1

TURFGRASS TOPICS

¡Northwest
VolTZSL No. 2*

PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON

39th NORTHWEST TURFGRASS
ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
Septemher 23-26jN198$lTY
Rippling Rivet 3Resort
Welches, Oregon
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1985
9:00 a.m. Men's Golf Tournament, Rippling River Golf
Course
3:00-6:00
Registration
6:30-7:30
No host bar
7:30
Banquet and golf awards
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1985
FIRST SESSION CHAIRMAN - Gary Sayre
7:30-8:00
8:00-8:05
8:05-8:35

Registration
Welcome
"Management and Motivation," Roger Thomas, Jacobsen Textron, Racine, WI.
8:35-9:25
"Turfgrass Water Use and Irrigation Practices
- What Have We Learned from Research,"
Dr. Jack Butler, Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, CO.
9:25-9:50
"Measuring Soil Moisture - The State of the
Art in Tensiometry,"Chris Browne, Irrostat
Corporation, Inc., Corvallis, OR.
9:50-10:15 "What Wetting Agents Can and Can't Do for
Your Turf," Dr. W.J. Johnston, Washington
State University, Pullman, WA.
10:15-10:35 Break
SPLIT SESSION A - GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
SESSION CHAIRMAN - Dennis Pagni
10:35-11:05 "One Approach to Renovating Turf in
Parks," Doug Dollarhide, Corvallis Parks
Department, Corvallis, OR.
11:05-11:25 "Ethofumesate - A Potential Tool for
Renovating Large Turf Areas," Dave
Wienecke, Lane Community College, Springfield, OR.
11:25-11:45 "Progress Report on Necrotic Ringspot Disease Research," Dr. Gary Chastagner,
Washington State University (WWREC),
Puyallup, WA.
11:45-12:20 "Is Contract Maintenance a Viable Alternative
to In House Maintenance?," Richard Akerman, Oregon Landscape Maintenance, Tigard,
OR.
12:20-1:00 "Developing Standardized Specifications for
Contract Construction Work," John
Hovenkotter, Portland Parks Department,
Portland, OR.

August 1985

SPLIT SESSION B - GOLF COURSE MANAGERS
SESSION CHAIRMAN - John Monson
10:35-11:05 "Building Greens, Tees, and Bunkers - The
Construction Process," Dick Fluter, Oswego
Lake Country Club, Lake Oswego, OR.
11:05-11:35 "Understanding and Using Micronutrients,"
Dr. Roy Goss, Washington State University
(WWREC), Puyallup, WA.
11:35-11:55 "Update on Putting Green Lysimeter Research," Dr. Jeff Nus, Washington State
University (WWREC), Puyallup, WA.
11:55-12:30 "Recent Developments in Tank Mixing Chemicals," Mark Mahady, Chemlawn Corporation, Monterey, CA.
12:30-1:00 "Refining Golf Course Maintenance Practices
- Have We Gone Too Far?," Larry Gilhuly,
USGA Green Section, Placentia, CA.
HANDS ON SESSION
2:30-4:00
"Identifying Turfgrasses," Tom Cook, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
2:30-4:00
"Using a Transit for Shooting Grades and
Elevations," John Stewart, Oregon State
University, Corvallis, OR.
4:00-7:00 Commercial Exhibitors
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1985
SPLIT SESSION A - GROUNDS MANAGERS
FIRST SESSION CHAIRMAN - Gene Howe
8:00-8:40
"Let's Review the Phenoxy Herbicides - Basis
for Activity, Formulation Effects, Properties
of Mixtures," Dr. Jim Fickle, Mallinckrodt,
Inc., St. Louis, MO.
8:40-9:00
"Development of New Herbicides for Controlling Broadleaf Weeds in Turf," Mark Mahady, Chemlawn Corporation, Monterey, CA.
9:00-10:00 "Advertising and Promoting Your Business,"
Kathy Copley, Editor, Grounds Maintenance,
Overland Park, KS.
10:00-10:20 Break
SECOND SESSION CHAIRMAN - John Eby
10:20-10:50 "Communicating With Your Customers - Especially the Dissatisfied Ones," Kathy
Copley, Editor, Grounds Maintenance, Overland Park, KS.
10:50-11:15 "Searching for the Perfect Turf Fertilizer,"
Bob Grover, Oregon Landscape Maintenance,
Tigard, OR.
11:15-11:40 "Standardized Specifications for Fertilizers,"
Doug Dollarhide, Corvallis Parks Department,
Corvallis, OR.
11:40-12:15 "Athletic Field Maintenance and Equipment
Needs," Roger Thomas, Jacobsen Textron,
Racine, WI.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1985
FIRST SESSION CHAIRMAN - Mike Nauroth
8:00-8:40
"Fertilizer and Other Means to Encourage
Rapid Growth of Trees," Tom Cook, Oregon
State University, Corvallis, OR.
8:40-9:10
"What Have We Learned About Iron Fertilization?," Dr. Jack Butler, Colorado State
University, Fort Collins, CO.
9:10-10:10 "Turfgrass Research - Are We Making Progress or Wasting Time?"
A Panel Discussion. Moderator, Tom Cook.
"Technology Transfer," Dr. Roy Goss
"The Small Grants Dilemma," Dr. Stan
Brauen
"Basic Science vs. Applied Research," Dr.
Bill Johnston
10:10-10:30 Break
SECOND SESSION CHAIRMAN - Tom Cook
10:30-12:00 "Dealing With Change in a Positive Way - A
Practical Workshop," Jan Weber, Oregon
State University Office of Continuing Education, Corvallis, OR.
12:00
Adjourn

Continued from Page 1
12:15-12:30 SPLIT SESSIONS MERGE
12:30-1:00 Northwest Turfgrass Association General Business Meeting. ALL MEMBERS SHOULD
DEFINITELY ATTEND.
SPLIT SESSION B - GOLF COURSE MANAGERS
FIRST SESSION CHAIRMAN - Mark Snyder
8:00-8:40
"Understanding Disease Resistance to Fungicides," Dr. Gary Chastagner, Washington
State University (WWREC), Puyallup, WA.
8:40-9:10
"Perspective on the Use of Mercury Fungicides for Controlling Snowmold Diseases,"
Dr. Jim Fickle, Mallinckrodt, Inc., St. Louis,
MO.
9:10-9:30
"Snowmold Control in the Northwest What's Working and What Isn't," Dr. Ron
Ensign, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.
9:30-10:00 "An Overview of Turfgrass Research at
WWREC," Dr. Stan Brauen, Washington
State University (WWREC), Puyallup, WA.
10:00-10:20 Break
SECOND SESSION CHAIRMAN - Ray McElhoe
10:20-11:00 "Using Color on the Golf Course," Warren
Bid well, Tee-2-Green Corporation, Matteson,
IL.
11:00-11:20 "Interactions Between Mefluidide and Drought
Tolerance of Annual Bluegrass," Dr. Jeff
Nus, Washington State University (WWREC),
Puyallup, WA.
11:20-11:45 "Learning to Manage Union Labor - The
Education of a Superintendent," Rich Scholes,
Rancho Murieta Country Club, Sacramento,
CA.
11:45-12:15 "So You Think You've Got Problems!," Larry Gilhuly, USGA Green Section, Placentia,
CA.
12:15-12:30 SESSIONS MERGE
12:30-1:00 Northwest Turfgrass Association Membership
Meeting. ALL MEMBERS SHOULD
DEFINITELY ATTEND.
HANDS ON SESSION
2:30-4:00
"Identifying Turfgrass Weeds," Dr. Roy
Goss, Washington State University
(WWREC), Puyallup, WA.
2:30-4:00
"Calibrating Sprayers," Frank Fräser, Fräser
Spray Equipment, Corvallis, OR.
6:15-7:00
No host cocktails
7:00
Banquet

When we develop a
perennial ryegrass,
we mean business

Quality d o M n l |u«t h a p p e n
It is t h e p r o d u c t of y e a r s
of c a r e f u l r e s e a r c h a n d
extensive e v a l u a t i o n That»
w h a t It took for r e s e a r c h e r s
to d e v e l o p Fiesta, t h e outs t a n d i n g turf t y p e p e r e n n i a l

Ask us about the all new

LILLY/MILLER

,

, '

1

d e m a n d s of t o d a y ' s turf
manager

PROFESSIONAL TURF &
GROUNDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Seattle
(206) 762-0818

The results

• Thrives u n d e r low c u t t i n g h e i g h t s
e Excellent r e s i s t a n c e to leaf spot, b r o w n p a t c h a n d
m a n y other d i s e a s e s

Fiesta

The Chas. H. LILLY Co.
Spokane
Spokane
(503) 256-4600
(509) 922-3333

lot permanent

turi or otrerteedlng

- rapidly

becoming

the Ont choice ot

PiatTElEET
P I C K S E E D WEST Inc.

In Washington, call our Seattle office
toll free 1-800-562-7013

2

HARD WORK IS
OFTEN REWARDED
By Roy L. Goss

PRESIDENT'S

Too often in this life we are reminded of our shortcomings
and encouraged to higher and higher production without being
properly rewarded or thanked for the things that we have done
well.
You may call it dangling the carrot or fragrant grease or
smoke rings, or whatever other terms you wish to call it, but
compliments are still nice.
It was recently brought to my attention through a staff newsletter of Oregon State University that Tom Cook has been rewarded not only in words but in hard cash as well. In 1985,
Tom was selected for listing in the Registry of Distinguished
Teachers among just a few others. Also, he was the winner of
the R. M. Wade $750.00 Award for Excellence in Teaching.
I am sure that these accolades will gear Tom up for even greater production in 1986 because someone appreciated his efforts.

CORNER

Gary Sayre
We are very close to the beginning of our 39th Turfgrass
Conference to be held at Rippling River Resort at Welches,
Oregon, and I am very much looking forward to it. With all
of the planning that has taken place, we should see one of our
most successful conferences yet, both education-wise and
audience-wise. Our hosts at Rippling River are promising us
a marvelous facility with diverse activity and great comfort.
There will be opportunity to learn as much as you wish to take
time for with 1 xh days of split sessions, one day of general sessions, and afternoons devoted to hands-on demonstrations and
teaching. The climate at Rippling River is mild and, hopefully,
will be dry.
We would like to encourage every member of the Northwest
Turfgrass Association to attend the Conference this year as this
is your opportunity to learn from some of the best educators
and researchers in the United States. The turfgrass industry has
made such great strides in the past five years that to keep up
one must continue to collect new ideas and find out the best
methods for installing and maintaining turfgrass areas so as to
be cost-efficient and provide the most pleasing product possible. Your registration packet will be arriving soon, so be sure
to set aside September 23-26, 1985 to attend the Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference.
See you in Rippling River.

We sincerely extend our compliments and congratulations to
you, Tom, for these achievements.

/ìattfr & &0H, Go
PORTLAND, OREGON
(503) 256-1453
TURF EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS
OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE
SERVING OREGON & SO. WASHINGTON

WHITWORTH POWERS
TURFGRASS CONSULTING SERVICES, LTD.
PORTLAND
(503) 228-1264
P.O. BOX 31
GLADSTONE, OR 97027
(503)655-2919

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

SALEM
(503) 581-7823

3

Harvey, like most long tenured golf superintendents, was hit
with golf balls, and two of the times quite seriously. He was
knocked unconscious on both occasions, the first time being hit
in the back of the head and the second time, on the right side
of his forehead. The second time he had to be treated for double vision. Hooked drives from the third tee caused these accidents while he was working on a putting green. Harvey says
now, "The trees are so big that shots from the third tee have
a hard time getting through to the putting green, thank
goodness."
Harvey has always been active with his professional groups
including the Oregon Golf Superintendents and the Northwest
Turfgrass Association. After serving on the Board of Directors, Harvey was elected as President in September of 1965 and
served as President for the 20th Turfgrass Conference at Salishan Lodge at Gleneden Beach, Oregon in 1966.
Upon his retirement, Harvey received a host of honors. The
Oregon Golf Superintendents hosted a dinner for him and made
him the Outstanding Superintendent of the Year, while the golf
club honored him with a trip to Scodand, honorary membership at Portland Golf Club where he can try to lower his 6
handicap.
Harvey is not the last of the Junors at Portland Golf Club
since his son, Doug, will be there as an assistant to John Anderson, the new golf course superintendent.
In addition to getting more serious about his golf game and
6 handicap, Harvey says he still has a lot of fishing to catch
up on in his retirement. He thinks his wife, Marie, will have
the biggest adjustment to make since she has never seen him
in the morning. "I've been getting up and leaving the house
by 5:00 a.m. for so long that I don't think she knows I exist
before noon."
In all respects, Harvey is a gentleman and a true professional, and we are all proud to have been associated with you, Harvey. All the best to you in a long retirement.

HARVEY JUNOR RETIRES
AFTER 47 YEARS

Harvey Junor, Superintendent of Portland
Golf Club, has retired at the age of 65 after
| 47 years working on Portland Golf Club. He
took over as golf course superintendent from
his father, Don Junor, in 1956. Portland
Golf Club has changed golf superintendents
only twice since 1919 when Harvey's father
became the first superintendent, and has
changed golf professionals only twice since 1921. Larry Lamberger came to Portland Golf Club in 1926, and when he retired was succeeded as head pro by his son, Larry.
Despite nearly being killed twice by errant golf shots, Harvey considers it a tenure of many highs and only a few lows.
"It doesn't seem that long - maybe that is because I have always loved golf and being around golf."
Harvey was honored with a roast at the golf club and it was
a night that brought back a flood of memories.
There was the Professional Golfers' Association Championship in 1946, won by Ben Hogan. There was the staging of the
Ryder Cup Matches in 1947. There was the Western Open in
1955, won by Cary Middlecoff. There was the Alcan Championship in 1969, won by Billy Casper after a storied collapse
by Lee Trevino. There was the U.S. Senior Open in 1982, won
by Miller Barber.
"It's hard to pick the highlights," Harvey said. "But for me,
I'd have to say the Ryder Cup Matches and the Alcan were the
events that have stuck in my mind the longest.
"The Ryder Cup had to be the wettest golf tournament ever
played. The course was flooded most of the time but the guys
just kept playing. I think the English players couldn't believe
the scene."
The Alcan, which had a $55,000 payoff to the winner, largest in golf at the time, belonged to Trevino until he buried his
9-iron tee shot in a bunker at the 145-yard 17th hole in the final
round. He left the ball in the bunker and eventually three-putted
for a triple-bogy.
Casper completed the turnaround with a finish of four straight
birdies and a one-shot triumph.
Some of golfs greatest remembered Harvey Junor at his
retirement. Ben Hogan sent an eloquent message, surprising
perhaps to some who remember him as the dour "We Mon".
Lee Trevino typically kidded, "Hey, think of all of us who still
have to be out there earning a living." With Trevino, is it really working? Arnold Palmer, Donna Caponi, Jo Ann Washam,
Kathy Whitworth and Nancy Lopez sent their good wishes also.
The Junor saga is a One Man's Family story that's difficult
to top in any region of golf. The roots are in Scotland, and it
began here after Harvey's grandfather brought his 7 sons and
4 daughters across the pond to Portland and wound up caring
for Waverley Country Club. Harvey's family has been tied
closely to golf in the Pacific Northwest since the turn of the
century. In addition to his father, he had 5 uncles who worked
in varying capacities at Waverley Country Club, Tacoma Country Club, Roseberg Country Club, Albany Golf Club, the old
Alderbrook Golf Club, Baker Golf Club and DeLake Golf Club.
One of his uncles, John, was head pro at Portland Golf Club
and one year shared the first-round lead with Bobby Jones in
the U. S. Open.

RONALD FREAM DESIGN GROUP, LTD.
GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTURE

PH: (707 526-7190 TWX: 510-744-8296 GOLFARCH
P.O. Box 1823 • SAnta Rose, California 95402, U.S.A.
Seattle • Palm Springs • Kuala Lumpur • Austria

A Full Line of Specialities & Varieties of Turf Seed
for the Golf Course and Sod Farm.
Wholesale Seeds and Garden Supplies

PUGET SOUND SEED CO., INC.
1120 West Ewing • Seattle. WA 98119 • 282-2077

4

ARE YOU ZEALOUS. CONSCIENTIOUS?

WATCH OUT

If you should happen inadvertently to see a letter of memo from your boss describing you in flattering terms, don't run
out and start spending the raise you are sure must be forthcoming. The boss may be speaking with a forked tongue.
E. James Brennan, a St. Louis personnel consultant, reports in Personnel Journal that employee-relations executives, in
order to write frankly about people without fear of the communications falling into the hands of those being written about,
sometimes use a secret language of their own.
Some tongue-in-cheek examples of phrases whose true meaning is supposedly shared by those in-the-know:

PERSONNEL CODE

TRANSLATION

"Exceptionally well-qualified"
"Careful thinker"
"Strong principles"
"Spends extra hours on the job"
"Average employee"
"Active socially"
"Zealous attitude"
"Takes pride in his work"
"Uses logic on hard problems"
"Forceful"
"Not the desk type"
"Conscientious"
"Meticulous attention to detail"
"Of great value to the organization"
"Has leadership qualities"
CREDIT: The Florida Green

Made no serious blunders yet
Won't make a decision
Stubborn
Miserable home life
Not too bright
Drinks too much
Opinionated
Conceited
Finds another to do his job
Argumentative
Did not go to college
Scared
Nit-picker
Gets to work on time
Is tall or has a loud voice.

Scotts most
successful product is
not available for sale...
only for advice and
support... your PrdTurf lëch Rep.
BEN MALIKOWSKI
P.O. Box 18128
Spokane, WA 99208
(509) 467-8710

ERLING OLSON
4850 156th Ave. NE Apt. 226
Redmond, WA 98052
(206) 885-3349

5

MICHAEL P. KENDALL
8530 Woodtrail Place
Burnaby, B.C. V5A 4A9
(604) 421-2583

A BRIEF REPORT FROM 3PF

turf equipment

The Pesticide Public Policy Foundation, which is directed by
Dave Dietz from Salem, Oregon, sends out periodic reports of
the activities of 3PF. The Northwest Turfgrass Association is
only one of many who are helping to support the 3PF and sane
use of pesticides. This organization maintains constant contact
through lawmaking bodies at state and federal levels and becomes involved even in city and county affairs. The principal
objectives of 3PF are to see that laws which are already formulated are not abused by activist groups. The 3PF is willing to
abide by EPA and FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
Rodenticide Act) laws.
As some of you may be aware, there has been some important sabre rattling around the country that the activist groups
are trying to initiate, and among some of the most significant
activities include pre-notification and posting.
Pre-notification may sound a little harmless on the surface,
but stop and think about it. If you wish to apply an herbicide,
insecticide, fungicide or rodenticide, you must notify all of your
neighbors within a given sector for a specified amount of time
before application. Obviously, there are many people opposed
to the application of any pesticide, due principally to ignorance
in this area of science, and can obtain injunctions against any
such activity and may cost you many dollars for legal counsel
and prosecution. These laws are being looked at right now in
Michigan, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and other areas. Just
as surely as this is inacted in any area, it could become a national wave. This does not account for just local urban environments, it means total area within the jurisdiction of the law.
It is your responsibility to keep posted on these matters and
to contact your senators and representatives before it is too late
when such action begins.

mobile service

J
WESTERN EQUIPMENT
DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
20224 - 80th South
Kent, Washington

(206) 872-8858

TORO

Cumberland Valley Turf
Professional

Turf

Growers

Supplying Top Quality

•Sod
Call Us For Prices

FRESH, STURDY, MATURE

45533 - 212th Ave. S.E.
Enumclaw, Wa. 98022

223-8871
WOODBUR
n¡i
FROM OUR PLOT TO YOUR LOT

Your turf is professionally grown
and especially adapted for
Northwest conditions. We insure

a quality product at reasonable
prices. Also, we supply large caliper shade trees.

cAÍO/ttíllUGSÍ

CALL OR WRITE FOR
FREE
BROCHURE

oMowe/ts

PORTLAND

COMMERCIAL TURF EQUIPMENT
JACOBSON — CUSHMAN — RYAN

926 North 165th St.
Seattle, WA 98133
(206) 542-7484

981-8873
18381 Boones Ferry Rd. N.E.
Hubbard, OR 97032

6

N. 7118 Market
Spokane, WA 99208
(509) 482-7592

THE USE OF WETTING
AGENTS ON TURFGRASS

ITS TIME TO STRAIGHTEN
OUT THE BENTGRASS !

Scott Swope
Localized dry spots are a common problem in turf maintenance. Beard and others have indicated that dry spots may
result from:
1. Poor water distribution from the irrigation system, due to
wind, poor design, malfunction of the system, or frequency
and amount of irrigation.
2. Soil limitations such as texture, compaction, and gradient
which influence the rate of water infiltration and may limit
root growth.
3. Excessive thatch accumulation, causing hydrophobic conditions.
4. Fungal presence in the soil. The mycelia of the fungi tend
to repel water when they dry out (1,7).
These dry spots are especially prevalent in golf course putting greens where the high level of stress placed upon the turf
maximizes the importance of the plant-water relationship. Adding to the problem on putting greens is the fact that sandy soils
have a propensity for becoming hydrophobic. Many putting
greens are constructed of a high percentage of sand, and sand
is used extensively in the topdressing of greens (7).
One method of combating dry spots has been through increased irrigation. This may actually compound the problem.
When the water is unable to penetrate the soil surface, due to
compaction, slope gradient, or hydrophobic conditions, it runs
off to areas where penetration is possible, causing excessively
wet areas. Another method used on dry spots is cultivation in
the form of coring, spiking, or slicing. An alternative that has
gained in popularity is the use of wetting agents. Wetting agents
are compounds which reduce the surface tension of water
molecules, enabling them to spread out over the surface of solids
more than they normally would (1,4,5,7). This increases the
water's ability to wet the soil.

AAA**** A A A J W C/)

If you have been looking for a variety of Creeping Bentgrass
that ia available, tried and tested and found to be superior in test
results...turn to PROMINENT Creeping Bentgrass.
In Illinois teats, PROMINENT out-performed other top varieties
of Creeping Bent in fairway tests during the hot summertime.
Plots were monitored for turfgrass quality, thatch buildup and
disease resistance.
In tests in Ohio and Kentucky, PROMINENT out-performed all
other bentgrass varieties tested in withstanding heat and
drought conditions.
For better performance under stress
conditions . . . turn to PROMINENT CREEPING BENTGRASS.

EXCELLENT UNIFORMITY
GOOD COLOR
QUICK TO ESTABLISH
DISEASE RESISTANT
BETTER HOT WEATHER TOLERANCE

SEED RESEARCH
OF OREGON, INC.

29730 Harvest Dr. • Albany. Oregon 97321
(503) 757-2663

J.A. Jack & Sons

IMPERIAL AGLIME

Continued on Page 8, Column 1

you need CALCIUM for
Turf Vigor
Full Fertilizer Utilization
Improved pH
Sacked or Complete Spreading service
SOLD
by HEMPHILL BROTHERS, INC.

Turf

Najfe

Farm

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

SEATTLE

762-7622

FERTILIZERS

TURF CHEMICALS and FERTILIZERS
FUNGICIDES - HERBICIDES
SOIL AMENDMENTS

INSTANT SOD LAWNS
TACOMA

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

272-5171
7

1424 Thorne Road
Tacoma, Wash. 98421

SEATTLE

622-3228

REFERENCES:
1. Beard, James B. 1973. Turfgrass: Science and culture.
Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, pp. 484-485.
2. Engle, R. E. and R. B. Alderfer. 1967. The effect of cultivation, topdressing, lime, nitrogen, and wetting agents
on thatch development in 1/4 inch bentgrass turf over a tenyear period. Report on Turfgrass Research at Rutgers
University. New Jersey Agric. Exp. Sta. Bull. 818, pp.
32-45.
3. Letey, J., N. Welch, R. E. Pelichek, and J. Osborn. 1963.
Effect of wetting agents on irrigation of water repellent
soils. California Turfgrass Culture. 13(1): 1-2.
4. Madison, John H. 1981. Irrigation, dry spots, wetting
agents. Proc. Calif. Golf Course Supt. Inst. Univ. of Calif.,
Davis, pp. 75-81.
5. Moore, Robert A. 1977. What is water. Proc. 48th Int'l.
Turfgrass GCSAA Conf. and Show. pp. 174-180.
6. Osborn, J. F., J. Letey, and N. Valorus. 1969. Surfactant
longevity and wetting characteristics. California Turfgrass
Culture. 19(3): 17-18.
7. Rieke, Paul E. 1981. Wetting agents: Applications vary
for different soils. Golf Course Management. July:28-30.
8. Rieke, Paul E. and James B. Beard. 1973. Localized dry
spots: Causes and corrections. 43rd Annual Michigan Turfgrass Conf. Proc. January, 1973. Vol. 2, pp. 38-40.

THE USE OF WETTING AGENTS ON TURFGRASS
Continued from Page 7, Column 1
Wetting agents can be divided into two categories, ionic and
non-ionic. Ionic wetting agents are more toxic to turfgrass, and
are used less than non-ionic types (1). Non-ionic agents are esters, ethers, alcohols, or other compounds (4).
Many claims have been made by the manufacturers of wetting agents. Among them are an increase in water availability,
improved turf quality, reduction in dew formation, reduced
evaporation from bare soil, increased wettability of hydrophobic soils, improved soil structure, improved drainage, and increased resistance to disease (4,7). Few of these claims have
been substantiated by scientific research. Adverse effects resulting from the use of wetting agents have also been reported. Included here are increased thatch production, decreased soil
aggregation, injury to shoots and roots, and reduced soil water
retention (1,4).
Little research has been done on commercially available wetting agents because many of them are marketed as 4 4secret
blends". Researchers are reluctant to test such products unless
their chemical compositions are fully disclosed (4). Results of
some of the research done indicates:
1. Ethers are more effective for wetting clays, esters more
effective on sandy soils, and alcohols for organic matter (4).
2. Ethers have a more rapid initial wetting effect, but esters
give a more lasting response (4,6).
3. The infiltration rate on hydrophobic soils treated with a wetting agent is greater during a second application, once the
soil has become wet from the first application (3).
4. The effect of wetting agents on infiltration of hydrophobic
soils is retained for two to three irrigations or rains, depending upon the rates and agents used (1).
5. Doubling the label rates of some wetting agents may or may
not have toxic effects on the turfgrass (8).
6. Combining the use of wetting agents with the practice of
coring is more effective than coring alone (8).
7. Thatch accumulates when wetting agents are continuously
used, due to a reduction in microbial breakdown of thatch
(2).

8. Two or three light applications per year are generally better than one heavy application (7).
9. Reduced dew formation for periods of three to ten days following the application may be seen (7).
10. Clay soils adsorb and inactivate wetting agents (1).
Wetting agents are a tool which can be effectively used in
the treatment of hydrophobic conditions leading to localized dry
spots. In order for them to be useful, it is necessary to ascertain that the dry spots are due to hydrophobic conditions, and
not caused from soil textural problems which limit the flow of
water through the soil profile. If compaction or fine textured
soils are present, wetting agents will be of little value. Claims
by manufacturers of cure-alls for soil-water problems should
be examined carefully. Limited research has led to few conclusions concerning their broad-range assets and liabilities. Perhaps
the best approach for those considering the extensive use of wetting agents is to conduct experiments of their own on a limited
scale. If this is done, it is important to leave an untreated check
area to help determine whether or not the wetting agent is
responsible for the resulting effects of the experiments (4).

It's hard to tell the difference between goosegrass and late-germinating
crabgrass.
But if you treat your turf with Chipco RONSTAR' G
herbicide, it makes no difference.
RONSTAR gives excellent control of both, season-long...
and it's convenient to use, because there's no leaching problem, no root pruning, and no problems with ornamental
plantings.
So, for the best control of grassy
weeds, use RONSTAR. RhônePoulenc Inc., Agrochemical
Division, Monmouth Junction,
NJ 08852

8

NORTHWEST TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 397
Puyallup, WA 98371

L .

2 O F T H E (BEST)

Turf Gold® 21-3-5
BEST TURF GOLD " is a combination of
two time proven, high quality products;
professionally accepted BEST TURF
SUPREME® plus BEST-COTE® and
Sulfur Coated Urea (S.C.U.). A nonburning, controlled release fertilizer
containing 19% Sulfur.
50 LB. BAG
A

Turf Supreme® with Best-Cote®
15-5-7
BEST-COTE® is water-soluble, heatresistant, bio-degradable and greatly
reduces the possibility of burn and
volatization. Fertilizer can be applied
and not watered for up to 72 hours.
50 LB. BAG
Contact your BEST Distributor today.
> Nulife Fertilizer C o
T a c o m a . WA
206/5171

Bob Pirie
Brian Stueve

• H. J. Stoll & Sons
Portland. OR
503/235-89465

N o r m Whitworth

» Pacific Agro
Renton, WA
206/228-6565

Ken M c K e n z i e

• Evergreen Turf Supply
Bellevue/Tacoma, WA
206/828-4554

Mike Rippee

(BEST)

Western Division. Box 267
Lathrop. C A 95330 2 0 9 / 8 5 8 - 2 5 4 1
Northwest Region
Res Ph 2 0 6 / 2 5 6 - 5 3 7 5
19329 N W 112th St.
Brush Prairie. WA 98606

r

Norm Whitworth Ltd.
Consultants

Norm Whitworth
Chairman

zips
^TrmÊF

Turf Products Division
P.O. Box 68314
Oak Grove, OR 97268
503/659-3114

OFFICERS OF THE
NORTHWEST TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION
Gary Sayre
President
Mark Snyder
Vice President
Gene Howe
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 P.O. Box 397, Puyallup, WA
98371, or Roy L. Goss, Western Washington Research
and Extension Center, Puyallup, WA 98371.
Communications concerning content of this paper
should be directed to Dr. Roy Goss, Editor, Western
Washington Research and Extension Center, Puyallup,
WA 98371.