Spring dead spot update

Spring dead spot is a disease of warm-season turf grasses, especially Bermuda grass. It is a disease that cannot be entirely prevented or cured, only managed. Over the last couple of years we have made progress in the management of the disease and we will continue to learn more each year.

You can read more about the specifics of the Spring Dead Spot disease here or read about the organic compost program we have undertaken the last 2 years to help combat the disease.

Notice the green grass in the center

Green grass in center again

This year was another different spring from the last 2, so the Bermuda grass reacted in another different way. Our first green tissue in the fairways was spotted March 8^th, a full 3 weeks ahead of last year. By all indications we were off and running, well ahead of last year’s pace. But Mother Nature applied the brakes in early April. Within the first 10 days of April we had 3 nights that dropped below 25 degrees! That is not Bermuda grass weather. All of the green tissue that had started to emerge was shut down immediately. The Bermuda grass went back to its dormant brown color. By the middle of April temperatures returned to normal and the Bermuda grass essentially started over. What we noticed was that any tissue that never turned green was healthier after the cold than the tissue that had greened up. Finally, once the Bermuda was growing, we were able to start to take stock of our spring dead spot infestation.

Notice no turf in center

Absence of turf in the center 

We are pleased with the continued progress we have been making against the disease. There are fewer incidences overall, as well as fewer completely dead areas amongst the diseased locations. Similar to the evaluation regarding our seed head control program that was discussed last week, we also ran a test regarding our chemical control of spring dead spot. Last winter, we purposely skipped one trouble area with our chemical control. Instead, we only applied the organic material to make sure that we were investing wisely in the chemical applications. So far this spring we have seen that the chemicals are indeed helping to lessen the severity of the disease. Looking at the pictures, in areas that received both compost and chemical treatments, there is far more healthy tissue within the disease circle. The area that only received compost has no grass inside the circle. So it is apparent that the combination of compost and chemical treatments is improving our control and healing.

A second indication that we are holding our own against spring dead spot is depicted in the pictures we have taken dating back to 2014. On April 19^th 2014, April 19^th 2015, and now April 19^th 2016 we have taken a picture from virtually the exact same location. What you can see in the three pictures is the progress of the Bermuda grass each year in comparison to the last. First, not every aspect of the Bermuda grass health is due to our inputs. Weather plays the greatest roll. Warmer temperatures one year can lead to more green grass, and the Bermuda in the picture from 2016 has a yellow-green color to it, which is the result of the cold snap. However, looking closer at the spring dead spot disease circles, one can see that there are fewer and they are less severe each year that passes.

4/19/2015

4/19/2014

4/19/2016

Spring dead spot is a disease that we must slowly work against. It will never completely disappear, but we can continue to weaken the pathogen through our control program. We have made strides in the last two years and we will continue to adjust and improve our strategy.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

When you splash bunker sand onto the green after your shot, please brush away any large piles or clumps that may have ended up on the green.

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org