SUMMER 2020
The Mississippi Turfgrass Association Magazine
THE BASICS OF FIELD TESTING ALL FOR ONE:
FOSTERING COOPERATION ACROSS THE TURF INDUSTRY
ATHLETIC FIELDS IN THESE COVID TIMES
Turfgrasses for the 21st Century
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SUMMER 2020
CONTENTS • The Mississippi Turfgrass Association Magazine
FEATURES
8 Cover Story —
The Basics of Field Testing
14 Feature Story —
8
All For One: Fostering Cooperation Across the Turf Industry
20 Feature Story —
Athletic Fields in These COVID Times
22 Upcoming Event — 2020 Deep South Turf Expo DEPARTMENTS
6 From the MTA President
7 Calendar of Events
19 Index of Advertisers
14
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FROM THE MTA PRESIDENT, Jeremy Tate
STRENGTH
TO PERSEVERE I
hope this newsletter finds you and your family doing well during this strange time in our history. I personally have been busier than ever. I do not say that without having a strong sense that many are hurting physically and financially. Every person will have a different experience during this pandemic, but I think we all can agree life will look a little different going forward. I pray you all will have strength to persevere through this time. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it gets brighter every day. We are not sure what the rest of the year will look like with our scheduled events. Although deeply saddened by the cancellation of the 2020 Yard Dawg Classic, the Board and Tournament Committee decided that it was in the best interest of everyone to not hold it this year. I for one am disappointed, but certainly can keep things in perspective. Please just keep up with emails from Mrs. Linda Wells for any updates. With any luck we will have all this behind us in the fall. By the time this newsletter arrives in your mailbox we all will be busy aggressively maintaining our turf in the summer heat. Nothing like 98 degree temps with 100% humidity to get your mind back where it needs to be, growing warm season turf! Hope to see you all this fall.
Jeremy Tate MTA President
Mississippi Turfgrass Association Box 9555 MS State, MS 39762 Office: (662) 325-0517 Fax: (662) 325-2705 www.msturfassociation.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, TN 37064 Office: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 info@leadingedgecommunications.com MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS EDITOR James D. McCurdy, Ph.D.
MTA OFFICERS PRESIDENT Jeremy Tate Tate’s Turf LLC (662) 209-0023 VICE PRESIDENT Keair Edwards City of Gulfport (228) 861-5641 SECRETARY/TREASURER Dr. Barry Stewart Mississippi State University (662) 325-2725 PAST PRESIDENT Al Osteen Turf Consultant (601) 214-9907 ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY Linda Wells Mississippi State University Box 9555 MS State, MS 39762 Office: (662) 325-0517 Cell: (662) 769-7558 lmw218@pss.msstate.edu
DIRECTORS
Chris Hussey / Sod Hussey Sod Farm (662) 231-3203 Justin Lanford / North Starkville Country Club (662) 822-5806 Mississippi Turfgrass is the Mississippi Turfgrass Association magazine. Subscriptions are complimentary to MTA members. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, its board of directors, Mississippi Turfgrass, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as MTA members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in any issue of Mississippi Turfgrass. Copyright ©2020 by the Mississippi Turfgrass Association. Mississippi Turfgrass is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of MTA. Presorted standard postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: MTA allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to MTA. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.
Todd McCullough / Grounds-Lawn Maintenance City of Louisville (601) 416-3292 Rob Webb / Central GreenPoint Ag (601) 594-5798 Frank Ogletree / South Hattiesburg Country Club (601) 543-5033 Scooter Huckabee / Industry LADD’S (601) 818-7586
FACULTY ADVISOR 6 • MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS • SUMMER 2020
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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THE MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE • 7
COVER STORY
THE BASICS OF
FIELD TESTING By Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. and John Sorochan, Ph.D. This article was originally published in SportsField Management.
A
thletic fields require maintenance whether they are natural or synthetic. The challenging aspect for athletic fields is that they change as a season progresses. One of the best ways to reduce injuries and increase performance is to have a consistent playing surface that is within acceptable ranges for athlete safety. Without regular field testing, it is hard to determine variances in playing surface consistency as use/wear increases. Knowing how a field is changing throughout the year can help field managers make data driven decisions to optimize the performance of the playing surface and in turn the safety of the surface for the athlete. Keeping records of different field properties across a season and years can help paint the picture for the field managers on what is also going on below the surface. Unfortunately, testing takes time and can be expensive, and these drawbacks can lead to many overlooking the need to test a field. However, testing is another important tool to have in the field managers toolbox. One of the main benefits of testing a field is it indicates consistency and characteristics of a field’s impact on athletes. Tests that are conducted give clues to the health of a field and help identify maintenance practices that are needed. While there are different testing criteria for natural and synthetic surfaces, there are shared tests beneficial for both. However, not all tests can be used on both types of fields. In determining what tests are needed for a surface, a few questions need to be answered: first, is it natural or synthetic; second, what sport or sports are played on the field; and lastly, what is the budget and time available for testing. This information will help determine what tests would be the most beneficial information for a surface. To start, some basic tests need to be established for field managers as a base. The University of Tennessee Center for Athletic Field Safety (UTCAFS) has a suggested basic kit for natural and synthetic fields. Natural field basic test kit should include a soil moisture probe, a side soil profiler, and a rotational traction testing device. The cost for the components to buy new will range from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on which products are selected. On a synthetic surface the basic kit recommended is an infill depth gauge, surface temperature measuring device, and some type of rotational traction device. The costs for synthetic turf range from $850 to $1,000. All kit estimates are from price researching different suppliers’ websites and totaling the cost. The purpose of this article is not to promote one specific brand’s testing equipment, there are a variety of products available.
8 • MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS • SUMMER 2020
All testing done is a snapshot of that field at that particular time, the same test could be conducted the following week with different results being observed. That is why taking multiple readings in a year will give a more detailed picture of what is happening. The other key in getting a good snapshot is testing for the variables that have the greatest impact. Published research has identified a few variables that have been found to influence many parts of the field (Baker, 1991; Dickson et al., 2018). For natural grass fields, the soil moisture content of the field has been found to impact: surface hardness, traffic tolerance of grass, rotational traction/resistance, increase in soil bulk density when trafficked, head injury criterion, and translational traction (Baker and Gibbs, 1989; Baker, 1991; Dickson et al., 2018a, Dickson et al., 2018b). Soil type of a field is important, because soil moisture content will have a greater influence on the playability of a soil that is higher in silt plus clay than a sand based field (Dickson et al., 2018). While there are a multitude of tests for additional field performance parameters, getting the soil moisture content right could improve safety, longevity, and performance of a field, in addition to improving the overall quality of the grass. There are several different kinds of devices that measure soil moisture, and most of them can test fields relatively fast. Another tool for natural grass is a side soil profiler. This is a device that lets you take a side cut out of your field to see what is really going on below the surface (figure 1). This device can be used to determine: root depth, layering issues, black layer, and buried objects just to name a few. Figure 2 shows a sand based root zone that has a pocket of clay preventing consistent grass growth. The grass above the clay was worse than the surrounding areas, and a soil profiler revealed the problem. After a soil profile is taken, it can be reinserted back into the area tested with minimal surface disruption. Rotational traction is an additional tool that is very useful for both natural and synthetic surfaces. These testing devices give more of a performance and safety standpoint for the athletes on the field. Trying to keep a field consistent for rotational traction is helpful in providing a consistent footing and potentially safer playing surfaces. Rotational traction has been associated with both lower extremity injuries and grass health (Orchard et al., 1999; Stier et al., 1999). The smaller portable devices are relatively easy to use and quick. These devices will slightly disrupt the playing surface where tested, but it is still considered minimal surface disruption.
1
Side cut of soil from a side soil profiler
2
Sand based root zone that has a pocket of clay
THE MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE • 9
COVER STORY • Continued
For synthetic turf, infill depth can be just as important as soil moisture is for natural grass. The infill depth is something that is taken for granted on many synthetic fields. As seasons progress on synthetic turf, infill can be moved around and create spots on the field that are lower/higher than other areas. Variances in infill depth have been found to impact: surface hardness, surface temperature, and rotational traction (Center for Athletic Field Safety Reports). Infill depth is a very easy measurement and can be done very quickly. This test lets the field manager know infill is needed because the levels are too low, or if the infill simply needs to be redistributed from areas that are too high to areas that are too low. The goal is keeping the infill depth as close to manufacturers recommendation. Surface temperature is another important variable. Synthetic turfs have temperatures that can be much higher than natural grass fields during full sun hot conditions (Lim and Walker, 2009; Thoms et al., 2016). As heat increases, it has a detrimental impact on athletes, decreasing performance and increasing the need for breaks and rehydration (Charalambous et al., 2016). Surface temperatures can be taken with a variety of tools, but the temperature gun used by most automotive repair shops is a fast and easy device to determine the surface temperature. While little can be done to reduce synthetic turf temperature after a system is installed, educating field stakeholders of potential heat concerns is one potential plan of action. Difficulty comes in choosing what tests have time and the budget to be completed. The last thing a field manager needs
Sample test location outline
3A
10 • MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS • SUMMER 2020
are tests that take a long time to complete. Some of the tests do not need to be collected before every game, some could be done once a year. In addition, the cost of testing devices has a wide range from affordable to very expensive. Each addition of a test can increase the cost and time to complete but give greater detail about the field. There are companies that test both natural and synthetic athletic fields. These companies can provide a wide range of tests and provide a summary of their findings and recommendations for any actions needed. While more information is always desired, selecting the most important tests can save time and money. The tests described above are just the basics while there are many more tests available if budget and time permits. Another consideration is what sport/sports are played on the field. In soccer, FIFA has requirements about ball roll and ball rebound that take place on a field, while in football, knowing surface hardness and rotational traction are of greater importance than ball to surface interaction questions. One way to help determine what tests are important for a particular sport are generally listed by a professional sports governing body (i.e. FIFA handbook). Currently, most field testing is only required at the professional level and some sports do not have sports specific tests. However, there are universal tests such as surface hardness and rotational traction on most surfaces that can be completed. Another key in field testing is being able to interpret the results in a meaningful way and have a record of the testing. It is recommended to test the same 8-12 spots (Example, Figure 3) on
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THE MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE • 11
COVER STORY • Continued
Sample test location outline
3B
a field each time while testing additional areas that may be of concern. Testing the same spot will tell you how it is changing each time testing is completed. The more locations that can be tested on a field, the better. A representative sample of the field is desired for testing. Keeping data in a spreadsheet or some type of record keeping system to go back and review is vital. If comparing multiple fields on a complex, each field will have some variation from each other due to soil type, construction, grass, infill, etc. Focusing on the testing within each field shows variability that can be addressed to improve safety and performance. While there are more tests available, the basic tests suggested can potentially increase the performance and eventual safety of an athletic field and can be completed quickly with minimal expense. These quick data snapshots throughout a season would take less than an hour to complete per field and would provide extremely useful information for the field manager. When you put the snapshots together for the entire year, you get a pretty clear picture of the changes that occur throughout the season. Ultimately, these data will also aid in maintenance decisions needed to provide a consistent playing surface. When it comes to field testing start with the basics and work out from there.
Work Cited Baker, S.W. 1991. Temporal variation of selected mechanical properties of natural turf football pitches. J. Sports Turf Res. Inst. 67:83–92. Baker, S.W., and R.J. Gibbs. 1989. Making the most of natural turf pitches. Case studies: II. Playing quality. Nat. Turf Pitches Prototypes Advis. Panel Rep. 4. Sports Council, London.
12 • MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS • SUMMER 2020
Charalambous, L., und Wilkau, H.C.V.L., Potthast, W. and Irwin, G., 2016. The effects of artificial surface temperature on mechanical properties and player kinematics during landing and acceleration. Journal of sport and health science, 5(3), pp.355-360. Dickson, K.H., J.C. Sorochan, J.T. Brosnan, J.C. Stier, J. Lee, and W.D. Strunk. 2018a. Impact of soil water content on hybrid bermudagrass athletic fields. Crop Sci. 58:1416-1425. Dickson, K.H.,W. Strunk, and J. Sorochan. 2018b. Head impact criteria of natural grass athletic fields is affected by soil type and volumetric water content. Proceedings 2:270. doi:10.3390/ proceedings2060270 Lim, L., and Walker, R., 2009. An assessment of chemical leaching, released to the air and temperature at crumb-rubber infilled synthetic turf fields. New York State Dept. of Health. pp. 1-140 Orchard, J., H. Seward, J. McGivern, and S. Hood. 1999. Rainfall evaporation and the risk of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Australian Football League. Med. J. Aust. 170:304–306. Stier, J. C., J. N. Rogers, J. R. Crum, and P. E. Rieke. 1999. Flurprimidol effects on Kentucky bluegrass under reduced irradiance. Crop Sci. 39:1423-1430. Thoms, A.W.; Brosnan, J.T.; Zidek, J.M.; Sorochan, J.C. Models for Predicting Surface Temperatures on Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces. Procedia Eng. 2014, 72, 895–900, doi:10.1016/j. proeng.2014.06.153. •
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FEATURE STORY
ALL FOR ONE
A superintendent discusses collaborating with professionals in other sectors of turf management and offers steps fellow supers can take to promote a united front. By Logan Freeman The following story was originally published in the June 2019 issue of GCM and is reprinted with permission.
W
hile there is no debating that the turf industry has come under increased attacks from activist groups and onesided legislation in the past few years, I believe there is a potentially dangerous gap in our defense. Though not often talked about, a lack of cohesion among the different professions within turfgrass management has left us isolated and separated. In the specific world of golf course management, we often discuss the importance of communication between the superintendent and golf shop staff, golfers, boards and committees. We also recognize the benefit of camaraderie and shared knowledge among golf course superintendents. Although the collaboration and community in golf is critical to the success of our work, the lack of communication and support across the various sectors of turfgrass management — golf, sports turf, home lawn care, university professionals, distributors, sales representatives — is rarely addressed. (Photo 1) The origin of this divide is difficult to pinpoint. Perhaps we superintendents felt that cultivating this long-term supportive relationship would have taken too much time and effort away from our immediate day-to-day operations. Or maybe we just saw no value in immersing ourselves in its complexities. Whatever the history, this disconnect now seriously undermines the future of our industry as a whole.
Fostering cooperation across the turf industry
An eye-opening gathering Like so many in our profession, I used to think that sports turf and lawn care just did their thing, and we as golf course turfgrass managers did ours. That’s the way it had always been and likely would remain. Then I went to a meeting for the formation of a local chapter of the Sports Turf Managers Association. This organic creation of the Mid-Atlantic STMA (https://mastma.org) opened my eyes to an entirely different approach to my profession.
1 14 • MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS • SUMMER 2020
Sales representatives are among those who bridge the gap between the different sectors of turfgrass management. Here, author Logan Freeman, superintendent at Mountain Branch Golf Club in Joppa, Md., (right) and his assistant superintendent, Erik Dittmar (left), visit with Scott Orndorff, a sales representative from Landscape Supply Inc. Photos courtesy of Logan Freeman
Forging relationships with fellow professionals in the various fields of turfgrass management — as Freeman (left) has with Nicole Sherry, head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles — is a powerful piece of any effort to advance turfgrass managers’ collective interests.
2
Of the hundred or so in attendance, I was the only golf course superintendent in the room. Yet instead of feeling alone and territorial, I felt a sense of connection and an appreciation for my presence. I also felt the support of what the people attending the meeting were trying to achieve. I discovered a side of turfgrass management I had never before experienced, and I formed bonds with local sports turf managers I likely never would have met had I not attended as a sign of support for the new organization. (Photo 2) Immediately following that meeting, I couldn’t stop wondering why the golf and sports sides of the industry were not more jointly associated. After all, we have far more commonalities than differences. We all manage turfgrass for its playability, in addition to juggling the management of people, budgets and the environment. I also began to question why lawn care and other sectors were not a part of this supportive mix. If we are looking to move the turfgrass industry forward and address all the adversity facing us, we must come together in support and appreciation. No matter our titles — golf course superintendent, head groundskeeper, lawn care provider, researcher, distributor — we all have a passion for this industry as well as a part to play in the narrative of its future.
The future of the turf industry Our industry is increasingly challenged. Part of this growing tension is positive, as ever-restrictive pesticide- and nutrient-management laws lead to innovation, ingenuity and leadership. The downside, however, is equally present, as lawmakers who view the turfgrass industry as an easy target issue uninformed, blanket statements with little regard for repercussions. Their caustic words and changing tactics frequently appear as attacks aimed at our methods and the products we use rather than as honest attempts at finding common ground and viable solutions. All too often, legislative bills are introduced at the last second to catch the turfgrass industry off guard. New legislation rarely comes directly on the national level; instead, legislation is brought forth at the county or township level. And while these restrictions are directed primarily toward a specific local aspect of turfgrass management — lawn care, sports turf, golf — the law is often expanded to other issues and geographical areas in subsequent years. This is where a united industry front becomes critical, because legislation that comes uninformed and with destructive intent stands a greater chance of gaining a foothold and becoming commonplace if we remain an isolated and separated body. Now is the time for us to become unified and vigilant.
THE MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE • 15
FEATURE STORY • Continued
3
A field of milkweed — which is monarch butterfly-friendly — at Mountain Branch Golf Club in Maryland.
How golf course superintendents can be part of the solution Each one of us must make the effort to reach out locally, regionally and statewide. Here are some next steps.
Locally
Find out who manages the sports fields in your area. Communicate with them and form a bond by helping each other. This also goes for lawn care providers, sod farmers and others who work with turfgrass in your community, as we are all potential partners. Consider becoming involved in local outreach efforts such as the First Green (https://www.thefirstgreen.org) program, which effectively shows our commitment to area youth and extends past golf into sports turf and lawn care. Engaging young people about the turfgrass industry can help educate away fears or misconceptions they and/or their families might have. Proactively share with golfers, patrons, homeowners, legislators, educators and the general public the environmental benefits of golf course green space. Utilize programs such as Operation Pollinator (http://www.greencastonline.com/operationpollinator) and Monarchs in the Rough (https://monarchsintherough.org) to help you get started in providing habitat to benefit even the smallest of creatures. Simply reducing or eliminating inputs between fairways and in out-of-play areas provides habitat for a whole range of ecology. (Photo 3)
16 • MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS • SUMMER 2020
Sports field managers and lawn care providers can recommend pollinator-friendly flowers and reduced-input options. Planters outside a stadium and single landscape beds at a home are small actions, but they often lead to educational opportunities and serve as conversation starters. Often, it seems people see our industries as a “silent spring,” adversely affecting the environment by constantly applying dangerous chemicals. The responsibility now falls on us to showcase our benefits and diversity of wildlife, and to educate those concerned.
Regionally
At the formation meeting of the Mid-Atlantic STMA, I noticed the one common thread among all turfgrass groups: sales representatives/distributors. To me, therefore, it seems obvious that regional sales reps and distributors serve as the primary conduit through which industry information is initiated and exchanged throughout all sectors. University and private researchers are additional common threads that can help the profession coalesce. Chapter leaders should actively encourage joint functions among all the branches, whether the events are social or educational. Communication between different sectors and the leaders within them is crucial in the process. And if open lines of communication do not currently exist between the industry professionals in one’s area, an emphasis must be placed on improving and streamlining the exchange of information and mutual support.
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FEATURE STORY • Continued
Statewide
When legislation impacting our industry is misinformed or unnecessarily restricting, it is important that we take the time to educate our legislators regarding our products and their usage. An established method of any proactive body is the development of best management practices (BMPs). The creation/ implementation of BMP documents is already proving to be a powerful tool in the defense of our industry. When our practices are called into question, a BMP manual can provide evidence that we take our profession and its effects on the environment seriously. (Photo 4) We are proud that Maryland was the first state to complete its BMP turfgrass manual (http://www.marylandgolfbmp.org), and we’re beginning to discover its benefit during legislative sessions. The BMP document is a positive first step in unifying the turfgrass industry here in Maryland, and we applaud GCSAA for its effort to encourage all states to follow our lead. Current and future challenges facing the turfgrass industry will require a multifaceted effort. Documentation like the BMPs, community outreach programs like First Green, and proactive communication with legislative officials, the public and all facets of the industry will serve vital roles in shaping the community’s understanding of our industry.
A unified front Rather than standing silent, segmented and unengaged, we must work as a fully functioning alliance of turfgrass professionals in order to address today’s challenges effectively. We must personally reach out to the different sectors within our own turfgrass communities, for we will engage more willingly if we have a friend or close colleague being affected by new legislation. Chapters, associations and councils from around the industry must reach out to each other and work as a unified group. For those of us in Maryland, the Maryland Turfgrass Council will serve as a catalyst for solidifying relationships among different turfgrass groups within the state, especially via events like joint turfgrass profession trade shows. National organizations such as GCSAA and STMA can help consolidate industry support through timely messaging via social and print media. Proactive and courageous leadership will be paramount. The true strength of an industry comes down to the passion, engagement and vision of the individuals who underwrite it. It has been my experience that turfgrass management is full of hardworking, dedicated and driven people. I believe that, with the right balance of camaraderie and shared knowledge, our industry will adapt and thrive despite the challenges that lie ahead. •
Logan Freeman is the GCSAA Class A superintendent at Mountain Branch Golf Club in Joppa, Md., and a 10-year association member. Simply reducing inputs in out-of-play areas helps provide habitat for creatures big and small. By working together, diverse branches of the turfgrass industry can facilitate the adoption of such environmentally conscious initiatives throughout the profession as a whole.
18 • MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS • SUMMER 2020
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FEATURE STORY
Athletic Fields in these COVID Times
By Barry Stewart Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mississippi State University
20 • MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS • SUMMER 2020
The
COVID19 crisis has had a profound effect on many athletic fields in Mississippi and throughout the southeast. When the lockdowns and social distancing began, high schools were getting into the heart of their softball and baseball seasons, and some were starting to prepare for spring football. Our park and recreation fields were coming out of dormancy. Hopefully most had gotten their spring preemergence herbicide treatments down, but I am sure that some had not. Over-seeded fields were just starting to really grow as the weather warmed a bit. Now on the first of May, we have many different situations out there. Some institutions didn’t miss a beat in their turf management routines, and their fields look like they could host a tournament tomorrow. On other fields, the gates were locked mid-March and they have not been maintained since. The question is how do we get the fields that were neglected ready for play?
Mowing The timing of the initial onset of the crisis was somewhat fortuitous in that it came in a period when our temperatures were below normal with cool nights. This slowed the growth of bermudagrass. Unfortunately this has also been a good growth period for cool-season weeds that were in our fields, and this has been a very good year for Poa annua and other cool-season weeds. On many fields, these weeds have held back the bermudagrass, and as I write this, it may not even be fully greened-up; although it is getting close. These are very competitive weeds, but their lifecycle is winding down. It is too late to control them with herbicides. The best tool to control them is a mower. On many fields the bermudagrass is not over 1 inch high and the weeds are much higher, so in our first mowing we will mostly be mowing weeds. For that reason field managers may want to mow once or twice with a rotary mower and collect the clippings before getting out the reel mower. The vacuum action of a rotary deck may also suck up some of the senescent leaves from last year’s grass. Once you get out the reel mower, try to get to the intended mowing height as quickly as possible. Most of the places I have seen will not have a lot of scalping, the bermudagrass is not growing fast yet. If you have access to a turf sweeper it would be a very good time to use it. Once we get to our intended cutting height, follow the 1/3 rule to determine when to mow, not a calendar-based schedule. If we are mowing at 1/2 inch, this means mow when the grass reaches 3/4 of an inch or if we are mowing at 1 inch, mow when we hit 1.5 inches. This might be a time to contemplate moving your mowing height up a little with the uncertainty of the coming season. If your normal mowing height is 1/2 inch, consider 5/8 of an inch, or if your normal mowing height is 3/4 inch, consider 7/8 inch, or if you are at 1 inch, perhaps 1 1/4. These higher mowing heights might allow you to save on some mowing but still have you near your usual height of cut. The increased mowing height may actually slow the growth of the grass a bit. Research done at the University of Wisconsin found that grass at greens-height grew 40% faster than grass at collar height, so it stands to reason that increasing our mowing heights could decrease our growth rates. You should not consider mowing heights over 1.5 inches for bermudagrass fields unless there is
a scarcity of manpower and/or funds. As mowing heights creep above 1.5 inches, traffic tolerance decreases. If budgets allow, this is an excellent time to apply plant growth regulators (PGRs). Applying a product like trinexapac-ethyl will reduce mowing by about 50% and make scalping less likely if a mowing is missed due to wetness or lack of manpower. The savings in mowing normally cover the cost of the PGRs.
Fertilizer If you have not had a soil test for a couple of years, now is the time. If you have a current soil test follow the recommendation for lime, P, and K application. Fields that were walked away from in mid-March or the first of April probably had not been fertilized yet. Once we begin to mow, we should also commit to fertility. For fields that are being maintained following the 1/3 rule, 1/2 to 3/4 of a pound of N per 1000 ft2 per month is recommended. This amount should be increased to 1 pound once the field starts to receive traffic. A fertilizer that is half quick release N and half controlled release N would be preferred. If a full-scale mowing program cannot be committed to then a full fertility program should not be started. If a field is only being mowed high every couple weeks, then only about 1/4 to 1/3 pound of N per 1000 ft2 per month is recommended. This will give the bermudagrass a fighting chance to fend off weeds while not promoting too much growth.
Weed Control Hopefully most turf managers were able to get out their spring preemergence herbicide on time, which would have been prior to mid-March. Some fields may not have received these treatments, and it is not too late to apply them. You have missed the initial flush of crab and goosegrass germination, but that flush may have been delayed by competition from unmown cool season weeds. If there has been emergence of crabgrass, goosegrass, and other warm season weeds, then applying a postemergence herbicide while weeds are young is most effective. A tank-mix of pre- and post-emergence herbicide would be a very timely application. If heavy weed pressure developed while the field was unmaintained, it is likely that a seedbank of winter weeds developed. With that in mind, a fall preemergence herbicide application will be very important. This application should be made as our soil temperatures fall below 70ºF.
Cultural Practices Since there’s no scheduled play, this would be an excellent time for aerification, vertical mowing, and topdressing, if manpower and budget allow it. This is an excellent time for hollow tine aerification followed by vertical mowing to process the cores. This would also be an excellent time to apply lime, P and K if needed. Grading, fraze mowing, heavy topdressing, and smoothing of fields are not always possible during regular use. There’s no better time for such an invasive procedure as during a pandemic. This is an opportunity to do many of the cultural practices that often are neglected because of busy schedules. Hopefully manpower and budgets will allow them happen. •
THE MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE • 21
UPCOMING EVENT
WHAT’S UP AND WHO’S ON DECK FOR THE DEEP SOUTH TURF EXPO?
By Beth Guertal, Ph.D.
As
I type this I’m sitting in an empty office, having just finished my last online lecture for the semester. It’s so odd to not see my students, and I miss live lectures and visits. But this will pass, and I’ll keep recording lectures and meeting via Zoom as long as it takes to keep folks safe. I know we all are looking forward to the end of social distancing, and a return to some type of normalcy in our turfgrass lives. And towards that eventual day, I’d like to briefly mention some of the great speakers and topics that we have lined up for this year’s Deep South Turf Expo. This year we will meet from Monday, November 2nd until Thursday, November
5th, at our usual locations of The Beau Rivage and the Mississippi Coast Convention Center. On Monday, we’ll host the first half of the Deep South Four Ball Classic Golf Tournament at The Preserve Golf Club. Tuesday opens with the Sports Field Tour, the Skeet and Trap Tournament (at the Coastal Rifle and Pistol Club), and the second day of the Deep South Four Ball Classic Golf Tournament (at Fallen Oak). If you are not doing the Four Ball tournament, we’ll also have a one-day Scramble Golf Tournament at The Preserve, with a tailgate party and dinner to follow. All attendees and exhibitors are welcome to the party and dinner!
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Wednesday kicks off the General Session at the Convention Center, with three top speakers covering a wide range of topics. Brad Jakubowski of Penn State University will discuss weather apps, and how you can use them for safety and information. This will be a highly entertaining and useful talk. Following is Armen Suny, a search and consulting executive. He has expertise in executive searches for general managers, golf course superintendents, golf professionals, assistant general managers, and clubhouse managers. He also sits as one of 240 worldwide architect/panelists ranking golf courses for Golf Course Architecture magazine. Our final speaker for the General Session is Dr. Chase Straw from Texas A&M. Dr. Straw is an expert on traffic and traffic patterns in athletic fields, and he will discuss new research that helps you understand the impact of people on managed turfgrasses. Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday are the breakout sessions, and you can find a wide array of topics for turfgrass management. All your favorite state turfgrass people are on the program, with presentations on Poa annua, pond management and turfgrass pathology. Come meet Dr. Marco Schavion, a new faculty member at the University of Florida, who will be discussing water quality issues. Tim Hires and Dr. Bryan Unruh will both be covering Best Management Practices, both from the agronomy and people viewpoints. There are a wide range of herbicide and weed control discussions, covering goosegrass control, weed control in home lawns, worker safety and sprayer use, and ecologically beneficial turfgrass. On the athletic field side Doug Schattinger will give a presentation on robotic sprayers, and the athletic field managers from the University of Alabama will give a talk on game day preparation. In all it’s a great schedule, and it promises to be several days of fun and great education. So mark your calendar now and join us in warm and sunny Mississippi for the Deep South Turfgrass Expo. Come recover from social distancing with us! •
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STEVE KUYRKENDALL Golf- Mississippi skuyrkendall@harrells.com (601) 953-1847
JAMES BARTLEY Turf & Landscape- Mississippi jbartley@harrells.com (334) 707-5134
BRETT DRINKWINE Golf- Gulf Coast bdrinkwine@harrells.com (251) 689-3288
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