Welcome to the “Turf Agriphone” sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This message is being recorded for the week of May 25-June 1, 2001.
I think that most parts of the province have received some rain over the last week. It was badly needed. Now we will finally see the flush of spring growth that we usually get much earlier. This will be especially true for turf that has just been fertilized before the rain came.
There has been some anthracnose basal rot reported this week on golf course greens. There is no chemical control for this disease. There could be some red thread as a result of the recent rains and the possibility of Fusarium patch also.
Turfgrass ataenius flights have slowed down a bit this week with the rain and cloudy weather. They can be founding flying around on sunny afternoons around golf greens. Make a note of areas with heavy adult flights. Check these areas in about 2 weeks time for signs of ataenius grub feeding. The damage usually shows up first on collars and the edges of fairways. There have been a few more reports about June beetles this week. June bugs will probably be flying for another 2 weeks or so. European chafer grubs will be pupating very soon.
Crabgrass has germinated in many areas of the province now. There is still a short window in which to apply Dimension. Many people seem to be skipping the pre-emergence crabgrass treatment in favour of an Acclaim treatment later in the season, if necessary. Remember not to apply these crabgrass products to lawns that have been reseeded because the products will prevent weed seeds from germinating, but they will also prevent grass seed from germinating. For Dimension, you must wait 3 months before reseeding.
We are moving into the ideal window for post-emergence broadleaf herbicide applications now. Annual weeds have germinated and will be controlled by these herbicide applications.
Annual bluegrass is still producing seedheads. To help maintain a good putting surface on greens, try light vertical mowing to control grain.
A research company is trying to find sites for hairy chinch bug insecticide trials in the Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener or Hamilton area. They are looking for commercial turf sites with a history of hairy chinch bug damage. They would like to be able to go in now when the chinch bugs are moving in from their overwintering sites to get some adult counts. If you think you have such a site and are willing to have research conducted there, could you please give me a call at (519) 824-4120 x 2597.
Again, thanks for phoning the Turf Agriphone for this week. The next agriphone message will be recorded on Fri. June 1,2001. – See more at: https://lawnsavers.com/turf-hotline-2001/-turf-agrifax-week-7-2001-may-25th-2001.html#sthash.mBTl2dsd.dpuf
