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Turf Pest Control 3B Kansas Questions
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Turfgrass industry in Kansas includes: ✔✔home lawns, institutional and industrial grounds, sod production, golf courses, athletic fields and other recreational turf, parks, roadsides, airports, and cemeteries.
Turf management involves selecting: ✔✔the right grass, proper mowing, watering, fertilizing, and controlling thatch.
Geographically, Kansas is ✔✔is in the transition zone between the northern cool-season grass range and the southern warm-season grass range.
Cool season grasses include ✔✔bluegrass, tall fescue and ryegrass
Warm season grasses include ✔✔bermudagrass, zoysiagrass and buffalograss
The following practices will help maintain overall turfgrass health and prevent disease development. ✔✔Select appropriate turfgass species and varieties, provide adequate drainage,
provide appropriate fertility, avoid compaction, prevent excessive thatch, use appropriate mowing heights, improve airflow and light availability
The first step in control of turfgrass problems is ✔✔accurate diagnosis
To diagnose turfgrass problems follow these steps: ✔✔Determine the overall distribution of the problem, identify the affected turfgrass species and cultivar (if possible), observe symptoms on individual plants, determine weather conditions before and during disease development, knowledge of weather conditions will help you select the right disease, determine potential problems with soil structure or fertility, determine the history of cultural practices at the site, review pesticide management practices, use reference materials
Common turfgrass diseases in Kansas include: ✔✔brown patch, dollar spot, fairy ring, large patch of zoysiagrass, lef spot and melting out, necrotic ringspot, pin snow mold/microdochium patch, powdery mildew, plythium foliar blight, rusts, spring dead spot, slime molds, andsummer patch
Brown Patch ✔✔Rhizoctonia salami most common and important disease of tall fescue in Kansas
Fairy ring fungi grow in the soil or thatch consuming organic matter and affect turf grass growth ✔✔
In fairy ring after rain or heavy watering ✔✔Fungal fruiting structures (mushrooms or puffballs) May appear in the ring area. In addition whit spongy fungal growth maybe visible in the thatch or soil underneath the ring
Fairy ring symptoms include ✔✔Three categories.
Type 1 fairy rings ✔✔Include turf death and are most common on sand based putting greens. Has been associated with high salt content and hydrophobic conditions in the soil caused by fungi
Type 2 Fairy ring ✔✔Display a ring of lunch dark green turf and May or may not have fungal fruiting structures
Type 3 fairy ring ✔✔Develop a ring of fruiting bodies with no visible effect on the turfgrass. May range in diameter from a few inches to 50 feet or more and they can expand overtime.
Fairy ring management includes ✔✔No management needed as they symptoms are temporary.
Leaf spot and melting out is caused by ✔✔Several different fungi. Most common on Kentucky blue grass and tall fescue
Nutrient Deficiency ✔✔Areas or all of the turf may become yellowed and stunted. Chlorosis (yellowing) is usually caused by nitrogen deficiency or iron deficiency.
Buried Debris ✔✔A thin layer of soil over buried rocks, lumber, bricks, plaster, or concrete dries out rapidly in dry summer weather and may resemble disease.
compacted areas ✔✔Thin turf or bare spots appear in heavily used areas. Waterlogged and heavy-textured (clay) soils become compacted especially in areas with frequent foot or vehicle traffic
Algae ✔✔A green to blackish algae slime may form on bare soil or thinned turf in low, wet, shaded or heavily used and compacted areas. The slimy mass of algae dries to form a thin, black crust that later cracks and peels.
Examples of summer annual weeds common to turfgrass: ✔✔broadleaf weeds, knotweed, spurge, purslane, (grass weeds) crabgrass, goosegrass, barnyardgrass, foxtail
Winter annuals are common in new turfgrass and include ✔✔common chickweed, shepherd's purse, henbit, downy brome annual bluegrass
Biennial weeds normally occur at the same time as ✔✔perennial broadleaf weeds
Biennial weeds example ✔✔roundlef mallow and wild carrot
Perennial weeds, broadleaf weeds include: ✔✔dandelion, wild garlic, plantain, mouse-ear chickweed, curly dock
Perennial grass weeds include: ✔✔bermudagrass, bentgrass, quackgrass, niblewill, windmill grass
Broadleaf weeds ✔✔Several postemergence herbicides are used to selectively control annual, biennial and perennial broadleaf weeds in turfgrasses.
grass weeds ✔✔Control of annual grasses is best achieved with preemergence herbicides for general infestations and spot treatment with postemergence herbicides for localized infestations.
Perennial grass weeds are the most difficult to control. ✔✔true
Withhold spring fertilization of warm-season: ✔✔zoysia, buffalo, and Bermuda until mid-May; do not fertilize them after mid-August.
Barnyard grass: ✔✔A coarse warm-season annual grass with a flattened stem, especially near the base. Lower portion of the plant tends to be reddish purple. The seed head branches into six to eight short compact segments. Ligule and auricles are absent.
Bermudagrass ✔✔Warm-season perennial that produces both rhizomes and stolons that lie flat and creep across an area, rooting at the nodes. Flowering culms, flattened erect or ascending 4 to 15 inches tall; ligule features a conspicuous ring of white hairs. A serious pest of cool-season grasses.
Bindweed, field ✔✔A deep-rooted perennial vine common throughout most of the region. It is one of the more difficult weeds to control. The spade-shaped leaves have rounded tips and vary in size. The funnel shaped flowers vary from white to light pink and are about the size of a
Clover, white ✔✔A cool-season perennial legume that spreads by underground and above ground stems. May or may not be objectionable in lawns, depending on individual preference. Flowers are white, sometimes tinged with pink. Seeds live for 20 years or more in the soil.
Other common names: White Dutch clover.
Crabgrass ✔✔Crabgrass is one of the most common warm-season annual grassy weeds. The stems grow mostly prostrate, branch freely and send down roots where each joint comes into contact with the soil or moist grass. Seed head is divided into several finger-like segments. Two principal species are large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), sometimes known as hairy crabgrass, and smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum). Smooth crabgrass tends to be smaller
Dandelion ✔✔(Taraxacum officinale spp.)
Cool-season perennial common throughout the region. The yellow flowers occur from early spring to late fall. The thick fleshy taproot, often branched, can give rise to new shoots. Seedlings may appear throughout the spring and summer
Dock ✔✔The dock plant forms a large rosette but rarely flowers when growing in lawns. Curly dock (Rumex crispus) is most common. The leaves have crinkled edges, often tinted red or purple. Leaves of pale dock, also known as tall dock (Rumex altissimus), tend to be flatter and broader. Both species have flowering stalks that can grow up to 3 feet tall.
Fescue, tall ✔✔A coarse, cool-season perennial bunch grass. Scattered clumps are objectionable in fine-textured turfgrasses. Leaf veins are fibrous. When mowed, fibers show on the cut edge, especially if mowers are not well sharpened. Mature leaf blades may be 1⁄2 inch wide, ribbed on top, and shiny smooth below. The lower portions of the stems are reddish purple, particularly in the spring and fall.
A similar grass, meadow fescue, (Festuca elatior) is also a frequent weed in bluegrass lawns.
Foxtail (Setaria spp) ✔✔Foxtails are warm-season annuals. Yellow foxtail (Setaria glauca) has flattened stems, often reddish, on the lower portion. Stems of green foxtail (Setaria viridis) are round. The seed of yellow foxtail is four times as large as green foxtail. Giant foxtail (Setaria faberili) may be found in some lawns.
Garlic, wild (allium vineale) ✔✔The slender, smooth leaves are hollow and attached to the lower portion of the waxy stems. Both bulbs and bulblets are produced underground. Green to purple flowers are often replaced with bulblets. There is a characteristic onion-garlic odor.
Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) ✔✔A decidedly warm-season annual most often found growing where cool-season grass stands are thin. Germinates later than crabgrass. The stems tend to be flattened and white near the base. Flower heads are thicker and more robust than on common crabgrass. The extensive fibrous root system makes it difficult to pull.
Nutsedge, yellow (cyperus esculentus) ✔✔Triangular stems of this warm-season perennial produce three-ranked leaves from near the ground. Leaves are light yellow-green. Lower portion of the plant is fibrous and brown. Roots often terminate with small nutlets about the size of a popcorn kernel. Seed heads resemble burs. Plants grow rapidly in spring and early summer. Several sedge species are common in this region, but this one is most prevalent in lawns.
Plantain, blackseed and broadleaf ✔✔Cool-season perennials that form rosettes with prominently veined leaves. The leaves of blackseed (Plantago rugelii) are oval and 2 to 3 inches across with purplish stalks. Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) has smaller leaves without purplish coloration. Both species have rattail seed heads several inches long
Plantain, buckhorn (plantago lanceolata) ✔✔Slender, narrow leaves of this perennial are about 1 inch across with three to five prominent veins. The seed head is a short cylindrical spike.
Poison Ivy (Rhus radicans) ✔✔This woody perennial reproduces by seed and root and is found mostly in woods and shady places. Leaves are divided into three oval leaflets. Seeds are borne in white berries. All plant parts contain a toxic substance that may be irritating to people. This plant is usually not a problem in turf, except in natural areas.
Puncturevine (tribulus terrestris) ✔✔A prostrate, freely branching warm-season annual that is slightly hairy. Some stems may be 4 or 5 feet long. It has a taproot, bright-green leaflets, and yellow flowers. Seeds are angled, with two stout spines that resemble a Texas longhorn.
Purslane, common (portulaca oleracea) ✔✔This warm-season annual has fleshy or succulent leaves and stems, reddish in color. It grows prostrate, and the root system tends to be fibrous. Stems root where they touch the ground, particularly if the main root has been destroyed. Plant has small yellow flowers and small black seeds.
Quackgrass (agropyron repens) ✔✔A cool-season perennial wheatgrass that spreads extensively by long white rhizomes (underground stems). Leaf blades are twice the width of bluegrass and tend to be rough in texture. A claw-like protrusion of the leaf called an auricle clasps the stem. The lower leaf sheath of the stem is hairy.
Other common names: Crouchgrass.
Sandbur (cenchrus spp) ✔✔A warm-season annual grass most often found in sandy turf areas that have been on low maintenance programs. Stems are flattened and branched; may be confused with yellow foxtail before the formation of the spiny burs
Violets (Viola spp) ✔✔Cool-season perennials that are among the first to bloom in the spring. Prefer at least partial shade. Flower color varies from very light blue to deep purple. Occasionally become troublesome in lawns. Numerous species are common in this region.
Windmill Grass (Chloris verticillata) ✔✔Perennial with flattened, keeled leaf sheath and grayish-green blades, 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch wide. Panicles of two or three whorls with stiff, spreading spikes. Primarily occurs in range and pasture areas. Lawns started with pasture sod or topsoil may be infested
Woodsorrel, yellow (oxalis stricta) ✔✔Classified as a perennial but more often performs as a warm-season annual. Stems branch from the base. The leaves are palmately divided into three leaflets and resemble a clover. Funnel-form flowers are yellow (violet in some species). The seedpod is cylindrical, five-sided, and pointed. Plants contain soluble oxalates that give it a rather pleasing sour taste.
Yarrow, common (achillea millefolium) ✔✔Perennial that grows 1 or 2 feet tall. Leaves are soft, finely divided,and fern-like. Stems and leaves are covered with grayish-green fine hairs. Flowers are mostly white, forming a flat flower cluster. Entire plant is rather strongly scented.
Western yarrow (Achillea lanulosa) is also common in the region.
Preemergence weed control ✔✔Chemicals applied to the soil to stop growth of seed are preemergence herbicides.
Preparation for preemergence chemicals includes three simple steps: ✔✔1. Remove trash, leaves and excess dead grass from the lawn. If power raking is planned, do it as part of the lawn preparation for preemergence chemicals.
- Apply the preemergence product as directed on the bag or container. Distribute evenly. Double coverage at half rate in two directions assures more even distribution than a full rate applied in a single application.
- After application, water the lawn. Watering moves the chemical into the soil where it can perform the intended job on germinating weed seeds.
Preemergence products should be applied when? ✔✔in the very early spring for the control of cool-season weeds and in mid spring for warm-season annuals.
Barricade (prodiamine) ✔✔Can be used on most species grown in Kansas. Season-long control is possible with a single application.
Betasan (bensulide) ✔✔Can be used on cool-season grasses including bentgrass greens; also bermudagrass and zoysiagrass.
Ronstar (oxadiazon) ✔✔Not for use on home lawns. Particularly effective against goosegrass. Can be used safely on newly sprigged or plugged warm-season turfgrass.
Surflan (oryzalin) ✔✔For use on tall fescue and warm-season grasses only
Team (benefin + trifluralin). ✔✔For use on all Kansas species, except bentgrass and buffalograss.
Tupersan (siduron) ✔✔Can be used at time of seeding to control crabgrass and foxtail in the seedbed. Not for use on warm-season grasses.
XL (benefin + oryzalin). ✔✔For use on tall fescue and warm-season grasses only.
The application of weed killers to unwanted emerged plants is referred to as ✔✔postemergence weed control
2,4-D is an example of: ✔✔selective postemergence herbicide
2,4-D ✔✔growth-regulating phenoxy herbicide that acts like a hormone. Formulated principally as amine salts and esters and sold under a wide variety of trade names. It is available in liquid or granular form. Very effective against dandelions and many other broadleaf weeds
2,4 DP ✔✔A phenoxy herbicide similar in chemistry to 2,4-D.
Confront (triclopyr+clopyralid) ✔✔A very effective non-phenoxy broad-spectrum herbicide. Excellent against clover. Confront cannot be used on home lawns
Diacamba ✔✔A very effective non-phenoxy broad-spectrum herbicide. Should be used with caution around landscape plants as it can be taken up through their roots. Do not use inside the drip-line of trees
Image (imazaquin) ✔✔Controls variety of broadleaf weeds as well as wild garlic and wild onion. For use on bermudagrass and zoysiagrass only.
Escalade II (2,4-D+fluroxypyr+dicamba) ✔✔Controls a wide variety of broadleaf weeds. Not labeled for buffalograss.
