Tennessee Turfgrass - August / September 2003

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association and the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association

TIFSP RT

12 Reasons Why It’s the New Bermudagrass Standard For Golf Courses, Athletic Fields and Home Lawns If you’re involved with the installation or day-to-day care and maintenance of golf courses, athletic fields, home lawns or commercial properties, you’ll really appreciate how certified TifSport compares to Tifway and the other popular bermudagrass varieties in use today.

Be sure to ask for Tifsport by name. It makes a dense, luxurious dark green turf.

Closer Mowing Heights

After three-times-per-week mowings at 1/4”, research conducted in Tifton GA shows that TifSport can tolerate closer mowing heights than Tifway and Midiron. Sod density was excellent.

Superior Turf Density

TifSport has a greater density than Tifway-about a 1 point difference on a 10 point scale. And it’s about 3 points better than common bermudagrass.

Good Lateral Growth

TifSport is more aggressive than genetically pure Tifway, especially during the cool weather months.

This may account for TifSport’s rapid grow-in and repair time.

Superior Sod Strength

TifSport has superior sod strength. This translates into improved playing conditions and resistance to divot injury in football, golf and baseball.

Excellent Traffic Tolerance

TifSport’s density, sod strength and good lateral growth rate give it a high ranking for traffic tolerance. Athletic field managers and golf course superintendents are reporting outstanding re-growth from normal wear and tear.

Upright Leaf Blade Orientation

TifSport’s leaf blade orientation and stiffness is being touted by many golf course superintendents. They feel Tifsport gives a better ball lie in cut fairways and roughs.

Impressive Leaf Texture

TifSport has a similar leaf texture to Tifway, and a finer leaf texture than most other grasses used on fairways and tees. This also helps promote good footing on athletic fields.

Dark Green Color

TifSport has a dark emerald green color versus the somewhat lighter green of Tifway and Quickstand.

Drought Tough

TifSport developer Wayne Hanna has data from a 2-year study showing that TifSport has good drought tolerance. It not only stays green longer but it also recovers faster.

Cold Tolerant

TifSport has expanded the northern limits for warm season bermudagrasses, and has remained very consistent over multiple winters in Oklahoma.

Varietal Purity

In many cases common bermuda is being sold as Tifway 419, but Tifsport’s on-going purity is carefully controlled by a rigorous set of rules and guidelines.

Vigorous Root System

This inside view of a typical TifSport plug shows TifSport’s impressive root system, stolons and rhizomes.

To Order Your Certified TifSport Bermudagrass Sod or Sprigs, Contact One of These Licensed Tifsport Growers Super Sod •Fort Valley GA 800 535-1320 Quail Valley Grasses •Little Rock AR 800 666-0007 & 501 975-6281 McFall Sod & Seed Co. •Columbia TN 931 381-3667 & 800 869-7659 Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. •Manchester TN 800 782-4083 •Nashville TN 615 244-2333 •Murfreesboro TN 615 896-2252 Turfgrass America •Brentwood TN 615 377-9007 •Nashville TN 800 666-0943 •Taft TN 800 627-8816

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association and the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association

8

TABLE OF CONTENTS AUGUST / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 3

FEATURED ARTICLES

8

Storm Damage Wrecks Bent Tree Golf Course & Jackson CC

12

TVSTMA and Tennessee Titans Renovate Local High School Football Field

16

Rx for Heavily Trafficked Turf

DEPARTMENTS From the President 6 Turf Talk 24 Research Update 26 Turf Talk 29 Green Lines 31 Index of Advertisers Calendar of Events 34

34

16 4

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003

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Consistent performance, consistent results. When the

needed. Used in a regular program, ConSyst is even

humidity is up and the temperature is rising ConSyst

fungistatic to pythium diseases. ConSyst is one fungicide

®

fungicide gives you turf disease control you can count on

with such a broad spectrum of disease control, it’s become

time after time, every time. ConSyst works on contact and

the “all-purpose fungicide” for turf and ornamentals. If you

it works systemically to prevent and cure even

want consistent protection, you want ConSyst

resistant diseases, so no product rotation is

from Regal Chemical Company.

The all purpose fungicide for Healthier plants / / 8 0 0 . 6 2 1 . 5 2 0 8

FROM THE PRESIDENT

DAN STUMP

TTA Changes Direction with Executive Director’s Position W

ith changing times and the economy slow-downs, the TTA Board of Directors has decided to downsize the Executive Director’s position to Executive Secretary.

This change will save TTA approximately $12,000 a year. The savings will benefit you, the members, in the form of more high profile speakers at the conference and more money available for research. In addition, it will allow the TTA to increase its funds in what I like to call a “snow day fund” for bad weather during the annual conference.

tary. Cindy has been helping TTA for a number of years with the conference and trade show and now has come to the rescue for this interim period. We thank you very much, Cindy, for all your help and hard work.

Dan Stump TTA President T

We hope to have hired the new Executive Secretary by midto late August. With the help of the Superintendents Association across the state and TVSTMA, we have formulated a new job description for the position. At the present time, Cindy Ray is handling the administrative duties of the Executive Secre-

Visit the The Tennessee Turfgrass Association 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, Tennessee Turfgrass Magazine, or its editors.

Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bi-monthly publication.

Copyright ©2001 by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Tennessee Turfgrass is published bi-monthly.

Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to Tennessee Turfgrass Association, 400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069.

Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Franklin, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Tennessee Turfgrass allows reprinting of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. 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, P.O. Box 680142, Franklin, TN 37068-0142, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524. Deadlines are the 1st of the month prior to the following month’s publication. (Example: August 1st for the September issue.)

6

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003

Tennessee Turfgrass Association

on the web! www.golfhousetennessee.com

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SOUTHEASTERN TURF, LLC E A G L E V I L L E • M U R F R E E S B O R O • LY N N V I L L E

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association and the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association

The farm of choice for today’s golf course superintendent.

Office: 615/274-3009 Fax: 615/274-3012 Tennessee Turfgrass is the official publication of The Tennessee Turfgrass Association 400 Franklin Road Franklin, Tennessee 37069 (615) 591-8286 tnturfgrassassn@aol.com Published by

Leading Edge Communications, LLC

P.O. Box 680142

Franklin, Tennessee 370680142

(615) 790-3718

Fax (615) 794-4524

Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Editors

Mr. Bill Blackburn Mr. Derek Oglesby Mr. Lynn Ray Mr. Jeff Rumph

TTA 2003 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. Dick Breedlove Mrs. Monica Lalinde-Cooper Mr. Bill Francis Mr. Roger Frazier Mr. Bob Hogan Mr. Tommy Mittlesteadt Mr. Derek Oglesby Mr. Jeff Skinner Mr. Bobby Stringer Mr. Tim Taylor Mr. Tommy Warden Mr. Scott Wicker

TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Mr. Jeff Rumph

Mr. Lynn Ray

Dr. Tom Samples

Dr. Dennis Shepard

Dr. John Sorochan TTA OFFICERS President

Mr. Dan Stump

Chickasaw Country Club

(901) 325-8320 Vice President

Mr. Jeff Case

Quail Ridge Golf Course

(901) 388-9114 Treasurer

Mr. Phil Luckett

Brentwood Country Club

(615) 370-8054

Golf Course Services • Sod Installation • Sprigging • Greens Construction & Renovation NEW • Deep Tine Aerification NEW • Professional Drainage Installation

Sod Varieties • • • • • • •

Blended Fescue Champion Dwarf Bermudagrass Tennlawn Bermuda Pure 419 Bermudagrass 328 Bermudagrass Meyer Zoysia Empire Zoysia

Champion s! s about Ultra D ku war f Ber mudagras s A

We look forward to serving you in 2003!

Craig Sewell, CGCS • David Hilton • Marty Mayo

Wrecks Bent Tree Golf Course in Jackson, Tennessee

By Jerry Lemons

The tornadoes that ripped through West and Middle Tennessee caused a tremendous amount of damage to homes and businesses. The Bent Tree Golf Course, which is owned by the City of Jackson, was damaged the hardest of any course by the storm. Built six years ago, the course’s major feature was an abundant stand of 100-feet-plus hardwood trees that lined the fairways on this rolling course. Many players found the course difficult because of the dense trees. The course has a new face now. More than 2,000 trees were destroyed by the F-4 tornado that touched every inch of the course’s property. The clubhouse and new tournament pavilion were totally destroyed, and the maintenance building suffered extensive damage. Wetland bridges were buckled and crushed and the course lost an extensive amount of smooth turf from flying debris and up-rooting of trees. One insurance adjuster who had worked Hurricane

Hugo stated that it was the worst devastation he had seen on any course, anywhere.

But Bent Tree will once again reopen, Better, Newer, Stronger! The debris clean-up has been in progress since May 24th and is expected to be completed by mid-summer. The debris clean-up bid is $485,000. Once clean-up is completed, the regrading and re-grassing will take place making what was once a very difficult public facility, a more player friendly course. The total cost to rebuild the course will likely come close to one million dollars. Golf Professional Bud Taylor and Superintendent Patrick Hensley, along with myself, had just taken control of the course on March 4th with a 20-year lease. Good Timing? Yes. We know the next nineteen years and 10 months can’t be this devastating, and the course will have a fresh new look. As the adage says, “When you’re dealt lemons, you make lemonade.”

Editor’s Note: In late July, Bent Tree Golf Course was officially renamed Jones Creek Golf Course.

8

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION

9

A LOOK AT SOME OF THE

DAMAGE:

ANOTHER VIEWPOINT:

By Bart Cash, CGCS Jackson Country Club

It was a routine weekend, and we

were preparing to host a MAGCSA meeting at Jackson Country Club on Monday, May 5.

The speaker, lunch, and golf were all lined up.

As Sunday rolled around I was keeping a close eye on strong storms as they formed and moved across Oklahoma and Arkansas. I thought when evening came they would lose intensity and we would be fine for Monday’s outing. But as night fell the system was gaining momentum and heading straight for West Tennessee. Around 11:25 p.m. that night the tornado sirens sounded in Madison County. It is hard to explain the hail storm that shortly followed, but I can assure you that I never want to go through another of that magnitude. That was the first and hopefully the last time I will witness hail the size of baseballs.

As the sun was coming up the following morning is when the community first got news that downtown Jackson and surrounding areas (including Bent Tree Golf Course) were hit by a F-4 tornado. Jackson Country Club sustained considerable hail damage and lost over 40 trees with limbs and debris covering the entire course.

Forgetting to mow the nursery green on Saturday morning did not seem that important anymore!

The storm did $255,000 worth of damage to the club and golf course. I frantically started calling and informing area superintendents and vendors what had happened and that the meeting would have to be canceled. I spent the rest of the day wading through water in the office with no electricity trying to organize a massive clean up.

That following week I learned a lot about the club when every department head sent employees down to help with the clean up. Even our General Manager and Golf Professional jumped in with chainsaws and backpack blowers.

Members came out in force to help and when the sawdust finally settled the course was ready to open just six days after the storm. It was amazing what was accomplished that week with so many people coming together and focusing on one common goal. Not just at Jackson Country Club but within our community in general.

My hat goes off to my friends across town at Bent Tree Golf Course who sustained a direct hit from that tornado. Jerry Lemons, Bud Taylor, and Patrick Hensley have done a remarkable job with the clean up and plan to reopen in August. T 10

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003

ASSOCIATE NEWS

Each June the Titans sod is removed from the floor of the Coliseum in Nashville and discarded. This year, Terry Porch and Marty Kaufman of the Titans suggested finding a local school to donate the sod to and make a TVSTMA project out of the re-construction. In late May the Metro School Board selected Whites Creek High School as the location in greatest need of renovation.

The process began on May 31st when the 8’’ tall weeds were cut and the field sprayed to kill the vegetation. Ten days later, in between a lot of rain, the field had been stripped of all existing vegetation, tilled, laser graded, a new irrigation system installed, fertilized with pre-plant pre-emergent fertilizer and the new Titans sod installed.

It has been a major undertaking and the work continues in preparation for a dedication ceremony before the first game in

MEMBERS/VENDORS Precision Sports Field Sanders Landscape & Lawn Maintenance Tieco/Rain Bird Turfgrass America Clarkland Sports Fields Harrell’s Lesco Pioneer Paints Southern Athletic Fields National Sports Turf Managers Assoc.

late August.

The entire process has been captured on video and digital photography as well as covered by local television, radio, newspaper and the Titans website. All of this will be used by the TVSTMA for education sessions in the future.

The project is turning out to be a great success. Many thanks to Terry Porch, Marty Kaufman, Bob Hyde and his group at the Titans Media/Public Relations Department and the whole Titans organization.

We especially want to thank all the TVSTMA members and vendors who donated time, equipment and supplies at a very busy time of the year. The following have gone beyond the call of duty to make the project a huge success:

DONATIONS Field prep and laser leveling Irrigation installation Irrigation supplies Sod hauling and installation Fertilization, mowing and top dressing Fertilizer and chemicals Fertilizer and chemicals Marking paint and supplies Field prep and clean up Promotion, publicity and support

Thanks for all of your support.

Robert Elliott President, TVSTMA T 12

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003

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TURF TIPS

Rx

for Heavily Trafficked Turf Tom Samples,a John Sorochana and Alan Windhamb The University of Tennessee

T

urfs often receive extra-heavy traffic during special events.

Turfgrasses may be injured and soils may compact as visitors or vehicles move throughout the landscape. Tents, outdoor displays and portable flooring may shade the turf and limit air flow among plants. Water may pool and soils may erode if rain falls. Several turf care practices implemented before, during and after an event, in addition to routine mowing, fertilization and irrigation, may help protect or strengthen turfgrasses and speed their recovery.

Cultivation depth, spacing and levels of soil loosening and soil disruption of several aeration methods.

Before:

Aeration Method

Cultivation Depth (inches) Soil Loosening

Turf Disruption

Hollow Tine

2 to12

low to high

medium to heavy

Slice

2 to 8

low

low

Solid Tine

2 to 16

low

low to medium

1. Aeration. Turfs can be “selectively” cultivated to relieve compaction and speed the movement of air, water and nutrients into the soil. Soil aeration may be accomplished using several machines including slicers, spikers and hollow-tine (core), deep-tine (hollow or solid), deep-drill and water-injection aerators. The benefits of slicing and spiking are considered short term in duration compared to core aeration. However, slicing and spiking can temporarily “part” the thatch, and speed the movement of water from the turf surface into the soil. Although benefits of core aeration are long-lived compared to slicing or spiking, this cultivation method does injure turfgrasses and disrupt the turf surface. Turfgrasses may require several weeks to fully recover and conceal aeration channels following core aeration.

Spike

1/4 to 2

low

low

Water Injection

4 to 20

low to medium

low

Liming Material

Chemical Formula

Rate of Release

Potential to Burn Turf

2. Nitrogen and potassium. Prevent excessively lush growth before and during an event by reducing the amount of nitrogen available for plant uptake from the soil. Rapidly growing turfgrasses containing high levels of nitrogen in leaf and stem tissues are often prone to wear injury and disease. Rather than applying a fertilizer containing concentrated, water-soluble nitrogen days before an event, consider an application of potassium (e.g. one pound of potassium per 1,000 sq. ft.).

Potassium applied several weeks before an event may help strengthen turfgrasses while improving drought and high temperature tolerance as well as disease resistance.

Calcium Carbonate

CaCO3

slow

low

Calcium Oxide

CaO

fast

high

slow

low

3. Liming. Apply lime according to soil test recommendations.

The availability of mineral nutrients in soils can be maximized by maintaining a pH from 6.0 to 6.5. Routine nitrogen fertilization often increases the acidity of the soil and lowers the soil pH. Applying lime several weeks before an event will neutralize soil acids, increase pH and provide calcium. Turfgrass leaves contain large (e.g. 1/5 to 1 16

Level of

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003

a

Department of Plant Sciences and Landscape Systems, The University of Tennessee

b

Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee

Chemical formula, release rate and foliar burn potential of several liming materials.

Dolomitic Limestone CaCO3*MgCO3 Hydrated Lime

Ca(OH2)*Mg(OH2) medium

high

Quicklime

CaO*MgO

high

fast

percent of the dry weight) quantities of this essential nutrient.

Calcium is permanently fixed in the walls of plant cells. Sloweracting liming materials such as calcium carbonate and dolomitic limestone are preferred for application to established turf due to a relatively low foliar-burn potential. Dolomitic limestone is an excellent source of both magnesium and calcium. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) can be applied to turfs to supply calcium and sulfur with little, if any effect on the soil pH. Gypsum contains approximately 20 percent calcium and 19 percent sulfur.

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R X F O R H E A V I L Y T R A F F I C K E D T U R F CON T INUE D 4. Mowing height. Closely mowed turfs may not provide enough aerial shoot mass to survive heavy traffic for an extended period of time. Elevating the cutting height by one-quarter to one-half inch several weeks before an event may result in more shoots and roots.

Plants with more leaf area capable of intercepting and converting light energy into carbohydrates may have more energy in reserve.

5. Strategic fungicide application(s). Healthy turfgrasses are often capable of recovering from a mild attack by a fungal pathogen. However, turfgrasses growing in zones that will be disease prone as a result of heavy shade, high humidity, poor air movement, saturated soils and high temperatures may require a preventative fungicide treatment. A penetrant (localized or acropetal) fungicide may control disease for several weeks after moving into the leaf tissue. A contact fungicide may protect those plants with tissue covered with fungicide for a shorter period of time. The restricted entry interval should be listed on the product label. Always read and follow label directions.

6. Magnesium and iron. Applying magnesium and/or iron several weeks before a special event may improve turf color. Both magnesium and iron are required for maintaining green color in turfgrasses. Magnesium, a vital component of chlorophyll, is necessary for the conversion of light energy to sugar (photosynthesis). Although iron is not a part of chlorophyll, it is involved in its production. Turfgrasses often respond very quickly to applications of magnesite (27 percent magnesium), magnesium sulfate (9 percent magnesium ) and potassium magnesium sulfate (11 percent magnesium). Ferrous sulfate (20 percent iron) is an example of a water-soluble source of iron often used to quickly “color” turf.

Chemical name, trade name(s) and classes of several turfgrass fungicides.

Chemical Name

Example(s) of Trade Name(s)

Contacts

a

Chloroneb

Teremec SP

Chlorothalonil

Concorde, Daconil, Manicure, Thalonil

Etridiazole

Koban, Terrazole

Mancozeb

Dithane, Fore, Pentathlon, Protect

Quintozene

Engage, Revere, Terrachlor, Turfcide

Acropetal penetrantsa Azoxystrobin

Heritage

Cyproconazole

Sentinel

Fenarimol

Patchwork, Rubigan

b

b

Flutolanil

Prostar

Metalaxyl

Subdue

Myclobutanil

Eagle, Golden Eagle

Propiconazoleb

Banner

Thiophanate-methyl

Cleary’s 3336, Pro Turf Fluid Fungicide

b

Triadimefon

Accost, Bayleton, Lesco Granular Turf Fungicide

Localized penetrants

a

Iprodione

26GT, Iprodione Pro 2SE, Chipco 26019

Propamocarb

Banol

Vinclozolin

Curalan, Touche, Vorlan

Systemic

a

Fosetyl Al

Suggested mowing heights of several turfgrasses.

Turfgrass

Cutting Height Range (inches)

Mow When Average Plant Height Reaches: ___ (inches)a

Aliette, Chipco Signature, Prodigy Signature

a

Contact fungicides remain on the surface of plants, protecting them from infection. Acropetal penetrant fungicides move into plants and are translocated upward in the vascular system known as xylem. Localized penetrant fungicides move into leaves and remain near their point of entry. After penetrating leaf tissue, a systemic fungicide moves throughout the plant (e.g. upward in xylem and downward in phloem). b

Cyproconazole, fenarimol, myclobutanil and propiconazole exhibit turfgrass growth regulation properties and should not be applied too often, or at excessive rates.

Warm-Season Bermudagrass Common Hybrid

Soil test levels of iron and magnesium.

1 to 2 3/4 to 2

1 to 3 1 1/8 to 3

Centipedegrass

1 to 2

1 to 3

St. Augustinegrass

1 to 3

2 1/4 to 4

Zoysia

1 to 2

1 to 3

Kentucky Bluegrass

1 to 2

1 to 3

Perennial Ryegrass

1 to 2

1 to 3

Tall Fescue

2 to 3

3 to 4

Cool-Season

a

Macronutrient

Amount of magnesium available Relative in the soil Level (pounds per acre)

Amount of iron available in the soil (pounds per acre)

Micronutrient

Magnesium

< 40

Low

< 15

Iron

Medium

15 to 120

High

> 120

For best results, remove no more than one-third of the aerial shoots when mowing.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION

17

“They saved us a lot of erosion problems, big time.”

Cimarron Hills, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, was completed in April 2002. Course superintendent Kris “KD” Davis then began working to revegetate native grasses on the outer corridor, while avoiding potential erosion problems along the feathered edges of the sand-capped course.

“We tried hydroseeding some areas, but it takes so long. And yes, we could have bought sod, but it’s very very expensive – and time intensive too. So we used a rotary spreader, and put the seed out in about 1/10 of the time that it would have taken us to hydroseed it. Then we covered the seed with North American Green’s DS75 erosion control blankets. They are great because once you roll them out you just put a couple of sprinklers on and then you can basically forget about them. They held water really well and helped disburse the rain. We got the grasses we wanted, and they saved us a lot of erosion problems, big time.”

Kris “KD” Davis, Cimarron Hills Course Superintendent Georgetown TX

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R X F O R H E A V I L Y T R A F F I C K E D T U R F CON T INUE D

DURING:

1. Routing traffic. Signs, painted lines, movable ropes and portable curbing can be used to direct traffic. Depending on traffic intensity and the duration of the event, routes may be changed to distribute turfgrass wear and soil compaction.

2. Portable Fans. Portable fans can be used to direct air flow to stressed turfs. Mixing air at the surface of the turf canopy can reduce its temperature and water vapor level. High-velocity electric fans are often powered by 2 or 1 hp motors. Depending on manufacturer and model, a fan blade may be from 24 to 54 or more inches in diameter. Fans may or may not oscillate as they push from 5,000 to 10,000+ cubic feet of air per minute.

Air velocities of 300 to 400 or more feet per minute may be reached at a distance of 75 feet from each fan.

AFTER:

1. Mowing. The removal of too much leaf tissue can cause severe scalping. If most of the green tissue is removed as the turf is cut, turfgrass plants must use reserve carbohydrates to initiate new growth. Growth of roots, tillers and below-ground stems temporarily stops in response to severe defoliation. Regrowth of aerial shoots occurs at the expense of roots. If turfgrasses have grown excessively tall during the event, the potential for scalping can be reduced by gradually (e.g. 1/4-inch increments) lowering the height of cut for several mowings.

2. Rolling. In addition to smoothing the surface, rolling turf with a water-ballast or powered, mechanical roller after an event may press uplifted sod and stems of turfgrasses back into contact with the soil.

3. Aeration. Turfgrasses growing in areas that received heaviest traffic during the event may benefit from cultivation.

For best results, the soil should be moist and plants should be actively growing, when the turf is sliced, spiked or cored.

Soils should be cultivated to a depth of at least 2 inches.

4. Topdressing. Low areas or ruts in the turf may be topdressed to level or smooth the soil surface. The topdressing soil should be relatively free of weed seeds and similar in texture (the amount of clay, sand and silt) to that of the soil in which the turfgrasses are growing. Multiple, light (e.g. no more than 3/8-inch) topdressings are preferred to build up low areas compared to a single, heavy topdressing. Applying too much topdressing material at one time can cover turfgrass leaves and limit carbohydrate production by plants. Repeat applications of excessive amounts of topdressing material may cause soil layering and a reduction in the rate of internal water drainage.

After the turf is topdressed, a steel dragmat or brush can be used to move topdressing material from the surface of turfgrass leaves and to mix it with thatch.

Coarse (1 to 2 mm diameter) sand can be topdressed after each core aeration to gradually change the texture of soils containing large amounts of clay and silt.

Applying mature compost following core aeration may stimulate the activity of soil microorganisms and improve the nutrient holding capacity of the soil.

Volume (cubic feet or cubic yards) of material required to create selected depths of topdressing for every 1,000 square feet of turf surface.

Volume Depth of Topdressing (inch) feet3

yard3

1/16 (0.06)

5.2

0.2

1/8 (0.125)

10.4

0.4

1/4 (0.25)

21.0

0.8

3/8 (0.375)

31.2

1.2

2 (0.5)

42.0

1.5

3/4 (0.75)

62.4

2.3

1 (1.0)

83.3

3.1

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R X F O R H E A V I L Y T R A F F I C K E D T U R F CON T INUE D 5. Lifting and re-installing sod. A mechanical, walk-behind sod cutter can be used to lift turf in sunken areas. Soil similar in texture, fertility and pH to that of the site can be added to elevate the grade before tamping, re-sodding and rolling.

6. Nitrogen application. Nitrogen fertilization following an event will accelerate the growth rate of turfgrasses and the rate of decomposition of thatch. Fertilizers containing both

highly water-soluble (e.g. urea, ammonium sulfate, ...) and controlled- or extended-release (e.g. natural or synthetic organics and coated urea) nitrogen sources promote the growth of aerial shoots and roots. The application of an excessive amount of water-soluble nitrogen may dessicate turfgrass leaf tissue. A general rule for reducing the potential for foliar “burn” is to apply no more than 1 pound of water-soluble nitrogen per 1,000 square feet when turfgrass leaves are dry. T

Content and solubility of selected nitrogen sources.

Nitrogen (N) Source

Content Water Comments (%) Solubility

Water Soluble (WSN) Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3)

34

High

High foliar burn potential

Ammonium Sulfate [(NH4)2SO4

18

High

High foliar burn potential; also contains 24 percent sulfur; and strongly acidic

Calcium Nitrate [Ca( NO3)2]

15

High

High foliar burn potential; and also contains 19 percent calcium

Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) [(NH4)2HPO4]

18

High

Nitrogen loss can be significant when applied to alkaline soils and also contains 46 percent phosphate (P2O5)

Monoammonium Phosphate (NH4H2PO4)

12

High

Also contains 61 percent P2O5

Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)

13

High

Also contains 46 percent potash K2O and does not contain chloride

Urea [(NH2)2CO]

46

High

High foliar burn potential and prone to N loss by ammonia volatilization during hot, wet climatic conditions

Activated Sewage Sludge

4 to 7

Low

Also contains phosphorus and the rate of N release depends on microbial activity in soils

Animal By-Products

7 to 14

Low

May contain processed poultry manure and feathers; and the rate of N release depends on microbial activity in soils

Methylene Urea (MU)

40

Low

Low foliar burn potential and the rate of N release depends on microbial activity in soils

Methylene Diurea + Dimethylene Triurea (MDU + DMTU)

40

Low

Low foliar burn potential and the rate of N release depends on microbial activity in soils

Isobutyraldehyde Diurea (IBDU)

31

Low

Low foliar burn potential; N release is influenced by soil pH; and small particles release N faster than large particles

Urea Formaldehyde (UF)

38

Low

Low foliar burn potential and the rate of N release is dependent on soil temperature

Controlled Release (WIN)a Natural Organic

Synthetic Organic

Coated Polymer-coated Urea (PCU)

36 to 44 Low

Low foliar burn potential and resin coating degrades faster at higher soil temperatures

Sulfur-coated Urea (SCU)

29 to 40 Low

Low foliar burn potential; and the rate of N release increases with increasing soil temperature and moisture

Polymer-coated + Sulfur-coated Urea

30 to 40 Low

Low foliar burn potential and the polymer coating improves product performance compared to that of SCU

a

A fertilizer product is considered “slow release” if 35 percent or more of the total amount of nitrogen it contains is water insoluble (WIN).

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TURF TALK

Notes from the Southeast Region

By Chris Hartwiger and Patrick O’Brien

G

reetings from the USGA Green Section Southeast Region. The calendar may not show that summer has arrived, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at our travel schedule. Below are a few noteworthy events that have occurred over the last few weeks.

Weather

Wouldn’t it be nice to say that for the past 30 days, growing and golfing conditions have been ideal. We have not had thirty consecutive days of great golfing or growing conditions since last September. We had seen glimpses of good golf weather and favorable growing conditions, but they have been few and far between.

Crummy weather on the weekends has put a pinch on weekend play, too.

The motto during the month of May should have been, “When severe weather strikes, we shut down . . . and we remain shut down for several days to repair the thousands of dollars of wind, hail, or flood damage.” Parts of the region suffered from one or more of these severe events.

Birmingham recorded over 20 inches of rain for the month of May making it the third wettest month in 108 years of record

24

Bermudagrass Greens

Many golf courses are singing the transition blues right now. Weak, thin turf crusted over with algae is a common sight. Poorly transitioning putting greens tend to have one or more of the following in common: weak turfgrass prior to fall overseeding, heavy winter overseeding, heavy organic layer in top of profile, straight sand rootzone, and insufficient annual aeration and topdressing. The best bermudagrass greens we’ve seen were not overseeded last year and have worked hard at aeration and topdressing throughout the year.

Bermudagrass Fairways

Non-overseeded fairways emerged in the spring with little or no winter injury reported. Fairway transition is taking place now and appears to be going well. Spring dead spot severity is variable, but a few courses in the Carolinas were hit

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keeping. Stated another way, May was the third wettest out of the last 1,296 months.

Courses that are flood prone flooded at least two times.

Jackson, TN endured an F-4 tornado and softball sized hail during early May. At least 20,000 roofs of residential homes were destroyed in Jackson, not to mention considerable damage to putting greens and trees on area golf courses.

Cherokee CC in Knoxville endured high straight line winds and a massive thunderstorm less than twelve hours before the Member/Guest. Murphy’s Law was hard at work again! How strong were the winds? As you’ll see in the picture below, they were strong enough to snap off

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Bentgrass Greens

Bentgrass putting greens are doing well for

Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

N O T E S F R O M T H E S O U T H E A S T R E G I O N CON T INUE D the most part. Root systems have been fair to excellent on well draining rootzones. Firmness has been lacking due to excess rainfall. Temperatures have stayed below 90°F until recently so stress has not been an issue. This spring was not a textbook example of ideal growing conditions for preparing bentgrass for summer weather. We can only hope the weather begins a dry cycle so superintendents can regain control over how much water is added to the putting greens. Too much rain and high temperatures are not a pretty sight on bentgrass putting greens in the southeast.

Interesting Turfgrass Advisory Visits

The Southeast Region agronomists continue to help golf courses of all levels through the innovative use of Turfgrass Advisory Visits. Participation by golf professionals, general managers, and interested course officials has been high this spring. We commend those who don’t spend much time on the golf course (other than teeing it up) for making the effort to learn about the maintenance operation. Often, these individuals are on the front lines and they get turfgrass related questions first. We break down the technical components into understandable concepts and share with them what other clubs are facing in the southeast.

One of our most exciting Turfgrass Advisory Visits is about to occur in Charlotte, NC. We will visit several clubs in Charlotte in mid-July and then make an evening presentation at a joint meeting of all the Green Committee members from the clubs we have visited that week. The meeting allows us to roll up our sleeves and discuss hot topics such as fairway overseeding, bunkers, budgets, maintaining the course for maximum playability, and more. This will be our third year conducting this type of meeting. T

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RESEARCH UPDATE

By Dr. John Sorochan, Department of Plant Science

I

t has been a little over one year since I began working at the University of Tennessee and I am happy to say the turfgrass teaching and research programs are in full swing. Currently, there are over 65 undergraduates and three graduate students (2 Masters and 1 Ph.D.) studying turfgrass management. The primary focus for the undergraduate turfgrass curriculum is to educate and prepare the students for future careers in the turfgrass industry. While Turfgrass Management and Advanced Turfgrass Management are the only two classes dedicated specifically to turfgrass, the undergraduate curriculum is evolving to a point where turfgrass components are being added to non-turf focused classes. For instance, the Weed Management

class traditionally focused solely on agricultural weed management. However, because of an increased presence of turfgrass students, Dr. Mueller has divided the class into two laboratory sections, turfgrass and Ag weeds. Last fall alone the turfgrass lab section had over 30 students registered while the Ag lab section had only 6 students registered. Introduction to Plant Pathology (Dr. Mark Windham) and Pesticide Calibration (Dr. Willy Hart) have also added turfgrass examples to their lectures and labs to accommodate for the turfgrass students. The recognition being given to the turfgrass students by the teaching faculty demonstrates the strength and importance of the turfgrass teaching program and the students at the University of Tennessee.

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003

Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

U N I V E R S I T Y O F T E N N E S S E E T U R F G R A S S . . . CON T INUE D

The turfgrass research program at the University of Tennessee is well underway with several experiments being conducted. Experiments for golf, sports turf, biotechnology, sod production, and residential turf are being investigated.

Current golf turf research includes screening for dollar spot resistance to systemic fungicides applications in Tennessee, and Poa annua control using Velocity herbicide in creeping bentgrass putting greens. This summer a preliminary study will be initiated at the University of Tennessee to investigate the effects of mowing every other day and lightweight greens rolling on the off days. This will be compared to the traditional practices of mowing everyday without lightweight greens rolling. The objective is to determine if putting green speed and quality can be maintained and mowing stress can be reduced.

Research for increasing turfgrass wear, uniformity and safety for athletic fields is the primary focus for the sports turf research program at the University of Tennessee. Current studies being investigated or that will be initiated this year include species evaluation for overseeding, crumb rubber topdressing, and surface impact analysis in regards to surface injury quantification.

Significant discoveries are being made by Stacy Gee on developing procedures for transforming centipedegrass.

Finally, sod production and residential turf experiments include the establishment of seeded bermudagrass for sod production, and the evaluation of hybrid Texas bluegrass for use as a new turf species in Tennessee.

Future turfgrass research will soon be conducted at the University of Tennessee Plant Science Farm in Knoxville. Currently, irrigation designs are underway for the new turfgrass research plots which include a 50,000 sq.ft. putting green. The Plant Science Farm will also be a site for the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program where the latest in turfgrass varieties will be studied.

The dedication of the University of Tennessee towards the Turfgrass Program has been demonstrated by the latest

addition to the Turfgrass Team. Scott McElroy, from North Carolina State University, will be joining the Plant Sciences faculty this fall as the Turfgrass Weeds Research and Extension Professor. In a little over one year since my arrival, exciting things are beginning to happen in the areas of teaching, research, and extension for the University of Tennessee

Turfgrass Program. None of these recent accomplishments would be possible if it were not for the tremendous support from the Tennessee turfgrass industry. I am excited and proud to have the opportunity to help build a nationally and internationally recognized turfgrass program that meets the needs of the turfgrass industry in Tennessee. T

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION â&#x20AC;˘ TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION

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WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A MEMBER OF

TTA

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association is a non-profit, professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of turfgrass management from all aspects.

Are you searching for new outlets to advertise and promote your business?

TTA offers you a publication with reasonable advertising rates that is distributed regionally and nationally.

Do you have requirements to obtain State pesticide points or continuing educational points for other certification?

TTA offers a wide range of points for pesticide and other certifications through its educational seminars.

Would you or a member of your family like scholarship dollars for higher education?

TTA has developed a scholarship program to assist with the ever rising cost of higher education.

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association is your statewide connection to the Green Industry. If you would like to become a member of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, please contact the headquarters at 400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069; Phone: (615) 591-8286; Email: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com.

28

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003

Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

TURF TALK

By Grady Miller, Associate Professor, Turfgrass Science, University of Florida What is the best way to schedule irrigation? This is a loaded question in many settings because there are so many variables that could be considered. With a grow-in, turf is often watered much more once the turf is established and has a more mature root system. Irrigating with frequent light watering on mature turf is generally not recommended. This method never allows the soil’s profile to be wetted to any depth, encouraging shallow root growth. With proper irrigation scheduling, turf health will not be limited by water stress from droughts, and the waste of water and energy used in pumping will be minimized.

While using water loss (evapotranspiration or ET) is an often-used method for irrigation scheduling, it does have its flaws. Most ET information is based on a model to predict water use since actual on-site measurement of ET is often impossible. These methods generally make an assumption that climatic data used is directly correlated to how the turf responds under those conditions. With the absence of local data, these methods (models) are better for long-term prediction, but have some limitations for the short-term. Soil moisture status has also been used to determine soil moisture depletion.

During irrigation, water is distributed in the soil by gravity and capillary forces until it begins to drain downward.

At this time, soil moisture in the root zone may be considered to be in storage; depleted primarily by ET. This upper limit of water storage is called “field capacity.”

If water in the soil is not replenished as it is removed, the plant will eventually show water stress and begin to wilt. This low limit of soil water has been defined as the

permanent wilting point. The difference between field capacity and permanent wilting point is available soil water. This available soil water is what allows you to stretch your irrigation interval, depending upon ET rate. Soil type has a significant influence on available water capacity. There are actually water budget methods to calculate available soil water with ET losses and irrigation/rain additions. Allowable depletions

MA

K I N G

of 1/2 to 2/3 of the available soil water are commonly used to schedule irrigations.

Because the objective of irrigation is to maintain a favorable water status for turf health, the plants themselves are the best indicators of the need for irrigation. Moisture-stressed grass appears bluegreen or grayish-green in color, recuperates slowly (>1 minute) after walking or driving across it, or wilts continuously. This is

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CON T INUE D because a plant rolls its leaves and wilts to conserve moisture. Often certain areas or patches of turfgrass tend to wilt before others due to poor irrigation distribution, to poorly developed root structure, or to a localized dry spot from a soil influence.

For this reason, plant-based observations can be very effective to use for scheduling.

Elaborate calculations are not necessary to determine when to water.

Just a basic understanding of the available water and some careful observations can be used very effectively. After a thorough watering, monitor your turf areas for “hot spots” or general drought stress. Depending upon sunlight, relative humidity, temperature, wind rainfall, and available soil moisture you may need irrigation after one day, or you may be able to go months. Except during establishment, turf rarely ever needs to be watered every day.

Replace less than the total ET loss when you irrigate, especially if rain is in the forecast. T

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GREEN LINES Green Section’s Turf Advisory Service Celebrates 50 Years years The USGA Green Section’s Turf Advisory Service (TAS) celebrates its 50th year of service in 2003, continuing to permit facilities to reap the benefits of on-site visits by highly skilled USGA agronomists located in Green Section offices throughout the country.

Founded in 1953, the TAS works with courses and superintendents across the country to improve turf conditions. Each agronomist visits more than 130 courses annually and their experience helps golf course staff and officials produce the best possible golf turf for the dollars that can be spent. As concern for the environment has increased, the USGA’s focus has expanded to promote techniques and practices that require less water and fewer pesticides.

Since 1991, the Tennessee Section PGA has been offering complimentary half-day TAS visits to daily fee facilities that participate in its annual PassKey golf discount book.

“The Tennessee PGA has always been dedicated to giving back to the game of golf,” notes Executive Director Dick Horton, “and one way we can do this is by improving turf conditions for golfers across the state by providing our PassKey courses with a complimentary visit. We have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback over the years from courses who have gotten a TAS visit.”

Over 110 Tennessee courses have had visits from USGA Agronomist Chris Hartwiger of the Southeast Regional USGA Green Section Office, who typically visits two facilities in each of the five Chapters of the TPGA annually.

More Than 100 Tennessee Golf Courses Have Benefited

“Over the last twelve years, the Tennessee PGA has been the biggest supporter of the USGA Green Section by sponsoring well over 100 turfgrass advisory visits,” noted Hartwiger. “This Association should be commended for their dedication to giving back to the game by making a concerted effort to help improve turfgrass

conditions. The daily fee golfer in Tennessee is seeing better playing conditions at many of its courses due to these visits.”

The half-day and full day visits by the agronomist includes a tour of the course with the course superintendent and often with the golf professional and other course officials to view conditions, discuss

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CON T INUE D issues of the day such as turf diseases that are prevalent in that region, and answer questions.

The visit is followed up with a detailed written report of findings and recommendations.

The TAS will help any course— whether public or private, large or small, urban or rural help produce a quality golf course. In fact, the 1999-2000 list of America’s Greatest 100 Golf Courses compiled by Golf Digest featured 83 TAS subscribers, including 45 of the top 50.

What can a golf course expect by participating in the program? The short answer is that each course has its own special needs and stands to benefit in its own unique way.

Participating courses are enhanced by obtaining objective, unbiased, science-based advice free of commercial ties. Each USGA agronomist sees a wide range of conditions at more than 100 courses per year, and is able to apply that experience to help course staffs achieve their objectives. Simple suggestions from the Green Section have been found to save many times the cost of the TAS visit.

“The turf visits from the USGA Green Section have proven invaluable to us,” states PGA Professional Les Jaco, whose 9-hole Highland Green GC in Jackson received TAS visits in 1992 and 2001. “The review of our practices and concrete suggestions for improvement to our golf course helps us provide good playing conditions at affordable prices for our budget and our customers.”

Today there are 18 regional agronomists located in 13 offices throughout the country and they make 2,000 visits each year. The fee is $1,500 for a half-day visit and $2,000 for a full day visit. From the first year of its inception, the USGA has subsidized the TAS to keep fees within a reasonable range for a majority of golf courses.

Whatever weather, insect, disease, or management issues are at hand for a golf course, the Green Section agronomists are available to provide workable solutions. For more information on the TAS you may visit their web site at www.usga.org/green or call agronomist Chris Hartwiger at (205) 444-5079. _____________________________________ This article was submitted by Beth Leftwich, Membership Director of the Tennessee PGA, using information from an article in the June 2003 “Inside the USGA” newsletter written by Dr. Kimberly Erusha, Director of Education, Green Section, and from information on the Green Section’s web site. T

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7526 Old Nashville Hwy. Murfreesboro, TN 37129 1-877-647-8873

IN D EX O F ADVERTISERS American Turf Equipment 19 Aquatrols Corporation of America 23 Charles Williams & Associates 25 Cleary Chemical Corp 30 Course Doctors 32 Covermaster, Inc. 14 E & S Soil and Peat 25 Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc. 33 Harrell’s Custom Fertilizer Inside Back Cover Jen-Hill Construction Materials 18, 32 John Deere Landscapes 22 Keeling Company 14 McFall Sod Farm Inside Front Cover, 29 Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. Inside Front Cover, 20 Oldham Chemicals Co. 20 Pennington Seed Inc. 27 Prosource One 31 Quail Valley Grasses Inside Front Cover, 11 Regal Chemical Co. 5 Sigma Organics 7 Smith Turf & Irrigation Back Cover Southeastern Turf, L.L.C. 7 Super Sod Inside Front Cover Sur-Line Turf, Inc. 26 Swihart Sales Co. 28 Syngenta Turf & Ornamental 24 Tamanet USA, Inc. 3 Tif Sport Inside Front Cover Turf Mountain Sod, Inc. 28 Turfgrass America Inside Front Cover Winstead Turf Farms, Inc. 15 Wood Bay Enterprises, Inc. 23, 30

TARGET YOUR ADVERTISING AUDIENCE! For more information on advertising in the Tennessee Turfgrass Magazine, call the Ad Sales Department at

TVSTMA 2003 EVENTS Date

EVENT

August

Memphis Area Seminar and Tour

November Annual Board Meeting – Chattanooga

ETGCSA 2003 MEETINGS August 11 Location: Black Creek, Chattanooga. Host: Scott Wicker.

Speaker: Dr. Pat Cobb.

October 27 Scholarship & Research Tournament.

Location: Willow Creek GC, Knoxville. Host: Paul Hood.

MTGCSA 2003 MEETIN G S Date

Location

August 11 Black Creek Club in conjunction with ETGCSA November 3

Scholarship & Research Tournament at Legends Club

MAGCSA 2003 MEETI N G S Date

EVENT

September 16 Location: Germantown C.C. Host Superintendent: Bobby Stringer.

October 6 Scholarship & Research Tournament. Location: Chickasaw C.C.

Host Superintendent: Dan Stump.

November 11 Location: Shiloh Falls. Host Superintendent: Robert Davis.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION.

OTHER 2003 EVENTS Yamaha Pro-Super Tournament, October 20th, Hermitage Golf Course

EXPO 2003, October 18-20, Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY. Register at www.expo.mow.org.

(615) 790-3718!

34

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003

Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

Call toll-free for great, old-fashioned service: 1-866-245-5559 Or visit our Web site: www.harrells.com

Because Harrell’s still believes in the little things that make up big service. Sure, you’ll love our world-class, custom-blended fertilizers. But Harrell’s service is what you’ll remember. Like reps who know you, your soil and how to solve your specific growing needs. Or a delivery specialist who brings and stacks your order just where you want it.

Or experts you can count on for real-world answers, just by picking up a phone. Harrell’s was built on real, old-fashioned service and it’s something that still matters ... a lot.

We know how critical after-sale service is to your productivity. As a result, we virtually work around the clock to deliver what you need

THE SUN NEVER SETS ON OUR SERVICE.

most - quick response. From timely solutions to unexpected problems

to next-day parts delivery when you’re in a crunch, our trained turf

and irrigation service technicians will get you what you need when

you need it. Because we’re more than just a vendor - we’re your

partner. Which means we won’t rest until you do.

®

Office 1.615.726.8811 • Orders 1.800.585.4784 • www.smithturf.com