With precipitation patterns matching those of 2010's "Summer From Hell," NC State researchers caution that superintendents should be treating now for Pythium root rot.
May 2012 Rainfall Totals
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May 2011 Rainfall totals
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May 2010 Rainfall totals
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Our friends at NC State recently posted the following on their Turf Pathology blog:
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.
With all that being said, you should be applying products for Pythium root rot prevention RIGHT NOW. Doing so now will save you money and headaches come summer.
For more information about Pythium root rot, including control recommendations, click here.
Remember that Pythium root rot is a soil disease, so you MUST water your applications in to be effective.
Here are links to some GCI articles on Pythium root rot:
Preparing for Pythium
Pythium myths
Here are links to feature on 2010's Summer From Hell:
Surviving the summer from hell
Just do it
Dustin’s inferno
Rising to the challenge