Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
5
September • October 2003
Inside:
Field Day Wrap-up OTF Conference & Show Graduate Student Corner
See pages 4–5
Highlights See pages 24–25
I n this past May’s OTF Turf News, I shared with you a 2003 goal of the
Ohio Turfgrass Foundation (OTF), the OhioTurfgrass Research Trust
(OTRT) and The Ohio State University (OSU). Each group shares the
common vision of taking the OSU Turfgrass Program to higher levels of
excellence.
On August 26th, Dr. Stephen Myers, Chair, OSU Department of
Horticulture & Crop Science, led a meeting which included Dr. Bobby
Moser, Vice President and Dean, OSU College of Food, Agriculture and
Environmental Science, as well as representatives from OTF, OTRT and
OSU. The purpose of the meeting was to present the “common vision”
to OSU College Administration and make it a priority for development
at The Ohio State University.
The Turfgrass Science Team, chaired by Joe Rimelspach, discussed a
document the team created entitled “Opportunities for Excellence.”
The document outlined the Purpose and Mission of the Turfgrass
Science Program, the History of the Program, and “A Vision for the
Future”. The most important part of the document was the 11 different
fund-raising priorities that the Turfgrass team feels is necessary to retain
and improve its national and international stature. Each fund-raising pri-
ority has a Vision, Justification and Background, Projected Goals and
Endowment Goal.
One of the visions that was discussed in length was the Professional
Golf Management (PGM) program. Dr. Myers sees this as a “good fit” for
the Turfgrass Program. The PGM program will attract students who will
serve the golf industry such as facility managers, service providers, busi-
ness consultants and sports professionals.
Dean Moser gave his support on behalf of the College and The Ohio
State University. He believes the priorities outlined in the “Opportunities
for Excellence” document are the direction in which the Turfgrass
Program needs to go to be recognized as the finest in the nation.
Congratulations to the Turfgrass Science Team for a great job creating
“Opportunities for Excellence”. The Ohio State University Turfgrass
Science Program has a clear “Vision for the Future”.
John Mowat
2003 President, OTF
If you have not yet signed up for the OTF ing season. Several contests with lots of
Annual Golf Tournament on October 2 at The great prizes will be offered. A good time is
Players Club at Foxfire—time is running out. guaranteed for all!
The OTF Annual Golf Tournament is an Again this year, the golf tournament is on a
important fundraising activity for OTF. Thursday. The goal is to accommodate OTF
Money raised from the tournament will help members who often are unable to attend on
support turfgrass research and provide Mondays.
scholarships for students in Ohio’s turfgrass Registration information was mailed in
programs. August to all OTF members. A registration
All members are encouraged to play and/or form may be found on the OTF website at
sponsor. Participating in the golf tournament www.OhioTurfgrass.org. Sign up now as
is a great way to reward your staff, thank space is limited to the first 144 golfers. Call
your customers, or unwind from a challeng- 888-683-3445 for more information.
Year’s Conference & Show Turf “Bugs:” Some Suck, Some Don’t!—Dr. Dave
Shetlar (The BugDoc), Department of Entomology,
The Ohio State University
This workshop will emphasize detection and diag-
New and exciting changes have been made nosis of the most common turf insects found in Ohio.
to this year’s Conference & Show. The most Specimens of pests will be available for close inspec-
obvious change is the schedule. Instead of tion and new videos on sampling will be shown. It is
Monday through Thursday, this year’s event credited for 2 hours of Catagory 8 ODA recertification
runs Tuesday through Friday. credits.
Changes were made to add value for both
Free Lunch Thursday
attendees and exhibitors. It’s simple—OTF
(Thursday, December 11, 12 pm–2:00 pm)
wants to give you more for your money—and
help you prepare for your future! All attendees may enjoy a FREE lunch Thursday
on the Trade Show floor, 12 pm to 2:00 pm. You will
receive a lunch ticket when you pick up your badge at
The following is a sampling the registration desk. Visit a variety of stations on the
trade show floor to enjoy your free lunch—compli-
of what’s new this year: ments of OTF.
To add your name to this growing list of industry leaders, call OTF at 888-683-3445.
OTF TurfNews • Vol 65 • No. 5 • 2003 • Page 8
OTF & Green Industry News
Hotel Accomodations
Planning on an overnight stay during the 2003 Ohio Hampton Inn & Suites
Turfgrass Conference & Show? Plan ahead and reserve 501 North High St
your hotel rooms early. Many hotels may be sold out if Columbus OH 43215
you wait too long. 614-559-2000
Inserted in this newsletter is a pre-printed envelope $110 + tax Single
from the Hyatt Regency Columbus, OTF’s headquarters $117 + tax Double-Quad
hotel. To reserve your room at the Hyatt Regency, simply Reservation cut-off date: November 9, 2003
complete the envelope and mail it with your payment. (refer to Code OT3 when making reservations)
Reserving your room just got easier!
Following is a list of all hotels offering special rates for Many exciting new changes are being made to
OTF participants. To make accommodations, please con- this year’s OTF Conference & Show. Please be sure
tact the hotel directly and mention that you are attend- to read about all the changes in the registration
ing the Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show. materials that will be mailed in September. You
may also access complete details, including updates,
Hyatt Regency Columbus (Headquarters Hotel) by visiting the OTF website at www.OhioTurfgrass.org.
350 N High St
Columbus OH 43215
614-463-1234
http://columbus.hyatt.com/groupbooking/otf
$115 + tax Single/Double
$135 + tax Triple
$145 + tax Quad
Reservation cut-off date: November 17, 2003 2003 OTF Scholarship
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Applications Accepted
33 East Nationwide Blvd
OTF is committed to improving turfgrass
Columbus OH 43215
through research and education. One of
614-461-4100
the best ways to foster this commitment is
$118 + tax Single/Double
by providing scholarships to students pur-
$128 + tax Triple
suing green industry studies. In 2002, OTF
$138 + tax Quad
and OTRT provided over $27,000 in schol-
Reservation cut-off date: November 6, 2003
arships.
Red Roof Inn Columbus Downtown OTF members are asked to recommend
111 Nationwide Blvd any of their student employees, interns,
Columbus OH 43215 friends, or family who they feel would be
614-224-6539 qualified. An application was recently
$92 + tax Single-Quad mailed to all OTF members. The deadline
Reservation cut-off date: November 16, 2003 to apply for a scholarship is October 24,
2003. OTF scholarship information and
applications are also available on the OTF
website at www.OhioTurfgrass.org.
O f the golf course management practices, core cul- Note: It is a mute point but if the soil is not com-
pacted (I know of very few cases where greens or fair-
tivation (aerification) is probably the most noticeable
to golfers, and the least appreciated. The disruption to ways in Ohio are not!) coring will actually negatively
play is quite obvious but the benefits, although not as impact (in the short term) the before mentioned physi-
visual are just as important. Aggressive coring practices cal properties (Murphy, 1993)
are normally done during periods of active turfgrass
growth in the spring and fall. Factors involved in the
type of coring to be done (hollow versus solid, tine Impact on Root Growth
diameter and depth, degree of disruption to the turf) Root length and mass is probably enhanced over
are depended on the desired long-term outcomes. time by coring. In the short-term however, root and
Listed below are some of the facts and to some of you shoot growth is injured with coring. The drier the soil
the fiction behind core cultivation. conditions at time of coring, the greater the likelihood
root damage will occur. Increased root growth from
Soil Physical Properties coring in the autumn will not be observed until late fall
or more likely the following spring. When coring, espe-
On compacted soils, research on loamy sand has cially if the turfgrass plants are still suffering from resid-
shown that hollow tine coring (HTC) decreases the ual summer stress, make sure soil moisture levels are
soil bulk density, increases air porosity and hydraulic adequate (close to field capacity) and soil temperatures
conductivity (Murphy et al. 1993). The soil strength is are not high.
decreased with HTC, which may or may not be a
desired characteristic.
Solid tine coring (STC) is often a desired practice Cultivation Pan Layer
because it causes less disruption to the turf surface. A potential problem with continual coring is the
However, STC is not as effective as HTC with regard to development of a cultivation pan layer. This layer is a
the previously mentioned soil physical properties. thin zone of soil compaction that occurs immediately
HTC decreases the soil bulk density to a greater below the coring depth. Petrovic (1979) demonstrated
extent than STC while air porosity is 19 to 21% that compaction occurs around a hollow tine core hole.
greater with HTC than STC. Regarding soil macrop- Compaction along the edges of the coring hole is tran-
ores, HTC produces a greater percentage of these sient but at the bottom of the core a pan layer can
pores than STC. Hydraulic conductivity is also lower develop. This layer is less likely to occur when coring
with STC when compared to HTC, while soil strength under dry soil conditions, but the disadvantage as men-
is greater with STC. tioned previously is the potential for increased root
injury. I think it is important to stagger the depth of
coring to break or reduce the potential for the develop-
ment of this layer.
Lawns are a central part of our landscapes gen (in the form of proteins) stored in the clippings
serves as the main source of food for numerous soil
throughout North America, and have emerged as
microorganisms and invertebrates that perform impor-
the dominant land use in rapidly expanding subur-
tant functions such as nutrient release for plant growth
ban areas. Besides their aesthetic and recreational
and fighting plant diseases. To considerable extent,
value, lawns have significant mitigating effect on
returning the clippings to the soil actually reduces the
global warming due to their tremendous capacity to
amount of fertilizer needed for the lawn.
sequester atmospheric carbon and mitigating the
heat island effects. In fact, a recent report from
Unfortunately, some homeowners still bag the clip-
Colorado indicates that carbon sequestration in turf
pings and send them to the landfill. Excess grass clip-
soil occurs at a rate comparable to the land that is
pings are a problem not only for the land-fills, but also
placed in the Conservation Reserve Program in the
for the municipal composting facilities, where the large
USA. In this report, the scientists analyzed historic
amounts of clippings arriving in spring and summer can
soil data from many turfgrass sites. The data show
overload the system with high nitrogen material and
that carbon sequestration continued for up to 31
turn the process anaerobic, resulting in air pollution vio-
years in fairway type of turfgrass after its initial estab-
lations from the odors of methane, ammonia, and other
lishment.
gasses released.
Plants capture atmospheric carbon dioxide to
Carbon sequestration is one of the main arguments
make their own food (carbohydrates) with the help
used for saving the “rain forest”. Lawn is like a piece of
of the sunlight. Well maintained lawns capture
the “rain forest” right in our backyard. The homeown-
more carbon dioxide than the poorly maintained
ers with well maintained lawns are contributing their
lawns with bare ground patches. These carbohy-
share to the reduction in global warming by capturing
drates are stored in plant tissues including leaves,
the excess carbon dioxide from our environment. Well-
stems, and roots. The clippings have a portion of
maintained lawns also protect topsoil from wind and
this captured carbon. This carbon along with nitro-
water erosion, absorb and filter run-off water, and
reduce noise and glare.
How can we remove rough Furthermore, turf areas that have been renovated may still
bluegrass (Poa trivialis)? become infested with RBG if there is an appreciable
amount of RBG seed in the soil.
If the RBG infestation is unacceptably large, one option
Large amounts of rough bluegrass in turf are is to renovate the field by killing all the turf and starting
most obvious in the summer because they go dor- over. Killing the grass can be achieved by applying a non-
mant (brown). Rough bluegrass (RBG) is a persis- selective herbicide or a soil fumigant such as Basamid(r),
tent perennial weed grass that is incredibly aggres- which is an alternative to methyl bromide. The added
sive in the spring and fall, making it a strong com- advantage of using a soil fumigant, either on it’s own or in
petitor in turf, especially on those areas that lose conjunction with a selective herbicide, is the soil steriliza-
grass cover (between hashes etc.). tion process, which should prevent weed seeds from
Unfortunately, there is no selective herbicide emerging. There are clear application guidelines on the
available to control RBG in a turf situation. label and there is a short time period before the field can
be re-seeded/sodded.
Clearly, with all weed problems,
the best method for control is preven-
tion. A healthy, dense sward of grass is
far less likely to be infested with weeds
than turf that is stressed or over-worn.
Note: RBG is discouraged by deep &
infrequent irrigation, proper mowing
(i.e. not scalping the grass), good
drainage, and sports traffic. In addi-
tion, using good quality seed may be
more expensive, but is less likely to be
contaminated with RBG.
C
reeping bentgrass is a widely used turfgrass transformed varieties. Therefore, this study was per-
species on golf course greens, tees, and fair- formed to determine whether the relative competitive
ways in the northern United States. A disad- growth of several glyphosate resistant creeping bentgrass
vantage of creeping bentgrass is its vulnerability to a lines is equivalent to traditional creeping bentgrass when
wide range of pest problems. Annual bluegrass is a transplanted into a mature and competing turf stand.
serious weedy grass problem on creeping bentgrass
putting greens. No herbicide chemistry is available to
effectively selectively control annual bluegrass in
creeping bentgrass.
Materials and Methods
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup© Creeping bentgrass plugs (Table 1) were established
brand herbicides is a broad spectrum herbicide that is from stolon nodes grown in Jiffy” Pellets (42 mm dia.) in
toxic to plants, fungi, and bacteria. Glyphosate resis- Gervais, Oregon. The plants were irrigated to prevent
tant crops have been developed by genetically engi- drought stress and fertilized to eliminate visible nutrient
neering plants with a gene that codes for an EPSP syn- deficiencies. Plants were maintained at 1.25 cm height of
thase protein with lower sensitivity to glyphosate. The cut. Plants of similar age and size were selected for planti-
Monsanto and Scotts Companies have collaborated in ng in established turf environments.
the development of genetically engineered creeping A field study was initiated on June 23, 2000 in
bentgrass cultivars that are resistant to glyphosate via Marysville, OH. Companion studies were also conducted
the heterologous expression of a gene from the CP4 in New Jersey and Oregon. The Kentucky bluegrass turf
strain of Agrobacterium sp. encoding for a glyphosate area was maintained for uniform turf coverage and sur-
resistant form of EPSP. Adoption of glyphosate resis- face drainage. Soil cores (35 mm in diameter and 60 mm
tant creeping bentgrass could potentially simplify and deep) were removed from the original turf area on 60-90
improve the control of a wide array of invasive annual, cm centers with an auger bit. Bentgrass plugs were trans-
biennial, and perennial grass, broadleaf, and sedge planted directly into the core holes so that the crowns of
species that can invade golf turf. The availability of the plant were at or slightly below the soil surface and so
glyphosate as an over-the-top treatment on glyphosate that firm contact between the Jiffy pot media was main-
resistant creeping bentgrass could significantly reduce tained with the field soil. The turf area was maintained
the need for many of these herbicides, resulting in under a regime appropriate for the original dominant
several important environmental, health, and safety species following an initial establishment phase to accli-
benefits. It is less likely to leach than most other turf mate the bentgrass transplants.
herbicides. It has low toxicity to mammals, birds, and The plots were irrigated as needed to prevent stress
fish and it is one of the few commercially available during a six-week establishment phase, and then irrigat-
herbicides classified as “Category E” by the EPA (evi- ed to maintain the existing turf. Plots were mown regu-
dence of non-carcinogenicity for humans). larly at a clipping height of 1.25 cm in Oregon, of 3.75
Concern over the release of transgenic varieties cm in New Jersey, and of 5 cm in Ohio. Nitrogen (36.6
has arisen, specifically with the competitive ability of kg·ha1 per month during active growth) and other nutri-
Reference Lines:
Penncross
Crenshaw
Penn A-4
† ND = plant was not accessible during a particular observation period either due to plant death, or to temporary dormancy.
‡ NS = Not significantly different at the 0.05 level according to Fishers Least Significant Difference (LSD) test
An Invasive
You Should Know
nvasive species, be they weedy plants, exotic insects or
I
The first year plants are distinctly different from the sec-
pathogens, zebra mussels in our waterways, or even rabbits ond year plants. Leaves occur in a basal rosette and the
imported to Australia have been a problem for ecosystems plant is only several inches in height. The leaves are small,
and for human activities for centuries. They literally are a prob- scalloped and kidney-shaped with a mild garlic aroma. In the
lem that will not go away, so we need to learn more about inva- second year of growth, the stem elongates to 3-4 feet in
sives and their management. Think about how they affect us in length, leaves are triangular and sharply toothed, and tiny 4-
horticulture, from gypsy moths that a good portion of Ohio now petaled white flowers and long slender seedpods ( siliques )
faces, to the emerald ash borer from Asia that is a serous threat develop. This is when most people really become aware of
to ashes in woodlands and landscapes if it spreads from its the extensiveness of their garlic mustard infestation.
introduction to Michigan. From the historic devastation of fungal OSU weed ecologist John Cardina points out that garlic
pathogens to the U.S. in the past century with chestnut blight mustard is a successful invasive for several reasons. It pro-
and Dutch elm disease, to the threat imposed by sudden oak duces large amounts of seed. In its first year of growth as
death caused by Phytophthora ramorum on the West Coast. noted, the rosette of kidney-shaped leaves are often uniden-
From kudzu to Japanese knotweed, from dogwood anthracnose tified as garlic mustard. It is not beloved by deer. It is
to, well, to our discussion in this article of an invasive you believed to produce allelopathic chemicals which deter
should know—garlic mustard. growth of other plants competing for the same niche. Garlic
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive herbaceous mustard also thrives in rich woodland or garden sites with
biennial weed that hails from Europe and which was brought to high earthworm activity and rates of organic decomposition.
the Americas as an herb or culinary plant—the rest is history. It Which brings us to control. Because the rosette of first
was first reported in the U.S. on Long Island in New York in year leaves is green and growing in the fall and into the cold
1868 and in Ohio a bit later, on Lake Erie islands at the dawn of of winter it can be controlled with glyphosate herbicide (eg.
the 20th century in 1899. For unknown reasons it is become an Roundup) which is absorbed through the leaves and then
increasing problem in forests, in botanic gardens and arboreta, translocated to the roots, killing the garlic mustard plant. This
in landscape plantings and in parklands. One of the features of control approach is particularly effective because these are
garlic mustard is that its appearance changes from its first year times when glyphosate can be applied without non-target
to its second year in its life cycle, making identification difficult. damage to other plants which are dormant during that peri-
Best control involves use of glyphosate herbicide on first year od. Hand-pulling second year plants is risky as a control
growth or very early hand-pulling in the second year of garlic measure if garlic mustard has reached even the early flower-
mustard s life cycle to prevent seed production. ing stages. Research shows that viable seed may be pro-
A key feature of the biology of garlic mustard is that it is a duced even on flowers of plants that are pulled up and left in
non-woody biennial herb, producing only short stems and the garden or parkland site. Only if pulled flowering plants
leaves in its first year after seed germination, with longer stems, are bagged in plastic or completely removed from the site
leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds in its second year of growth will control with hand-pulling be assured.
before it dies back. The rosette of first year leaves persists as So, the story with this invasive is fairly positive. Though
green tissue well into the fall and winter. Garlic mustard flowers they can be quite a pest - there are control options. Hopefully
in early spring, about the time that spring beauty (Claytonia vir- we can be as successful with management strategies for
giniana) blooms (early April for most of Ohio). Seed produced in other invasives that are currently challenging horticulturists.
that second year may survive in soil for up to five years and
possibly longer.
Dissertation Title
Dr. P. Grewal
Department of Entomology
The Ohio State University, OARDC Wooster
Education+Networking=Professonalism
Attending state, regional and national conferences and trade shows
can help everyone grow professionally. This is certainly true for turf-
grass managers.
Leading turfgrass researchers and university educators lead and
conduct many of the educational sessions. Peers who have faced simi-
lar situations as you, often share their experiences in panel discussions.
This is a great chance to ask questions and learn from others who have
already tackled the challenges with which you are faced.
Let’s not forget about the exhibitors in the trade show. Suppliers
should not be looked at as another sales person to avoid. Establishing
relationships with suppliers can prove to be your biggest ally. Of course
they want you to buy their products and services. But they are also
there to help you. Many exhibitors bring leading experts to trade
shows to answer questions and solve your problems. Many suppliers employ former turf managers
to market their products: therefore, they can relate to your situation.
The Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show is a leader at helping turf managers grow profession-
ally. Educational sessions are developed with input from OTF committee members, the Ohio
Chapters of the GCSAA, Ohio Lawn Care Association, Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association,
and the Ohio Sod Producers Association.
The trade show boasts more than 250 exhibiting companies. Make sure you spend plenty of
time on the show floor establishing relationships with the exhibitors who are there to help you.
And don’t forget about networking. OTF has added a new welcome reception on the show
floor this year. There are annual meetings and awards banquets to attend. Wednesday’s reception
and auction provides ample opportunity to make contacts and meet new friends. For some, net-
working at conferences is the most valuable asset they gain.
We hope to see you December 9–12 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Don’t miss
this chance to grow in your profession. OTF provides a wealth of opportunities for education
and networking.
Kevin Thompson
Executive Director
Media Contact:
Catherine Griffith
Public Relations Coordinator
Phone: 847-705-9898 or 800-405-8873
Turfgrass Producers International
Fax: 847-705-8347
1855-A Hicks Road
E-mail: cgriffith@TurfGrassSod.org
Rolling Meadows, IL, USA 60008
Website: www.TurfGrassSod.org
PO Box 3388
Zanesville, OH 43702–3388
888–OTF–3445
Fax (740) 452–2552