Supers are well aware of the dangers of summer heat and sun stress on turf, but what other sources of stress are present that might not immediately be considered and planned for?
Rob Golembiewski: Some of the most common sources of stress I’ve seen are: drought stress, nutrient deficiencies, low mowing heights, aggressive maintenance practices (like verticutting), use of plant growth regulators, traffic/wear stress, new emerging turf pests and new greens committees with what are, at times, unrealistic expectations.
What’s a common misconception superintendents have about summer turf stress?
Often, superintendents associate summer stress with recent management practices or environmental conditions. However, it’s also important to consider the impact that their actions or the weather may have had as far back as that previous winter or spring.
How long does it take for stress to damage turf and impact its appearance and playability?
Stress may result in turf damage within a day, a week or even longer. There are countless factors that contribute to turf stress, but the timing of resulting damage relies a lot on the agronomic program in place and overall turf health heading into stressful periods.
How quickly can stressed turf bounce back?
Stressed turf can bounce back within a day or two, or it could take up to several months. It all depends on the conditions when the stress occurred. For example, are there other stresses amplifying the situation? What was the overall health of the turf heading into the stress? What were the environmental conditions after the stressful period? Were you able to reduce the intensity level at which the turf was being managed? Height of cut, increasing fertility level, maintaining adequate moisture levels, rolling and so forth can affect how well turf is able to recover.
What are the best preventative measures to take to counter summer stress?
Best practices to manage turf stress include: maximizing turf health in the spring when growing conditions are ideal for cool-season turf, focusing on achieving optimal root growth through aerification and adequate fertility, acclimating the turf for summer conditions and, finally, applying fungicides to manage turf diseases that express themselves in the summer but are typically active in the spring – even though we do not see symptoms.
When it comes to selecting fungicides, it’s important to look beyond the active ingredient and to consider additional benefits that can be provided. For example, Bayer products with Stressgard Formulation Technology are scientifically proven to mitigate harmful UV radiation, enhance photosynthesis, and reduce oxidative stress. Combined, those benefits result in a healthier turf plant that is better able to mitigate summer stress. On a similar note, products with enhancements such as Leaf-Cote Technology, found in Exteris Stressgard, can offer additional benefits. Leaf-Cote ensures substantially more product retention on the leaf surface than traditional fungicides, sticking to the leaf where it’s needed most – at the site of fungal activity.
What are the best measures to take once the stress has occurred?
Your main goal would be to minimize any management practices that may cause undue stress on the turf – height of cut, frequency of mowing, use of PGRs, alleviating moisture stress, ensuring any diseases are kept in check and increasing fertility if needed.
There’s been a lot of discussion in the industry about plant health and how thick, long roots and strong vascular pathways go a long way toward warding off common diseases. How susceptible is stressed, damaged turf to disease?
Stressed turf is very susceptible to turf pathogens. The stressed turf is in a weakened state meaning that it is much less likely to fend off pathogen infections. The bottom line is that turf diseases will only amplify the deterioration of stressed turf.
Let’s say I have an important tournament scheduled for mid-July. What should I be doing right now to ensure the strongest turf possible?
Two things. First, integrate cultural practices that promote healthy, dense turf with extensive root systems. This could include things like needle-tining, adequate fertility, proper heights of cut and alternating mowing and rolling. The second would be a well thought out spray program to ensure pest control and optimal plant health.
In combating and countering summer turf stress, what must be considered when strategizing chemical and cultural strategies?
Superintendents should assess everything they are doing to determine whether or not their cultural practices and chemical strategies will aid in recovery or potentially hinder the speed of recovery. It’s really best to consider all facets, rather than relying on a program that was assembled in the winter under the assumption that everything goes according to the plan. As anyone could attest to, that’s rarely the case.
How do you best communicate turf stress issues to members? Essentially, what can you do to keep your job?
The key is to communicate honestly and openly regarding what is taking place. In other words, Mother Nature plays a big part in what may be occurring and unexpected turf pests can just amplify the situation. The bottom line is that you want to communicate what is being observed, share the reasons for the turf stress and offer the plan of action going forward. You can also outline what they may be able to do to assist in the recovery – such as using cart paths only and proper entry on and off a green. It’s also important to offer a realistic time frame as to when the turf should be back to the playing conditions that they are accustomed to.