Damage from white grubs has begun. A Kansas City-area golf course exhibited significant damage to Meyer zoysia from white grubs (predominantly southern masked chaffer) in late June. It may seem earlier than normal, but if populations are high it can happen. Grubs include southern masked chaffer, Japanese Beetle, and others. Learn more about grubs and their control in an article by Dr. Raymond Cloyd by clicking HERE.
This new blog video gives an update on a research project, a turf-related issue, or current concerns in the turf industry. Each one will be approximately 2 minutes long – you’ll see one periodically!
On this video, the first one, see the impact of nitrogen fertilization on crabgrass encroachment in a field project at the Olathe Horticulture Center. This study is being done at several universities in the north central U.S. including Iowa State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. Most are looking at weeds in cool-season grasses, but you’ll hear about bermudagrass here.
After 21 years at K-State, Dr. Dale Bremer will retire from his position in June, 2022. Dale has been an incredible contributor to research and teaching at K-State. Dale found his research niche in a few important areas: water conservation; spectral analysis of turf canopies; and nitrous oxide emissions from turf swards. He received significant grant funding over the years, advised numerous undergraduate and graduate students, and published over 70 scientific research articles and at least 250 other publications including Agricultural Experiment Station Publications, professional abstracts, and trade journal articles.
Regarding teaching and administrative support, Dale taught the course “Turfgrass Science” for undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate students took classes he taught called “Plant Research Methods” and “Graduate Seminar.” He has also served as Graduate Program Director for the department since 2014.
Dale contributed a lot to Kansas turf conferences and field days, and also to industry associations including the Crop Science Society of America and the United States Golf Association. He served as Technical Editor for the scientific journal Crop Science for 9 years and oversaw the evaluation of nearly 500 manuscripts. In addition, he served as an Associate Editor for a 6-year term prior to that. In addition, for the past several years, Dale served on the Turf and Environmental Research Committee for the United States Golf Association. Only a few scientists are selected to serve on this committee, which is a true recognition of his strong scientific capabilities.
The success of K-State’s turf and landscape program has benefitted most from the teamwork provided by faculty and staff. Dale has been a great team member in his involvement in teaching, research, and conference and field day activities. Dale, congratulations on your opportunity to move on to something different. The K-State team will miss your involvement in our activities, but – we are excited for you!
It’s springtime and sedges are beginning to show up. Sedges are different than broadleaf and grassy weeds, and require different control strategies. Yellow nutsedge is the common sedge problem in our area. Treating yellow nutsedge when it’s young and just starting to appear is a good strategy that will result in better control.
Yellow nutsedge spreads primarily through its production of tubers and rhizomes – all can contribute to its expansion within a lawn.
Great resources to learn more about sedge control:
Trevor Vance has been with the Royals for 38 years, and has served for 28 years as Director of Groundskeeping. Trevor followed the path of George Toma, who is nationally famous for his sports turf management skills. Trevor answers questions regarding the management strategies he uses at Kauffman Stadium, the most difficult issues he deals with, and the most rewarding aspects of the profession. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE INTERVIEW.
Perennial ryegrass has been widely used in the transition zone over the years. It used to be quite popular, but disease issues and water costs have reduced its use in Kansas. That said, it’s what makes Augusta National Golf Club beautiful for the Masters. Learn more about perennial ryegrass HERE.
I’m not a marathoner, but I’ve heard those that do run marathons prepare not only through extensive training, but also by consuming the appropriate food for weeks before the race. Examples include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Fasting or an improper diet wouldn’t result in a good marathon, and would likely require someone to withdraw during the race.
Creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass, cool-season grasses, are also participants in summer marathons in many parts of the world. They enjoy the cool climate in spring and autumn and prefer to prepare for the marathon during these seasons. Of course, grasses don’t rely on consumption of food, but they do create their own carbohydrates through photosynthesis. Plants take in carbon dioxide through stomates on leaves, which is used in combination with light and water in the photosynthetic process to manufacture carbohydrates that include glucose, sucrose, and fructose which promote plant growth and health. Carbohydrate storage is also a critical to finish the summer marathon.
If creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass have met nutritional demands to sustain health and promote growth, they may then be able to store carbohydrates (fructan and starch) in crowns or stolons for use later in the season. This is critical for summer survival, as the ability to manufacture carbohydrates declines as temperatures rise. If nothing’s left in the refrigerator, and a runner can’t go shopping, that would also create pre-marathon issues. To maximize the ability of these grasses to store carbohydrates in preparation for the summer marathon, two things other than cool air temperatures are desired – leaf area and no seedheads (annual bluegrass).
Grasses on putting greens are mowed at heights that minimize leaf area. Years ago, one-eighth of an inch (0.125 inches; 3.2 mm) was considered very low. Now, it’s not unusual to hear from superintendents who may mow at heights lower than one-tenth of an inch (0.100 inches; 2.5 mm). Lower mowing heights increase green speed (ball roll), but keep in mind that whenever a portion of a leaf is removed, chlorophyll, which captures sunlight for photosynthesis, and stomates, the entry points for carbon dioxide, go away with that portion of the leaf, which reduces carbohydrate manufacturing capability. Leaf area is increased by mowing higher or less frequently. If either is done, speed can be enhanced by rolling rather than mowing, which allows the leaf area to remain. Many superintendents have incorporated rolling as a mechanism to enhance green speed and leaf area.
Cool-season grasses tolerate lower mowing heights better during spring and autumn months than in the summer. This has encouraged many superintendents to consider mowing lower during cooler months, and then raising the mowing height when summer stress occurs. However, keep in mind that the efficiency of carbohydrate production is greater during the cooler months than it is in the summer. As such, the potential to accumulate carbohydrates for the summer marathon is enhanced by allowing greater leaf area in spring and autumn.*
Annual bluegrass can be a prolific seedhead producer, even at very low mowing heights. Seedhead emergence tends to drop the level of carbohydrates in the plant, and can also reduce rooting. Suppressing annual bluegrass seedheads by using plant growth regulators can help annual bluegrass get through the summer marathon.
A pastor in Kansas City recently spoke about how he was training for several weeks prior to a marathon and was excited about it. He also considered that his diet at the time was critical, and adjusted it several weeks before the race. Once the marathon began and the physical demand had started, he asked himself “why am I doing this?”. He struggled through the first 10 miles of the marathon, but at the halfway point, his attitude improved, and the healthy food consumed prior to the marathon began to take effect. He finished the marathon with a smile (but hasn’t run another) and followed it with a beer – first attempt to get carbohydrate levels back up! Superintendents in areas where a summer marathon is on schedule should consider enhancing leaf area when creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass are most efficient at fixing carbon. You may not see the putting greens smile at the end of the summer, but quality may likely be enhanced!
(Article appears in Golf Course Management magazine, April 2022; *Dr. Bingru Huang, Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University, has conducted extensive research on creeping bentgrass heat tolerance and has enhanced our knowledge in this area.)
Wes Dyer, Ph.D. and Manoj Chhetri, Ph.D. both finished their doctoral degrees at K-State in 2021; each had focus on water savings as part of their research. Wes is employed with Irrometer Company, Inc. in Riverside, CA and Manoj is a horticulture extension agent for the University of Missouri. Dr. Cathie Lavis joins them to present strategies for saving irrigation water on this video recorded at the 2021 Kansas Turfgrass Field Day. Hear about the effectiveness of soil moisture sensors in contributing to water savings, and how irrigation heads differ in water delivery. To view, click HERE (about 15 min.).
Lt. Colonel Dan Rooney, founder of “Folds of Honor,” recently orchestrated efforts to highlight the career of Jeremy Dobson, K-State alumnus and former superintendent of The Patriot Golf Club in Oklahoma, who sadly passed away recently. Quote from Folds of Honor: “The Dobson will provide scholarships to K-State Students and ensure Jeremy’s legacy lives on through the gift of education. 100% of your support will go to Folds of Honor recipients at K-State.” Learn more about this by clicking HERE.
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