PATHOGEN & THE PLANT

Initially, there must be an understanding of the plant and the pathogen, meaning plant disease is anything that disturbs or prevents the normal development of a plant and reduces its aesthetic value. There are three factors that interact to produce a turfgrass disease or pathogen; a host, a pathogen and a favorable environment. Disease does not occur unless all factors intersect at the same time and/or over a period of time. Turf grass plants affected with disease show symptoms; ie. when poa is affected with disease, it shows discoloration and thinning. When turf grass is affected by pink snow mold, small areas of dead plant material will show in the turf grass community. Keep in mind that the host is always in place and the turf grass pathogen is constantly present to some degree. With Gray snow mold the sclerotia is in the thatch at all times and over the summer. So, it is the ever-changing environment that, given the right conditions, will favor for disease development. It may be that we’re not always in Mother Nature’s favor therefore we need to constantly focus on the turfgrass throughout the year.

TEST IT YOURSELF

When the plant shows preliminary signs of disease or you know that environmental conditions are favorable for turf disease, action plans need to be implemented. My preference is to test fungicides myself to see what will work best at my respective property as this allows me to narrow down a viable and cost-effective plan. Previously I’ve worked with the Colorado State University on fungicide trials. The university and I would set test plots at their recommended rates and I would also set a few plots at my test rates then measure the outcomes and determine the best course of action to address pink and gray snow mold at my course. By measuring both the university’s suggested rates and the rates of my own, I gained a better perspective of how my rates compared with those of the university. From there it is a matter of analyzing my fungicide and overall budget to make the most cost-effective decision. Also, I enjoy and continue to enjoy the luxury of utilizing Dr. Vargas and his expertise on such issues and related areas. Currently I’m working with Syngenta on some protocols and fungicide plots at The Plateau Club as I’m always looking to maximize the efficiency of disease control and its related costs.

ADDITIONAL TESTING

Another test I implemented was to spray a fairway half-and-half with two different products at two different rates to measure which application would work best. In a test plot, you only see a small square of disease control while as superintendents we know that our soil, turf variety and drainage is different over the length of a given fairway giving a broader measure of the applications. This half-and-half application was made at The Plateau Club (Pacific Northwest) in late fall. With the cooler temperatures and the change in season, the pathogen is in prime condition to attack the plant. In the Pacific Northwest, rain typically begins in fall by late September/October and continues in varying degrees throughout the winter—conditions prime for pink snow mold. I wanted to apply my fungicide to the fairways when the turf was still growing but getting close to the dormant stage leaving only a couple of mowings before heading into winter. A similar test was done at my previous course in Colorado. If you can time it right, a systemic fungicide will move into the plant better when the plant is still growing instead of waiting until the plant is dormant.

MATCHING DOLLARS TO DISEASE PRESSURE

This is where you need to look at the dollars allocated for fungicides and its overall impact on your budget. When I sprayed the half-and-half test, I gained insight on how to maximize my fungicides applications and associated costs.

For example: If I were to spray my fairways at a 2-oz. rate, it would require 14 gal. of Banner at a cost of $4,200. In contrast, spraying fairways at a 3-oz. rate would require 21 gal. of Banner at a cost of $6,300 for a difference of $2,100.

What I like to do is match the rate of fungicide application to the disease pressure. Some fairways will receive the 2-oz. rate while others with greater disease pressure will receive the 3-oz. rate. I am still able to save $1,000 - $1,500 and while that may not seem like much, by maximizing all of my expenditures I’m able to offer a better overall product without incurring exponentially more expenses.

Again, the disease pressure should determine your application as not all fairways (in this case) are equal. In Colorado I would treat the fairways with my early inoculum application with a systemic fungicide. As winter moved closer I would finish out the season with my last application before the snow falls.

These are some of the rates and costs I worked with in 2004:

• For greens: Banner 4-oz. Medallion 0.5-oz. Heritage 0.4-oz. $24 per 1000

• Banner 4-oz. Medallion 0.5-oz. Heritage0.4-oz. Daconil 8-oz. $28 per 1000

My test is what I was using in the past: P.C.N.B 8-oz. Banner 4-oz. Heritage 0.4-oz.

• For Fairways and Tee’s:

• Banner 4-oz. Heritage 0.2-oz. Chipco 26GT 4-oz. $950 acr or $26,800 for 28 acr.

• Chipco 26gt 4-oz. Banner 2-oz. Heritage 0.2-oz. Daconil 8-oz. $700 acr or $19,000 for 28. acr

My test is what I was using in the past P.C.N.B 8-oz. Banner 2-oz. Heritage 0.2-oz.

MADISON MEADOWS GC

Recently I spoke with Pat Nunn at Madison Meadows Golf Course in Ennis, Mont. Nunn is the superintendent of a 9-hole facility with a limited budget. Nunn is trying to find ways to improve his fungicide program and maximize his dollar. He is currently using different granular products at different rates to see what works best at his property. Nunn, like many superintendents, make only granular applications due to a lack of equipment to make required spray applications. One of my sales representatives mentioned that about 30 percent of his accounts use granular applications only and are looking for ways to improve utilization of their fungicide budget. One of the products I’m working with is: Syngenta Granular Heritage that could be on the market soon. I believe superintendents like Pat would benefit from this type of product with both systemic and curative properties. Whether you’re at a facility with a large or small budget, matching your dollars to disease pressure only make sense. In the end you will be able to maximize your spending and know how well your fungicides are working for you.

Editor’s note: Myer is the superintendent at the Plateau Club in Samamish, Wash. He can be contacted by calling 425-868-0451 or email at JimM@plateauclub.com.