A PATCH GREEN Official Publication of the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association MICHIGAN & BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION P R E S ID E N T CLEM WOLFROM DETROIT GOLF CLUB 530 Kendry Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48018 Off. 345-4589, Res. 334-0140 V IC E P R E S ID E N T JAMES TIMMERMAN, CGCS ORCHARD LAKE COUNTRY CLUB 7183 Buckthorn Orchard Lake, Michigan 48033 Off. 682-2150, Res. 682-7234 S E C R E T A R Y -T R E A S U R E R BRUCE WOLFROM, CGCS BARTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB 639 Barber Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 Off. 662-8359, Res. 663-9213 B O A R D O F D IR E C T O R S JAY DELCAMP GOWANIE GOLF CLUB 19957 Great Oaks Circle South Mt. Clemens, Michigan 48043 Off. 468-1432, Res. 791-8481 WATERS EDGE COUNTRY CLUB ED HE INMAN 10531 Bellevue Grosse lie, Michigan 48138 Off. 675-0927, Res. 676-3095 LAKELANDS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB CHARLES GAIGE 7390 Rickett Brighton, Michigan Off. 231-3003, Res. 227-4617 WALTER TROMBLEY, CGCS ARROWHEAD GOLF CLUB 3130 Orion Road Lake Orion, Michigan 48035 Off. 373-5240, Res. 693-2924 MICHAEL EDGERTON MEADOWBROOK COUNTRY CLUB 3066 Sesame Howell, Michigan 48843 Off. 349-3608, Res. 517-546-5927 FRITZ MC MULLEN, CGCS FOREST LAKE COUNTRY CLUB 3912 Fieldview Orchard Lake, Michigan 48033 Off. 335-1410, Res. 363-8030 P R E S ID E N T E M E R IT U S GEORGE W. PRIESKORN BURROUGHS FARM GOLF CLUB 5341 Brighton Road Brighton, Michigan 48116 Off. 227-1381, Res. 229-9437 "A PATCH OF GREEN” P u b lish e d monthly by the MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION Circulation: 1,250 Ted Woehrle, CGCS, Oakland Hills C.C. James Timmerman, Orchard Lakes C.C. CO-EDITORS P rin ted A t BLAKEMAN PRINTING COMPANY 31823 Utica Road Fraser, Michigan 48026 Phone: (313) 293-3540 MONTHLY ADVERTISING RATES Double Page Spread.................................$150.00 Back Outside Page.......................................75.00 Ful I Page...................................................... 65.00 Half Page.................................................... 40.00 Quarter Page................................................ 30.00 Eighth Page................................................ 15.00 Sixteenth Page.............................................. 10.00 Classified Ad (per column inch).............. 7.50 DISCOUNT RATE: One Year 10% Note: Advertising fees may not be deducted from the above rates. rfctventiwi** Century Supply Company Crown Lubricant & Specialties Ltd. FDS Fertilizers, Inc. Golf Car Distributors Lakeshore Equipment Corporation Lawn Equipment Corporation Lebanon/Agrico W.F. Miller Garden & Equipment Oxford Peat Company O.M. Scott & Son, Inc. Wm. F. Sell & Son, Inc. Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Terminal Sales Corporation Tire Wholesalers, Inc. Trees Inc. Turfgrass, Inc, Turf Supplies, Inc. USS Agri-Chemicals Wilkie Turf Equipment Company 2 AS THE SEASONS CHANGE, SO DOES THE GREBISWER AERATOR. The condition of the soil on any golf course or fine turf area changes throughout the year. And for proper turf management, you need to change the way you aerate. Now you can, with the Cushman Greensaver aerator. Three inter­ changeable drdms let you pick the type of tines that are right for the soil and the season, while you aerate up to ten times faster than walk-behind aerators. The Greensaver attaches easily to any Cushman Turf-Truckster chassis equipped with the hydraulic system and dump set. You travel between areas quickly, raising and lowering the Greensaver without leaving the driver’s seat. The standard V2" coring drum provides maximum soil removal for normal aeration. In the fall, during slow-growth periods, you can use the %" coring drum to remove less soil. GREENSAVER SPECIFICATIONS SLICING TINE DRUM % TINE DRUM Pattern Width: 22%'' Core Size: %" x Vs” Pattern: 3*/i" x 4" Pattern Width: 22%" Drum: Heavy 12-gauge steel drum. Pattern: 3V4" x 4" Drum: Heavy 12-gauge steel drum. Tines: 112 tines per unit. Special heat treated formed steel. 2Vi" deep 2%'' base. Frame: Heavy steel welded construc­ tion. Method of attachment: 3 pull pins. Trap door for core removal. Tines: 112 tines per unit. Special heat treated formed steel. Frame: Heavy steel welded con­ struction. Method of attachment: 3 pull pins. And for the hot stress periods of summer, you can use the slicing drum. With the coring drums you can collect the cores as you aerate, or leave them on the turf. Either way you get an accurate 3Vi" x 4 " pattern of holes up to 2 V2" deep. CUSHMAIM TURF-CARE EQUIPMENT V2" TINE DRUM Core Size: V2" x %" Pattern Width: 22% " Pattern: 3lA" x 4" Drum: Heavy 12-gauge steel drum. Trap door for core removal. Tines: 112 tines per unit. Special heat treated formed steel. Frame: Heavy steel welded con­ struction. Method of attachment: 3 pull pins. CALL NOW For a demonstration and price quotation. (313) 338-0425 GOLF CAR 1980 W. Wide Pontiac Phone: DISTRIBUTORS Track Drive (U.S. 10) , Michigan 48058 (313) 338-0425 s 3 S o lv e p o n d & la k e a lg a e p r o b le m s . . . with a touch o f class. Otterbine@ floating aerator fountains combine the solution of water algae (and odor) control - with the added elegance of a fountain. Chemicals and plumbing are not needed ... all you add is electricity. The season for algae build-up is coming. Be ready with the algae problem solver - Otterbine. 31691 Dequindre Madison Hgts., Ml 48071 313/ 5 8 8 -2 9 9 0 Ideal playing conditions make “MONSTER” just another course The 61st PGA Championship is now history. One hundred and fifty golfers teed it up on Thursday, August 2, 1979 and began scoring unheard of low scores on the fabled “ Monster” of Oakland Hills. Many reasons for these unheard of low scores were given by unqualified writer spectators that never left the Press Tent. Among reasons slow greens, short roughs, soft greens and wide fairways. given were: finally increased The real reason could be summed up as “ ideal” playing conditions. The greens never did firm up as ex­ pected because of daily rains. The speed to slightly over 10’ 3” on Saturday only to slow up again to below 10 feet on Sunday despite triple mowing on a daily basis. Except for a short time on Saturday afternoon, during a brief rain storm, and again on Sunday morning the tournament was played under windless conditions. The greens were holding all shots and the ball was rolling smooth and true. I have never seen more long putts dive into the cup as on Saturday and Sunday. There was some out­ standing golf played. factors Two other reasons remain as domi­ nant in my o p i n i o n . The athlete of today in the game of golf is much stronger than those of just a few years ago. Many of the contestants the ball beyond the were driving bunkers which from 230-275 yards lie on the fairway to hit their second shot to the green. finding a perfect range Another reason for the lower scores and perhaps one that was overlooked by the press was the relatively easy pin locations the first three days. The 5 Sunday locations were all true tourna­ ment positions and David Graham and Ben Crenshaw must be congratulated for playing some outstanding golf. The Championship was a huge success. The gallery was pleased. The telecast was outstanding and we on the grounds staff at Oakland Hills were proud of our efforts. Breaking pax was inevitable. After all, the four minute mile was eventually broken too. A revamping of the fairway bunkers and the lengthening of a few holes should be considered before another tournament is hosted at Oak­ land Hills if the “ Monster” reputation is to be maintained. Superintendent, Ted Woehrle Benefit Golf Outing date set The annual Turfgrass Benefit Golf Outing, October 1, 1979. The Bay Pointe Golf Club will once again be the site of the evening festivities and awards after the participants return from their respective golf matches at cooperating Country Clubs in the Metro Detroit area. Members are reminded to sell their ticket allotment as soon as possible. The proceeds go to turfgrass research at MSU. We’re sorry for being late These last two issues of “ A Patch of Green” are extremely late because of my busy schedule this summer. Hopefully, the next few months will not be as hectic. Editor, Ted Woehrle What happened to the fairway roots? By Ted Woehrle looked weak Shortly before the PGA Champion­ ship our fairways at Oakland Hills C.C. and discolored despite our precautions to eliminate Anthracnose and the Ataenius Beetle. The seemed under stress. Cart tracks were obvious most after­ noons despite our stepped up vigilance and syringing. fairways fairway I became quite concerned and called the MSU Turf specialists. After a thorough investigation, it was decided that most of our common pests were not present so what could be wrong? A closer examination indicated that turf had absolutely no our roots penetrating the soil. There were plenty of roots in the thatch however. What caused us to lose our roots which normally have always been deep? Compaction certainly should be considered. The soil is very tight. The thatch is also thicker than in the past. Our earthworm population is also reduced. The golf carts are a to compaction. The prime suspect for compaction. Some of the thatch increase can also be attri­ buted lack of earthworms could be caused by chemi­ cals used the Ataenius B e e t l e or p e r h a p s some of the Fungicides used to control Anthrac­ nose. to control After deciding that aerification was out of the question because of the closeness tournament, we decided to try to live with our problem until later. the of Early in the week of the Tournament several neighboring Superintendents visited the course and they too indi­ cated that they were having problems with their roots in the fairways. July 23, 1979, So what happened to our Roots? On I received a letter from Dr. B ill Daniels of Purdue, in heaven was as looking out for me. I would like to share this letter and article with you. though someone Mr. Ted Woehrle, Editor, A Patch of Green Oakland Hills Country Club P.O. Box 111 Birmingham, Michigan 48012 Dear Ted: 7/18/79 This spring and summer Vve given a talk about roots at local Golf Course Superintendents9 meetings. The audience reaction encouraged me to work up an article. Pm sending a copy to twelve local editors hoping those who wish can use it in their publications. Perhaps the essen ce of the idea is a need of respect for roots■ Cordially, W. H. Daniel, Turf Specialist 6 Some ideas about roots Dr. W.H. Daniel, July, Purdue University 1979 Introduction 1. What is a root? 2. Where are the roots? 3. Roots are plant membranes 4. What is water-air balance for roots? 5. Roots are strong 6. How would you insult roots? 7. What could you do to favor roots? Conclusion Roots - Turfwise individuals, have Our historical roots, as a family and recently re­ ceived special attention. However, the roots of concern in turf are those little white stringy things that supposedly are below the grass you see on the surface. First, what is a root? Roots are initiated at the nodes occurring along stems. These may be concentrated in a crown or spread along a stolon. Portions of mature roots are mainly , conductive tissue plus providing some storage of n u t r i e n t s , especially ) starches. to living root the crown, The working part of any root is the soft adsorptive root tip and the root hairs near it. This is where the payload of water and elements are adsorbed for transfer stems, and leaves known as the turf cover. And, is the plant which had lost its > woe is that tips! So, a root plant tissue joined to the node and extending to and including a root cap. Although some branching is normal, when tips die, the older root parts seldom initiate new root tips. Physiologically, the plant’s response is to initiate a new root at the node and just start again (provided extra energy is available and time is In other words, the energy path is to start a new root, which has ) allowed). ipdividual root least transfer distance for nutrients. So, keeping root tips alive and active is the first challenge of turf managers. just set to show. We Bud Esterline at Muncie one time said, “ B ill, on Monday I cut the cups and could see roots about five inches deep. It was dry, so Monday evening we made a big effort to water the greens real good. Tuesday morning early it rained and it was so cloudy and wet that we couldn’t mow Tuesday. Al­ though still raining, we finally mowed a little Wednesday afternoon, and the in there. Brown patch rain began finally got our greens mowed on Friday, and on Saturday the weather cleared up and all I had for roots were a few black strings! I lost my complete root system between Monday night and Saturday morning.” Now what? Bud knew he had to lightly water those greens, to watch for wet wilt, to keep the leaves moist enough so they wouldn’t wilt until new roots would generate. If he could get by for about seven days he’d have new roots growing, and later some good roots working again, and back to nor­ mal. Five days of wet weather cost Bud his root system, and then it took him ten days to get partial replace­ ment. Where are the roots? Would you believe 90 percent of root length is in the upper two inches or 5 cm. In West Germany my friend, Dr. Boecker, reported extensive testing. inches 0-2 4 6 Roots cm 0-5 -10 -15 below % 90 Boeker found 81 to 91% for fescue 5 3 2 Root distribution in June and December 86 to 94% for bluegrass 85 to 93% for bentgrass were near equal. Don’t fret over this distribution; just realize that it is the active root tips doing the work. Continued 7 Some ideas about roots cont. Ideally, a diffuse extensive root system is desired, but for every use, management, rootzone and irrigation, what is normal, adequate, and neces­ sary will vary. As turf managers, you want all the roots possible or practi­ cal. long under Bermuda Roots have been found over 100 inches in Cali­ fornia tests. However, roots of three feet for fescue and zoysia, 2 feet for bluegrass and bentgrass would be considered quite long. When trenches are made across roughs or tall grass areas the long root extension in the soil profile is usually impressive. Roots are plant membranes. “ Here, you root; do this! Absorb (take in) 5000 pounds of water plus one pound of elements the plant must have. By the way, keep out the excessive and avoid the unneeded. Meanwhile, let’ s hope nematodes make no holes, and rhizoctonia doesn’t infect. And, while expanding, we’ll you’re try leaves healthy, the mower sharp, the wear distributed, the drouth averted, and we’ll try to avoid scalping or other turf stress.” After all, the top must send energy clear down to the root tip. When energy is the number of root hairs di­ short minishes, the diameter reduces, and the root initiation slows. to keep the constantly are Roots adsorbers. Before the plant wilts roots will take water from soils down to 13.6 atmos­ powerful pheres, a pF of 4.5 or tension equiva­ lent to 14 meters of water. The wise turf manager has every reason to utilize the reservoir of moisture within] a In other words, it is foolish to ignore the rootzone moisture storage potential when managing fine turf. rootzone between irrigations. What is water-air balance for roots? i Incidentally, that root tip must have, some oxygen as it works. Waterlogged soils are hard on roots. Being water­ logged for more than 24 hours under stress weather is a cause for concern. Most turf managers have seen roots growing over the surface of the ground in an attempt to be where there is air. Roots may be deep or shallow just in supply. We’ve seen roots grow in water when air is added, but remember, oxygen travels through water 1000 times faster than through wet compacted soils. response to air fields, athletic Roots are strong! When roots are their combined strength is | numerous in tees and traffic areas. New roots in new soils always look good. A measure of success is to have sufficient roots to hold the soil mass for their entire depth of penetra­ tion when held by the surface sod. Research on rooting of sods has been conducted to determine resistance to an upward pull after one month of growth. How would you insult roots? 1. Reduce the air at root tips Continued on page 16 | ( S cotrs) P r o T u r f Helping the superintendent through turf research... ■ Controlled Release Fertilizers ■ Fertilizer/Pesticide Combinations ■ Funeicides-Herbicides—Insecticides ■ Soil Testing-Weed & Disease Identification s c o t t s • l e l y • g a n d y s p r e a d e r s Finest quality turfgrass seed-Fairways • Greens • Tees • Roughs Scotts Windsor and Victa blends Jim Brocklehurst Technical Representative 1964 Catalpa Berkley, Michigan 48072 Telephone: 313-547-9632 8 • Large or small trees planted or transplanted - up to 10" Dia. trunks. • A variety of trees available - both conifer and deciduous. • Utilizing proven methods and the most modern equipment avail­ able. • Tree management and counseling services. • Experienced in golf course techniques and requirements. • We invite our fellow members of the Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superintendent Association to call upon us anytime to talk about trees. - □REE RELOCATION □ j J > E xcavation S pecialists 627-9I55 • GRAND LEDGE TREES INC. 4874 SAGINAW HWY. GRAND LEDGE, Ml 48837 Phone: 517-627-9155 9 Concluded from last month Don’t give your grass a “ Nervous Breakdown” Stress management of turfgrass by John R. Hall, III, Extension Specialist, Turf Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is growing on In Virginia we start our soluble nitrogen fertilization program on golf greens in September at about 1 lb. N per 1000 sq. ft. We come back in October, November and December with 1 to IV2 lb N per 1000 sq. ft. If the turf into January we will even come back again in January with 1 to IV2 lbs of soluble nitrogen. In May and June the equivalent of V2 to 1 lb of soluble nitrogen per 1000 is applied sq. ft. if needed. Slow release fertilizers are also utilized in our programs. Timing and amounts of nitrogen do vary with the slow release materials. of late advantages We have observed in our area the fall following increased density, f e r t i l i z a t i o n ; increased growth, decreased root spring mowing, improved fall to spring color, decreased weed problems in terms of warm summer grasses like crab grass and goose grass, increased drought t o l e r a n c e and decreased summer disease activity. We have very poor summer c o n d i t i o n s for cool season grasses In the Rocky Mountain West you do not have the that we serious summer stress in Virginia. have, and might not see as great a benefit as we do from late fall ferti­ lization. fall after greens before Obviously we can create stress in total management program with our turf c u l t i v a t i o n . With aeration, stresses are created by the frequency and timing of aeration as well as the core size that you select. Timing is important since you should not get on bentgrass they are growing in the spring. Then again you do not want to get on them too late in the the bentgrass quits growing. If you go in too early in the spring or too late in the fall you are exposing that green to Poa annua L. invasion. If you go in too late in the spring or too early in the fall you expose it to crabgrass invasion. the same principle as cultivation - the amount, the timing can all increase or decrease stress in your total management program. When top­ dressing is applied too late and bent­ is not growing because of grass cooler temperatures, the cultivation simply prepares a seedbed for annual Continued on page 16 frequency and Topdressing follows % ROWN LUBRICANT & SPECIALTIES LTD. Lubricants ••• Designed to make the Superintendent s job easier. WE ARE GEARED TO SERVE YOU B ETTER CHAS. W. KING 313/525-3902 BOX 2065 LIVONIA, MICH. 48151 CHAS. W. KING, JR. 313/398-5964 TORO. worth more TURF PRO 84" The hydraulic Turf Pro 84“ needs less maintenance — that, alone, makes it worth more. Toro presents the first all-hydraulic tri-plex, for the same good reasons you find hydraulic power in heavy construction equipment - low maintenance, less shop time, high reliability and outstanding performance. All of which adds up to a tri-plex worth more to you than any other make you can buy! WILKIE TURF Equipment Company P.O. BOX 749 • PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48056 1050 OPDYKE ROAD • PHONE (313) 373-8800 11 Vertagreen A p ro d u ct fo r all re a so n s • Uniform particles flow smoothly and spread evenly. • Half the nitrogen in Tee Green is Urea-Formaldehyde. • A minimum of one-fourth the nitrogen in fairway grades is UF. • Uniform balance of secondary and m icro-nutrients. • All potash derived from sulfate of potash. P.0. Box 1685 Atlanta, Georgia 30301 > ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING THE MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? FILL IN THE QUESTIONAIRE BELOW AND MAIL TO: BRUCE WOLFROM BARTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB 639 Barber Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 Office 662-8359, Residence 663-9213 D A T E ____ ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________ C IT Y ___________________________ S T A T E ______________ Z IP ___________ O R Y O U M A Y C O N T A C T T H E N E X T G O L F C O U R S E S U P P L I E R W H O C A L L O N Y O U A N D G I V E H I M T H E I N F O R M A T I O N N E E D E D F O R A P P L I C A T I O N . 12 Credit - GCSA of New England The ethics syndrome From a presentation by Robert Mitchell of Viotations ethics among golf course superintendents are on the increase. Why? accepted “ It’ s baffling to me,” offered Bob Mitchell. “ I look around at my pro­ fession and I see a lot of fine, dedi­ cated, decent people. Yet, reports of unethical behavior are beginning to flood the country. I could pinpoint the reason. I wish Mitchell, a former president of the Golf Course Superintendents Associa­ tion of America, p r e s e n t e d some information on the state of in-depth ethics during the U n i v e r s i t y of , Massachusetts Turf Conference. And from the very beginning of his treat- too many variables entered the problem and its solution. , ment, he a d m i t t e d that s u p p o s e , of principles to be considered. “ This is a controversial subject,” he sighed. “ And when you attempt to come to a conclusion, there is a myriad I it all boils down to the y affected parties. One sees it one way, the other sees it differently.” presently the the Greenbriar Mitchell, superin­ tendent at in White Sulphur Springs, West Va., told of a number of test cases in which the is For example, it a violation of the code of ethics if a superintendent takes his expertise to another course under the urging of that club’s mem­ bers and the knowledge of their own super? In one section of the country, the double-dipper - if you will - was suspended from the local chapter. GCSAA’ s code of ethics was chal­ lenged. The results of those confronta­ tions reflect no cut and dried deci­ sions. In most, no severe penalties were handed alleged violators. It’s as Mitchell suggests. . .no one can prove that the verdicts are indisputable. time doing “ If someone asked me to prove that such a practice was wrong, I’d have a tough it,” Mitchell re­ marked. “ Naturally, I am in agreement with the feeling that one job has been eliminated by a super taking over an additional course. But, in the long run, does it really hurt the profession? And, more important, how can we control the hiring methods and philo­ sophies of the employer? Frankly, it’s none of our business even though it raised the q u e s t i o n of an ethics violation.” Mitchell is the second of a third- Continued on next page 13 SOUTH LYON, MICHIGAN 48178 Phone: Area 313 437-1427 GENE JOHANNINGSMEIER P R O X O L 8 0 S P INSECTICIDE A N O T H E R T U R F P R O D U C T F R O M TUCO T H E M A K E R S OF A C T I - D I O N E ® F U N G I C I D E S > ) > The ethics syndrome cont. generation golf course superintendent family. His father has had a success­ ful and rewarding career, he is in the midst and perhaps surpassing that and his son shows signs of eclipsing dad and grand­ father. of duplicating What has this to do with the ethics’ situation? “ Well, it just might be that atti­ tudes change from generation to genera­ tion,” Mitchell proposed. “ I look back at my father and see a different out­ look than I have now. He’ s from the old school which treats the profession as a religion. I inherited some of that outlook but leaned heavily on educa­ tion. But my son a p p r o a c h e s the profession as part of a business. Don’t get me wrong. He’s good, darned good, but he can be good without offering as much input into the job as my father and I have.” It is this evolvement of attitudes that perhaps answered the question of why ethical violations are more prevalent today than they were in the past. I’m only g u e s s i n g at this,” Mitchell cautioned. “ But, I suspect that younger supers don’t have the same their predecessors. Call it lack of compassion or what­ ever. And, then again, maybe I’m all wrong.” traits as the of determining Mitchell’s perplexity in determining the reasons for the unethical upswing is matched by the lack of a definitive method social malady. “ It all goes back to the cases I mentioned,” he said. “ You can to both sides of an ethical- listen associated accusation and have a difficult time deciding whether it is a violation true spirit of the code.” the in it’s Nonetheless, a documented fact that the GCSAA has seen fit to rewrite its code of ethics in the face Continued on next page 14 The ethics syndrome cont. incidence of alleged of a continuing violations. And this justifiable reason in itself for all members of the profession to show some concern. is “ I believe have an obligation their profession and that GCSAA members to themselves, their national k organization to become acquainted I with our code of ethics,” Mitchell summed up his personal view. “ If a super the GCSAA, he should accept the respon­ sibility of adhering to its bylaws and its code of ethics. If all the rules are followed, there will be no need for a discussion of ethics.” accepts membership in Despite the human flaw in recog- f nizing violations of the code, the problem does exist. It is high time that these violations be accepted as such and every attempt made to pre­ vent their recurrence. Gerry Finn > - MBCGCSA ROSTER - Changes and Additions READ, JOHN 3534 Rockwell Windsor, Ontario Canada N9E 2A9 969-0323 Dominion Golf and Country Club I- 969-4350 D Help us keep our Membership Roster and mailing list up to date. 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J-M Buckner is first in the industry to offer you solid-state microelectronics in an irrigation controller. Our KCS line of controllers are as easy to operate as pocket calculators. KCS offers unmatched flexibility with 12 or 24 individual circuits and four 14-day schedules ... all with timing accuracy down to a fraction of a second. The KCS totals daily watering time, allows skipping up to nine days, has both automatic and manual syringe cycles for services such as dew removal and many more unique features. Operation is simple, fast and accurate. is the time to consider converting NOW e x is tin g quick coupling valves or manual systems to automatic - - with J-M/Buckner, so lid s ta te KCS automatic equipment and new automatic valves and s p rin k le r heads. You may do Jim Vince on design and i t y o u rs e lf — or check with in s t a lla t io n . 4. Smear, seal the surface 5. Raise the temperature 6. Overcrowd the plants 7. Lose energy leaves 8. Reduce leaf surface 9. Shade by plants to diseases; lose trees, buildings, other Some ideas about roots cont. 2. Increase the water to excess 3. Compact and carts the so il; use equipment 10. Overfertilize and stress plants. What would you do to favor roots? 1. Increase oxygen in rootzone 2. Avoid any overwatering or continued wetness 3. Vertically core, spike, slit open rootzone surface 4. Topdress to raise cutting height 5. Topdress to minimize compaction and effect of thatch 6. Increase leaf surface 7. Avoid or spread wear 8. Avoid disease or turf weakening 9. Lower temperature the - cooling surface when possible 10. Reduce shade or competition 11. Fertilize - low to medium nitrogen 12. Provide ample potassium and minor elements Turf managers and their crews can’t make a root! You can help; let the plants make them. You can kill the root or slow it down. What can we do to stimulate roots? 1. Avoid compaction. Keep carts in rough. 2. Aerify when weather permits. 3. Fertilize lightly. 4. Syringe when needed to cool turf. 5. Raise mowers - a must if indicated. 6. Avoid diseases and insects. Write or call direct o E N G I N E E R E D RAIN i c o t Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Co. A division of A.J. Miller Inc. 1316 No. Campbell Rd. Royal Oak, Mi. 48067 Phone (313)398-2233 Chicago Sales Office/Warehouse 1738 Armitage Court, Addison, III. 60101 (313) 629-7730 Stress management cont. bluegrass. So amount, frequency and timing of topdressing are very im­ portant in determining or contributing to the management total program. stress in Improper timing of dethatching on a 16 Tire Wholesalers Company, Inc. Phone: (313) 354-5644 TRUCK-CAR TRAILER MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRIAL j|U| J mmUNIROYAL A dflffloniiriiin WHOLESALE PRICES TO COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS TIRES LAKESHORE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY CO. HOME OF LESCQ PRODUCTS SULFUR COATED FERTILIZERS Distributor & Formulator GRASS SEED, FERTILIZERS INSECTICIDES FUNGICIDES, HERBICIDES Call Us Today TOLL FREE 1-800-321-5951 300 S. Abbe Rd. Elyria, Ohio 44035 (216) 323-7544 Price Quotation On Request green can be suicidal, and can lead to invasion of smooth crabgrass or the goosegrass. Even if a pre-emergent herbicide has been applied, annual grass problems can be serious with poorly timed dethatching. In our area we cannot dethatch too in the spring because it turns out to be a seedbed crabgrass establishment, nor can we dethatch too late in the fall for that is seedbed preparation for Poa annua L. invasion. So our dethatching must be timed in such a way that we have time for the turf to heal before it goes into summer slowdown or winter dormancy. preparation late for I am sure and they be Be aware that the pesticides that you are using are not coming to you free of stress cost. The man that said there is no free lunch knew what he talking about. This applies to was herbicides other pesticides, fungicides, or in- whether j secticides. that you are aware of the stresses that herbicides create on grass plants. I think that in the next 5 years we will come to realize that just about all pesticides cause stress of one form or another. v Some of them do appear to be less damaging than others, but any pesti­ cide that we are using is coming to us at a stress cost to the desirable plant. In work we did at the University of Maryland using repeated applica­ tions of preemergence herbicides for 7 ) years, we were able to increase some long term, detrimental of the subtle effects on the Kentucky bluegrass turf (1). In root count data taken 360 days after the 7th yearly spring appli­ cation of herbicides, Bandane caused an 83% reduction in roots to a 3” depth; with tricalcium arsenate there was a 52% reduction in the root sys­ tems. Balan had a 29% reduction, Betasan 26%, Dacthal 12% and Sidu- ron actually had an increase of 5%. Be aware that when you develop your management program, you are not using any of these pesticides free of cost in terms of creating total stress 17 TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6900 Pardee Rd.,Taylor, Michigan (3 1 3 )2 9 1 -1 2 0 0 DON’T EVEN THINK OF B U Y IN G ............... G RASS SEED FERTILIZERS FUNGICIDES WITHOUT CALLING 291-1200 TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6900 Pardee Rd.,Tay lor, Michigan (3 1 3 )2 9 1 -1 2 0 0 If you have changed your address, please let us know so we can keep our addressing plates up to date. Present Address: A D D R E S S C I T Y S T A T E Fill In New Address: N A M E A D D R E S S S T A T E Z I P Mail this form to: A PATCH OF GREEN 31823 Utica Road Fraser, Michigan 48026 18 on the desirable plant. if you d e c r e a s e Insect invasion and stress may go hand in hand. Insects and diseases are creating pressure on the grass plant. Be aware, as you set down to develop your management program, that you cannot alter any one of these factors without having an effect on the total stress on the grasses. Be sure to note that the mowing height, you in fact increase the need for increase irrigation without money. By de­ creasing the mowing height you are going to change the need for cultiva­ tion practices such as aeration and topdressing and dethatching and once we lower that mowing height we will see the need for the use of a herbicide for control of crabgrass, goosegrass, Poa annua, etc. irrigation. You cannot Remember that when we go to that lower mowing height we have a grass plant that needs a babysitter in terms of nutrition. If you increase fertilizer use then, that will increase the need for it is going to in­ crease mowing frequency, and none of these come without a monetary cost to you and a stress cost to the plant. irrigation and then you need After you set up your management program with these principles in mind and this philosophy as your founda­ tion, to continually check for signs of plant stress. You have to know when the grass begins to go over the line in total stresses. Our management systems may, and often do, create “ nervous breakdowns” in our turf. We must continually attempt to total stress on the repairs, grass plant. Temperature, fertilizers, equipment, light, water, labor and money must all enter into the stress calculation and you as a turf manager must understand, and be able to diligently manipulate all of these factors. 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