Approaching our first SDS application

Maintaining Bermuda grass in our region is very difficult, because our climate is colder than the Bermuda grass would prefer. Luckily, our variety has become accustomed to the weather and can tolerate the cold, but not without some well-timed assistance from the Grounds staff.

The most crucial aspect of our program for ensuring healthy Bermuda grass all season is our Spring Dead Spot (SDS) fungicide applications. Reading back through some of our old posts, you can see that our program has evolved as we have learned more about dealing with the pathogen. Research has ramped up in the last 7-10 years as Bermuda grass has pressed further and further north, where protecting against SDS has become even more difficult. Along with the new research, new pesticides have come along that work significantly better than older products. We now make better targeted applications which have produced better results with less inputs.

So, what have we learned? First, soil temperatures are paramount. Although the pathogen is in the soil always, it does not become active until soil temperatures drop below 70 degrees for 5 consecutive days, with 65 degrees being the optimal time for the first pesticide application. This is much cooler than previously thought and has pushed our applications later into fall. Second, and equally as important, because the pathogen is down in the soil, the pesticide must be watered down to the pathogen. If the pesticide residue dries on the leaf tissue, it will never reach the target and be completely ineffective. So, it is recommended that .125-.25” of water be applied immediately after the application. Watering afterwards has always been a best practice, but now a much stronger body of evidence supports it, and a target volume has been established.

So, measuring the soil temperatures, finding time to make the application and irrigate around golfers and events, and squeezing around any potential weather delays, are all the factors that must align. We are rapidly approaching the time for our first application, and we are working on scheduling.

It is exciting to be nearing the time for our first SDS application. Knowing that this is one half of the most critical part of making sure the Bermuda grass is healthy gives it a great sense of importance. It is hard waiting 6-8 months to know if we were successful, but putting the right plan in place gives us confidence that we are preparing the Bermuda grass as best we can.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not climb up the steep face of the bunkers.

 

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Golf Cart tips

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org