Tweaks to spring dead spot control

 

As new information becomes available, our strategies evolve in the battle against spring dead spot (SDS). We have even tweaked our approach just from last year.

5 years ago, the conventional wisdom advised multiple fungicide applications to treat spring dead spot. If you were able to follow those instructions, then the first application needed to be made in August to make sure there was time to fit all 3 applications in before it was too cold. We followed this protocol for several years with good, but not great results, though we were happy due to the difficulty in dealing with SDS.

Multiple applications are still recommended but timing those applications has changed in the past 2 years. Two years ago, we started monitoring soil temperatures to time the first application, waiting for the soil to drop below 70 degrees for 3 consecutive days. Though there were some other factors that contributed to the Bermuda grass struggling the next spring, spring dead spot specifically was not a major contributor. We saw a modest but noticeable improvement.

Another aspect of university SDS recommendations, is to make sure that the fungicide is watered into the soil immediately after application. This has been the standard practice for many years, and we have always done it. However, now the research has better quantified the amount of water needed- about ¼”. This is a lot of water to apply via irrigation. The research has also suggested we have the option to apply half of this total the next morning after the application, not only as a practical measure due to the volume needed to apply, but also as a way to ensure the greatest amount of fungicide reaches the target.

Part of what we call “dew” is called guttation, a sugary substance from inside the plant. The plant exudes this each morning as part of a natural process. Caught up in this can also be other materials, such as fungicides that were previously taken up by the plant. So, in our situation, at the time of the application, the plant will draw in some of the fungicide we applied. Normally, this would be a positive- the plant would be protected against a disease by having the fungicide inside of it. However, the SDS pathogen is in the soil, so we need our material to contact it in the soil. By watering again the next morning, any fungicide that was caught up and pushed out of the plant in the guttation fluid is knocked back down into the soil by that second wave of water. So, the maximum amount of our product reaches the soil.

Putting it altogether, this year we have watched soil temperatures closely, and have just applied our first treatment as of 9/19. This is about 1 week earlier than last year. We also watered following the spray and again the next morning, which we have not done in the past. Our next application will be roughly 3 weeks after the first.

There are many factors that contribute to a good or bad start for the Bermuda grass in the spring, one of which is spring dead spot. Following best practices, we supplied the recommended amount of water and hit the timing window. And, based on the research, by nailing the timing and watering, we have put ourselves in the best position to at least defend against spring dead spot.

 

Also, please note that hole #9 will be closed today, 9/21, as we begin a drainage project. The hole will reopen Tuesday, but with work ongoing. Thank you

 

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.

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

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org