Tennessee Turfgrass - October / November 2020

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

Member Spotlight on TTA Board Member

PAUL WEBB

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

POA ANNUA: I’M STILL HERE

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The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

55TH A N N UA L CON F E RE N C E

TABLE OF CONTENTS

JA N UA RY 4 – 6, 2021 • V I R TUAL E VE NT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

10 12 14 18 26

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Upcoming Event — TTA Virtual Annual Conference Guest Column — The Balance Myth Cover Story — Member Spotlight on TTA Board Member Paul Webb Feature Story — Poa Annua: I’m Still Here

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Feature Story — The Pending Storm Coming to a Sports Field Near You

DEPARTMENTS From the TTA President

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From the ETGCSA President

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From the MAGCSA President

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The Turfgrass Team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

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Index of Advertisers

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Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: THETURFZONE.COM

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

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Get More Green from Your 2021 Budget.

FROM THE TTA PR ESIDENT

Doug Ward

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

VITAL SUPPORT

Tennessee Turfgrass is the official publication of The Tennessee Turfgrass Association

As

always, I hope this message finds you and your family members safe and unaffected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, we have all, in one way or another, had our lives complicated or otherwise disrupted by regulations and restrictions that have been put into place to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

This is especially true as we make special arrangements for this year’s TTA conference. As mentioned in last issue’s message, to accommodate all safety concerns that go along with a traditional conference and show, we will be conducting this year’s event online in a virtual setting.

With the schedule of this year’s educational offerings listed in this publication, you will notice (other than the absence of a trade show) the format closely follows the structure of our past on-site events.

Highlighting these presentations will be the inclusion of the most current findings in research, plus remarks and experiences from several professional turf managers from the Kentucky turf industry.

As in past programming, there will be a professional development presentation that has proved to be popular for all attendees as well as focused talks for sports turf, sod production and golf course management.

While there is no perfect substitute for a “live,” in-person conference with its one-on-one and networking dynamics, I encourage everyone to look over this year’s program and make a commitment to register and participate in this educational program.

In doing so, not only will you be receiving the best in educational offerings under one umbrella event, but you will also be providing the vital support that our association depends on to maintain its positive financial posture.

Unfortunately, this is clearly the path we must take this year to remain safe while continuing the mission of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Please, whatever your position in the turf industry may be, make it a priority to support and be a part of this year’s novel event.

Douglas Ward TTA President

SAVE THE DATE!

55TH ANNUAL CO NFERENCE J A N U A R Y 4 – 6, 2021 • VIR T UAL EVENT 6

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

400 Franklin Road Franklin, Tennessee 37069 (615) 928-7001 info@ttaonline.org www.ttaonline.org PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 info@leadingedgecommunications.com EDITOR Dr. James Brosnan TTA OFFICERS President Doug Ward Belle Meade Country Club (615) 292-6752 Vice President Chris Sykes Tellico Village (865) 458-5408 Secretary/Treasurer Ryan Storey Vanderbilt University (615) 343-6694 Past President Jason Pooler Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc (731) 642-3092 Executive Director Melissa Martin Tennessee Turfgrass Assn.

(615) 928-7001 TTA 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ryan Blair, CGCS Bart Cash Ashley Gaskin Cal Hill Jeff Huber Brad Jean Jeff Kuhns Jason Sanderson Darren Seybold Mark Stovall Paul Webb Jeff Wyatt TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Bill Blackburn Dr. Jim Brosnan Joe Hill Dr. Brandon Horvath Lynn Ray Jeff Rumph, CGCS Dr. Tom Samples Dr. John Sorochan Dr. Wes Totten

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FROM THE ETGCSA PRESIDENT

DJ Lerchen

TIMES OF GREAT CHANGE H

appy fall to all! I am hopeful that my favorite season brings about good weather and a beautiful showcase of fall color across our area. There isn’t much to be thankful for concerning the effects of Covid, however golf courses have seen record numbers this season. We have witnessed times of great change across many areas of our lives. From our days at work to our lives at home, there isn’t much that hasn’t been affected by Covid.

I know the East TN Chapter of Superintendents has been unique in our endeavors this year. Unlike many other chapters, we managed to have all our meetings this year except the months of April and May. We had some great turnouts for each meeting, and I want to extend my thanks to all the facilities that were willing to accommodate our association.

Sadly, we missed the UT Field Day this year, but I know the UT Plant Science Faculty has done a great job reaching out through new programs like TN Turf Tuesdays. There have been changes to everyone’s normal routines, but I’m not surprised at how well all the turf managers have adapted. That’s what turf mangers do!

The year has been great for golf, but I’m predicting the sod farms have been busy as well with the boom in construction. I’m sad to say there will not be a trade show season coming up, but I want to encourage everyone to get involved through the various trade organizations.

Let’s support the organizers and get involved virtually. Stay safe!

Best wishes,

DJ Lerchen – ETGCSA President

FROM THE MAGCSA PRESIDENT

Andrew Foster

PLAN FOR THE BEST, BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST

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hile I start to plan out next year’s fertilizer applications, fungicide programs, aerification dates, projects to be completed and labor budgets, it is hard to imagine what 2021 will bring. As I look back on this year, I know we all took a roller coaster of a ride.

Most of us saw the lowest our clubs have been in a long time with cutbacks, furloughs and even layoffs. Those who weren’t cut from the crew had to go out of their way to meet CDC guidelines to keep them and their families safe. We came in early and wiped down all touch points in the facility and equipment. We moved our morning meeting out into our equipment storage area so we could communicate with the crew as a whole and still maintain a safe distance. A few employees still tested positive and with an already cut crew it was hard getting the course mowed.

Meetings and continuing education have been virtual only, which might be a positive to some. I find that if I do not have to be at a location at a specific time for a meeting, I’ll miss it. I know it’s convenient to have a meeting on my cell phone or office computer. Everyone knows how it is, you get distracted at work, an unforeseen problem and an hour later and you have missed the meeting altogether.

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We have also witnessed some club highs, at least for us. We haven’t had the number of rounds we are having now since the late 90’s. That comes with downfalls as well — less time to prepare the course, more traffic and more divots. I also feel like with the number of golf rounds going up, the average round time played is much less. This might be because people are getting better at golf or could be people are still requesting single carts when they are playing with multiple people. We also do not have bunker rakes on the course, that could speed the round up a little. Either way it seems like a race to get back to the fast paced world. Along with that I think, this is only an opinion, that with the faster pace of play, golfers are not taking the time to fix ball marks and divots.

With all the preparation I did last year for 2020, not much worked out. Going through all of that made me realize, plan for the best and be prepared for the worst. Sure, we had to cancel orders and postpone some cultural practices. We made a lot of adjustments, but for the summer of 2020 it was not that bad. It’s hard to fathom what 2021 will have in store for us but I will guarantee that at our course we will do what we must do to accommodate the members and staff to keep everyone safe.

Andrew Foster – MAGCSA President

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

T T A A N N U A L C O N F E R E N CE 2021

VIRTUAL EVENT JANUARY 4 – 6, 2021

J A N U A R Y 4, 2021 – All t im es CST TIME

TOPIC

SPEAKER

8:00 am

President’s Remarks and Welcome

Doug Ward – President, Tennessee Turfgrass Association

Agronomy Deep Dive Weeds; Diseases; New Grasses – this session has it all. Attendees will learn about the latest strategies for optimizing turfgrass quality and minimizing pest invasion via the implementation of diverse, integrated pest management strategies 8:00 – 10:15 am

Weed Control – North & South

Dr. Jim Brosnan & Dr. Matt Elmore – Univ. of Tennessee & Rutgers University

Disease Control – Bent & Bermuda

Dr. Brandon Horvath & Dr. Jim Kerns – Univ. of Tennessee & N.C. State University

What’s New in Zoysia?

Dr. John Sorochan & Dr. Mike Richardson – Univ. of Tennessee and Univ. of Arkansas

10:15 –10:30 am

BREAK

10:30 am

Professional Development Workshop Looking to advance your career?

This session will focus on strategies to help professionals working on golf courses, sports fields, sod farms, and lawns advance to higher levels of the green industry.

Tim Morgahan – Aspire Golf Consulting

12:30 pm

Concluding Remarks

Doug Ward – President, Tennessee Turfgrass Association

J A N U A R Y 5, 2021 – All t im es CST TIME

TOPIC

SPEAKER

8:00 am

President’s Remarks and Welcome

Doug Ward – President, Tennessee Turfgrass Association

8:15 am

Kentucky Boys – Turfgrass Management North of the State Line Three superintendents from Kentucky will share the latest strategies they are implementing at their facilities to manage weed, disease, and insect pests on golf courses to offer surfaces of optimal quality to golfers at all levels of play.

10:15 –10:30 am

John Ballard – Valhalla Golf Club Wyatt Warfel – The Club at Olde Stone Bob McLean – Indian Hills Country Club

BREAK

10:30 am

Thinking Outside the Batter’s Box Bluegrass in Georgia? Learn how the grounds crew at Georgia Tech University manages stresses associated with diseases, weeds, and field use to offer award-winning playing surfaces

Chris May – Georgia Tech University

11:30 am

Next Level Field Testing at UT The science of sports field management is rapidly evolving.

Learn about the latest on-going efforts at the University of Tennessee to help field managers assess the safety of their playing surfaces

Dr. Kyley Dickson & Dr. John Sorochan – University of Tennessee

12:30 pm

Concluding Remarks

Doug Ward – President, Tennessee Turfgrass Association

J A N U A R Y 6, 2021 – All t im es CST TIME

TOPIC

SPEAKER

8:00 am

President’s Remarks and Welcome

Doug Ward – President, Tennessee Turfgrass Association

8:15 am

Selling and Facilitating a Successful Golf Course Renovation Project

Bill Bergin, ASGCA – Bergin Golf

9:15 am

All Things Titan

10:15 –10:30 am 10:30 am

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TTA BUSINESS MEETING

11:00 am

TTA Awards Presentation

11:30 am

TBD

12:30 pm

Dave McGinnis – Radio Voice of the Tennessee Titans BREAK Ryan Blair – Holston Hills Country Club Keynote Speaker CONFERENCE CONCLUDES

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

While changes for 2021 conference may not give us an opportunity to meet in person, our virtual conference brings all the top-notch speakers and education to you via a virtual event. Our own experts from the University of Tennessee, along with speakers from around the southeast will be sharing their knowledge and the latest innovations in turfgrass management.

As always, we will have our annual business meeting and recognize award winners. We can’t wait to “see” you there!

PRICING $150 For the first 2 attendees

$125 For each additional attendee OR

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GUEST COLUMN

THE

BALANCE MYTH

By Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM

F

or many workers, work-life balance used to be a noble goal.

The idea was that if we can do our jobs well for 40 (or more) hours per week, then it would be possible to provide for a family to go back to and spend time with off-the-job. If the time was in balance, and we could not worry about the obligations of work when spending time personally, or about personal issues when at work, then things would be good. There are a number of reasons that this myth doesn’t make much sense.

For one, what does “in balance” even mean? How do you know when the equation is balanced? If I miss an hour of work, do I “owe” it back to the organization? Or I work an extra few hours on a big project, am I to be compensated more for them? What if I like work so much that I want to spend more than 40 hours there – am I off-balance?

Second, who can possibly separate work and life anymore? Even before COVID forced us to work from home, where my living room, clutter, and/or children are on full display for my co-workers, business cell phones meant I was expected to respond after-hours or on weekends, at least for emergencies. It seems like the line between work and life has been awful blurry ever since e-mail started showing up on cell phones.

Third, when I have a real problem, it bothers me no matter what I’m supposed to be doing. When I have a big problem at work, it affects my sleep and the balance idea doesn’t work anymore. Conversely, my mom was very sick in 2010. She required many surgeries and eventually passed away in December. There were times, especially for the weeks leading up and following her funeral, that I was heavily distracted

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

even when I wasn’t on bereavement leave from work. When a family member has a problem, or bills are overdue, or anything emotionally devastating is happening to us personally, we simply won’t be performing at the same level at work.

So, what’s a better solution? Work-Life Integration. The idea is simple: let’s find a way for what we do at work to fit into our lives in an integrative way. Employees do their best work when the mission of an organization inspires them personally. People want to feel part of something bigger than themselves and great managers help them bridge that gap between personal and work purpose. Gallup actually reports that workgroups which are mission-driven suffer 30%–50% less accidents and have 15% to 30% less turnover.

If you want to improve the personal and psychological well-being of your people (and we need to be doing so now more than ever!), introduce your organization’s mission regularly and help draw connections to individual contributions or roles. When daily tasks are connected to a higher purpose, everyone realizes more success and feels better about their chosen job. After all, we only need work-life balance if we hate our work, right?

Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM is a managing partner of GrowTheBench.com – a leading provider of affordable online education, professional development and peer networking for green industry professionals.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

TTA BOARD MEMBER

PAUL WEBB General Manager and Golf Course Superintendent, Humboldt Country Club

Pictured on this spread: Humboldt Country Club

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

What does your job as General Manager and Golf Course Superintendent emcompass?

I came to Humboldt Golf and Country Club in February of 2010 as the superintendent alone and after a year and a half of being here, there was some turnover in different management positions and I was asked by the Board to become general manager and superintendent on an interim basis. Nine years later we’re still here.

I’m more focused on the turf side because I still feel like that’s the most important asset of the club and it is my background, so I feel more comfortable in it as well. As general manager, I used to have to do a lot more day-to-day, tournament operations, and food and beverage, but over the years, our club has expanded by hiring some management underneath me and it’s given me an opportunity to do more oversight and not as much hands-on with those different operations. I’m still responsible for reporting to our Board of Directors on a weekly and monthly basis, I work hand-in-hand with our club officer and committee members and I’m responsible for the yearly budget of the entire property, so every day is a different challenge. Whether it’s something on the golf course, in the clubhouse, dealing with a swimming pool – just all aspects of a country club.

How did you get into turfgrass and what path led you to your current position?

I went to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville as a business major and then after a couple of years decided that I wanted to do something within sports, but I didn’t know what. I got a degree in Sport Management and minored in business. In sport management I did a couple internships at various golf courses like Fair Oaks in Oakland, Tennessee; Gettysvue in Knoxville; and Covington Country Club in Covington, TN. After graduation, those opportunities opened my eyes to the fact that I wanted to be on the Agronomy side of it. Once I graduated from Knoxville, I began dating my wife and she was a nursing major at UT Martin, so I decided why not go get another degree, so I went to Martin and continued to work in golf at a couple different courses and ended up getting a degree in agriculture with golf course and landscape management. When I graduated I got my first assistant job at Colonial in Memphis.

Do you have any mentors in the industry?

I have worked for a number of great Superintendents that have been a positive influence along with several Sales Reps from different parts of the industry that helped me get to where I am today... without them all, I wouldn’t be the Superintendent or person I am today.

What changes have you seen over your four years as a TTA board member that you think have been important to turfgrass managers in the state?

The biggest change I’ve seen is I believe that there was a perception for many years that TTA was just a golf course superintendent’s association and conference was strictly geared towards superintendents.

Since I’ve been a board member, I’ve seen the change of making it more open and welcoming to sports turf and landscape, really making it a turfgrass association, not just golf course superintendents association.

TTA has really gone to bat for turfgrass managers across the state in all areas with COVID restrictions and lockdowns. Can you give us a little perspective on how the board worked together to create that response?

I think the board did a great job of not just working together as a TTA board, but also reaching out to the other associations that are relevant to turfgrass, and made a collaborative effort of reaching out to our elected officials and different people to make sure that they understood how essential golf was. I think that the ability for golf to be viewed as an essential business has really kicked off an unbelievable year for a lot of golf courses. It’s been a really good year for us. I know there’s examples of golf courses that have not had as good a year as us, but I think the association and the board making sure that the elected officials in the state knew that we were going to be an important part of getting through this COVID situation just by getting individuals in the state an avenue to get out of the house and go do something normal.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Paul with wife Jenny and sons (left to right) Eli, Hall, Landon and Palmer With the surprising boom and a lot more business in the last six months, did that change how you had to manage the course this season?

Yes, somewhat. Besides pulling all the rakes off and the tee markers, removing all the things that people could touch and possibly spread the virus. I feel like our fertility program was probably upped a little bit because of the amount of traffic, we’ve got areas that have just been beaten down. We didn’t change a whole lot of our cultural practices, we kept aerifications and stuff like that the same as we normally would, except for having to move them. We did have to move some tournaments around and back some things up because we were in such a period of unknown, so those are really the only examples of us doing anything different outside of a normal year. We just saw a whole lot more people at the course, and it’s a great thing for us.

Tell us about your family and what you do outside of work.

My wife and I have been married a little over 13 years. We have four boys—they’re 11, 8, 3, and 1. So they are the main focus outside of work, because there’s always something going on. I’m a pretty avid outdoorsman, I love hunting and playing golf. I don’t play as much golf as I would like to and I really don’t like playing here because I feel like I see more stuff that I think needs to be worked than enjoying my round of golf, but just going and spending time with friends and family and getting a chance to be outdoors doing something away from work.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the turfgrass industry right now?

I think most people would agree that the biggest challenge to our industry is labor. On the golf course side, a lot of it boils down to two

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things – finding younger individuals these days that really want to work and want to work outside, for the money that we’re able to pay.

I think most clubs struggle with the idea of paying a decent wage for the individuals that they have. We rely so heavily on seasonal help and I feel like it hurts a lot of clubs, especially ours, because it would be so much better for clubs to find some more money in the budget and pay their full-time staff more and be able to retain them year-round and have that training and retention that a lot of companies have, where it’s like a revolving door for us as far as labor goes.

What would your advice be for people entering the turfgrass industry now?

Be willing to go and gain any experience you can get from any course – I think a lot of these guys get to a position where they only want to work high-end golf. I don’t blame them, there’s a lot of great experience.

But for somebody like myself that came as an assistant from a Colonial Country Club and came to a small town country club and thought, I’m going to be a superintendent here for a few years, then I’m looking for the next step. Almost 11 years later, I’ve got three more kids and a great job for a great club. I just think these younger guys should get as much experience as they can and be willing to go to any kind of club that makes them happy. It’s not always about the title and the money, it’s also about being at a club where you feel like you can make a difference and be happy.

For our full interview with Paul Webb, visit T H ETU R F Z O N E . CO M

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

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FEATURE STORY

POA ANNUA: I’M STILL HERE

By Jim Brosnan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee

T

hings are different in 2020. Social distancing, mask mandates, and sanitizing equipment were not part of the lexicon prior to this year but have become the norm in response to COVID-19.

The pandemic has also challenged many in the turfgrass industry to adjust (or reduce) staffing and operate under budget restrictions that will likely remain for some time. Despite all of the changes brought forward in 2020, one constant remains the same in the turfgrass world — there will be a need to control Poa annua.

My staff at the University of Tennessee jokes that it is “Poa365” in our lab because we are constantly researching Poa annua to assist turfgrass managers in controlling this weed on golf courses, sports fields, lawns, and sod farms. Knowing that summer is coming to a close and many will soon be making product decisions via early-order programs, the objective of this post is to share lessons learned over the past 12 months to aid with decision making this season.

Why is Poa Annua so Difficult to Control in the Transition Zone?

1) EMERGENCE IS A MOVING TARGET Many turfgrass managers aim to control Poa annua infestations in the transition zone (and southern United States) with applications of preemergence (PRE) herbicides in early fall. One limitation to this approach is that unlike other annual grassy weeds (e.g., crabgrass), Poa annua can germinate across a wide range of environmental conditions which makes timing a PRE herbicide application quite difficult.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Photo courtesy of Jose Vargas

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FEATURE STORY A graduate student at the University of Tennessee (Ms. Dallas Taylor, @utdallasgrass) has been tracking Poa annua emergence on a weekly basis since January 1st, 2019 and has learned quite a bit in doing so. In 2019, she observed initial emergence after 12 cooling degree days (CDD, base 21C) accumulated following the summer solstice (Image 1).

In 2020, she first observed annual bluegrass emergence on August 5th — when 4 CDD had accumulated. Many may wonder how this is possible with daily high temperatures still approaching 90F? Daily low temperatures in early morning hours are key. Below is a breakdown of climatic conditions for Knoxville, TN in August 2020

as of this writing (Image 2). Notice the number of days where low temperatures were close to (or below) 70F (21C).

While initial emergence may have already occurred for a small percentage of seedlings, the majority of plants will emerge from soil later in autumn. In 2019, this emergence flush occurred between the 42nd and 46th week of the year (Oct. 14 — November 17th) in Knoxville. At present, we don’t have a reliable benchmark to predict when that will occur in 2020 or in locations outside of Knoxville. To that end, sole reliance on a PRE herbicide can be risky as results will be poor if the treatment is applied after plants have emerged (but might not be visible above the turf canopy).

IMAGE 1: Non-linear regression model fit to early season (0 to 50% yearly total) Poa annua emergence data collected in Knoxville, TN in 2019

IMAGE 2: Daily high and low air temperatures for Knoxville, TN in August 2020.

Source: https://www.wunderground.com/calendar/us/tn/alcoa/KTYS

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

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FEATURE STORY 2) MIGHT NOT BE ANNUAL?

3) RESISTANCE IS REAL

Traditional thinking is that Poa annua is as the name implies — a winter annual weed that germinates in autumn and dies in spring after setting seed. This paradigm could be changing though as we are observing mature Poa annua plants on Tennessee golf courses well into the summer (Image 3).

A recent publication in the peer-reviewed journal Crop, Forage, and Turfgrass Management presents data on the scope of herbicide resistance within Poa annua populations on Tennessee golf courses — and it’s alarming! We’ve learned that within randomly collected plants from fairways and roughs:

“Perennial Poa” is most often a term used to describe biotypes on putting greens in cooler climates. These selections often have high shoot density, lateral growth, and produce few seedheads. While those traits are useful for describing grasses suited for putting greens, they offer no information about life cycle. Many managing stands of Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass in northern climates can attest to the fact that Poa annua infestations at higher mowing heights persist throughout the summer; yet, these biotypes don’t fit the working definition of “perennial Poa.” This begs an intriguing question — are all Poa annua selections perennial? When one looks at turfgrasses within the Poa genus, many of the species are perennial including Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Poa supina, and Poa compressa. Do certain environmental conditions facilitate (or hamper) survival?

A graduate student at the University of Tennessee (Ms. Devon Carroll, @turfgirl24) has embarked upon a Ph.D. project to understand environmental conditions on golf courses that facilitate Poa annua survival in the transition zone. She is regularly monitoring plants at different locations across golf courses to better understand microclimates that can lead to plants surviving summer. This information could have a significant effect on management strategies moving forward. For example, does a combination of fugitive irrigation water, fungicide applications, and shade facilitate Poa annua survival inside greens complexes? Will shade and compromised drainage allow Poa annua to survive in fairways (Image 4)? Does aboveground Poa annua foliage die back to the crown (beneath the turfgrass canopy) in summer only to return in the fall when conditions are more favorable for growth?

Answering these questions will become essential to building effective management programs for the future.

64% had some degree of resistance to glyphosate (e.g. Roundup) 58% had some degree of resistance to prodiamine (e.g., Barricade) 21% had some degree of resistance to foramsulfuron (e.g., Revolver) 25% of those resistant to simazine (e.g., Princep) were also resistant to foramsulfuron or glyphosate 4% of plants were resistant to ALL HERBICIDES tested

IMAGE 3: Mature Poa annua plants in a golf course collar (prior to mowing) in Oak Ridge, TN on July 6th, 2020

IMAGE 4: Multi-tiller Poa annua in a zoysiagrass fairway in Nashville, TN. Image captured on October 2, 2019 following a 30-day period where daily high air temperature averaged 92°F. Photo courtesy of Adam Adkins

22

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

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There is currently a national effort to generate similar data for all sectors of the turfgrass industry including golf, sports turf, lawn care, and sod production. This is a multi-faceted research collaboration involving researchers from 14 different states. More information on that project can be found at resistpoa.org.

FEATURE STORY T OP P E R F O R M E R S – 2 019 / 2020 Treatment

WSSA Group #

Rate (/A)

Timing

Regalstar II

3 + 14

200 lb/a

Sept. 2019

Freehand

3 + 15

200 lb /a

Oct. 2019

29 + 5 + 2

6.5 fl oz + 1 qt + 1 oz

Nov. 2019

Monument + Barricade + Princep

2+3

0.53 oz + 25 oz + 1 qt

Nov. 2019

Roundup + Ronstar

9 + 14

32 fl oz + 122 fl oz

Feb 2020

Cheetah Pro + Sureguard

10 + 14

82 fl oz + 10 fl oz

Feb 2020

Specticle + Princep + Tribute Total

Treatments in top statistical category at all locations. Rated mid-March 2020 IMAGE 5: Top performing herbicide treatments in statewide Poa annua control research trials conducted in Knoxville, Burns, and Jackson, TN during 2019–2020

What Does This Mean for You? 1) HERBICIDE MIXTURES ARE THE NEW NORMAL Inability to predict emergence, potential for perennial plants to survive the summer, and widespread resistance issues have rendered herbicide mixtures the new normal in the transition zone and points southward. The ability to combine herbicides with pre- and postemergence activity in the same application will help with issues pertaining to emergence timing and perenniality, whereas as resistance can be mitigated by mixing herbicides from different mode of action groups. In statewide trial work conducted in 2019–2020, all of the top performing treatments were those that delivered multiple active ingredients in mixture (Image 5). For the past several years, mixtures applied in October/November have been the top performing treatments across Tennessee.

2) THERE MAY BE A NEED TO TRY A NEW APPROACH Those battling resistance issues have learned the hard lesson that aiming to control Poa annua AFTER resistance has evolved can be quite challenging. Knowing that using the same approach will only select for resistant plants over time, diversity is key! If a given herbicide is still working effectively, then don’t be afraid to try something new this season. This could mean changing active ingredients, application timing, or both. Those who have recently been challenged with resistance may also need to try something new — potentially targeting Poa annua with herbicides that temporarily injure desirable turfgrass. This is particularly true in the southern United States where desirable warm-season turfgrasses do not go fully dormant.

Why Care?

There are many biological reasons to care about effective Poa annua management, but the most important reason may have nothing to do with biology at all. Effective Poa annua control is the gate key to a successful growing season in the transition zone. Facilities that make thoughtful choices about how to target Poa annua start the calendar year with clean turfgrass and positive momentum for the spring and summer that’s to come.

24

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

THE TURFGRA SS TEAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE José Javier Vargas Almodóvar Research Associate II Turf & Ornamental Weed Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996 (865) 974-7379 jvargas@utk.edu tnturfgrassweeds.org Twitter: @UTweedwhisperer

Jim Brosnan, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Weed Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-8603 jbrosnan@utk.edu tnturfgrassweeds.org Twitter: @UTturfweeds

Frank Hale, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201 (615) 832-6802 fahale@utk.edu ag.tennessee.edu/spp

Tom Samples, Ph.D. Professor, Turfgrass Extension The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-2595 tsamples@utk.edu turf.utk.edu Twitter: @tnturfman

John Stier, Ph.D. Associate Dean The University of Tennessee 2621 Morgan Circle 126 Morgan Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7493 jstier1@utk.edu turf.utk.edu Twitter: @Drjohnstier

Greg Breeden Extension Specialist, The University of Tennessee 2431 Center Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7208 gbreeden@utk.edu tnturfgrassweeds.org Twitter: @gbreeden1

Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. Associate Director, Center for Athletic Field Safety Turfgrass Management & Physiology (865) 974-6730 kdickso1@utk.edu Twitter: @DicksonTurf

Brandon Horvath, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Science The University of Tennessee 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

2431 Joe Johnson Drive Knoxville, TN 37996 (865) 974-2975 bhorvath@utk.edu turf.utk.edu Twitter: @UTturfpath

John Sorochan, Ph.D. Professor, Turfgrass Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 363 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7324 sorochan@utk.edu turf.utk.edu Twitter: @sorochan

Alan Windham, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201 (615) 832-6802 https://ag.tennessee.edu/spp/ Twitter: @UTPlantDoc

TheTurfZone.com is the central hub for turfgrass research and information from multiple state turf associations.

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25

FEATURE STORY

THE PENDING STORM COMING

TO AN ATHLETIC FIELD NEAR YOU Mike Goatley, Jr., Ph.D., Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Virginia Tech David McCall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Turfgrass Pathologist, Virginia Tech Shawn Askew, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Turfgrass Weed Scientist, Virginia Tech

W

e’re not forecasting catastrophic weather events (although given the way 2020 has gone, what might happen?)

Instead, this article is intended to help you avoid disaster as it relates to the pending storm of what is about to play out on your sports fields. Sports field managers are realizing what is on the horizon regarding the demands for use of their sports fields in 2021 with many fall sports now delayed until the spring. The sports field manager will once again face the reality that every sport is the most important in that particular coach’s, player’s, or parent’s mind and the perception (hopefully not expectation) that field access is unlimited. It was fascinating watching the progression of the ‘MLS is Back’ tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex where they hosted 51 matches on 3 fields over 35 days – and the natural grass fields performed marvelously well thanks to an excellent team of sports field managers

26

and consultants. Most of you are facing budget and labor cuts etc. and are quite limited in physical acreage that can be utilized for a greatly expanded spring sports schedule. While there is no guarantee for success, planning and managing for the onslaught of field use in 2021 begins NOW! There are no quick and easy fixes to limitations in soil, a properly crowned field, and an effective irrigation system. So, if those limitations describe your facility, accept that you are somewhat handicapped from the start. However, there are basic cultural, chemical, and communication management concepts that you can employ to help you provide the safest, best playing surfaces under extreme traffic conditions in 2021.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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FEATURE STORY Grow as much as grass as possible until cold weather arrives.

FIGURE 1: Two composite soil samples (denoted by X’s and Y’s in this image) from your rectangles and baseball fields will provide the science-based information you need to meet the lime and nutrient needs of your sports grasses.

FIGURE 2: The ‘Shockwave’ machine is one of many ways to perform what is known as ‘linear decompaction’ on an athletic field with blades cutting slits 10 or more inches deep into the profile, with minimal surface disruption.

28

It doesn’t matter if it’s warm-season or cool-season, now is the time to grow the thickest, densest, healthiest turfgrass possible. Many have had to reduce inputs on fields that were not in use; that was appropriate and even necessary for budgets. But given what is coming, you now need to do everything you can to optimize turf density and health prior to winter because the growth rates of both bermudagrass (4–5 months dormancy) and cool-season grasses (2–3 months of no or restricted growth potential) will decline in a few months.

– Soil pH and nutrient management: The makings of a healthy turf begin with a properly balanced soil in terms of pH and nutrients.

A soil test is the only way to really know what the soil needs and there is no cheaper piece of insurance in making informed decisions than to soil test (Figure 1). Both warm and cool-season grasses will benefit from the utilization of a soil test in late summer through midfall. There is still time to benefit from nitrogen on bermudagrass fields, but keep the nutrient management standards of up to 1 lb N/1000 sq ft per active growing month in mind, and if possible, go to a light and frequent fertility program as the days get shorter. The strategy for a heavily trafficked sports field in the fall (that carries over to the spring) is to keep the bermudagrass actively growing as long as possible, but not extremely succulent heading into that period when frost/freeze events are expected to occur. One point of caution regarding fertilization on bermudagrass next spring in the midst of all the traffic: the tendency is to want to begin fertilizing as soon as it starts to green

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

in an effort to get as much regrowth as possible.

That’s a risky strategy that might pay dividends if Mother Nature cooperates (i.e. no more frost events), but for most locations the threat of late season frosts that can decimate all of that early season growth are enough reason to delay spring fertilization until the possibility of frost has passed (this occurred throughout the mid-Atlantic and mid-South in 2020 when March was warmer than April in many locations). For cool-season grasses, fall is the PRIMARY time to conduct the majority of your seasonal N fertility program for improved performance now and a carry-over in growth and color response into 2021. The standard rule of “if it needs mowing, it is growing” applies to developing your fertility program, with targets of 0.75 to 1 lb soluble N/1000 sq ft per active growing month on our cool season fields.

– Mowing height: This is a double-edged sword question and answer. Mowing your fields at the lower end of a grass’ cutting height tolerance range promotes lateral growth and better density during optimal growing periods (that might be 0.75 to 1.5" for a bermudagrass field, to 1.5 to 2.5" for a cool-season field).

Mow the grasses regularly, keeping the 1/3rd rule in play, but keep in mind that more biomass (to a point… we’re not talking about letting grasses get too tall for the sport) generally equates to better wear tolerance.

– Cultivation: Two thoughts come to mind here. Many have had the opportunity to manage compaction during the down time on their fields, with some afforded opportunities that they never would have had during standard use schedules. Given what is coming with the traffic, compaction relief is especially critical now if it has not been addressed, and perhaps going as far as a linear decompaction treatment or deep tine application is warranted for its long-term benefits that will extend into 2021 (Figure 2)? Then I would suggest you do that this fall if budget permits. There is still time to address compaction on both bermudagrass and cool-season fields during late summer through mid-fall. Then, if time and resources allow, consider how you might be able to incorporate solid tine (or other less surface disruptive tools) into the intensively trafficked areas next spring. You can’t likely do much traditional hollow-tine aeration on a dormant or slowly growing field because the turfgrass can’t recuperate quickly enough to maintain playability. As the spring progresses, you will need to schedule and implement your regular cultivation events to best address soil compaction.

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FEATURE STORY Also, remember that your cultivation programs don’t necessarily have to be on the entire field. The sport results in obvious traffic patterns to address (perhaps one of the biggest challenges will be that due to lack of space, sporting events will be relocated to fields that were previously dedicated to one or two sports. Concentrate your cultivation programs on the trafficked areas if you have budget, equipment, or labor limitations and give them a couple of aeration events rather than poking holes in the best parts of a field that receive little traffic.

– Overseeding: Several sports field managers have indicated that while they did not overseed their bermudagrass the past few years that they thought it likely worth the investment in the seed and the management of the ryegrass in order to have an actively growing grass for all of the mid-late winter traffic. I think that has always been the best argument for overseeding bermudagrass with ryegrass – period. It remains an agronomic fact that the ryegrass is nothing more than a weed to bermudagrass, but intensive spring traffic is a very strong justification for winter overseeding. If you overseed bermudagrass, then OVERSEED your bermudagrass! At least 6–10 lbs of pure living ryegrass seed per 1000 sq ft, and I suggest you go towards the higher side rather than lower to ensure the best density. It will require periodic fertilization, regular mowing, and will be a detriment to your bermudagrass later next spring. However, it might be the best choice for you and your situation. Keep in mind that the ultimate product you seek to provide is a safe field, and clumpy ryegrass has long been one of the biggest reasons to not overseed a bermudagrass field (Figure 3).

The debate will continue as to the pros and cons of winter overseeding with the answer to should you or shouldn’t you do it being ‘yes’.

As with fall fertilization on cool-season grasses, fall is also the preferred season to seed and/or renovate cool season turf. Kentucky bluegrass remains a staple of cool-season fields because of its rhizomatous growth habit, perennial ryegrass fits well into cool-season renovation because of how fast it germinates, and the newest generation of turf-type tall fescues continue to expand in use on cool-season turf, especially in combination with Kentucky bluegrass. Dormant seeding of cool season grasses over worn areas will have the seed primed and ready to germinate when spring temperatures and moisture are suitable. For situations where it is critical to get seed up as soon as possible, turf blankets can be applied.

– Use covers if you have them or can afford them. Hopefully your fields will have dense grass cover because of reduced use in 2020, but reality is that a return to practices at some schools and planned fall parks and recreation use schedules, that many fields are likely going to be intensively trafficked even this fall. Turf blankets can enhance late season recovery efforts with seeded cool-season grasses, promote the establishment of overseeded bermudagrass turfs, and protect bermudagrass from damage from winter temperature extremes. Turf blankets will also help keep traffic off of the fields.

They are a significant expense, but they are pretty much the only way to stimulate off-season grass growth and development (Figure 4), and if they are properly handled and stored, they will last many years.

FIGURE 3: An improperly overseeded bermudagrass field can have very poor footing and playability for spring sports due to the clumpy nature of the ryegrass.

FIGURE 4: A winter-applied turf blanket removed in March in Blacksburg delivers a Kentucky bluegrass surface that is 4–6 weeks ahead of development compared to uncovered grass.

30

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Weed control strategies If procedures for maximizing turf density discussed above are followed, weed control requirements should be less than normal. Use herbicides that have the least injury potential and only target weeds that threaten to dominate the stand or compromise player safety. Avoid using long-residual, preemergence herbicides since expected wear pressure will be “off the charts” as fall and spring games will be combined in the spring.

Cool-season. Herbicides such as mesotrione, topramezone, triclopyr, halosulfuron, 2,4-D, dicamba, MCPP, and quinclorac should be part of your arsenal. Mesotrione is great for use during seeding to suppress winter annuals without harming cool-season seedlings. It has more residual performance than topramezone in that respect. Topramezone is best for large goosegrass plants, bermudagrass suppression, and general postemergence grass control. Halosulfuron is a safe option to control sedges when new seedlings may be established and grass growth potential must be maximized in a short period of time. Triclopyr should be avoided on turf seedlings or on Kentucky bluegrass during hot weather. On more mature stands, it controls hard-to-kill broadleaf weeds, helps suppress bermudagrass when mixed with topramezone, and reduces white symptoms on weed leaves when used with mesotrione or topramezone. The other broadleaf herbicides are safe options for postemergence control of unwanted broadleaf weeds. Quinclorac is the best product for cleaning up massive crabgrass plants late season.

It should be possible to address annual bluegrass without herbicides. Since fall play is omitted, make every effort to seed heavily and early, fertilize with nitrogen-based products while avoiding phosphorous unless a soil test demands it. Any excess phosphorous will only serve as a starter fertilizer for annual bluegrass. The nitrogen will maximize turf competition with new annual bluegrass seedlings and should reduce their invasion. The key is to get a solid stand of turf before annual bluegrass starts emerging (max. air temps consistently below 70°F) and promote maximum turf density and competitiveness. In addition to avoiding phosphorous, reduce irrigation frequency to match turf needs. Don’t maintain wet surfaces for long periods as this will promote annual bluegrass infestation.

Next spring, only use herbicides that allow for immediate seeding of cool-season turfgrasses as repair of damaged areas will likely

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FEATURE STORY be required. For example, don’t delay broadleaf weed control until spring since the products don’t work well in late-winter cold and many of them carry 3–4-week reseeding restrictions. Products like quincorac, mesotrione, and topramezone would be good choices depending on the weed spectrum.

Warm season. If managing bermudagrass fields, one has a tough decision to make: Overseed or don’t overseed. Repeating what was said earlier, overseeding will arguably place you in better shape for the coming wear stress but be advised that immense effort and resources will be needed this fall to achieve and keep a high-density stand so that it will be ready come February. Be prepared to defend 2–3 mowings per week, fertility expense, fungicides, etc. during a time when no one is on the field. Overseed early and you may need to suppress bermudagrass growth with high rates of trinexapac ethyl and optimize ryegrass emergence with 1/8-inch sand topdressing.

Aggressive core aeration or verticutting is not recommended as a means of reducing bermudagrass vigor as this will weaken the bermudagrass substantially for next summer. If coring is needed anyway, that need will trump bermudagrass injury concerns. Thus, if soils are compacted, that is sufficient reason to coincide aeration with the seeding event. In fact, dragging cores can replace the sand top dressing as a means to promote ryegrass establishment in a dense bermudagrass stand. If overseeding at higher rates, early, and a successful stand establishment is gained, weed control inputs may not be needed.

If you must overseed later or annual bluegrass has already started to emerge prior to overseeding, apply foramsulfuron one week prior to seeding to kill emerged annual bluegrass.

The counter argument in favor of not overseeding best applies to fields that are entering the fall season at above-average density. In fact, any or all of the following may make non-overseeded bermudagrass fields a prudent choice: If your bermudagrass density is high, you have limited budget, if you can reduce the number of events played on any one field, or if you expect the field to be “blown up” regardless of what you do. When not overseeding, resources may essentially be held back and used for the recovery phase rather than for producing an optimal stand of perennial ryegrass in advance of the coming spring. The downside is that your only option when playing conditions become unsafe may be to close the field. Sand top dressing and divot fill can improve field safety but is a short-term fix when turf density is lost. Weed control needs will increase on non-overseeded fields. Expect to use glyphosate or glufosinate to control winter weeds after the field enters dormancy (Figure 5). Since this often happens in February, you may be too close to the deferred season to clean up the fields. It is best to target winter broadleaf weeds with 3-way combo products the previous fall. Likewise, products like trifloxysulfuron applied in fall as bermudagrass is entering dormancy can help knock back winter weeds and allow for a glyphosate or glufosinate follow up to be more effective and aesthetically pleasing in late February.

Disease control strategies Diseases will likely impact sports fields next spring, whether managing warm-season or cool-season grasses. As previously mentioned,

FIGURE 5: Postemergent non-selective weed control with glyphosate on this dormant bermudagrass field provides an exceptional and safe playing surface.

FIGURE 6: Spring dead spot must be treated with appropriate fungicides in the fall prior to fungal infection in order to control/reduce the likelihood of disease symptoms on bermudagrass sports fields the next spring.

32

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

improving the overall density, uniformity, and vigor in the fall will pay dividends next spring when traffic is at an all-time high. Following the advice on each of the cultural practices listed above will not only improve the appearance of the field, but will also allow the plants to defend themselves against turfgrass pathogens.

Spring dead spot continues to be the most prevalent disease on bermudagrass sports fields (Figure 6). If no actions are taken this fall, the only viable option will be to promote recovery in the spring through nitrogen fertilization and cultivation. The problem that we will likely run into next spring is that turfgrass managers will be attempting to do this without any breaks from foot traffic on the fields, something that will prove almost impossible. Both fall fertilization and mowing height can impact spring dead spot the following year.

As previously mentioned, applying small amounts of nitrogen into the fall will extend the photosynthetic period of the bermudagrass, resulting in a healthier root system to fight off the spring dead spot pathogen during the winter.

However, be cautious not to overapply as too much top growth late into the season can be detrimental to the root system as well. Also pay attention to any macro- or micronutrient deficiencies that may show up during the soil test and supplement accordingly. As for mowing height, bermudagrass is less susceptible to cold injury when mowing heights are increased as the stand enters winter dormancy. The end result of spring dead spot damage is caused by localized winterkill in patches that are weakened by the pathogen. We suggest slowly stepping up the mowing height by approximately 50% as the grass slows down. For example, if fields are maintained at 0.75" during the active season, consider raising to somewhere between 1" and 1.25" during the last couple months of fall growth.

If spring dead spot has historically plagued a particular sports field, this may be the year to strongly consider applying a preventative fungicide. Several fungicides have proven effective. The most consistent performers in Virginia Tech research trials have been the SDHI class; such as isofetamid (Kabuto), penthiopyrad (Velista), and pydiflumetofen (Posterity). Fungicides should be applied in the fall when soil temperatures fall between 70°F and 75°F. A repeat application approximately 3–4 weeks later may prove beneficial if we experience a long, gradual decline in soil temperatures. Fungicide applications for suppressing spring dead spot should be watered in immediately to maximize their performance.

FEATURE STORY Those needing to overseed their fields this fall with a cool-season grass should be wary of seedling diseases that can quickly wipe out a stand of new grass. Particularly, be cautious of gray leaf spot and ‘damping off’ during the first couple of weeks after seeding. Gray leaf

spot, in particular, has become increasingly problematic on both perennial ryegrass and tall fescue in late summer to early fall. Both diseases are most severe during prolonged periods of leaf wetness in conjunction with high canopy temperatures. However, consistent moisture

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34

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

drives each disease more than temperature.

And, both diseases are also most severe when nitrogen is readily available. Consistently wet with plenty of readily available nitrogen describes establishment to a T, as seed needs to be watered continuously for the first couple of weeks, typically in conjunction with a starter fertilizer. The potential for these diseases shouldn’t prevent fall overseeding to prepare for next spring. Rather, extra caution should be taken to inspect the seedlings routinely to any symptoms of the diseases or, more importantly, signs of the pathogens. As with spring dead spot, this may be a year where it is worth the investment in a good fungicide to make sure overseeding establishment is a success.

Establishing and maintaining communication is more important than ever This article likely doesn’t do as much for you as it could your supervisors, administration, players, coaches, etc., so you might accidentally leave it in a place where they might take a glance at it! Even with all of the agronomic and pest management challenges detailed, the toughest part of your battle in sports field disaster prevention is always the management of the traffic on the field. You aren’t likely to win many of these battles, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wage the battle because two-way communication is always an important part of any successful operation. Regular communication with your coaches, administration, and players regarding upcoming field use schedules begins now as you plan for what is likely to happen beginning in early 2021. Getting buyin from them regarding at least a basic understanding of the pending challenges is an important first step in your management program.

Plainly stated, excessive traffic leads to compaction and compaction leads to the loss of grass because of a lack of oxygen and physical limitation to root penetration. Remember that one traffic event on a saturated soil in any season can likely destroy a season’s worth of efforts in providing a safe playable field; the magnitude of the damage is much greater if a wet field is trafficked over the late fall to early winter months when there is neither time nor conditions to adequately promote recovery. Fields exist to be used, but ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to understanding that field use guidelines and practices must ensure that athlete safety comes first.

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•

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Mid Tenn Turf....................................................... 21 www.midtennturf.com

Mid-Atlantic STIHL................................................. 9 www.stihldealers.com

Modern Turf, Inc................................................... 33 www.modernturf.com

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Progressive Turf Equipment Inc............................ 13 www.progressiveturfequip.com

RD Murphy, LLC.................................................... 35 www.rdmurphy.com

Regal Chemical Company....................................... 5 www.regalchem.com

Sigma Organics, Inc.............................................. 11 www.SigmaTurf.com

Smith Seed Services............................................. 11

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Southeast Turf Maintenance................................ 31

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Sur-Line Turf, Inc................................................... 31 www.surlineturf.com

Syngenta Turf........................................................ 29 www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com

The Turfgrass Group....................................... 17, 27 www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Tri-Turf Sod Farms................................................ 11 www.triturfsod.com

Turf Mountain Sod, Inc......................................... 29 www.turfmountain.com

Turfgrass of Tennessee........................................ 33 Winstead Turf..............................Inside Front Cover www.winsteadturffarms.com

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 quarterly publication. Copyright © 2020 by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Tennessee Turfgrass is published bi-monthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. 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, 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

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