Turf Problems Quiz Pamela J. Sherratt

TURF GOES BROWN FOR MANY REASONS Biotic problems: weeds, pests and diseases Abiotic problems: physiological stress and human error

How do we tell the difference?

Diagnostics - Pest Indicators Numerical - how many insects? How many leaves damaged? Quantitative - local environmental conditions

Diagnostics: Soil Temperatures Weed seed germination: Poa annua Prostrate knotweed Crabgrass Goosegrass

Soil Temperatures for Annual Grass Germination.   Critical soil temperature* Weed oF oC Scientific Name Large and smooth crabgrass 50 - 55 10 - 13 Digitaria sanguinalis and ischaemum Goosegrass 60 - 65 15 - 18 Eleusin indica Barnyardgrass Echinochloa crusgalli Foxtails 65 18 Setaria spp Annual bluegrass 45 8 Poa annua *Watschke, T.L. 1995. Turfgrass weeds and their management. In Managing Turfgrass Pests.

Diagnostics - Soil & Tissue Testing - Turfgrass testing lab

Turf Disease ID

Turf disease ID starts with turfgrass ID

Differentiating Disease from Other Problems (fertilizer spill etc.) Disease progresses Disease does not grow in straight lines Disease apparent on adjacent areas

Identifying Diseases: Signs, Symptoms & Spores Anthracnose Grey Leaf Spot Brown Patch Sign Symptom Spores

Weeds are Indicators Compacted soils Knotweed Clover Dandelion Plantains Crabgrass, goosegrass Wet soils: Nutsedge Poa annua & P. trivialis Low traffic Creeping bentgrass

Weeds are typically the RESULT of poor turf not the CAUSE of poor turf

Turf Problem Quiz

HINT: Tall fescue in July/August

HINT: Perennial ryegrass in summer

Hint: P. ryegrass and crabgrass healthy, K. bluegrass dead Fras Hint: P. ryegrass and crabgrass healthy, K. bluegrass dead

April Emergence First Frost

HINT: July & August Problem

Kentucky bluegrass in July/August HINT: Kentucky bluegrass in July/August Pic: UMass.edu

HINT: Perennial ryegrass

HINT: March time

HINT: Perennial ryegrass in late summer

HINT: First weed to emerge?

u.osu.edu/athleticfieldmanagement @Grassybrit Buckeye Turf