Seminar focuses on healthy turfgrass

Dr. Joe Vargas led seminars on growing healthier turf and managing turfgrass diseases at Reinders 17th Turf and Irrigation Conference, March 16 and 17, in Waukesha, Wisc. Vargas’ presentation showed attendees how to (and how not to) topdress a green with sand.

With improved tines, Vargas said it is possible to aerify 12.5 percent of a green’s area, instead of the 5 percent previously done. The process should be followed by a heavy layer of sand and then lighter sand, according to Vargas.
He stressed committing to sand topdressing instead of just “trying” it. Cutaway slides showed the negative results of superintendents who tried topdressing with sand and then went back to another medium, or of superintendents who employed alternate methods from one season to the next. The different layers of topdressing materials caused root problems and resulted in unhealthy turf.

Vargas capped his first seminar by stressing the difficulty in dealing with moss. He noted that moss has been with us for 350 million years and shows no signs of leaving any time soon. Most herbicides are not effective because moss has no roots. Also, moss does not need a lot of sun or water to exist. Vargas suggests superintendents avoid voids in their greens – where moss can thrive.

Vargas addressed managing other problems on greens. An issue superintendents in the north face is ice damage. Greens across the North are covered with ice for months at a time. He suggests chipping away the ice and removing it completely to counter the possible damage. The next best thing, according to Vargas, is to do nothing. Clearing the ice but leaving behind additional wet spots can lead to greater damage. If possible, Vargas advises superintendents to cover the greens with a tarp at season’s end and lay straw over that. This will go a long way in regulating the temperature and protecting the surface.

Vargas also spoke on controlling dollar spot, pythium blight, anthracnose and fairy ring. Fairy ring can occur in any season and on all turfs. According to Vargas, Prostar and Heritage are effective in combating this problem.
Approximately 1,700 people from all facets of the green industry attended the Reinders show. Golf course superintendents in attendance were able to earn GCSAA credits to help maintain their CGCS status.