Fungicide Management of Brown Patch of Tall Turf-type Fescue in the Residential Landscape in Oklahoma

In the transition zone of the USA, cool-season grasses such as tall fescue are often planted in shaded areas, where warm-season grasses are less adapted. The most damaging disease of tall fescue is brown patch, caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Fungicide applications and cultural practices are often used to manage brown patch in this region. A three-year study was implemented in Oklahoma to evaluate ready-to-use fungicides available to residential lawn owners and compare these to several common commercial fungicide formulations used by professional lawn care applicators. A selection of fungicides representing products commonly available to the residential market and commercial standards were applied to small plots of tall fescue or tall fescue/Kentucky bluegrass mixtures from 2008 to 2010. All products tested, with the exception of azoxystrobin, provided limited or inconsistent control of brown patch and resulted in lower turfgrass quality in all years. Further examination of carrier type (granular vs. liquid) and timing (preventive vs. curative) did not result in strong differences in the level of brown patch control or overall quality. These studies suggest that control of brown patch in tall fescue in the transition zone should focus on integrated disease management principals and not only on applications of fungicides directed at the residential market. Accepted for publication 5 August 2013. Published 22 October 2013.

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Month of Seeding Effect on Low-Input Establishment of Cool- and Warm-Season Turfgrasses in Continental Transition Zone

Atlas Journal of Biology ◽

10.5147/ajb.v2i3.27 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 162-170

Author(s):

Kenneth Lynn Diesburg ◽

Ronald F. Krausz

Keyword(s):

Transition Zone ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Festuca Arundinacea ◽

Seedling Survival ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Warm Season ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Percent Cover ◽

Cool Season ◽

Low Input

This research was conducted to determine the degree of success, by month, in seeding establishment of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers. var. dactylon), and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) at two locations in the moist, Midwest, continental transition zone on a prepared seed bed without irrigation or cover. The four species were planted every month of the year starting in September 2005. Starter fertilizer and siduron were applied the same day as seeding with no subsequent management except mowing. Percent cover of living turfgrass was recorded in each of 24 months after seeding. Tall fescue (80%) and Bermudagrass (73%) provided the best percent cover over all planting dates. Kentucky bluegrass provided 65% and zoysiagrass 24% cover. The cool-season grasses performed best in the July-to-March plantings; tall fescue 88% and Kentucky bluegrass 72%. Bermudagrass (94%) established best in the January-to-April plantings, while Zoysiagrass (32%) established best in the November-to-March plantings. Germination and seedling survival after germination of all species were inhibited by limited moisture during summer. The warm-season grasses were further limited by winter kill in the August, September, and October seedings. These results emphasize the risk in spring-seeding as well as the value in dormant-seeding of both warm- and cool-season turfgrasses for low-input, nonirrigated establishment.

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Colorant Application Volume and Color Persistence on a ‘Chisholm’ Zoysiagrass Lawn

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.26.3.314 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 314-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ross Braun ◽

Jack Fry ◽

Megan Kennelly ◽

Dale Bremer ◽

Jason Griffin

Keyword(s):

Transition Zone ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Festuca Arundinacea ◽

Warm Season ◽

Canopy Temperature ◽

Cool Season ◽

Green Color ◽

Visual Rating ◽

The Impact ◽

Application Volume

Zoysiagrass (Zoysia sp.) is a warm-season turfgrass that requires less water and fewer cultural inputs than cool-season grasses, but its widespread use by homeowners in the transition zone may be limited because of its extended duration of brown color during dormancy. Turf colorants are an option for improving zoysiagrass winter color. Our objective was to quantify the impact of colorants applied in autumn at three application volumes on persistence of green color on lawn-height ‘Chisholm’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica). The commercial colorants Green Lawnger, Endurant, and Wintergreen Plus were applied in Oct. 2013 in Manhattan, KS, and Haysville, KS, in solutions with water at 80, 160, or 240 gal/acre at a 1:6 dilution (colorant:water) and evaluated through late 2013 and Spring 2014. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), a cool-season turfgrass commonly used in home lawns in the transition zone, was included for comparison. Persistence of green color increased with application volume, but differences among colorants were limited. Colorants provided acceptable color (i.e., a visual rating ≥6 on a 1 to 9 scale) for 55 to 69 days at 80 gal/acre, 69 to 118 days at 160 gal/acre, and 118 to 167 days at 240 gal/acre. Compared with tall fescue, colorant-treated zoysiagrass had significantly higher color ratings for 98 to 112 days at 80 gal/acre, 112 to 154 days at 160 gal/acre, and 138 to 154 days at 240 gal/acre. Colorants increased turfgrass canopy temperature by up to 12.1 °F, but did not accelerate spring green-up. Duration of acceptable color on ‘Chisholm’ zoysiagrass lawns can be enhanced by increasing colorant application volume.

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Hybrid Bluegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Tall Fescue Response to Nitrogen Fertilization in the Transition Zone

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.42.2.369 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 369-372 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Travis C. Teuton ◽

John C. Sorochan ◽

Christopher L. Main ◽

Thomas J. Samples ◽

John M. Parham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transition Zone ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

The Other ◽

Dollar Spot ◽

University Of Tennessee ◽

Brown Patch ◽

N Fertility ◽

The University ◽

Main Effects

‘Dura Blue’ and ‘Thermal Blue’ hybrid bluegrass have been selected for heat and drought tolerance. These grasses offer alternatives to traditional Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue in the transition zone. Experiments were conducted in two locations during 2003 and 2004 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. Nitrogen (N) was applied at 50, 150, or 300 kg·ha−1 N per year to ‘Apollo’ Kentucky bluegrass, ‘Dura Blue’, and ‘Thermal Blue’ hybrid bluegrass, and ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue. The main effects of turfgrass and N were significant for color and quality observations. However, their interactions were not significant; therefore, only the main effects are shown. Acceptable turfgrass color (>6) and quality (>6) was observed for all varieties in May, August, and November. All N regimens showed acceptable turfgrass color and quality. However, 150 kg·ha−1 N per year was required to achieve optimum color and quality. ‘Kentucky 31’ produced higher clipping dry weights when N was applied at 50 kg·ha−1 per year than the other varieties. Nitrogen applied at 150 and 300 kg·ha−1 per year on ‘Kentucky 31’ and ‘Thermal Blue’ produced higher clipping dry weights than the other varieties. ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Kentucky 31’ had similar brown patch incidences at each nitrogen level. Increases in brown patch incidence occurred as N levels decreased from 300 (21%) to 50 kg·ha−1 per year (31%) for ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Kentucky 31’. Dollar spot incidence occurred on all bluegrass varieties from 7% to 24%. However, dollar spot decreased with increased N fertility. All turfgrass species tested were acceptable for use in the transition zone.

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Broadleaf Weed Control with Sulfonylurea Herbicides in Cool-Season Turfgrass

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-11-00166.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 582-586 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jeffrey F. Derr

Keyword(s):

Tall Fescue ◽

Creeping Bentgrass ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Sulfonylurea Herbicides ◽

Weed Species ◽

Cool Season ◽

Perennial Weeds ◽

Limited Spectrum ◽

Residual Control ◽

Tribenuron Methyl

Broadleaf weeds are common and troublesome pests in cool-season turfgrass species such as tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and creeping bentgrass. Broadleaf weeds are primarily managed in these grasses through POST applications of growth regulator herbicides in the phenoxy, benzoic acid, and pyridine chemical classes. There are disadvantages to use of these chemicals, including nontarget plant damage and limited residual control. Certain annual broadleaf weeds can be controlled through application of isoxaben or a PRE crabgrass herbicide, but these herbicides do not control emerged broadleaf weeds. There are advantages to use of sulfonylurea herbicides, including PRE and POST control of annual and perennial weeds, a different mode of action, and these herbicides have low vapor pressure, reducing the potential for offsite movement. There are disadvantages to the use of sulfonylurea herbicides, including limited spectrum of broadleaf weed species controlled and limited tolerance in cool-season turfgrass species. The primary sulfonylurea herbicides used in cool-season turfgrass are chlorsulfuron, halosulfuron, metsulfuron, and sulfosulfuron. There have been specialized uses for primisulfuron and tribenuron-methyl.

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Date of Seeding Affects Establishment of Cool-season Turfgrasses

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.11.1.152a ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 152a

Author(s):

Zachary J. Reicher ◽

Clark S. Throssell ◽

Daniel V. Weisenberger

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Festuca Arundinacea ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Cool Season ◽

Fertilizer Rate ◽

Starter Fertilizer ◽

Seeding Date ◽

P Fertilizer

Little documentation exists on the success of seeding cool-season turf-grasses in the late fall, winter and spring. The objectives of these two studies were to document the success of seeding Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) at less-than-optimum times of the year, and to determine if N and P fertilizer requirements vary with seeding date of Kentucky bluegrass. `Ram I' Kentucky bluegrass, `Fiesta' perennial ryegrass, and `Mustang' tall fescue were seeded on 1 Sept., 1 Oct., 1 Nov., 1 Dec., 1 Mar., 1 Apr., and 1 May ± 2 days beginning in 1989 and 1990. As expected, the September seeding date produced the best establishment, regardless of species. Dormant-seeding Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue in November, December, or March reduced the establishment time compared with seeding in April or May. Seeding perennial ryegrass in November, December, or March may not be justified because of winterkill potential. To determine the effect of starter fertilizer on seedings made at different times of the year, `Ram 1' Kentucky bluegrass was seeded 1 Sept., 1 Nov., 1 Mar., and 1 May ± 2 days in 1989 and 1990, and the seedbed was fertilized with all combinations of rates of N (0, 24, and 48 kg·ha-1) and P (0, 21, and 42 kg·ha-1). Fertilizer rate had no effect on establishment regardless of seeding date, possibly because of the fertile soil on the experimental site.

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Cool-season Turfgrass Response to Bispyribac-Sodium

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.5.1552 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (5) ◽

pp. 1552-1555 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Darren W. Lycan ◽

Stephen E. Hart

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Creeping Bentgrass ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Cool Season ◽

Severe Stunting ◽

Annual Bluegrass ◽

Fine Fescue

Previous research has demonstrated that bispyribac-sodium can selectively control established annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Annual bluegrass is also a problematic weed in other cool-season turfgrass species. However, the relative tolerance of other cool-season turfgrass species to bispyribac is not known. Field experiments were conducted at Adelphia, N.J., in 2002 and 2003 to gain understanding of the phytotoxic effects that bispyribac may have on kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (L.) Schreb.), and chewings fine fescue (Festuca rubra L. subsp. commutata Gaud.). Single applications of bispyribac at 37 to 296 g·ha–1 were applied to mature stands of each species on 11 June, 2002 and 10 June, 2003. Visual injury was evaluated and clippings were collected 35 and 70 days after treatment (DAT). Visual injury at 35 DAT increased as bispyribac rate increased. Kentucky bluegrass was least tolerant to bispyribac with up to 28% injury when applied at 296 g·ha–1. Injury on other species did not exceed 20%. Initial injury on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and chewings fine fescue was primarily in the form of chlorosis, while kentucky bluegrass exhibited more severe stunting and thinning symptoms. Bispyribac at rates from 74 to 296 g·ha–1 reduced kentucky bluegrass clipping weights by 19% to 35%, respectively, as compared to the untreated control at 35 DAT in 2002. Initial visual injury on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and chewings fine fescue dissipated to ≤5% by 70 DAT. However, recovery of kentucky bluegrass was less complete. These studies suggest that bispyribac-sodium has potential to severely injure kentucky bluegrass. Injury on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and chewings fine fescue appears to be less severe and persistent; therefore, bispyribac can be used for weed control in these species. Chemical names used: 2,6-bis[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]benzoic acid (bispyribac-sodium).

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Date of Seeding Affects Establishment of Cool-season Turfgrasses

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.6.1166 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 1166-1169 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Zachary J. Reicher ◽

Clark S. Throssell ◽

Daniel V. Weisenberger

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Festuca Arundinacea ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Cool Season ◽

Fertilizer Rate ◽

Starter Fertilizer ◽

Seeding Date ◽

P Fertilizer

Little documentation exists on the success of seeding cool-season turfgrasses in the late fall, winter and spring. The objectives of these two studies were to document the success of seeding Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) at less-than-optimum times of the year, and to determine if N and P fertilizer requirements vary with seeding date of Kentucky bluegrass. `Ram I' Kentucky bluegrass, `Fiesta' perennial ryegrass, and `Mustang' tall fescue were seeded on 1 Sept., 1 Oct., 1 Nov., 1 Dec., 1 Mar., 1 Apr., and 1 May ± 2 days beginning in 1989 and 1990. As expected, the September seeding date produced the best establishment, regardless of species. Dormant-seeding Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue in November, December, or March reduced the establishment time compared with seeding in April or May. Seeding perennial ryegrass in November, December, or March may not be justified because of winterkill potential. To determine the effect of starter fertilizer on seedings made at different times of the year, `Ram 1' Kentucky bluegrass was seeded 1 Sept., 1 Nov., 1 Mar., and 1 May ± 2 days in 1989 and 1990, and the seedbed was fertilized with all combinations of rates of N (0, 24, and 48 kg·ha-1) and P (0, 21, and 42 kg·ha-1). Fertilizer rate had no effect on establishment regardless of seeding date, possibly because of the fertile soil on the experimental site.

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Differential Responses of Warm-season and Cool-season Turfgrass Species to Heat Stress Associated with Antioxidant Enzyme Activity

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science ◽

10.21273/jashs.134.4.417 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 134 (4) ◽

pp. 417-422 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Hongmei Du ◽

Zhaolong Wang ◽

Bingru Huang

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Festuca Arundinacea ◽

Photochemical Efficiency ◽

Warm Season ◽

Species Variation ◽

Optimal Temperature ◽

Cool Season ◽

Zoysia Matrella ◽

Oxidative Stresses

Heat stress may limit the growth of turfgrasses through the induction of oxidative stress, causing cellular and physiological damage. The objective of the study was to examine the association of heat and oxidative stresses between warm-season (C4) and cool-season (C3) turfgrasses. Plants of zoysiagrass (Zoysia matrella L. Merr. cv. Manila) (C4) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreber cv. Barlexus) (C3) were exposed to optimal temperature conditions (24 °C for tall fescue and 34 °C for zoysiagrass) or heat stress (10 °C above the respective optimal temperature for each species) in growth chambers. Zoysiagrass exhibited less severe decline in turf quality and photochemical efficiency and less severe oxidative damage in cellular membranes as demonstrated by lower membrane electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation compared with tall fescue when both were exposed to heat stress. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) declined with heat stress for both species, but to a lesser extent in zoysiagrass than in tall fescue, whereas catalase activity did not change significantly under heat stress and did not exhibit species variation. Our results demonstrate that the superior heat tolerance in zoysiagrass in comparison with tall fescue was associated with greater oxidative scavenging capacity as a result of the maintenance of higher SOD and POD activities.

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