Brown, mushy roots:
And, sometimes Pythium oospores (stained pink here):
In the diagnostic lab it has kind of been like that movie Groundhog Day, where each day brings a remarkably similar set of turf plugs.
The stress continues. In the Kansas City area it is still hot with rain, in other parts it is hot and dry. A superintendent over in Kansas City told me that he had recorded a 2-in soil temp of 101. Yikes!
Jim had a nice post this week about the different types of Pythium, and there definitely have been some questions around here. So, if you need some further clarification I suggest reading Jim's summary.
Gray leaf spot
Gray leaf spot is the other big nasty disease on people's minds. There have been reports of GLS showing up early in states farther east, so superintendents in this area should definitely be thinking about it, scouting, getting on their spray programs.
Below is an image of GLS damage in 2007 that was sent in by a superintendent (I cropped it some for anonymity). The plants that are green are weeds (not perennial rye). In this case I believe they re-seeded with Kentucky bluegrass to avoid future problems with GLS.
Turf field day:
We had our annual field day yesterday. Thanks to everyone who came, and to the vendors for supporting this event.
The early part of the crowd mills around at registration:
One of the groups looks at a moss study on one of the putting greens:
Interesting Packaging:
I've had some turf samples come in packaged in unusual ways. Here is some turf packed in club-house towels:
There were 5 towels! My Christmas shopping is halfway done!
And another came in a box for Jessica Simpson sandals. Very sassy!
My two favorite boxes of all time are 1) a box from a 12-pack of beer and 2) a box that said "Quik Taters" (some kind of frozen potatoes).
4 Responses to “Field day, stress, gray leaf spot, diversions...”
Megan, we superintendents don't fall asleep when we get mushy roots and pythium spores in our head we just lay there and think what in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here.
Jerry
p.s. my samples are sent in Miller High Life boxes. I wish I had some Christmas shopping done.
Megan, Great stuff! It's nice to laugh out loud on August 6th!
Jerry... Too funny!
We are all going through a tough summer. One for the books. Glad to say we at The Farms CC are hanging in for now. Just counting down the days til September. Have to say it's pretty sweet to see us all pull together and be able to share industry pro's info with our members!
Paul Sabino
The Farms Country Club
Wallingford, CT
If you leave some of the beer IN the box, I might push you to the front of the queue :)
Actually, chocolates might work better. Fancy, expensive ones with liquor inside. Mmm....
Speaking of GLS. I think anyone with ryegrass fairways (especially in the northeast) should think about preventive apps.
When you scout for this, if you have rye fairways, you most likely have some rye in the roughs, scout your roughs first. It will be a good indicator.
Even if your budget is being exhausted on greens this summer, those with rye fairways should be weary!
Lots of snow cover over the winter will keep more of the overwintering spores alive, coupled with a more humid and hot summer, could lead to a disease epidemic.
just a hunch.
Post a Comment