GV 9 7 5 . Al P3 J u l-A u g 1 9 8 9 v A ir 64 t h Year — i JULY/AUGUST 1989 A PATCH of GREEN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN & BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION \ AMTURF For Details Call: BRIGHTON -3 1 3 /6 3 2 -5 6 4 0 LOCAL 800/482-3130 WATS BRADLEY — 313/792-2241 LOCAL 800/632-1998 WATS fo rm erly Cowbell Seeds TURF GRASS SPECIALIST Quality Service Prompt Delivery RED THREAD A DISEASE ON TH§ by Dr. Noel Jackson University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI ^ A$ f SEP 1 8 1989 Dr. Jackson’s update of the red thread disease is susceptible to pink patch situation featured the following points. —Five years ago we thought we knew all there was to know about red thread. Not so! —Turf of low vigor (similar to dollar spot) is susceptible, especially fine fescues (red fescues more than Chewings fescues) and perennial ryegrasses. Bermudagrass too. Ryegrass cultivars differ in susceptibility. —Recent evidence indicates that more than one fungus is involved. Corticium has been studied in detail, but there are at least two fungi involved — one causes red thread and one causes pink patch. The two diseases are similar and easily confused, one for the other. Often a disease complex — red thread/ pink patch — are considered as one disease. —Infection starts usually at leaf tips as small spots develop. These spread down the leaf. Fungi have pink mycelia that are easy to see. Cool, wet weather favors the development of the fungus. Compact masses of fungi produce a resting stage which gets darker as it dries and becomes hard and brittle. Also, little cushions of mycelia are produced. There is a fruiting stage four spots. These germinate to produce mOTe^Tn^belia. Turf grown under low fertility is more prone to infection but even vigorously growing turf can become infected. At times the fungus may act like snow mold under snow cover in the winter. —The fungus may work on living tissue as a parasite or on dead tissue as a saprophyte. Some symptoms differ; patches may not produce dark red thread-like mycelia. More than one fungus may be working together at the same time under some conditions. The fungus glues or mats the leaves together so the pink appearance is more conspicuous. —Pink patch fruits with only two spores. Mycelium is clamped and fluffs out in culture. Red thread produces less mycelia in culture and has a simple septa that is not clamped. —Control of the two fungi with chemicals varies — —cadmium good for both; —daconil good for red thread; —benomyl good for pink patch; —bayleton good for both; —chipco 26019 good for both. Worried about selective tal fescue control? Buy a 10-pack today! And, stop worrying! LESCO TFC™ Herbicide is the first product to provide selective spot control of tall fescue in Kentucky bluegrass, bentgrass, fine fescue, bahia- grass and bermudagrass without digging or spot­ treating with a non-selective herbicide. convenience and accuracy in a 10 pack. A water dispersible granule, LESCO TFC is Order today! Nationwide • (800) 321-5325 In Ohio *(8 0 0 ) 686-7413 LESC O , Inc. 20005 Lake Road, Rocky River, Ohio 44116, (216) 333-9250 Always read and follow label instructions before using any chemical product. 3 Brown Spots - Where Are They Coming From ? Have you noticed any irregular brown areas that are unexplainable? Some superintendents have noticed that these spots are quite common - especially during insect season. Some of us think this damage is caused by the aerosol cans containing insect repellents (See picture). Notice the foot prints. We find these all over the course - tees, greens and fairways. EDITOR’S n o t e The articles appearing in the “A Patch of Green” do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the editors. We present articles for their informative value. It is up to each reader to evaluate the information presented. GOLF COURSE SERVICE PERSON Leading Irrigation Distributor has immediate opening for service person for repair work on golf course irrigation systems in S.E. Michigan. Some experience necessary. Call Pat (313) 588-2990 for interview. "A PATCH OF GREEN” Published Bi-Monthly by the MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION President CHARLES GAIGE Vice-President TOM MASON Secretary/Treasurer JON MADDERN Directors KEN DeBUSSCHER ED HEINEMAN JAY DelCAMP GARY THOMMES JIM ECCLETON STEVE KOLONGOWSKI President Emeritus KEVIN DUSHANE Editor TED WOEHRLE BLAKEMAN PRINTING CO., INC. Printed At Fraser, Michigan (313) 293-3540 Maybe an explanation — A person applying an insect repellent. Country Club Greens Grade Fertilizers Gold Cup quality for great-looking greens, tees & fairways. • Small Homogeneous Granulation • Summer Fertilizers - 18-4-10 - 18-5-9 • Summer Insecticides ' Dursban G - Oftanol G - Dylox G - Sevin G - , ' IliliiH , # GREAT ON FAIRWAYS EVEN AT LOWER RATES W ONT SPECKLE LIKE BLENDS T O T A L T U R F C A R E 1-800-233-0628 4 THE INFLUENCE OF TURFGRASS THATCH ON PESTICIDE USAGE B.S. Degree Candidate - Purdue University By John Orick The application of pesticides is a necessary component of a turf grass management program. Pesticides should be applied in a manner which will give maximum control of the problem pest and minimal danger to the plant, applicator, and en­ vironment. The thatch layer, a tighly intermingled layer of living and dead stems, leaves, and roots of turf grass plants located at or near the soil surface (1) can affect the mobility, persistance, effectiveness, and potential plant injury of certain pesticides. These effects depend on the type of pesticide, time of application, post-irrigation treatment, rate of appli­ cation, and depth of pesticide residue in the soil profile. Therefore, it is important to understand the influence of the thatch layer on pesticide applications so that the adjustments in the management program can be made to increase the benefits or decrease the risks involved with the application. Pesticides are less mobile in the thatch layer than in the soil profile, which reduces the effectiveness of many pesticide application. The use of preemergence herbicides for selective uim.F.seii 5 Son,Inc. SINCE 1923 RENTAL SALES - SERVICE ★ LOADERS ★ SWEEPERS ★ TRENCHERS ★ MOWERS ★ ROTARY CUTTERS ★ BACK HOE DIGGERS ★ BACK FILL BLADES ★ POST HOLE DIGGERS JOB TAILORED EQUIPMENT COMPLETE LINE OF MATERIAL HANDLING 6 16555 TELEGRAPH RD. - TAYLOR FARM EQUIPMENT 282"5100 CALL 1 Mile South of Eureka control of annual grasses is an important step in turfgrass management. Preemergence herbicides pre­ vent the seedling development of annual grasses by inhibiting cell division and root development (4). Preemergence herbicides used on turfgrasses are somewhat immobile in the soil due to their low water-solubility. According to a study conducted by Hurto et al. (4), in which five different preemergence herbicides were applied to Kentucky bluegrass stands with and withour thatch, the mobility of the herbicides through thatch is very similar to that of the soil. Pesticides in the upper thatch layers due to the porous structure of this portion of the thatch layer. However, the lower layers absorb more of the pesticide residues. This decrease in mobility in the lower layers is probably in response to the low water- solubiliity, amount of chemical available for move­ ment, and increased adsorption capacity of the highly decomposed organic matter located in these layers. Weed control was good to excellent when preemergence herbicides were applied to Kentucky bluegrass stands with and without thatch, but Kentucky bluegrass showed more injury from herbi­ cide treatments when thatch was present. This was caused by herbicide contact with roots and rhizomes as it moved through the upper layers of thatch. Therefore, the removal or incorporation of the thatch layer may decrease injury from applications of preemergence herbicides (4). Nonselective postemergence herbicides are applied to kill the existing vegetation for renovation of turf. Paraquat, a nonselective herbicide, has shown to be inactivated by most fine-textured soils (3). However, inactivation of paraquat in organic soils is minimal due to the weak attraction of paraquat cations to the negatively charged organic soil particles. On the other hand, the residual activity of glyphosate (Round-up) in both mineral and organic soils is minimal. The effects of thatch on the activity and mobility of paraquat and glyphosate were shown in a study completed by Hurto et al. (3). The experiment set up consisted of Spring and Fall application of paraquat and glyphosate to kill Kentucky bluegrass with thatch and without thatch for the purpose of reseeding with perrenial ryegrass four days after the pesticide application. The percentage of ryegrass cover in the plots with thatch treated with 2.2 kg ai/ha (1.9 lb ai/A) of paraquat was much less than the percentage of ryegrass cover in plots treated with 1.1 kg ai/ha (0.97 lb ai/A) of paraquat and plots treated with glyphosate at 2.2 kg ai/ha (1.9 lb ai/A), 4.5 kg ai/A (4.0 lb ai/A), and 9.0 kg ai/ha (8.0 lb ai/A). The Fall application of paraquat suppressed percent germination at both rates. Vertical mowing C O N T IN U E D PAGE 23 5 SOIL FOR TURF FACILITIES Dr. Gene C. Nutter, Agronomist In the operation of modern turf-grass facilities, more problems are caused by improper physical condition of soil than probably any other single factor. While other symptoms may be more readily recognized and treated (such as disease, compaction, poor aeration, weeds or fertility problems), the real and underlying cause is usually poor soil physical conditions. It is time that we recognize this basic fact so that we can begin to cure the real problem and stop the neverend- ing, expensive job of just treating the symptoms. True, most superintendents and managers of turf facilities inherit their soil problems. How sad it is, however, to see the great number of new facilities (including expensive and complicated golf course greens) that still ignore the importance of proper soil conditions, including surface and internal drainage, soil preparation, and use of ammendments and soil conditioning. Certainly there is enough information available to guide the planners and contractors of these jobs in this age of technology. Why, then, does our industry continue to make these inexcusable and expensive mistakes? As long as we continue to follow this course of extravagant ignorance, we will be burying our heads further in the sand instead of advancing our individual courses, our profession and our industry image. What are the basic aspects of soil management that seem to be so often overlooked or ignored? First, let us consider the origin of soil. SOIL ORIGIN In its natural condition, soil is a complex mixture of mineral fragments, decayed plant residues and mi­ croscopic organisms. Each of these classes of ingredi­ ents have their influence on the nature of the soil. As a natural body, soil developed through a constantly changing pattern which was greatly dependent upon environmental conditions such as temperature, rain­ fall, plant life and location. LOW COST DAMS SEA WALLS RETAINER WALLS WOOD • PVC VERTICAL INSTALLATION • STEEL BRIDGES M IN IM A L OR NO DAMAGE TO COURSE am erican m arine shore control 313-673-3320 313-623-9495 6 For the majority of cases, the native soil is most influenced by the mineral fraction (called parent mineral). These soils are called mineral soils. Parent material may have devloped from underlying rock formation, or been transported by ice (glacial soils) or water. Thus, soils which developed from rocks through the age-long process of weathering will have properties akin to those kinds of rocks. Examples are the heavier, more complex mineral soils such as clays. Usually these soils are more difficult to manage physically (poor internal drainage and aeration) but are richer in fertility potential (will hold more nutrients). On the other hand, soils which were laid down from water deposits - such as sands - would reflect a lighter, simpler structure. These soils (such as our various Florida sands) are easier to manage physically (better drainage and aeration) but have much lower fertility capacity. Then there are organic soils, derived from decayed plant residues. These are the muck solid of the rich Everglades region, and the peat deposits around the state. NATIVE vs. ARTIFICIAL SOILS If we were farmers, we would be growing crops on one of the types of native soils mentioned above. We would gather information about the nature of our particular soil from state and federal soil scientists who had surveyed, studied, classified and mapped the major soil formuation in every county in Florida (and likewise most other states). This information would provide guidelines as to the physical condition and fertility status of our particular soil, and this information would guide our crop production prac­ tices. However, turf managers are not farmers and, with few exceptions (sod producers, perhaps), they are not C O N T IN U E D PAGE 22 "F o r Land's Sake-'Use Peat" A ® A oxfoj® y m to. COMPANY 1430 E. Drahner Rd. Oxford, Michigan 48051 ^ PROCESSED PEAT C u s to m M ix e s FRED LATTA • 313/628-5991 \ Great LaKes Minerals Co. Trap& Topdressing Sands CONTROLLED TO USGA SPECIFICATIONS GREAT LAKES' TOPDRESSING SAND IS AVAILABLE IN TRUCKLOAD QUANTITIES. ALSO AVAILABLE - TRAP AND SPECIALTY SANDS. EVANS MINING CORPORATION 1900 RICHMAN ROAD - SMITH'S CREEK, MICHIGAN 48074 1-800-332-3294 367-3021 o 1989 M I C H I G A N S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y T U R F G R A S S F I E L D D A Y where: Corner of Mt. Hope and Farm Lane Rds. East Lansing, Michigan when: Thursday, August 31,1989 8:30 am - 5:00 pm what: Turfgrass Research On Lawn Care and Golf Course Topics, Pig Roast Lunch, Trade and Equipment Show and Auction Anyone With an Interest in Turfgrass Management - You! who: AUCTION DONATIONS: We need equipment to be donated to the auction. All proceeds go to the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation to help support turfgrass research, teaching, and extension programs at MSU. If you have any items you would like to donate please fill out the form below and drop it in the mail. Send to: Kurt Kraly, Auction Coordinator, Wilkie Turf Equipment Division, Inc. 1050 Opdyke Rd., P.O. Box 749 Pontiac, Ml 48056. NAME: __________________________________________________________ TELEPHONE #: ________________________________ ___________________ ITEM(S) 8 A TORO TORO REELMASTER 223-D LIGHTWEIGHT CUTTING OF A TRIPLEX WITH THE DURABILITY AND CUTTING PRODUCTIVITY OF A STANDARD FAIRWAY MOWER. The 223-D features Toro’s proven drive system , hydrostatic trans­ m ission and differential axle, w hich com bine to consum e less power than standard hydraulic system s, leaving more pow er available for cutting. Higher m owing speeds and in turn, greater m owing area can thus be achieved. Toro’s Reelm aster 223-D is powered by a 23 horsepower, liquid- cooled M itsubishi three-cylinder diesel engine. The engine features an easy-to-clean radiator screen and oil cooler, as well as a cooling system near the front air intake. Standard features include: large tires, pow er steering, extra-w ide rear axle for improved side hill operation, steering brakes for better hill negotiation, easy-to-reach operator controls and standard back- lapping capabilities. For m ore inform ation, contact Kurt Kraly, W ilkie Turf Equipm ent Division, 1050 Opdyke Road, P .O . Box 749 Pontiac, M ichigan 48056 (313) 373-8800. W IL K IE Turj Equipment Division, Inc. 9 f l H j TORO Indianwood Golf & Country Club - A Gem In The Rough Indianwood hosted the 1928 Michigan Open and the 1930 Western Open (then considered one of the Majors, before Augusta became a Major), also Michigan PGA Championship in 1948 and 1949 with such names as Walter Hagen, Tommy Armour, A1 Watrous, Clarence Gamber, Ed Fergol, Horton Smith, president of PGA in the early 50’s, bringing much attention to the Club and to the State of Michigan. Stan Aldridge purchased the club in the early 80’s and returned the golf course to its former greatness, restoring much of the old traditional appeal and adding many new bunkers and tees along with well planned cart paths to help keep the unfriendly golf cars out of the rough. Indianwood always was a good golf course - but now it is a great golf course. names in golf. Its rugged personality required great golf - reminiscent of the Scottish golf courses and the demand they put on all aspects of ones game. The Michigan Open returned to Indianwood for many years and produced winners that became great 44th Women’s Open Championship JULY 13-16,1989 INDIANWOOD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Betsy King birdied 4 of the first 7 holes during her last round to pull away from the field to win the 1989 Women’s Open at Indianwood. Betsy said she liked the fast greens and that she would like to see fast greens on all tour events. In her opinion, the greens at Indianwood were the fastest surfaces the LPGA players had played in six months. Mark Jackson, green superintendent at Indianwood, and his qualified staff were able to produce speeds in excess of 10 feet on the stimpmeter. They were a little faster than anticipated so when questioned about the speed he said they were “around 9 feet 16 inches” — a clever way to say 10’4” — I’ll have to remember that one. Mark has a great staff of superintendents working for him at Indianwood. His “Old Course” superinten­ dent is Dennis Ingram, CGCS, who joined the staff this spring, coming from South Carolina; a graduate of Stockbridge. Ed Powers, an Ohio State grad, is the superintendent of the “New Course”. Ed joined the staff early on, during the “grow-in” period of the new course. Their two able assistants are Tim Dorner and Doug Berzack, both MSU graduates. Tire Wholesalers # ) ) Company, Inc. P h o n e:(3 13)3 54-5 644 19240 West Eight Mile Southfield, Ml 48075 (1/2 Mile West of Southfield Road) TRUCK - CAR, M O TO RC YC LE, FA R M , TRAILER, IN D U STR IA L TIRES &TUBES Pirelli Carlisle LAWN & GARDEN EQUIPMENT TIRES 10 So what does this make Mark Jackson? The General Superintendent? or the Golf Course Manager? Whatever his title, he is great. We should all be proud of the work that Mark did for Indianwood and what he has done for our profession. MICHIGAN RANKS #1 NATIONALLY In a recent survey by the National Golf Foundation it was determined that Michigan has more Daily Fee Golf Courses than any other state - 489. It ranks fifth nationally in the total number of golf courses - 721. States with more courses are Florida (932), California (836), New York (794) and Texas (761). The state of Ohio is ranked sixth with 703 golf courses. Michigan only has 146 private clubs, which ranks it eleventh well behind others that have 300 to 400. POND DREDGING SPECIALIST O ff Road Trucking W ide Track Bulldozing Shore Line & Land Developm ent Grading 218 Audubon SWEETCO INC. 313-437-1830 South Lyon, Mi. 48178 PROMARK ** *■' Si ¿ 2 | i v- *4 • ,J ; Model PAL - - Aerial Lift Trailer (fop) / Model 400 . Log & Brush Chipper (center), Grinder ( Fu^'s'°lc