“Turfgrasses under intensive management are often subject to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Diseases usually are most damaging when weather or cultural conditions favor the disease-causing agent but not plant growth and vigor.”
This quote from the “Chemical Control of Turfgrass Diseases 2017” publication at University of Kentucky and Rutgers University, really sums up why we have diseases in our turfgrass systems. Many times we have no control over weather or the cultural conditions that favor disease-casuing agents and those same conditions do not favor turfgrass growth. To prepare for 2019 download this publication from Drs. Vincelli, Clark and Munshaw and keep it around as a great reference. I keep a copy of this publication along with my weed control manual (https://blogs.k-state.edu/turf/new-turfgrass-weed-control-for-professionals-2019/) at all times.
Only of our good friends to the east, Dr. Lee Miller, posted his first disease report of 2019. In this update he covers what we have been through over the past winter and what to look for in the weather to come. Check it out! This is some great information, especially if you are on the east side of Kansas.
(By Jared Hoyle, KSU Turfgrass Research and Extension)
As I was looking through some news articles I came across this one that caught my eye.
“Top 10 Worst Cities for Weeds and Disease in 2018”
I couldn’t wait to click the article and see what the National Association of Landscape Professionals listed as the top 10 worst cities for weeds and disease. It was also pretty interesting how they came up with these cities. Check it out!
(By Jared Hoyle, KSU Turfgrass Research and Extension)
Someone told me and I am not sure if it is correct or not, “that grey leaf spot will infect crabgrass before it hits our desirable turfgrass species”. The other day I saw some grey leaf spot crabgrass in a ryegrass lawn and got me thinking that this is about the time grey leaf spot starts to kick in around here. I went back through the blogs and back in 2015 (Actually August 25, 2015) I posted about grey leaf spot.
I wanted to pass along the blog again for everyone that may have had grey leaf spot in the past.
***Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for identification purposes and does not imply recommendation or endorsement, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned by Kansas State University.***
(by Jared Hoyle, KSU Turfgrass Research and Extension) Dr. Kennelly posted a couple days ago about large patch and some other diseases that we have or will be seeing soon. Well to stay ahead of the game the University of Kentucky and Rutgers University have updated the Chemical Weed Control for Turfgrass Diseases Publication. This is a great resource. I would recommend printing it off and keeping it around. Click the link below for your free copy.
Always remember to READ THE LABEL for the correct rate, turfgrass tolerance, and specific instructions before application!!!
***Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for identification purposes and does not imply recommendation or endorsement, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned by Kansas State University.***
(By Jared Hoyle; KSU Turfgrass Research and Extension)
Have you ever walked across your lawn or through a grassy area and when you stopped looked down and your feet were orange? (imaginary response – “No”) Ok, never mind then. Just kidding, well if you do then you might have rust in your lawn.
I received this picture the other week from one of my good friends in North Carolina with the quote underneath the picture that said “What the heck (it wasn’t that word but another one) is on my grass?”
I went through lots of questions with him and determined that he had rust. This is a disease that can occur just about anywhere. From a distance it can look like it has a yellow-grew cast to the lawn in large irregular spaces. It can leave your shoes orange and most commonly have outbreaks in the spring when the temperatures are milder. Well, we have had some of those temperatures around here too. So I got online and search through some of the KSU Agronomy blogs and found one that reported rusts on cool-season grassy crops. Then the reports started coming in from Kansas on turfgrass.
Even though this sample was from North Carolina keep a lookout for it around here. There are some cultural and chemical control options out there and can be found in the link below.
All in all, a DMI or Qol (strobilurin) should give you good control.
***Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for identification purposes and does not imply recommendation or endorsement, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned by Kansas State University.***
(By Jared Hoyle; KSU Turfgrass Research and Extension)
One of my good friends on the other side of the river at the University of Missouri, Dr. Lee Miller, has posted some great information about physiological decline and updates on diseases that he has been seeing.
For more information on physiological decline/ wet wilt of bentgrass greens check this out – “Summer Rises” – (It’s at the bottom of the article)
This guide from University of Kentucky (Paul Vincelli and Gregg Munshaw) is updated every year with new products and all the latest research findings. Bookmark it, print it, use it, love it.
(By Jared Hoyle, KSU Turfgrass Research and Extension)
What a beautiful day we had this year for the 2014 KSU Turfgrass Field Day. Thank you to all the attendees, vendors, sponsors, faculty, staff, students and anyone else that was out at the field day!
If you weren’t able to make it, I decided to post some pictures and links to research reports so you can get more information about each stop that we had this year.
Copyright 2014, Kansas State University
Also, I will include the QR codes. These codes can be scanned by your phone and will take you directly to the information! Check it out!
This year my stop at field day was “Kansas Turfgrass Weed Control Update”. Here is discussed one of the most problematic weeds in cool-season turfgrass, bermudagrass. I talked about both selective and non-selective methods. For more information about bermudagrass removal check it out here. https://blogs.k-state.edu/turf/non-selective-bermudagrass-removal/
Copyright 2014, Kansas State University
KSU Turfgrass Research Technician and Graduate Student, Jake Reeves, presented information on the best management practices for buffalograss establishment. Jake has been conducting some great research that will really help us out when we want to convert cool-season turfgrass to buffalograss. For more information check out his latest blog post. https://blogs.k-state.edu/turf/establishing-buffalograss-in-golf-course-roughs/
Copyright 2014, Kansas State University
Zane Raudenbush, KSU Turfgrass Graduate Student, and Dr. Keeley has been conducting research on the cultural management of moss infestations on bentgrass putting greens. Zane got to display some great looking research on one of the putting greens out at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research center looking at cultural practices in conjunction with chemical applications of carfentrazone. For more information check out his latest research report. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/SRP1107D-MOSS-FERTILITY.pdf
Copyright 2014, Kansas State University
Ever wondered what was the best preforming kentucky bluegrass cultivar? Well, Evan Alderman, KSU Turfgrass Graduate Student, discussed the best preforming Kentucky bluegrass cultivars in Manhattan, KS. This study is part of the Nation Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). Check out the NTEP website for the most current bluegrass cultivar information. http://www.ntep.org/data/kb11/kb11_14-2/kb11_14-2.pdf And some more information on prolonged drought and recovery characteristics of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/Item.aspx?catId=545&pubId=17861
Copyright 2014, Kansas State University
Although this summer has seen to be pretty mild when it comes to diseases in turfgrass, Dr. Kennelly discussed both turf and landscape disease updates. Don’t forget to periodically check the blog as Dr. Kennelly updates the blog with what is going on with diseases in Kansas. Here is some more information on all sorts of turf disease publications. http://www.plantpath.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=551
Copyright 2014, Kansas State University
Is the grass really greener on the other side? Ross Braun, KSU Turfgrass Graduate Student, presented on using paints and pigments for coloring turfgrass. Ross has conducted many trials looking at painting zoysiagrass and buffalograss. He has evaluated different paints and pigments as well as rates and spray volumes. Check out his latest research update on paints and pigments. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/Item.aspx?catId=545&pubId=17867
Copyright 2014, Kansas State University
As it is hard to grow cool-season turf in Kansas it is also tough to grow warm-season turf. Dr. Fry presented about the best zoysiagrass and bermudagrass cultivars for Kansas. He discussed everything from color to pest tolerance. This included information about how the cultivars held up to last winter. For more information about the zoysiagrass and bermudagrass cultivars here is a great research report about winter survival on the 2013 NTEP zoysiagrass and bermudagrass in Kansas. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/SRP1107G-NTEP-ZOYSIA-AND-BERMUDA.pdf
Thanks again to everyone that came out to this years KSU Turfgrass Field Day. It was a great success and hope to see you next year in Olathe. Also, don’t forget this December is the Kansas Turfgrass Conference in Topeka. It’s going to be great as well. Keep and eye out for more information on registration.
The weather this summer has resulted in many peonies catching the “measles.” This is a disease, also known as red spot, that causes distinct, reddish-purple spots on the upper leaf surfaces. These spots often coalesce and become large, reddish purple blotches on the upper leaf surfaces but are a light brown color when viewed from the underside of the leaves. The spots on stems will merge and form streaks that are reddish brown.
Sanitation is the best control for this disease. Remove all diseased tissue, including stems, at the end of the growing season. Mulch that contains plant debris should also be discarded and then replaced with fresh mulch. Reducing the source of the inoculum will reduce the chances of another severe outbreak next year.
Photos – click to zoom
Photos by Ward Upham (left) and
Jody Fetzer, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Bugwood.org (right).
