North Carolina Turfgrass - March/April 2019

March/April 2019

A Publication of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina

Zoysiagrasses: An Update If Lawn Weeds Could Talk: IPM Indicator Weeds in Home Lawns

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16 24 table of contents March/April 2019

More Features:

16 Turf Tips

12 Green Light

on Lawns

I f Weeds Could Talk: IPM Indicator Weeds in Home Lawns

Z oysiagrasses: An Update

NALP Initiatives to Strengthen our Industry Workforce

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From the President

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TCNC Deluxe Members Welcome, New Members NC State Turf Team Index of Advertisers

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JohnDeere.com/Golf

From the President

Find Value in TCNC Membership

It

is my honor to serve as the 2019 President of the Turf Council of North Carolina (TCNC). I’ve worked in the turfgrass industry for over 30 years, and for 22 of those years I’ve been an active member of the TCNC. As a member of the TCNC, I’ve been privileged to meet many influential people in our industry, learning from them and building my turf knowledge and business skills, and most importantly, creating lasting friend- ships. I look forward to my time as President to help others find the same value as I have as a TCNC member.

I would like to thank Damon Dean for his leadership as President in 2017–2018; and express my appreciation to David Bradley and Michael Hrivanak, who will be leaving the TCNC board, for their work and support. Welcome to our new board members, Wilson Sutton and Andrew Wampler. Thank you to all our board members who are working to make the TCNC an outstanding organization!

On January 24, 2019, we held our annual TCNC meeting and conference at the Raleigh Country Club. This event was well attended and offered the opportunity to network with turf professionals and take advantage of the excellent educational programs provided by the faculty of NC State University.

Damon Dean presented Sam Lang with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his accomplishments and leadership in the turf industry. I’ve known Sam for many years and this award is well deserved. Throughout his career, Sam has worked diligently to protect the turf industry from legislation that would be detrimental to our industry.

If you were unable to attend this year’s annual meeting, be sure to add it to your calendar for 2020. Let us hear from you – the TCNC is a valuable resource to keep up with changes in our industry and to learn how those changes may impact how we conduct business. We are always looking for new ways to help our members and improve the turf industry.

It is my hope that 2019 will be a rewarding year for you all, both professionally and personally. As you have heard before, “Life is Short” so enjoy every day to the fullest.

Best regards,

Gene Queen

TCNC President

North Carolina Turfgrass is the official publication of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina 110 Horizon Drive Suite 210 Raleigh, NC 27615 919-459-2070 fax 919-459-2075 www.ncturfgrass.org

Executive Director Anna Brooks Whichard, CAE IMI Association Executives annabrooks@imiae.com 919-459-2070 Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, TN 37064 615-790-3718 fax 615-794-4524 info@leadingedge communications.com

2019 TCNC Officers President

Gene Queen Nature’s Select Premium Turf Services Winston-Salem, NC 336-768-7999

Past President Damon Dean Keith Hills Country Club West End, NC 910-893-1372

Treasurer Kevin Herrmann Fairway Green, Inc. Raleigh, NC 919-818-9640

2019 Directors H. Dean Baker Kinston Country Club Kinston, NC

Jonathan Richardson, NCCTP Green Resource Dunn, NC Wilson Sutton Kinston Country Club Kinston, NC Andrew Wampler Southern Ag Hendersonville, NC

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TCNC Deluxe Members Companies wishing to support TCNC with multiple members can join as Deluxe Members.

New for the 2018–2019 membership year, Deluxe Memberships can be purchased in one of three tiers: 1–5 employees; 6–10 employees; or 11+ employees.

If you'd like to learn more about the Deluxe Membership, please contact the TCNC office at (919) 459-2070 or info@ncturfgrass.org.

Thank You to Our Deluxe Member Organizations

The Biltmore Company

Givens Estates

Revels Turf & Tractor

Green Resource

Smith Turf & Irrigation

Barefoot & Associates Inc.

JRM Inc.

BASF Corporation

Keith Hills Country Club

Buy Sod Inc Carolina Farm Credit Carolina Green Corp.

Kinston Country Club Leap Frog Landcare Inc.

Sod Solutions Inc. Southern Ag Southern Seeds Inc

City of Raleigh Parks & Recreation

McConnell Golf LLC

Town of Cary Public Works

The Club at Longview

Nature's Select Premium Turf Services

Triangle Chemical Company

Country Boy Landscaping Inc

NCSU Landscape Construction Services

Turf Mountain Sod Inc

Duke University

North Carolina A&T State University

UNCG

Fairway Green Fayetteville Technical Community College

Pennington Seed – ProTurf Division Quality Turf

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SiteOne Landscape Supply

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Vereens Turf Products Wake Forest University

Welcome New TCNC Members!

Jim Coffey Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC

Neil Jones Buy Sod Inc. Quinton, VA

John Dorsey Dorsey Landscaping LLC Raleigh, NC

Sean O’Connell Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Fletcher, NC

The Turfgrass Council of North Carolina (TCNC) serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, North Carolina Turfgrass, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or TCNC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bimonthly publication.

Copyright © 2019 by the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina. North Carolina Turfgrass is published bi-monthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of TCNC. Presorted standard postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: North Carolina Turfgrass allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to TCNC. 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.

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A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e T u r f g r a s s C o u n c i l o f North Carolina 9

News from TCNC

2019 TCNC Officers

2019 Directors

President

Gene Queen

Dean Baker

Nature's Select 2550 Landmark Drive Winston Salem, NC 27103 gqueen@naturesselect.com

Kinston Country Club P.O. Box 1423 Kinston, NC 28503 kinstoncc@suddenlinkmail.com

Vice President

Jonathan Richardson, NCCTP

Open Seat

NCCTP Chairman Green Resource 89 Killington Place Dunn, NC 28334 sujmrichardson@ embarqmail.com

Past President

Damon Dean

Wilson (Wil) Sutton

Keith Hills Country Club 2012 Keith Hills Road Lillington, NC 27546 deand@campbell.edu

Kinston Country Club P.O. Box 1423 Kinston, NC 28503 kccsutton@earthlink.net

Treasurer

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Kevin Herrmann

Andrew Wampler

Communications Chairman Fairway Green Inc. 140 Rupert Road Raleigh, NC 27603 kherrmann@fairwaygreen.com

Southern Ag P.O. Box 429 Hendersonville, NC 28793 andrew.wampler@ southernag.com

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Green Light on Lawns

If Weeds Could Talk IPM Indicator Weeds in Home Lawns

By Mr. Ryan Adams, Extension Associate, Center for Integrated Pest Management, NC State and Dr. Danesha Seth Carley, Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State

Mowing

All

weeds have a story to tell. Their mere presence communicates valuable infor- mation on recent maintenance practices employed. Cultural practices that promote a healthy and dense turf stand are one of the most important and least recognized weed control tools. In fact, many

pest infestations are triggered by problems associated with upkeep including mowing height and regularity, irrigation timing and frequency, and fertilization (usually too much or too little). Improper practices can stress the turf, giving weeds a competitive edge. Although herbicides may seem like a simple solution to weed problems, killing the weeds with an herbicide only treats the symptom without identifying the underlying cause.

In order to treat the cause of a weed infestation, it is important to consider prevention, mechanical and biological options, and cultural practices that encouraged weed establishment in the first place. We will take a look at common indicator weeds in North Carolina turf and unpack what their presence can tell you.

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Mowing is the most time consuming maintenance practice, and many aspects of mowing are misunderstood and in some cases, can be performed incorrectly. Because lawns often look attractive after mowing it is easy to assume that grass thrives on mowing. In reality, mowing is a very destructive process that injures the grass plant. Each mowing temporarily reduces root growth, decreases carbohydrate availability, increases water loss, and decreases water absorption by the roots. Therefore, it is important to minimize these stresses with sound mowing practices.

Ideally, the decision to mow or not to mow should be based on the growth of the grass, rather than a set schedule. As a general rule, mow as often as needed so that no more than one-third of the total leaf area is removed in a single mowing. For example, a bermudagrass lawn at a height of two inches should be mowed when the grass reaches three inches. If you are seeing dog fennel, chicory, blackberry, and wild carrot, it is likely you are mowing too infrequently, since most of these weeds are removed with consistent mowing. Conversely, if you mow your lawn too frequently, you will increase the likelihood of several weeds such as annual bluegrass, moss, crabgrass, chickweed, and goosegrass.

March/April 2019

Soil Conditions

Soil Moisture Proper irrigation timing and techniques play a critical role in weed establishment and encroachment. One of the most common issues is late-day irrigation, which increases periods of leaf wetness. A simple change to morning or early day irrigation will reduce the likelihood of several turf diseases as well as weeds that prefer wet conditions.

Dry Soils Spurge, black medic, oxalis, goosegrass, bahiagrass, knotweed, bindweed and lespedeza are the most common weeds in nonirrigated areas. Drought-like conditions further encourage weed issues. The installation and proper use of an irrigation system can help prevent weeds altogether. Alternative options in drought prone or non-irrigated areas would include use of droughttolerant turf species such as bermudagrass or zoysiagrass.

Wet Soils In contrast to dry soils, excessively irrigated or poorly drained sites are usually littered with annual or rough bluegrass, chickweed, dollarweed, doveweed, barnyardgrass, moss, sedges or kyllinga. These weeds are frequent inhabitants of areas near water bodies, drainage ditches, or low areas in a yard.

Yellow nutsedge grows rapidly during the hot summer months and is often found in wet or poorly drained soils before spreading to dryer areas. This warm-season perennial weed is common, and easy to identify. The growth habit similar to grasses except that it has a triangular stem, and typically will spring up quickly after a rain event. The upright grass-like leaves are light green to yellowish in color and shiny in appearance.

Compaction: Turf areas that receive foot or tire traffic commonly become compacted over time. Soil particles become so densely packed and compressed, forcing air, water, and roots from pore spaces.

With poor water infiltration and anaerobic conditions, the remaining roots become shallow and thin, making it difficult for them to obtain necessary water and nutrients.

The best way to combat compaction is through aerification, which opens channels that allow for the reintroduction of oxygen and water into the root zone. Simply adding an annual aerification program will increase plant health and rooting and reduce the occurrence of common weeds that thrive in compacted soils such as annual bluegrass, annual sedges, goosegrass, spurge, knotweed and broadleaf plantain.

Fertility There are fourteen elements that are often referred to as mineral nutrient elements and are generally obtained in the soil via root extraction. The quantity of most of these nutrients contained in the soil is high compared with the requirements of turfgrass.

However, inadequate or excessive nutrients affects weed pressure. The two most common nutrients that influence weed populations are nitrogen and phosphorus.

Infertile soil due to low nitrogen: When fertilizer has not been added for several years, black medic, clovers, and moss tend to dominate by pushing out the turf, and spreading readily. A single nitrogen application would encourage turf growth and reduce weed pressure.

White clover is an obvious indicator of an infertile soil or under-fertilized area. Clover is unique in the fact it fixes its own nitrogen, allowing it to outcompete an insufficiently fertilized turfgrass species. White clover is recognized by its trifoliate leaf with three rounded leaflets and a white flower that blooms through much of the growing season.

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Green Light on Lawns | continued

Excessive Nitrogen and phosphorus: In contrast, overfertilization can lead to turf decline and increased presence of annual bluegrass, bermudagrass, chickweed, ryegrass, and purslane. Annual bluegrass is the most notorious invader of high nitrogen, high phosphorus soils and continues to be one of the most difficult to eradicate in managed turf.

Weeds are generally more adapted to adverse growing conditions than desirable turf species. By understanding the underlying causes, monitoring weed species and correcting cultural practices, it is possible to discourage weeds and increase the quality of your desired species. Any factor that will improve the overall health of the desired species will reduce weed pressure.

Correcting the maintenance issues will not eliminate all weeds, but will go a long way in reducing weed pressure.

When it comes to weed control, it really is true that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. First and foremost, it is a good idea to prevent weedy pests from sprouting in the first place. The easiest way to do this is to ensure that your lawn is thick and full, which makes it very difficult for weeds to thrive. By understanding which weeds you have, and listening to what they are telling you, you can potentially diagnose and solve your own weedy turfgrass challenges. G

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Turf Tips

Zoysiagrasses: An Update

By Tom Samples and John Sorochan, University of Tennessee, Department of Plant Sciences

Z

oysiagrass, one of the earli- est grass species to be used as turf, is native to Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and the Philippines where the weather varies greatly depending on season.

This relatively slow-growing, sod- forming and warm-season species forms a durable, uniform turf in full sun and light, open shade. Many

zoysiagrass varieties produce no viable seeds and must be established from sod, plugs or sprigs. Depending on the planting date, sprigging rate, and plug diameter and spacing, the vegetatively propagated varieties often require more than a year to totally cover the soil surface. Leaves and stems developing from nodes on stolons and rhizomes usually grow upright at an angle of about 90 degrees, a trait contributing to very good to excellent stand density. Zoysiagrass leaves are often stiff and stems are very tough due to high levels of lignin and hemicellulose.

These attributes result in excellent wear tolerance.

The slow rate of growth of lateral stems compared to that of bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass causes zoysiagrass turfs to take longer to recover from damage from traffic, disease or insect activity.

Generally, zoysiagrasses have very good drought, heat and salinity tolerance. The nitrogen (N) requirement of the species is usually lower than that of bermudagrass.

In TN, an annual N rate of no more than 2 lbs. of N per 1,000 sq. ft. per yr. is most often recommended in residential turfs maintained at a cutting height of 1½ inches or higher. Plants often do produce substantial amounts of thatch, and intensely managed and highly fertile zoysiagrass turfs may require dethatching every two or three years.

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Insect pests of zoysiagrass include white grubs (larvae of several species of Scarab beetles), fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and hunting billbug (Sphenophorus venatus vestitus). The disease large patch (Rhizoctonia solani), commonly referred to as Zoysia patch may also be problematic. Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is a common weed problem in zoysiagrass turfs. Perennial weeds with fleshy, subsurface and energy-rich bulbs such as wild garlic (Allium vineale), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and green kyllinga (Kyllinga brevifolia) can also compete with zoysiagrass for water, nutrients, light and space and may periodically require herbicide treatment.

An appropriate preemergence herbicide can be applied in late summer or early fall to control winter annual weeds such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua), common chickweed (Stelaria media), purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) and henbit (Lamium amplexicaule). Similarly, the emergence of seedlings of many summer annual and perennial weedy grasses and broadleaf weeds can be prevented by applying an appropriate preemergence herbicide in late winter or early spring. In addition to insect and disease resistance, the growth rate, low-temperature hardiness, leaf width, color and shade tolerance also vary among species and varieties.

Species Zoysiagrass, named in honor of the 18th century Australian botanist Karl von Zois, was introduced into the U. S. from East Asia and the Pacific Islands. It has been previously reported that, in the mid-1890’s, Z. japonica, sometimes called Japanese or Korean lawn grass, was

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introduced into the U. S. from the Manchurian Province of China.

Zoysia matrella was believed to have been introduced into the U.S. from the Philippine Islands in 1912 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) botanist, C. V. Piper. As a result, this species is occasionally referred to as Manilagrass. Recent research regarding the history of zoysiagrass suggests that Z. matrella may actually have been introduced into the U. S. from Japan in 1892, and that Z. japonica was introduced into the U.S. from Korea in 1894.

A third species, Korean velvet grass or Mascarene grass, was most likely introduced into the U. S. from the Mascarene Islands (which are located in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar) or from a plant collection (listed as plant introduction 9299) of USDA explorer David Fairchild in 1902 from Yokohama, Japan.

Originally referred to as Z. tenuifolia, this very fine textured species is now recognized as Z. pacifica. Rankings of lowtemperature hardiness, leaf width and rate of growth by species are: Z. japonica > Z. matrella > Z. pacifica.

Varieties Vegetative, Clonal Types. Improved, vegetatively established varieties marketed in Tennessee include ‘Cavalier’, ‘Diamond’, ‘El Toro’, ‘Geo’, ‘Meyer’, ‘Palisades’, ‘Royal’, ‘Zeon’ and ‘Zorro’. El Toro, Meyer and Palisades are medium-coarse, low-temperature-hardy varieties. Meyer, released in 1951, is one of the oldest varieties in the marketplace and remains the most widely maintained zoysiagrass in the state.

El Toro, released in 1986, resembles Meyer. However, El Toro is more shade

Bermudagrass Stolon

Zoysiagrass Rhizomes

Meyer zoysiagrass sod Photo credit Dr. Frank Hale

Zoysiagrass rhizomes and bermudagrass stolon

Thatch layer in zoysiagrass

Photo credit: Dr. Alan Windham

Countries in which zoysiagrass is native

Hunting billbug larva.

Large patch disease on zoysiagrass.

Palisades zoysiagrass

Zeon zoysiagrass

Zenith zoysiagrass

Zoysiagrass as greens research site – Knoxville

Zoysiagrass green research plot

Zoysiagrass seed in inflorescence

Zoysiagrass seeds

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Turf Tips | continued

tolerant, faster growing, has slightly wider leaves, is less dense and produces less thatch. In 1996, Texas A&M University released Palisades, a variety noted for good winter hardiness and improved shade tolerance. Cavalier, Royal, Zeon and Zorro are dense, fine-textured and relatively low-growing varieties. Cavalier, released for production in 1996, has long and slender leaves, good salt and traffic tolerance, and like Palisades, improved shade tolerance. Cavalier is also resistant to fall armyworms and large patch.

Royal, a variety released by Texas A&M University in 2001, has dense rhizomes and tillers, excellent salt tolerance, good shade tolerance and recovers more rapidly from injury than several other varieties. Royal may also transition from winter dormancy earlier than other varieties. Zeon, released in 1996

by Bladerunner Farms, is very tolerant of extended periods of drought, is adapted to both clayey and sandy soils, and develops a dense turf at a cutting height of ½ inch, one reason the variety is being maintained on golf course fairways. Zeon has good insect resistance, including hunting billbug, and shade tolerance.

Although the variety Zorro, released

by Texas A&M University in 2001, has limited cold hardiness, it is fairly tolerant of low light conditions, recovers fairly quickly from damage, has excellent salt tolerance, and resists several diseases and insect pests. The variety Emerald, released in 1955 by the USDA, is a hybrid between Z. japonica and Z. pacifica. An objective of crossing the two species was to combine the darker green color, fine texture and excellent stand density of the Z. pacifica parent from Guam with the cold hardiness and more rapid growth rate of the Z. japonica parent from Korea. Although less tolerant of extreme low temperatures, Emerald is denser, finer textured and more shade tolerant than Meyer.

The variety ‘Innovation’, a cross between the Z. matrella variety Cavalier and an ecotype of Z. japonica named ‘Anderson 1’, a derivative of Chinese Common, is a joint release by Texas A&M University and Kansas State University. Cold tolerance, fall color retention and spring transition of the variety are equivalent to Meyer, and plants have a finer leaf texture and are more resistant to bluegrass billbug (Sphenophorus parvulus). Newer vegetatively established zoysiagrass varieties continue to gain acceptance and market-share in TN and other states located in the turfgrass ‘transition’ zone, and will most likely eventually replace both Meyer and Emerald.

Seeded Types. The inflorescence of seed-producing Z. japonica plants consist of a flower stalk called a peduncle supporting the entire inflorescence to which racemes with 10 to 50 seed-containing spikelets are attached. Each seed is suspended on a short (1½ to 6 mm) pedicel and alternately attached along each spikelet. Presently, seed of ‘Chinese Common’ Z. japonica imported from China, Japan and/or Korea is marketed in the Southeastern U.S. The color and leaf blade width of ‘Zenith’, a seed-producing Z. japonica variety released in 2000 by Patten Seed Company resemble Meyer.

‘Compadre’ (formerly named ‘Companion’) is another Z. japonica variety that yields viable seeds. It also resembles Meyer, and may transition from winter dormancy slightly earlier than Zenith.

Chinese Common, Compadre and Zenith are not intended to be maintained in moderate to heavy shade. Zoysiagrass seeds are often pre-treated (primed) and may be coated before packaging in an effort to improve the uniformity of seed germination and seedling growth, respectively. There are approximately 601,440 zoysiagrass seeds per pound.

Classification of Species/Varieties Historically, and based on morphological characteristics such as leaf blade width and inflorescence as well as traits including the level of shade tolerance, individual varieties have been categorized as being japonica, matrella or pacifica species or “types” within the genus Zoysia.

Recently, genetic research conducted at North Carolina State University in collaboration with the University of Florida, the USDA- Agricultural Research Service in Tifton, GA and Blue Moon Farms, LLC revealed that an “inter-connectedness” exists among species. Because zoysiagrasses are cross fertile, plant breeders are able to develop improved varieties with traits of keen interest from each species as well as valued and overlapping traits that both species share. A total of 62 varieties and collections from five different zoysiagrass species (Z. japonica, Z. matrella, Z. machrostachya, Z. minima and Z. sinica) were included in this study.

DNA markers were used to investigate the genetic makeup of each of the 62 zoysiagrass samples which fell into one of three categories identified by the researchers as Clusters. Cluster I included true Z. japonica varieties and Cluster III, true Z. matrella varieties, while Cluster II consisted of hybrids between the two species. Cluster II was divided into two subgroups. The researchers labelled the subgroups Hybrid I and Hybrid II. Hybrid I contained Z. japonica x Z. matrella hybrids with a higher concentration of genetic material from Z. japonica. Hybrid II contained Z. japonica x Z. matrella hybrids with a higher concentration of genetic material from Z. matrella. In addition to benefiting turfgrass breeders, this new information should help turfgrass industry professionals develop

Leaf Width and Relative Shoot Density, Shade Tolerance and Cold Hardiness of Zoysiagrass Species Maintained as Turf in the U. S.a Species Z. japonica Z. matrella Z. pacifica

Leaf Width > 2.5b 1.5 – 2.5 < 1.5

Shoot Density Medium Medium High

Shade Tolerance Fair to Good Good Good to Excellent

Cold Hardiness Moderate Poor Very Poor

aS ource: Patton, A., B. M. Schwartz and K. E. Kenworthy. 2017. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) History, Utilization, and Improvement in the United States: A Review. Crop Sci. (57) July–Aug. https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/cs/pdfs/57/supplement1/S-37 b Varieties of Z. japonica can be grouped based on leaf width. Varieties in one group (for example, ‘Carrizo’, ‘Chisholm’, ‘Crowne’, ‘El Toro’, ‘Empire’, ‘Palisades’ and ‘Zenith’) usually have a leaf width > 3.5 mm, and rhizomes and stolons with much longer internodes compared to those in the second group. Leaves of varieties in the second group (for example, ‘Cutlass’, ‘DeAnza’ and ‘Meyer’) are usually more narrow than those in the first group. Cutlass and DeAnza are often referred to as Meyer types.

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Turf Tips | continued

effective zoysiagrass sod production and turf management plans according to variety-specific requirements.

Golf Greens Interest in breeding, producing and marketing zoysiagrasses for use on golf greens is growing. Presently, Diamond, a variety of Z. matrella with fine to dwarf leaf texture, resistance to large patch and fall armyworm, and excellent stand density

released by Texas A&M University in 1996, is being maintained on a number of golf greens in the U. S. Breeders and researchers are developing and evaluating new zoysiagrasses (e.g., ‘Primo’, ‘Prizm’, ‘DALZ1308’ and ‘Trinity’) for suitability as ‘sustainable’ putting surfaces.

In 2011, Prizm was identified as a distinctly different vegetative patch or clonal plant with fine leaf texture and a deeper green color compared to other plants growing under cultivated conditions near Proteet, TX and originating from crosses

among Zeon, Trinity, and two unpatented plants ’29-2 B9’ and ‘380-1’. DALZ1308, a new and yet to be named ultra-dwarf zoysiagrass developed at Texas A&M University specifically for putting greens is a hybrid between Z. minima and Z. matrella with very fine leaf texture, high aerial shoot density and improved winter color retention. The species Z. minima is native to New Zealand where it grows along the coast to ~ 2000 ft. above sea level on sand dunes and in sandy and gravelly soils.

Zoysiagrass Variety Accession, Registration and Patent Numbers, Date of Release by Agency, Company or University, and Species Designation Based on Morphology or Genetic Research Conducted at North Carolina State University.

Variety, Accession (AN), Registration (RN), Plant Introduction & Patent Protection (PP) #s Vegetative Types BA-189 PP23716 Belair AN R52-25, RN 104 Cashmere (P1) PP6529 Cavalier (DALZ8507) PP10788 Crowne (DALZ8512) PP11570 DeAnza (Z88-8) PP9127 Diamond (DALZ8502) PP10636 El Toro (UCR#1) PP5845

Year of Introduction, Agency, Institution or Company

Species/ Morphology

Species/ Genetic Markersa

2005, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1996, 1995, 1996, 1984,

Z. matrella Z. japonica Z. matrella Hybrid II Hybrid I Hybrid I Z. matrella Hybrid I

Hybrid I Hybrid II Hybrid II Hybrid I Z. matrella Hybrid I Z. matrella Z. matrella Hybrid I Hybrid II Hybrid II Hybrid II Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. japonica

University of Florida USDA Pursley Turf Farms Texas A&M University Texas A&M University University of California Texas A&M University Univ. of California, Riverside

Emerald (RN 7)

1955, USDA & U. S. Golf Assoc.

Empire (SS-500) PP11466 Empress (SS300) PP11495 GNZ, OakZ (ZT-11) PP7074 GS90-18 PP9089 Himeno PP13267 JaMur PP13178 Marion PP14147 Matrella (FC 13521) PI 48574 Meyer, Amazoy (RN 12, Z-52) Midwest Miyako, PP10187 Palisades (DALZ8514) PP11515 Rollmaster Royal (DALZ9006) PP14395 Serene PP14175 Shadowturf (Ivey-1) PP20266 Southern Gem PP15218 Toccoa Green (BA305) PP18415 Trinity L1F PP25203 Victoria (Z88-14) PP9135 Leisure Time Zoysia/ LTZ (Y2) PP17824P2 Zeon PP13166 Zorro (DALZ8510, 9601) PP14130 Seeded Types Chinese Common Compadre (ZMB-2) Zenith (ZNW-1)

1999, Sod Solutions 2000, Sod Solutions 1989, Greg Norman Turf 1995, Japan 2002, Zoysian Japan Co., Ltd. 1996, Bladerunner Farms 2008, Heritage Turf 1941, Alabama AES 1951, USDA/ U. S. Golf Assoc.

1963, Indiana Agric. Expt. Sta. 1998, Japan 1996, Texas A&M University 2008, Winrock Grass Farm 2001, Texas A&M 2008, Heritage Turf 2007, Ivey Gardens Greenhouses 2008, Heritage Turf 2005, University of Florida 2014, Bladerunner Farms 1995, University of California 2006, Bladerunner Farms and Patten Seed 1996, Bladerunner Farms 2001, Texas A&M University

Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. matrella Z. matrella Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. matrella Z. japonica Z. japonica x Z. pacifica Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. matrella Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. matrella Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. japonica Unknown Z. matrella Z. japonica Unknown Z. japonica Z. matrella Z. matrella Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. matrella Z. matrella

1993, Seed Research of Oregon 1993, Patten Seed

Z. japonica Z. japonica Z. japonica

Hybrid II Hybrid I Hybrid I Hybrid II Z. japonica Hybrid I Hybrid I Hybrid I Z. japonica Z. japonica

aS ource: Milla-Lewis, S. and J.A. Kimball. 2018. Rooted in research. Genetic research shines light into Zoysia’s family tree. C. Reynolds (ed.)

Turf News. Turfgrass Producers International. May/June, Pp. 48-51

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Comparing Varieties National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). The results of the NTEP Zoysiagrass Tests can help determine if a particular variety of interest is well adapted to a local area or region and a specific level of maintenance. There have been a total of five NTEP Zoysiagrass Tests.

The first test or trial initiated in 1991 contained 21 entries of which four were seeded. Entries were evaluated from 1992 to 1995 by university researchers at 21 locations (AL, AR, AZ, CA- 4 sites, FL- 2 sites, GA- 2 sites), ID, IL- 2 sites, Kansas- 2 sites, KY, MD- 3 sites, MD, MS, MO, NE, OH, OK, TX- 3 sites and VA) throughout the U. S. Evaluators used standard procedures and formats to determine such traits as overall quality, color, leaf texture, spring transition, establishment/seedling vigor, drought tolerance, frost tolerance/winter kill, and both insect and disease resistance.

The 2013 National Zoysiagrass Test is currently underway. Thirty-five named and experimental varieties are being evaluated in AL, AR, AK, CA, FL- 2 sites, GA, IN, KS, MO, NC- 2 sites, TN and TX- 2 sites. Progress reports for 2014 – 16 have been published and are now available online at http://ntep.org/ zg.htm. Information regarding the performance of several zoysiagrass varieties entered in the 2013 NTEP National Warm-Season Putting Green Test is also available online at: http://www. ntep.org/reports/ws13g/ws13g_15-1/ ws13g_15-1.htm.

References Alderson, J. and W. C. Sharp. 1995. Grass Varieties in the United States, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A., Lewis Publishers, CRC, New York, NY Anon. 2018. Zoysia for Greens. http://www.bladerunnerfarms.com/ site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ BF-Green-Grass-Slick.pdf Anon. 2017. Registration of ‘KSUZ 0802’ Zoysiagrass. Journal of Plant Registrations. https://dl.sciencesocieties. org/publications/jpr/abstracts/11/2/100 Anon. 2016. Zoysiagrass Plant named ‘M85’. http://www.freepatentsonline. com/PP27289.html Anon. 2016. Zoysiagrass Plant named ‘M60’. https://patents.justia.com/ patent/20170339816

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A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e T u r f g r a s s C o u n c i l o f N orth Carolina 21

Turf Tips | continued

Accession/Registration Number or Experimental Designation, Year of Introduction by Agency, Institution or Company and Species of Several Zoysiagrass Varieties Presently or Formerly Commercially Available In the U. S.a Variety, Accession (AN), Registration (RN) & Patent Protection (PP) #s

Year of Introduction, Agency, Institution or Company

Species

Aloyzia PP22168

2011, Aloyzia Blue

Z. japonica

BK-7

1987, Craft Turf Farms

Z. japonica

Carrizo (6136) PP17808

2006, Bladerunner Farms

Z. japonica

Chisholm (DALZ 0102) P1666039

2012,Texas A&M University & Kansas State University

Z. japonica

Cutlass (LR-1) PP25380

2013, Bladerunner Farms

Z. japonica

Geo (BK-9) PP20150020273 P1

2010, Sod Solutions

Z. japonica x Z. pacifica

Icon (MAC03)

2011, DIG Plant Company

Z. macrantha

Innovation (KSUZ 0802) Patent application filed 5/7/2018

2015, Kansas State University & Texas A&M University / Sod Solutions

Z. japonica x Z. matrella

Marquis (TC 2033)

1991, Turf Center

Z. spp.

N/A (DALZ1308)

N/A, Texas A&M University/ Bladerunner Farms

Z. minima x Z. matrella

Prizm (M60) PP29143

2017, Bladerunner Farms

Z. matrella

Primo (M85) PP27289 P2

2016, Bladerunner Farms

Z. matrella

Omni (CD2013)

1991, Bladerunner Farms

Z. matrella

Sunburst (Z-73)

1952, USDA

Z. japonica

ZoyBoy (Z-3) PP8553

1994, Quality Turfgrass

Z. japonica x Z. matrella

aS ource: Patton, A., B. M. Schwartz and K. E. Kenworthy. 2017. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) History, Utilization, and Improvement in the United States: A Review. Crop Sci. (57) July-Aug. https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/cs/pdfs/57/supplement1/S-37

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March/April 2019

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AOSA [Association of Official Seed Analysts]. 2017. Rules for Testing Seeds. Vols. 1-4. Washington, D.C. 20002 Chandra, A., J. D. Fry, A. D. Genovesi, M. Meeks, M. C. Engelke, Q. Zhang, D. Okeyo, J. Q. Moss, E. Ervin, Xi Xiong, S. Milla-Lewis, J. T. Brosnan, J. Griffin, and L. Parsons. 2017.

Registration of ‘KSUZ 0802’ Zoysiagrass. Journal of Plant Registrations.

Madison, WI Engelke, M. and D. Stone. 2003.

Management of Zoysiagrass on Golf Courses, GCSAA Seminars 2004, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America in partnership with Jacobsen, a Textron Company, Lawrence, KS Hanson, A. A.1972. Grass Varieties in the United States, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A., Agriculture Handbook Number 170, Washington, D. C. Kelsheimer, E. G. 1956. The Hunting Billbug a Serious Pest of Zoysia.

Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society. 69: 415-417. fshs.org/proceedings-o/1956-vol-69/ 415-417 Kimball, J. A., M. C. Zuleta, K. E. Kenworthy, V. G. Lehman, K. R. Harris-Shultz, and S. Milla-Lewis 2013. Genetic Relationships in Zoysia Species and the Identification of Putative Interspecific Hybrids using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers and Inflorescence Traits. Crop Sci. 53(1):285. January McCarty, L. B. 1995. Zoysiagrass for Florida Lawns in SP 45 Florida Lawn Handbook, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Milla-Lewis, S. and J. A. Kimball.

2018. Rooted in Research. Genetic Research Shines Light into Zoysia’s Family Tree. Edited by C. Reynolds.

Turf News. Turfgrass Producers International. May/June, Pp. 48–51 Patton, A., B. M. Schwartz and K. E. Kenworthy. 2017. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) History, Utilization, and Improvement in the United States: A Review. Crop Sci. (57) July–Aug. https://dl.sciencesocieties. org/publications/cs/pdfs/57/ supplement1/S-37 Patton, A. 2010. Selecting Zoysiagrass Cultivars: Turf Quality and Stress Tolerance. Golf Course Management.

May. Pp. 90–95 G

A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e T u r f g r a s s C o u n c i l o f N orth Carolina 23

NALP Apprenticeship Program

NALP Initiatives to

Strengthen our Industry Workforce

A

ccording to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the landscape industry had 71,000 unfilled jobs in 2017 (the most recent year for which data is available). This number quantifies what most industry professionals know all too well – the workforce shortage has reached crisis proportions. The National Association of

Landscape Professionals is leading efforts to address this problem through the Industry Growth Initiative (IGI), charged with growing the workforce and the industry, and committed to attracting 100,000 people to the industry by 2025.

NALP’s IGI is tackling the workforce shortage in a variety of ways including through extensive messaging to millennials, women, veterans and others to attract them to the profession.

That voice to educate people about the industry has come through social media on the new WhyILandscape channels, partnering with bloggers and social influencers, media relations activities, and advertising campaigns. In fact, advertising drove more than 100,000 people the job board associated with LandscapeIndustryCareers.org over the past year. IGI has created fliers, brochures, presentations, and more than two dozen videos that showcase career opportunities in the industry and they have developed additional resources to support Landscape Career Day, a non-date-specific opportunity to connect students and job seekers with the profession. They are also working with students and educators to promote the importance of the work done by the industry.

NALP continues to work in concert with industry stakeholders to engage in strategic discussions and solution strategies.

The association has sponsored two workforce summits for state and national association leaders and they hosted the first workforce summit for industry professionals February 12–13, bringing CEOs, senior executives and HR professionals together to identify what changes must be made to business models to successfully combat the employee shortage and how the industry can best compete to attract the best and brightest to the field.

Sabeena Hickman, NALP’s CEO, noted “industry professionals are realizing how important it is to work together in combatting the lack of talent needed to sustain and grow their businesses. They are recognizing the industry must stand together in presenting itself to future employees as the competition for talent is not from the landscape company down the street but

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from manufacturers, construction companies, retailers, etc.”

One of NALP’s newest developments in addressing workforce development is the creation of the Landscape Management Apprenticeship Program that will debut in early 2019. The DOL registered program will help attract men and women to the profession and provide extensive training for tens of thousands of people. Through the program, contractors will hire apprentice candidates, ensure they receive 2000 hours of training in 17 competency areas while they are being paid, and support their completion of 144 hours of classroom instruction in landscape maintenance, installation, and irrigation. Companies that offer the apprenticeship program should enjoy a huge advantage in hiring and employee retention. Individuals who complete the program will receive a nationally recognized designation and are expected to receive college credit at more than 300 institutions.

NALP hopes to use the apprenticeship program to help in training and retraining more than 150,000 people over the next five years.

The federal government is investing tremendous resources in apprenticeship offerings, believing these earn-as-you-learn programs will help industries desperately working to recruit the employment help they need. With the re-invigoration of these decades-old programs that have historically been associated with the trades and construction, federal and state dollars are becoming readily available, creating tax credits to companies sponsoring apprentices and funding for apprentice training and related costs. For companies operating in states providing such resources, businesses will be able to train employees at little to no cost.

After the launch of the first apprenticeship program, NALP will turn its attention to the creation of similar programs including those for lawn care technicians, mechanics, etc. These programs are envisioned to be a game-changer for the industry and its ability to attract individuals to the profession. G Those wishing to learn more about NALP’s leadership to address the workforce shortage or the Landscape Management Apprenticeship Program can visit

www.landscapeprofessionals.org

March/April 2019

Index of Advertisers

NC State Turf Team

Andrew Sanderson Lawn Management.................................6 www.sandersonlawn.com Buy Sod, Inc................ Inside Back Cover www.buysod.com Carolina Green Corp.............................23 www.cgcfields.com Carolina Turf Farms, Inc.........................9 www.carolinaturffarms.com CoverSports USA..................................22 www.coversports.com Divots, Inc.............................................23 www.divotssand.com Revels Tractor Co. Inc.............................5 www.revelstractor.com Green Resource..................... Back Cover www.green-resource.com Kesmac....................... Inside Front Cover www.kesmac.com Leading Edge Communications............15 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com Mid-Atlantic STIHL..................................7 www.stihldealers.com Morgan Sand Company........................21 NewLife Turf, Inc..................................11 www.newlifeturf.com Progressive Turf Equipment Inc...........14 www.progressiveturfequip.com Smith Seed Services................................9 www.smithseed.com Southern Seeds, Inc..............................23 www.southernseedsinc.com Southern Specialty Equipment.............21 www.ssequip.net Super-Sod................................................3 www.supersod.com Trimax Mowing Systems.......................19 www.trimaxmowers.com Turf Mountain Sod, Inc.........................21 www.turfmountain.com

Crop and Soil Sciences Dr. Dan Bowman Professor, Crop Science (919) 515-2805 dan_bowman@ncsu.edu Dr. Rich Cooper Professor, Crop Science (919) 515-7600 rich_cooper@ncsu.edu Emily Erickson Crop Science Lecturer (919) 513-2034 emily_erickson@ncsu.edu Dr. Travis Gannon Assistant Professor (919) 515-2647 (Office) travis_gannon@ncsu.edu Matt Martin Extension Associate â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Turfgrass, NCSU Crop Science Dept (910) 675-2314 (Office) matthew_martin@ncsu.edu

Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis Associate Professor, Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics (919) 515-3196 susana_milla-lewis@ ncsu.edu Dr. Grady Miller Professor (919) 515-5656 grady_miller@ncsu.edu Dr. Charles Peacock Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist (919) 515-7615 charles_peacock@ncsu.edu Dr. Ron Qu Professor, Crop Science (919) 515-7616 rongda_qu@ncsu.edu

Entomology and Plant Pathology Dr. Terri Billeisen Extension Associate (919) 515-7464 tlhoctor@ncsu.edu Dr. Rick Brandenburg Extension Specialist (Peanuts & Turf) & Department Extension Leader (919) 515-8876 rick_brandenburg@ncsu.edu Lee Butler Extension Coordinator (919) 513-3878 elbutler@ncsu.edu Dr. Jim Kerns Associate Professor and Extension Specialist (Turfgrass Pathology) (919) 515-2730 (Office) jpkerns@ncsu.edu

Vandemark Farms.................................11 www.vandemarkfarms.com

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March/April 2019

Dr. Robert Richardson Professor and Extension Specialist (919) 515-5653 rob_richardson@ncsu.edu Dr. Tom Rufty Professor (919) 515-3660 tom_rufty@ncsu.edu Dr. Wei Shi Professor, Crop Science (919) 515-2647 (Office) wei_shi@ncsu.edu Dr. Fred Yelverton Extension Specialist (Turfgrass / Forage Crop Weed Mgt) (919) 515-5639 fred_yelverton@ncsu.edu

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dr. Garry Grabow Extension Specialist and Professor (919) 513-7348 garry_grabow@ncsu.edu

Horticulture Science Dr. Danesha Seth Carley Director, SIPMC & NC IPM Coordinator (919) 513-8189 danesha_carley@ncsu.edu

Give water a break tiftuf bermudagrass is the new drought-tolerance superstar.

The newest edition in the “Tif” (Tifton) series of bermudagrasses to originate from the renowned University of Georgia turfgrass breeding program, TifTuf promises to be a true game-changer in stellar yet environmentally friendly performance. Providing unbeatable drought tolerance, it uses 38% less water than Tifway 419, and it is significantly more drought resistant than all other bermudagrasses.

In addition to its incredible drought tolerance, TifTuf is more aggressive than Tifway and provides superior wear and traffic tolerance (even better than Celebration), excellent cold tolerance (equal to Latitude 36 at Kansas State University), fast spring green-up and excellent fall color retention. In the 2015 NTEP trials, TifTuf was the highest-ranked cultivar in North Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi, and across all 17 locations overall, it was the highest-ranked, commercially available cultivar.

TifTuf will not only pay for itself in water savings, but more importantly, it will create more-sustainable athletic fields for the future.

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