Northwest
Vol. 30, No. 1

TURFGRASS TOPICS
PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON

April 1987

"A REBUTTAL"

PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Bo Hepler
The snow has melted and spring has arrived early. It's time
to get out of the office or those mechanic clothes and get out
tending to that beautiful green turfgrass we all love so much.
The green turf is so important to what sets off a beautiful landscape. Sure the flowers, shrubs and trees are beautiful as they
blossom in the spring, but they are just the icing on the cake
for the real beauty of well-maintained turfgrass. WHAT A
^GREAT PROFESSION WE ARE IN!
My congratulations are extended to our colleagues in the north
who have recently experienced the most successful conference
of their twenty-five year history as the Western Canada Turfgrass Association. They put on a great show recently in Vancouver, B.C., and made those of us from the states who were
fortunate enough to attend feel very welcome. I extend a hardy
welcome to our Canadian friends and their wives for our conference this September at Salishan Lodge in Gleneden Beach,
Oregon.
Deepest thanks goes out to those of you who recently went
to Olympia as lobbyists protesting and/or testifying against the
Pre Notification Bill. If this Bill were passed into law, it would
not only have been a great inconvenience, but also would have
been very expensive to each one of us, and still would not have
served much of a purpose. If passed, the Pre Notification Bill
would have affected golf courses, lawn care, parks, schools and
the entire turfgrass industry. If you were not aware of such action, be aware of it, and be active in the best interest of our
industry. (Please read the "BE AWARE" article in this issue).
In search of some assurance that the State of Washington is
going to continue to support the Turfgrass Program in this state,
I have written letters and have met with the Washington State
University Department Heads interested in making sure that the
Turfgrass Specialist position will be filled when it is vacated
.by the retiring Roy Goss. My next step is to write letters
"representing the private sector, my employer, Senske Lawn and
Tree Care. I strongly urge each one of you to do the same thing;
the university needs to know how important the Extension Turfgrass Specialist is to the Northwest turfgrass industry. Please
write and make our needs known.

Dear Mr. Carney:
As President of the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents of the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area, I have
been elected by our membership (totaling 470) to write you a
letter. This letter is in rebuttal to your recent article that appeared in the January 1987 issue of Golf Digest entitled "MY
SHOT - A case for banning temporary greens." Let's say that
Robert Carney is granted one wish: All superintendents are going to ban temporary winter greens. In so doing, you remove
one of the superintendents alternatives for winter golf play, and
leaves him with just two choices: 1) The golf course, including
the greens, would be open and played the same in winter as
in summer and, 2) the golf course would be closed during winter
and reopened only when the greens were fit to play.
In some cases, the superintendent has no choice, the powers
to be force him to keep the greens open at all times. This is
the type of golf course you need to locate, join, and become
a life-time member, because they cater to people like you. They
are concerned mainly with optimizing revenues, and have little
regard to course conditions. In most cases, the superintendent
will decide when people can or cannot play greens in the winter.
This decision should be made by the expert, the one who knows
the golf course and its conditions better than anyone, and that
person is the golf course superintendent.
Your lack of knowledge about golf-green construction and
maintenance is quite obvious. I'll guarantee you there are no
two golf greens alike anywhere. How can you possibly compare one course to another with the numerous variables involved? Remember, putting greens consist of millions of small
turfgrass plants that are living tissue, anchored and growing in
a living soil medium. These plants continue to live throughout
the year. In this region of the country, bentgrass becomes dormant during late November and breaks dormancy in mid-April.
When mechanical or physiological damage occurs to the plant
during dormancy, no recovery can occur until late April or May
when temperatures are favorable for regrowth. Most of the
damage is superficial, but when the crown or growing point
of the plant is damaged, recovery will be slow or non-existent.
The damaged areas provide a place for weak annual weed grasses, such as Poa annua, to germinate and develop, thus reducing turfgrass quality.
It's not that we don't want to be bothered with winter golfers, the turfgrass plants and the putting surface cannot afford
to be damaged by winter golfers. The price for restoring the
greens to tournament quality is prohibitive when considering
the small number of people who cause the damage and benefit
from winter play. If everyone had 45 holes similar to Gordon
Witteveen (Toronto, Ontario — ED.), or even 27 holes, you
would see a few superintendents allow winter play on 9 holes.
However, this is not the norm, it is an exceptionally rare case.
(Continued on Page 3, Column 1)

WE MUST SAY GOODBYE TO ROY,
BUT LET'S NOT SAY GOODBYE
TO HIS POSITION
By Skip Ferrucci, Superintendent of Parks,
Pierce County
For all of us who have had the tremendous fortune in our
careers to use, abuse, lean on, besiege with questions, probe
for answers, or given our best excuse to, have realized that at
some time our careers will have to continue without Dr. Roy
Goss.
Yes, we all know, after many years of exemplary services,
Roy will be retiring in January of 1988. Although the man himself is irreplaceable, it is up to all of us as professionals involved
in turf, that we do not lose the extension specialist position at
Puyallup that he fills. I am told there is a possibility this could
happen. True, there is only one extension turfgrass specialist,
and we probably stretch it like a rubber band, but what if it
wasn't there at all? Many of us near the Puyallup Valley area
can take advantage of the tremendous research staff available
through Washington State University, but without the Extension Specialist position, who would be able to lend support to
the county agents, come on site and see our problems, or disseminate the truly fine research being done by a great staff.
I think it is up to us to make the decision makers aware how
badly we need this position even in the tough fiscal times we
are facing. Please take the time to express yourself to the following people and anyone else that you think may help.
Dr. Arlen D. Davison, Superintendent, Western Washington Research and Extension Center, Puyallup, WA 98371. Dr.
Harry Burcalow, Assistant Director - Agriculture and Natural
Resources, Cooperative Extension Service, Washington State
University, Pullman, WA 99164. Dr. H. H. Cheng, Acting
Chairman, Department of Agronomy and Soils, Johnson Hall,
Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164. Dr. J. C.
Engibous, Acting Director, Cooperative Extension Service,
Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164. Dr. J. L.
Ozbun, Dean, College of Agriculture and Home Economics,
Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164. Dr. Albert
C. Yates, Vice President and Provost, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164.
You might also take a few moments of your time and thank
Roy for all the things he has done for you. Thank you, Dr. Goss,
for your many years of superior leadership, you will be deeply
missed. Thank you for all your help in this endeavor.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD TO
DON ELLIS
Don Ellis, one of the Northwest Turfgrass Association
Scholarship Award recipients, is a student at Oregon State
University. Don Ellis is a junior in Landscape Horticulture, who
transferred to OSU from Linn Benton Community College
where he received an A.S. degree in Horticulture. Don is originally from Dufur, Oregon and has extensive experience in landscape maintenance to go with a 3.58 GPA at OSU. He is
currently making plans for his internship experience in the Portland area in the summer of 1987. Don has a strong interest in
all phases of landscape, including design, construction, and
maintenance.

POWERS—WHITWORTH
Golf Course Architecture
Site Planning and Consultation

PRELIMINARY AND FINAL DESIGN WORK FOR:
Phased upgrading, new construction, site
developments, construction drawings
specifications, inspections, and athletic
field planning.
CONSULTATION SERVICES:
Safety and liability, tax valuation, and
financial backing services.
Consultation relating to: Soil conditions, turf
problems of light, aeration, diseases, insects,
proper chemical and fertilizer selections for
turf vitality, and turf seed varieties.

RONALD FREAM DESIGN GROUP, LTD.
GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTURE

Ronald Fraam

DAVE POWERS
Golf Course Architect
1981 M a p l e l e a f Road
Lake Oswego, OR 9 7 0 3 4
( 5 0 3 ) 635-5369

5*

(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

2

NORM WHITWORTH
Consultant & Turf Products
PO. Box 68314
O a k Grove, OR 97268
( 5 0 3 ) 658-3114

FRESH, STURDY, MATURE

Rebuttal (Continued from Page 1, Column 2)
How can you possibly take one example and make a case for
^everyone to ban temporary winter greens? Each club has different policies and procedures. The superintendents are striving
"to do what is best for the good of the club, the golf course, and
the great majority of its members by providing temporary
greens. If you ban temporary winter greens, then we basically
have just one choice, and that is to close the putting greens and
the golf course until further notice.
James E. Evans, President, MAGCS
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been reprinted from The
Bullsheet, Vol. 40, No. 10, March 1987.

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.

CALL OR WRITE FOR
FREE BROCHURE

PORT
223-8871

WOODBURN

f t

Norm Whitworth Ltd.
Consultants

981-8873

Norm
Whitworth
18381 Boones
Ferry Rd. N.E.
CHIEF
Hubbard, OR 97032

Turf Products Division
P.O. Box 68314
Oak Grove, OR 97268

503/659-3114
Dr. Watson, vice president of customer relations and
agronomist at The Toro Company, receives the 1986 Man Of
The Year Award from Denne Goldstein, publisher of Landscape and Irrigation magazine.

DR. JAMES WATSON RECEIVES
MAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Dr. James Watson, Vice President of Customer Relations and
Agronomist for The Toro Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
has been named 1986 Man Of The Year by both Landscape and
Irrigation and Weeds, Trees, and Turf magazines.
Watson, 66, is one of the nation's leading figures in the development of the turfgrass industry. He was the first person in
the country to receive a Ph.D. in turfgrass science, which he
earned in 1950 at Penn State University. Since then, Watson
has been one of the industry's leading proponents of the need
to research water conservation and turf management.
Since joining Toro in 1952, Watson has been part of the company's product development team. "He has been a real source
of innovation," said Ken Melrose, President of The Toro Company. "Having an agronomist advising us on trends has given
^as a great advantage. He is very much involved in product development, distributor relations and customer service."
Watson is a "Fellow" in the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society, and is currently an Adjunct
Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture for the University of Minnesota.

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.
RONSTARgives 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 0885i

3

BE AWARE

EUROPEAN CRANE FLY
CONTROL RESEARCH

Cindy Maitland Deffe'
Technical Director Senske Lawn and Tree Care
Spokane, Washington

Stanton E. Brauen
The European crane fly was first recorded in the United States
in 1966, and it is now become well-established from British
Columbia to as far south as Salem, Oregon. It is primarily a
turf and pasture pest. Currently, Diazinon and Dursban have
special local needs registrations for control of this insect in turf.
Preventative applications are successful in the fall between October 1 and October 31 for sod industries to prevent possible
shipment of crane fly to uninfested areas or preventive applications are useful for areas, such as golf greens, where costs
of repair are expensive. Control applications are recommended in spring in other turf areas after a survey has been made
in early spring (usually March) or earlier if crane fly activity
is observed due to earlier periods of warm temperature. When
the average number of crane fly larvae exceeds 25 per square
foot, a chemical treatment should be considered to reduce larvae numbers and reduce or avoid turfgrass injury. The number
of larvae can be estimated by sampling 4 or 5 locations in the
turf with the standard cup cutter, counting the larvae in each
cup, determining the average number of larvae from the cups
and multiplying the average by 12. This will give an estimate
of the number of larvae per square foot.
Studies have been continuing at WWREC to assess the effectiveness of insecticides on the control or survival of European crane fly and how application volume and irrigation
following insecticide application may alter larvae survival. In
these studies, Turcam, Oftanol, Sevin, Proxol and Cyfluthrin
have been evaluated. With most of these insecticides application volume has not had a significant effect upon the control
of crane fly larvae; however, irrigation following application
has usually reduced the effectiveness of control, although good
control has been achieved. The application volume seems to
increase the effectiveness of Cyfluthrin, a synthetic pyrethroid
that mimics a naturally occurring insecticide produced by some
plants, while irrigation following application seems to decrease
its effectiveness. Formulations of Turcam, Oftanol, Proxol and
Sevin have registrations for turfgrass use. Check the product
label for the current registrations for European crane fly control. Cyfluthrin is not registered.

As professionals in the lawn care industry, it is important for }
us to stay on top of pesticide issues in our state legislature. Most
of us rely on the safe use of pesticides to protect our property
and our livelihood. If unnecessary regulations are put on pesticides by our cities, counties and states, our expenses will
skyrocket and our use of these valuable tools will be limited.
On Thursday, January 15, 1987, Representative Jolene Unsoeld proposed Five bills to the Washington State House of
Representatives. All of these bills pertained to the use of pesticides in Washington State. Three of the bills were sent to the
Environmental Affairs Committee and the other two were sent
to the House Agriculture Committee. The Environmental Affairs Committee set January 23 as the hearing date for the three
bills sent to them.
The wording of the bills is quite lengthy, so I have summarized the main points of this legislation. The three bills sent to
Environmental Affairs are HB 69, HB 72, and HB 73. The two
that were sent to the Agriculture Committee are HB 70 and HB
71.
HB 69
This amendment increases the penalty of a second pesticide
offense by a certified applicator to a Class C Felony. It also
changes the maximum civil penalty for a pesticide offense from
$1000 to $2500. This bill also requires written pre-notification
to adjacent property owners 72 hours before any pesticide application in residential areas. "The notice shall contain information on the anticipated time, date, and place of the application
and the anticipated pesticide to be used." Within 48 hours after the application has been completed "certified applicators
shall give adjacent property owners written notification of the
time, date, and place of the application and the pesticide used."
"Failure to give notice required.. .is a violation of this chapter." This bill also required that the WSDA maintain a file of
complaints against all certified applicators and that this file be
available to the public
HB 72
This bill allows any city and/or county to require special
licensing for all state certified pesticide applicators. A representative from this licensing body must be allowed access to any
premises to inspect equipment, lands exposed to pesticides,
storage and disposal areas. This representative must be allowed
to investigate complaints of injury or to sample pesticides to
be applied. If this representative is not allowed access as required, a search warrant may be obtained for this purpose. This
bill also states, "In cases seeking a civil penalty for chemical
drift, there is a rebuttable presumption of a violation of this chapter with presumed damage to the property contaminated." The
director may bring an action for a violation or "threatened violation" to the superior court of that county.
HB 73
This bill deals with landlord-tenant agreements with regard(
to pesticides. A landlord must give the tenant 48 hours prior
written notice of intent to apply pesticides. "The notice shall
contain the time, date and place of anticipated application; the

Cumberland Valley Turf

ICVT

Professional

Turf

Growers

Supplying Top Quality

•Sod
Call Us For Prices
(206) 825-5266
Forklift Deliveries

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

(Continued on Page 5, Column I)

4

(Continued from Page 4, Column 2)

kVÜSHSBBl

type of pesticide to be used; and information on potential health
risks." "Where the application of a pesticide presents health
risks to the tenant, the tenant may request a nontoxic alternative be applied. If the tenant requests a nontoxic alternative and
an equivalent treatment is available, the landlord shall apply
only the nontoxic alternative." If the landlord fails to comply
and is convicted, he may be fined up to $1000.
HB 70
All certified applicators must have a written contract with each
customer at least 3 days prior to making any pesticide application. This gives the customer time to reconsider the contract
and cancel. Certified applicators must provide all customers with
a list of pesticides that will be used along with all known health
effects that could be caused by these pesticides.
HB 71
Certified applicators must provide all customers with appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets for any pesticides that
will be used prior to the application.
On Friday, January 23, over 100 representatives from pest
control and greens industries from throughout the state met at
the Environmental Affairs hearing to address the three bills in
this committee. Many even got a chance to testify to the committee on the importance of pesticides and the problems that
this legislation could cause. Art Losey, the Assistant Director
of the State Department of Agriculture, testified against the poor
wording of the bills eg. "nontoxic alternative" when nothing
is truly nontoxic. House Agriculture Committee Chairman,
Margaret Rayburn, also testified against these bills. She disI cussed how unworkable and unnecessary this legislation is. Pete
Tovoli, President of the Washington Chapter of the International
Pesticide Applicators Association, piqued the committee's curiosity by passing out branches covered with tent caterpillar eggs
and explaining how they move out in "armies" during peak
seasons. Many other devoted industry representatives explained
proper uses and pointed out that most misapplications and
problems are caused by homeowners and non-certified applicators. The "rebuttable presumption of a violation" in regard
to drift is unconstitutional. This is saying you are guilty until
you can prove yourself innocent!
Our lobbying forces were very effective at stopping this legislation for now. The bills in the Environmental Affairs Committee are dead—for this session anyway. The bills that went
to the Agriculture Committee were never brought up, and according to Margaret Rayburn, they won't be. Many thanks to
all who helped us lobby against these bills. For those of you
who were not aware that this was even happening, PLEASE
try to keep in touch with your legislators. Some of the amendments suggested in these bills have been adopted in other states
and if we don't all work together, some may slip by on us.

HELP!

Equipment Distributors Inc.
THE PROFESSIONALS
THAT KEEP YOU CUTTING.

automatic irrigation
of large turf areas

SEATTLE

•

20224 80th Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032

•

(206) 872-8858

SPOKANE

•

E. 2824 Garland, Spokane, WA 99207

•

(509) 483-8665

&
4>*

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.

HELP!

HELP!

We need 10,000 sq. ft. of weedy turf for herbicide research—the more the
weeds, the better. The closer to Puyallup, the better. Please call Dr. Stan Brauen
at 593-8511 or try 593-8538.
THANK YOU!
5

WILD OAT CONTROL IN
BLUEGRASS SEED FIELDS
W.J. Johnston and Doug Crook
Washington State University
In addition to turfgrass management research, at Washington State University in Pullman we also conduct research in the
area of grass seed production. This research eventually has an
impact on the turfgrass industry and the price you pay for grass
seed.
Kentucky bluegrass is a specialty crop in eastern Washington. Eastern Washington's climate, with its winter precipitation and dry summers (during the time of grass seed harvest),
is favorable for the production of excellent quality Kentucky
bluegrass seed.
An estimated 75% of all Kentucky bluegrass grown in the
U.S. is produced in the Pacific Northwest. The Inland Empire
area of eastern Washington and northern Idaho is ranked 1st
in the U.S. in total production of bluegrass seed. In 1985, Kentucky bluegrass was grown on 34,000 acres in Washington and
the average price paid to growers was $1.02 per pound.
We have been conducting research at WSU for several years
to identify herbicides for the control of wild oats (Avena fatua
L.) in newly established seed production fields of Kentucky
bluegrass. Wild oats is a very competitive weed, and if left
unchecked it can essentially eliminate bluegrass seedlings during establishment.
Field studies were conducted in 1985 and 1986 by Doug
Crook as part of a M.S. Thesis at Washington State University
to evaluate MSMA, difenzoquat, and barban for use in seedling
and established Kentucky bluegrass stands. The studies consisted
of a factorial arrangement of treatments of herbicide rates and
wild oat timings following emergence. In studies conducted in
seedling bluegrass fields, wild oat control, Kentucky bluegrass
injury, and wild oat and Kentucky bluegrass plant counts were
determined. In established Kentucky bluegrass fields (one-yearold stands) we determined seed yield, bluegrass and wild oat
injury, and herbicide effects on bluegrass maturity.
Results of our research indicate that difenzoquat and MSMA
both showed promise as selective wild oat herbicides in newly
established seed production fields. Both gave wild oat control
better than 85% with low phytotoxicity to seedling bluegrass.
Control of wild oats was best if herbicides were applied after
the majority of the wild oats were in the 5- to 7-leaf stage of
growth. Temperature did not affect difenzoquat control of wild
oats, but MSMA worked best if high temperature was present
at the time of application (over 28 C). Difenzoquat and MSMA
also gave control of wild oats in the 2- to 3-tiller stage; however,
with these later applications some bluegrass injury did occur.
This injury was offset by removal of wild oat competition and
an increase in bluegrass stand density.
MSMA and barban in established one-year-old bluegrass seed
fields should be used with caution. MSMA hastened, and barban delayed, maturity of the stand. This resulted in reductions
of seed yield and seed weight for both MSMA and barban. On
the other hand, there was a trend toward increased seed yield
with difenzoquat; however, further research will be necessary
before it can be recommended for use in bluegrass seed fields
to increase seed yields. Also, difenzoquat timing before harvest and rates of application are not known that would give the
best enhancement of yield.

Hopefully, research such as this will eventually mean increased bluegrass seed yields in the Inland Empire and ultimately
greater availability of quality seed for the turfgrass industry.
The authors would like to acknowledge the partial support
of this research by a grant from the Intermountain Grass Growers Association.

ITS TIME TO STRAIGHTEN
OUT THE BENTGRASS !

*>'ng

bed®

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 tests, 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

to hard surfaces, topdressing, etc. Reduction in irrigation water
will also make the green surfaces firmer and increase ball speed.
What do we do, however, when the surfaces are hard and compacted and excessive rainy periods occur? We should all remember that the respiration rate of turfgrass roots increases with
increase in temperature. In the summer when we get higher temperatures and rainfall, added to compacted soils, I think we are
spelling doom unless we have extremely good drainage and good
gaseous exchange with the soil.
The algae factor has also been mentioned. It is not at all uncommon to observe thick algae scums that are slimy and slippery when wet, leathery and hard when dry, and literally
impermeable to water or air. Algae usually follows thin turf
and bare ground. These algal scums can definitely produce
anaerobic conditions if the surface is not properly managed.
There was also comment about sand layering over slower
draining, finer textured soils. To my knowledge, this condition has never been observed in the Pacific Northwest where
we probably have as long a history or longer than any other
part of the country in sand topdressing putting greens, tees, fairways, sports fields and other areas. If you place 1 to 4 inches
of sand through topdressing programs over slow draining, fine
textured soils, you will achieve greater surface stability during
most of the year, but it may not necessarily always be dry. Wet
sand is generally considered to be more stable than wet fine
textured soil since we can destroy the structure of normal soils
containing silt and clay and sands have no structure since they
are single grained. If anaerobic conditions develop at the interface between sand and heavier textured soil, it is obvious that
we need to improve our drainage situation. Since it is nearly
impossible to drain deep, fine textured soils on flat grades
through artificial drainage techniques of drain tile, it is important that we try to practice subsoiling, deep aerification or other
methods of relieving the saturation, or simply build deeper profiles of sand. I would ask you, how else can it be done on a
practical basis.
Mr. Tom Lubin wrote an article for Divot News from the
Southern California Golf Course Superintendents a few months
ago describing similar conditions that occur in southern California generally in August of each year. The symptoms on greens
are yellow, especially the Poa. After a period of time, if not
treated, the Poa will die, but the bent still has a healthy look.
The root system is shortened, and there is a black or dark brown
color to the soil, sometimes in bands. The soil samples have
the smell of a stagnant pond. The symptoms do not respond
to fungicide applications. He also indicated that in areas of poor
water quality or high salt content in the soil that salt levels were
found to be high enough to cause severe problems due to lack
of drainage. We all know that good infiltration and permeability and good subsoil drainage is most essential to the reduction
of salts to a level where plants can survive. Mr. Lubin also points
out that good aerification and water management programs can
shift the equilibrium to one of oxidation over reduction and create healthy conditions frequently as early as one week.
I hope that the foregoing discussion will help to clear up any
questions that our readership may have in mind, and I would
hope that turf managers around the country would remember
to practice good management of soil aeration, compaction reduction and good internal drainage to prevent these problems - there
is no mystery here.

MANAGING ANAEROBIC SOILS
Roy L. Goss
An article entitled 4 'The Black Plague" appeared in the
^November 1986 edition of Golf Course Management, and a
'similar article entitled "An Update on the Black Layer" appeared in the February 1987 edition of Golf Course Management. Unless I am badly mistaken and being mislead from what
I read, we all should be embarrassed to admit to the world that
we have forgotten the fundamental concepts of managing soil
and grasses. Isn't this problem of "Black Layer" or "Black
Plague" simply one of an anaerobic condition developed through
neglect of one to several management practices?
Soils in the Coastal areas of northern California, Oregon,
Washington and British Columbia commonly develop anaerobic conditions between October and April of each year unless
they are properly managed. This time frame is characterized
by heavy winter precipitation, low evaporation, low light intensity and continued use of turfgrass facilities throughout the
winter.
When soils become compacted, particularly under saturated
or near-saturated conditions, the oxygen diffusion rate into these
soils is near zero. Organic materials, which have accumulated
in the surface few inches of these soils, may break down anaerobically and many of their components are not oxidized, but
are reduced. There have been comments from some writers alluding to the fact that sulfur applications are part of the problem.
It should be common knowledge to these people that most of
the soil's sulfur is held in reserve in organic matter. Regardless of whether we apply the material as elemental sulfur or
) the plant gets it from break down of organic matter is irrelevant from the standpoint of oxidation and reduction. Under
anaerobic conditions sulfide ions are formed instead of sulfate
ions and one of the end products is hydrogen sulfide, which
is a very foul-smelling substance. Usually, the resulting color
is also black. There isn't much question that under this total
neglect of soil drainage and aeration that additional sulfur will
cause problems. However, hydrogen sulfide can be produced
without the addition of any elemental or extraneous sulfur applications. Sulfide ions can also interact with iron and other
micronutrients to form insoluble sulfides. It is also common
knowledge that most of these insoluble metal sulfides are usually
black.
The reports from areas of the country affected by 4 4 Black
Plague" indicate that the soils are somewhat compacted,
whether they be sands or heavier textured soils, wet, no roots
on the turfgrass, and eventual death of both Poa annua and bentgrass on putting greens. It is generally conceded that Poa annua dies first, followed by bentgrass. It was also alluded to by
some of these people that the condition was significantly improved following intensive aerification. I think now we are getting down to the real root of the problem.
WHAT IS LEADING UP TO THIS 44BLACK PLAGUE"
Many golf superintendents around the country have been obsessed with developing the fastest greens in town and the other
| golf superintendents have been forced to follow suit because
their neighbor's greens were faster than theirs. The usual method
of developing fast greens are to 1) cut the grass as closely and
as frequently as possible, including double and triple cutting,
2) verticutting, 3) elimination of aerification - maintain firm
7

ease development in turf. A sound turfgrass disease management program should consist of an integrated approach based
on the cultural practices which alter conditions so they are unfavorable to the pathogen, while at the same time favor the
growth of the host. Necrotic ring spot, caused by the fungus
Leptosphaeria korrae, is a disease which damages turfgrass root
systems. Thus, cultural practices which encourage deep rooting of the turfgrass during periods of root growth (spring and
fall) and preserve well developed root systems during unfavorable conditions (summer) should be an important part of any
management strategy to control this disease.
Limited research has been done on the effects various cultural practices have on the development of NRS. NRS is frequently associated with sodded turf and research in other areas
has demonstrated that the disease can be present on sod at the
time of lifting. Avoiding diseased sod is an important part of
managing NRS.
WHAT ABOUT RESISTANT VARIETIES?
Greenhouse studies have shown that there is considerable variation in the susceptibility of bluegrass and fine leaf fescue cultivars to this disease. Perennial ryegrass and tall fescues appear
to be resistant to NRS. Dr. Gayle Worf, at the University of
Wisconsin, has been evaluating the susceptibility of several
bluegrass cultivars to NRS under field conditions since 1982.
After two years, limited disease had developed on Adelphi,
Majestic, Merion, Midnight, Mystic, Park, Vantage, and
Wabash. Intermediate levels of disease had developed on Ba-

MANAGEMENT OF NECROTIC
RING SPOT
Gary Chastagner
A major part of our research on necrotic ring spot (NRS) has
focused on the development of effective fungicide controls for
this patch disease of bluegrass and fine leaf fescue turf. Although
fungicides are frequently relied on to control turf diseases, it
is important to remember that they are only one part of a total
disease management program.
Development of turf diseases requires that four criteria be
met. A pathogen, susceptible host and favorable environmental conditions must be present for a certain period of time. Disease will not develop if one or more of these criteria are not
met. Based on these criteria, there are four basic methods which
are used to control turf diseases. These are: 1) exclusion or
preventing the introduction and establishment of a pathogen,
2) modification of environmental factors through cultural practices to favor the growth of the host and not the pathogen, 3)
altering host susceptibility through the use of resistant varieties or by using mixtures and blends, and 4) by protecting the
host during periods favorable for infection with fungicides.
There are numerous cultural factors such as site selection and
preparation, variety selection, establishment method, fertilization, mowing frequency and height, water management, soil
compaction, soil pH, and thatch accumulation which affect dis-

(Continued on Page 9, Column 1)

Scotts most
successful product is
not available for sale...
only for advice and
support... your PrdTurf lëch Rep.
MARK JONES
South 109 Neyland
Apt. #1
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
(509) 255-6033

8

ERLING OLSON
2834 NE 39th
Portland, OR 97212
(503) 287-9336

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

Necrotic Ring Spot (Continued from Page 8,
Column 2)

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED
TO PYATT POTUZAK

j o n , Eclipse, H-7,1-13, Merit, Newport, and N-535. High levbls of disease had developed in Dr. Worfs plots on Birka,
Columbia, Georgetown, Glade, Haga, Nashau, Ram I, Sydsport, and especially Trampas.
After two additional years of testing, Dr. Worf feels that turf
managers should avoid highly susceptible cultivars such as
Trampas, Ram I, Glade and Sydsport. Limited disease has developed on Midnight, Wabash, Park, Eclipse, Adelphi and
Majestic, and turf managers in the Wisconsin area are being
encouraged to utilize these varieties in an attempt to try to
minimize the development of NRS.
Some of the research funds received from the Northwest Turfgrass Association during 1987 will be used to establish field
plots to determine the effectiveness of using resistant cultivars
of bluegrass and ryegrass in controlling NRS.

Pyatt Potuzak was awarded a scholarship this winter from
the Northwest Turfgrass Association Research and Scholarship
Committee. Pyatt graduated from Redmond High School in June
1977 and worked at Sahalee Country Club on the maintenance
crew for two years. Pyatt began his studies at WSU in August
1984 in the Agronomy Department, in the turfgrass option. He
will receive his B.S. degree in Agronomy in May of 1988. He
has been working as timeslip help for Bill Johnston on the turfgrass project at WSU in Pullman during the school year.

2 O F T H E (BEST)
Turf Gold® 21-3-5

FUNGICIDAL CONTROL
As indicated, fungicides are only one part of a total disease
management program. When they are used, certain information is needed. This includes accurate disease identification,
proper choice of fungicides, methods of application, timing and
frequency. Because there are several patch diseases that can be
confused with NRS, turf managers may need to send a sample
to your local Cooperative Extension agent or contact a
knowledgeable consultant for accurate diagnosis.
In four years of testing, we have only found two fungicides
'which are currently registered for use on turf that will control
NRS. These are Rubigan and Fungo 50W. Since NRS attacks
the turfs root system, it is important that these materials be
watered in to insure the best control possible.
According to the Rubigan label, Rubigan 50W should be applied at 2 oz per 1000 square feet. Applications should begin
one to two weeks prior to anticipated appearance of disease symptoms and continue at 30-day intervals for as long as conditions for disease continue. (Although the Rubigan label indicates
that applications should be repeated at 30-day intervals, our
studies have shown that a single application in the spring will
provide seasonal disease control, but frequently, this control
is not readily apparent until late in the summer and fall.) Applications should be applied to turfgrass and thoroughly irrigated
to a minimum soil depth of one inch.
In using Fungo 50W to control NRS, turf managers need to
follow the directions for Fusarium blight. These indicate that
Fungo 50W should be applied at 4-8 oz per 1000 square feet
and watered in to the root zone by irrigating thoroughly immediately after application. Label directions indicate that two
applications should be made at 10-14 day intervals beginning
when the disease first appears. In our tests, we found that a
single application of Fungo 50W in either April or May provided
effective disease control during late summer and fall.
Unfortunately, we have not had adequate disease developf
ment during the spring to assess the effectiveness of spring applications of these fungicides in controlling the late spring-early
summer phase of NRS. However, spring applications of Rubigan and Fungo have been effective in controlling the development of NRS during late summer/early fall.

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

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 Co.
Tacoma. WA
206/272-5171
Pacific Agro
Renton. WA
206/228-6565

Brian Stueve
Joel Kangiser

• H.J Stoll & Sons
Portland. Or
503/235-8946

Norm Whitworth

Lyfe Pettit

• Evergreen Turf Supply
Belleuve/Tacoma. WA
206/828-4554

Mike Rippee

(BEST)

Western Division. Box 267
Lathrop. C A 9 5 3 3 0 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

• • 7 \
# *e

e
e

J .A. Jack & Sons

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

9

SEATTLE
762-7622

DAYTIME VERSUS NIGHTTIME
IRRIGATION FOR TURFGRASSES

Ask for Emerald because it's Natural Grassi!
cpiushQreen

By Roy L. Goss

c

Lawn...in a

Every year, about the time we start our irrigation season, the
question arises — which is best? Daytime or nighttime irrigation? Before delving into the question itself, we need to know
a little bit about our soils and some of the factors affect irrigation water efficiency and effectiveness. In general, people start
irrigating in the spring before the soils and grasses actually require any additional water. I have seen sprinklers operating
when soils were essentially at field capacity moisture. This can
only produce problems of oxygen starvation to the root system,
excess leaching of plant nutrients, lowering the soil temperature at a time when we hope the soil temperatures are rising,
and causing inconveniences to users of our turfgrass areas, only
to mention a few.
Spring is the best time to initiate any changes in your irrigation practices. If you have practiced late fall fertilization of turfgrasses and withheld fertilizer applications in the spring as late
as possible, your turfgrasses should have developed their maximum depth of root system. Healthy turfgrasses with fewer
weeds and other problems can be maintained if we remove most
of the available water within the root zone (8-10 inches deep)
before recharging the soil reservoir. Light, frequent and excessive irrigation can cause shallow or surface rooting (obviously roots grow where there is more oxygen near the surface)
and turfgrasses can suffer during brief droughty periods or possibly only short periods without irrigation.
Many acres of turfgrasses are irrigated when only small areas
have become excessively dry. Usually these are localized dry
spots or annually occurring hydrophobic areas. These areas are
very common on contoured putting greens, sand-based sports
fields, and almost any turfgrass area with sloping ground. When
these areas are known, it is best, in the Pacific Northwest, to
begin wetting agent application as early as mid-April and continue with monthly applications through the irrigation season.
You will be able to save a significant amount of water and pumping costs and do your grass a favor as well.
IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY
The efficiency of the irrigation system is simply the amount
of water used by the turfgrass plants (évapotranspiration) divided
by the amount of water delivered out the nozzles. There are
a few losses encountered in delivering water to the turfgrass
surface, and these are the things that affect the efficiency.
1. Wind - Wind can cause drifting of the water particles or
cause distortion of the sprinkler pattern.
2. Evaporation - Evaporation rates are much higher during
daytime hours than at night.
3. Runoff - Precipitation rate is exceeding the infiltration rate
of the thatch and soil.
4. Irrigating sidewalks, streets and waste areas.
5. Wetting the soil profile below the root zone.
6. Uniformity will increase efficiency when the exact same
amount of water is applied to every square foot of the area. If
the uniformity of the irrigation system is low, some areas will
receive excess water while others are receiving just the right
amount.

Bare ground today
Beautiful luxuriant Irving lawn
tomorrow
town in the Puyellup Valley
for Puget Sound Homes

Emerald Turfgrass Farms
Washington's

Natural G r a s s " Company
Sumner. VWshmglon 96390
Sumner
863 1003

When we develop a
perennial ryegrass,
we mean business

PERENNIAL RYEGRASS

Quality d o t t n l lust h a p p e n
it is the p r o d u c t ot years
ol 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 researchers
to d e v e l o p Fiesta, the outs t a n d i n g turf-type p e r e n n i a l
ryegrass that meets the
d e m a n d s ot t o d a y s turf
manager
Fiesta tot permanent
turt professionals

1

The results
e Dense d a r k g r e e n turt
e Fine leaf texture
e 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
e O u t s t a n d i n g winter h a r d i n e s s c o m b i n e d with tolera n c e to s u m m e r stress

turt ot orerseedtng

- rapidly

becoming

the tint choice

ot

hckseed also produces

Ü
PICK . lEIiST

PICKSEED WEST Ine

The Pro's
Know...

NITROFORM
Agro quality really counts!
WEED KILLERS
Pacific A g r o C o m p a n y
903 Houser Way No.
HYDROPRILLS
Renton 98055
FUNGICIDES
P.O. Box 326 • 228-6565
Suppliers ot all your professional
needs!

(Continued on Page 11, Column 1)
10

NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE

There are a number of other factors that can enter into these
equations, but these are some of the practice applications.

TREE CARE - A NEW TREE BIOLOGY: Facts, Photos and
Philosophies about Trees, their Problems and Proper Care (597
pages, 633 photographs),.. .and
A NEW TREE DICTIONARY: Terms, Topics and Treatments for Trees (176 pages, 239 subjects).
These two new books written by Dr. Alex Shigo present new
information on wetwood, heart wood, discolored wood, Dutch
elm disease, fire blight, tree starvation, fertilization, pruning,
hazard trees, selections for tough trees, energy flow, timing of
treatments, wound treatments, and other subjects based on Shigo's 30 years of research and study of trees. The books, which
will be available by Fall 1986, are being offered at a prepublication discount: A NEW TREE BIOLOGY - $39; A NEW
TREE DICTIONARY - $10.50 (plus $2 for postage and handling). These books can be ordered from: Shigo and Trees, Associates, 4 Denbow Road, Durham, NH 03824.

IGHTTIME EFFICIENCY IS BEST
It has been amply shown by irrigation engineers and practitioners in the field that nighttime irrigation of turfgrasses is best
for several reasons.
1. More water with higher pressure is available at night from
municipal or public water systems.
2. Wind speed is often near zero as compared to higher wind
velocities during daytime.
3. Temperatures may be as much as 30F to 40F lower at night
than in day, resulting in much less evaporation loss.
4. Relative humidity can be as much as 40-50% higher at night
than in daytime, resulting in less evaporation loss.
As a general rule, turfgrasses in the Pacific Northwest show
few, if any, adverse effects from nighttime watering. Powdery
mildew can become more severe with wet foliage, but this
problem is observed only occasionally in the Northwest and
should not be considered an important factor. It is a different
matter with many of our flowers and ornamentals - most horticulturists advise daytime watering to allow the foliage to become dry before nightfall to help inhibit many diseases.
A major disadvantage of nighttime watering is not knowing
whether or not all valves and irrigation heads function properly during their cycles. Problems of this nature do not, as a rule,
surface until turfgrass areas start showing water stress. For this
reason, automatic systems should be checked frequently during daylight hours to visually observe their operation or to employ flow meters to monitor the amount of water used with each
irrigation.
In conclusion, when we consider all factors, nighttime irrigation for turfgrasses is decidedly best.

TURFGRASS FIELD DAYS
Golf Courses
Tuesday, June 23
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Farm 5, Puyallup

General Turfgrass Field Day
Wednesday, June 24
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Farm 5, Puyallup

Ask us about the all new

Si

LILLY/MILLER
PROFESSIONAL TURF &
GROUNDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

OFFICERS OF THE
NORTHWEST TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION
Bo Hepler
President
Jim Chapman
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.

The Chas. H. LILLY Co.

Seattle

Spokane

Spokane

(206) 762-0818

(503) 256-4600

(509) 922-3333

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

SALEM
(503) 581-7823

11

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

A

trimec

unoice

LIQUID

SUPER TRIMEC®
GRANULAR

TRI-STAR G™
WE'VE
GOT IT!
12

bÙJES FERTILIZERS
Tacoma (206) 272-5171
Seattle (206) 622-3228 Ext. 140