May 14 , 2010
This week there have been a number of reports of “yellow rings” appearing on annual bluegrass putting greens.  These rings are likely cool season brown patch or brown ring patch (formerly known as Waitea patch).  Differentiating between these two diseases can be difficult based on symptoms alone since they look very similar.  However, identifying which disease you are dealing with can be important when considering whether to treat for the disease... read more...

April 28 , 2010
The cool, wet weather facing the region over the past couple days has provided favorable conditions for the development of Microdochium patch (aka., pink snow mold).  The development of new infections now is evidence to the fact that snow cover is not required for this disease.  Rather, temperatures in the mid-30’s to mid 60’s F and extended moisture or high humidity are sufficient to cause outbreaks.  Microdochium patch symptoms observed in the field at this time often appear as 2 to 3-inch patches with thinning turf in the center and orange to pink margins.  Under high humidity, it is also likely to see a halo of water-soaked tissue and mycelium at the leading edge of the patch.  In addition to patch-like symptoms... read more...

April 26 , 2010
After a rapid start to the growing season with above average temperatures in March and April the recent weather pattern has been a return to normalcy.  For the most part this early spring has had a positive effect on turf growth.  Dr. Bill Dest reported observing strong root development in Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass turfs this spring.  This is a welcome change from this time last year when root growth appeared to be poor due to the cool/wet spring. 

While this spring appears to have favored early turf growth, it also favored an earlier than normal development of some turfgrass pests such as annual bluegrass weevil and basal rot anthracnose.  Additionally, soil temperatures increased earlier than normal this year potentially resulting in early colonization and infection of bentgrass roots by the take-all pathogen. read more...