Common Turf Problems

Controlling grubs is a standard issue a turf manager gears up for each spring. Not because they want to – but because they have to. This is a predictably recurrent group of pests for which running the gauntlet hoping for a season of mild pest pressure probably isn’t worth it.

Spring Dead Spot (SDS) of couch grass is a member of the Ectotrophic Root Infecting group of fungi. The ERI group covers a number of additional diseases commonly seen on intensively managed turf such as couch grass decline and take all patch but symptom expression and host specificity allow separation to discrete diseases.

Mites love dry conditions and sites with significant irrigation limitations (especially no overhead watering) are increasingly vulnerable. Successful mite management requires adoption of a range of management options.

The most appropriate method for algae and moss control is by improving turf growing conditions, so that excess moisture is limited. This can be undertaken in most circumstances by improving the drainage capacity of the soil. Increasing air movement and improving irrigation scheduling can also help in the reduction of algae and moss incidence.

Annual weeds germinate, complete their vegetative growth phase and set seed within a calendar year. Plants that have this type of lifecycle often set a generous amount of seed as their species survival has had to cater for the fact only a portion of those seeds will find fertile ground and a supportive environment in which to grow.

When it comes to managing water bodies, staying on top of things is vital. Through proactive management approach, dams can be kept largely algae free allowing them to function to their full potential.

Great attention gets paid to grub control at the start of spring with a view to all summer management through either a single or split application strategy. However, very late summer and into autumn often gets overlooked and this is when a different pest can turn up in great number.

Thatch plays an important role in turf where it protects turfgrass crowns and leaves from the shearing action of foot traffic. 1.3cm of thatch depth is considered appropriate where protection of turf from wear is concerned on greens (Couch: 2000).

Poa annua has shown itself to be highly genetically plastic. Its ability to change its genetic composition in response to different selective pressures is truly impressive.

The turf management fraternity has well and truly embraced prevention as the ‘norm’. Not just for Pythium but for pests and disease more generally – atleast to the extent budgets allow. For Pythium however preventative management is the most sensible approach without doubt.

Argentine Stem Weevil (ASW) management in golf is a recurring challenge for superintendents. The extent to which they are a focus differs greatly between sites and geography. The differences can actually be quite extreme, but for those sites that ASW is a problem execution of a strong management plan that has a rock solid start point is absolutely critical.

On sand-based profiles (e.g. USGA spec greens) the onset of summer can bring with it the return of Localised Dry Spot (LDS). This patchwork of inconsistent drying / wetting behavior can cause significant damage to a stable quality surface.