FALL 1980-V0L. ONE Property of JAMES B. BEARD Soil, Crop Sciences Dep, Texas A J o TREES SHRUB SfIKES The easy method for professional tree care. 51st ANNUAL MICHIGAN TURFGRASSCONFERENCE January 13 and 14 AT THE KELLOGG CENTER MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN ‘For Land's Sake-'Use Peat” OXFOJ® TEAT CO. 1430 E. Drahner Rd. Oxford, Michigan 48051 commmv PROCESSED PEAT Bulk or Bag Custom Blending FRED LATTA 313/ 628-5991 LAKESH O R E E Q U IP M E N T & S U P P L Y CO. HOME OF LESCQ PRODUCTS And S U L FU R C O A TE D FERTILIZERS Distributor ft Formulator G R A S S SEED, FERTILIZERS Call Us Today TOLL.FREE 1-800-321-5325 Price Quotation On Request INSE C TIC IDE S FU N G IC ID ES , HER B IC ID ES 300 S. Abbe Rd. Elyria, Ohio 44035 (216) 323-7544 Tire Wholesalers 19240 West Eight Mila ___________________(fr Min »«il «f Swithf l.ld RoM ) Company, Inc. Itili J Southfield. Mich. 48075 Phone: (313) 354 5644 TRUCK CAR MOTORCYCLE TRAILER INDUSTRIAL TIRES A W HOLESALE PRICES TO COM M ERCIAL ACCOUNTS Mixing Basics, Cont. tant of all, it allows the applicator to spray three, four or more chemicals at the same time. The advantages are unbelievable if he explores the pos­ sibilities. Broad spectrum control, where mon­ ey is no object, is a must. The applica­ tor should not reply on a single exam­ ple of the pathologists at the various agricultural colleges. Note how they are mixing two and three different fungicides in their experimental plots in an attempt to achieve better control. The trend that I have tried to pion­ eer over the lat 20 years is precisely in this direction and many competitive manufacturers have joined in. More recently, with the advent of systemic fungicides the broad spectrum mixture has assumed brighter and newer hori­ zons because of the longer residual control attainable with the addition of a systemic along with one or two con­ tact fungicides in the spray tank. RULE #1: Never tank mix emulsifi- able insecticide concentrates. RULE #2: All insolublés can be tank mixed without incurring phytotoxicity provided the products are sprayed at recommended rates. RULE #3: Only one soluble chemical can be tank mixed with any number of insolubles. If two soluble chemicals are tank mixed with or without insolubles, the rate of each soluble should be cut in half to avoid phytotoxicity. RULE #4: Soluble fertilizers and trace elements can be added individ­ ually or mixed, provided the amount will not exceed one ounce solid per gallon tank spray mix. Prior to the systemics, it was an accepted fact that contact fungicides did their iob on the grass blade and in the thatch and were dissipated within two or three days. A good contact fungicide will kill germinating spores at a few parts per million. It is usually sprayed on the grass blade at about 5,000 parts per million. With the pre­ sent-day irrigation and mowing prac­ tices, it doesn’t take more than two to Mixing Basics, Cont. three days to get down to a dilution below the effective five parts per million. In hot, humid weather accompanied by sporadic showers, an applicator had to spray twice a week, otherwise his grass would go unprotected the latter part of the week. This is not the case since the advent of systemics. They hydrolyze in the soil to knock down the fungus population, not only in the soil but also within the grass blade by diffusion through the root system, thereby giving extended protection. There are soluble fungicides as well. When applying soluble chemicals in­ cluding fungicides, keep in mind Rule Number 3. Only one soluble chemical can be tank mixed with any number of insolubles. If two soluble chemicals are tank mixed with or without insolubles, the rate of each soluble should be cut in half to avoid phytotoxicity. Although they are not numerous, the superin­ tendent is familiar with and has had experience in applying the soluble fun­ gicides such as PMAS, Caddy, Cad- minate and Actidione. The latter two are soluble in the spray tank. Coinci­ dentally, three large manufacturers have mixtures of solubles with insol­ ubles presently being marketed. There is no question that the soluble fungicides have the clout necessary to stop an advanced fungus infection. One can only hypothesize why this is so, and the question resolves itself with the explanation to the difference be­ tween fungicidal and fungistatic activ­ ity. Fungicides kill whereas fungistats inhibit. But this explanation is too simple. When a spore germinates and sends out a tiny, tender shoot, it is easily killed. Since this is only visible microscopically, the net result deter­ mined by sight is that the chemical has prevented spore germination-fungista­ tic effect. If the spore germinates and the shoot gets a foothold within the grass blade, it takes a more powerful chemical to kill it - fungicidal effect. Some insoluble fungicides possess this advanced stage killing ability to vary­ ing degrees; but all of the solubles are immediately fungicidal. The author has maintained for sev- Continued on Next Page \ ■ For B-Series Kubota diesel tractors. ■ 3-point lift arm spacing of 20 inches. ■ Tandem gangs adjusta­ ble to 5, 10,15 degrees. *,ow« $ 2 8 5 a r o u u n i o r M ID -H A N O I W IS H TRACTORS AND IM H J M IN T S ^ K U B O I I T — ' T E S T D R IV E a K U B O T A D IE S E L T R A C T O R N O W A T : WM. F. SELL & SON, INC. 16555 T E L E G R A P H R O A D T A Y L O R , M I C H I G A N 4 8 1 8 0 3 1 3 / 2 8 2 - 5 1 0 0 COUNTRY CLUB THE BALANCED FERTILIZER .....a valuable asset*»* in growing good turf FOR MORE IN FO R M A TIO N CALL LEBANON CHEMICAL CORP. P .O .B ox 647 Danville, IL 61832 Mixing Basics, Cont. eral years that the ideal tank mix of fungicides is a three-way combination of soluble contact / insoluble contact / insoluble systemic mixture; and, for years has even recommended mixing two soluble contacts, each at half rate to get a broader spectrum than the single soluble at full rate. Applying rules 2 and 3 in an attempt to get a broader spectrum of control, all of the insolubles can be tank mixed. They can also be tank mixed with one of the solubles or one of the soluble- insoluble combination. If the solubles and soluble-insoluble combinations are tank mixed, the dosage should be cut in proportion to the number of chemicals added. Because of the sol­ uble portion of the group of soluble- insolubles, they should be treated as if they were solubles. It should be em­ phasized again that the dosages of two solubles should be cut in half if tank mixed. If three solubles are tank mixed, the dosages should be cut to on-third of the recommended rate of each soluble component. A prime example is the successful combination of MCPE, 2,4-3 and di- camba. The recommended rate of MCPP is between 1 and 1-1/2 pounds per acre and the rate of 2,4-D is 1 pound per acre and the rate of dicamba is 1/4-1/3 pound per acre. However, a successful combination of the three is in the neighborhood of 1/2 pound MCPP, plus 1/4 pound 2,4-D, plus 1/8 pound dicamba. These come premixed in approximately that ratio under the trade names of Trimec and Trex-San. There are some MCPP / 2,4-D com­ binations in which the rate of MCPP is 1 pound and the rate of 2,4-D is 1/2 pound. Another example of the syner­ gistic effect of two postemergent chemicals is the combination of DSMA and 2,4-D. In Texas, where 2,4-D is not prevalently used because of its injury to cotton, DSMA anhydrous is recom­ mended for the control of dallisgrass at the rate of 7-10 pounds per acre on bermudagrass. In nearby Lousiana equally good control has been achieved by the use of 4-5 pounds DSMA plus 1/2 pound of 2,4-D. This practice has been going on for more than 10 years and, coincidentally, it conforms with rule number 2, which dictates that if two solubles are used together it is a wise practice to cut the dosage of each in half.Every pesticide applicator knows that fertilizers are usually combina­ tions of insoluble components, and because of the soluble fractions the fertilizers must be watered to prevent burning. It is not an uncommon prac­ tice to add soluble fertilizers to the spray tank in small quantities to attain an immediate greening effect on spe­ cific occasions. A more common prac­ tice is to add chelated iron for the same reason. But there have been instances of burning because an applicator had a heavy hand in applying these products. The phenomenon known as salt in­ dex comes into play in determining how much of the soluble fertilizer com­ ponents can be added to the spray tank without incurring phytotoxicity. CONCLUDED IN NEXT ISSUE - COMPLETE WITH SOLUBILITY AND FORMULATION T A B L E - (Scotts) ProTurf H elping the superintendent through tu rf research... ■ Controlled Release Fertilizers ■ Fertilizer/Pesticide Combinations ■ ■ Fungicides-Herbicides-Insecticides Soil Testing—Weed & Disease Identification sco tts • lely • gandy spreaders Finest quality turfgrass seed-Fairways • Greens • Tees • Roughs Scotts Windsor and Victa blends Jim Brocklehurst Technical Representative 1964 Cataipa Berkley, Michigan 48072 Telephone: 313-547-9632 LD50"VVhat ¡sit? The common use of the term LD50 can be confusing. As it is usually used, it means the number of milligrams of active ingredient (technical 100% pes­ ticide) per kilogram of a test annimal (commonly the rat) that are required to kill 50% of the test population of ani­ mals. The confusing part is that LD50 given is usually for the pure technical chemical, not for any of the several formulations that may be on the mar­ ket. The materials that you buy may contain anywhere from 1% to 80% of the technical material and therefore they would be less dangerous to handle than the technical. This explains why a 15% granular formulation of a phos­ phate insecticide may have a skull and crossbones label and you must have a permit to purchase it, while a 1% for­ mulation of the same insecticide may be legally sold in the garden mart to an amateur without a license. TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6 9 0 0 Pardee Rd.,Taylor, Michigan (313) 291-1200 DON’T EVEN THINK OF B U Y IN G ............................ GRASS SEED FERTILIZERS FUNGICIDES W ITHOUT CA LLIN G 291*1200 TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6 9 0 0 Pardee Rd.,Taylor, M ichigan (313) 291-1200 The LD50 is given as oral (by mouth) or dermal (on the skin); few pesticides are as dangerous on the skin as by mouth. Whether the formulation you choose is a wettable powder, a dust, granular or a liquid, the formulation affects the degree of hazard. There­ fore the warning given on the label should be studied before a pesticide is used, and the precautions specified should be followed. Lists of LD50’s are informative, but since they are seldom given for the formulations that the grower uses, the labels are more impor­ tant than the technical LD50. The lower the LD50 of a pesticide, the greater the danger to man or anim­ als. Class 1 Highly toxic - must carry the word Danger, a skull and cross- bones and Poison in red. These have an acute oral LD50 of from 0-50 mg/kg. A single dose of a few drops of the techni­ cal, 100% material taken orally may be fatal to a 150 lb. person. Class 2 Moderately toxic - must carry the word WARNING. These have an LD50 of from 50 to 500 mg/kg. A single dose of the technical 100% material of one teaspoon to one ounce taken orally may be fatal. Class 3 Slightly toxic - these have the word CAUTION and an oral LD50 of from 500 to 5000 mg/kg. A single dose of the technical 100% mat­ erial of from 1 ounce to 1 pint may be fatal. Class 4 - pesticides with an acute oral LD50 over 5000 are considered relatively nontoxic. A respirator and protective clothing should always be used when working with Class 1 or 2 materials; gloves are especially important when handling those with a low dermal LD50. All exposed skin should be washed imme­ diately after using all pesticides. Care­ lessness in working with every pesti­ cide endangers not only the health and lives of those involved, but also the continued availability of pesticides. Read the labels. A few persons may also develop an allergic reaction to some pesticides. They will have to work out their own precautions. (Article taken from Geiger News Vol. 16, No. 1, Feb., 1980). Frank Laemmlen, Botany & Plant Pathology C * é E N G I N E E R E D R A I N ■ H B m MRMMH Turf Topics- Precision Controllers With Unmatched Flexibility. 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 sta 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 . W rite or call direct ENGINEERED RAIN 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 1115 Republic Driv e, Addison, IL 60101 (313) 543-5330 MEMORANDUM Turfgrass Supporters To: P.E. Rieke, J.M. Vargas Jr. From: and J.E. Kaufmann Subject: Use of monies raised by M & BC GCSAAfor the Mich­ igan Turfgrass Foundation Monies raised by the Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superinten­ dents Association of America provide the backbone of support for the turf­ grass research program at Michigan State University. It provides the basic monies to maintain the turfgrass re­ search plots at the crops farm and soil farm at M.S.U. in East Lansing and at the Traverse City Country Club in Traverse City. In addition to the basic support of the turfgrass research field labs, the monies are being used for specific research projects to benefit you including the following: 1) Dorman N applications on Poa an­ nua and other turfs; 2) N carrier responses; 3) Nitrogen analysis of turf clipping from field plot studies as a possible method of predicting nitrogen require­ ments. 4) Developing cultural systems for maintaining Poa annua; 5) Developing prediction models for dollar spot, anthracnose, and leaf spot to reduce fungicide usage; 6) Nitrogen fertility timing effects on Fusarium blight development; 7) Physiological effect of systemic fun­ gicides on turfgrass; 8) Chemical growth retardants to save on mowing costs on low maintenance areas; 9) The potential of perennial ryegrass for golf course fairway use in Michigan; 10) Effect of coring on possible com­ paction problems; 11) In-state travel expenses to conduct research and to visit turfgrass mana­ gers having problems in Michigan. FAMOUS GIANT-VAC’S GIANT-BLO GIANT BLO GIANT-VAC Mfg.,lnc. AfFiliat• o f H.L.D iohl Co.lnc. • South W indham ,C onn.06266 Giant-Blo whisks away leaves and debris at super-hurricane velocities. Well balanced for operator ease and maneuverability. A Giant-Blo will clean many acres in a fraction of the normal time. A unique exhaust deflector is standard on all models and directs the air in either a side or forward direction. This is ideal for cleaning hard to get at places. Intake and Ex­ haust hose kits are also available. Giant-Bios clean debris as neatly as hand raking, yet, 11 times faster and 10 times easier. VACUUM M A C H IN E S LOADERS TRAIL VAC D IE H LM O B ILE LAWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION $20 W. 11 MILE ROAD ROYAL OAK, MICH. 48068 TELEPHONE: (313) 398-3636 154-154T SWEEPERS The patented rubber pick-up fingers is the reason that the Jacobsen Model 154 Sweeper picks up the debris that other sweepers leave behind. Two reels of counter-rotating, interlocking rubber fingers pick up every­ thing in sight . . . from small branches to cigarette butts. They’ ll police your grounds better than a company of recruits. With a 48” sweeping width and a one cubic yard hopper capacity, the Jacobsen Sweeper lets you stay ahead of the job. The Model 154 self-propelled Sweeper (pictured above) and the Model 154T pull behind Sweeper are designed to sweep wet and dry clippings, litter of both, turf and hard leaves, rocks, cans, bottles, branches and s urfaces W.F. Miller Smfnfeany - C A LL 313-647-7700 FOR A DEMONSTRATION - 1593 S. WOODWARD AVE. BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 48011 TELEPHONE: (313) 647-7700 "A Patch of Green” 31823 U T IC A R O A D F R A S E R , M IC H IG A N 48026 DEPT, SOIL & CROP SCIENCES TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY