Spring dead spot

Slowly but surely the cool weather has returned. While it has been great for playing golf and for the cool season turf grass, it has been difficult for the Bermuda grass. As these changes in temperatures take place it marks the time to be taking precautions against spring dead spot. In past blogs we have discussed several things we will be incorporating into our defense but we still have a few tactics left.

Starting again this week we will be making the second half application of the Orgro compost material in the fairways. Time will not be spent in this installment covering the details of the Orgro again. For more information, the past blog on the topic can be referenced.

We also monitor the nutrient needs of the Bermuda grass plant throughout the year. One of the most important nutrients for all turf grass including Bermuda is potassium. Potassium provides many benefits to the plant, but especially important for Bermuda grass and spring dead spot prevention is that it increases winter hardiness. Many times the spring dead spot fungus weakens the plant but does not kill the Bermuda entirely. Instead the cold weather kills the Bermuda grass. So by monitoring the potassium heading into fall, we can make applications of potassium to the Bermuda grass and give the turf the boost it needs to weather the winter. We will be making our potassium application in the next couple of weeks as we fit it into the schedule.

We add nutrients to the soil, but allowing the plant to more efficiently use the nutrients that are already available to it is another way to improve health of the Bermuda grass. To do this, we begin to raise the mowing height of all of the Bermuda grass surfaces. By increasing the mowing height, we decrease the amount of tissue that is removed and increase the plant’s ability to prepare for the winter. Mowing turfgrass is stressful to the plant, even though we do this practice regularly. Taller Bermuda grass is mowed less frequently thus causing stress to the turf less often. A less stressed plant can more easily take existing nutrients in from the soil. Leaving more tissue on the plant also affords the plant more surface area to collect sunlight and produce and store energy to survive the winter. This stored energy gives the plant the food it needs to survive the winter but also is in storage for the spring when temperatures begin to climb and gives the Bermuda some energy to start to green up.

Although most of the factors regarding spring dead spot are not well understood, there are a few things that have shown promise in prevention of the disease. By doing everything we can to send the Bermuda grass into winter as healthy as possible, we are giving the plant every opportunity to be able to withstand the spring dead spot fungus and winter damage.

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org