the Fate of Field Paspalum Control - The Paginator

MANAGING
SUMMER DECLINE
in Creeping Bentgrass Greens
ARE FREEDOM LAWNS
ENVIRONMENTALLY
RESPONSIBLE?
SMOOTH CRABGRASS
CONTROL in Tall Fescue
with Commercial Products
Without
MSMA...
the Fate of Field Paspalum Control

8
16 22 26
CONTENTS • Summer 2011
08 TURF TALK
Without MSMA… the Fate
of Field Paspalum Control
16 FEATURE STORY
Are Freedom Lawns
Environmentally Responsible?
22 APPLIED RESEARCH
Smooth Crabgrass Control
in Tall Fescue with
Commercial Products
26 GREEN LIGHT ON GOLF
Managing Summer Decline
in Creeping Bentgrass Greens
DEPARTMENTS
06 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
25 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
30 UNIVERSITY OF
MD TURF TEAM
30 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
30 ADVERTISERS INDEX
4 MTC TURF NEWS

MARYLAND
TURFGRASS
COUNCIL
12 Pressie Lane | Churchville, MD 21028
(240) 413-4312 | www.mdturfcouncil.org
MTC Turf News is published
quarterly for the MTC by:
Leading Edge
Communications, LLC
206 Bridge St.
Franklin, TN 37064
615-790-3718 ( phone)
615-794-4524 (fax)
info@leadingedge
communications.com
2011 BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Vernon W. Cooper
All States Turf Consultant
St. Michaels, MD
410-745-9643 (office)
443-742-6618 (cell)
vernon@allstatesturf.com
VICE PRESIDENT
Lester Dubs
Pasadena, MD
443-623-1745 (cell)
ldubs@verizon.net
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Cheryl A. Gaultney
Churchville, MD
410-836-2876 (home)
410-322-8275 (cell)
sandqueen10@aol.com
PAST PRESIDENT
Nick Gammill
American University
W. Hyattsville, MD
202-885-2340 (office)
202-498-8020 (cell)
ngammill@american.edu
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Michelle LoConte
Montgomery Village, MD
301-990-0196 (office)
240-597-1420 (fax)
mdturfcouncil@verizon.net
THREE YEAR
DIRECTORS
Harry Kenney
Agrium Advanced
Technologies
Ellicott City, MD
800-235-6138
410-375-6148 (cell)
hkenney@agriumat.com
Bob Shumate
Calvert Co. Parks & Rec.
Prince Frederick, MD
410-535-1600, ext 2225
410-610-9007 (cell)
shumatrr@co.cal.md.us
Bill Warpinski
Central Sod Farms
Centreville, MD
800-866-1387
410-827-5000
billw@centralsod.com
TWO YEAR DIRECTORS
Randall Pinckney
Manor Country Club
Rockville, MD
301-929-1707
240-286-1989 (cell)
rpinckney@mail.manorcc.org
Jamie Roell
Anne Arundel Co.
Rec. & Parks
Millersville, MD
410-222-6250
443-370-2582 (cell)
rproel09@aacounty.org
OPEN
ONE-YEAR DIRECTORS
Rick LaNore
MRW Lawns, Inc.
LaPlata, MD
301-870-3411 (office)
301-609-1852 (cell)
rick127928@rocketmail.com
Bill Patton, Sr.
Turf Center Lawns
Spencerville, MD
301-384-9300 (office)
301-980-3094 (cell)
turfcenterlawns@yahoo.com
Kevin Monaco
Turf Equip & Supply
Jessup, MD 20794
410-799-5575 (office)
443-250-1182 (cell)
kevinmonaco@turfequipment.com
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SUMMER 2011
5

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
WHAT A
SPRING,
and What We Accomplished!
What a spring we have had!! Back in March, the owner of a lawncare
company called me to ask, “What the heck is going on? Why am I
having to treat dandelions way before I am even thinking of applying
pre-emergent herbicides for summer annual grass control? This certainly is not
a normal spring.”
Hmmm… a “normal” spring. I am not sure I remember or even know what
a normal spring is anymore. I have been working in turfgrass for 37 years and
cannot remember two springs being the same. We have all chosen to live and
work here in the center of the “transition zone” where our climate is not fit for
any grass to grow without professional help, which keeps us all in business. I
still remember the first two sentences uttered at the beginning of my first turfgrass
class at the University of Maryland many years ago. Dr. Jack Hall started
the class by saying, “If you can professionally manage turfgrass in Maryland for
five years and keep your job, you can work anywhere in the United States.” He
also commented, “The best grass in Maryland is green concrete.” Thank goodness
we have such a dedicated group of professionals who are determined to
make turfgrass not only survive but flourish.
Not only are we constantly battling Mother Nature, but we often have to
battle the knuckleheads in Annapolis and the federal EPA — both think turfgrass
is the root of all evil and is the cause for the ruination of the Chesapeake Bay.
I am not convinced they all think turfgrass is this ultimate polluter. I think some
are just lazy and think turfgrass is an easy target because it is made up of a
bunch of little companies running around competing with each other. Little did
they know that these little companies have a big umbrella watching over them,
and that umbrella is called the MTC.
This legislative year, Delegates Hubbard, Babe and Clagett and Delegates
Braveboy, Frush, Penna-Melnyk, Wood and Glenn decided to sponsor The Fertilizer
Use Act (HB 573). This was part of the answer to the EPA to show that
Maryland was making strides to meet the EPA’s arbitrary standards for nitrogen
and phosphorus loads entering the Chesapeake Bay. I say arbitrary because
neither the EPA’s standards nor the proposed Maryland legislation were based
upon sound scientific bases but instead were being driven mostly by politics.
Fortunately, organizations like RISE and the MTC follow legislation that will
affect any of our members. A special thanks must go out to Mark Schlossberg
(a former MTC president), Rick LaNore (also a former MTC president and a
current board member) and others
who spent hours and days testifying
before legislative committees, meeting
with individual state Senators and
Delegates, sending emails to keep us
all informed and leading letter-writing,
email and phone campaigns, all in
order to develop legislation with
some semblance of common sense.
The essence of this legislation is
probably best explained by Mark
Schlossberg, president of Pro-Lawn-
Plus, Inc./M.A.G.I. (MD Assoc. of
Green Industries, Inc.), in an email
after the last session of the General
Assembly on April 11, 2011:
The Fertilizer Use Act was passed
tonight in the Maryland General
Assembly on the final day of the
session as HB 573. Though this
bill will cost our industry some
money and change the way we do
business somewhat, I feel like the
adjustments we have to make will
not jeopardize our businesses and
golf courses. And the fact that we
now will have fertilizer pre-emption
means that we won’t have to worry
about local jurisdictions making
their own fertilizer laws. We were
able to get the final date for fall
N and P applications extended to
December 1st. We’ll still be able
to apply K and limestone between
6 MTC TURF NEWS

December 1st and March 1st. We
were able to get allowances for
controlled-release nitrogen at higher
rates and an exemption for organic
fertilizer P applications. From
my understanding of the bills, the
certification/training portion will
take effect in October 2012, and
the date restrictions will not take
place until the fall of 2013.
I will get more clarification and
details from the Department over
the next few weeks, and I’m sure
this will be discussed in the training
sessions UMD puts on in the
fall and winter.
One final note: one of the reasons
we supported this legislation was that
we as an industry wanted to get the
message out to some of our allies —
like the farm community, soil-conservation
people and the general public
— that we are willing to do our part.
We might not feel that the changes
required in the bill will help the Bay.
Now, though, we will be able to say
that we are willing to contribute to
the reduction of N and P output.
I want to thank everyone who came
to Annapolis for meetings, called and
emailed legislators, acquiesced on
issues that they really didn’t want to,
etc. I feel our support of this legislation
will help us immensely in the future
when there are bills introduced that
we oppose.
I guess time will tell.
Fortunately, the enforcement of this
legislation will be the Department of
Agriculture, which with the University
of Maryland must develop a training
and certification program for
“certified applicators.”
The MTC will work with the
Department of Agriculture to develop
and present as much information as
possible at our January Turfgrass
Conference. Stand by — more is
to come!
Vernon W. Cooper
MTC President
SUMMER 2011
7

TURF TALK
By Peter H. Dernoeden, Ph.D., and Christopher P. Ryan, Dept. of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland
ield or smooth paspalum
(Paspalum laeve Michx.) is an
increasing weed problem in
turfgrass sites in Maryland. Field
paspalum is a warm-season perennial
that has a bunch-type growth habit,
but plants may develop one or two
short (1.5 to 2.0 cm) rhizomes. Vernation
is folded, and foliage is typically
grayish green or yellow green. Leaves
and sheaths are hairy and have a short
(1.0 to 2.0 mm) membranous ligule.
Paspalum rapidly spreads by
seed. Seedheads appear in late summer
(usually September), and spikelets are
formed opposite on the inflorescence.
Seeds are distinctly disk shaped (i.e.,
round, with flat sides).
This species often is confused with
dallisgrass (P. dilatatum Poir.), which
is not as commonly found as field
paspalum as far north as Maryland.
The distribution of dallisgrass in
Maryland has not been assessed in
recent years, but it is believed to
be now more commonplace than
previously reported.
The new control problem
Since the 1960s, monosodium and
disodium methanearsonates (MSMA
and DSMA) have been used on turf to
control field paspalum, dallisgrass
and crabgrass (Digitaria spp.). MSMA
and DSMA are organic forms of
arsenic that are relatively non-toxic
and are considered less toxic than
aspirin. (Inorganic forms of arsenic,
like calcium arsenate, are highly toxic
and were banned from use on turf
several decades ago.)
DSMA was withdrawn from the
market several years ago. On December
31, 2010, the EPA cancelled registration
of MSMA use for residential,
commercial and sports turf maintenance.
Existing stocks of MSMA,
however, may be used legally on residential,
commercial and sports fields
until December 31, 2013. Sale of all
products containing MSMA for use
on golf courses, sod farms and highway
right-of-ways will end on December
31, 2012, and use of existing
8 MTC TURF NEWS

stocks on golf courses after December
31, 2013, will be prohibited. The EPA
also has restricted the use of MSMA
to spot applications, and other restrictions
apply (U.S. EPA, 2009).
MSMA and DSMA were the only
known effective and selective herbicides
for use on many cool-season
grasses for control of dallisgrass, field
paspalum and other Paspalum spp.
Hence, new herbicides need to be
identified for controlling these turfinvading
Paspalum spp.
Our research
The search for alternative herbicides
for control of field paspalum began
at the University of Maryland Paint
Branch Turfgrass Research Facility
in College Park in 2009. We conducted
three separate field studies in
2009 and 2010. In 2009, we assessed
Fusilade II T&O (fluazifop-P), Segment
(sethoxydim) and Round-up
(gylphosate) in an unimproved site of
perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass.
In 2010, we evaluated Fusilade
II, Velocity (bispyribac-sodium),
Dismiss (sulfentrazone) and Certainty
(sulfosulfuron) in a mature stand of
tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea).
Also in 2010, we assessed Tenacity
(mesotrione) and Tupersan (siduron)
as preemergence treatments in springseeded
stands of tall fescue, hard
fescue (F. brevipilia) and perennial
ryegrass (Lolium perenne).
In both 2010 studies, the herbicide
treatments were applied for purposes
other than targeting field paspalum.
Once some level of field paspalum
control became evident in the 2010
sites, however, data were collected
despite paspalum not being the
main target.
Herbicides were applied in 50 gallons
of water per acre using a CO2
powered (35 psi) backpack sprayer
Photo 1. Field paspalum is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass.
Photo 2. Field paspalum on a bentgrass tee.
Summary of Key Findings
• Fusilade II appears to be an alternative
to MSMA for postemergence
control of field paspalum
in tall fescue turf.
• Fusilade II also is known to be
safe to use in hard fescue, but
more research needs to confirm
if other turfgrass species are
tolerant of the herbicide.
• More research is needed to identify
effective Fusilade II label use
rates and timings. The Fusilade II
label would have to be amended
to include Paspalum spp.
• Postemergence applications of
Certainty, Dismiss and Velocity
alone were ineffective in controlling
field paspalum, but a tank
mix of Velocity + Dismiss showed
some promise.
• Preemergence applications of
Tenacity and Tupersan to spring
seedbeds provided significant
reductions of field paspalum
development from seed, but
many plants did escape.
• Certainty was extremely phototoxic
to tall fescue and is labeled
for selective tall fescue control
in Kentucky bluegrass turf.
SUMMER 2011
9

TURF TALK • continued
equipped with an 8004E flat fan nozzle.
Fusilade II and Tenacity were tankmixed
with 0.25% v/v of Activator 90
non-ionic surfactant (NIS) in 2009 and
2010. Rates and dates of application
are noted below.
Field paspalum cover was assessed
visually using a 0% to 100% scale,
where 0 = no paspalum and 100 =
entire plot area covered by paspalum.
In the 2010 postemergence study, the
number of field paspalum plants in
each plot also were counted. In the
2010 postemergence study, turf quality
was visually assessed using a 0 to
10 scale, where 0 = entire plot area
brown/dead and 10 = optimum green
color and turf density. Tall fescue
injury was assessed once in 2010 using
a 0 to 5 scale, where 0 = no injury,
2.5 = objectionable and unacceptable
injury and 5 = entire plot was
brown/dead.
Photo 3. Grayish-green field paspalum in a tall fescue lawn.
Table 1. Postemergence control of field paspalum in an unimproved site in
College Park, MD, 2009.
Cover
Rate % field paspalum % turf
Treatment* (lb. ai/A) Aug. 3 Aug. 28
Segment 1L 0.47 6 b** 27 a
Fusilade II T & O 2L 0.375 0 c 48 a
Tenacity 4SC + Fusilade II
0.187
+ 0.375
0 c 67 a
Round-up 3L 0.18 15 b 42 a
Untreated – 78 a 37 a
** All herbicides were applied on June 10, 2009.
** Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to
Fisher’s protected LSD, P = 0.05.
Our 2009 results
On June 10, Fusilade II (0.375 lb.
ai/acre), Segment (0.47 lb. ai/A),
Tenacity (0.187 lb. ai/A) + Fusilade II
(0.375 lb. ai/A) and Round-up (8.0 oz.
product/A) were applied to a dense
stand of field paspalum growing in
a low-maintenance situation. Field
paspalum cover was assessed on
August 3 (43 days after the herbicides
were applied). At that time, no field
paspalum (i.e., 100% control) was
observed in plots treated with Fusilade
II and Tenacity + Fusilade II. Both
Segment (6% cover = 92% control)
and Roundup (15% cover = 81%
control) had reduced field — paspalum
populations compared to the control
(78% paspalum cover) (see Table 1).
Turfgrass cover was estimated
on August 28. Turf cover was low
throughout the site due to a lack of
care and the high population of field
paspalum. There were no significant
turf cover differences among herbicidetreated
plots. It is likely that the relatively
dense field paspalum canopy
at the time of application intercepted
most of the herbicide applied and thus
may account for the similarity in turf
cover percentages among herbicide
and non-herbicide-treated plots.
Our 2010 results
In the 2010 postemergence study,
Velocity (0.033 and 0.066 lb. ai/A),
Dismiss (0.125 lb. ai/A) and Velocity
+ Dismiss (0.033 + 0.125 lb. ai/A)
were applied three times (on May
10 MTC TURF NEWS

continued • TURF TALK
27, June 11 and June 23); Certainty
(0.023 lb. ai/A) was applied twice on
(May 27 and June 11); and Fusilade
II (0.375 lb. ai/A) was applied once
(on May 27).
According to plant count data,
Dismiss and the high rate of Velocity
reduced the number of field paspalum
plants per plot compared to the control,
but the low rate of Velocity had
no effect (Table 2). The most effective
treatments were Fusilade II and Velocity
+ Dismiss, both of which reduced
the field paspalum population 84%
compared to the control. When plots
were evaluated by estimating field
paspalum cover rather than plant
counts, only Fusilade II had reduced
weed cover compared to the control.
The low rate of Velocity (0.033
lb./A) applied three times reduced tall
Photo 4. Field paspalum in unmown hard fescue.
Table 2. Tall fescue quality and injury, and field paspalum control as influenced by herbicides in College Park, MD, 2010.
Treatment
Rate
(lb. ai/A)
No.
Applic.*
June
10
June
23
Turf quality (0 – 10)
July
6
July
12
Aug.
5
Sept.
9
Injury
(0 – 5)
July
6
plants/
plot
Sept. 9
Paspalum
%
cover
Velocity 17.6SG
0.033 3 8.0 a** 7.6 a 5.6 c 6.0 ab 7.0 a 6.8 b 2.8 c 55.3 ab 14.0 ab
Velocity 17.6SG
0.066 3 7.0 bc 6.1 c 4.1 d 4.8 c 5.4 b 6.6 b 3.8 b 29.5 bcd 9.0 bc
Dismiss 4F
0.125 3 7.5 ab 7.3 a 6.9 ab 6.3 ab 7.0 a 7.1 b 1.1 de 27.8 cd 9.0 bc
Velocity + Dismiss
0.033 +
0.125
3 7.5 ab 7.2 ab 5.6 c 5.7 bc 7.0 a 7.0 b 2.8 c 11.3 d 4.3 bc
Certainty 75DG
0.023 2 6.4 c 4.6 d 1.0 e 1.3 d 1.5 c 2.0 c 4.9 a 57.2 abc 20.5 a
Fusilade II T&O 2L
0.375 1 5.6 d 6.3 bc 6.5 b 6.0 ab 7.3 a 8.0 a 2.0 cd 11.0 d 1.8 c
Untreated — — 8.0 a 8.0 a 7.5 a 6.8 a 6.9 a 6.7 b 0.8 e 68.5 a 12.0 ab
**Treatments were applied 3 times on May 27, June 11 and June 23; twice on May 27 and June 11; and once on May 27, 2010.
**Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to Fisher’s LSD, P ≤ 0.05.
SUMMER 2011
11

TURF TALK • continued
fescue quality on July 6, but the high
rate of Velocity (0.066 lb. ai/A)
reduced quality from June 23 until
data collection ended on September
Photo 5. Field paspalum spreads readily by seed.
9 (Table 2). The single application of
Fusilade II reduced tall fescue quality
from June 10 to July 12. Certainty was
applied twice and almost completely
eliminated the tall fescue, while Dismiss
(applied three times) did not
injure the tall fescue. Certainty is
labeled for the purpose of selectively
controlling tall fescue in Kentucky
bluegrass. Thus, death of most of
the tall fescue plants in Certaintytreated
plots came as no surprise.
In the preemergence 2010 study, the
site was first treated with Round-up
(glyphosate) on April 5, and then
separate blocks were disk-seeded with
tall fescue, perennial ryegrass and
hard fescue on April 6. Tenacity was
applied once at 0.50 lb. ai/A on April
12 or twice at 0.125, 0.156, 0.187
and 0.25 lb. ai/A on April 12 and May
12 (mixed with 0.25% v/v NIS on
May 12 only). Tupersan was applied
once at 12 lb. ai/A or twice at 6.0 lb.
ai/A on April 12 and May 12.
Data were collected on September 9,
and all treatments generally provided
a statistically equivalent level of
field paspalum control (Table 3).
For Tenacity-treated tall fescue and
Table 3. Field paspalum cover in three spring-seeded turfgrass species in College Park, MD, 2010.
Rate % field paspalum cover on Sept. 9, 2010
Herbicide* (lb. ai/A) TF PRG HF
Tenacity 4SC 0.50 11 b** 16 b 50 b
Tenacity 4SC 0.125 + 0.125 11 b 18 b 48 b
Tenacity 4SC 0.156 + 0.156 6 b 17 b 45 bc
Tenacity 4SC 0.187 + 0.187 8 b 16 b 26 bcd
Tenacity 4SC 0.25 + 0.25 2 b 10 b 22 cd
Tupersan 50WP 12.0

Fusilade II may be
a viable alternative
to MSMA for postemergence
control
of field paspalum in
tall fescue, but it
has limitations.
perennial ryegrass plots, control ranged
from 73% to 94%, and 91% to 98%
control in the Tupersan-treated plots.
The hard fescue developed more
slowly and thus was more heavily
colonized by field paspalum. In hard
fescue, field paspalum cover ranged
from 22% to 50% in Tenacitytreated
plots, whereas only 5% field
paspalum cover (94% control) was
observed in Tupersan-treated hard
fescue. This may be the first report
of preemergence control of field
paspalum at spring seeding in coolseason
turf with any herbicide.
Conclusions
Fusilade II may be a viable alternative
to MSMA for postemergence control
of field paspalum in tall fescue, but
it has limitations. Interestingly, Dr.
Jim Brosnsan (at The University of
Tennessee) reported in 2010 that
Fusilade II applied just one time in
early spring at 0.09 lb. ai/A (5.6 fl. oz.
product/A) provided 90% dallisgrass
control. Conversely, when Fusilade
II was applied in early summer, the
level of dallisgrass control was poor.
The Fusilade II label is somewhat
vague on how to use this herbicide.
The label simply states that Fusliade
II is to be used for the suppression
and/or control of common bermudagrass,
hybrid bermudagrass and other
grass weeds in zoysiagrass and tall
fescue. It is not for use on home lawns.
There is no mention of any paspalum
species being a target weed on the
SUMMER 2011
13

TURF TALK • continued
It is important to note that the effectiveness of Tenacity and
Tupersan in controlling field paspalum preemergence from
seed in mature turfgrass stands is unknown.
Fusilade II label. The label also states
that the application rate for Fusilade
II to tall fescue “should be” 5 to 6 oz.
product/A. The label further states
that tall fescue may be injured but
should recover in 10 to 14 days.
In these studies, Fusilade II was
applied at 24 oz. product/A (i.e., 0.375
lb. ai/A), which is four times the high
label use rate for tall fescue. No injury
was noted in the unimproved site
(mostly Kentucky bluegrass and perennial
ryegrass) with Fusilade II and
other herbicides. This was attributed
to the tall, dense field paspalum canopy,
which likely intercepted most of
the herbicide before it could reach
the underlying turf. It was observed,
however, that this very high rate of
Fusilade II injured tall fescue in the
2010 study for a period of about 35
to 40 days, but the turf eventually
recovered. The injury took the form of
browning and stunting of leaves, as
well as some thinning of the tall fescue
stand. In unrelated UM studies, it was
found that hard fescue showed no
signs of injury from the same high
Fusilade II rate used in this study.
Results from the 2010 study also
suggest that the mix of Velocity +
Dismiss is another candidate for future
study. This mix also reduced tall fescue
quality for about 30 days. Hence,
future research needs to focus on
lower use rates and perhaps more
frequent applications of these herbicides
to maximize their effectiveness
while minimizing injury to tall fescue.
Another key finding was that
Tenacity and Tupersan reduced field
paspalum populations significantly
when applied preemergence to springseeded
stands of tall fescue, perennial
ryegrass and hard fescue. Many field
paspalum seedlings, however, escaped
and were problematic in the springseeded
stands. The level of control
was poorest in hard fescue. This was
attributed to the slower development
of hard fescue, which did not compete
as effectively with field paspalum as
did the more rapidly developing tall
fescue and perennial ryegrass seedlings.
Numerically, lowest field
paspalum cover ratings were observed
in Tupersan-treated plots. Regardless,
it would be helpful to use either
Tupersan or Tenacity in the seedbed
when renovating turfs that were previously
contaminated by field paspalum.
It is important to note that the
effectiveness of Tenacity and Tupersan
in controlling field paspalum preemergence
from seed in mature turfgrass
stands is unknown. In unrelated
UM studies, however, it is been well
established that Tenacity and Tupersan
generally perform poorly in controlling
crabgrass (Digitaria spp) preemergence
in mature turf stands, and thus, it is
likely that this would be also true of
field paspalum. •
14 MTC TURF NEWS

APPLIED RESEARCH
16 MTC TURF NEWS

Are
Freedom Lawns
Environmentally Responsible?
By Erik Ervin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Turfgrass Culture & Physiology, Crop and
Soil Environmental Sciences Department, Virginia Tech
Many Mid-Atlantic residents live
within the Chesapeake Bay
Watershed and have a home
lawn. Many are also aware that Bay
health remains impaired due to excess
nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and
sediment loading from the daily activities
required in our densely populated
society. These pollutants come from
many sources, including sewage-treatment
plants, city streets, development
sites, agricultural operations and deposition
from the air.
Do nutrient pollutants come from
home lawns? Lawn fertilizer contains
N and P, so it is easy to jump to the
conclusion that they do. Many who
value the environmental and economic
health of the Bay have come to this
conclusion, leading them to advocate
something called the Freedom Lawn.
What is a Freedom Lawn? The
basic concept is to take any existing
lawn and continue only one cultural
practice: periodic mowing. All other
practices are to be discontinued: no
fertilizer, no pesticides and no irrigation.
The homeowner is then free to
pursue other interests, free from the
added costs of these inputs and free
to proclaim to interested neighbors
that he or she is protecting the water
quality of the Chesapeake Bay. But is
that so? In what follows, I discuss and
present data on how the Freedom
Lawn choice may actually result in
more potential for degraded Bay
water quality.
Let’s review the research
What happens when all inputs, except
periodic mowing, are removed from
lawns? All around us, we see the
results in our parks, lawns and school
grounds: weeds and open soil areas
increase. Ignoring the aesthetic drawbacks,
what are the potential waterquality
impacts? A recently published
study at the University of Minnesota
provides some answers.
The researchers installed Kentucky
bluegrass sod on a silt loam soil with
a 5% slope to easily allow runoff
collection. To simulate soil compaction
resulting from home-building activities,
the compaction caused by the bulldozer
during laser-leveling was not
relieved by tillage prior to sodding.
No fertilizer was applied during the
first year. In the second year, the following
treatments were applied to
various plots in this study and continued
over years three through five:
• No fertilizer
• Standard N (3 lbs./1,000 ft 2 /yr) +
no P + standard potassium (K)
• Standard N (3 lbs./1,000 ft 2 /yr) +
1x P (as recommended by soil test)
+ standard K
• Standard N (3 lbs./1,000 ft 2 /yr) +
3x P (as recommended by soil test)
+ standard K
SUMMER 2011
17

APPLIED RESEARCH • continued
Fertilizer treatments were applied in
1/3 equal increments in May, September
and October of each year, based
on standard lawn fertilization guidelines
from Minnesota Cooperative
Extension. These guidelines closely
match those of Virginia Cooperative
Extension. No irrigation was used on
these lawn plots. The initial soil test
P level was 25 ppm; this level is in the
sufficiency range, so the testing lab
recommended little to no P for normal
lawn maintenance.
What happened? By year three, the
no-fertilizer plots had greatly reduced
turf density, greater weed density, more
exposed soil and more dead grass/weed
tissue than the N fertilized plots.
Adding P at a 1x or 3x rate did not
improve turf density relative to applying
N-alone. Significantly, total P
runoff from the no-fertilizer plots was
greatest over the three years of monitoring
because of greater runoff depth.
That is, more water was lost from the
plots that did not receive N fertilizer
because of insufficient turf cover to
impede flow, especially when the soil
surface was frozen. Contained within
this runoff water was also a greater
load of P bound to soil and leaflitter
sediment.
Thus, as long as enough N was
applied to maintain density and retard
weed invasion, less P was lost in runoff,
relative to the no-fertilizer control,
even when P was applied at 3 times the
recommended rate. I do not make this
point to justify over-application of P
to lawns, but merely to highlight that
the controlling factor in reducing P
runoff from lawns is turf density.
Researchers in New York (a Chesapeake
Bay state) have reported similar
results. They established an 80%
Kentucky bluegrass/20% perennial
ryegrass area from seed on a sandy
loam soil with an 8% slope, using
various natural organic and synthetic
fertilizer treatments. Once the plots
were mature (year 2,) results showed
that the unfertilized control plots had
significantly higher P-mass losses compared
to any of the fertilized plots.
These losses strongly correlated with
less shoot density and lower infiltration
rates on the unfertilized control plots.
A direct quote is that “as shoot density
doubled, the infiltration rate increased,
which reduced runoff by three-fold.”
The highest annual rate of fertilizer
N applied in this study was moderate,
at 2 lbs./1,000 ft 2 , but it was enough
to ensure adequate turf density and
water infiltration. Nitrate-N runoff
from the organic or synthetic fertilizer
treatments did not differ from
the unfertilized control, averaging
between 2 to 4.5 ppm, considerably
18 MTC TURF NEWS

continued • APPLIED RESEARCH
below the EPA limit for safe drinking
water (10 ppm).
Interpreting the research
Given these data, what does a Freedom
Lawn offer for water quality in
the Chesapeake Bay Watershed? The
unfertilized control plots in the studies
above received only periodic mowing
(fitting the definition of a Freedom
Lawn), and it took only two or
three years for the “Freedom plots”
to become greater contributors of P
loading via runoff than the areas moderately
fertilized with nitrogen.
Eleanor Roosevelt is credited with
saying that “with freedom comes
responsibility.” In my analysis, Freedom
Lawns do not embrace their
environmental responsibility and,
in fact, can fairly rapidly become
irresponsible. A more responsible
approach heeds the scientific data,
recognizes the limitations imposed by
urban soil disturbance during development
and recommends that we
strive for “Sustainable Lawns” by
following a set of best management
practices (BMPs), with the goal of
maintaining lawn surfaces with minimized
water-quality impacts.
BMPs for Sustainable Lawns
Below are 12 BMPs for Sustainable
Lawns throughout the Chesapeake
Bay Watershed.
BMP#1: Improve the soil at
establishment to reduce compaction
and improve infiltration.
In new-housing construction, much of
the topsoil is removed, and the remaining
subsoil is severely compacted.
Replacing a shallow topsoil layer prior
to grassing is helpful in getting the
lawn established, but the underlying
soil compaction remains. Subsequently,
long term, water infiltration is poor,
greatly increasing the possibility of
thin turf and off-site movement
of nutrients.
Thus, prior to topsoil placement,
the subsoil should be cleared of all
debris and rip-plowed and tilled.
Topsoil can then be distributed and
a seedbed prepared. Adding a 1" to
2" layer of quality compost prior to
seedbed preparation would also be
very beneficial to lawn health and
water infiltration over time.
BMP#2: Plant or re-plant best-adapted
turfgrass species and varieties.
Each year, the turfgrass programs at
Virginia Tech and the University of
Maryland collaborate to put out a list
of recommended turf varieties, based
on field evaluations (found here:
http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/3008/30
08-1456/3008-1456.html). To make
the list, each variety must have performed
above average at both test
sites for at least three years. Each
listed variety must also be available as
certified seed, ensuring genetic purity
and seed quality to the buyer. With
adequate establishment, odds are that
these varieties will provide greater
stress persistence than those not on
the list.
BMP#3: Improve the soil after
establishment to reduce compaction
and improve infiltration.
Most homeowners inherit a lawn with
compacted soil. Core aeration and
compost topdressing can slowly correct
compaction. The rolling-drum aerators
commonly used or rented, however,
pull up cores from only 1% to 3%
of the lawn surface area and do not
go much deeper than 2".
To improve water infiltration and
relieve compaction, go over the lawn
in two to four directions during moist
(not wet) soil conditions, twice a year
during periods of active turfgrass
growth. If possible, hand-spread and
rake in a quality compost applied at
100 lbs./1,000 ft 2 . The average size of
home lawns across Virginia is 5,000
ft 2 , requiring 500 lbs. of compost for
each application.
Repeatedly applying organic matter
via the compost will build topsoil, bind
nutrients and water and promote soil
aggregation for improved water infiltration
and compaction resistance.
Further, it will serve as a natural
organic slow-release fertilizer, providing
approximately 1.5 lbs. N/1,000
ft 2 each time it is applied. Two compost
applications per year would,
then, provide all the fertility the lawn
requires to remain healthy and dense
enough to greatly limit any potential
P or N runoff.
BMP#4: Soil test every 1 to 3 years
to determine if fertilizer P is needed;
use fertilizers with 0% P (e.g., 30-0-
10) if the soil test indicates no need.
Binding readily to clay minerals and
soil organic matter, phosphorus does
not leach. Thus, soil-test P levels
change quite slowly in most Virginia
soils. With our moderate rainfall, soil
pH does fall, but not fast enough to
require re-liming more frequently than
every two to three years. Soil testing
every one to three years, therefore, is
adequate to ensure sufficient P availability.
If the soil test indicates no P
need, then select fertilizers that contain
no P.
BMP#5: Implement a moderate
fertilizer N program based on Virginia
Cooperative Extension and Virginia
Department of Conservation and
Recreation recommendations.
Our research review (above) clearly
indicated that not applying N-containing
fertilizer is not a responsible choice
for pollution prevention. A moderate
amount of N per year (1 to 4 lbs.
actual N/1,000 ft 2 ) is needed to maintain
enough turf cover to impede sediment-bound
P loss. Refer to these
online sources to guide your N fertilization
practices: http://www.pubs.
ext.vt.edu/452/452-717/452-717.html
and http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil
and water/documents/tipsstate.pdf.
High-use lawns will need N at the
3- to 4-lb. level to push enough growth
to ensure adequate cover against
runoff. Adequate cover on low-use
lawns can be maintained via 1- or 2-
lb. programs.
For added insurance against N
runoff or leaching losses, use fertilizers
with higher proportions of slow- or
SUMMER 2011
19

APPLIED RESEARCH • continued
controlled-release N sources. Using
slow-release sources, including organics,
also reduces surge growth, reducing
mowing requirements relative to
using quick-release N sources.
BMP#6: Do not apply fertilizers to
frozen soils.
Several studies have noted that 60% to
90% of P-runoff occurs during winter
thawing periods when the surface soil
is still frozen. Such large runoff events
occur because the soils are either frozen
or saturated, prohibiting water
infiltration and allowing soil- or leaflitter-bound
P present in open soil
areas to be quickly lost. Applying P-
containing fertilizers too late (November
or December) or too early (February
or March) greatly increases the
potential of P loading into Bay waters.
BMP#7: Do not apply fertilizer to
impervious surfaces; immediately
sweep or blow any granules back
onto the lawn.
Fertilizer, compost, grass clippings and
tree leaves all contain nutrients. As
such, it is irresponsible to leave any
of them on impervious surfaces
where they can move unimpeded
into storm drains.
BMP#8: Mow high, and follow the
1/3 rule.
This BMP is all about maintaining
density and high biomass on your
lawn: both factors increase water-flow
resistance, slowing runoff and increasing
infiltration. Mowing turf at the
higher end of recommended ranges
(3" – 4" for bluegrass and fescue; 1.5"
– 2.5" for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass)
will accomplish this, while also
providing a deeper-rooted, more stresstolerant
lawn.
Mowing high also means you can
mow less frequently without breaking
the 1/3 rule. The 1/3 rule is to never
remove more than 33% (1/3) of the
grass height at one mowing. Repeatedly
removing too much at each mowing
(e.g., mowing a 5" lawn down to
2" = 60% removal) results in a shallow
root system that produces turf
thinning and weed invasion. For fescue
lawns, not breaking the 1/3 rule means
mowing back to a 3" height each
time the lawn reaches 4.5".
BMP#9: Leave clippings on the
lawn, removing any that reach
impervious surfaces.
Grass clippings contain 2% to 5% N
and about 0.5% P, and they break
down quickly, re-releasing these nutrients
for root uptake. Clipping return
can serve as an organic fertilizer, providing
more than 1 lb. N/1,000 ft 2 /yr.
Left on the street, however, these
nutrients can quickly move into storm
drains to pollute the Bay. If large clipping
clumps accumulate, either rake
them up and compost them on-site,
or mow the lawn in 2-3 directions to
disperse them.
BMP#10: Mulch tree leaves into
the lawn and clean up any that
accumulate on impervious surfaces.
Studies at Michigan State, Purdue and
Cornell have documented that mulching
a 2" to 5" layer of deciduous tree
leaves onto cool-season lawns for three
to five consecutive autumns had no
significant effects on lawn health or
vigor. These studies also reported no
increases in thatch or undue reduction
in soil pH due to this practice.
Recycling tree leaves back into your
lawn is safer for the environment than
piling them on the street and risking
the loss of N and P to stormwater runoff.
Mowing when the leaves are dry
mulches them much more effectively.
BMP#11: Irrigate only if severe
drought persists and threatens to
significantly reduce turf cover.
Adherence to the first 10 BMPs should
result in a fairly deep-rooted lawn that
should recover from summer droughts
of two to three weeks. Droughts of
more than four weeks could result in
the loss of some turf cover, especially
if there is any traffic on the lawn during
drought-dormancy. In this case,
lawn cover should be preserved by
applying 0.75" to 1" of water per
week until rainfall returns.
BMP#12: Use pesticides only
when weed, insect or disease levels
threaten to significantly thin the lawn;
strictly follow label directions.
Careful application of the preceding
BMPs to ensure a dense, healthy lawn
should greatly minimize the need
for pesticides.
For homeowners who wish to have
lawns that are environmentally friendly
or more sustainable than what current
suburban development gives them,
there are two primary choices: take
what you are given and improve it
by following these 12 BMPs, or start
over by improving the soil and establishing
a no-mow prairie and herbaceous/woody
perennial landscape.
Simply stopping all management
inputs and calling it a “Freedom
Lawn” is easy and cheap, but it may
ultimately be irresponsible. •
20 MTC TURF NEWS

APPLIED RESEARCH
Controlling Smooth
Crabgrass in Tall Fescue
with Pre- and Postemergence Commercial Products
By Peter H. Dernoeden, Ph.D., and C. P. Ryan, Dept. of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland
This field study, which was
conducted at the University of
Maryland Paint Branch Turfgrass
Research Facility in College
Park, compared all of the commonly
used preemergence herbicides that
target smooth crabgrass (Digitaria
ischaemum). In addition, corn gluten
meal (Espoma Corn Gluten 9-0-0)
was assessed and compared to the
commercial products. Finally, three
postemergence herbicides were applied
in late June and compared to the preemergence
herbicides and corn gluten
meal (CGM).
Our research methods
The turf was a mature stand of Titan
II tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
and was mowed two times weekly
to a height of 2.5 inches. Soil was a
Keyport silt loam with a pH of 5.7
and 2.2% organic matter.
Rates and dates of product applications
are noted in Table 1. The site
received rainfall or irrigation within
24 hours of each application. The
study site was irrigated thereafter to
avoid drought stress.
Turf color and quality were rated
once on May 13 using a 0 to 10 scale,
where 0 = entire plot area brown or
dead, and 10 = optimum green color
and density. Percent of the plot areas
covered with smooth crabgrass was
assessed visually on a 0% to 100%
scale, where 0% = no crabgrass, and
100% = entire plot area covered with
smooth crabgrass. Crabgrass ratings
less than 5% of plot area covered
(subjectively) were considered to have
provided commercially acceptable control.
Smooth crabgrass pressure was
uniform and severe across the site.
About CGM
Corn gluten meal, the protein fraction
of corn, is a natural herbicide that is
used to control crabgrass and other
weeds in “organic lawncare programs.”
Corn gluten was evaluated
previously by the University of Maryland
(Dernoeden, 2001). In those
studies, CGM applied twice per season
reduced crabgrass populations significantly,
but it did not provide commercially
acceptable control. Single applications
of CGM typically provided
poor control.
The product contains 9% to 10%
nitrogen (N) and, as such, also serves
as an N fertilizer. The recommended
use rate of CGM is 20 lbs. product
per 1,000 ft 2 . Hence, at this rate, a
manager is delivering 1.8 to 2.0 lbs.
N/1,000 ft 2 with a single application.
A single spring application of 2.0 lbs.
N/1,000 ft 2 , however, is considered
agronomically excessive and wasteful.
The sewage sludge Oceangro 5-5-0
fertilizer was entered into the study to
determine if this high rate of N (i.e.,
2.0 lbs. N/1,000 ft 2 ) from a natural
organic fertilizer would impact crabgrass
levels at the site. That is, the
Oceangro served as a standard for
comparing the potential influence of
organic N on crabgrass invasiveness in
the study site. The levels of N delivered
via CGM and Oceangro resulted in
excellent turf color and quality (8.8
22 MTC TURF NEWS

to 9.4) on May 13 (Table 1). Echelon
0.3G + Fertilizer (about 0.65 lb.
N/1,000 ft 2 ) improved color and
quality compared to all other treatments,
except CGM or Oceangro.
Our research results
Due to unusually high temperatures in
late March and early April, crabgrass
seedlings were observed on April 7,
2010, which was about 8 to 12 days
earlier than the usual emergence time.
Most germination, however, occurred
in June, but some new germination
continued to be stimulated by thunderstorms
in July and August. Since the
site was not allowed to enter a state
of drought dormancy, crabgrass populations
were kept in abeyance by the
presence of a fairly dense and competitive
turf.
Smooth crabgrass cover was
assessed on July 12 and August 13.
In general, crabgrass populations as
low as 0.5% (i.e., one half of one
percent of the plot area) in early July
invariably indicate that the level of
crabgrass control will be unacceptable
by early August (i.e., ≥120 days since
the treatment was initially applied).
Only data collected on August 13 will
be discussed, but you can make your
own judgment of each herbicide’s loss
of residual effectiveness (i.e., through
dissipation) based on the July 12
evaluation. Crabgrass cover (i.e.,
tillering) increases exponentially in late
summer in College Park, MD, and
mid-August ratings are more likely to
identify significant treatment differences.
By early September, however,
even a single multi-tillered plant can
cover 5% of the plot area, which is
above the threshold.
Crabgrass pressure was considered
to be severe compared to most commercial
lawn or golf course rough
situations. All treatments, including
Oceangro, reduced crabgrass levels
significantly compared to the untreated
control (Table 1). However, the
Table 1. Pre- and postemergence smooth crabgrass control with commercial herbicides, College Park, MD, 2010.
Quality
Color
% Crabgrass Cover
Herbicide*
Rate (lb. ai/A)
Timing
May 13
May 13
July 12
Aug. 13
Dimension 2 EW
0.38
Pre
6.8 c***
6.6 e
0.3 c
4.8 d
Dimension 0.21G
0.38
Pre
6.9 c
7.3 d
0.5 c
5.3 d
Echelon 4SC
0.75
Pre
6.9 c
7.4 d
0.0 c
5.5 d
Echelon 0.3G + Fert
0.75
Pre
8.1 b
8.4 c
0.0 c
1.3 d
Barricade 4F
0.75
Pre
6.9 c
7.1 de
0.0 c
0.3 d
Pendulum Aquacap 3.8ME
1.5 + 1.5
Pre
6.6 c
7.1 de
0.0 c
0.6 d
Pendulum Aquacap 3.8ME
3.0
Pre
6.8 c
6.9 de
0.1 c
5.0 d
Team Pro 2G (1992 product)
3.0
Pre
6.8 c
7.1 de
0.0 c
0.9 d
Tenacity 4SC
0.187 + 0.187
Pre
6.5 c
6.9 de
4.9 bc
37.8 b
Corn Glutten
20 lbs./M
Pre
9.4 a
9.4 a
2.6 bc
24.5 bc
Corn Glutten
15 + 15 lbs./M
Pre
9.3 a
9.1 ab
7.0 b
26.5 b
Oceangro 5-5-0
2.0 lbs. N/M
Pre
9.3 a
8.8 bc
7.5 b
39.3 b
**Drive XLRB 1.5SC + MSO
0.75
Post
7.3 bc
6.9 de
0.1 c
9.8 cd
**Acclaim Extra 0.57EW
0.110
Post
7.1 c
7.4 d
0.0 c
5.0 d
**Tenacity 4SC + Activator
0.187 + 0.187
Post
7.4 bc
7.1 de
0.0 c
0.6 d
Untreated
—
—
7.1 c
7.0 de
12.8 a
63.5 a
*** Preemergence (Pre) treatments were applied April 2, and sequential treatments were applied May 18, 2010.
*** Postemergence (Post) treatments were applied June 29 (2 to 4 tiller crabgrass); the Tenacity sequential treatment was applied July 13, 2010.
*** Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to Fisher’s LSD, P ≤ 0.05.
SUMMER 2011
23

APPLIED RESEARCH • continued
crabgrass populations in plots treated
with CGM, Oceangro and Tenacity
applied as preemergents was excessive
and ranged from 24% to 39% of plot
area infested.
All other treatments provided a
statistically equivalent level of crabgrass
control, and most products had
provided commercially acceptable
control (i.e., less than 5.0% crabgrass
cover). This included Team Pro, which
was a product that was received in
1992 and stored dry in an open-bag
condition for 18 years.
The single postemergence application
of Drive XLR8 on June 29 was
judged to have provided unacceptable
control, but data were statistically
equivalent to the level of control provided
by Acclaim Extra and Tenacity.
Good control was provided by
Dimension (both formulations) and
Echelon (both formulations). Exceptional
crabgrass control (i.e., less than
1.0 crabgrass cover; > 98% control)
was provided by Barricade, Pendulum
AquaCap (1.5 + 1.5 lbs./A) and Team
Pro applied preemergence, and by
Tenacity applied twice postemergence
(June 20 and July 13). •
24 MTC TURF NEWS

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SUMMER 2011
25

GREEN LIGHT ON GOLF
Managing Summer
Decline
in a Creeping
Bentgrass Green
By Peter H. Dernoeden, Ph.D., and C. P. Ryan, Dept. of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland
Previous studies have documented
improved summer performance
of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis
stolonifera) putting greens treated with
selected fungicides even in the absence
of disease. Chipco Signature, especially
when tank-mixed with either Daconil
or Fore Rainshield, has been associated
with color enhancement and
improved cover and quality. Mancozeb
was shown to mitigate scalping in
“puffy” putting green turf in summer
(Dernoeden and Fu, 2008). Other
studies have demonstrated the superior
ability of spoonfeeding with urea to
improve summer quality of putting
greens, when compared to biostimulants,
chelated iron and micronutrient
products (Settle and Dernoeden, 2009).
The non-disease-related benefits
provided by some fungicides and urea
are said to reduce summer decline.
Summer decline of creeping bentgrass
greens normally occurs in response
to high-temperature stress combined
with mechanical injury and sometimes
diseases. Additional information
regarding summer decline management
with other products is warranted.
The objective of this study was to
assess various fungicides, as well as
Super Stimulant (organic peat humates;
6% humic acid) and Nano Argentum
(elemental silver in osmotized water
applied at 41 ml/acre), applied alone
and/or tank-mixed with another compound,
for their ability to improve the
summer quality of a creeping bentgrass
putting green turf. Urea was applied in
a spoonfeeding program and served
as the standard for comparison.
Our research methods
This field study at the University
of Maryland Paint Branch Turfgrass
Research Facility in College Park
was conducted on an 80/20 sand/
sphagnum peat moss (v/v) creeping
bentgrass putting green constructed to
USGA specifications. The area was a
mature stand of ‘Declaration’ creeping
bentgrass. The study area was fertilized
with 2.5 lbs. N/1,000 ft 2 from mostly
20-20-20 between September 20 and
November 11, 2009. The bentgrass
received an additional 0.5 lb. N/1,000
ft 2 from 20-20-20 in April and May
2010. Thereafter, the study area
received no additional nitrogen, except
for that provided by the urea spoonfeeding
treatment.
The turf was mowed five times
weekly to a height of 0.150 inches and
otherwise was maintained as a putting
green. To induce mechanical stress,
lower mowing heights were imposed
on three dates in July, as described
below. During the study period, daytime
high temperatures generally
exceeded 90ºF, and nighttime temperatures
seldom fell below 68ºF. The
site was irrigated to prevent drought
stress and was syringed as needed.
Treatments were applied three times
on a two-week interval on June 15,
June 29 and July 13, 2010. Turfgrass
quality was rated visually on a 0 to
10 scale, where 0 = brown or dead
26 MTC TURF NEWS

turf, 8.0 = minimal acceptable quality
for a creeping bentgrass putting
green, and 10 = optimum greenness,
uniformity and density. Color was
rated visually on a 0 to 10 scale, where
0 = brown or dead turf, 8 = minimum
acceptable color, and 10 =
dark green turf.
Yellow spot became pronounced
the week of July 24 (the cause was
unknown, but blue-green algae have
been implicated) and was evaluated by
counting the number of spots in each
plot. Rings caused by Rhizoctonia zeae
were counted, and blighting by R.
solani was visually assessed on a 0 to
100 scale. The entire site was treated
with Insignia (0.9 oz./1,000 ft 2 ) to
control the Rhizoctonia diseases on
June 29.
Our results —
summer quality
Treatments were initiated on June 15,
2010. As noted previously, the site was
treated with Insignia, which effectively
controlled the Rhizoctonia diseases
present in June. Hence, these quality
ratings reflect color and uniformity
and generally were not impacted by
disease. Any residual disease in plots
was disregarded in the quality ratings.
During the period between June 23
and July 12, the study area was mown
to a height of 0.150 inches. Unlike in
previous years, the Declaration did not
become “puffy,” and there was little
mechanical stress during this period.
At this time of minimal stress, Fore
Rainshield and Signature + Fore Rainshield
improved quality compared to
the control on all three rating dates
(see Table 1). Urea, Chipco Signature
alone and Super Stimulant + urea
showed improved quality compared
to the control by July 12 (i.e., 13 days
following the second application
of treatments).
On July 16, the mowing height was
reduced to 0.135 inches and then to
0.125 inches on July 19 and July 20.
Plots were double cut on July 19 and
July 20, at which time daily air temperatures
were in excess of 95ºF.
Table 1. Color and quality of a ‘Declaration’ creeping bentgrass green in summer decline, 2010.
Rate Overall quality ++ Color
Fungicide + (Product/1,000 ft 2 ) June 23 June 29 July 12 July 20 July 26 July 12
Chipco Signature 80WG 4.0 oz. 7.9 ab ‡ 6.8 bcd 8.0 bc 6.7 b 5.8 d 7.9 de
Fore Rainshield 80WP 6.0 oz. 8.7 a 7.8 ab 8.4 ab 7.9 a 7.3 bc 8.2 cd
Torque 3.6SC 0.6 oz. 7.4 b 7.4 abc 7.7 cd 6.2 bc 6.4 d 7.5 ef
Urea 46-0-0 0.15 lb. N 8.0 ab 7.1 a-d 8.8 a 8.3 a 8.1 a 8.7 ab
Super Stimulant 6.0 fl. oz. 7.2 b 6.6 cd 7.5 d 5.9 c 5.6 d 7.4 ef
Signature + Fore 4.0 + 6.0 oz. 8.6 a 7.7 ab 8.6 a 7.7 a 7.3 c 8.4 bc
Signature + Torque 4.0 + 3.2 oz. 8.1 ab 8.0 a 7.9 bcd 6.5 bc 5.9 d 7.7 ef
Super Stimulant + Urea 6.0 oz. + 0.15 lb. N 8.1 ab 7.4 abc 8.7 a 6.5 bc 8.1 ab 8.8 a
Nano Argentum 0.032 oz. 7.3 b 6.1 d 7.6 cd 5.9 c 5.8 d 7.7 ef
Untreated — 7.2 b 6.7 cd 7.5 d 5.9 c 5.7 d 7.5 ef
++ Treatments were applied on June 15, June 29 and July 13, 2010.
++ Plots were mowed to a height of 0.150 inches; mowing height was reduced to 0.135 inches on July 16 and to 0.125 inches on July 19 and July
20, and increased to 0.150 inches on July 22 and thereafter.
‡ Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to Fisher’s LSD, 5%.
SUMMER 2011
27

GREEN LIGHT ON GOLF • continued
This mowing stress resulted in a
rapid decline in the quality of plots
treated with Signature alone, Torque
alone, Signature + Torque, Super
Stimulant alone, Nano Argentum and
the untreated control. Urea alone had
provided good quality (> 8.0) between
July 12 and July 26. Fair quality (>
7.0) was provided by Fore Rainshield
alone and by Signature + Fore Rainshield
in that same time period.
On July 26 (i.e., 4 days after 0.150"
mowing was resumed), plots treated
with Super Stimulant + urea improved
to a rating of 8.1. Only Fore Rainshield
alone or tank-mixed with Signature
had improved quality on all
rating dates. The benefits of urea were
not evident until following the second
application. Chipco Signature alone
improved quality compared to the control
on July 12 and July 20, but the
quality of these plots was acceptable
(>8.0) on only one date (July 12).
Torque alone, Superstimulant alone
and Nano Argentum did not improve
quality compared to the untreated
control on any rating date. Plots
treated with these products exhibited
unacceptable quality on July 20
and July 26.
Our results — diseases
Disease data appear in Table 2. Due to
variability in the distribution of R.
zeae, R. solani and yellow spot across
the study area, there were no significant
treatment effects. There was a
trend for reduced Rhizoctonia disease
with Torque, Signature + Torque, and
Fore Rainshield. Yellow spot was
enhanced by SuperStimulant applied
alone, when compared to the control.
Conclusion
This study supports previous investigations
demonstrating that urea and
Fore Rainshield are powerful tools
in improving the summer quality of
creeping bentgrass greens. •
Table 2. Rhizoctonia spp. and yellow spot diseases in a ‘Declaration’ creeping bentgrass green with summer decline, 2010.
Rate
Number of R. zeae rings/plot
% R. solani
# of Yellow
spots/plot
Fungicide +
(Product/1,000 ft 2 )
June 23
June 29
June 29
July 12
Chipco Signature 80WG
4.0 oz.
2.8 a ‡
6.0 a
3.8 a
3.3 b
Fore Rainshield 80WP
6.0 oz.
0.0 a
2.3 a
0.8 b
2.5 b
Torque 3.6SC
0.6 oz.
0.0 a
1.0 a
0.3 b
4.8 ab
Urea 46-0-0
0.15 lb. N
3.3 a
4.8 a
9.8 a
4.8 ab
Super Stimulant
6.0 fl. oz.
1.5 a
6.0 a
5.5 ab
8.5 a
Signature + Fore
4.0 + 6.0 oz.
0.5 a
4.0 a
3.8 ab
3.8 b
Signature + Torque
4.0 + 3.2 oz.
0.0 a
0.5 a
0.0 b
6.0 ab
Super Stimulant + Urea
6.0 oz. + 0.15 lb. N
1.8 a
3.5 a
6.5 ab
3.5 b
Nano Argentum
0.032 oz. (41 ml/A)
3.5 a
4.5 a
10.8 a
5.3 ab
Untreated
—
2.8 a
7.0 a
4.8 ab
2.3 b
++ Treatments were applied June 15, June 29 and July 13, 2010.
‡ Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to Fisher’s LSD, 5%.
28 MTC TURF NEWS

TURF INDUSTRY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
July 18–22
TPI Summer Convention & Field Days
(Turfgrass Producers International)
Grand Sierra Resort
Reno, NV
July 19, 2011
MNLA — CPH Specialist Tests
(Herbaceous Perennials and
Integrated Pest Management)
Contact: www.mnlaonline.org
or 410-823-8684
October 27–29
Green Industry & Equipment Expo
Kentucky Exposition Center
Louisville, KY
January 10–14, 2012
STMA Annual Conference
& Exhibition
Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach, CA
January 11–13, 2012
Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, MD
January 2012
35th Annual MTC Turfgrass
Conference & Trade Show
Adele H. Stamp Student Union
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
February 10–11, 2012
Chesapeake Green 2011 —
A Horticulture Symposium
MD Institute of Technology
Linthicum, MD
Agrium Advanced Technologies
Direct Solutions.......................Inside Front Cover
www.agriumat.com
All States Turfgrass Consultants, LLC .............13
BASF.......................................Inside Back Cover
www.basf.com
Buy Sod ............................................................5
www.buysod.com
Capitol Sports Fields ......................................24
www.capitolsportsfields.com
Collins Wharf Sod Farm.....................................7
www.collinswharfsod.com
CoverSports USA...............................................7
www.coversports.com
East Coast Sod & Seed ...................................29
www.eastcoastsod.com
Mid Atlantic Association of Turf Equipment
Managers (MAATEM).........................................7
Mid-Atlantic Turf Equipment, LLC ...................14
www.midatlanticturfequipment.com
Oakwood Sod Farm, Inc. .................................13
www.oakwoodsod.com
Quali-Pro ........................................................21
www.quali-pro.com
Summit Hall Turf, Inc. ........................Back Cover
www.summithall.com
Syngenta Professional Products .....................25
www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com
The Turfgrass Group....................................3, 15
www.theturfgrassgroup.com
WinField Solutions, LLC...................................13
www.winfieldsolutionsllc.com
Wood Bay Enterprises Inc. ..............................18
www.woodbayturftech.com
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND TURFGRASS TEAM
Pete Dernoeden, Ph.D.
Dept. of Agronomy
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
301-405-1337
pd@umd.edu
Tom Turner, Ph.D.
Paint Branch Turfgrass
Research Facility
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
301-403-4431
tturner@umd.edu
Mark Carroll, Ph.D.
Dept. of Agronomy
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
301-405-1339
mcarroll@umd.edu
Kevin Mathias, Ph.D.
Institute of Applied Ag.
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
301-405-4692
jkm@umd.edu
Dave Funk
Paint Branch Turfgrass
Research Facility
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
301-403-8195
dfunk@umd.edu
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30 MTC TURF NEWS