This is the 8th edition of the 2008 OMAFRA Turf Management Update recorded on June 20,
Just a general note about the turf updates. There will sometimes be pesticide recommendations for controlling different turf pests. If you are in a municipality that currently has a pesticide by-law, it is important that you know all the restrictions on pesticide use in your particular municipality. On that note, the legislation to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides in Ontario (Bill 64) was passed earlier this week. There will be more information forthcoming over the next few months on the details. The ban will take effect in spring, 2009.
It was a cold week last week and the forecast is for more of the same. The 7 day forecast has temperatures just below the seasonal average in the low 20’s with the night time temperatures in the low teens, with the exception of Saturday, which is going to be 26°C with scattered thundershowers. There are showers in the forecast for the next three days.
With the cool weather and showers, we are more likely to see the spring diseases than the summer diseases. The risk of dollar spot will be increasing over the next week as temperatures warm up a bit. There is a risk or a resurgence of Fusarium patch and yellow patch from the cool, rainy weather a few days ago. I think we are safe from diseases like brown patch, Pythium blight and anthracnose for the next week. Some of the diseases that have been submitted over the last week at GTI Turf Diagnostics were anthracnose basal rot, Pythium root disfunction and take-all patch.
If you have an unknown turf problems, please contact the GTI Turf Diagnostics. Information on this service is available at the link below. You can email them at diagnostics@guelphturfgrass.ca or telephone at (519) 824-4120 x 58873.
The first adult Japanese beetles have been seen in the Niagara peninsula. European chafer adults will start flying any day now. The window is usually mid-June to Mid-July. Because it has been so cold, the first flights could be at least a week later than normal. The timing is right to see annual bluegrass weevil damage. Just a reminder that it is characterized by a small group of yellowing annual bluegrass plants. When you tug at them they pull out easily because they are severed at the crown. The only product registered for use against them is chlorpyrifos.
The plant that signals the peak egg laying of hairy chinch bug, bird’sfoot trefoil is blooming now. We should start to see some chinch bug nymphs developing in the next couple of weeks. Chinch bug damage however, is probably a month away.
There have been some reports from sod growers and homeowners about armyworms passing through lawns and sod fields in the southwestern part of the province as well as Niagara. The general consensus is that they will not do permanent damage unless the crowns that have been exposed are subjected to heat and drying winds. With the current temperatures that we are having there is little risk of the crowns dying out from exposure to heat and sunlight.
The crabgrass plants have developed quickly over the last week and many are in the multi-tiller stage. At this point it is best to switch to fenoxaprop-ethyl (Acclaim Super) for crabgrass control. The cool weather next week will extend the window for broadleaf herbicide treatment. Temperatures are cool enough that there still is active weed growth.
This week of cool weather and rain has improved the overall appearance of golf course turf and especially annual bluegrass.
Thanks for tuning in to the Turf Updates and this message will be updated on Fri. June 27, 2008.
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