TOOLS & GUIDANCE
REBUILD ROOTS FOR WINTER STRENGTH
TOP TIPS •M inimise turf stress that may trigger Anthracnose atch out for Leaf Spot on •W hot, humid days • M anage turf to rebuild strength se GreenCast to predict •U disease attacks
effects of heavy rainfall and keep surfaces dry, but then hold soil moisture deeper in the profile to encourage greater root mass development. It is also a useful technique for seed establishment in stadia. Once good growing conditions return, used in conjunction with Primo Maxx II, to concentrate chlorophyll levels in the leaf and enhance summer sun photosynthetic activity, as well as diverting more energy into root production, it gives a real chance to minimise effects of stress on plants and build carbohydrate reserves.
STRESSFUL TIME FOR DISEASE
Relieving summer weather stress on plants is an important Integrated Turf Management tool to minimise risk of Anthracnose outbreaks. However, if stressful, high-
AUGUST 2017 WEATHER FACTS
Managing moisture becomes a challenge under extremes of rainfall weather patterns. Qualibra wetting-agent effects built up over a summer programme ensure rapid penetration of surface water to minimise the
STADIUM LEAF SPOT
Hot humid days in August can be the precursor for Leaf Spot breaking out, especially in a sheltered sports stadium environment and where cutting height is being reduced ready for the playing season. Attacks of melting out now will leave little chance for recovery. Medallion TL has proven extremely effective in preventing turf damage to stadium and training ground playing surfaces.
TEMPERATURE & RAIN FOR NOTTINGHAM Rainfall 2017 Rainfall trend 1991-2018 Temperature max 2017 Temperature min 2017 Soil tempertaure 2017
54
24 22
48
20
42
Rainfall mm
• UK rainfall of 103mm was slightly above average overall, but included periods of very heavy rain and localised flooding. • In Scotland rain fell on 20 days in August last year – five more than normal for the month. • UK temperature average of 14.5°C was 0.4°C down on recent years, but still above the historical long-term average. • Sporadic flooding has occurred in eight of the past 10 years.
risk periods occur – particularly around maintenance or high wear-and-tear use – an application of Banner Maxx or Headway can help plants to cope. Proactive disease planning in the late summer will ensure turf is in the best health going into the autumn and winter.
16
36
18 14
30
12
24
10
18
Temperature °C
T
ake advantage of good growing conditions in August to rebuild rooting ready for winter. Long hours of sunshine can build essential carbohydrate reserves, but plants need to have adequate water and nutrients available. This season has already seen record temperatures and extreme dry conditions across the country. The effects on plant leaves burning up have been clear to see, but roots are likely to have been equally adversely affected. Long-term weather models are pointing towards continued above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall right through into the beginning of autumn. Once again, the pattern is for prolonged dry spells, with any rain coming in short, sharp interludes (Fig 1).
W E AT H E R
8 6
12
4 6
2 0
0 06 Aug 2017
13 Aug 2017
20 Aug 2017
27 Aug 2017
www.iog.org THE GROUNDSMAN 47