SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/591732
www.stma.org November 2015 | SportsTurf 39 ual removal of weeds and pests (as practical). Biological controls are the use of bacteria, fungi, insects, or viruses to control turfgrass pests. Use of endophyte-containing perennial ryegrass and tall fes- cue cultivars should be used when possible. Pesticide should be used if insect; disease or weed problems meet or exceed your threshold values that were pre-determined in your site evaluation. Spot treatments to affected areas are preferred to broadcast applications whenever possible pre-emergent herbicides and insect controls can also be used to help control unwanted pest. When using pesticides, timing is key. Insecticides such as imida- cloprid can be applied at the label rate to treat before an infestation happens. The typical preventive timing is from June to July. Most provide season-long, preventive white grub control, while knock- ing down and preventing other nuisance pests, like ants, chinch bugs, sod webworms and cutworms with the same application. Pre-emergent herbicides MUST be applied BEFORE crabgrass seed germinate. Crabgrass seeds germinate when spring soil tem- peratures tend upwards from 50 degrees F. Weed scientists' use 52 degrees F. at one-half inch deep as the trigger point for their applica- tion of pre-emergence herbicide. It is important to keep a separate record of all chemical products (pesticides and fertilizers) used on properties. These records should be kept for at least three years and be made accessible to all interested persons, see state and local laws. Cultural management is the key to maintaining healthy, pest-resistant turf grass. A comprehensive cultural management program should be developed and implemented to prevent and avoid insect, disease and weed problems. Weeds in turfgrass are encouraged by thin or weak turf. Mowing high and frequently, especially in the spring, over seeding and proper fertilization, irri- gation, aeration and pH should be the first line of defense against weeds. Avoid planting turf in inappropriate locations. Select the proper variety of turf for the site including sunny vs. shaded loca- tions. Tree and shrub roots compete with turfgrass for water in addition to blocking sunlight needed for photosynthesis and energy production. Heavily shaded areas are not generally condu- cive to healthy turf. Overseed with a high-quality seed to provide new plants into aging turf. Water in and keep moist but do not overwater which will encourage disease. Good soil-to-seed contact can be encouraged by lightly tamping or rolling after application. Short, cool days approaching the end of the growing season are better for turf seed germination and growth. If seeding is needed at other times, a fast-germinating and growing variety such as peren- nial rye can be used. Annual rye can also be used as a quick fill in followed by reseeding in the fall using other varieties. Maintain adequate nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels in the soil. Established turf generally does not need supplemental phosphorus. Fertilize in early spring and late summer/early fall. A mid-summer application should be considered if fertility is not adequate. Do not apply fertilizer when turf is not actively growing to reduce nutrient runoff. Multiple fertilizer applications at lower rates are preferable to single, high-rate applications which are also prone to runoff. Many of the fertilizer companies are working on better polymer coatings on fertilizers that gradually meter nutri- ents for several months or even all season long to meet the plant's needs. By using the enhanced efficiency fertilizers, you can use up to 40% less nitrogen per year, which is good for the environment and your bottom line. Aerification should be a part of every turfgrass maintenance program because it is absolutely necessary for maintaining healthy and durable turf. Failure to perform this simple maintenance can result in poorly drained soil, thin turf stands, and continued problems with disease. Aerification can benefit your turf by added oxygen and water that deep aerating provides. Aerate turf when it is actively growing and can fill in holes created during aeration. Excessive thatch is caused by the accumulation of dead turfgrass blades and roots. Aerification and topdressing the area can restore biological activity to decompose thatch. Additionally, proper watering, fertilization, pH maintenance, and aeration should cor- rect thatch buildup. If irrigated, water thoroughly and deeply with each irrigation to encourage deep rooting. Do not water late in day or at night to avoid leaving turf blades wet for a prolonged period, encourag- ing diseases. Run irrigation test frequently to ensure that your system is working properly, i.e. no leaks, heads are spinning as they should, valves open and close, etc. Sprinklers installed too low cannot rise above the turf or other plant materials. This results in an interruption of the sprinkler's pattern of throw and can lead to gaps in coverage and flooding near the sprinkler. In addition, sprinklers that are installed too low are more prone to retraction problems and pre-mature failure as soil enters into the operat- ing mechanism. In shrubbery areas, heads may be located at the base of the shrubs or groundcover they are watering. These heads must be close enough together to cover the area by throwing water under the plant material. As shrubs mature, adjustments may be necessary to be certain that coverage is still adequate. In many cases where heads were installed correctly, the turf builds up and grows with time, causing the heads to be too low relative to the surrounding grass. All systems should be periodically checked to make certain grass or plantings do not interrupt sprinkler patterns. Sprinklers installed too high are an invitation to damage by mow- ing equipment or vandalism. They can also be a trip hazard that results in unwanted liability. Sprinklers that are installed too high should be corrected before damage or injury occurs. After any type of management strategy, turfgrass and landscape areas should be regularly inspected for results. After several seasons of a preventative maintenance management program, the long- term success of the program can be assessed. Compile a site-specific history of monitoring records, pest infestations, management strategies, evaluation records, and feedback from maintenance personnel. This data may be helpful in predicting future pest occur- rence and fine-tuning action thresholds. Be sure to include what worked and what failed. Another good practice is to get input from any other maintenance staff at your facility. Take photos to docu- ment any projects and maintenance practices because as you know, a picture is worth a thousand words. ■ ST Brian Winka, CSFM, is supervisor, City of Chesterfield, MO and president of the STMA Gateway Chapter.