SMcDonald

@PGRBill @CProdahl Nitrogen mineralization thoughts? We can incite the symptoms with 0.2 lbs/M (no mttr the source) every 7 days when soils are above 68F and no mattr the PGR treatment in trials. Wish I had time to publish our results from limited replicated work. Tissue N above 5.8%N. Curious u?

Here are my thoughts as a non-pathologist on the matter: 1) Reputable turf pathology labs have related this disease to different bacterial species which likely produce the hormone GA. Turf is very responsive to GA. 2) Cloudy, humid, and moderate temps (highs mid-70s, lows in the mid-60s) seem favorable. 3) It seems to be spread via mowing when clippings are not collected. Not confirmed via research, just a casual observation over time. 4) PGRs may exacerbate GA production by the bacteria when conditions are favorable for bacterial growth- Maybe a feedback loop in bacteria? 5) In my experience research different PGRs on various grass species and mowing heights, it appears to occur across all areas with a history of etiolation regardless of the PGR treatment (or lack of PGR). 6) Changes in weather can quickly reduce etiolation. Many managers also change PGR and fertility program after it first appears which makes it difficult to know if it was a change in the environment or PGR program (add at control area!) 7) While generally not lethal, areas with chronic etiolation tend to exhaust resources (i.e. sugar, nutrients, etc.) during rapid growth. This seems to weaken turf against other diseases like Pythium or leaf spots later in the summer. 8) We've tested various fungicides, fertilizers, and pigments with little success changing the outcome, duration or intensity of the etiolation. Those are just my observations for courses that I've worked at or with around Neb., NY, and beyond. We have run some small control trials on bentgrass with limited success. MY OBSERVATIONS ABOUT SPREAD, TEMPERATURE/CLOUDS/PGRS are just observations or theories about the condition. Please take them with a grain of salt. If something works for you and it didn't work for me, that is great and I'm glad to share your experience.

After two weeks of very hot and dry weather, the weather in Lincoln has turned cloudy with moderated temperatures. Morning dew hasn't been very heavy but lingers. What does that lead to? The return of etilolation on many grass species regardless of PGR treatment or ingredient.

One of the premier educational subscriptions in the Northeast…Steve McDonald @TurfgrassDS provides timely weekly updates of shared pressures…the summer of 2024 has been an “old school” summer…heat, moisture, traffic stress, abiotic pressure & the proverbial August ball marks

@NCSUTURF @daltonturf Congrats!

Huge congrats to turf superstar @daltonturf for his promotion to Golf Course Superintendent of Point Hardy Golf Club at Cabot Saint Lucia

@FrankSpeaks3 Yes.

Is that @TurfgrassDS ?

.@BradleySKlein: 8 certainties of golf course management. golfcourseindustry.com/article/bradle…

@GCSAA_NE @MetGCSA @ralonzijr @kenbenoit1 Thanks for the invite from the @MetGCSA. One of the best groups I’ve ever worked with!

Great lineup at today’s @MetGCSA Fall Ed Day-Annual Meeting-Walk-n-Learn at Fenway GC. Thanks to @ralonzijr for hosting and his 18yrs of service on the board & @kenbenoit1 for his tireless BMP efforts in NY & beyond!

Up next in our L.E.A.R.N webinar series-Steve McDonald of Turfgrass Disease Solutions. You don't want to miss this webinar. Thursday, October 19 at 1:00 EST/12:00 CST. Great stuff coming your way this fall. #webinars #learn #turf #continuingeducation

@iTweetTurf Littles on the route 100 in south Coventry (Pottstown). It’s 1000 yards from my front door.

Anyone know which John Deere distributor that is where they arrested #Cavalcante in Chester County?

@TZurybida It’s very dry. I’m seeing more winter time sod/establish struggles than I ever have.

Can’t believe I’m looking at this screen on 4/11.

@DelValTurf @DVUAggies I’ve never hit more balls for practice than I did in college. Enjoy and learn!

First spring practice for @DVUAggies . #aggiesmakeputts

In our latest #WeevilTrak blog post @TurfgrassDS discusses: -The impact of a warm winter -Why we start counting GDDs on March 1 -What early #ABW adults mean for larvae timing -And more Sign up for WeevilTrak to read the full article: ow.ly/6nCo50N76hp

@AdamMoeller I’ve gotten a ton of calls about this. I agree with your thoughts. The other good thing is sun light hours for dormancy break (winter solstice) are a lot shorter than February. I’ve advised people to pull a few plugs next week when it thaws just to gauge.

The rain and rapid temp drop in the Northeast Friday to Saturday is concerning. Plants are more cold hardy at this point in winter than in February, so that’s a positive. That said, do what you can to make sure water flows off greens.

Is there a smarter, more practical scientific mind than Steve McDonald in our community? Dude packed a year’s worth of great info into about 36 minutes. 👏👏👏 #NJGreenExpo @GCSANJ1926

@TurfEnto That’s great pressure. I’m shocked at the pressure in our trials this year too. #itwasdry #sodcutterfindsthem

@DonWalinga White leaf for sure. I’ve seen more than 6 cases the past few weeks, but I tend to get calls when things look off. I have never seen this respond to any plant protection material. I feel it has something to do with day length and sun hours and is mostly abiotic.

Seeing this on a few collars, and one spot on a green. It's not really causing damage, just ugly....wtf is it?

⛳️ This is your last chance to apply for the Fall 2022-2023 Two-Year Turf program. Don't delay, apply today. Classes start October 5th! ⛳️conta.cc/3x3NDct conta.cc/3eCUKCv

grubs and black cut worms. turfgrassdiseasesolutions.com/in-the-field-1

The week of August 29th was a split week with some heat & drought stress early & then a cool down with less humidity. In this video, I highlight Bermudagrass suggestions leading into dormancy in the NE and Mid-Atlantic regions, spring dead spot control and observations on white👉🏼

This video update highlights the week in agronomics in fine turf, diseases like summer patch, gray leaf spot and fairy ring as well as some goosegrass control. turfgrassdiseasesolutions.com/in-the-field-1

The week of August 22 was another dry week and another challenging one for most golf courses and athletic field managers in the North-east and the Mid-Atlantic regions. While there was some teaser rain showers, nothing major for most. More 👉🏼