable to leach f r o m the root zone. It is also a k n o w n fact that
urea sources stimulate m o r e F u s a r i u m Patch disease and
possibly o t h e r s t h r o u g h a m m o n i u m sulfate. S u l f u r may be
the difference.
Other F a c t o r s t o Consider
If you intend t o fertilize y o u r grass only once a year,
p e r h a p s a slowly available or slowly soluble source of nitrogen would be y o u r best choice. If you intend t o supply
nitrogen to achieve average or better quality turf, you may
have to apply soluble sources two times as c o m p a r e d to one
f r o m m o r e slowly available sources. T h e difference, however, is that solubles should be applied at only a b o u t onehalf the rate as slowly available; hence, total N is roughly the
same. T h e difference is in the l a b o r of a p p l i c a t i o n . Large
capacity high speed e q u i p m e n t reduces this labor f a c t o r to a
very insignificant level.
Soluble sources of nitrogen o f t e n provide the turfgrass
m a n a g e r with the choice of stimulating his turf to grow when
he w a n t s it with not a large residual s u p p l y when it is not
desired. Excessive a p p l i c a t i o n s of soluble nitrogen will
cause spurts of g r o w t h whereas slow release materials usually maintain a m o r e u n i f o r m and steady rate of growth.
These are some of the facts to consider when purchasing a
fertilizer f r o m a d i s t r i b u t o r . T h e i m p o r t a n t consideration is
to figure what you are p a y i n g per ton of the material. Nitrogen is the most expensive p o r t i o n of a fertilizer f o r m u l a a n d
you can usually base the value of the p r o d u c t on the percentage of nitrogen. An i m p o r t a n t c o n s i d e r a t i o n , however, is
the ratio of nutrients. Personally, I would select one that has
a higher p o t a s s i u m - l o w e r p h o s p h a t e ratio unless I were
i n t e r e s t e d in m a k i n g u p a p h o s p h a t e d e f i c i e n c y .
It has recently been pointed out by a m a j o r fertilizer
supplier that skin games are being played. T h e bag may say
in large letters, C o n t a i n s Urea F o r m a l d e h y d e , I B D U , or
S u l f u r - C o a t e d Urea. F r e q u e n t l y this t u r n s out to be misleading since the percentage of these slow release materials
may be quite low. Carefully analyze the f o r m u l a to determine

the percentage c o m p o s i t i o n of these m o r e expensive ingredients. F r e q u e n t l y the m a j o r p o r t i o n of the f o r m u l a may
be m a d e u p of soluble sources of nitrogen, but you are
p a y i n g t h e m o r e e x p e n s i v e price f o r slowly a v a i l a b l e
materials.
T h e following table is a s u m m a r y of results f r o m several
years of investigation with sulfur-coated urea, I B D U , urea
f o r m a l d e h y d e , a m m o n i u m sulfate and urea.
In s u m m a r y , there are only m i n o r differences in quality of
turfgrasses between sulfur-coated urea, I B D U , and urea
f o r m a l d e h y d e . A m m o n i u m sulfate maintained essentially
equal quality with lighter but m o r e f r e q u e n t applications of
nitrogen. A m o n g the slow release materials, sulfur-coated
urea does provide additional sulfur which is most essential
f o r turfgrasses. F o r m u l a s containing I B D U or urea f o r m a l dehyde as the m a j o r source of N can have sulfur incorporated
with them to supply this necessary ingredient.
Eeeny, meenie, miney, moe, any source of nitrogen m a k e s
your turfgrasses green and glow. You d o n ' t have to be a
financial wizard to figure this out n o r a scientist. Simply
calculate what your active ingredients are costing you to buy
a n d apply. T h e n consider the best use of y o u r or y o u r
employer's dollar. Above all, know the honesty, integrity,
and knowledge of y o u r fertilizer supplier. A n d , last but not
least, if you d o not apply a d e q u a t e a m o u n t s of any f o r m of
nitrogen or if you have other fertility imbalances, then your
grass will not be green and glow.

PORTLAND

(503) 228-1264
SALEM

(503) 581-7823

TURFGRASS DISEASE
CONTROL FUNDING
Dr. G a r y C h a s t a g n e r , Plant Pathologist a t the Western
W a s h i n g t o n Research and Extension Center at Puyallup,
and others have determined that a g r a d u a t e student would
be the best m e a n s of solving the serious t u r f g r a s s disease
problem in the Pacific Northwest. T h e disease s y m p t o m s are
those of O p h i o b o l u s patch disease caused by the f u n g u s ,

Gaeumannomyces

graminis.

S o f a r , the disease p r o b l e m is eluding positive identification since no fruiting structures have yet been f o u n d . O t h e r
s y m p t o m s of O p h i o b o l u s patch or take-all disease have been
observed a n d positive identification will have to wait until
fruiting structures are f o u n d . After the disease has been
positively identified, a great a m o u n t of work will still have to
be accomplished t o determine the causes of the disease,
control, m a n a g e m e n t factors affecting its occurrence, and
varietal susceptibility.
It is generally agreed that a g r a d u a t e student could p r o b ably accomplish m u c h of the a b o v e p r o g r a m in three years
on a one-half time research assistantship. T h e cost of this
p r o g r a m will be a p p r o x i m a t e l y $10-511,000 per year and
will have to c o m e essentially f r o m outside sources.
T h e Inland Empire Association of Golf C o u r s e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s has c o n t r i b u t e d $1,500 f r o m their f u n d s to aid in
operations in 1983. Milt B a u m a n , C h a i r m a n of the N o r t h west T u r f g r a s s Association Research C o m m i t t e e , recommended to the Board of Directors that $3,000 be a p p r o p riated f r o m the Association treasury a n d applied t o this
specific project. He is also encouraging the Board to continue this s u p p o r t f o r a 3-year period.
This is less t h a n one-half of the required total and we are
desparately in need of other d o n o r s f r o m the seed industry,
processors, a n d variety owners t o aid in s u p p o r t of the
project.

T h e p r o b l e m we are investigating m a y be a serious one
across the entire n o r t h e r n U.S., a n d not peculiar j u s t to the
Pacific Northwest.
All w h o read this article, please b e a r in mind that a n y
gifts, d o n a t i o n s , or g r a n t s to the N o r t h w e s t T u r f g r a s s Association are tax-free c o n t r i b u t i o n s because of the I R S status
of the Northwest T u r f g r a s s Association. If you a r e giving
y o u r m o n e y a w a y to the I R S at the present time, strongly
consider putting this m o n e y into the T u r f g r a s s Association
a n d you will derive some direct benefits f o r yourself presently and f o r others in the f u t u r e .

WHITWORTH POWERS
TURFGRASS CONSULTING SERVICES, LTD.

P.O. BOX 31
GLADSTONE. OR 97027
(503) 655-2919

1981 S.W. MAPLELEAFRD.
LAKE OSWEGO. OR 97034
(503) 635-5369

NORTHWEST
MOWERS, INC.
JACOBSEN

926 North 165th St.

542-7484
Seattle, Wash. 98133

NORM WHITWORTH LTD.
TURF PRODUCTS
P.O.

BOX 31

GLADSTONE.
RESIDENCE

OREGON
<503)

07O27

655-2919

consultant
FERTILIZERS, BARK PRODUCTS. CHEMICALS, TURF-SEEDS

Turf Farm
683-6725
Route 3, Box 186
Sequim, Washington 98382

INSTANT SOD LAWNS
See us for poa-free sod grown on washed sand.
Ideal for golf course and athletic field use.