Virginia Turfgrass Journal - March / April 2017

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

Annual Bluegrass

Weevil

Oviposition Behavior and Larval Development in Golf Course Putting Greens

March/April 2017

Five Irrigation WaterManagement Tips for Golf Course Superintendents Highlights from the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E)

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | March/April 2017

18 16 Upcoming Event

Virginia Tech Research Golf Classic, May 22

16 Upcoming Event

2017 Come to the Valley, May 23–24

18 Cover Story

Annual Bluegrass Weevil Oviposition Behavior and Larval Development in Golf Course Putting Greens 22 Water Feature

22 Departments 6 President’s Message

from Rick Owens, CGCS

8 Director’s Corner

from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

9 News from the VTC 10 Editor’s Perspective

Mark Vaughn, CGCS

12 VTF Report

Betty B. Parker

14 VTC Membership Form 17 Industry News

Five Irrigation WaterManagement Tips for Golf Course Superintendents

29 Virginia Tech Turf Team

26 Recent Event

30 Index of Advertisers

Highlights from the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E), January 30 – February 2 4 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

30 Turfgrass Calendar

President’s Message

A Brand New Event for the Benefit of Turf in Virginia

The

Virginia Turfgrass Council, in conjunction with the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association, is sponsoring a brand new event — the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Classic and Turf Field Day. This new event replaces the Virginia Turfgrass Council’s Bob Ruff Memorial Research Tournament and the Virginia Golf Course Superintendent’s

Environmental Cup. The event will be held May 22 at the Country Club of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. Preceding the golf tournament will be a 90-minute field day held at turfgrass plots located on the grounds of the Country Club of Virginia’s Tuckahoe Creek Golf Course. Profits from the event will go to turfgrass research at Virginia Tech.

By combining the event into one grand event spread over 36 holes in

Rick Owens, CGCS 2016–2017 President

central Virginia, we hope to make it easier for attendees and sponsors to support and receive education from the Virginia Tech turf team. The Virginia Tech faculty has long wanted to have more research done in central Virginia where the climate is more indicative of most of Virginia.

The Richmond area is also more geographically accessible to the majority of people living and working in the Commonwealth. Go to either the Virginia Turfgrass Council website or the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents website to see the flyer and to register.

Sponsorships are also available. Don’t miss what is sure to be the premier event of its kind in the region.

Since the last issue of this magazine, the VTC has had a very successful Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and The Come to the Bay event in Virginia Beach. Both events were very successful and more heavily attended than in 2016. This year, we are launching an event called Come to the Valley. This event will be held in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on May 23–24 on the James Madison University campus. Similar to Come to the Bay, it will have one day of pesticide recertification and an additional day of education. Like Come to the Bay, it gives turfgrass professionals the ability to attain pesticide re-certification in their particular region of Virginia without having to travel great distances. Both events also offer a second day of education in a convenient location where attendees can benefit from learning from researchers and networking with their peers.

Rick Owens, CGCS 2016–2017 VTC President 6 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

Director’s Corner

A

Strong

Start

Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

to the Year

“The

Virginia Turfgrass Council is the leading green-industry association working for environmental issues.”

This was a comment I constantly heard at Come to the Bay. Did that praise come only from our own members who strongly support the industry, the VTC and the environment? No! It also came from leaders of non-profit and government agencies dedicated to preserving the Chesapeake Bay. Four events were held during February and March that illustrate our commitment to the industry and to the environment: Come to the Bay, Webinars, Career Days and on-site training for our Platinum Members.

Wes Bray, chairman of the Come to the Bay Committee, expended many hours working behind the scenes. His constant promotion of the event, his great ideas and his financial support (his company, Lawns and Gardens Plus, sponsored the Tuesday evening

social) were major reasons we succeeded. With 300 attendees, we were able to raise nearly $2,000 for turfgrass research at Virginia Tech and for student scholarships.

This year, we are working with the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association to produce a monthly webinar.

February 16 was our first one. Was it a success? Yes! So many persons registered that the system crashed. Jim Owen (Virginia Tech Extension Specialist) administered the webinar and quickly got us back on line. The two-hour webinar featured Dr. Mike Goatley and Dr. Rory Maguire (both from Virginia Tech) presenting training for Certified Fertilizer Applicators. Not only did attendees learn great information about nutrient management, but also they received two recertification credits from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Two Green-Industry Career Days for high school students were held.

One was in Virginia Beach as part

8 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

of Come to the Bay and another in Front Royal as part of the Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Horticulture Dayz. These events were possible only due to the work done by Jimmy Viars, Adria Bordas, Tim Ohlwiler and many others. While attendance was low, it was a great beginning and we are evaluating and making plans for next year.

At the end of March, the VTC provided on-site pesticide recertification training for two of our Platinum Members: the City of Roanoke and BrightView Landscape Management.

These opportunities saved our members the time and expense of sending their employees away to receive required recertification training.

I cannot thank our board of directors, committees and the myriads of other volunteers enough. Their endeavors to advance the industry while also protecting and preserving the environment are being recognized.

What’s next? We are on the right track. Let’s keep moving. c

News from the VTC

Meet Your New 2017 VTC Leaders President Rick Owens, CGCS Laurel Hill Golf Club Lorton, VA (703) 674-6934 rick.owens@ fairfaxcounty.gov

Vice President Scott Woodward Woodward Turf Farms Nokesville, VA (540) 727-0020 shwturf1@aol.com

Treasurer Mike Skelton Culpeper County P&R Culpeper, VA (540) 727-3412 skeltonma@msn.com

Past President Fredrick Biggers, CGCS Wintergreen Resort Wintergreen, VA (434) 325-8252 fbiggers@wintergreen resort.com

Executive Director Tom Tracy, Ph.D. Virginia Turfgrass Council Virginia Beach, VA (757) 464-1004 vaturf@verizon.net

Directors Steve Glass University of Richmond Richmond, VA (804) 289-8605 sglass@richmond.edu Tony Montgomery Draper Valley Golf Club Draper, VA (540) 980-4653 tgm1978@ rocketmail.com

Craig Zeigler Agronomic Lawn Management Virginia Beach, VA (757) 563-8588 sales@fertilizewith alm.com VTC Advisory Members of the Board of Directors

Jesse Pritchard, CSFM University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA (434) 981-7189 sportsturf@virginia.edu

Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (chair) Virginia Tech, CSES Dept.

Blacksburg, VA (540) 231-2951 goatley@vt.edu

David Smith Fawn Lake Country Club Spotsylvania, VA (540) 727-9255 dsmith@fawnlakecc.com

Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (540) 231-5807 saskew@vt.edu

T.J. Skirsky SiteOne Landscape Supply Spotsylvania, VA (540) 899-6106 tskirsky@siteone.com

Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Ag. Research Station Virginia Beach, VA (757) 363-3912 jderr@vt.edu

Rick Viancour, CGCS Williamsburg, VA (757) 897-3665 rickviancour@ gmail.com Jimmy Viars, CGM Gloucester County Public Schools Gloucester, VA (804) 815-2779 jimmyviars@ gc.k12.va.us

Erik Ervin, Ph.D. Virginia Tech, CSES Dept.

Blacksburg, VA (540) 231-5208 ervin@vt.edu David McCall, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (540) 231-9598 dsmcall@vt.edu

Virginia Turfgrass Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Office: (757) 464-1004 Fax: (757) 282-2693 vaturf@verizon.net Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Editor Mark Vaughn, CGCS VTC OFFICERS President Rick Owens, CGCS Laurel Hill Golf Club (703) 674-6934 Vice President Scott Woodward Woodward Turf Farms (540) 727-0020 Treasurer Michael Skelton Culpeper County (540) 727-3412 Past President Fredrick Biggers, CGCS Wintergreen Resort (434) 325-8252 VTC DIRECTORS Steve Glass Tony Montgomery Jesse Pritchard, CSFM David Smith T.J. Skirsky Rick Viancour, CGCS Jimmy Viars, CGM Craig Zeigler ­ VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair) Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. Erik Ervin, Ph.D. David McCall Ph.D. Executive Director/ Director of PROGRAMS Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 464-1004 Virginia Turfgrass Foundation Betty Parker (757) 574-9061

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

|9

Editor’s Perspective

Thanks for the Old Fart

Mark Vaughn, CGCS Virginia Turfgrass Journal Editor

Award,VTC As

I pen this piece of literary history, I must say that I am as stressed as I’ve ever been in “wintertime.”

Who knew that bermudagrass would actually green up in mid-February?

I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’ve never panicked about getting Ronstar and glyphosate off the shelf and onto the ground until this year. A pox on you, Al Gore! These are supposed to be the days of peace, tranquility, dwelling on the meaning of life and hot yoga. Not to infer, of course, that I have ever actually DONE hot yoga. Unless you count those early 1970s summer nights in the back of a GTO… but I digress.

The OTHER reason I am stressed is because someone decided it would be a good idea for me to get the VTC Old Fart (otherwise known as the Lifetime Achievement/Membership) Award this year at the M-A-T-E Conference. Yes, that’s what I called it then and what I’m calling it now. I mean, come on. You don’t get this award when your hair is thick and blowing in the wind, while you’re driving the cool

car, shooting in the low 70s in your sleep and doing P90X. Okay, EXCEPT if you’re Dick Fisher, but then it’s pretty common knowledge that he is a vampire and will never age.

No, you get it when you drive quickly by graveyards, can’t break 83 in your dreams and own a Buick, and your hairline resembles Bozo the Clown. Three out of four for me, and I’ve been shopping for the Buick since I returned from Fredericksburg. I’ve firmed up my will, picked out some of the tunes I’d like played at what I prefer to be called my “after party,” bought my tickets for one last Floydfest, told my neighbor where he could stick it, cancelled my cardiology appointments and increased my intake of cheeseburgers and craft beer. I swear I saw the chick from The Ring the other day at the end of my driveway. And I’ve changed my phone number, so you clowns that keep calling me and whispering “7 days” can get over yourselves and go back to trolling folks on Twitter.

Here’s another thing: this blathering used to be as simple as propping

10 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

up a microphone beside my bed, recording what I said in my sleep, transcribing it and sending it to Herr Direktor/Editor Liz. NOW, it’s a JOB, and I already have one of those. Can’t you see the pressure I’m under from the VTC hierarchy to produce this stuff, SIX whole times a year?? I feel like a submarine captain diving to 3,000 feet on a boat that’s rated for 1,500.

Oh, by the way, that reoccurring dream is back. You know the one — you’re hosting the U.S. Open, you haven’t recruited any volunteers, and the tournament starts tomorrow.

Then, you show up the next morning at the shop, late and partially clothed.

I guess I’ll increase my Amlodipine to three times a day. And thanks for the writer’s block, VTC. People expect cutting-edge ideas from this space, not fake news. Yep, I was just gliding along in Southside Virginia, away from the noise and the crowds and the prosperity, quietly leading my life of desperation, and now this.

Thanks a lot, VTC. Thanks a whole heckuva lot, and bless your hearts. c

VTF Report

Thanks for the $2.67, SVTA!

B

obby Jenkins of the SVTA approached me at this year’s Expo in Fredericksburg and presented me with a check for $2,500 in support of turfgrass research. It shows the association’s continued commitment to funding quality turfgrass research here in the state of Virginia.

They surpassed the VTF’s highest level of recognition in 2012 but continue to give each year.

Bobby asked me what the total was that the SVTA had donated over the years, which I gave him: $66,497.33.

Just $2.67 shy of $66,500.00, By the end of the afternoon, a member of their organization, Paul Hartzell, brought me change in the amount of $2.67.

The $2,500 from the SVTA was very much appreciated. But the $2.67 showcases their real efforts. They strive to be the best. They give until it hurts, and I want to thank them once again for their continued support.

Ray Weekley of Chantilly Turf Farms approached me that day as well and asked if we had everything covered.

He likes to check each year and make sure our researchers are funded for the important work they do in making his business better and more successful.

One of our new projects this year is a collaborative effort between the entire turf research team and Independence Golf Club in Richmond, VA. They will be working closely with golf superintendent, Dan Taylor, GGCS, as they build and run turf trials on warmseason grasses in this transitional area.

It is a big undertaking with even bigger possibilities for growth into the educational aspects that it can afford the turfgrass industry in this central loca-

Betty B. Parker VTF Manager

tion in our state. The VTF will help fund this project, but we were quite honestly a bit short in our budget to approve the $30,000 they were asking.

In a leap of faith, we voted to approve the entire amount.

Ray Weekly represents that faith we have in this industry. His generosity continues to enable us to stretch our imaginations and say, “Yes, we will!” Thank you to Ray Weekley of Chantilly Turf Farms.

Below are the projects approved by the VTF for funding in fiscal year 2017:

“Rapid Estimation of Water, Nutrient and Pesticide Needs, Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for Reduced Inputs” Virginia Tech Researcher: Dr. Dave McCall Year One of two: $20,000 Year Two of two: $20,000

“Virginia Tech and Independence Golf Club Collaborative On-Site Research Project” Virginia Tech Researchers: Drs. Mike Goatley, David McCall, Shawn Askew, Jeff Derr, Erik Ervin and Tom Kuhar Year One of one: $30,000

“Industry-Wide Turf Survey” Survey initiated by: Dr. Mike Goatley and Gil Grattan Year One of two: $20,000 Year Two of two: $20,000 Total: $40,000

“Management of Spreading Troublesome Weeds in Bermudagrass and Tall Fescue Turf” Virginia Tech Researchers: Dr. Jeffrey Derr and Adam Nichols Year One of two: $16,624 Year Two of two: $17,249 Total: $33,873 “Comparisons of Exceptional Quality (EQ) Biosolids and Inorganic Fertilizer on Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics and Turfgrass Production and Quality” (Request granted to continue into year 2 of this project) Virginia Tech Researchers: Drs. Gregory Evanylo and Erik Ervin Year One of one: $15,000 Year Two of two: $15,000

12 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

“A Durable High-Quality Pocket Guide to Insects and Related Organisms of Virginia Turfgrass” Virginia Tech Researchers: Dr. Tom Kuhar, Curt Laub and Sudan Gyawaly Year Two of two: $5,000

Total approved for funding:

$106,624!

Bobby Jenkins of the SVTA presenting the organization’s check to the VTF.

VTC Membership

Join the

Today!

Membership Benefits For ALL members include:

ree pesticide recertification training at the oneF day regional seminars.

Free Certified Fertilizer Applicator training at the Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo in January (M-A-T-E) and the Come to the Bay (February) and Come to the Valley (May) regional conferences.

Free entry to the research tour of turfgrass studies in June at the Hampton Roads AREC. Free subscription to our bi-monthly Virginia Turfgrass Journal, offering research and industry updates.

Valuable assistance on state and local legislative and bureaucratic issues. Do you know that every member of Virginia’s General Assembly receives our bi-monthly Virginia Turfgrass Journal? Several Delegates and Senators have said how much they appreciate being on our mailing list.

Monthly email of job postings.

Discounts to every one of our activities.

Join as a Group or as an Individual Individual Membership One Year — $85 Individual Membership Two Years — $150

Platinum Group Membership Membership fee of $1,250 includes: 11 to 20 members.

Send up to 100 of your employees to one of our Regional Pesticide Training Classes — AT NO COST. Year-round membership listing and link from VTC website.

Fertilizer Certification Training and Recertification Training (3A, 3B 60) at your site.

Gold Group Membership Membership fee of $800 includes: 6 to 10 members Silver Group Membership Membership fee of $400 includes: 1 to 5 members

14 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

Membership Application Complete this application form and —

OR Join/Renew online at

www.vaturf.org

• Mail it to the address at the bottom of this page.

• Or fax it to 757-282-2693

Member Information First Name____________________________________________ Last Name___________________________________________ Company or Organization____________________________________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________________________________________ City__________________________________________________ State__________ Zip____________________________________ Phone________________________________________________ Fax__________________________________________________ E-Mail_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Payment Select One Platinum Group Membership (11 or more members + Year-round listing and link from VTC website)...................$1,250 Gold Group Membership (6 – 10 members)...................................................................................................................$800 Silver Group Membership (1 – 5 members)....................................................................................................................$400 Individual for Two Years...................................................................................................................................................$150 Individual for One Year....................................................................................................................................................$85

Pay by Check or by Credit Card Please check appropriate box:

Check

AMEX

VISA

MasterCard

Card #:_______________________________________________ Print Cardholder Name:_______________________________ Security Code:_________________________________________ Expiration Date:_ _____________________________________ Dues may be deductible as a business expense but not as a charitable contribution. Based on 2013 activity, one percent (1%) of dues are not deductible in accordance with IRS Section 6033.

Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 • Phone: 757-464-1004 • Fax: 757-282-2693 Email: vaturf@verizon.net • Web: www.vaturf.org Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 15

Upcoming Events

May 22

May 23–24

The Country Club of Virginia

Harrisonburg, VA

Turfgrass Research Come to the Valley James Madison University Classic & Field Day

The

VGCSA and VTC are proud to announce the merger of two popular research fundraiser tournaments into one mega event, the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Classic, set for Monday, May 22, hosted by The Country Club of Virginia in Richmond. Both the famed James River Course and the popular Tuckahoe Creek Course will be used for this benefit tournament, aimed at providing support for turfgrass research.

As part of this move, Virginia Tech researchers have established turfgrass plots near the Tuckahoe Creek Course Farmhouse, and guests are invited to attend a free 90-minute Field Day that morning. The Virginia Tech turfgrass research team wanted to establish research in central Virginia, as the climate and growing conditions are more “mainstream Virginia” than those found in Blacksburg. Richmond also provides a more convenient location statewide.

The new golf tournament promises to be a “can’t miss” affair! Plans are in place to make it totally first class — from the golf, to the food and beverages, to the prizes and more.

In addition, the event will feature a new auction component to add excitement to the day. It will soon become the ultimate networking event in the industry. The tournament committee is opening sponsorship and golf team sales now.

For sponsorship opportunities, please email David McCall, dsmccall@vt.edu.

T

his comprehensive conference is designed for green-industry professionals. We are by the industry, and we are for the industry!

Come to the Valley is produced by the Virginia Turfgrass Council.

Day One: Tuesday, May 23 (Free to all VTC members!)

Pesticide Recertification (3A, 3B, 5A, 6, 10, 60) Certified Fertilizer Applicator Recertification

Day Two: Wednesday, May 24 (Morning only)

General Session • Protect Pollinators While Doing Your Job Morning Breakout Sessions • Irrigation Workshop (by SiteOne Landscape Supply) • Sports Turf Management • Lawn & Landscape

Hotel Information We have a special rate at the Hampton Inn (rate, tax included, of $91). This hotel offers a free breakfast (including eggs, sausage, bacon, etc.) for those who stay.

Hampton Inn • 85 University Boulevard Harrisonburg, VA 22801 • 540-432-1111

For event details, please visit www.vgcsa.org and www.vaturf.org, and plan to attend!

16 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

Register at www.cometothevalley.org The Valley Is Calling!

Industry News

New Green Industry Survey for Virginia in the Works

V

irginia’s agricultural economic impact is $52 billion annually, and agriculture is the largest industry in the state. Forestry adds another $18 billion annually, with the two industries having combined revenue of $70 billion (2012 survey data).

The green industry in Virginia is comprised of golf courses, sports turf fields, lawn care services, landscape retail businesses, sod production farms, wholesale producers and plant nurseries. Collectively, all these green industries employee thousands of workers, purchase products, rent or own structures and provide the State of Virginia with tax revenue.

Based on previously reported totals from the turf and/or green industries of other southern states, we estimate the annual economic impact for Virginia’s green industry to be $8 to $10 billion (or higher) — about a fifth of the total agricultural impact!

Facing legislative issues, a lack of money to support industry research and development at Virginia Tech and a host of other factors (labor, economic, environmental, etc.) in Virginia, industry leaders launched the idea of a Green Industry Survey for Virginia. Utilizing 2005 data when discussing economic importance, the number of industry employees and other facts and figures, our voices were not being heard, and therefore the green industry was being ignored. By completing this survey, Our Industry can update statewide data on acreage, plant material, employee counts, expenses and revenue to further support our industry initiatives.

After two years of working on a plan and a strategy, we have finally funded the cost of the survey and hired an outside party to manage the development and administration. With support of industry associations, we are developing data from all the industry groups.

We need your participation! To complete the survey, please go to the Virginia Turfgrass Council’s website (home page) at www.vaturf.org. c

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 17

Cover Story

Annual

Bluegrass

Weevil

Oviposition Behavior and Larval Development in Golf Course Putting Greens

By Benjamin Czyzowski, Former Master of Science Student, and Benjamin McGraw, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Turfgrass Entomology, Penn State University

The

annual bluegrass weevil (ABW), Listronotus maculicollis, is the singlemost destructive insect pest of shortmown turfgrasses found on golf courses in the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States and in eastern Canada. Superintendents rely heavily on the use of preventive chemical insecticides to reduce the probability of damage occurring to high-valued turf areas (e.g., greens, collars, fairways and tee boxes). Putting green complexes, including putting surfaces, collars and rough surrounds, receive more frequent insecticide applications than other at-risk areas on the course.

ABW damage is rarely observed on the

interior of the putting surfaces (maintained between 0.090" and 0.125"), although it’s commonly found on adjacent collars (mowed between 0.25" and 0.40").

Over the last two years, we have been investigating the effect that putting green cultural practices, including mowing heights and nitrogen fertility, influence the probability of damage occurring. We hope to determine the potential risk of damage occurring to these areas and, ultimately, the usefulness of chemical insecticides applied to putting greens.

Adult mowing survival

Our field observations of damage to collars suggest that adults and/or

18 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

larval survival on greens may be negatively affected solely by the act of mowing, since all other cultural and chemicals would remain the same for the two areas. We investigated the effects that five heights-of-cut (HOC), including three from putting greens (0.100", 0.125" and 0.150"), one collar (0.250") and a fairway treatment (0.500") had on adult survival in a greenhouse experiment using a bench-mounted reel mower. Adult ABW were placed on Poa annua cores following mowing in the field. The turf was allowed to grow for 24 hours in an incubator before mowing treatments were applied to simulate the time and growth that would be experienced between mowing events in the field. We found

An annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) adult.

An ABW adult, walking across a putting green maintained at 0.150".

A high percentage of ABW eggs deposited in greens-height turf were found outside of the plant.

that a significant number of adults were removed from three greens’ HOC and increased as mowing heights decreased (2%, 7% and 30% removed for 0.150", 0.125" and 0.100", respectively). Considering that putting greens are mowed between six and seven times per week during the growing season, the impact that mowing has on the removal of adults from putting greens is likely to be great, despite the low percentages with single mowing events. Less than 1% of adults were removed from collar and fairway heights.

The impact is likely minimal in these areas, given the frequency of mowing.

Another interesting finding from this study was that the majority of the adults were not killed by the

act of mowing. Survival after mowing suggests that clippings removed from greens need to be disposed away from high-valued turfgrass areas to avoid re-infestation.

Canopy activity

Studies were conducted to determine whether ABW adults were more active on top of the turfgrass canopy at certain times of the day and, therefore, more vulnerable to removal through mowing. Most insects demonstrate increased levels of activity at certain times throughout the day, whether it be during the day or night.

To characterize ABW activity, we observed marked adults over 24-hour periods with the use of time-lapse

photography. This was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting at constant temperature. The photographs were reviewed, and the total number of ABW on top of the turfgrass canopy was recorded for each hour in onehour increments.

We observed ABW activity at all hours of the day. However, there was a significant spike in activity in the first three hours following sunrise (6 a.m. to 9 a.m.). This indicates that ABW may be most susceptible to removal during the time when most turfgrass managers are generally mowing greens. In the 2016 research season, we will observe how different temperatures affect canopy activity, as well as observe activity in the field.

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 19

Cover Story continued

A fifth-instar ABW larva.

Egg laying in putting greens

Although we observed a significant percentage of adults removed at low mowing heights, some of the adults may be left in the turf stand and, therefore, capable of oviposition (egg laying). However, the low HOC found on putting greens may not be suitable for ABW to lay eggs from either a physical or a nutritional standpoint.

To examine the latter, we contained mating pairs (1 male + 1 female) on turf plugs at one of three previously mentioned greens’ HOC. After allowing the ABW time to mate and lay eggs, we dissected the turfgrass samples for eggs.

We observed that a significant amount of eggs were laid at all three HOC. However, we also observed that the majority of the eggs were laid outside the stem of the plant (loosely), opposed to inside the stem or under the leaf sheath as has been observed in previous studies. These loose eggs may be more vulnerable to predation and desiccation than eggs that have been placed inside the plant.

This could result in fewer eggs surviving to damaging larval stages (4th and 5th instars) and may contribute to the lack of damage observed on putting greens.

Cage field trial studies. Each 4" container houses ABW adults. After egg laying, the containers are removed, and treatment effects on developing larvae can be monitored.

Future studies

At the time of writing this article, we are investigating the effects of other management inputs on ABW oviposition and survival in putting greens, as well as building on our findings from the 2015 season. An important goal will be to observe how these cultural practices performed on putting greens affect larval growth, development and survival. It will be important to see if ABW larvae are capable of developing to damaging stages inside the significantly smaller turfgrass plant found on putting greens. Also, we will observe how different temperatures affect ABW activity, as well as observe ABW activity under natural conditions at various times throughout the growing season. Finally, we will examine the effects that different nitrogen fertility

rates on ABW development in putting greens.

We hope to be in a better position to determine the usefulness of treating putting greens with chemical insecti-

20 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

cides at the conclusion of this project and be capable of developing best management practices for the integration of cultural practices to reduce the probability of damage occurring. c

Water Feature

Five

Irrigation

WaterManagement Tips

for Golf Course Superintendents

By Trent Nelson, Aquatic Specialist and former Assistant Golf Course Superintendent, SOLitude Lake Management

The

golf season is coming into to full swing, and it’s important to address the irrigation needs of your course throughout the growing season. Turf health is highly dependent on the irrigation source and delivery system. While a multitude of management techniques dictate the amount of irrigation water needed, a handful of strategies can also be used to benefit your turf and help ensure that your waterbodies remain healthy.

Healthy lake and ponds equate to superior, reliable and predictable irrigation water quality.

Tip #1. Conducting an audit of your irrigation system may be the best place to start when developing techniques to maximize the efficiency of your irrigation water supply. This audit should include documenting and repairing any leaking or malfunctioning irrigation heads, checking and confirming the overall output of the system and adjusting any site-specific needs for dry or wet areas by reducing or increasing the application time of these areas.

In addition to conducting an audit of your irrigation system, collecting samples of your water sources and testing the water quality can help uncover any

Proactive management of lakes and ponds not only helps create reliable irrigation water quality, but also adds to the beauty of the course.

22 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

Water Feature underlying water-chemistry problems or nutrient imbalances.

Tip #2. Timely irrigation can be one of the more overlooked techniques for proper irrigation application. Sometimes tournaments, golf outings and other member play can interfere with proper and timely irrigation applications. However, by irrigating based on the plants’ needs rather than other factors, you can often lower water use and have healthier turf.

Tip #3. Accurate knowledge of lake volumes allows you to determine precisely how much irrigation water is available at any given time. In a world where fresh water seems to be more and more valuable, it is critical to know how much water is available. Bathymetric studies of the lake are the best way to accurately determine the actual water volume of your irrigation lake.

Installing a water-level measurement device in the lake combined with the bathymetric data will provide wateravailability information during all climatic conditions. When combined with an audit of the output of your irrigation system, exact application amounts can be determined, as well as the amount of water left in reserve for future applications.

Tip #4. Nuisance algae and vegetation control should be at the top of the list for anyone who has a waterbody on the property, especially if that waterbody supplies your irrigation pump house. Nuisance vegetation, if left unmanaged, can clog irrigation intake screens, damage pumps and valves and ultimately make its way into the hundreds, or even thousands, of irrigation heads on a golf course. Clogged foot valves, rock screens and nozzles reduce the overall output of the irrigation head, ultimately reducing the amount of water received by the turf. Continued cleaning of these heads can take valuable time away from other duties around the course and can often be solved by proper treatment and prevention of nuisance algae and submersed aquatic vegetation.

Submersed aeration adds dissolved oxygen and can limit available nutrients in the water column, helping reduce the likelihood of algae and aquatic weeds in irrigation water sources.

Shoreline vegetative buffers help keep unwanted nutrients from entering the water column by acting as natural filters for stormwater runoff, thus helping to improve water quality in irrigation lakes and ponds.

Many times, nutrient imbalances — specifically high nitrogen and phosphorus levels — can lead to these nuisance vegetation and algae problems. Submersed aeration combined with nutrient remediation strategies have shown to significantly reduce freely available nitrogen and phos-

24 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

phorus levels. This reduction can ultimately lead to lower growth rates of algae and aquatic weeds in nutrient rich waterbodies.

Tip #5. Proper fertilizer and pesticide application is one of those concepts drilled into turf managers’ heads in

school, during pesticide certification courses and through real-world experience as they learn and grow professionally. Proper fertilizer application allows the turf to perform optimally when growing conditions allow.

Over-fertilization can require excess water for the turf to keep up with the available nutrients, yet underirrigation may leave nutrients unavailable for the plant to uptake. With the price of fuel, labor and fertilizer, it is important to stay in the middle of the fertility scale.

Pesticides — including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides — are vital in producing high-quality turf. Once again, water plays a key role in the application of these pesticides. However, applying too much water over extended periods of time can lead to disease, requiring the application of a fungicide, as well as increasing weed pressure such as sedge growth where water may collect.

The installation of beneficial buffers, beneficial shoreline plantings and buffer management is one of the single most-important things anyone with a waterbody can do. A maintained buffer of dense turf that extends three to six feet from the water’s edge can greatly reduce nutrients from entering the water during and after heavy rain events. Maintained buffers also help to reduce sediment loss from erosion along the shoreline. Beneficial buffer plantings, or shoreline plantings such as pickerel weed, arrow arum and or duck potato, help to stabilize the shoreline, use available nutrients in the benthic region and attract wildlife to your pond’s edge.

Summary

Overall, proper water management creates high quality turf and vice versa. While there are so many items that require the attention of the Golf Course Superintendent these days, finding the right balance must include optimization of the irrigation system and application techniques. If you find this balance, you will undoubtedly make your life and the turf you manage far better. c Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 25

Recent Event

Highlights from the

2017 Mid-Atlantic Turf Expo (M-A-T-E), January 30 – February 2 Photos by Tony Montgomery (Draper Valley Golf Club and VTC Board Member) and Eddie Coutras (President of Leading Edge, publisher of the Virginia Turfgrass Journal).

Congratulations to the 2017 VTC Award Winners

R.D. Cake/Silver Tray Award

The VTC Award

VTC President’s Award

Lifetime Membership Award

Jeff Derr, Ph.D.

Wes Bray

David McCall, Ph.D.

Mark Vaughn, CGCS

Virginia Tech

Lawns & Gardens Plus

Virginia Tech

Goodyear Golf Club

Congratulations to Our Turfgrass Flag Challenge Winners Grand Prize

Consolation Prize

Consolation Prize

Justin Morris

Chris Dieter

Joe Donchez

Also, Kudos to Our Scholarship Winners Thomas B. Hutcheson Jr. Memorial Scholarship Robert Jacob Odum, Virginia Tech

Robert P. Ruff Sr. Memorial Scholarship Justin Beauchamp, Virginia Tech Austin Jennings, Virginia Tech

26 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

RLCA Scholarship

Riki Farmer, Virginia Tech

Thanks to Our Generous 2017 Conference Sponsors Platinum

Barenbrug USA Chesapeake Valley Seed Jacobsen Newsom Seed Nufarm Americas Pennington Sod Solutions Weed Man

The winners of the 2017 M-A-T-E Corn Hole Tournament were Jim Wilson and Jesse Prichard (VTC board member).

Tuesday Lunch

Haifa

Fellowship Breakfast

Trinity Turf, Inc.

Pesticide Recertification

PBI-Gordon

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 27

Recent Event Thanks to Our Exhibitors Air2G2 Aquarius Supply ARI Surface Solutions Ballard Sports BASF Bayer Environmental Science BioWorks Brandt Consolidated Businesses for the Bay Buy Sod, Inc. Capitol Landing Mulch Capital Sports Fields Central Sod Farms Chesapeake Valley Seed Collins Wharf Sod Colonial Construction Materials Crop Protection Services Dow AgroSciences Engage Agro USA Finch Services/Revels Turf & Tractor First Products, Inc. Fisher & Son Co. FMC Professional Solutions

Fredericksburg Regional Tourism Partnership Garden Girls Repellents GCSAA Genesis Turfgrass GHS, Inc. Green Industry Survey Growing Solutions, LLC H&H Farm Machine, Inc. Haifa North America Harmon Turf Services Harrell’s, LLC Helena Chemical Horizon Innovative Turf Services Jacobsen Turf Kenneth Cominsky Landscape Supply Latitude 36 / NorthBridge Bermudagrass Lebanon Turf Luck Specialty Products McDonald & Sons/ McDonald Design Group McGill Premium Compost Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Mid-Atlantic Stihl Miller Chemical & Fertilizer National Arboretum Nedia Enterprises New Virginia Tractor Newsom Seed Oakwood Sod PBI-Gordon Peebles Golf Cars Pennington Seed – Pro Turf Plant Food Company Professional Grounds Mgmt. Society – VA Quali-Pro Rainbird Reddick Equipment Co. of NC, LLC Riverside Turf Richmond Landscape Contractors Association SePRO Corporation SiteOne Landscape Supply Smith Turf & Irrigation Smith Turf & Irrigation – Pre-Owned Equipment Solu-Cal USA Southern States

28 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

Spectrum Analytic Sports Aggregates STI Turf Care Equipment Syngenta TESCO TETAC TifTuf Turf Triangle Chemicals Trinity Turf Truck Crane Solutions Turf & Garden Turf Pride Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance Turfline VA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation VDACS: Certified Fertilizer Applicator Vereens Turf Virginia Sand & Stone Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association Virginia Turfgrass Foundation Weed Man Woodward Turf Farms

Virginia Tech Turf Team Shawn D. Askew, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-5807 saskew@vt.edu

Jeffrey F. Derr, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Station 1444 Diamond Springs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 363-3912 jderr@vt.edu

Erik H. Ervin, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 339 Smyth Hall, CSES Dept.

Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-5208 ervin@vt.edu

Mike Goatley Jr., Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 420 Smyth Hall, CSES Dept.

Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-2951 goatley@vt.edu

David McCall, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-9598 dsmccall@vt.edu

With Support from: Thomas P. Kuhar, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech Dept. of Entomology 216 Price Hall 170 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-6129 tkuhar@vt.edu Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 29

Advertisers Index

Cover Story April 25 VSTMA Field Day

RF&P Parks Henrico, VA

August 15 Lawn & Landscape Field Day

Blacksburg, VA

May 22 Virginia Tech Turfgrass Classic and Field Day

The Country Club of Virginia Richmond, VA

August 27–31 StormCon 2017 Conference The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Conference

Meydenbauer Center Bellevue, WA

September 26–28 May 23–24 Come to the Valley

( Pesticide Recertification and Fertilizer Recertification/ Certification) James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA

June 20 Pesticide Recertification

Northhampton Community Center Hampton, VA

NRPA Congress and Expo

(Nat. Rec. and Park Assn.)

New Orleans, LA

October 18–20 LANDSCAPES 2017

Hampton Roads AREC Turfgrass Field Day and Pesticide Recertification

Hampton Roads AREC Virginia Beach, VA

July 16–18 NALP Legislative Day on the Hill

(National Association of Landscape Professionals) Washington, D.C.

July 19–22

The Heldrich New Brunswick, NJ

Ballard Sports........................................... 31 www.ballardsports.com Buy Sod....................................................... 3 www.buysod.com Carolina Green Corp............................... 31 www.cgcfields.com Central Sod Farms of Maryland, Inc...... 31 www.centralsodmd.com Chesapeake Valley Seed.......................... 28 www.chesapeakevalleyseed.com Collins Wharf Sod Farm.......................... 17 www.collinswharfsod.com Colonial Farm Credit............................... 31 www.colonialfarmcredit.com Daniel Sod Farms..................................... 31 www.danielsodfarms.com East Coast Sod & Seed............................. 31 www.eastcoastsod.com

October 19–20

Fisher & Son Company Inc..................... 23 www.fisherandson.com

GIE+Expo — Green Industry Equipment Expo and School of Grounds Management

Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

ASLA – Annual Meeting & Expo

Ernst Conservation Seeds........................ 29 www.ernstseed.com

Home Field Fertilizer / Meadowspring Turf Farm....................... 29 www.meadowspringturf.com Luck Ecosystems...................................... 17 www.luckstone.com McGill Premium Compost...................... 31 www.mcgillcompost.com

(American Society of Landscape Architects) Los Angeles, CA

Mid-Atlantic STIHL, Inc................... Inside Front Cover www.stihldealers.com

January 16–19, 2018

Modern Turf, Inc..................................... 25 www.modernturf.com

STMA Conference and Exhibition

Fort Worth, TX

January 29 – February 1, 2018 M-A-T-E: Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo

Fredericksburg, VA

TPI Summer Program

(In conjunction with the 2017 International Turfgrass Research Conference)

Alliance Material Handling, Inc............... 6 www.alliancemat.com

(formerly the PLANET Green Industry Conference) Kentucky Epo Center Louisville, KY

October 20–23 June 27

Agronomic Lawn Management.............. 31 www.FertilizerWithALM.com

February 3–8, 2018 Golf Industry Show

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center San Antonio, TX

30 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2017 www.vaturf.org

Perdue AgriRecycle, LLC........................ 11 www.perdueagrirecycle.com Progressive Turf Equipment, Inc............ 14 www.progressiveturfequip.com Riverside Turf........................................... 13 www.riversideturf.com Smith Seed Services................................. 31 www.smithseed.com Smith Turf & Irrigation............ Back Cover www.smithturf.com The Cutting Edge of VA.......................... 25 www.tce-va.com The Turfgrass Group........................... 7, 21 www.theturfgrassgroup.com Virginia Sand & Stone............................... 5 www.virginiasand.com Weed Man................................................ 31 www.weedmanfranchise.com

Digital Marketplace • Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.