tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92012865824270496572024-02-19T00:13:50.405-05:00NC State Turf PathologyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-1598208474038871552014-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:002014-05-20T09:00:56.414-04:00We've Moved our Website!We have moved our website from turfpathology.org to turfpathology.plantpath.ncsu.edu. Please make note of this change.<br />
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We will start posting alerts and disease updates on this new site instead of using this blogger site. These posts will still feed to Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn if you follow us there.<br />
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We hope you all have a fantastic year growing disease free turf!<br />
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<br />Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-75708272135865992312014-05-01T14:25:00.000-04:002014-05-01T21:31:06.881-04:00Return of the Fungi!Things have been relatively quiet here at the NC State Turf Diagnostics Lab with regards to disease samples, however that has changed in the past couple of weeks now that warm-season turfgrasses are starting to fully wake up from their winter nap. So, without boring you to death with blah blah this and blah blah that ... here's the rundown.<br />
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<b>Warm-Season Turf (Bermuda/Zoysia/Centipede)</b><br />
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Many samples have been submitted both digitally and physically to the clinic over the past few weeks that have shown winter damage. The majority of these samples were taken from shady, wet, and/or north facing slopes. These are typical areas we expect to see this type of damage on warm-season turfgrasses. In most cases, it appears that green up has been delayed and no complete turf losses have been reported. The exception to that has been centipedegrass. We have seen some centipede lawns that we can't find any disease, insect, nematode, soil problem, etc. where winter kill is strongly suspected. This is all unfolding as I type this, so we may see cases of other warm season turfs with winter kill as they continue to fully green up across the state. For more information about winter injury in North Carolina, please read Dr. Grady Miller's recent post by <a href="http://turffiles.ncsu.edu/Alerts.aspx#005583" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.<br />
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From a disease standpoint, the most common diagnosis in the past week or so has been spring dead spot on bermudagrass. This has been documented on common, hybrid, and ultradwarf types. Given the fact that spring dead spot is highly correlated with cold injury, it is no surprise that there is a lot of spring dead spot damage out there this year in North Carolina. There is nothing you can do from a fungicide standpoint at this time to recover from this disease because the damage was done last fall. For more information about spring dead spot, please <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Spring_Dead_Spot.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring dead spot symptoms on ultradwarf bermudagrass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVlVwPP4SL9J_fe2BpXKJAjxjweU81npv2UTrR-Ngp8uk93s1yrIUJziFwIA9n3YjP6NAnQr2W8uq_8CZVpn4u7UIudMhoXDZrRtk-3ow7-Msp9ewQlrmX4VCXn1MdSx5wQoEhpwVtkww/s1600/DSCN1230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVlVwPP4SL9J_fe2BpXKJAjxjweU81npv2UTrR-Ngp8uk93s1yrIUJziFwIA9n3YjP6NAnQr2W8uq_8CZVpn4u7UIudMhoXDZrRtk-3ow7-Msp9ewQlrmX4VCXn1MdSx5wQoEhpwVtkww/s1600/DSCN1230.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring dead spot symptoms on hybrid bermudagrass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggj7cnB5AroPsj_XJUmNnPGGjPREgtNU6I0REohL-76sndWjx6vEHsk0x0s20TVg87VoXDI9aqsngNXfwEUmhN-DkOQloM-vHADWbRpJ1y-ceFb7Ej_UPh9rD61fPTiyiSJbj-n_5jzLzD/s1600/winter+kill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggj7cnB5AroPsj_XJUmNnPGGjPREgtNU6I0REohL-76sndWjx6vEHsk0x0s20TVg87VoXDI9aqsngNXfwEUmhN-DkOQloM-vHADWbRpJ1y-ceFb7Ej_UPh9rD61fPTiyiSJbj-n_5jzLzD/s1600/winter+kill.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical winter kill symptoms on warm season turf</td></tr>
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<b>Cool-Season Turf (Bentgrass & Ryegrass)</b><br />
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As expected, we haven't seen many cool-season turf samples in the past few weeks since they are able to withstand the ravages of fungi for the most part in the spring and fall.</div>
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One exception has been red leaf spot, caused by the fungus <i>Drechslera erythrospila,</i> on creeping bentgrass putting greens<i>. </i>This is a disease we have observed over the past several years. For the most part, it has been fairly random and isolated, however we are starting to see more and more of this disease for whatever reason. If you think you have red leaf spot, now is the time to treat. None of the samples that have come into the clinic are producing spores yet. This tells us that while the fungus is waking up and starting to infect via mycelium spread, it hasn't reached it's full potential to produce abundant spores. Once spores are produced, the damage will be more widespread and rapid. For more information about red leaf spot, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Red_Leaf_Spot.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix170yyNBD5Y4qtEvtDAZd0a-sfd90_WKS830d1OcUIlEY2SWOuWsF5TywsclBX_pUUsikbw1zrnGZU5yoQKLf0Oc_GXXAojoLmDTQEu0xz4qFCrdeIRnq4V4_cKmtitlH989hhhOr2_GL/s1600/20140430_081430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix170yyNBD5Y4qtEvtDAZd0a-sfd90_WKS830d1OcUIlEY2SWOuWsF5TywsclBX_pUUsikbw1zrnGZU5yoQKLf0Oc_GXXAojoLmDTQEu0xz4qFCrdeIRnq4V4_cKmtitlH989hhhOr2_GL/s1600/20140430_081430.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red leaf spot symptoms on a creeping bentgrass putting green</td></tr>
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Finally, we have observed some dollar spot damage on perennial ryegrass in over seeded situations. Recent weather patterns have been favorable for this fungus to start coming out and eating away at our precious stands of perfect turf, so beware! If you haven't started your preventative dollar spot programs, now's the time ... especially on high value turf like creeping bentgrass. For more information about dollar spot, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Dollar_Spot.aspx" target="_blank">click here.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWK44t50p1ZGLC9Vv-W7_CSBK-EM6NIq5wt_rgjAE6-gGtO5hfQw6pT82HTi_QEn5qwzG3EXWxuZoktmYHcOvBsWg40vOrhm4T9CUxvPjVpAAO2GUfTOVJEvQSd1R1yRuUnFGToZqwxiM/s1600/dollar+spot+ryegrass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWK44t50p1ZGLC9Vv-W7_CSBK-EM6NIq5wt_rgjAE6-gGtO5hfQw6pT82HTi_QEn5qwzG3EXWxuZoktmYHcOvBsWg40vOrhm4T9CUxvPjVpAAO2GUfTOVJEvQSd1R1yRuUnFGToZqwxiM/s1600/dollar+spot+ryegrass.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollar spot symptoms on perennial ryegrass</td></tr>
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<br />Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-76980154265939644442014-01-22T16:00:00.000-05:002014-01-22T16:00:18.361-05:00Cream Leaf What?Cream leaf what? That's the exact response I've heard from superintendents over the past several weeks when I tell them their ultradwarf bermuda putting greens have a disease known as cream leaf blight. To answer your first question, cream leaf blight is not a new pathogen to turfgrass. It has been documented on creeping bentgrass and tall fescue. As more ultradwarf bermudagrass replaces creeping bentgrass for putting surfaces here in North Carolina, we will likely observe more new diseases. This disease has been diagnosed on both 'Champion' and 'Mini Verde' and we are in the process of complete confirmation of the causal fungus via DNA analysis.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-MT9F3ZjJku-DdygikfgcPK0uDhzGoWTpvKvASH5DvTX4filZXsH23rGEeeBvRe70pPEWXUquFHmxDeZPfDeVZySidTKZ7x0OMQoK8ZFBxULEZg0IqXkhYYR84FwNZyLWu00W_a8pk7a/s1600/image+3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-MT9F3ZjJku-DdygikfgcPK0uDhzGoWTpvKvASH5DvTX4filZXsH23rGEeeBvRe70pPEWXUquFHmxDeZPfDeVZySidTKZ7x0OMQoK8ZFBxULEZg0IqXkhYYR84FwNZyLWu00W_a8pk7a/s1600/image+3+copy.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical white patch symptom observed on ultradwarfs<br />
in December/January in North Carolina</td></tr>
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Cream leaf blight is caused by the same pathogen that causes pink patch, <i>Limonomyces roseipellis</i>. Pink patch is often found in close association with <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Red_Thread.aspx" target="_blank">red thread</a>, which is caused by the fungus <i>Laetisaria fuciformi</i>s. Pink patch and cream leaf blight vary slightly in their morphological features, which we are able to detect under the microscope. For those of you who are plant pathology geeks, pink patch produces clamp connections and cream leaf blight does not. Otherwise, from what we've observed, the two appear identical in the field and we will most likely refer to it as cream leaf blight since that seems to match the stand symptoms the best. One unique characteristic is the mycelium will twist into "rope" like structures, as seen below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU73bQaJcbAszINKXTwZt5fCXVTBEF9SYaMG0RNuSU5RjA8Ytp1PDo_5xjeBcywGqd-1O3TXhs_5MV2WJxTW4eIvLrdfJPePGPgTrfD1Fx8fSw1Q6HQ2NvAQZ_K8Bei5YKoF9OxG0m9a4o/s1600/image+1.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU73bQaJcbAszINKXTwZt5fCXVTBEF9SYaMG0RNuSU5RjA8Ytp1PDo_5xjeBcywGqd-1O3TXhs_5MV2WJxTW4eIvLrdfJPePGPgTrfD1Fx8fSw1Q6HQ2NvAQZ_K8Bei5YKoF9OxG0m9a4o/s1600/image+1.001.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mycelium twisting into "ropes" for both cream leaf blight and pink patch (25x)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqlSrMhrehrMScsyCIAfbMAgAjYaxcdKd-LFV1nY6sFwDK-zfpjjzzQuou1IdttlKc1SAaUpP_cym8Bih4oL-_FSuQKzFBMW2gqO-0wM4JDhPMRuZcIaNYhQKXqKTriSXqN-42u224Y3d/s1600/cream+leaf+blight+mini+verde+hyphal+twist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqlSrMhrehrMScsyCIAfbMAgAjYaxcdKd-LFV1nY6sFwDK-zfpjjzzQuou1IdttlKc1SAaUpP_cym8Bih4oL-_FSuQKzFBMW2gqO-0wM4JDhPMRuZcIaNYhQKXqKTriSXqN-42u224Y3d/s1600/cream+leaf+blight+mini+verde+hyphal+twist.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of cream leaf blight hyphae twisting into a "rope" (200x)</td></tr>
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While we don't know much about cream leaf blight on bermudagrass yet, we have only observed cosmetic damage and nothing that leads to turf loss or significant reduction in playability. We have been recommending fungicide applications of products like 26GT, ProStar, Heritage, Insignia, or Disarm since they have been proven performers with pink patch/red thread complexes.<br />
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If you are observing this type of symptom at your course and have questions, feel free to contact us!Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-89283371681284055102013-10-21T14:00:00.000-04:002013-10-21T14:00:39.516-04:00Bermudagrass Greens Looking Bad?<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Recent weather patterns of cool/cloudy/rainy weather across much of North Carolina have been perfect for foliar diseases such as Bipolaris leaf spot and Pythium blight on bermudagrass putting greens.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bipolaris Leaf Spot Symptoms on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We have received many samples in the past week at the <a href="http://www.turfpathology.org/Pages/diagnostics.aspx" target="_blank">NC State Turf Diagnostics Lab</a> that were devastated by the fungus</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Bipolaris cynodontis</i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. Bipolaris leaf spot is most severe on turf that is growing slowly due to adverse weather conditions or improper management practices. Shaded areas with little or no air movement result in weak turf and extended periods of leaf wetness that favor disease development. Deficient or excessive nitrogen, excessive thatch, extended periods of leaf wetness, and low mowing heights are factors that encourage the development of leaf spot diseases. The fungus is easily spread by mowers, wind, and/or rain.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">For more information about Bipolaris leaf spot, including control recommendations, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Leaf_Spot.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4KQOlAvUyzXr0N3-bl82vOpuOKtZSQ8zet_D15qOALseW7dym90t8pD6Jt1o6DAkO-bBu8iutU4hEiu4Oh0S_y6KeLcZLErMOk7ghhwItYilPePc15jYNQ1mGybzPrBgA26FLOEWU0zm/s1600/IMG_5672.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4KQOlAvUyzXr0N3-bl82vOpuOKtZSQ8zet_D15qOALseW7dym90t8pD6Jt1o6DAkO-bBu8iutU4hEiu4Oh0S_y6KeLcZLErMOk7ghhwItYilPePc15jYNQ1mGybzPrBgA26FLOEWU0zm/s400/IMG_5672.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Devastated by Pythium Blight </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">We have also diagnosed many bermudagrass samples this week with Pythium blight in conjunction with leaf spot or acting alone</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. The symptoms are a rapid foliar blight that initially has a purple coloration but then fades to tan. Spreading by mowers or in drainage patterns usually occurs as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pythium blight in October? Yes, you read it correctly, it is Pythium blight in October. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a lot of </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pythium</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> species that can infect grasses. Most people are familiar with </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P. aphanidermatum</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that causes Pythium blight on the cool season grasses during hot summer weather. However, there are other Pythium species that grow during cool or cold weather. We don't know what species is causing this outbreak yet, but obviously it grows well during cool weather and has a competitive advantage over the bermudagrass under these conditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fungicide treatments may not always be necessary to control Pythium blight on bermudagrass, as dry and sunny weather usually put a stop to it very quickly. However, if the forecast is calling for extended periods of wet and cloudy weather, an application might be a good idea. Any strong Pythium fungicide should do a good job.</span><br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-5078310968314955172013-10-02T07:00:00.000-04:002013-10-02T07:00:07.278-04:00What's Happening Now?<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b>RECENT CREEPING BENTGRASS PROBLEMS</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">Over the past several weeks, we have received many creeping bentgrass putting green samples. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">In every case, samples were submitted to check for a disease and in EACH case absolutely no pathogen activity was discovered. Therefore, our diagnosis was "a disease was not responsible for the damage". </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">The common thread has been the combination of core aerification and topdressing with the unusually arid weather for this time of year. When the putting surfaces are opened up after aerification, they are more susceptible to drought stress, especially if the humidity is very low. This effect is exacerbated in areas that are already stressed such as clean up laps, heavy on/off traffic spots, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">This is a fine example of why receiving a diagnosis of "no disease" is just as important as receiving a diagnosis of an actual disease. Because symptoms developed during excellent growing conditions for creeping bentgrass, a safe assumption is a disease is responsible for the damage. Yet, in this case an accurate diagnosis can save time and money by preventing unwarranted fungicide applications. If you don't agree, feel free to make a fungicide application for drought stress and see what happens.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxYzOu95VHL5JECpEF8WzD6QCWsu6EE7QJhrzjI1dJeJn0SuBoZGyN3i431M8rHDVUS7vUa3WeeMDmKbEhEtBppMm8_GbHw3TLbFecvB6s5Lc1PWgJkSOCbc_EBqbq6mNnsYNryyfqyf1/s1600/image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxYzOu95VHL5JECpEF8WzD6QCWsu6EE7QJhrzjI1dJeJn0SuBoZGyN3i431M8rHDVUS7vUa3WeeMDmKbEhEtBppMm8_GbHw3TLbFecvB6s5Lc1PWgJkSOCbc_EBqbq6mNnsYNryyfqyf1/s400/image+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Stress Symptoms Observed with Recent Samples</td></tr>
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<b>TREAT FOR LARGE PATCH NOW!</b><br />
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With soil temperatures starting to approach 70<span style="font-family: Symbol;">°</span>F across portions of NC, now is the time to treat for large patch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGW5ZUjkX1DSc1Cxn0ilw8qy23iO6W0gyOuf9QPxZOHFxf24FHVQgzAx5X2jjId9aqO2aPWa5Oq9UzsM31FKZyqkoVL_aMskce6Js1vnIYelazO49u0psdxVv2rBOICsTZ7h6CdrfBD59/s1600/screen-capture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGW5ZUjkX1DSc1Cxn0ilw8qy23iO6W0gyOuf9QPxZOHFxf24FHVQgzAx5X2jjId9aqO2aPWa5Oq9UzsM31FKZyqkoVL_aMskce6Js1vnIYelazO49u0psdxVv2rBOICsTZ7h6CdrfBD59/s400/screen-capture.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Average Daily Soil Temperatures as of 10/01/13 via <a href="http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/map/" target="_blank">NC State Climate Office</a></td></tr>
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Large patch, which is caused by the fungus <i>Rhizoctonia solani,</i> is a common disease of centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, and bermudagrass grown for lawns, landscapes, golf turf, and athletic fields. Centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass are particularly susceptible to severe damage from this disease.</div>
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Symptoms of large patch appear in roughly circular patches from 2 feet up to 10 feet or more in diameter. The affected turf will initially be orange, yellow, or reddish-brown in color but will then turn tan and collapse to the ground. The disease can spread rapidly to encompass large areas of turf, and distinct circular patches may not be obvious in these cases.</div>
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Fungicides are available for large patch control, but they must be applied preventatively for best results. The first application should be made in the <b>late summer</b> or <b>early fall </b>when average daily soil temperatures are 70<span style="font-family: Symbol;">°</span>F or below.<br />
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One fungicide application will control minor cases of large patch, but two to three applications on a 4 to 6 week interval may be needed to control severe cases. Fungicides are <b>not</b> very effective once the symptoms of large patch appear. Curative applications will help to reduce further spread of the disease, but the affected turf will be very slow to recover.</div>
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For more information about Large Patch, including images and specific control recommendations, click <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Large_Patch.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<b>TREAT FOR SPRING DEAD SPOT NOW</b><br />
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So, your first question may be "Why on Earth are you telling me to apply fungicides for a spring disease in the fall and for something that will not show up for another 6-7 months?!" The answer is simple. The causal fungus, <i>Ophiosphaerella</i> spp., is active RIGHT NOW and you can bet it's infecting your bermuda and zoysia grass plants as I type this blog. We know through years of research that fungicides are most effective when the soil temperatures are between 6<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">0 - 80</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">°</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">F in the fall of the year.</span><br />
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Choosing the right fungicide and applying at the right time will not result in acceptable levels of control if you do not apply them correctly. Spring dead spot infects below ground plant parts. With that being said, you must either water-in your fungicide applications IMMEDIATELY with 1/4" of irrigation or apply with a carrier volume of 5 gal/water/1,000 sq. ft. You need to be running your irrigation the moment the applicator is out of the way. Do not wait until the following evening or night with your routine irrigation schedule or else you may be severely disappointed come next spring when these grasses green back up.<br />
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Just recently we have made some fantastic discoveries with fertilizers in regards to controlling this disease without having to use fungicides at all! To learn more about this, please click <a href="http://ncstateturfpathology.blogspot.com/2011/02/nitrogen-source-impacts-spring-dead.html">here</a>.<br />
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To learn much more about spring dead spot, including control recommendations, please click <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Spring_Dead_Spot.aspx">here</a>.<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-39164373278041560702013-08-15T11:15:00.004-04:002013-08-15T11:16:31.704-04:00Now Accepting Credit Cards!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xNP2GFq2pNxm2NNVxJEutXj4caM-ocrDuhuK23bL5JL25ROEmHPBfn3IusqIPiq9Lf5eUfQ9ZvuYBMM6sGyGboUyj90dZnrxMIoUpV0v2JlVzlc1FKpccD9H6OIS3zfAB_YX-6ik_Kij/s1600/visa+mc+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xNP2GFq2pNxm2NNVxJEutXj4caM-ocrDuhuK23bL5JL25ROEmHPBfn3IusqIPiq9Lf5eUfQ9ZvuYBMM6sGyGboUyj90dZnrxMIoUpV0v2JlVzlc1FKpccD9H6OIS3zfAB_YX-6ik_Kij/s320/visa+mc+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have finally joined the rest of the world in the 21st century and can accept Master Card or Visa for services rendered through the NC State Turf Diagnostics Lab.<br />
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If you currently have an outstanding invoice with us, you can contact me via email and I will send you the payment link.<br />
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If anyone has any questions about this new option, please contact me.<br />
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Lee Butler<br />
NC State Turf Diagnostics Lab<br />
(919) 513-3878<br />
lee_butler@ncsu.eduLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-8651966942708755622013-08-01T09:21:00.001-04:002013-08-01T09:21:15.457-04:00What Disease?If I had a wooden nickel for every time someone has said the following to me in the past few weeks, I'd be able to build a raging fire ... "I bet you are swamped with samples in the clinic right now with all the rain we've had, etc. etc., etc." Actually, outside of a few oddball cases, we haven't seen or heard of any major disease problems on creeping bentgrass putting greens. The missing link has been heat stress. If we look back at our records, some of our busiest years have been those that were hotter and drier which ultimately leads to more stress on the plant therefore making them weaker and more susceptible to infection by pathogens.<br />
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One of the oddball cases we have diagnosed in the past couple weeks has been summer patch on creeping bentgrass putting greens. <span style="font-family: Cambria; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: justify;">The symptoms of summer patch appear as circular patches or rings, ranging from 6 inches to 3 feet in diameter. Turf within these patches initially turns off-colored, is prone to wilt, grows poorly, and may appear sunken in the turf stand. Over a period of a few weeks, the turf continues to decline, turns yellow or straw brown and eventually collapses to the soil surface. The outer edges of the patch are usually orange or bronze when the disease is actively developing. The patches recur in the same spot annually, and can expand at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per year.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer patch symptoms on creeping bentgrass</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The summer patch fungus attacks the roots, stolons, and rhizomes in the spring when soil temperatures reach 65°F. Summer patch symptoms are rarely seen during the early stages of disease development, instead, the symptoms appear in mid-summer after considerable damage has been done to the root system. Heat, drought stress, and nutrient deficiencies are the main factors that encourage the expression of summer patch symptoms. In North Carolina, the symptoms typically appear in early to mid-July.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">For more information about summer patch, including control recommendations, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Summer_Patch.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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Finally, if any of you are wondering about Pythium root rot, we have only diagnosed a handful of cases thus far with all of those happening within the past 7-10 days. In every case, we have found the Pythium to be active in the upper thatch layer around roots closest to the plant. With that being said, if you are treating for Pythium root rot, don't water those fungicides in TOO much. We typically recommend about an 1/8" ... which in most cases equals about 3-4 minutes with part circle heads. Either way, you may want to take the time to see just how long it takes to put that amount out.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pythium root rot following drainage route</td></tr>
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For more information about Pythium root rot, including control recommendations, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Pythium_Root_Rot.aspx" target="_blank">click here.</a></div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-65011680938609257502013-07-08T22:57:00.000-04:002013-07-09T07:44:07.381-04:00Fairy Rings and Fairy TalesFungi love water and here lately in North Carolina we've had plenty of water via record rainfall to help ensure they don't go extinct any time soon. The majority of fungi in this world are beneficial, because without these fungi we wouldn't have some of the finer things in life such as beer or <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agaricus_bisporus" target="_blank">Agaricus bisporus</a></i> that adorns salads and pizzas as a topping. However, there are plenty of them that cause problems for us in the form of plant diseases.<br />
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You name a disease of turfgrass and we have likely observed it in the field or as a sample submitted to the <a href="http://www.turfpathology.org/Pages/diagnostics.aspx" target="_blank">NC State Turf Diagnostics Lab</a> over the past 3-4 months. One that we rarely receive as a sample due to it's ease of identification is from a fairy ring. Most people associate fairy rings with mushrooms. To quote NC State alum Dr. Lee Miller, "not all fairy rings produce mushrooms and not all mushrooms produce fairy rings." This is important to remember, because if you observe mushrooms in your lawn, putting green, or croquet court, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a fairy ring problem.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fairy ring in Raleigh, NC.</td></tr>
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Fairy rings have likely peaked the interest of mankind since day one. This fascination has led to some crazy theories over the years such as fairies danced there the night before or that it was created by the fiery tail of a flying dragon. Whatever you do, don't step into the ring, collect the dew from the grass blades, or attempt to destroy it because bad luck is guaranteed to follow!</div>
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"Plucked from the Fairy Circle" - A man saves his friend from the grip of a fairy ring<span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">From British Goblins: Welsh Folklore, Fairy Mythology,Legends and Traditions (1880)</span></span></div>
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Fairy rings tend to form in circles, arcs, crescents, or broken rings. During their radial journey outward, fairy ring fungi decompose organic matter, which in turn releases nitrogen and other nutrients back into the soil for plants to take up. This is why the ring will often be darker green than the surrounding turf. The good news is that fairy ring fungi don't actually infect the turfgrass plant like brown patch, dollar spot, etc. The bad news is that they leave behind a coating on the soil particles that renders the soil hydrophobic (repels water) and may ultimately kill the turf. This is important to know when it comes to controlling the symptoms caused by fairy rings. For example, if you are treating fairy rings curatively in a home lawn situation, your best bet may be as simple as punching holes through the dead rings with something as fancy as an aerification machine or as simple as a pitchfork. Either way, you are instantly helping water penetrate the affected zone. If you are only observing green rings, then you may be able to mask them with a light fertilizer application. In severe cases or in high profile areas, you will likely want to use wetting agents and/or fungicides in addition to the aforementioned tips. </div>
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For more information about fairy rings, including control recommendations, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Fairy_Ring.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-47690500501214642252013-06-11T09:49:00.004-04:002013-06-11T09:49:44.343-04:00Guess What Now?? Brown Patch Blasting Tall Fescue in NC!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">June is in full swing and so is brown patch in tall fescue lawns and landscapes. Brown patch, caused by the fungus</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i>Rhizoctonia solani</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">, is the most common disease in tall fescue during late spring and throughout the summer months in North Carolina. Brown patch infections can start as early as April in some years with full blown outbreaks occurring by late May and early June in most years. As the name implies, symptoms are brown to tan areas of turf that are roughly circular patches that range from a few inches to several feet in diameter.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Brown Patch Lesion on Tall Fescue Leaf</td></tr>
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The two most common mistakes managers of tall fescue make are fertilizing too late or too much in late spring and over watering. Tall fescue should not be fertilized after the first of May, unless you are using ultra low rates (< 0.25 lb N/M) with iron for a color effect. The recommended amount of nitrogen on tall fescue per year is 3-4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Most people will apply a pound or two in the fall and a pound or two in the spring. When in doubt, submit a soil test to ensure you're feeding your lawn the right nutrients at the correct amounts.<br />
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Watering should be done only as needed to prevent drought stress. When you do apply irrigation, do it deep and infrequent instead of watering every day. It is a common mistake for homeowners to set their irrigation system on a schedule and forget about it. Remember, fungi love water and if you over water, you're giving the advantage to the fungi, not the turfgrass. The ideal time to water your lawn is in the early morning hours before sunrise. Irrigating during late afternoon or early evening is the worst thing you can do because this extends the leaf wetness period, however brown patch will love you for it!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNVNfE0rHUflZ1PyUIkbFG6ZdKWe-11Bra9vV-PKm1amsy11oLHhx2_IwDfZjkS23emWIP_S6-c7ZoeSSlOTNCISzMCFaNUh1tXc7Fp26nwaH5Vf5yfnk57UOnz0x4KB2jDvGlvSQU5AZ/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNVNfE0rHUflZ1PyUIkbFG6ZdKWe-11Bra9vV-PKm1amsy11oLHhx2_IwDfZjkS23emWIP_S6-c7ZoeSSlOTNCISzMCFaNUh1tXc7Fp26nwaH5Vf5yfnk57UOnz0x4KB2jDvGlvSQU5AZ/s400/DSC_0057.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Symptoms of Brown Patch in Tall Fescue</td></tr>
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Need help knowing when and how much to water your lawn? Try out our online water management tool at the following link.<br />
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<a href="http://turf-ims.ncsu.edu/">http://turf-ims.ncsu.edu/</a></div>
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For more information about brown patch, including control recommendations, please visit the following link.</div>
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<a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Brown_Patch.aspx">http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Brown_Patch.aspx</a></div>
Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-76798431224052120782013-05-08T12:19:00.000-04:002013-05-08T12:19:43.264-04:00Guess What? Pythium LOVES Water!If you've learned nothing else about turfgrass diseases, fungi love water and while not technically a fungus, the oomycete Pythium absolutely adores water. Now, you're sitting there thinking "boy, it sure has been wet lately across much of North Carolina, especially in western NC, and instead of reading this blog post, I should be firing up my sprayer and putting out something to prevent Pythium diseases." Well, if that's not the thought you had ... you better switch gears and make it happen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainfall Estimates for Last 30 Days</td></tr>
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For those of you managing bermudagrass putting greens or if you're trying to grow in a freshly seeded stand of anything, you better be on the look out for Pythium blight. We have diagnosed Pythium blight on 'Champion', 'Mini Verde', and 'Tifeagle' bermudagrass putting greens over the past couple of weeks. They are not bullet proof folks! We've also seen a lot of <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Yellow_Patch.aspx" target="_blank">yellow patch</a> on the ultradwarfs, but we'll save that for another day.<br />
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For those of you managing creeping bentgrass putting greens, you better be starting up your Pythium root rot prevention program. Two of the biggest misconceptions associated with Pythium and creeping bentgrass is that Pythium blight is common on putting green heights and Pythium root rot only occurs during the hot days of summer. <i>Both are false</i>. We rarely see Pythium blight on creeping bentgrass at putting green heights, especially if it's a well established mature stand. We have diagnosed Pythium root rot on creeping bentgrass putting greens in North Carolina in every month except the winter time.<br />
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For more information about Pythium blight and root rot, including control recommendations, visit the links below.<br />
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<a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Pythium_Blight.aspx" target="_blank">Pythium Blight</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Pythium_Root_Rot.aspx" target="_blank">Pythium Root Rot</a><br />
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<br />Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-54348936807299507842013-04-22T21:26:00.002-04:002013-04-22T21:26:35.613-04:00Dollar $pot Alert!Over the past week, we have noticed a significant increase in dollar spot activity on creeping bentgrass putting greens at the Lake Wheeler Turf Field Lab in Raleigh, NC.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BH-Txx-cT7bHWV2mvyuMKfDaHuier39XPXhm-4LpDEsDgMTJU7lXHDkw5W_7v-4Ny9m1LUgfKKNJ1Q3MqwPLQKX7QLR5zL8C_j3SJmfEfIXEqIa1Ldauaqyit4J5g-XcHyGKPPEXC4FQ/s1600/dollar+spot+creeping+bent+severe+pitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BH-Txx-cT7bHWV2mvyuMKfDaHuier39XPXhm-4LpDEsDgMTJU7lXHDkw5W_7v-4Ny9m1LUgfKKNJ1Q3MqwPLQKX7QLR5zL8C_j3SJmfEfIXEqIa1Ldauaqyit4J5g-XcHyGKPPEXC4FQ/s400/dollar+spot+creeping+bent+severe+pitting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollar Spot Symptoms on Creeping Bentgrass Putting Green</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5ERmi_753PijlEcHpsoqN0gjcvzm4EG8yeipi6ioKVl_Jp6p6nxugs4rvbjLCZN4ea9oEVwCYbazbM_5-Ob_Uy-asrVGYmCihthpD2dtDL7m8epQ4bpsP9z1fAWdYcUcx8pPVQTriT6V/s1600/DSC_1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5ERmi_753PijlEcHpsoqN0gjcvzm4EG8yeipi6ioKVl_Jp6p6nxugs4rvbjLCZN4ea9oEVwCYbazbM_5-Ob_Uy-asrVGYmCihthpD2dtDL7m8epQ4bpsP9z1fAWdYcUcx8pPVQTriT6V/s400/DSC_1846.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Active Dollar Spot Mycelium after One Night of Incubation</td></tr>
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The dollar spot fungus begins to grow and infect susceptible grasses in the spring when night temperatures exceed 50°F, even though symptoms of the disease may not appear until later in the spring or early summer. In addition, the pathogen requires extended periods of leaf wetness, 10 to 12 continuous hours. Heavy dews that often form during cool nights in the late spring or early summer are most conducive to the disease. Extended periods of wet, overcast weather can also lead to severe dollar spot epidemics on susceptible grasses. Dollar spot remains active throughout the summer in many areas, but disease activity typically slows when high temperatures consistently exceed 90°F.<br />
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Turfgrasses that are deficient in nutrients, especially nitrogen, are more prone to dollar spot and also recover from the damage more slowly than well-fertilized turf. The disease is also encouraged by drought stress, low mowing, excessive thatch accumulation, frequent irrigation, and low air movement. Certain cultivars of creeping bentgrass, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are very susceptible to dollar spot, while others are fairly tolerant.<br />
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For more information about dollar spot, including control recommendations, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Dollar_Spot.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-45154024407922576902013-04-19T15:26:00.000-04:002013-04-19T15:26:34.959-04:00It's Back! Large Patch that is ...<br />
You know it's officially spring in North Carolina when there are giant patches of brown grass in bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass. These giant patches of brown grass are better known as large patch, caused by the fungus <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i>, and if you've ever had an outbreak of this disease, you now know why the disease was coined large patch.<br />
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What you may not know however, is what your control options are this time of year. You shouldn't worry too much if you have this disease on bermudagrass. Bermudagrass tends to grow out of the damage once the temperatures are consistently warmer and the daylight longer.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Patch Symptoms on St. Augustinegrass</td></tr>
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As for our other warm-season friends, damage tends to be most severe on centipedegrass and recovery may take all summer in extreme cases. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to make for a magical recovery. We rarely recommend fungicides for large patch in the spring of the year, however in worst case scenarios, a fungicide application might help prevent the disease from spreading further. Fungicide applications are best when they are applied preventatively in the fall. If you choose to spray a fungicide this spring, don't expect a miracle to happen overnight. Also, remember that recovery will be even slower and tougher if you've applied a root pruning herbicide as your pre-emerge for summer weeds.</div>
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In most cases, the best thing is to stay the course with management practices that will encourage each type of grass to do well. In severe cases, treating damaged areas like a new establishment with light and frequent fertilizer and water inputs may help encourage faster lateral spread. This doesn't mean you should apply more fertilizer, just smaller doses more often. Applying too much fertilizer will make the disease worse this fall!</div>
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Finally, be sure to map the affected areas now while they are clearly visible. You will save yourself some money this fall by spot treating these areas instead of having to make a whole property application, since the disease tends to reappear in the same areas.</div>
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For more information about large patch, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Large_Patch.aspx">click here</a>.</div>
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For more information about warm-season grass maintenance, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Maintenance_Calendars.aspx#000016">click here</a>.</div>
Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-3317819127744609502013-03-04T09:55:00.000-05:002013-03-04T09:55:22.569-05:00Western Turf Conference March 12, 2013The annual NC Western Turf Conference is nearly a week away on Tuesday March 12, 2013. The conference will be held at the Virginia C. Boone Mountain Heritage Building at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC. There will be a wide variety of presentations on golf course, home lawn, and athletic field management. Registration and event information can be found here<br />
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<a href="http://www.cvent.com/events/2013-western-north-carolina-turfgrass-conference/event-summary-a7b7ee71439d4c73aeee50365650f89b.aspx">Western Turf Conference Info</a><br />
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In addition to presentations on insect and weed management, the turf pathology group will be discussing anthracnose and bacterial disease on putting greens, maximizing fungicide performance, and managing diseases in home lawns and athletic fields.Joseph Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16994764385164826228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-77734069083816607222013-01-30T11:47:00.000-05:002013-12-09T14:01:55.533-05:00Winter Patch Diseases Now Flocking!Recent weather patterns, as weird as they may be, have been favorable for two common winter time diseases to start showing up across portions of North Carolina. They are Microdochium patch (a.k.a. pink snow mold) and yellow patch (cool weather brown patch).<br />
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As most of you know, Microdochium patch doesn't require snow cover and isn't necessarily pink in color, although if you look at the picture below, you can see that the mycelium does indeed have a pinkish tone. Infection areas may start out as small as 2" in diameter and expand up to 12" over time. The leading edge of the patch may have a reddish brown or salmon color and the leaves in the middle will be collapsed and matted upon themselves. Also, this fungus is a heavy spore producer, so the damage may appear as if it has been spread or smeared by mowers, equipment, water, etc.<br />
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For more information about Microdochium patch, including control recommendations, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Microdochium_Patch.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinkish Flock of Microdochium Mycelium</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Microdochium Patch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITdHg0GSTMn_hf9KfY-R7WFeavjvtnxCgyrK2WNIogH2ezWMJz4siV-_r1C43BtwTe2yhK0oEaSa22DZ7ISgfcaRk8hgYvqhfSxA0mWl-z615-IKl2fqSAclF7_4NBS71bNvg46P1zTXF/s1600/IMG_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITdHg0GSTMn_hf9KfY-R7WFeavjvtnxCgyrK2WNIogH2ezWMJz4siV-_r1C43BtwTe2yhK0oEaSa22DZ7ISgfcaRk8hgYvqhfSxA0mWl-z615-IKl2fqSAclF7_4NBS71bNvg46P1zTXF/s400/IMG_0035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Microdochium Patch</td></tr>
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Yellow patch is a very common disease of cool season turfgrasses this time of year and typically causes irregular patches up to 3 feet in diameter that are yellow in color. On creeping bentgrass putting greens and other lower cut turfgrasses, it reminds me of sweat rings in an old ball cap.<br />
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For more information about yellow patch, including control recommendations, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Yellow_Patch.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Patch on Creeping Bentgrass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmhJXOC8XlIczvhaAZdUxlYbVrAw7qaryyU88bwWU82amm8FoEGvWDIu7X7kJmMEoCIV8iGPgP6ttumczvXkY9XyC6wds6Wu0St5O8vsdCeEzFCoFjH92Mrf-Av2G5EXkxqVVpFm1mdx8/s1600/image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmhJXOC8XlIczvhaAZdUxlYbVrAw7qaryyU88bwWU82amm8FoEGvWDIu7X7kJmMEoCIV8iGPgP6ttumczvXkY9XyC6wds6Wu0St5O8vsdCeEzFCoFjH92Mrf-Av2G5EXkxqVVpFm1mdx8/s400/image.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Patch on Ryegrass</td></tr>
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<br />Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-29186118087501635582012-09-26T21:34:00.002-04:002012-09-26T21:34:22.083-04:00Coming in Jan 2013: Dr. Jim Kerns!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sK6CArjbMzyskCL4j47Nw95pNs9GMBY5ZUhk0s1R1HO_GCYeJAsoFz8Wqzr6JoPraAsWW-YvyNOAKgSUF7qZopF4fz0KwKutfguyGwQQdNH6fPUF8M4YjDLB-lJrt9kfqXy61cXPtfmm/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sK6CArjbMzyskCL4j47Nw95pNs9GMBY5ZUhk0s1R1HO_GCYeJAsoFz8Wqzr6JoPraAsWW-YvyNOAKgSUF7qZopF4fz0KwKutfguyGwQQdNH6fPUF8M4YjDLB-lJrt9kfqXy61cXPtfmm/s320/Untitled.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Recently the department of plant pathology at NC State University graciously offered me the turfgrass pathology position. Turfgrass Pathology has a long, storied history dating back to Dr. L.T. Lucas. Many may know that I have a small part in the history of turfgrass pathology at NC State. I had the great pleasure to have Dr. Lane Tredway as my major advisor during my PhD while I was at NC State. There is no doubt that Lane built a Ferrari of a program and I am very much looking forward to driving this Ferrari. Undoubtedly I will drive this program in a different direction, but I assure you I will do everything I can to provide value and service to the turfgrass industry of North Carolina. </div>
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For the last 4.5 years I have built a program in turfgrass pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While there my program focused on diseases of cool-season turfgrass and in particular, dollar spot and snow molds. I built many great relationships in Wisconsin and I will miss working with the great industry there. This is a huge change moving from Wisconsin back to North Carolina and I will likely require an education from you all on what is important to you. I am very much looking forward to working with all of you and seeing what we can accomplish together. My official start date will likely be in early Janaury 2013. Prior to this, I am happy to discuss research ideas or areas of need and I have listed my current contact information below. </div>
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Jim Kerns</div>
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(608) 516-8917</div>
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jkerns0@gmail.com</div>
Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-19373375389611912012012-09-19T11:27:00.000-04:002012-09-19T11:27:26.515-04:00Treat for Large Patch Now!<br />
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With soil temperatures starting to approach 70<span style="font-family: Symbol;">°</span>F across portions of NC, now is the time to start thinking about treating for large patch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Average Daily Soil Temperatures as of 9/18/12 via <a href="http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/map/" target="_blank">NC State Climate Office</a></td></tr>
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Large patch, which is caused by the fungus <i>Rhizoctonia solani,</i> is a common disease of centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, and bermudagrass grown for lawns, landscapes, golf turf, and athletic fields. Centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass are particularly susceptible to this disease.</div>
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Symptoms of large patch appear in roughly circular patches from 2 feet up to 10 feet or more in diameter. The affected turf will initially be orange, yellow, or reddish-brown in color but will then turn tan and collapse to the ground. The disease can spread rapidly to encompass large areas of turf, and distinct circular patches may not be obvious in these cases.</div>
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Fungicides are available for large patch control, but they must be applied preventatively for best results. The first application should be made in the <b>late summer</b> or <b>early fall </b>when average daily soil temperatures are 70<span style="font-family: Symbol;">°</span>F or below.<br />
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One fungicide application will control minor cases of large patch, but two to three applications on a 4 to 6 week interval may be needed to control severe cases. Fungicides are <b>not</b> very effective once the symptoms of large patch appear. Curative applications will help to reduce further spread of the disease, but the affected turf will be very slow to recover.</div>
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<a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Large_Patch.aspx">Click here</a> for more information about Large Patch, including images and specific control recommendations.</div>
Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-6262063375622541532012-09-17T07:30:00.000-04:002012-09-17T07:30:03.002-04:00Treat for Spring Dead Spot Now!<br />
So, your first question may be "Why on Earth are you telling me to apply fungicides for a spring disease in the fall and for something that will not show up for another 6-7 months?!" The answer is simple. The causal fungus, <i>Ophiosphaerella</i> spp., is active RIGHT NOW and you can bet it's infecting your bermuda and zoysia grass plants as I type this blog. We know through years of research that fungicides are most effective when the soil temperatures are between 6<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">0 - 80</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">°</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">F in the fall of the year.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Average Daily Soil Temperatures on 9/15/12 via <a href="http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/map/" target="_blank">NC State Climate Office</a></td></tr>
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As you can see by the map above, the time is right for preventative applications. However, choosing the right fungicide and applying at the right time will not result in acceptable levels of control if you do not apply them correctly. Spring dead spot infects below ground plant parts. With that being said, you must either water-in your fungicide applications IMMEDIATELY with 1/4" of irrigation or apply with a carrier volume of 5 gal/water/1,000 sq. ft. You need to be running your irrigation the moment the applicator is out of the way. Do not wait until the following evening or night with your routine irrigation schedule or else you may be severely disappointed come next spring when these grasses green back up.<br />
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Just recently we have made some fantastic discoveries with fertilizers in regards to controlling this disease without having to use fungicides at all! To learn more about this, please click <a href="http://ncstateturfpathology.blogspot.com/2011/02/nitrogen-source-impacts-spring-dead.html">here</a>.<br />
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Also, if you haven't heard, Rubigan will be coming off the market in December of 2012. Rubigan is one of the better fungicides available for spring dead spot control. To learn more about this, click <a href="http://www.turfdiseases.org/southeast/what-will-we-do-when-rubigan-is-rubi-gone/">here</a>.<br />
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To learn much more about spring dead spot, including control recommendations and images, please click <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Spring_Dead_Spot.aspx">here</a>.</div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-16544871682784424642012-08-24T10:15:00.000-04:002012-08-24T10:15:35.942-04:0015 Minutes of Fame for Leaf Spot<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">After looking back through prior alerts and posts, I discovered that leaf spot diseases have never made the cut, until now. Recent weather patterns of cloudy and rainy weather across much of North Carolina have been perfect for foliar diseases such as Bipolaris leaf spot and gray leaf spot.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bipolaris Leaf Spot on Bermudagrass</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We have received several samples of bermudagrass in the past week that were devastated by the fungus <i>Bipolaris cynodontis</i>. Bipolaris leaf spot is most severe on turf that is growing slowly due to adverse weather conditions or improper management practices. Shaded areas with little or no air movement result in weak turf and extended periods of leaf wetness that favor disease development. Deficient or excessive nitrogen, excessive thatch, extended periods of leaf wetness, drought stress, and low mowing heights are factors that encourage the development of leaf spot diseases. These fungi may spread to the crowns and roots and cause melting out, which is most severe during periods of hot weather. For more information about leaf spot, including control recommendations, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Leaf_Spot.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We have also received several samples of gray leaf spot on St. Augustinegrass here at the NC State TDL. </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: justify;">Proper mowing practices are most important for gray leaf spot management in St. Augustinegrass. This grass must be mowed frequently during the summer months to remove excess leaf tissue, keep the canopy open and dry, and remove developing gray leaf spot lesions. Collecting clippings reduces spread of the disease when gray leaf spot symptoms are evident. Apply nitrogen and other nutrients as recommended to maintain vigorous foliar growth during the summer months. Excessive shade, in addition to promoting leaf wetness, slows St. Augustinegrass growth and enhances gray leaf spot problems. </span>For more information about leaf spot, including control recommendations, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Gray_Leaf_Spot.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>
Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-82892712295867627052012-07-23T19:15:00.000-04:002012-07-23T19:15:16.319-04:00The Rundown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a relatively quiet June at the NC State Turf Diagnostics Lab, turf samples have been rolling in during the month of July. Right after the record breaking heat wave experienced by North Carolina and much of the country, it seemed as if delivery trucks were backing up and dumping cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes chocked full of ailing turfgrass samples.<br />
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One of the most common questions I get from golf course superintendents that I speak with on a weekly basis is "What are you seeing in the lab?" Well, here you go! Here's a rundown of the most common diagnoses we've made over the past two weeks.<br />
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<b>Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens</b><br />
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<li>Pythium root rot</li>
<li>Fairy ring</li>
<li>"Warm-weather" brown patch (<i>Rhizoctonia zeae)</i></li>
<li>Yellow spot</li>
<li>Anthracnose</li>
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<b><u>Home Lawns</u></b></div>
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<b>Zoysiagrass</b></div>
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<li>Curvularia leaf spot</li>
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<b>Bermudagrass</b></div>
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<li>Heat/drought stress</li>
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<b>Tall Fescue</b></div>
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<li>Brown patch</li>
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<br /></div>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-8547423711733611552012-06-20T22:35:00.001-04:002012-06-20T22:41:48.662-04:00Summer Solstice Welcomes Brown Patch<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">June is in full swing and so is brown patch in tall fescue lawns and landscapes. Brown patch, caused by the fungus</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i>Rhizoctonia solani</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">, is the most common disease in tall fescue during late spring and throughout the summer months in North Carolina. Brown patch infections can start as early as April in some years with full blown outbreaks occurring by late May and early June in most years. As the name implies, symptoms are brown to tan areas of turf that are roughly circular patches that range from a few inches to several feet in diameter.</span><br />
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The two most common mistakes managers of tall fescue make are fertilizing too late or too much in late spring and over watering. Tall fescue should not be fertilized after the first of May, unless you are using ultra low rates (< 0.25 lb N/M) with iron for a color effect. The recommended amount of nitrogen on tall fescue per year is 3-4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Most people will apply a pound or two in the fall and a pound or two in the spring. When in doubt, submit a soil test to ensure you're feeding your lawn the right nutrients at the correct amounts.<br />
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Watering should be done only as needed to prevent drought stress. When you do apply irrigation, do it deep and infrequent instead of watering every day. It is a common mistake for homeowners to set their irrigation system on a schedule and forget about it. Remember, fungi love water and if you over water, you're giving the advantage to the fungi, not the turfgrass. The ideal time to water your lawn is in the early morning hours before sunrise. Irrigating during late afternoon or early evening is the worst thing you can do because this extends the leaf wetness period, however brown patch will love you for it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Symptoms of Brown Patch in Tall Fescue</td></tr>
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Need help knowing when and how much to water your lawn? Try out our online water management tool at the following link.<br />
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<a href="http://turf-ims.ncsu.edu/">http://turf-ims.ncsu.edu/</a></div>
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For more information about brown patch, including control recommendations, please visit the following link.</div>
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<br /></div>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-70220559018270200462012-05-25T14:07:00.000-04:002012-05-25T14:07:22.223-04:00Pythium Root Rot: History Repeating?<br />
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The summer of 2010 shouldn't be too distant of a memory for most and if you remember correctly, most of NC ended May on a very wet note. This was followed by one of the hottest summers on record. This series of events led to widespread cases of Pythium root rot on creeping bentgrass putting greens, especially for those who did little to nothing to protect their roots from Pythium during May.</div>
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With all that being said, you should be applying products for Pythium root rot prevention <b>RIGHT NOW</b>. Doing so now will save you money and headaches come summer.</div>
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For more information about Pythium root rot, including control recommendations, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Pythium_Root_Rot.aspx">click here</a>.</div>
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Remember that Pythium root rot is a soil disease, so you MUST water your applications in to be effective.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>May 2012 Rainfall Total</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>May 2011 Rainfall Total</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GgDZvkf0-iarN_meVej62ie4vfv0Epp7pp7cRXYWyqVlPMtz_3LuJfsTDeUGXAxPIzto5eI5NaA0JdNFuCSwOxO0saQwdIuRtMPGaJw4MW7xmDF0Bgxkqw8Xqg90g85eaO1-Dtakdr8R/s1600/screen-capture-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GgDZvkf0-iarN_meVej62ie4vfv0Epp7pp7cRXYWyqVlPMtz_3LuJfsTDeUGXAxPIzto5eI5NaA0JdNFuCSwOxO0saQwdIuRtMPGaJw4MW7xmDF0Bgxkqw8Xqg90g85eaO1-Dtakdr8R/s400/screen-capture-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>May 2010 Rainfall Total</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-24881787716285889862012-04-25T16:00:00.000-04:002012-05-02T15:51:33.184-04:00Severe Large Patch Outbreaks in NC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNQ4oxwgM8xmIZqmeyivq1bwFOGpmDpBLT4ow4IJ9rxvnSh8MtPwmUYJsaA84I7kSJ7ndBvMllu7KkpaBjPj6xjdTXLJLNbvRXSrnWQQddmcngrj9LX0elh9pld3qggAXnsblm6hoy4x9/s1600/DSC_0218.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598467385565347778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNQ4oxwgM8xmIZqmeyivq1bwFOGpmDpBLT4ow4IJ9rxvnSh8MtPwmUYJsaA84I7kSJ7ndBvMllu7KkpaBjPj6xjdTXLJLNbvRXSrnWQQddmcngrj9LX0elh9pld3qggAXnsblm6hoy4x9/s320/DSC_0218.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 213px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
You know it's officially spring in North Carolina when there are giant patches of brown grass in bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass. These giant patches of brown grass are better known as large patch, caused by the fungus <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i>, and if you've ever had an outbreak of this disease, you now know why the disease was coined large patch.<br />
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What you may not know however, is what your control options are this time of year. You shouldn't worry too much if you have this disease on bermudagrass. Bermudagrass tends to grow out of the damage once the temperatures are consistently warmer and the daylight longer.</div>
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As for our other warm-season friends, damage tends to be most severe on centipedegrass and recovery may take all summer in extreme cases. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to make for a magical recovery. We rarely recommend fungicides for large patch in the spring of the year, however in worst case scenarios, a fungicide application might help prevent the disease from spreading further. Fungicide applications are best when they are applied preventatively in the fall. If you choose to spray a fungicide this spring, don't expect a miracle to happen overnight. Also, remember that recovery will be even slower and tougher if you've applied a DNA type of herbicide as your pre-emerge for summer weeds.</div>
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In most cases, the best thing is to stay the course with management practices that will encourage each type of grass to do well. In severe cases, treating damaged areas like a new establishment with light and frequent fertilizer and water inputs may help encourage faster lateral spread. This doesn't mean you should apply more fertilizer, just smaller doses more often. Applying too much fertilizer will make the disease worse this fall!</div>
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Finally, be sure to map the affected areas now while they are clearly visible. You will save yourself some money this fall by spot treating these areas instead of having to make a whole property application, since the disease tends to reappear in the same areas.</div>
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For more information about large patch, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Large_Patch.aspx">click here</a>.</div>
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For more information about warm-season grass maintenance, <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Maintenance_Calendars.aspx#000016">click here</a>.</div>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-83442414280247922782012-01-17T16:20:00.000-05:002012-01-17T16:20:49.636-05:00Status Update: The Show Will Go OnBeginning February 1, I've accepted a new position with Syngenta as a Senior Technical Field Representative for Turf and Landscape. I'll be covering the Southeastern US and will stay in the Raleigh area.<br />
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The Turf Pathology Program at NC State has a long, proud history, dating back to the 1970s with Leon Lucas. I wanted to assure everyone that this program will continue to operate as normal (perhaps even better without my interference) during the transition period until the faculty position can be refilled:<br />
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.turfpathology.org/Pages/butler.aspx" target="_blank">Lee Butler</a> will continue to oversee the Turf Diagnostics Lab as he has since 2005. For information on how to submit a sample, visit the website <a href="http://www.turfpathology.org/" target="_blank">www.turfpathology.org</a>. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.turfpathology.org/Pages/soika.aspx" target="_blank">Mike Soika</a> will continue to run the <a href="http://www.turfpathology.org/Pages/fungicide_evaluation.aspx" target="_blank">Fungicide Evaluation Program</a> to gather valuable data on the performance of new and experimental fungicides.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.turfpathology.org/Pages/bangya_ma.aspx" target="_blank">Bangya Ma</a>, <a href="http://www.turfpathology.org/Pages/alex_putman.aspx" target="_blank">Alex Putman</a>, and <a href="http://www.turfpathology.org/Pages/joseph_roberts.aspx" target="_blank">Joseph Roberts</a> will continue their research on dollar spot, bentgrass etiolation, and other important problems in the turfgrass industry today.</li>
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</div><div>I want to sincerely thank everyone in the turfgrass industry for your support since my arrival in 2002. It has been a pleasure to work with all of you, and I am proud to look back on what we've been able to accomplish together. I am looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead and to maintaining a close relationship with this great industry in my new role with Syngenta.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-32898318510641094322011-10-26T12:49:00.000-04:002011-10-31T23:49:20.514-04:00Pythium blight of bermudagrass putting greens<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3tHmcpirjQZyXsBZKedwdvfOn9G5-8ammlh4LWYULKgKPS-mCXg3Urb09HWoULCME3LpoczdwknCczw5frTOWXnfsRBOgnSOrHr8KoUwlyTdq9OhJjizPiNaND6UdaVTYFUBrjKpE3g/s1600/pythium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3tHmcpirjQZyXsBZKedwdvfOn9G5-8ammlh4LWYULKgKPS-mCXg3Urb09HWoULCME3LpoczdwknCczw5frTOWXnfsRBOgnSOrHr8KoUwlyTdq9OhJjizPiNaND6UdaVTYFUBrjKpE3g/s320/pythium.jpg" width="320" /></a>Following recent periods of wet, cloudy weather we've had several reports of a disease appearing on bermudagrass putting greens. The symptoms are a rapid foliar blight that initially has a purple coloration but then fades to tan. Spread on mowers or in drainage patterns usually occurs as well. Many superintendents assume that this is leaf spot, which of course is a common bermudagrass disease during wet weather in the fall. I have to admit that the first time I saw this I also thought it was leaf spot. But I was wrong - it is Pythium blight.<br />
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Pythium blight in October? Yes, you read it correctly, it is Pythium blight in October.<br />
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There are a lot of <i>Pythium</i> species that can infect grasses. Most people are familiar with <i>P. aphanidermatum</i> that causes Pythium blight on the cool season grasses during hot summer weather. However, there are other Pythium species that grow during cool or cold weather. We don't know what species is causing this outbreak yet, but obviously it grows well during cool weather and has a competitive advantage over the bermudagrass under these conditions.<br />
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Fungicide treatments may not always be necessary to control Pythium blight on bermudagrass, as dry and sunny weather usually put a stop to it very quickly. However, if the forecast is calling for extended periods of wet and cloudy weather, an application might be a good idea. Any strong Pythium fungicide should do a good job.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201286582427049657.post-85214877744192277312011-09-23T14:31:00.000-04:002011-09-23T16:56:35.908-04:00It's Officially Fall! Treat Now for Spring Dead Spot!So, your first question may be "Why on Earth are you telling me to apply fungicides for a spring disease in the fall and for something that will not show up for another 6-7 months?!" The answer is simple. The causal fungus, <i>Ophiosphaerella</i> spp., is active RIGHT NOW and you can bet it's infecting your bermuda and zoysia grass plants as I type this blog. We know through years of research that fungicides are most effective when the soil temperatures are between 6<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">0 - 80</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">°</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">F in the fall of the year.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Average Daily Soil Temperature on 9/22/2011 via <a href="http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/map/">NC State Climate Office</a></td></tr>
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As you can see by the map above, the time is right for preventative applications. However, choosing the right fungicide and applying at the right time will not result in acceptable levels of control if you do not apply them correctly. Spring dead spot infects below ground plant parts. With that being said, you must either water-in your fungicide applications IMMEDIATELY with 1/4" of irrigation or apply with a carrier volume of 5 gal/water/1,000 sq. ft. You need to be running your irrigation the moment the applicator is out of the way. Do not wait until the following evening or night with your routine irrigation schedule or else you may be severely disappointed come next spring when these grasses green back up.<br />
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Just recently we have made some fantastic discoveries with fertilizers in regards to controlling this disease without having to use fungicides at all! To learn more about this, please click <a href="http://ncstateturfpathology.blogspot.com/2011/02/nitrogen-source-impacts-spring-dead.html">here</a>.<br />
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Also, if you haven't heard, Rubigan will be coming off the market in December of 2012. Rubigan is one of the better fungicides available for spring dead spot control. To learn more about this, click <a href="http://www.turfdiseases.org/southeast/what-will-we-do-when-rubigan-is-rubi-gone/">here</a>.<br />
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To learn much more about spring dead spot, including control recommendations and images, please click <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Spring_Dead_Spot.aspx">here</a>.<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477622376114341322noreply@blogger.com0