The Turf Zone Podcast

Warm-season grasses like bermudagrass and zoysiagrass are usually preferred in environments such as Arkansas, as they are more tolerant of heat, drought, insects and diseases compared to cool-season turfgrasses. However, that does not mean they are bulletproof! All of the major warm-season grasses used in the Natural State can have fungal disease problems and the most severe diseases are spring dead spot and large patch. Spring dead spot (SDS) is primarily a concern on bermudagrass, while large patch can infect all of our warm-season grasses. The University of Arkansas turfgrass program has evaluated various cultural and chemical strategies to control these diseases for many years and we continue to evaluate new products and practices that can be used to manage the diseases.

The concept of integrated pest management (IPM) has been around for decades. IPM is taught in colleges and schools across the country, yet it still can be a somewhat mysterious concept. Applying IPM to turfgrass pests can sometimes be very difficult, because maintaining turfgrass often (but not always) is very different from growing a crop for sale. However, the principle of using an integrated program to manage pests can and should be at the forefront of our best management practices for turf. So let’s take a quick look at the concepts behind IPM and how it can work in turfgrass.

It is ironic that Deven Peek, who dreamed of being an Air Force Pilot as a young man, has ended up with a career so fully grounded! Deven’s family had a small lawn service that was run as a part time operation when he was in high school. Deven had planned to work in the business part time as he pursued an education to achieve his dream of becoming a pilot, but midway through his freshman year at Auburn University Montgomery, his family was approached to buy out a larger local lawn care company. Deven was given the option to work in that business full time with the opportunity to take over the business when he turned 21.

Tennessee Turfgrass – Tom Samples, Ph.D. and John Sorochan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Department of Plant Sciences

There are more than one-hundred species of fescues worldwide. Some are annuals while others are perennials. Annual species are usually considered weeds. Six perennial fescues are managed either alone or in turf mixtures in the U. S. Presently, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), classified as a coarse fescue, is the primary cool-season species used as turf in Tennessee. Strong (Festuca rubra L. rubra) and slender creeping red (Festuca rubra L. ssp. trichophylla, Festuca rubra var. littoralis Vasey), chewings (Festuca rubra L. ssp. falax Thuill., Festuca rubra L. var. commutata Gaud.), hard (Festuca brevipila R. Tracey) and sheep (Festuca ovina L.) fescues are collectively referred to as fineleaf or fine fescues due to their narrow leaves. Because they generally perform better than tall fescue in low light, the fine fescues are commonly recommended for use as cool-season turfs in medium to moderate shade in northwest, north central and upper east Tennessee. A lack of heat tolerance limits the use of these species in shade in other areas of the state in which summer temperatures are much higher. They are also valued for their fibrous root systems when used as components of ‘meadow mixes’ along with legumes, wildflowers and/or native plants. Left unmowed, fine fescues often reach a height of 6–12 or more inches. Seeds of many improved, turf-type coarse and fine fescues contain beneficial fungi, or endophytes, that live between cells inside plants. Endophytes may improve the plants’ ability to withstand heat stress and enhance disease resistance (for example, dollar spot (Lanzia and Moellerodiscus spp.) in fine fescues). They also produce compounds capable of reducing the feeding activity of certain insect pests. Endophytes are transmitted from generation to generation in seed, and do not move from one plant to another by way of pollen.

Tall Fescue

Tall fescue is adapted throughout much of the continental U.S. except in non-irrigated arid regions, the Southern Coastal Plain and northern-most zones in northern tier states where plants are routinely severely damaged or killed by extreme low temperatures. Although the date at which tall fescue, a native of Europe and North Africa, was first introduced into the U.S. is unknown, the species was evaluated in several North American forage trials in the late 1800’s. ‘KY-31’, a cultivar found growing in a pasture on the farm of W.M. Suiter in the mountains of eastern KY and known to have been there before 1890, is still marketed for use as forage, roadside groundcover and utility and residential turfs. After lengthy testing begun by Dr. E. N. Fergus of the University of Kentucky who first visited the pasture in 1931, KY-31 was released into the marketplace in the early 1940’s.

Establishment and Management

The germination and purity of tall fescue seed should be at least 85 and 95 percent, respectively. Depending on cultivar and production year, there are usually about 230,000 or more tall fescue seeds per pound. The recommended seeding rate of tall fescue ranges from 5–8 pounds per 1,000 square feet. The lower rate is recommended when seed is ‘fresh’, and the quality and germination percentages are high, for example >90 and >95, respectively. Depending on soil moisture and temperature, tall fescue seeds may require from seven to 14 or more days to germinate. Turf-type tall fescue turfs generally perform well at a cutting height from 2–3 inches, while the recommended cutting height of KY-31 is usually slightly higher (for example, 2½–3½ inches). Lower cutting heights are more likely to allow weed infestations than taller cutting heights. The species often requires a medium level of N compared to other cool-season turfgrasses. For example, depending on cultivar and the level of care,

Looking to upgrade or rehab your natural turfgrass fields this growing season? While every situation is different and I can’t cover all contingencies, I’m going to share my general experience in working with high schools in Pennsylvania.

The Turf Zone: Welcome to Arkansas Turfgrass Association’s Turf Zone podcast. This episode features a Member Spotlight on Dr. Doug Karcher, Professor at University of Arkansas and ATA Education Chair. Welcome Dr. Karcher.

Virginia Turfgrass Journal – Eric Day, Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) was detected in Virginia in January 2018. It is an invasive planthopper that was discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014. In Pennsylvania and its native range, SLF is a pest of grapes, peaches, hops, and apples. It is commonly associated with tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima. It has the potential to be a serious pest of agriculture and home gardens in Virginia.

Identification

The early nymphs are wingless, black, and have white spots on the body and legs. The later stage nymph develops red patches over the body while retaining the white-spot pattern.

Adult SLF are approximately 1″ long and ½” wide. The legs and head are black, while the abdomen is yellow with broad, black bands on top and bottom. Its front wings are light-brown/grey with black spots and dashed black lines at the tip. The hind wings have scarlet red and black sections that are separated by a white stripe. At rest, the SLF shows light-brown, grayish wings with black spots held “tent-like” over its body. Adult females are distinguished by the presence of a red spot on the end of the abdomen.

SLF egg masses contain 30–50 eggs, are 1–1.5″ long and ½–¾” wide, grayish-brown in color, and covered with a grey, waxy coating (newly laid egg masses are somewhat shiny). Old egg masses appear as rows of 30–50 brownish seed-like deposits in 4–7 columns, measuring roughly 1″ long.

Hosts

Although SLF is most commonly found on Ailanthus (tree-of-heaven), it can be found on over 70 other species of trees and is a pest of grapes, hops, peaches, and other tree fruits. In Pennsylvania where it is established in 13 counties, it occurs in extreme numbers in backyards and negatively impacts human activity.

Signs and symptoms:

Since the SLF produce sugary secretions called honeydew, look for the black sooty mold that grows on the honeydew. The sooty mold will cover branches, trunks, and man-made objects under the tree. In addition, some of the honeydew will ferment, leaving a vinegar smell. The black sooty mold makes it appear like a fire has scorched the area.

For information on Spotted Lanternfly

See: ext.vt.edu/spotted-lanternfly

If you think you have found the Spotted Lanternfly

Submit the sample to your nearest local Cooperative Extension Office: https://ext.vt.edu/offices.htmlOr submit a picture electronically: https://ask.extension.org/groups/1981/ask

 

5 Steps to Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Habitat

By Dr. Danesha Seth Carley, Director, SIPMC & NC IPM Coordinator , North Carolina State University and Dr. Terri Billeisen, Extension Associate, North Carolina State University

Insects are the most common and abundant pollinators in the world. Although bees may be the most well-known insect pollinators, there are many other insect species, including butterflies, moths, wasps, flies and beetles, which also play an important role in plant pollination. Due to increased interest in pollinator and wildlife communities in turfgrass environments, we are conducting a study examining how the implementation of pollinator-friendly habitat on established golf courses impact pollinator populations. In the spring and summer of 2018, we set out across the state, sampling for pollinators in managed turfgrass environments to determine which insects were already present prior to establishing refuge areas the following season. This fall we returned to these sites to plant pollinator-friendly seed mixes. After some trial and error, we have identified a few key things to know prior to establishing pollinator habitat. Our five summarized key steps to creating pollinator-friendly habitat on your golf course or ma...

Glyphosate has been in the news quite a bit recently. You probably have seen the ads on television concerning glyphosate and human health. In this article I discuss some background information on this herbicide as well as scientific reports on toxicity of the chemical.

Glyphosate has been in the news quite a bit recently. You probably have seen the ads on television concerning glyphosate and human health. In this article I discuss some background information on this herbicide as well as scientific reports on toxicity of the chemical.

Tennesse Turfgrass – The Turf Zone interviews Bo Burns, Market Development Manager at SOLitude Lake Management

The Turf Zone: Welcome to the Turf Zone. In this episode we’re speaking with Bo Burns, Market Development Manager at SOLitude Lake Management. He specializes in research and development of new technologies using more than 30 years of industry experience along with a Masters of Environmental Management degree in Resource and Wetland Ecology from Duke University. Welcome, Bo.

Bo Burns: Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be here. 

TTZ: So we’re going to jump right in to discussing nanobubble aeration. First of all, why is aeration important in lakes and ponds? 

BB: Well, I think it’s pretty well established that aeration has proven to be a real important part to lake and pond management. There’s several really important things that it helps to do. Number one, it helps to provide a mixing of the water, so you don’t have stagnant water. And I think most of us can understand and we all can believe that every time that we can put more oxygen into the system, it provides a lot of benefits. Not only for the aquatic life, but also for some indirect benefits. For example, we like to believe that there’s beneficial bacteria that works in our behavior. And when you have a well-oxygenated waterbody, you’re promoting those beneficial bacteria to help break down a lot of the nutrients that we have in lakes and ponds. There’s a lot of benefits – not only from aesthetic reasons, but for health reasons.

TTZ: So how do your turfgrass managers who are also managing waterbodies know which aeration solution is right for their specific waterbody?

BB: That’s a great question, and I think the easiest answer to that is to utilize some of the experts that are out there. SOLitude lake management is one of many. We have a slew of market development specialists that have a lot of experience with this and our technicians are well-versed in not only installing, but in helping to justify or quantify which system is best for your situation. Every situation is a little bit different, so you really need to take a look at it and determine, based on your size, your depth of the waterbody, what that waterbody is used for, whether it’s just for irrigation, or is it just for helping filter water out – all those different reasons for evaluating can be done with the right person. So my suggestion is reaching out to qualified people to get their help and get their advice and I’m sure that they can develop the best system for your need.

TTZ: How is nanobubble aeration different from traditional submersed aeration or floating fountains? 

BB: Nanobubbles are different in the sense that most traditional aeration systems provide bubbles that are large and help provide mixing of your waterbody. Those bubbles will rise from the bottom and a lot of that will go to the top and they burst and the oxygen is actually released into the atmosphere, whereas it does provide additional aeration to your waterbody, sometimes we have small or shallow waterbodies, traditional aeration doesn’t allow for as much oxygen in the water as we really would like it to be or need it to be. So nanobubbles are produced, they’re really really tiny bubbles, they’re dense and they don’t float—they don’t go to the top, they don’t move from the bottom to the top and don’t release into the atmosphere. Nanobubbles will actually accumulate. When they’re produced, they have a negative charge to them, so they’ll attach themselves to positively charged items like organic matter or nutrients that are found in the waterbody and as those bubbles kind of form a carpet, they go along the bottom and that’s really important because the bottom is where it’s listed as anoxic, most people say that there’s no oxygen at the bottom. Most of your oxygen accumulates more in the upper levels of the waterbody, so if you can have bubbles that are produces that kind of ...