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| ~~The following is the C.D.G.A. scouting report as posted by Derek Settle, PhD. Don't forget to follow the link!~~ |
September 7, 2012 Scouting Report
Everything:
Anthracnose, Bipolaris of Bent, Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, Pythium
Blight, Summer Patch, and Tim's Data Says Brown Patch and Dollar Spot
Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle
September
begins to Lights, Camera, Action. In other words this summer didn't
quite stop when I said so! We would see everything in a week and along
the way we just kept on learning more and more. And do you know what I
decided? It appears that the MOST impressive fungus on planet earth is
arguably Sclerotinia homoeocarpa or dollar spot. In just a few days we
saw it's developement double in untreated research plots on our creeping
bentgrass greens at Sunshine Course in Lemont (30-40% blighted area
became 60-80%). Furthermore, any creeping bentgrass varieties which
lacked genetic resistance to dollar spot were observed to light up like a
Christmas tree. Only it's not December though Santa Claus early sounded
really good to most of us back in July.
Still, golf courses
remain on a relatively smooth road to recovery as roots continue their
deligent downward return to home (a moist and nutrient-rich rootzone is
waiting). "Good health" are recent reports of greens and fairways and it
means core aerification can begin on schedule for many (nothing
promotes root growth/penetration more than poking holes). We continue to
round what feels like the last quarter lap of the longest marathon ever
run and continue to be tested. Our brains, experience and artistry has
gotten a workout in 2012. I cannot remember seeing more fungal disease
varieity in a week...I just relearned turf plant pathology 101,
everything in 4 days!
Click here to view the September 7, 2012 Scouting Report.
Have a nice cooler feeling weekend. I for one will be listening to the roots grow!
Derek Settle, PhD
Director of Turfgrass Program |
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