July Aug 01

Volume 63 No. 4 July August 2001

The Newsletter of the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation

OSU Turfgrass Research Field DayLearn about the latest turfgrass research at OSU by attending the annual turfgrass research field day, August 15th. See Page 6 for details

Inside: 2001 OTF Board of DirectorsSee page 4

OTF Golf Tournament Update & Registration FormSee pages 67

OTF Research Facility NewsSee pages 911

Sponsored By:The Newsletter of the Ohio Turfgrass FoundationJuly August 2001

TurfNews distributes useful and timely advice, information and research from Ohios most knowledgeable experts and professionals to OTF members and those in the turfgrass industry. Vol. 63 No. 4 2001 TurfNews is produced by the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, PO Box 3388, Zanesville, Ohio 437023388, 1888OTF3445 and is available to all members. www.ohioturfgrass.org

Inside:

OTF Calendar of Events 2001OTF/OSU Turfgrass Research Field DayAugust 15, 2001OTF Research & Education Facility

Message From The 2001 OTF President . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 OTF 2001 Board of Directors . . . . . . . 4 OTF Field Days & Golf News . . . . . . 68 News From The OTF Research Facility. . . . . . . . . . 911OSU International Office Graduate Student Story

OTF Golf TournamentOctober 1, 2001Country Clubs of Fox Meadow, Medina

Turf The World Over . . . . . . . . . 1215Sports Turf Tips

2001 OTF Conference & ShowDecember 36, 2001 Greater Columbus Convention Center Columbus, Ohio For more information or to register for OTF events, please contact the OTF office at 888-683-3445 or visit www.ohioturfgrass.org.

Turfgrass Seed Selection . . . . . . . 1619New Growth and Technology

Part 2. Characterization of Sands . . . . . 2023New Growth and Technology

Related EventsOhio Lawn Care Association Diagnostic Field DayAugust 16OTF Research & Education Facility Call 800-510-5296

The Influence of Turfgrass on Pesticide Fate . . . . . . . . . . . . 2429New Growth and Technology

Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association Fall Field DaySeptember 11OSU Intramural Complex Call: 419-885-1982 or 740-452-4541

Competitive Aspects of Annual Bluegrass In Ohio . . . . . 3032 Member Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Message from the Executive Director . . . . . . . . . 34 Corporate Sponsor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

OTF TurfNews Vol 63 No. 4 2001 Page 2

Message From The Presidentore than half the year has past, and finally the weather is heating up. The wet, cool spring has caused its own set of problems for turf in this part of the country. It seems that in recent years the weather goes from early spring to mid summer in two to three days. We are fortunate to have The OSU Turfgrass Science Team as an information source. A tremendous amount of research is done at the OTF Research Center. As a member of OTF, one of your benefits is our annual Field Day. This years field day will be on August 15. Please come out to see where your OTF money is invested. The Ohio State Turfgrass Science Team and staff will be there proudly displaying their research projects. If you have not been to the field day the last few years, its time to come back and take a new look at the Turfgrass Research Center. New chemicals are coming to the market and the field day is the perfect time to get that disease or turf question answered. Everyone in the turfgrass industry is invited to OTF Field Day August 15 and bring your staff to enjoy a day with your peers.

Internationally-Known Sports Turf Expert to Speak at OTFr. Richard Gibbs, Scientific Services Manager, joined the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute in December 1991 as the newly-formed Scientific Officer responsible for overseeing development of the Institutes construction, research, analytical, higher level turf training and sports Dr. Richard Gibbs surface performance-testing role. Previously Richard worked under contract as a research officer for the UK Sports Council working with Dr. Bill Adams of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. While working with the UK Sports Council, he was involved in the evaluation of cost-effective sports turf provision under the recently introduced Compulsory Competitive Tendering Framework for local authorities. Following completion of that contract, he was then employed as a senior lecturer in sports turf management at Lancashire College of Horticulture and Agriculture (Myerscough College), a position he left to emigrate to New Zealand. Richard is now the Scientific Services Manager at the Institute. His present research and professional specialties include sports turf drainage systems and techniques, playing quality performance characteristics of natural and artificial sports surfaces, artificial sport surface evaluation and performance, cost-effective sports turf maintenance systems, and extra-mural turf management training. He is also an honorary lecturer at Massey University and contributes to their turf training and research program. He is co-author of Natural Turf for Sport and Amenity: Science and Practice (CAB International) and has produced over 100 popular articles and 27 scientific papers on turf management and construction. He is well known overseas having presented talks and seminars in South Africa, UK, Malaysia, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. Projects that Richard has worked on in New Zealand include Gulf Harbour, Formosa, Kauri Cliffs and Clearwater golf resorts as well as the recently completed WestpacTrust Stadium in Wellington. In 1998 he was involved in the development of bowling and cricket facilities for the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. Richard has a first class honors BSc degree in agricultural chemistry from Leeds University, UK and a PhD in Soil Science from Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand. He first went to New Zealand on a Commonwealth Scholarship between 1982 and 1986.

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Sincerely,

Len Dunaway2001 OTF President


Your 2001 OTF Board Of Directors

Pictured left to right: Dr. John Street, Mark Jordan, Mark Grunkemeyer, Todd Voss, Mark Heinlein, George Furrer, Boyd Montgomery, Hank Chafin, Kevin Thompson, Dr. Chuck Darrah, Len Dunaway, Glen Pottenger, Randy Tischer, Mark Rawlins, and Lin Ropp. Not shown: John Mowat.

Keynote Address to Feature Popular Green Industry SpeakerThe OTF Program DevelopmentCommittee is pleased to announce that Mark Mayberry, The Mayberry Group, Atlanta, GA, will be featured as this years Keynote Speaker. Mark is an international speaker and author. He coaches Mark Mayberry companies, helping them create entrepreneurial teams throughout their organizations. He is an active member of the National Speakers Association. Mark delivers his dynamic and innovative programs for associations and corporations in a wide variety of industries. He not only makes learning fun, he inspires his audiences to return to their workplace and immediately implement his revolutionary strategies. Mark will teach you how to overcome the resistance to change in your organization; how to get past the thats the way weve always done itOTF TurfNews Vol 63 No. 4 2001 Page 4

mentality; how to find out what your customers really want; what works in other organizations; how to motivate your team members; and more. Mark is the author of In the Company of Entrepreneurs. His book expounds on the dramatic concept for building an entrepreneurial organization. Its a strategy that has proven successful for organizations around the world. His clients include H & R Block, Quaker Oats, Dun & Bradstreet, Holiday Inn, Mattel Toys, Ace Hardware, and Pizza Hut, among many others. Marks Keynote address at the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Associations CENTS show was standing room only (room set for 800!). He is a regular contributing author in the ONLA Buckeye Magazine and the Ohio Lawn Care Association newsletter. He has also been the Keynote speaker for the Texas Association of Nurserymen, Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association, Landscape Ontario, Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association, and the ProGreen Expo. Mark Mayberry will give you information you can immediately put to work in your workplace. Plan now to join us for his presentation Tuesday, December 4, 9:00 am at the Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show.

Announcing Ohio Lawn Care Associations 7th Annual Diagnostic SeminarAs the is quicklygetting longer and warmer, and as days are summer moving in, so is the 7th AnnualOhio Lawn Care Association (OLCA) Diagnostic Seminar. This yearly hands-on event will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2001 at the Ohio Turfgrass Research and Education Facility. Last years Seminar attracted green industry professionals across the board, boosting attendance to record levels. OLCA attributes this record-breaking attendance to the high quality of educational programming and the potential for networking with industry peers at the Seminar. This years sessions promise to be just as informative and beneficial to the green industry professionals who attend. Be sure to mark your calendar for this day-long event being offered in collaboration with the OSU/OTF Turfgrass Research Field Day on Wednesday, August 15. Through programs like the Summer Diagnostic Seminar, the Ohio Lawn Care Association is committed to promoting and protecting the Lawn Care Industry in Ohio. To receive additional information about OLCA, contact P.J. Lindquist at PO Box 3388, Zanesville, OH USA 43702-3388; Phone 800-510-5296; Fax 740-452-2552, www.ohiolawncare.org

OSTMA Announces Fall Field Day And 4th Annual Meeting

The Ohio Sports Turfpromoting, and improvingcomManagers Association is mitted to Enhancing, thequality of sports turf facilities in Ohio. We hope that our members as well as any individual responsible for taking care of athletic grounds, i.e. coach, field maintenance worker, parks and recreation workers, colleges and universities, and professional prospective members will join us at the Fall Field Day and 2001 Annual Meeting. We would also like to encourage those individuals to bring your boss and management along with you to these events so they can get an understanding of just how important you are to the success of the sports fields.

September 11OSTMA will hold its 4th annual Fall Field Day at The Ohio State University Intramural Complex. The day will feature speakers and equipment vendors displaying their equipment and allowing participants to demonstrate the equipment they choose. December 5OSTMA 4th Annual Meeting and awards breakfast held in conjunction with the Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show in Columbus. This event will honor those turf professionals that really provide top quality athletic fields in Ohio as well as deserving students and members that are awarded OSTMA Scholarships.

For more information, please contact OSTMA at 740-452-4541 (Phone), 740-452-2552 (Fax) or www.glstma.org.OTF TurfNews Vol 63 No. 4 2001 Page 5

OTF Field Day & Golf NewsOTFs Second Golf Tournament Planned For:The Country Clubs of Fox MeadowTo increase its turfgrass research support, the OTF Golf Tournament Committee offered two tournaments this yearthe first held July 9 at the City of Blue Ash Golf Course in Cincinnati, and the second planned for October 1 at The Country Clubs of Fox Meadow in Medina, OH (Cleveland area). The Country Clubs of Fox Meadow is a beautiful, 563-acre course on an upscale real estate development opened for play in 1995. OTF will play the Meadows Courseone of two 18-hole courses at Fox Meadow. Tim Cunningham is the Superintendent at Fox Meadow. OTF used to organize two tournaments each year. By holding two tournaments, we can feature more of Ohios finer golf courses to our members, while making it easier for those who are unable to attend due to geographical limitations, adds Chafin. Two tournaments allows OTF to raise more money for researchand it also allows us to give out bigger cash prizes. Registration information will soon be mailed to all OTF members, or can be found on page 7 of this newsletter. Reduced rates are offered to companies that sponsored the Blue Ash tournament and also want to sponsor the Fox Meadows tournament. The registration form and general information are also available on the OTF website at www.ohioturfgrass.org. Sign up early as space is limited to the first 144 golfers. Call 888-683-3445 for more information.

OSU Turfgrass Research Field Day August 15he 2001 Ohio State University/OTF Turfgrass Research Field Day will be held Wednesday, August 15 at the OTF Research & Education Facility, The Ohio State University west campus, Columbus. Everyone involved in turfgrass management is encouraged to attend this valuable annual event. The Field Day is a great chance to learn about the turfgrass research currently being conducted at OSU, to meet with OSU faculty, network with your industry peers, and visit the turfgrass research facilitybuilt and paid for with OTF funds. In an exciting new collaborative effort, the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, and the Ohio Lawn Care Association (OLCA) have planned their respective turfgrass field days to co-existoffering specific information for those in attendance. The annual OTF/OSU Turfgrass Research Field Day will be held August 15 and will follow a similar format as in past years. This is a great chance to view the results and learn about research on active turfgrass and ornamental studies conducted by OSU researchers. The OLCA Diagnostic Field Day will follow on Thursday, August 16. The OLCA Diagnostic Seminar is limited to the first 200 registrants. Both Field Days provide an excellent opportunity to learn from many of the countrys best in turfgrass research and education and tour the OTF Research & Education Facility. For information, contact the OTF office at 888-683-3445 or visit the OTF website at www.ohioturfgrass.org.

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Use this Form to Register for The Country Clubs of Fox Meadow on October 1Join other turfgrass professionals on Monday, October 1, The Country Clubs of Fox Meadow, Medina, OH for the Annual OTF Golf Tournament. The tournament is limited to the first 144 golfers (36 foursomes). Reservations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. For your best chance at having space confirmed, complete the reservation form, include your registration fees, and mail or fax them to us today. Highlights of the day include: 18 holes of golf at the beautiful The Country Clubs of Fox Meadow Individual gifts for each golfer Shotgun scramble beginning at 11:00 a.m. Box lunch Team Individual and door prizes Hole-in-one contests Putting contest Social time following golf with a buffet dinner and awards presentations

Deadline For Reservations: Friday, September 21, 2001(Reservations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.)

Registration FormSponsorshipsPlease check one: Member # Name Address City Phone ( ) Yes No State Zip

Hole Sponsor$160 Bronze Sponsor$250 Sponsor the Beverage Cart Silver Sponsor$500 Sponsor the Lunch Gold Sponsor$750 Sponsor the Awards Dinner

OTF Member

Make Checks Payable to:Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Check Card # Expiration Date Cardholders Name Signature For Office Use Only: Date Rcvd Ck # Amt $ Ackd 4.(print)

I am registering as a single golfer @ $125. I am registering more than one golfer @ $125 each. (List names of golfers below.) I am registering as a foursome @$500. (list organization and names of golfers below.) Organization 1. Hdcp Hdcp Hdcp Hdcp(combined team handicap must be 40 or more)

Discover

MasterCard

Visa

Amount $ 2. 3.

Mail or Fax with payment to:OTF Golf TournamentOhio Turfgrass Foundation PO Box 3388 Zanesville, OH 437023388 Fax: (740) 452-2552 A map and directions will be sent with confirmations.

Please contact Kevin Thompson at 888-683-3445, ext 3151 or email at [email protected] with any questions.


2001 OTF Scholarship Applications AcceptedOTF is committed to improving turfgrass through research and education. One of the best ways to foster this commitment is by providing scholarships to students pursuing green industry studies. Last year, OTF provided over $22,000 in scholarships, and with the establishment of the Ohio Turfgrass Research Trust and the Ronald D Baker, Sr. Memorial Scholarship (see article May/June 2001 TurfNews), this amount is certain to grow. To solicit qualified candidates in the past, OTF sent letters and scholarship applications in May to the turfgrass programs at several Ohio colleges. In addition, OTF members are asked to recommend any of their student summer employees who they feel would be qualified. In September, an application will be mailed to all OTF members. OTF scholarship information and applications are also available on the OTF website at www.ohioturfgrass.org. With this broad access base, OTFs scholarship committee is certain to see an increase in applicants, making the task of choosing scholarship recipients more difficult, but ensuring that OTFs awards go to the best and brightest students in the green industry. For more information on OTFs scholarship program, contact Kevin Thompson at 888-683-3445.

WANTED Items for OTF Auction.ene Probasco, chairman of the Auction Committee, holds an OTF tournament flag autographed by Patty Berg. Patty Berg was one of the founders of the Ladies Professional Golfers Association and was the organizations first president. The Golf Course Superintendents Association awarded Patty Berg the Old Tom Morris Award in 1986. The Patty Berg autograph will be one of many items to be sold at this years auction, which will be held Wednesday December 5, 2001. The auction will be during the OTF Conference and Show held in Columbus, December 36, 2001. Last year the auction netted over $15,000.00. The goal this year is $25,000.00. Now is the time to start collecting items for the auction. Many of our OTF people have contact with various sports and famous persons this time of year. Ask for that autograph or memorabilia when attending a sports exhibition or during casual conversation. Last year five autographed items raised $700.00. Other items needed for the auction are turf products and equipment, athletic event tickets, fishing and hunting trips, condo rentals, clothing, old publications and antique items, used equipment, golf clubs and sports equipment, golf outings, seed and sod, books, and anything else you want to donate. You donate it, well sell it. Contact Kevin Thompson, OTF Executive Director, 888-683-3445 ext. 3151 for additional information. Gene Probasco Ohio Turfgrass Research Trust Inc. Chairman, Auction Committee

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Call For NominationsIn September, all OTF members will receive forms in the mail for nominating this years recipients of Professional of the Year and Professional Excellence awards. Nominees for Professional of the Year awards are judged on the following attributes: Fellowshipwillingness to share knowledge with and help train fellow turf personnel. Inventive Ingenuityleadership in developing new ideas and trends in turfgrass management. Membership and activity in turf related and other civic organizations. Length of dedicated service to the turf industry Professional Excellence awards are based upon similar criteria, and are awarded to those deserving special recognition for significant contributions to the turfgrass industry. Awards and scholarships will be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet, December 5, at the Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show. Do you know anyone who deserves recognition for contributions to turf management? Watch your mail in September for details. Or you may contact Kevin Thompson at 888-683-3445, ext. 3151, before November 1, to request a nomination form.OTF TurfNews Vol 63 No. 4 2001 Page 8

From the Managers Desk

News From The OTF Research FacilityJill A. TaylorProgram Coordinator Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Research & Educational Facility

Mike Sloma of Columbus Century Rain Aid poses with reps from Hunter Industries with OTF/OSU plaque recognizing the donation of new Hunter irrigation system and controllers to the OTF Research and Education Facility.

TheTurfgrass months have(OTF)very exciting at the past few been Ohio Foundation Research andEducation Facility, with planning and installation of a Hunter state-of-the-art, in-ground irrigation system. The original PVC system for the research area was installed in 196768. Due to the many main line repairs over the years, and the need for a different design, discussion began a year ago to draw up a plan for a new system. The new design provides for 40 research blocks, each independently watered and controlled. Two outdoor pedestal controllers are programmable for a variety of watering schedules. The installation of the system was performed by Rain One Irrigations Systems, Columbus, Ohio.

Except for the closed pipe trenches, visitors to the facility will not notice a change until some reseeding has taken place over time to provide uniformly seeded blocks. Areas that were formerly unwatered alleys are now watered and will be converted to research. The new system is made possible with a concerted effort by industry and OSU. Total donation of parts and service from Hunter Golf, Century Rain Aid, Lasco, Harco and Rain One Irrigation Systems exceeds $40,0000, supported by funds contributed by the OSU turfgrass faculty in Horticulture and Crop Science, Entomology, Plant Pathology and Natural Resources. We would like to especially thank Mr. Glen Pottenger of the OTF Board for setting the wheels in motion for this project.

The installation crew from Lane One of Columbus poses with their truck. The company made a substantial donation of labor for the project. Left to right: Gustavo Mendez, Ramon Villasenor, Rob Clark, and Jerry Schmidt (foreman). Not pictured: Tom Roth and Chip Mason.

Mike Sloma, Century Rain Aid, completes wiring on one of two outdoor Hunter controllers that operator 132 Hunter G-75 valve-in-head sprinklers.


News From The OTF Research FacilityLoan Equipment Program ThrivesAs you walk through the equipment bay of the OTF Research and Education Facility, you may be impressed by all the equipment we have. You would be surprised to learn we dont OWN most of them! Our industry is strong with equipment donations and loans. Since OSU began a turfgrass research program in the 1960s, and with the completion of the new building in 1996, our equipment base has grown. Here is a report at press time of the current ongoing donations of equipment and the local companies that provide them: Toro/Century Equipment Toro 1000 single reel greensmower Toro GM 3100 Triplex Greensmower Toro Workman utility vehicle Toro Groundsmaster Front Line Mower Turfco/Textron/E-Z-Go Cushman utility vehicle Ransomes Front Line Mower Turfco SP 1530 topdresser Jacobsen Triking Triplex Reel mower Jacobsen Greensking VI Triplex reel mower Ryan GA-30 riding aerifier John Deere/Xenia Power John Deere 2653 Triplex Reel mower Gator 4 x 2 utility vehicle John Deere 220A single reel greensmower Walker Manufacturing/Mainline North America Walker MT Rider mower with Grass Collection System Pro Industries Bed Shaper Rock Solid PLUGR LESCO LESCO Commercial rotary mower with foot sulky SISIS SISIS Auto Rotorake SISIS Twinplay variable pressure frame with 6 foot brush, and 6 foot springtine grooming rake

Rain One installs the system in March 2001.

The installation began in March and completed in mid-April. A plaque recognizing these donations is displayed in the main hallway of the OTF building. Another plaque in the hallway recognizes donors to the new research building grounds since 1996. Donations of trees, mulch, fertilizer, sod, stone, seed and plant materials, as well as a complete lawn irrigation system around the building, were gratefully accepted from the following companies: Buckeye Tree Farm Century Equipment/Toro Eastside Nursery Green Velvet Sod Farms Kurtz Brothers Lang Stone Medalist America United Horticultural Supply Wolf Creek Company/Rainbird


Jake Eilenseld, a student employee from Lucas, Ohio checks the grounds with a John Deere Gator

Bryan Bradley, a student employee from Blue Rock, Ohio mows with a Toro frontline rotary mower.

Brad Novotny, a student employee from Baltimore, Maryland operates a Ransomes frontline rotary mower.


OSU International Office Graduate Student Story

Turf The Word Over Turf The World OverBy David GoldieAustralian Internship Student Reprinted with permission of Australian Turfgrass Management Volume 3.1 (FebruaryMarch 2001)

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needed a changesomething to inspire me to follow this trade for the rest of my career. I am just about to complete the experience of a lifetime that has seen me working in my profession of turf management for 14 months in America and Britain. The Ohio State University International Intern Program offers Turfgrass Internships to single 1727 year old greenkeepers. It handles your placement, health insurance, visas and accommodation. The program has interns currently training at Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Pine Valley and Shinnecock, to name just a few. Twelve18 months work training is offered in the US with the option of six months turfgrass studies at The Ohio State University. They assist you during your entire stay in America and have helped many in obtaining good jobs following their return to Australia. My first eight months were spent in a hot, humid region of the U.S, at Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. There are 33 championship golf courses on this exclusive 20mile long island, and the grasses are C4 predominant. Our staff comprised of nine African Americans, four non-English speaking Mexicans and five white Americans. On my second day, I was asked to train the Mexicans to mow greens with a pedestrian greens mower. It is amazing how quickly you can learn a new language, when you have no alternative.

My introduction to South Carolina weather was Hurricane Floyd and although it missed us by 600km, the damage left behind took three weeks to clean up. Generally though, the weather is very forgiving for growing turf and frequently, hot weather is followed by heavy rains. The most interesting operation I was involved in at Harbour Town was the overseeding of the entire course that is performed in mid autumn each year. In America, Green is Good and dormant burmudagrass/couch just doesnt cut it. Depending on the state of the balance sheet some courses would oversow only greens, others greens and tees and some fairways as well. In the middle of winter the cool season grasses provide an astounding contrast between the oversown areas and the white, dormant couch in the rough. Due mainly to the annual PGA tournament held in April and the 40,000 players a year paying US$220 a round, Harbour Town overseeds wall to wall at a cost of US$30,000. We used Cypress and Stardust Poa trivialis at 3.9kg/100m2 followed up with small percentages of chewings fescue and seaside bent to overseed greens. Due to its deep color, varieties of perennial rye at 4.53kg/100m2 were chosen for the fairways. The rates seemed amazingly high to me but I later learned that the superintendents deliberately used such high rates to crowd the plant, thus maintaining it at a juvenile stage throughout the growing season. Then, come transition time in mid-spring, the ryegrass is not


deep-rooted and clumpy and the couchgrass is more easily able to re-establish. Some superintendents used even higher rates. One course near Orlando, Fla., used 80% Perennial Rye and 20% Poa trivialis on greens at 12.2kg/100m2 and Haig Point G.C on Defauskie Island used perennial rye for overseeding fairways at 8.50kg/100m2! Much of the fertilization or pesticide applications at Harbour Town was performed by contractors that ran 20-ton trucks fitted with large spreaders and turf tires. A lot of dust and four hours later every inch of turf on the property, bar the greens had been sprayed. I dont think the quality of the job was great, but the job was done fast, with success and there was no disruption to play. Although their upkeep was tedious and never-ending, the pine trees and pine straw beds provided a beautiful border, and enhanced the shape of each hole. The greens, fairways and tees needed to be blown, or vacuumed free of pine needles daily. Green sand was used to repair divots and the courses appearance was generally kept at a high standard every day of the week. The Augusta Syndrome is a common American phrase used when discussing the trend that golf courses must always be lush, golfer friendly and immaculate in every way and it was fair to say that Harbour Town had a fair dose of it.

Although taken for granted by the locals, the most unique aspect of Harbour Town was the wildlife. The diversity was incredible and it was not uncommon to skip cutting particular areas due to the presence of 4m long alligators. There are small ponds on every hole of the course and the gators found the connecting pipework an efficient way of moving between lairs. Dolphins would swim within 30m of the 18th green and pelicans were forever fishing in the estuary in front of the 17th tee. I saw an eagle take a squirrel out of a pine tree one day, then a fish from the Atlantic the next and families of deer darted about the course at dawn and dusk. The only wildlife that has an adverse effect on the course is the moles. They can burrow through a fairway as fast as you could walk across it. Working the MCI, Heritage of Golf, PGA tournament was an invaluable experience. Everything was presented trimmed, true, striped and green for CBS television. Azalea flowerbeds were planted everywhere and many tons of pine straw bales were spread. During the tournament I worked alongside the PGA officials cutting pin positions and moving tee markers. There were no second chances when cutting the cup and the 8ft tall pins had to be dead straight for the players and television. My involvement with the Ohio State International Intern Program also enabled me to attend a two-day turfgrass workshop in Titisville, Fla., and I also visited the The Ohio State University. Whilst in America, I took the opportunity to attend the Annual GCSAA Turfgrass Conference in New Orleans and I was fortunate enough to visit the very private Pine Valley G.C, NJ, Southward Ho Country Club and Long Island, NY. Above all else these experiences have shown me how turf management has grown into a highly respected profession in America. It was with great regret that I finally had to sell my beloved V8 black Cadillac before setting off on a new adventure. When I arrived at the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland for the final six months of my trip, I was thrown straight into the boiling pot of the


Millennium Open preparations. Eddie Adams greenkeeping staff were working long hours and five years of preparation was culminating in an exciting finish. I could not have chosen a course more opposite in every detail to my placement in America. St Andrews is all about tradition. The pioneering Old Tom Morris in the late 1800s developed many of the turf management techniques used at St Andrews today. Current Superintendent, Eddie Adams has a world of modern turf machinery and technology at his fingertips, yet he is very particular about his use of it. At St Andrews, the playability of the turf is the main priority. This is in direct contrast to America, where the aesthetic appeal is so vital that playability may be jeopardized for it. The turfgrass on the entire links is as god intended. The hollows are green and the mounds brown. Television and books do not come close to recreating reality here. There are countless features that are far more severe than I ever imagined. The valley of sin at the front of the 18th green, and hell bunker hidden in the center of the 14th fairway are nothing short of awesome. Eddie Adams speculates he has 50 varieties of grasses that make up the mix of indigenous fescue and bentgrasses. The fescue is particularly encouraged and Poa annua is eradicated very effectively using cultural methods. The putting surfaces were never sown or sprigged and they havent been replaced since play started there in the 16th century. The 2000 Open preparation was extremely interesting. We prepared the Old to have a strong links appeal so fairways were running and the greens were firm. Some parts of the fairways were actually running at 9.5 to 10 on the stimpmeter one afternoon! No fertilizer was used, greens were never rolled, striping was avoided, and the automatic watering system was almost completely ignored. Yet, the course looked brilliant for the Open. Although, a links course is not as low-maintenance as most presume, there is a definite art in its maintenance and managing the turf can be likened to walking a tight rope. Its starved appearance keeps it close to senescence, yet an eye drop of nitrogen would result in unwanted rapid growth. The daily works program is dependent completely on the current turf condition, the days weather and the future forecast. If Eddie Adams were ever to leave his post, the wrong replacement could very quickly destroy the precious appeal of St Andrews.

The staff for the Open comprised the 12 full time staff from the Old, as well as 2 interns from America, two from Australia and 41 staff from the sister courses in St Andrews. These include the New, Jubilee, Strathtyrum, Eden and the Balgove. All are positioned on the southern side of the river Eden and overlooked by the town of St Andrews. The entire staff is very talented, and required virtually no direction as they had all worked on the Old during preparations for the annual Alfred Dunhill Cup. If you think you are competent behind a pedestrian mower, think again. The total area of the greens on the Old is 35,000m2, 8.75 acres! The largest double green is 6500m2 and requires two sprinkler heads on its surface to get adequate coverage and takes a pedestrian mower 11/2 hrs to cut. Because growth is so minimal, greens are not dark in color and there is rarely a good dew, determining where you have already cut is near impossible. At times the unlucky greenkeeper has to hold a straight line for up to 100m. Those chosen to pedestrian mow for tournament preparation were cutting daily for four months, and their skills and standard of work were exceptional. Using the traditional art of revetting, all 112 bunkers on the Old course were completely rebuilt for the Open. They are by far the toughest bunkers I have ever seen. During the Open, many professionals were forced to hit sand irons out of fairway bunkers and often were required to come out backwards from some devastating greenside bunkers. I am sure that Tigers low score was due in part to the fact he was the only player to not enter even one bunker for the entire tournament. At 5:00am on the Wednesday of tournament week, the Royal and Ancient contacted Eddie Adams to tell him that players had been complaining that the bunkers were too difficult to play from when their balls did not roll back from the walls and therefore they needed to be reshaped. There was no panic; Eddie calmly asked his chief bunker man how long it would take for one person to put more concave into a bunker. He then proceeded to instruct 45 of his staff to drop what they were doing, collect shovels and wheelbarrows and then sectioned them to particular bunkers for reshaping. All staff understood exactly what was required and after just two hours and minutes before the start of play every bunker on the course had been reshaped.


The Open was much larger than I ever expected. There was seating for 21,000 and 230,000 spectators hampered for a glimpse of the action during the week. It was an amazing sight on the final day seeing so many people surging towards the home end to get a glimpse of Tiger. Our reward for the long hours worked in the previous week was first hit-off time on Monday morning. We played from the championship tees and to Sundays pin placements. If it wasnt for the massive tournament hangover I may have even remembered that day. It is amazing the damage that so many peoples feet can do to a golf course over a week. Relieving compaction, repairing irrigation and restoring damaged turf was high on the list of priorities following the Open. The Links Trust is currently installing a $7million Toro site pro irrigation system to the 6 golf courses (600 acres in total). For the first time the entire links will be covered by one centralized system. The valvein-head Toro 690 series sprinklers have been installed at the Eden, Strathtyrum and Balgove courses. The Old, New and Jubilee will have joined the system by spring 2001. This will bring the total number of heads to over 4,000. To assist in the planning of the project a global positioning system (GPS) survey was carried out to pin point every feature on the links. The new flowtronex pump station will pump out 150L/second through 120km of polyethylene pipework from the 3,405m3-storage tank. It will take eight hours to irrigate each of the five courses except the Old Course. Eddie requires to irrigate his course in less time than that so the system has been designed to irrigate the Old inside four hours. Since the heads can be

turned on individually and there will be many more of them Eddie says he will actually be able to irrigate less not more. In St Andrews the townsfolk live, breathe and sleep golf. There are five golf shops on the street I lived on! At 5:30am there are already up to 30 golfers waiting at the starters hut for the chance that their name will be chosen out of the ballot to play the Old. Tee times are booked a year in advance and the course is constantly full. However, on Sundays the course is closed and the locals have free reign of the fairways to walk the dog or have a picnic. This is where golf began, and it is refreshing to see so many people respecting and enjoying the game for what it is. There is a lot that can be learned from how golf courses are managed overseas. Quite often the end result will be the same, but the techniques and management styles are hugely different from what we are taught in Australia. We have a mixture of all turf and golf course types and our professionalism and turf quality is second to none. This trip is something I will always remember and the skills, knowledge and contacts I have made along the way will be invaluable in my career as a turf manager. I now look ahead with a refreshed enthusiasm and a yearning to succeed. I recommend working overseas to any young turf manager who can live and travel alone, and be prepared to listen, watch and work hard. For anyone interested in internships please contact Michael OKeeffe at [email protected] Or tel: 614-292-7720

The turfgrass on the entire links is as God intended. The hollows are green and the mounds brown. Television and books do not come close to recreating reality here.


Sports Turf TipsTurfgrass Seed SelectionJohn R. Street and Pamela J. SherrattThe Ohio State University Department of Horticulture & Crop Science election of the proper turfgrass species is one of the most important decisions to be made when establishing a playing surface suitable for athletics. Since the field is meant to be permanent, it is important to select a grass species adapted to the area and to the intended level of management. The most important criterion when selecting grass species for athletics fields can be summarized as: Ability to tolerate heavy traffic/wear and to rejuvenate or fill-in any worn areas quickly. Quick seedling germination and establishment (Table 1). Good color and density Drought, heat, and cold stress tolerance Moderate mowing height tolerance within species Pest, disease and weed resistance

S

In Ohio, only a few species of grass are useful for athletics fields. Each grass species has relative advantages & disadvantages based upon the above criteria. In essence, no grass species is perfect! The recommended species are: 1. Kentucky bluegrass 2. Perennial ryegrass 3. Tall fescue. Less common species, such as Supine bluegrass (Poa supina), have been used in athletics situations with degrees of success and may be used more frequently in the future. Poa supina does not have the level of heat and drought tolerance of the latter three species but does exhibit good shade and traffic tolerance.

Table 1: Species Selection Guidelines for Sports FieldsTime Available Between Seed & Play Grass Blend/mix 9 Months + 9 Months+ 6 Months + 6 Months + 3 Months + Over-seeding (during season) Kentucky bluegrass Tall fescue Kentucky bluegrass Kentucky bluegrass* Perennial ryegrass Tall fescue Perennial ryegrass Kentucky bluegrass Perennial ryegrass Perennial ryegrass Kentucky bluegrass % Weight 100% 90% 10% 80% 20% 80% 20% 50% 50% 50-100% up to 50% Seed Rate 1-2lbs/1000sq ft 4-6lbs/1000sq ft 2-3lbs/1000sq ft 5-6lbs/1000sq ft 3-4lbs/1000sq ft 6-8lb/1000sq ft During Season

* Mixtures containing more than 20% perennial ryegrass may result in predominantly perennial ryegrass stands.


Figure 1:A new study initiated summer 2000 by Drs. Gardner and Street will evaluate color/quality response of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars to differing application rates of fertilizer. Moderate green varieties are: Coventry Chateau Unique Dark green cultivars are: Moonlight Midnight Blacksburg

Choosing Seed VarietiesThere are many cultivars/varieties of seed commercially available within the industry. Check out the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) on-line to get some ideas at www.ntep.org (Table 2) The NTEP program was designed to develop and coordinate uniform evaluation trials of turfgrass varieties and promising selection in the United States and Canada. Trials are conducted at 2530 locations in the USA and Canada and data is collected and collaborated on an annual basis. Trials include turfgrass quality, wear tolerance, disease resistance, establishment rates etc. This information is available through annual progress reports and on-line. quickly dominate and overtake a seedling stand within weeks. Unfortunately, it is difficult to control summer weeds because few herbicides are labeled as safe to use in newly seeded turf. There are some preemergence and postemergence herbicide tools that will help reduce weed competition with reasonable margins of safety. Tupersan (siduron) is the only safe preemergence herbicide to use at the time of seeding or during the establishment period. Dimension is labeled for pre/post annual grassy weeds control in newly seeded or sodded turf after the turf has established well. All other preemergence herbicides are injurious to young seedlings. Drive, a relatively new postemergence crabgrass herbicide, is an interesting tool for summer seeding. It can safely be used in seedling turf if delayed until 30 days after seedling emergence. Drive also provides some control or suppression of a variety of broadleaf weeds. It is more efficacious and safer than other postemergence annual grass options. It is also the best option on very mature crabgrass (July and August) We hope that you have found The Sports Turf Tips informative. Our aim is to provide you with articles on athletic field related subjects and to strengthen our relationship with the Sports turf industry. If you have any questions, or would like to suggest subject matter for future tips, please contact us.

Getting the Most From New SeedingsOnce you have chosen seed varieties it is important to undertake the best management practices, such as good seed-bed preparation and consequent irrigation (see previous newsletter MayJune 2001 pages 14-18 for an in-depth look at summer seeding). Following these guidelines will ensure healthy seedling growth but may not prevent invasion from weeds. Weed competition plays an important role in the failure of seedings. Annual grasses, especially crabgrass and summer annual broadleaf weeds grow rapidly and can


Table 2: Mean Turfgrass Quality and Wear Tolerance Ratings of Kentucky bluegrass, Perennial ryegrass & Tall fescue Cultivators Commercially Available in the USA in 2001

Tall Fescue Cultivar Ratings (1999 Progress Report)QualityCultivar Names Rating Rembrandt 6.5 Millennium 6.5 Pick RT-95 6.5 Plantation 6.5 Masterpiece 6.5 Scorpio 6.4 Coyote 6.3 Crossfire II 6.3 Shenandoah II 6.3 Jaguar 3 6.3 Watchdog 6.2 Olympic Gold 6.2 Tar Heel 6.2 Wolfpack 6.2 Rebel Sentry 6.2 Gazelle 6.2 Arid 3 6.1 Brandy 6.1 Durana 6.1 Bonsai 2000 6.1 Bravo 6.1 Coronado 6.0 Southern Choice 6.0 Wyatt 6.0 Anthem II 6.0 Genesis 6.0 Barrera 6.0 Empress 6.0 Red coat 6.0 Mustang II 6.0 Rebel 2000 6.0 Barrington 6.0 Chapel Hill 6.0 Wildfire 6.0 Apache II 6.0 Reserve 6.0 Pixie E+ 6.0 Bandana 6.0 Aztec II 6.0 TF6 6.0 Tracer 6.0 Coronado Gold 6.0 LSD (0.05) 0.2 Seed Producer Lebanon Turf Products, Inc. Rutgers University Pickseed West, Inc. Pennington Seed Company Lebanon Turf Products, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. Pickseed West, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. Standard Entry Pickseed West, Inc. Pure-Seed Testing, Inc. Pure-Seed Testing, Inc. Pure-Seed Testing, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. Jacklin Seed Jacklin Seed Penninton Seed Company Turf Mechanics, Inc LESCO, Inc. Turf-Seed, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. The Scotts Company Turf Mechanics, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. Barenburg Research AgriBioTech, Inc. Mountain View Seeds Pickseed West, Inc. AgriBio Tech, Inc. Barenburg Research Mountain View Seeds Jenks Seeds Connection Turf-Seed, Inc. Advanta Seeds West, Inc. Jacklin Seed Pennington Seed Inc. Turf Merchants, Inc. Barenburg USA Barenburg Research Pure-Seed Testing, Inc.

Wear ToleranceCultivar Names Ratings Mustang II 7.0 Watchdog 6.9 Bonsai 2000 6.8 Tracer 6.7 Brandy 6.7 Pick-RT-95 6.7 Southern Choice 6.7 Bandana 6.6 Masterpiece 6.6 Barrera 6.6 Shenandoah 6.6 Shortstop II 6.6 Wolfpack 6.5 Coyote 6.5 Plantation 6.5 Wyatt 6.5 Jaguar 3 6.5 Tar Heel 6.5 Bulldawg 6.5 Scorpio 6.5 Barrington 6.4 Bonsai 6.4 Falcon II 6.4 Aztec II 6.4 Conhise II 6.4 Crossfire II 6.3 Genesis 6.3 Pixie E+ 6.3 Coronado 6.3 Rebel Sentry 6.3 Arabia 6.3 Duster 6.3 Kitty Hawk S.S.T. 6.2 Arizona 6.1 Empress 6.1 Gazelle 6.1 Red Coat 6.1 Regiment 6.1 Sunpro 6.1 Apache II 6.1 Bravo 6.1 LSD 1.4 Seed Producer Pickseed West, Inc. Pickseed West, Inc. Turf Merchants, Inc. Barenbrug Research Jacklin Seed Pickseed West, Inc AgriBioTech, Inc. Pennington Seed, Inc. Lebanon Turf Products, Inc. Barenbrug Research Standard Entry Pickseed West, Inc. Pure-Seed Testing, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. Pennington Seed Company The Scotts Company Standard Entry Pure-Seed Testing, Inc. Pickseed West, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. Barenbrug Research Turf Merchants, Inc. Standard Entry Turf Merchants, Inc. Ampac Seed Company Pickseed West, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. Jacklin Seed Turf-Seed, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. Simplot Turf & Horticulture Pennington Seed Company Smith Seed Services Pickseed West, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. AgriBioTech, Inc. Mountain View Seeds Seed Research of Oregon Pickseed West, Inc. Turf-Seed, Inc. LESCO, Inc.

NOTE: To determine statistical differences among entries, subtract one entrys mean from another entrys mean. Statistical differences occur when this value is larger than the corresponding LSD Value (LSD 0.05) Average quality ratings on a scale o 1-9, 9=ideal. Wear Tolerance ratings 1-9, 9=Most tolerant. For more information about the NTEP trials, go online at: Poa supina seed is produced by AgriBioTech, Inc. Source: NTEP Progrees & Final Reports.

We look forward to seeing you at the OSU Turfgrass Research Field Day August 15th. Dr. John R. Street [email protected] Pam J. Sherratt [email protected] Phone: (614) 292-6297

www.ntep.org.


Perennial Ryegrass Cultivar Ratings (2000 Progress Report)QualityCultivar Names Applaud Charisimatic Pizzazz Seville II All Star2 Amazing Gator 3 Jet Exacta Churchill Stella Fiesta 3 Premier II SR 4500 Affirmed Pick RC2 Radiant Nexus Promise Paragon Barlennium Pacesetter Pennant II Brightstar II Wilmington Majesty Elkin LSD (0.05) Rating 6.4 6.3 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.9 0.2 Seed Producer Pennington Seed Company Lebanon Seaboard Corp. Turf Merchants, Inc. Pickseed West, Inc. Cebeco International Seeds Ampac Seed Company Cebeco International Seeds Pennington Seed Co. Lebanon Seaboard Corp. Lebanon Seaboard Corp. Mountain View Seeds, Ltd. Pickseed West, Inc. Barenbrug USA, Inc. Seed Research of Oregon Lebanon Seaboard Corp. Pickseed West, Inc. ProSeeds Marketing, Inc Smith Seed Services Turf Merchants, Inc. Turf Merchants, Inc. Barenbrug USA, Inc. LESCO, Inc. ProSeeds Marketing, Inc. Turf-Seed, Inc. LESCO, Inc. The Scotts Company Jenks Seed Connection

Wear ToleranceCultivar Names Pizzazz Applaud Pick RC2 Charismatic Seville II All Star2 Promise Exacta Pennant II Paragon Churchill Amazing Fiesta 3 Radiant Divine Charger II Gator 3 Nexus Pacesetter Premier Cathedral II Brightstar II Affirmed Jet Palmer III Racer Stellar Secretariat Calypso II LSD (0.05) Ratings 5.4 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.2 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 0.5 Seed Producer Turf Merchants, Inc. Pennington Ceed Company Pickseed West, Inc. Lebanon Seaboard Corp. Pickseed West, Inc. Cebeco International Seeds Turf Merchants, Inc. Lebanon Seaboard Corp. ProSeeds Marketing, Inc. Turf Merchants, Inc. Lebanon Seaboard Corp. Ampac Seed Company Pickseed West, Inc. ProSeeds Marketing, Inc. The Scotts Company Turf-Seed, Inc. Cabeco International Seeds Smith Seed Services LESCO, Inc. Standard Entry ProSeeds Marketing, Inc. Turf-Seed, Inc. Lebanon Seaboard Corp. Pennington Seed Company Standard Entry Roberts Seed Company Mountain View Seeds, Ltd. Grassland West Company Roberts Seed Company

High Input Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivar Ratings (1999 Progress Report)QualityCultivar Names Midnight Liberator Brilliant Total Eclipse Princeton Nuglade Impact Award Showcase North Star Odyssey Unique Apollo Rugby II America Blacksburg Blackstone Moonlight Arcadia Jefferson Eclipse Glade Quantum Leap Champagne Nustar Wildwood Chicago Absolute LSD (0.05) Rating 6.4 6.3 6.3 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.0 6.0 6.0 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 0.2 Seed Producer Standard Entry AgriBio Tech Company Inc. Pure-Seed Testing & Turf-Seed AgriBio Tech Company Inc. AgriBio Tech Company Inc. Jacklin Seed Company Jacklin Seed Company Jacklin Seed Company Pure-Seed Testing & Turf-Seed Pure-Seed Testing & Turf-Seed AgriBio Tech Company Inc. Turf-Seed Inc. AgriBio Tech Company Inc. Medalist America Pickseed West, Inc. Turf-Seed Inc. C.R.Funk-Rutgers University Pure-Seed Testing & Turf-Seed Jacklin Seed Company Johnathan Green & Sons Jacklin Seed Company Standard Entry Roberts Seed Company Lebanon Turf Products Jacklin Seed Company LESCO, Inc. National Seed Co. Medalist America

Wear ToleranceCultivar Names Serene Coventry Kenblue America Champagne Rugby II Sidekick Bluechip Classic Nustar Odyssey Unique Brilliant Chateau Compact Jewel Nuglade Seabring LSD Ratings 6.7 6.3 6.3 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.3 1.7 Seed Producer Pure-Seed Testing & Turf-Seed The Scotts Company Standard Entry Pickseed West, Inc. Lebanon Turf Products Medalist America Ampac Seed Company Medalist America Jacklin Seed Company Jacklin Seed Company AgriBio Tech Company, Inc. Turf-Seed, Inc. Pure-Seed Testing & Turf-Seed Fine Lawn Research Inc. DLF/Trifolium Jacklin Seed Company Jacklin Seed Company Olsen-Fennell Seeds, Inc.


New Growth and Technology

Part 2. Characterization of Sands and AmendmentsBy Dr. Ed McCoyThe Ohio State University, OARDC. Wooster School of Natural Resources

Organic Materials

O

rganic materials are generally characterized as either native peats or composts. Within each of these categories exist products that are of a higher or lower quality as a soil amendment. Generally, any material having organic matter contents exceeding 25 to 30% by weight can be used as an organic material in soil blending. Higher expectation situations, however, such as root zone blending for high traffic turf, generally require use of higher quality organic amendments. These higher expectation applications often demand higher organic matter contents of the organic amendment. Organic materials are primarily used in root zone mixes to increase water and nutrient retention. A nutrient retention property of a material is determined by its CEC. Sands have very low CEC values. Organic materials, on the other hand, have high CEC values as shown in the table below. It is important to remember, however, that organic matter sources vary widely in their CEC values and generally only small quantities (by weight) of an organic material is incorporated into a root zone mix. With regard to water retention, while organic materials can retain water many times in excess of their weight, generally, this water is held within tiny pores within the organic matter itself and is unavailable to the plant. Peats mixed with sand, however, tend to modify the pore size

distribution of the mix such that additional available water is retained in the mix. Finally, organic materials can modify the saturated hydraulic conductivity (or permeability) of root zone sand. In general, fine textured organic materials when added to relatively coarse textured sand will serve to decrease the saturated conductivity. Alternatively, addition of a coarse textured organic material may increase the permeability of a finer-textured sand (although in many cases, no effect of permeability due to organic matter addition is observed).

Classification of Organic MaterialsThe American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D 2607-69) has a classification scheme for horticultural peats. Accordingly, horticultural peats should exceed 75% organic matter by weight. In addition, those materials called sphagnum peat shall contain 67% of visible fibers from sphagnum moss, those called hypnum peat shall contain 50% of visible fiber from hypnum moss, and those called reed-sedge peat shall have 50% of visible fibers from reeds and sedges. If few recognizable plant fibers are present, the material is referred to as peat humus. Finally, muck (or organic) soils having 25 to 75% organic matter by weight are called a variety of names such as muck peat, bog peat, etc. Composts are also commonly used as an organic matter source for root zone mixes. Composts are the products of a


Important Characteristics of Organic Materialswide range of composting processes. Composts can vary widely depending on the feedstocks going into the composting process and the process itself. Also, composts can vary from batch to batch. Different types of composts include: sewage sludge (biosolids) compost leaf compost yardwaste compost composted rice hulls composted fir or pine bark composted sawdust composted animal waste mushroom compost composted municipal solid waste Organic matter content is the most important characteristic of an organic material for consideration of use in a root zone mix. Organic matter content is typically determined by loss on ignition. This is the percent weight loss of a sample after ashing in a muffle furnace at 440C. Organic matter content values exceeding 85% by wt. for a native peat generally correspond with a higher quality material. Composts have been successfully used in high expectation applications when the compost material has organic matter content as low as 65% by wt. Fiber content reflects the texture of an organic material and is defined as the percent of the organic material retained on a 0.15-mm (100-mesh) sieve. For native peat sources, fiber content is used as an index of the resistance of the peat to decomposition. Peat particles or fibers larger than 0.15 mm are thought to somewhat resist decomposition whereas fibers smaller than 0.15 are thought to be more easily degraded. Fiber content is also an index of texture for native peats where coarse textured materials have larger fiber contents and fine tex-

The most commonly employed composts for use in golf and sports turf root zones are biosolids compost, and in some parts of the country, composted rice hulls and composted fir or pine bark.

Properties of Various Organic MaterialsMaterial Native Peats Light Sphagnum Dark Sphagnum Dakota Reed-Sedge Michigan Reed-Sedge Peat Humus Composts Yard Waste Compost Leaf Compost Biosolids Compost Mushroom Compost Peat+Compost Composted Peat Black Humus Organic % wt. 96.9 88.3 86.3 69.4 34.6 39.8 54.0 68.3 55.1 80.1 66.7 Fiber %wt. 71.8 43.8 47.3 34.2 6.9 18.1 26.1 50.5 23.2 65.4 53.1 EC DS m-1 0.3 0.5 0.3 CEC cmol kg-1 163 151 178 118 86 77 112 52 86 59 65 pH

3.9 4.3 6.5 5.1 4.8 8.9 8.6 8.6 8.8 7.7 7.4

1.1 1.5 4.4 8.5


tured materials have smaller fiber contents. Typically, however, there is a close correspondence between fiber content and organic matter content. This is particularly true for native peat sources (excluding composts) where higher organic matter content materials correspondingly have higher fiber contents. Fiber content can also provide an index for the effect of blending a peat with sand on the permeability of the mix. For example, a sand sample consisting entirely of medium sized particles will have a D50 value of 0.375 mm. We also know that close packing of 0.375-mm particles will yield pores up to 0.15 mm diameter. A peat with a larger fiber content would, thus, have fibers that could not fit within this pore space. This would tend to force the individual sand grains apart, opening up the mix, and increasing the permeability relative to that of the sand alone. A peat with a small fiber content would have fibers that could easily fit within 0.15 mm pores and would serve to occlude the pores in the mix. Consequently, the permeability of the mix may be less than that of the sand alone. Whereas this phenomenon is generally observed for native peat mixed with sand, it is not generally true for composts. Also, subsequent decomposition of the peat following root zone installation may result in this response as being relatively short lived. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) reflects the nutrient retention properties of the organic material. Since organic materials are added to root zone for their nutrient retention properties, it would be desirable to select a high CEC organic for use in the root zone mix. Organic materials do, however, have selectivity for divalent cations (Ca and Mg). Thus, monovalent cations (K and NH4) are not retained as well by the cation exchange sites of these organic materials. Assessment of degree of decomposition of an organic material ranges from qualitative, visual ratings to various chemical measurements. Light colored materials having many visible plant fibers are generally less decomposed while dark colored materials with few visible fibers are more decomposed. A scale, called the Von Post Scale is used to visually rank native peats. Other measures of decomposition include measurement of the C:N ratio. High values tend to result from less decomposed organics and vice versa. Absorbance of a solution extract from the organic material is also used to assess the degree of humification or decomposition. For the most part, degree of decomposition is not an important consideration in selecting a native peat for use in a root zone mix.

Many native (horticultural) peats tend to have a low pH. This can serve to reduce the final pH of a root zone mix. Alternatively, composts tend to have higher pHs and this as well can serve to increase the pH of a root zone mix. Excessive soluble salts are often injurious to plants. Some organic materials (principally composts) may have excessive soluble salt levels. Soluble salt levels greater than 2.0 dSm-1 (1 dSm-1 = 1 mmho cm-1) are considered injurious to plants. This factor can be diluted out in mixing with sand and through leaching so it is again not of primary concern.

Internally Porous Inorganic Amendments (IPIAs)A wide variety of inorganic amendments exhibit water and nutrient retention properties similar to peats and composts. The water retention properties typically arise from pores within individual amendment particles. Thus these amendments are called internally porous inorganic amendments (IPIAs). Nutrient retention results form the mineralogy of the inorganic material and treatment during its manufacture. These materials are commonly formed of calcined clay (also called porous ceramics), diatomaceous earth deposits and zeolite rock. The materials are subsequently crushed or otherwise graded to provide the appropriately sized individual particles for root zone blending. Particle size ranges of some commercially available products are shown below. AXIS is composed of calcined diatomaceous earth, PROFILE is a porous ceramic, and ECOLITE is a zeolite mineral. Inorganic amendments such as vermiculite and perlite that are commonly used for horticultural mixes are inappropriate for high traffic soils because the amendment particles frequently crush under foot traffic stress and become useless. The more appropriate inorganic amendments for high traffic root zones resist crushing, chemical weathering, and are predominately medium to very coarse sized particles. IPIAs are shown to increase the water holding capacity of high sand content root zone mixes. That is, since these mineral particles contain small, internal pores, this added porosity increases the capacity of a sandy mix to retain water after drainage has occurred. The extent to which turf roots can extract this internally retained water depends on the pore sizes within the amendment material. Following irrigation and excess water drainage, plant roots will extract water from progressively smaller


pore sizes within the soil. At some point during this sequence, the turf will begin to exhibit drought stress symptoms due to the difficulty in removing the tightly held water from the smaller pore sizes. Subsequently, the turf will permanently wilt simply because the smallest pores hold water so tightly the turf is unable to tap this resource. Obviously, turf wilting rarely occurs on putting greens because irrigation is applied prior to the onset of drought stress. Frequent irrigation results in turf water uptake from only the larger pore sizes in soil. Consequently, much of the water retained within IPIAs may be left unused. Extending the interval

between irrigation events results in water extraction from progressively smaller pore sizes and an increased uptake of water held within the internal porosity of the amendment particles. Thus, to gain a drought avoidance benefit from IPIAs, an irrigation protocol must be established to force the product to work. Using this logic, those IPIAs having larger diameter internal pores would allow a greater proportion of the held water to be used by the turf prior to the appearance of drought stress. Estimates of the mean pore diameter within several of these commercially available products are as follows: 6m for AXIS fine, 4.6m for AXIS XT-1, and 2.2m for PROFILE. While I do not

Particle Size Distributions of Several IPIA ProductsParticle Dameter, mm 2 gravel 0 0 0 0

silt+clay 0.1 0 0 0

Measurement performed by independent lab on unspecified zeolite mineral product.

currently have mean pore diameter estimates for any zeolite product, these mean pore sizes are thought to be smaller still. Aside from the water retention issues, IPIAs may assist in nutrient retention of high sand content root zones due to their mineralogy. Natural Zeolite is an aluminosilicate mineral with a very high cation exchange capacity reported to range from 110 to 190 cmol kg-1. Calcined clays and porous ceramics are commonly composed of 2:1, montmorillonite and illite clays that in their native form exhibit moderate to high cation exchange capacities. The calcining process converting these clays to stable, sand-sized minerals, however, significantly reduces their CEC. Values measured for PROFILE yield a mean of 9.1 cmol kg-1. Calcined diatomaceous earth, on the other hand, is composed of hydrated silica, lacks significant isomorphic substitution and as expected exhibits negligible surface charge. Nevertheless, exchange capacity

values for AXIS range from 5 to 6 cmol kg-1 about twice that reported for sand soils. Even though CEC values for IPIA products are low relative to some native peat, typical use of these amendments result in a much higher mass of inorganic amendment materials in a root zone as compared with peat. Consequently, these inorganic amendments may serve as a replacement for peat with regard to nutrient holding properties of a high sand content root zone. In addition to total exchange capacity, IPIAs can potentially influence turf fertility via differential selectivity for cations held on the exchange sites. Native soil constituents exhibit varying degrees of selectivity for adsorption of polyvalent over monovalent cations with organic matter exhibiting an increased polyvalent selectivity over, for example, montmorillonite clay. Thus, sand amended with PROFILE or ECOLITE show a reduced leaching of K and NH4 (monovalent cations) than sand amended with sphagnum peat.



The Influence of Turfgrass on Pesticide FateBy Dr. David GardnerThe Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science

When it comes to the potential to cause environmental contamination, not all pesticides are created equally. Even with the differences in pesticide chemistry, management practices still have a large influence not only on the effectiveness of the pesticide, but also the potential for that pesticide to leach or to persist in the environment.In the May/June 2001 issue of OTF TurfNews, Dr. David Shetlar reported on the control of white grubs with several insecticides, including halofenozide (MACH 2). I have conducted research with halofenozide that focused on its leaching potential and rate of degradation (the results could also be used to explain its effectiveness in controlling soil borne larvae). The results that I found were unexpected, and I am currently conducting follow-up research to help explain those original results. I hope to publish something about this by the end of the year that could help to explain some of the variability in control being observed with this product. In the meantime, however, I would like to focus on Dr. Shetlars comment on the role of thatch in determining the effectiveness (and possible environmental contamination potential) of pesticides applied to turf. Not so much the thatch itself, but rather how a pesticides chemistry effects how it behaves when in contact with thatch. Turfgrass is a unique system in that, except at establishment, pesticides are applied directly to the plant material and thatch, a layer of dead and living stems and roots between the green vegetation and soil surface. Movement of turf-applied pesticides into the soil is attenuated by the high organic carbon content of turfgrass thatch (Branham, 1994; Branham and Wehner, 1985). Laboratory studies show that turfgrass leaves and thatch strongly sorb organic compounds and thus should have a significant impact on the fateOTF TurfNews Vol 63 No. 4 2001 Page 24

of pesticides applied to turfgrass (Lickfeldt and Branham, 1995; Dell et al., 1994). Retention of pesticides by thatch may result in reduced mobility of pesticides applied to turfgrass (Smith and Bridges, 1996; Stahnke et al., 1991). Some pesticides dissipate more quickly in thatch compared to soil (Gardner et al., 2000; Gold et al., 1988; Hurto et al., 1979). Mefanoxam (Subdue Maxx) is a newly released, resolved isomer of metalaxyl. It is a fungicide for the control of certain diseases in turfgrass and other crops. It has high water solubility and does not bind tightly to soil organic carbon, indicating the potential for considerable leaching through the turfgrass-soil profile. Metalaxyl has a variable half-life, ranging from 7-160 days (Balogh and Anderson, 1992). Propiconazole (Banner Maxx) is a triazole fungicide used to control several pathogens. Propiconazole has a lower water solubility of 110 mg/L and is moderately bound to organic matter, indicating the potential for some leaching through the turfgrass-soil profile. Propiconazole is persistent, with a half-life of 109-120 days (Balogh and Anderson, 1992). Our objectives were to investigate the effect of surface organic matter and irrigation practices on the mobility and persistence of mefanoxam and propiconazole. Since the pesticides have different chemical and physical properties we also attempted to determine if the effect of thatch can be generalized or is more compound-specific.

Field StudyField experiments were conducted in Penneagle and Seaside II creeping bentgrass turf in 1999 at the University of Illinois Landscape Horticulture Research Center in Urbana, Illinois. Bare soil plots were prepared by stripping the sod from the plot with a sod-cutter. Sampling cylinders were constructed of 20-cm-diam. schedule 40 polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe cut into 30 cm lengths and beveled at one end to ease insertion into the soil. Sampling cylinders were inserted into each plot on 11 June 1999 using a hydraulic press (Alden Enterprises, Okemos, MI) attached to a tractor (Figure 1). Mefanoxam (Subdue Maxx) and Propiconazole (Banner Maxx) were applied to the plots on June 14, 1999 at 1540 at their maximum label rates. The pesticides were applied with a backpack sprayer equipped with a TEEJET 8006E. Irrigation (0.4 cm) was applied to the plots immediately after treatment. The plots were divided into two irrigation regimes. The low irrigation plots were watered only as necessary to replace 80% of estimated evapotranspiration. The high irrigation plots were irrigated with 1 cm of water 5 times per week. By studies end, the high irrigation plots received twice as much water as the low irrigation plots.

Sampling and Analysis of PesticidesSampling cylinders were removed from three replicate blocks of each level of turf organic matter 2 hours after treatment (HAT) and 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 days after treatment (DAT). Verdure and thatch were separated from the cores that had turfgrass. The soil cores were partitioned into 0 to 1, 1 to 3, 3 to 5, 5 to 15, and 15 to 30-cm soil depth sections (Figure 2). Samples or sub-samples were weighed, placed in glass mason jars with aluminum foil-capped lids, and stored at -20C until residue analysis. Pesticides were extracted from soil, verdure, and thatch and analyzed on a high pressure liquid chromatograph. The amount of mefanoxam or propiconazole remaining in each soil profile was estimated from data on the concentration of pesticide present in a soil core section and the mass of the core section.

Results and DiscussionDissipation of mefanoxam was rapid, regardless of the amount of surface organic matter present or amount of irrigation applied (Figure 3). The calculated half-life (t1/2) in turfgrass was 6 days under high irri-

Figure 1. Sampling cylinders were inserted into each plot on June 11, 1999 using a hydralic press (Alden Enterprises, Okemos, MI) attached to a tractor.

Figure 2. Verdure and thatch were separated from the cores that had turfgrass. The soil cores were partitioned into 0 to 1, 1 to 3, 3 to 5, 5 to 15, and 15 to 30-cm soil depth sections.

Figure 3. Total mefanoxam residue in verdure, thatch, and soil as a function of sampling time in 1999.100

Percentage Remaining

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0

Soil, Low

* Turf Low Soil, High *Turf, High

* *16

*32 48

*64

Days After Treatmentgation and 5 days under low irrigation. The calculated t1/2 in bare soil was 8 days under high irrigation and 7 days under low irrigation. There was rapid vertical movement of mefanoxam through the soil profile, regardless of surface organic matter content or irrigation regime. Irrigation regime did not affect the distribution of mefanoxam in the soil on any sampling date. Differences in the distribution of mefanoxam residues in the soil layers due to surface organic matter cover were observed at 2 HAT and 4, 8, and 16 DAT, but not at 32 or 64 DAT. Most of the mefanoxam was found in the thatch on plots containing turfgrass or in the 0-1 cm soil layer on bare soil plots at 0 and 4 DAT (Figure 4). By 8 DAT, however, the majority of mefanoxam applied to the turf plots was found in soil. Residues were found in the 15 to 30 cm soil depth at 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 DAT, regardless of surface organic matter or irrigation applied. However, due to rapid dissipation, the total amount of mefanoxam recovered on any date in the 1 to 3, 3 to 5, 5 to 15, and 15 to 30 cm soil sections did not exceed 15% of the total amount applied The t1/2 of propiconazole varied due to surface organic matter cover (Figure 5). The calculated t1/2 in turfgrass was 12 days under high irrigation and 15 days under low irrigation. The calculated t1/2 in bare soil was 29 days under high irrigation and 29 days under low irrigation. There were differences in the distribution of propiconazole in the soil layers due to organic matter cover on all sampling days. There was little vertical movement of propiconazole in the soil (Figure 6). When propiconazole was applied to turf, at least 95% of the residues were recovered from the verdure and thatch on all sampling dates. At least 87% of propiconazole residues applied to bare soil were recovered from the 0 to 1 cm soil layer. Small amounts of propiconazole were found in the 1 to 3, 3 to 5, and 5 to 15 cm soil layers when applied to bare soil. Propiconazole applied to turfgrass was detected in trace amounts in the 1 to 3 and 3 to 5 cm soil layers 16 DAT. No propiconazole applied to turfgrass was found below 0 to 1 cm in soil on any other sampling date. Other avenues of pesticide fate include runoff, volatilization, and photodegradation. Our study was conducted on plots with little slope, which minimized the possibility for runoff losses. Volatilization can be a significant mode of loss of mefanoxam (Petrovic et al., 1996). However, volatilization of propiconazole is of minor significance (Balogh and Anderson, 1992). The results of this study illustrate how chemical properties are important in determining if irrigation practices or turfgrass cover affect soil mobility and dissipation of pesticides. Many of the insecticides of the 1980s were less effective because they were bound too tightly to the thatch to reach soil borne insects. The newer insecticides on the market, including halofenozide, have different


Figure 4. Distribution of mefanoxam residues among verdure, thatch, and different soil depths over time in 1999.

Verdure

Thatch

Soil Depth (cm)

0-1

1-3

3-5

5-15

15-30

0 DAT0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 0 0.5

4 DAT1 1.5 2 2.5 0 0.5

8 DAT1 1.5 2 2.5

Verdure Turf, High Thatch Soil, High Turf Low Soil, Low

Soil Depth (cm)

0-1

1-3

3-5

5-15

15-30

16 DAT0 0.5 1 0

32 DAT0.5 1 0 0.5

64 DAT1

Mefanoxam Remaining (mg)


Figure 5. Total propiconazole residue in verdure, thatch, and soil as a function of sampling time in 1999.100

Percentage Remaining

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0

* *

Soil, Low

* Turf Low Soil, HighTurf, High

* * *16 32 48 64

Days After Treatmentproperties that allow them to more effectively reach the target pests. What happens with halofenozide after application will be the focus of a future article. This study also indicated that post-treatment irrigation practices may not be as important in determining the soil mobility of pesticides as is soil moisture at application time or large precipitation events. However, more study of this is necessary before making recommendations either to increase pesticide effectiveness (primarily with insecticides for white grub), or to reduce environmental contamination potential. Financial support for this research was provided by the United States Golf Association, Far Hills, NJ. Dell, C. J., C. S. Throssell, M. Bischoff, and R. F. Turco. 1994. Estimation of sorption coefficients for fungicides in soil and turfgrass thatch. J. Environ. Qual. 23:92-96. Gardner, D. S., B. E. Branham, and D. W. Lickfeldt. 2000. Effect of turfgrass on soil mobility and dissipation of cyproconazole. In press. In Crop Sci. Gold, A. J., T. G. Morton, W. M. Sullivan, and J. McClory. 1988. Leaching of 2,4-D and dicamba from home lawns. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 37:121-129. Hurto, K. A. and A. J. Turgeon, and M. A. Cole. 1979. Degradation of Benefin and DCPA in thatch and soil from a Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) turf. Weed Science. 27:154-157. Lickfeldt, D. W. and B. E. Branham. 1995. Sorption of nonionic organic compounds by Kentucky bluegrass leaves and thatch. J. Environ. Qual. 24:980-985. Petrovic, A. M., W. C. Barrett, I. Larsson-Kovach, C. M. Reid, and D. L. Lisk. 1996. The influence of peat amendment and turf density on downward migration of metalaxyl fungicide in creeping bentgrass sand lysimeters. Chemosphere. 33(11):2335-2340. SAS Institute. 1990. SAS/STAT users guide. Vol. 2. 4th ed. SAS Institute, Cary, NC. Stahnke, G. K., P. J. Shea, D. R. Tupy, and R. N. Stougaard, 1991. Pendimethalin dissipation in Kentucky bluegrass turf. Weed Sci. 39:97-103.

Literature CitedBalogh, J. C., and J. L. Anderson. 1992. Environmental impacts of turfgrass pesticides. In J.C. Balogh and W. J. Walker (ed.) Golf course management and construction:Environmental issues. Lewis Publ., Boca Raton, FL. Branham, B. E. 1994. Herbicide fate in turf. p. 109-151. In A.J. Turgeon, (ed.) Turf weeds and their control. American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America, Madison, WI. Branham, B. E., and D. J. Wehner. 1985. The fate of diazinon applied to thatched turf. Agron.J. 77:101-104.


Figure 6. Distribution of propiconazole residues among verdure, thatch, and different soil depths over time in 1999.

Verdure

Thatch

Soil Depth (cm)

0-1

1-3

3-5

5-15

15-30

0 DAT0 1 2 3 4 0 1

4 DAT2 3 4 0 1

8 DAT2 3 4

Verdure Turf, High Thatch Soil, High Turf Low Soil, Low

Soil Depth (cm)

0-1

1-3

3-5

5-15

15-30

16 DAT0 1 2 0

32 DAT1 2 0

64 DAT1 2

Propiconazole Remaining (mg)OTF TurfNews Vol 63 No. 4 2001 Page 29


Competitive Aspects of Annual Bluegrass In OhioMichael J. McGuan and T. Karl DannebergerThe Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science nnual bluegrass is one of the most widely cultivated turfgrass species in the state of Ohio. Rarely is it intentionally established on golf greens, but it is extremely invasive and competes very well against creeping bentgrass. In fact, not only does annual bluegrass show up on Ohios noxious weed list, but it also makes the list of the top ten noxious weeds worldwide. Its success comes from the evolution of different survival strategies. Among these is the tremendous amount of genetic variation that annual bluegrass possesses. Within a particular green, several annual or perennial genotypes may exist. Annual bluegrass survives and produces seed at mowing heights less than an eighth of an inch. The production of seed creates a persistent and viable seedbank in the soil, allowing the population to continually regenerate itself. Added together, this makes annual bluegrass nearly impossible to eradicate. Golf greens in the northern United States and transition zone are, to some degree, a mixture of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass, and Ohio is no exception. Annual bluegrass is not without its redeeming qualities. As stated earlier, the species has the ability to tolerate extremely low mowing heights. In addition, annual bluegrass tolerates and even thrives in compacted soils, which many golf greens suffer from in the summer due to extensive traffic from players and equipment. When annual bluegrass is not producing seedheads, it has the ability to provide an extremely high quality putting surface due to its high shoot density and uniform, upright growth habit. It is also well adapted to areas where creeping bentgrass is not, such as moist, shaded environments.

A

Annual bluegrass, however, is highly susceptible to heat, drought, and low temperature stress, due in large part to its shallow root system. During summer stress annual bluegrass does not easily recuperate vegetatively. Annual bluegrass is a profuse seedhead producer, and can produce seed even at low mowing heights, which can be very disruptive to the putting surface. Because of the adaptability of annual bluegrass to putting green conditions, most superintendents are left with two options: promoting a healthy mixture of the two species or the cost- and timeconsuming option of physically removing annual bluegrass from greens. Annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass coexist on greens as a dynamic ecosystem, meaning that distinct population fluctuations define the makeup of the green at any point in time. These fluctuations are influenced by biological processes inherent in both species as well as by environmental conditions. In turn, the biological processes and environmental conditions help to determine each species competitive ability, or how efficiently the species uses its resources. Research has concluded that the growth of annual bluegrass was the controlling factor in determining the relative percentages of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass on greens throughout the growing season. A summertime increase in the creeping bentgrass population was due to its ability to capitalize on resources that became available as the annual bluegrass went into decline. Likewise, a decrease in creeping bentgrass in the late summer, as the annual bluegrass population recovered through the production of new tillers and seedlings, was due to a reduced ability of the creeping bentgrass to compete with annual bluegrass for those resources.


Figure 1: Sample plots were established in the spring of 2000 near the edge of the greens to avoid interference with daily hole locations.

Annual Bluegrass Competitive StudyUntil now, research dealing with the competitive ability of annual bluegrass was done on only one golf course, or in climactic regions where annual bluegrass is extremely well adapted. Thus, these studies have only looked at annual bluegrass in its native environment. So far, no research has looked at how competitive different stands of annual bluegrass are out of their native environment. At the Ohio State University, we have established a study from which we will be assessing the competitive ability of annual bluegrass from two locations within Ohio, namely Cleveland and Cincinnati. More specifically we will be trying to see if location has an effect on competitive ability. We will also be looking at any possible population effect, or whether the annual bluegrass samples originating from Cincinnati are more competitive than those from Cleveland regardless of the location. Finally, we will be studying any possible interaction between population and location. This study was established in the spring of 2000 at two locations in Ohio: The Country Club in Cleveland and Camargo Club in Cincinnati. At each location we pulled 72 four-inch plugs of solid annual bluegrass, and put each one into a four-inch PVC pipe. Thirty-six of those plugs were then re-established into one of three greens at the same golf course, and the other 36 were transported across the state to the other location and again were established into one of three pre-selected greens. Each plug of annual bluegrass was put into the center of an eight-inch plug of L-93 creeping bentgrass in order to provide equal starting conditions for taking measurements. Competitive ability of each sample of annual bluegrass is determined by comparing the average spread of each plug, which is done by measuring the diameter of each plug on a monthly basis throughout the growing season.

Figure 2: Newly installed samples showing annual bluegrass surrounded by creeping bentgrass.OTF TurfNews Vol 63 No. 4 2001 Page 31

Preliminary FindingsAfter evaluating the data from the 2000 growing season, preliminary results show a roughly two month acclimation period that occurred in the plugs that were transported across the state. That is to say that the plugs from Cleveland that were being grown in Cincinnati did not perform as well as those from Cincinnati grown in Cincinnati for the first couple of months of the study. The opposite was also true: plugs from Cincinnati grown in Cleveland did not perform as well as those from Cleveland grown in Cleveland, at least not for the first couple of months of the growing season. After the acclimation period both sets of plugs performed the same. This study will be continued throughout the 2001 growing season, and the data will be evaluated at the completion of the project. In light of this, most annual bluegrass studies to date have either been performed at one location, or in a location that is very favorable for the growth of annual bluegrass. From a research standpoint, we are fortunate to have a somewhat favorable climate for annual bluegrass in northern Ohio and an unfavorable climate in southern Ohio. This study will allow us to assess the competitive ability of annual bluegrass under different environmental conditions within the same state. The results, in turn, will help determine whether annual bluegrass management recommendations should be made on a state or local basis.

About the author: Michael McGuan is currently earning a Masters of Science degree under Dr. T. Karl Danneberger at the Ohio State University. He studied as an undergraduate at John Carroll University in Cleveland, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture at the Ohio State University.

Figure 3: Competitive ability is measured monthly using a compass, ruler, and protractor to determine the degree of spread in the annual bluegrass plots.


Member Spotlight The Campus LifeOTF member Phil Williams was born to the green industry. His father had a landscaping business in which Williams contributed along with other family members. Back then, a landscaping business meant lawn, tree and shrub planting and maintenance. Nowadays it encompasses so much more, but it provided me with a solid foundation necessary for a green industry professional. After graduation in 1962, Williams began his formal career as the greens keeper for the College of Wooster Golf Course. Eight years later, he was promoted to director of Campus Grounds for the college, a position he has developed and holds today. Williams and his staff operate four departments: The Campus Grounds Department staff of seven maintains 300 acres and 100 campus buildings. The Athletic Fields Department staff of two maintains all the playing fields and turf. The College of Wooster Golf Course staff of three keeps the course operational. The Horticulture Departmentwhich is a new department that was implemented this springmaintains the campus grounds, trees, plants and landscape drawings. A superintendent leads each department and Williams directs all departments. Two factors enable me to manage my time in this position: Having superintendents who manage the daily details of each department and belonging to organizations like OTF that provide me with the latest in research, products and methods to ensure currency, he explains. As director, one of Williams most fulfilling projects has been the Tree Endowment Fund. The 50-acre main campus of the college is set in an old oak forest of approximately 2700 trees. In 1987, the College received a grant from an anonymous foundation t

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