AprilMay2007Newsletter

T H E N E W S L ET T E R O F T H E O H I O T U R F G R A S S F O U N D AT I O N

TurfNews
How many events are we having this weekend???

Volume 69 • No. 2 April – May 2007

They can’t deliver the fertilizer until when???!!!

any ent w m quipm Ho f e o ready ?? es iec are al own? p d en rok b

Hal f did of m yc n’t for r wo show ew rk t up oda y!

s Disease Weeds, cts ... e and Ins ! Oh My

My preemergence isn’t down yet!

Poa seedheads already going wild .......

I still need to aerify!!!!!!

Spring has Sprung!
WHAT’S INSIDE:
GREEN INDUSTRY NEWS
See Pages 4 – 9

Sports Turf TIPS
See Pages 18 – 22

Golf Course TIPS

See Page 24 – 25

T H E N E W S L ET T E R O F T H E O H I O T U R F G R A S S F O U N D AT I O N
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TurfNews distributes useful and timely advice, information and research from Ohio’s most knowledgeable experts and professionals to OTF members and those in the turfgrass industry. Vol. 69 • No. 2 April – May 2007 TurfNews is produced by the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation 1100-H Brandywine Blvd, Zanesville, Ohio 43701-7303 1-888-OTF-3445 and is available to all members www.OhioTurfgrass.org
Back issues of OTF TurfNews are available on our website at www.OhioTurfgrass.org.

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Inside
Message from the OTF President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Green Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Residential Lawn Care Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2007 Buckeye Sports Turf Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Sports Turf Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Member Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Golf Course Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Hort Shorts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 New Growth & Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 OSU Turfgrass Science Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Safe Lifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Corporate Sponsor – THE ANDERSONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
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07 Calendar O Events F
OTF’s 46th Anniversary!
April 24, 2007

Ohio Turfgrass Week
May 25 – June 1, 2007 • 888-683-3445

Ohio Sports Turf Spring Field Day (OSTMA)
May 2, 2007 • 614-354-1196 Hudson High School, Hudson, OH

Northeast Ohio Lawn Care Seminar (OLCA)
June 21, 2007 • 800-510-5296 OARDC, Wooster, OH

OTF Regional Seminar
July 17, 2007 Yankee Trace Golf Club, Centerville, OH

OLCA Golf Outing
July 26, 2007 • 800-510-5296 (OLCA) Deer Ridge Golf Club, Bellville, OH

Ohio Sod Producers Association Summer Field Day
August 7, 2007 • 888-683-3445 Henderson Turf Farm, Franklin, OH

OTF/OSU Turfgrass Research Field Day
August 15, 2007 • 888-683-3445 OTF Research & Education Center, Columbus, OH

Ohio Lawn Care Outdoor Summer Seminar (OLCA)
August 16, 2007 • 800-510-5296 OTF Research & Education Center, Columbus, OH

OTF Golf Tournament
October 1, 2007 • 888-683-3445 NCR Country Club, Dayton, OH

Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show
December 4 – 6, 2007 • 888-683-3445 Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH

MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT
The older I get, the more I learn to appreciate this time of year ... whether it is finding the sanity in life after “March Madness” or seeing the aesthetically invigorating “perfectscape” the Masters provides, the awakening mother nature provides gives us the energy and focus to begin the execution of winter plans ... certainly a season of hope. Freshness is also something the OTF Board and Committees look at while building programs for the upcoming year. One of the new programs started last year, Ohio Turfgrass Week, provides an opportunity for OTF members to help promote the turfgrass industry in Ohio. OTF launched the inaugural Ohio Turfgrass Week as an initiative to create an awareness of the positive impact turfgrass has on the environment, while creating an opportunity to generate new revenue streams through non-traditional means from those who benefit from turfgrass either recreationally or at home. To promote Ohio Turfgrass week last year, we asked golf courses to participate and donate a dollar a round during the week. This year Ohio Turfgrass week, scheduled for May 25 – June 1, has broadened the scope of the target groups. OTF is asking Golf Courses, Lawn Care Operators, Athletic Field Managers and vendors to participate by selling tickets for redemptive goods or services offered (see detailed communication on page 4 of this issue). Not only will those who buy tickets be eligible for prizes, but the OTF member who sells the most raffle tickets will win a variety of OTF packages including Golf Tournament registration, Conference and Show Registration and an annual Membership to OTF. We appreciate your support and participation in Ohio Turfgrass Week. Help spread the word about the benefits of turfgrass in Ohio! Yours for Better Turf, Mark Jordan CGCS

This will be the last OTF TurfNews you receive if you do not renew your 2007 membership.

– WARNING –

Don’t Let Your Member Benefits Expire!
It’s time to renew your membership to OTF (unless, of course, you have already done so). The OTF Membership year runs from February 1 – January 31. Membership renewal invoices have been mailed 3 times to all 2006 members – and there was no increase in dues! Please renew your membership immediately. If OTF does not receive your renewal before May 1, valuable member benefits and services will expire. Following is a brief description of each OTF Membership Type: Organizational: Any one company that is currently involved in the management of turfgrass. Includes golf courses, lawn care companies, parks & recreation, cemeteries, nurseries, landscapers, sod producers, athletic fields, suppliers, and related organizations. Organizational Members have one contact person with full voting privileges. Affiliate Organizational Member: Any one person whose company has joined as an Organizational Member. Affiliate Members will receive all OTF mailings, will be listed in the membership directory, and will have all other member benefits, but will have no voting privileges. Individual: Any one person who is currently involved in the management of turfgrass. Individual Members have full voting privileges. Faculty: Any person involved in teaching turfgrass management, landscape, horticulture, or other related fields. Faculty Members have no voting privileges. Retired: Any member for 10 consecutive years who is now retired. Student: Any student currently enrolled in a high school, vocational, technical school, college or university. Student Members have no voting privileges. If you did not receive your renewal invoice, or have questions about your membership, please call OTF at 888-683-3445, or visit www.OhioTurfgrass.org.
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GREEN
INDUSTRY

NEWS
Members Can Earn Valuable Prizes by Supporting Ohio Turfgrass Week!
Would you like to win a foursome in the 2007 OTF Golf Tournament at NCR Country Club, 2007 OTF Conference & Show Registration and/or a free OTF membership? You can win them by supporting the second annual Ohio Turfgrass Week, May 25 – June 1. What is Ohio Turfgrass Week? In May 2006, OTF raised funds and generated public awareness for Ohio’s turfgrass industry through the successful launching of Ohio Turfgrass Week. This year, OTF hopes to dramatically increase these funds by adding excitement and competition. Reductions in the state government budget for support of The Ohio State University have significantly affected research and extension services available for Ohio’s turfgrass industry. All maintained green space stands to suffer from the negative impacts of these budget cutbacks. Ohio Turfgrass week plans to raise research funds and educate the community about the importance and positive benefits from professionally managed turfgrass areas. OTF is currently seeking a Legislative Proclamation officially naming “Ohio Turfgrass Week”. 2007 Ohio Turfgrass Week – Here’s how it Works This year’s plans include raffling prizes to golfers, customers, homeowners and others who benefit from the expertise of Ohio’s turfgrass professionals. You, the OTF member, will sell $1 raffle tickets that will be supplied to you by OTF. The prizes for the raffle will vary depending upon each participating OTF member. For example: Golf Courses Pro Shop sells raffle tickets for $1 each to golfers until the end of Ohio Turfgrass Week. On June 1, a winner is randomly selected
4

to win a prize that you donate (Example: Free foursome of golf, lessons from your Pro, etc). Lawn Care Operators Raffle tickets sold to your customers with a chance to win a prize that you donate (Example: Free fall application or aeration). Athletic Field Managers Raffle tickets sold to fans with a chance to win a prize (Example: Free event tickets or opportunity for a behind the scenes experience). Suppliers Sales staff sells raffle tickets to customers with a chance to win a prize (Example: Free seed, fertilizer, spreader, etc.). The raffle tickets may be sold though May 31, with the winner being drawn by you on June 1. The money that is collected from the raffle ticket sales will then be donated to OTF for Turfgrass Research. The three (3) OTF members who raise the most money from raffle ticket sales win the prizes listed below. 1st Prize – TOTAL VALUE = $985 1 Year OTF Organizational Membership ($170 value) Foursome in OTF Golf Tournament at NCR Country Club ($600 value) 3-Day Registration for 2007 OTF Conference & Show ($215 value) 2nd Prize – TOTAL VALUE = $385 1 Year OTF Organizational Membership ($170 value) 3-Day Registration for 2007 OTF Conference & Show 3rd Prize – TOTAL VALUE = $170 1 Year OTF Organizational Membership

($215 value)

($170 value)

Continued on next page

It’s a Win-Win Proposition! • Everyone who purchases a raffle ticket has a chance to win great prizes. Plus, they will learn something about turfgrass research because the raffle tickets will be printed with valuable information about the need for turfgrass research. • You get to gather valuable information about your customers (i.e. email addresses). • You can win valuable, money-saving prizes from OTF. • Funds are raised for turfgrass research. Letters were mailed recently to all OTF members explaining how they can participate in this year’s Ohio Turfgrass Week and win valuable prizes. OTF encourages all members to take part in Ohio Turfgrass Week and help secure the future of turfgrass research in Ohio! Please discuss this fun, new fundraising effort with your owner or general managers. If you have questions, please call OTF at 888-683-3445. We look forward to your participation!

2007 Ohio State Golf Turf Spring Tee-Off Review
The 4th annual Spring Tee-Off just wrapped up and thank you to all of those who participated. The new, two day schedule was well received and the Wednesday evening Welcome Reception was standing-room only. It is always great to get together with friends. The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, for the second year partnered with the Central Ohio Golf Course Superintendents Association to have one of their monthly meetings in conjunction with the Spring TeeOff. Not only was there great networking, attendees received pesticide credits and superintendent’s received valuable GCSAA educational points. Speakers included most members of The Ohio State Turf Team, Dr. Bill Pound of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Bob Brame and Bill McCarthy of the USGA, golf course architect Jason Straka, Hurdzan-Fry, Golf Course Design and Larry Aylward, Golfdom magazine. Just about all topics were covered either by a speaker, panel discussions or the evening discussion at the Welcome Reception. Although the program might appear similar to the sessions at the December Conference and Show, the Spring Tee-Off is much different. The speakers, all of which are from The Ohio State University or have ties to Ohio, were asked to look into their crystal ball to try to get the attendees in the right frame of mind to start their programs in the next 30 to 60 days. Every talk had a take home message. Whether it was new products, or combining old products, ideas were shared to save time and labor. Data showed

FOR THE LATEST RESEARCH AND INFORMATION FOR OHIO’S TURF AND LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS VISIT THESE IMPORTANT WEB SITES: Buckeye Turf
www.buckeyeturf.osu.edu

that early applications in the spring could pay dividends all season long. Communication is always needed, whether you are trying to explain hand watering, or why the course should hire an architect. Vendors got a chance to attend educational sessions, which is a little different than always having to man their booth. The room was full which made it possible to have great question and answer sessions. Conversations could have lasted well into the evening, and from rumors I heard, some of them did. I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2007. The OTF Conference and Show is only about 8 months away – when we can all get together again and ponder what to do next. Have a great year!
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Lawn, Grounds & Landscape
Buckeye Yard & Garden Line • www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/bygl These sites may also be accessed from the OTF Web site at www.OhioTurfgrass.org.

GREEN
INDUSTRY

NEWS
Founders Club Continues to Grow
The Ohio Turfgrass Research Trust (OTRT) Founders Club continues to add new members in its mission to generate funding for turfgrass research. At the 2006 OSU/OTF Turfgrass Research Field Day, OTRT announced a new level of membership for just $500 – payable over a 5-year period. The new Emerald Level Membership has enabled many new members to join and help OTRT in its pursuit of establishing an endowment for funding turfgrass research in perpetuity. Several other members joined at the Founders Club Reception held during the OTF Conference & Show. Following is a complete list of all current Founders Club Members (as of 3/30/07), in alphabetical order: Jeff Bisker Dr. Michael Boehm Al Brant Dr. Karl Danneberger Dr. Chuck Darrah Jim Dillard Joe Duncan Ed Eaton Susan Everett Fairmount Minerals (Best Sands) John Fitzgerald Doug Gallant Dr. David Gardner Tim Glorioso Mark Grunkemeyer Doug Halterman Mark Heinlein Paul Jacquemin Randy Kehres


SpoTlIGhT oN GIvING
The Founders Club – Jeff Bisker, Your Lawn, Inc., Ashville, OH

Kim Kellogg Rick Kucharski Don Lawrence John Lavelle Paul Mendezoff John Meyer Joseph Motz Harry Murray Northwestern Ohio GCSAA Bob O’Brien Ed Odorizzi Walter Offinger Gene Probasco Jerome Schwieterman Jim Sharp Brad Smith Sam Stimmel Randy Tischer Richard Warner Todd Voss “I was invited to the Founders Club Reception at the 2006 OTF Conference & Show, so I went to learn more about the Founders Club. I learned a lot about how OTF, Ohio Turfgrass Research Trust and OSU work together to benefit the turf industry in Ohio. OTF has done a lot to support research at Ohio State for many years, but there’s still so much that can be done. The OSU Turf Team has helped me run a better lawn care company, and since I graduated from OSU, I thought this would be a good way to give back to our industry. I signed up before leaving the reception”.

5th Annual Northeast ohio lawn Care Seminar June 21 in Wooster
The Ohio Lawn Care Association (OLCA) will hold its 5th Annual Northeast Ohio Lawn Care Seminar June 21 at OARDC in Wooster. The hands-on, outdoor workshop provides education for lawn, landscape and grounds managers at a location easily accessible for those in the northeast and central parts of the state. Participants will get hands-on instruction and diagnostic training on the following topics: • Woody Ornamental Pest Management • Insect Damage Identification and Control • Pre and Post Emergence Control on Grassy Weeds • Nutrient Management • Application Accuracy • Equipment Operations Safety Pesticide Re-Certification credit will be available, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture will offer testing for those interested in taking their Pesticide Applicators License Test. Pre-registration costs $35 for OLCA members and $70 for nonmembers. Non-members who join the association at the time of registration receive complimentary registration for the workshop. Discounts are available for multiple participants from the same company. For more information, or to register, contact the OLCA office at 800-510-5296 or visit www.OhioLawnCare.org.

OTF members are always encouraged to patronize supplier members – the sod supplier members of OSPA are no different. When making your next sod purchase, please contact the following OSPA members (as of April 13). For information about OSPA, contact OTF headquarters at 888-683-3445. Columbus Turf Nursery 14337 US Hwy 23 Ashville OH 43103-9667 Phone: (740) 983-8873 Eastgate Sod 10491 St Rt 48 Loveland OH 45140-6625 Phone: (513) 683-6436 x103 Green Velvet Sod Farms Ltd. 3620 Upper Bellbrook Rd Bellbrook OH 45305-8938 Phone: (937) 848-2501 Henderson Turf Farm 2969 Beal Rd Franklin OH 45005-4603 Phone: (937) 748-1559 Lavy Ent. Turf Grass, Inc. 12386 W National Rd New Carlisle OH 45344-9725 Phone: (937) 845-3721 Medina Sod Farms, Inc. 14349 Burton City Rd Orrville OH 44667-9609 Phone: (330) 683-2916 Motz Turf Farms 6280 Clough Pike Cincinnati OH 45244-3961 Phone: (513) 231-4844 Princeton Delivery Systems, Inc. 8170 Dove Pkwy Canal Winchester OH 43110-9674 Phone: (614) 834-5035 Sugar Run Sod Farm 13195 McWilliams Rd Greenfield OH 45123 Phone: (937) 763-8882 Turpin Farms 3295 Turpin Ln Cincinnati OH 45244-3446 Phone: (513) 617-3623


oTF Encourages You to Support oSpA Members!
OTF and the Ohio Sod Producers Association (OSPA) share a unique, mutually-beneficial relationship in which dues-paying OSPA members automatically become members of OTF. Since OSPA is a “division” of OTF, a portion of the OSPA member dues pays for OTF membership and the balance goes into OSPA restricted funds to support the activities of OSPA. Therefore, Ohio Sod Producers Association maintains its own identity as the only state association for sod producers and its members benefit from membership in OTF.

GREEN
INDUSTRY

NEWS
olCA Elects 200 Officers and Trustees
The Ohio Lawn Care Association (OLCA) recently announced the election of Officers and Trustees to its 2007 Board of Directors. Officers serve a one-year term and Trustees serve three-year terms that began March 1. OLCA announced the following officers and trustees who will lead the association into the future: PRESIDENT Dave Winter, Advanced Turf Solutions, Hilliard, OH Winter graduated from The Ohio State University in Turfgrass Management and has spent his last 15 years as a supplier for turf and horticultural products. VICE-PRESIDENT Dave Hofacre, Grass Master, Inc., Canal Fulton, OH Hofacre graduated from OSU/ATI in 1975 with an Associates Degree in Turfgrass Science. In 1981 he and an ATI classmate began Grass Master, Inc., a full-service lawn care company serving northeastern Ohio. SECRETaRy/TREaSuRER Joyce Pelz, NaturaLawn of America, Akron, OH Pelz has served on OLCA’s Board for three years and was Secretary/ Treasurer in 2006. She lives in the Akron area and is active in state and local chapters of the Audubon Society. She is a graduate of Youngstown State University. IMMEDIaTE PaST PRESIDENT Bill Hoopes, former Director of Training with Scotts LawnService and Barefoot Grass and 2005 founder of Grass Roots Training. Hoopes, has been active in OLCA since 1990 and was the 2002 President of the Professional Lawn Care Association of America.


Two former trustees and one new trustee were elected to serve three-year terms that began March 1, 2007: Jeff Bisker, Your Lawn, Inc., Ashville, OH Bisker is a Past President of OLCA and will be serving his third term as trustee. He has chaired the Education, Grants and Scholarships Committee for several years. Jeff Benton, St. Clair Lawn Care, St. Clairsville, OH Benton was elected to a second trustee term on the board. Benton graduated from The Ohio State University in turfgrass management and is very active in his community. Rob Palmer, Weed Pro, Sheffield Village, OH Palmer, owner of Weed Pro, Ltd., with operations in Cleveland and Columbus, started his business in 2001. Before starting Weed Pro, Ltd., Robert worked for Lesco, Inc. as a market sales representative. Married with 3 children, Robert lives in Amherst, Ohio. The Ohio Lawn Care Association is committed to promoting and protecting the lawn care industry in Ohio. For more information contact OLCA at 1100-H Brandywine Blvd., Zanesville, OH USA 43701-7303; Phone 800-510-5296; Fax 740-452-2552; [email protected], www.OhioLawncare.org.

oSU STUDENT TURF ClUb UpDATE
ThE MAIN GoAl oF ThE TURF ClUb IS To ENAblE ThE STUDENTS To bECoME ACTIvE AMoNGST ThEMSElvES AND WITh oThERS WIThIN ThEIR pRoFESSIoN WhEThER IT IS SpoRTS TURF MANAGEMENT, GolF CoURSE MANAGEMENT, oR ThE SooN To bE pRoFESSIoNAl GolF MANAGEMENT hERE AT ThE ohIo STATE UNIvERSITY.
It has been quite an exciting year for The Ohio State University Turf Club as the members were able to attend conferences and interact with many professionals already established in the turf industry. The club is advised by Dr. Dave Gardner and is comprised of nearly thirty members out of the seventy students enrolled in the turfgrass program. The main goal of the turf club is to enable the students to become active amongst themselves and with others within their profession whether it is sports turf management, golf course management, or the soon to be professional golf management here at The Ohio State University. To accomplish this goal, the students hold regular meetings every other Thursday not only to have a good time and get to know each other, but to coordinate different events which allow them to come in contact with current superintendents and other influential figures within their profession. Most of the energy spent is invested into planning fundraisers that allow club members to attend the golf industry show for the GCSAA, which was held in Anaheim, California. This year twelve students, including three international students, were able to make the trek out west and attend the trade show. They set up their own booth amongst the other elite turf programs and interacted amongst their peers. The students also were fortunate enough for the Toro Co. to have a guided tour of all of their current and upcoming equipment that will soon be available. The students also competed in the Turf Quiz Bowl, which is routinely held at the annual convention. The team of Club President Ian Gallagher, Secretary John Gruneisen, Casey Taylor and John Price had the best showing for Ohio State taking 8th place out of 81 teams.


In order for the students to be able to attend the GIS, numerous fundraising projects helped finance the trip. The club was very fortunate to receive a generous donation from the OTF and was given the opportunity to work the coat check and help set up booths at the OTF Conference and Trade Show which allowed the club to earn tips and hourly rates on top of their donation. The Turf Club is fortunate to have a resource like the OTF involved with our group as they constantly provide support and help the students interact with turf industry professionals. With the main goal of the Turf Club providing an outlet for students to interact with other turf students and professionals to enhance networking skills and assist in the advancement of the industry, the students desire to set up meetings with superintendents from local courses and find internships to enhance their knowledge and gain practical experience. It is our ambition to be prepared to be the leaders of tomorrow. With the guidance and knowledge from the faculty and staff at The Ohio State University, the generosity by members of the OTF and companionship with experienced superintendents, its definitely attainable. The Ohio State Turf Club thanks everybody for their support and hope that it continues in the upcoming year. To carry on the tradition of the Turf Club, the planning and preparation in Thursday meetings will be continued (as well as the post game at the Varsity Club). Fundraising for the GIS in Orlando is already in progress under the leadership of newly elected Turf Club President John Gruneisen, Vice President Mike Odrumsky, Treasurer Zach Westenbarger, and Secretary James Grdina. GO BUCKEYES!

RESIDENTIAl

lAWN CARE

TIpS
broadleaf Weed Control
Dave Gardner, The Ohio State University
As spring approaches it becomes important to begin thinking about your turf weed control programs. Remember that the first step to controlling weeds is to identify which weeds are present on a site. Proper identification of the weed will assist with two things: 1) selecting the correct herbicide and 2) applying that herbicide at the right time in the weed’s life cycle in order to maximize control. Use tables 1c and 1d to determine if you have perennial broadleaf weeds and when the most appropriate time to control them is. Usually fall time applications are recommended for perennial broadleaf control. If you make a springtime application (and most do for obvious reasons) then know that this is going to be effective probably for 60-90 days depending on the product used and the rate applied. Broadleaf weeds, whether new or regrowth from If you are primarily dealing with annual broadleaf weeds (Tables 1a or 1b) then you can control these possibly with a preemergence herbicide (check the label of your crabgrass control product) or postemergence. The issue with using a preemergence herbicide is usually one of timing. For example, knotweed germinates in late March, before we recommend application of preemergence herbicides. Late germinating weeds, such as oxalis, germinate very late, after most preemergence products have lost effectiveness. However, the preemergence herbicide will provide some defense. Always check the label and remember to target the application for crabgrass control, making the application sometime in April when Forsythia are in bloom. If you have some breakthrough then postemergence products are very effective. However, you will want to target the weeds early in their life cycle, before they have the chance to set seeds that will become next year’s infestation.
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below ground structures on the surviving original weeds, will reappear. Fall applications tend to result in longer term control due to more complete translocation into below ground weed parts. If you see weeds this fall, consider making an application with an ester formulation of an herbicide recommended in Table 2.

After determining your target weeds then use table 2 to select the best herbicide for the application. Table 3 includes a list of combination herbicides which are commonly applied in order to broaden the spectrum of control on sites with multiple weeds species. Always read the label prior to use of a herbicide. Be particularly mindful of the reseeding interval if any renovation work is planned, susceptible weed species and the site and or use restrictions of the product.

TAblE 1a: Annual broadleaf Weeds

Black medic – Medicago lupulina
(Stem on end of leaf distinguishes from white clover)

Mallow – Malva rotundifolia
(Has a central taproot and does not root at the nodes)

Corn Speedwell – Veronica arvensis

Knotweed – Polygonum aviculare
(Sometimes confused with crabgrass when first emerging)

Lambsquarters – Chenopodium album

Virginia Pepperweed
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TAblE 1b: Summer Annual broadleaf Weeds

Pigweed – Amaranthus blitoides
(May have reddish stem and taprrot)

Purslane – Portulaca oleracea
(Fleshy leaves)

Spurge – Euphorbia supina
(Milky sap distinguishes from knotweed)

Oxalis (Yellow Woodsorrel) – oxalis stricta
(Heart-shaped leaves)

Carpetweed – Mollugo vertiicillata
12

Pineappleweed – Matricaria matricarioides

(figures include recommended timing of herbicide application for best control)

TAblE 1c: perennial broadleaf Weeds

White Clover Trifolium repens
Fall

Dandelion Taraxacum officinale
Late Spring or Fall

Wild Violet Viola papilionacea
Spring or Fall

Blackseed Plantain Plantago rugelii
Fall

Buckhorn Plantain Plantago lanceolata
Fall

Canada Thistle Cirsium arvense
Fall

Mouse ear Chickweed Cerastium vulgatum
Fall

Curly Dock Rumex crispus
Fall

Ground Ivy Glecoma hederacea
Spring or Fall
13

(figures include recommended timing of herbicide application for best control)

TAblE 1d: perennial broadleaf Weeds

Bull Thistle Cirsium vulgare
Fall

Chicory Chicorium intybus
Spring

Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis
Early Summer

Creeping Speedwell Veronica filiformis
Fall

Indian Mock-Strawberry Duchesnea indica

Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Late Spring to Mid-Summer

Wild Carrot (B) Daucus carota
Spring or Fall
14

Red Clover Trifolium pratense
Fall

Birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus
Fall

TAblE 2: Recommended herbicides for broadleaf Weed Control
Where the recommendation is denoted by a letter, the combination of herbicides with the same letter is recommended (Black = Best Choice, Green = effective).

Preemergence Weed Species
Bensulide

Postemergence

Pendimethalin

Carfentrazone

Ethofumesate

SuMMeR AnnuAL BROADLeAF WeeDS Black Medic Carpetweed Common Mallow Corn Speedwell Knotweed Lambsquarters Oxalis (Yellow Woodsorrel) Pigweed Pineappleweed Prostrate Spurge Purslane Virginia Pepperweed WInTeR AnnuAL BROADLeAF WeeDS Common Chickweed Common Groundsel Henbit Prickly Lettuce Shepard’s Purse Sowthistle (Annual) BIennIAL AnD PeRennIAL BROADLeAF WeeDS Birdsfoot trefoil Blackseed Plantain Buckhorn Plantain Bull Thistle Canada Thistle Chicory Creeping Speedwell (Veronica) Curly Dock Dandelion Field Bindweed Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie) Indian Mock Strawberry Mouse-ear Chickweed Red Clover White Clover Wild Carrot Wild Violet Yarrow

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

4

4

4

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

4 4 4 4 4 a a 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 b 4 4 4 4 4 b

4

4 4 4 4 4

4

4 4 4

4 4 4 4

4 4 4 4 4 4

4 4 4 4 4 4

4 4

4 4 4 4 4 4

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
15

4 4 4 4 4

4

Sulfentrazone

Prodiamine

Quinclorac

Fluroxypyr

Oxadiazon

Clopyralid

Dithiopyr

Dicamba

Triclopyr

Isoxaben

Siduron

Benefin

2,4-DP

MCPA

MCPP

2,4-D

Table 3: broadleaf Herbicides and Combination Products
1

Trimec Plus and Millennium Ultra Plus also contains the crabgrass herbicide MSMA.

Carfentrazone

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2007 buCkeye SPorTS Turf awardS

dave Saltman

russell Horn

Dave Saltman is the recipient of the 2007 Buckeye Sports Turf Global Excellence Award. This award is part of the annual honors given out each year by The Ohio State University Sports Turf Program. In it’s third year, the Global Excellence Award is given to someone who has “made a significant contribution to turfgrass science on a global scale”. Dave Saltman started his career as a Landscape Gardener and designer, including building award winning gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show, London before being invited to relay the turf at Queens Park Rangers’s Loftus Road Stadium in 1988. Since then he has been involved in construction, renovation and the maintainance of all grass sports, including many Premier, League and non league winter sports grounds. A former Soccer Groundsman of the Year and lecturer for the Football Association, Dave decided to use the power of the internet to share advice, knowledge and experience. In 2001 he launched Pitchcare.com and five years on, the website now has over 25,000 members, creating in excess of a million page impressions monthly. Pitchcare has members in 112 countries sharing knowledge, experience and techniques to improve all natural turf surfaces. During the last three years he has also been the Head Groundsman and then Project Manager for the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales and currently holds a similar position at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.

Dave will receive his award this December at the Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show, where he will be a speaker in the sports turf track. Previous Recipients: 2005: Martyn Jones, National Turfgrass Foundation 2006: Mike O’Keeffe, OSU International Internship Program The Joe Motz Sports Turf Student of the Year Award is given to a sports turf student that has shown great enthusiasm for both their studies and the industry. It is given in honor of OSU Alum, Joe Motz. Joe graduated from OSU in 1977 and went on to create one of the largest international sports turf construction companies in the world. He currently has field projects in the USA, Europe, Australia & the Middle East. Joe sponsors this award with a monetary gift for the student and a donation to the OSU Turf Club. This year’s award recipient is Russell Horn. Russ has interned at Ohio State Varsity Athletics and the Cleveland Browns. Chris Powell, Field Manager with the Browns said, “Russell Horn’s transition from the classroom to the field was very impressive. Russell’s depth of knowledge and its practical application, assured me of his thorough understanding of the concepts taught to him. With such a sound foundation, coupled with his work ethic and dedication, he excelled well beyond the expectations of an intern. Russell is definitely ready for our profession and our profession is definitely looking for people like Russell.” During his time at OSU he got involved with the turf club and traveled to the national STMA conference each year to participate in the student quiz bowl. He graduated this spring and is now an assistant field manager at the Washington Redskins.
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SPorTS

Turf

TIPS
Minimizing Summer Stresses
Pamela Sherratt, John Street & Dr. Dave Gardner, The Ohio State University
Warm season grasses (C4 grasses), like bermudagrass, have a different growth cycle compared to cool season (C3 grasses). In the case of C4 grasses, the root replacement program is more concentrated, and begins in the springtime when soil temperatures hit 63 – 65° F; at the same time the grass is overcoming winter dormancy. Immediately after spring root decline, the grass will produce new roots, but there is a period of some weeks when the grass is susceptible to injury from traffic & other stresses. As soil temperatures increase into the summer, root growth and recovery become stronger. The C4 root system grows vigorously through summer, so that by autumn the root system is as extensive as possible before the onset of winter dormancy. Thus, C4 grasses are not generally stressed in the summer months but do need careful management in the spring (Table 1).
Table 1. Turfgrass Temperature Comparison Parameter Cool Season Grasses (e.g. Kentucky bluegrass) Warm Season Grasses (e.g. Bermudagrass)

C3 plants used on sports fields do not perform well during summer heat and drought. The bluegrasses (Poa sp.), ryegrasses (Lolium sp.), and fescues (Festuca sp.) are all thought to have originated in temperate regions of Europe and Asia, and North Africa, where heat and drought are not extreme. Through evolution, these grasses have adapted to, and perform best under cooler temperatures (60 to 75° F). When temperatures begin to rise above 80°F, and soil moisture becomes limited, cool season turfgrasses respond by going into dormancy (Table 1). This is a process whereby active photosynthesis in the leaves slows down and the turf takes on a characteristic brownish color. The crown, or living center of the plant is still alive, and is capable of regenerating leaf tissue when temperature and moisture conditions once again become favorable. Moderate to severe moisture stress is often imposed on C3 grasses during the summer period. Dry soils will often lead to significant decline in quality and loss of C3 grasses unless proper management practices are implemented. C3 grass plants need soil moisture to sustain normal growth and development. The water use rates of grasses during the summer period will often exceed the rate with which natural rainfall returns water back into the soil. Once the soil moisture reserves are nearly depleted, the C3 grass will begin to wilt. This condition is evident as the turfgrass turns from green to either bluish-green or gray-green. Wilt is a sign of water stress and is usually most evident during mid to late afternoon periods. A period of continual water stress that limits or prevents the growth of plants is termed drought. Once drought conditions develop, the grass will stop all growth and devel-

Optimum Shoot Growth

59 to 75° F 15 to 24° C

81 to 95° F 27 to 35° C

Optimum Root Growth

50 to 64° F 10 to 18° C

75 to 84° F 24 to 29° C

Significant Root Loss

> 75° F (24° C)

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opment and proceed into dormancy. The dormancy mechanism prevents the C3 grass from either running out of internal plant moisture or expending its carbohydrate reserve. The length of time C3 grasses can survive in a dormant condition is contingent on a number of factors, including soil moisture levels, daytime temperatures, condition of the turfgrass at the onset of dormancy (shoots and roots), etc. In general, C3 grasses can be expected to survive in a dormant condition for up to 4 to 6 weeks with limited damage if summer temperatures are at or below normal. If daytime temperatures are high (mid-80’s or greater) consistently through the stress period, C3 grass plants may begin to show injury after 3-4 weeks. Dormant grass is lost once the crowns, rhizomes and roots begin to dehydrate. Field managers have limited control over the daytime temperatures in the field. However, they can improve the survivability of the C3 grass on the field by proper management. MINIMIzING STRESS BY PROPER SUMMER CULTURAL PRACTICES Choose the right C3 grass! Tall fescue has a deeper root system that allows it to remain active during prolonged periods of heat and drought (Figure 1). Kentucky bluegrass lacks a deep root system, but has the capacity to enter dormancy and regenerate when conditions are more favorable. However, each time it regenerates back from dormancy there is a considerable depletion of carbohydrate reserves. Perennial ryegrass

has the lowest tolerance to summer heat and also lacks the ability that Kentucky bluegrass has to remain dormant for prolonged periods. Mowing is a key management tool that can be manipulated to reduce stress on turfgrass. • Maintain cool-season grasses at the highest acceptable height throughout the season for the species and playability demands. Taller grass will have deeper, more extensive root systems than short cut grass, which will help grass plants withstand summer stresses. Higher cut grass will also provide more shading of the soil, thereby keeping soil temperatures cooler and reducing evaporation of soil moisture. Higher cut grass will also have more leaf area available for photosynthesis. This will help reduce or offset the lower photosynthetic rate of the cool-season grasses under higher summer temperatures. • The cardinal rule of mowing is not to remove more than one than 1/3 of the leaf tissue with any one cutting. • Mow the field only as needed and preferably during the morning or evening hours. • Make certain the mower blades are properly sharpened to avoid “tearing” the ends of the grass blades. Also, make sure mower

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figure 1: under low maintenance, limited irrigation situations, tall fescue (left) provides better drought resistance than other cool-season species.

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On finer textured soils, with moderate-high levels of K, it’s less likely to see a stress tolerance response to additional K applications. On sand-based fields, where K is low and it is difficult to build reserves, stronger relationships between K fertilizer applications and stress tolerance will be evident. If you choose a higher K strategy, use a fertilizer with as much potassium as nitrogen. Results usually take about a year to become noticeable and a response is going to depend on soil mineral nutrient status. Note of caution – Potassium chloride has a high physiological burn potential, so apply when temperatures are below 70° F and water thoroughly after application. Potassium sulfate is another option that is more expensive but is safer to turf. Nitrogen Fertilization, Photosynthesis, and Plant Health Photosynthesis (food production) of warm-season grasses occurs more readily than cool-season grasses at higher temperatures (i.e. approximately 80° F and above). Therefore, under higher summer temperatures, food production and the storing of food reserves in warm-season grasses is easier to manage than cool-season grasses and is less sensitive to the negatives of over-fertilization with nitrogen. Also, respiration (a carbohydrate/food utilizing process) continues to increase as temperatures increase (Figure 4). Cool-season grasses have a much greater potential in the summer for (1) respiration to exceed photosynthesis resulting in a summer

figure 2: Scalped grass.

figure 3: drought stress symptoms initially show up as a bluishgreen wilting, then a whitening of the grass blades (photo), followed by browning.

decks and mowing units on mower are adjusted and uniform to prevent scalping and uneven cutting (Figure 2). • Never mow grass that is under stress or witling as this will result in direct physical injury to the tissue. This injury may be permanent and will certainly result in a browning & reduction in aesthetics for several weeks (Figure 3).

“carbohydrate/food deficit” and (2) respiration to be higher at higher nitrogen levels placing a further drain on carbohydrate/food reserves. Thus, nitrogen fertilization on cool-season grasses should be maintained at low to moderate levels to reduce stress from over stimulation of growth, carbohydrate/food depletion, and high respiration rates in the summer. Proper nitrogen fertilization – a seasonal strategy – is very important

Potassium Fertilization The merits and demerits of increased potassium fertilization have been debated for years and will continue to be debated. Physiologically, potassium is involved in plant water relations (much the way sodium regulates our water status). The thinking is that increasing potassium will improve water status in the plant as well as the plant’s ability to pull water from the soil.
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for managing stress tolerance of all turfgrasses in the summer months, especially with cool-season grasses. Carbohydrate/food reserves in cool-season grasses (Figure 5) shows a depletion as temperatures and nitrogen levels increase. A good carbohydrate/ food balance is the ultimate objective in the physiological management of turfgrasses and this condition typically reflects a healthy, more stress tolerant turfgrass.

Late season fertilization (LSF) has been found beneficial to enhancing turf health and summer stress tolerance of cool-season grasses. Benefits on warm-season grasses are less predictive because of the potential negative relationship between fall nitrogen and winter hardiness. LSF enhances the rate of spring green-up without stimulating excessive shoot growth, thus allowing the turf plant to maintain higher levels of carbohydrates than when spring/summer fertilization is used. Nitrogen applied during early spring & summer increases shoot growth rates and decreases the levels of available
figure 4: Typical Photosynthesis and respiration responses of Cool and warm-season Grasses to Temperature and Nitrogen.

carbohydrates in the plant, resulting in depressed root growth rates. Athletic Field Irrigation One of the easiest ways to damage a turf stand during summer months is with haphazard and inconsistent irrigation. When plants sense a water deficit, it begins to senesce leaves as a water conservation strategy. The crown remains alive, but the leaf tissue dies. When conditions are favorable, new leaf tissue is generated, at tremendous expense to the carbohydrate reserve. If irrigation is not timely, the plants will lose tissue, then subsequently lose carbohydrates to regenerate new leaf tissue. If this cycle is repeated too frequently, the plant is drained of carbohydrate reserves resulting in a less stress and disease tolerant turfgrass that is more susceptible to injury &

figure 5: relationship between Nitrogen fertilization and relative Carbohydrate/food in Various Grass Parts.

decline. To avoid problems with drought damage, water the turf correctly, or allow it to go dormant. Correct irrigation is applied deeply and infrequently (approximately 1" of water in the summer), and when the plant shows signs of moisture stress. Irrigation is designed to replace water lost due to evapotranspiration (ET) and this occurs most readily in the summer (i.e. 0.1 – 0.3" per day) There are 2 easy methods of determining moisture stress: 1. Foot printing – if the plant is moisture stressed, it will not have turgid leaves. Foot or vehicular traffic will leave noticeable wheel or footprints (Figure 6). 2. Color – moisture stressed grass will turn a bluish-gray green. The nature of this color change is similar to what happens when the turf is rolled to stripe the field. When the leaf is moisture stressed, it begins to roll up (Figure 7).

Timing of Nitrogen Fertilization As a rule, fertilizer nitrogen should be applied lightly in the spring and summer and more heavily in the fall on cool-season grasses. Heavy spring fertilization promotes more top growth, reduced root growth, and a more lush/succulent plant growth, resulting in a reduced ability to withstand summer stress. High nitrogen fertilization in the summer, especially on cool-season grasses, poses a physiological stress on the grass due to a depletion of carbohydrate/food levels. Today, the summer fertilization recommendation is to use a nitrogen fertilizer that contains an N:K ratio of 3:2 to 1:1, with the nitrogen component low-moderate in the summer, and at least 50% slow-release. Apply a slow-release in summer for 2 reasons: 1. To reduce fertilizer “burn” potential 2. To avoid over-stimulation/growth

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Continued from page 21

• Irrigation should be performed early in the morning. At this time of day the grass is already wet from dew, temperatures are cooler, humidity is high and calm conditions usually exist. These conditions all favor infiltration of the water into the soil and utilization of the supplemental water by the turfgrass plants.

• Break some rules! To provide a dry playing surface with maximum shear strength, time irrigation to get the maximum time between games. For example, if there are games on two consecutive nights, the irrigation could be applied directly after the first evening
figure 6: Turfgrass showing symptoms of severe drought will be easily damaged by foot or vehicular traffic.

game. This goes against the thinking that watering should not take place at night, but would give you the maximum time between irrigation and the game.

• When the water supply for irrigation is limited, or when watering restrictions are in place, the field manager might designate priority fields and water those fields first.

• Watering on an “as needed” basis is common. After all, the irrigation schedule will depend on the amount of activity, when the activity occurs, and the condition of the grass.
figure 7: effect of water Status on appearance of leaf Cross Section.

In conclusion, stress tolerance on athletic field grasses requires The amount of water applied during irrigation can be measured by placing several empty straight-sided containers, such as pet food containers, in the sprinkler’s pattern. Monitor the amount of time for water in the containers to reach 1/4", 1/2", 3/4" and 1". These amounts will provide a guide to the length of time to run the irrigation system (e.g. if 1/2" of water is desired, then run the irrigation for half the time). To ensure that the water does not run off, especially on finer textured or compacted soils, apply irrigation in cycles (e.g. three ten-minute cycles, compared to one thirtyminute cycle). • Typically, turfgrasses use 0.1 to 0.3 inches of water per day during hot, dry, low humidity periods. Weather data on ET rates should serve as a guide to turf water use.
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the proper management of a multiplicity of agronomic factors. Proper management prior to stress periods (i.e. summer) are critical in insuring a successful seasonal management strategy. Best management for enhanced stress tolerance of turfgrasses evolves around being a physiological manager with the key objective of maintaining turfgrass with good carbohydrate/food balance and prolific root system.

MeMber SPoTlIGHT – IT’S a oNe-MaN SHow
Jim Walter’s life working in the green industry began early. At the young age of seven, Walter sorted tomatoes in his grandfather’s greenhouse and during high school and college he worked for his family’s greenhouse business. In addition to working for the family greenhouse business, Walter also raced and sold go
Jim walter, lawnalive, llC

and all of Lorain County, Walter does it all. “From the office work, to repair and maintenance, to the actual applications, I do it,” Walter comments. Walter explains that “low-ball pricing” is the main challenge. “There are companies out there charging less than we charged in the early 1980’s. When you adjust for inflation, it is amazing they can exist and many do go out of business. However, there always seems to be new ones popping up taking their place. We must promote and provide value to the customer, not a cheap comeon price. It’s not about how big you get, but it is about great service and turf performance.” His dedication to the industry is seen in his work. “I love seeing a beautiful, pest-free lawn and when you’ve helped a customer who previously had nothing but weeds for a lawn and I grow it into a showplace, it’s like winning another championship.” This passion for the industry is the wisdom he wants to pass down to newcomers to the field. “If you don’t have a passion for it, don’t do it.”

karts from his family’s own go kart shop, winning national champion-

ships in Illinois, Indiana, New York, Georgia and Florida. In 1970, he received his Business Administration Degree from OSU. After graduation, Walter served in the U.S. Army as a Personnel Specialist, E-5. Upon discharge from the Army in 1973, he eventually became Vice President of W.A. Walter, Inc. and managed his family’s vegetable greenhouse business. During the late 1970’s, Walter and his father talked about starting a lawn treating business due to the natural gas cost for heating the greenhouses becoming too pricey. After losing his dad in the blizzard of 1978, Walter operated the greenhouse during the day for his mother and went to school at night to earn his MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College on the GI Bill. It was in 1980 when Walter and his mother made the difficult decision, due to Walter being a fourth generation greenhouse grower, to lease the greenhouses to a local nursery grower, who would have lower heating demands, and start his own lawn treatment business. He chose the lawn treatment business, “because it had many similarities to the greenhouse business without the utility bill burden,” and he wanted to be in business for himself. “It combined my growing and mechanical abilities,” Walter explains. On April 1, 1981, Walter started LawnAlive in his garage with a 200 gallon tank in the back of his El Camino. It wasn’t before long that he moved to a mini warehouse and in 1987 he bought his present location in a small industrial park in Elyria. Being owner/operator of LawnAlive and running a “one-man business” brings with it many responsibilities and challenges. Servicing 300 residential and commercial customers in western Cuyahoga County

Building a good reputation and keeping his company growing for 27 years has been his greatest achievement. He has done this by “always looking for more efficient/effective methods of operating” his business, using “the art and science of growing plants” that his dad taught him, following his step-dad’s “optimistic and upbeat attitude of life” and being a member of OTF. The year Walter started LawnAlive was the year he joined OTF. He believes being an OTF member is important “to support research and education. We must promote the professionalism of our industry to the public and OTF helps us to do that.” He sees OTF’s role in society as being educators and researchers who “demonstrate the great value of healthy, beautiful turfgrass to our society, whether it’s a golf course, sports field or commercial and residential lawns.” He wants OTF members to know, “We are all in this together. Sometimes I feel like I’m on an island. It’s good to know my association has an interest in us little guys too.” Outside of his professional achievements, Walter’s greatest achievement has been raising his children “who will leave this world a better place than they found it.” His quote to live by, “For nothing is impossible with God,” is seen in his dedication to his profession, family and church. Walter is an Elder at Community Church Ministries in Amherst, Ohio.

23

Golfe CourS

TIPS

Moss: Part 1
Karl Danneberger, The Ohio State University
Twenty-five years ago moss was of little problem on golf courses. Moss was found in dense, moist, shaded areas in roughs, or if present on golf greens, it usually was restricted to mild moist oceanic climates. In areas like United Kingdom, Ireland and New zealand moss is a “ubiquitous” problem on golf courses. Although still considered a minor nuisance, moss is becoming a more severe weed problem on an increasing number of putting greens throughout the temperate region. granite mosses, which contain approximately 100 species. These mosses are primarily restricted to mountainous and arctic regions. The second group is the peat mosses which consist of roughly 350 species. Sphagnum is the important genus in this group, as it is added to soil mixes to enhance the soil’s water holding capabilities. Each dead cell of sphagnum peat moss can hold up to 20 times its dry weight in water. The third group contains the true mosses, which are the most pertinent to golf courses, and also the largest group with over 14,000 species. The true mosses can be divided History and Characterization Mosses are primitive plants that have changed little over the course of history. Fossil records date the appearance of moss 350 million years ago. Moss is believed to have originated from filamentous (thread-like) green algae. Interestingly, moss and algae often share the same habitat and are often confused with each other. However, algae lack the leafy stems associated with moss and for the most part algae exist as individual cells or clusters of cells. The most common moss species on golf course greens is silvery thread (Bryum argenteum). Somewhat easy to identify because of its silvery white appearance, it also found in open sites, paths, sidewalks and parking lots. As a point of interest silvery moss Mosses are classified as Bryophytes, which include the liverworts and hornworts. Within the mosses, approximately 15,000 species are classified into three groups. The first group is the
24

into two major groups: tufted mosses which form on trees and rocks and carpet-type mosses which are found on forest floors. In relatively dry conditions such as putting greens, the short, compact carpet mosses generally predominate.

is commercially in bonsai plantings. Another species we have experienced in our studies is Bryum lisae. It appears as dark green to yellowish tufts or dense clumps. It is a common species in the

Midwest and is found on rocky or sandy soil. Finally, we have also found the species Amblystegium trichopodium on putting greens but it is rather inconspicuous. This species we usually find in wet conditions. Although silvery thread moss is probably the most commonly found, given the diversity of species no doubt numerous mosses are colonizing turf sites.

fertilization) by mosses, versus the production of seeds by vascular plants. Thus, Spanish moss is not a true moss because it produces seeds (it is related to the pineapple family).

In the next issue of Golf Course Tips we will look at some of the control methods for moss.

Mosses differ structurally from higher plants, including turfgrasses, in that they are nonvascular (lack a phloem and xylem), have a very thin cuticle, and have no “true” roots, but do have structures called rhizoids that absorb water and nutrients. The lack of a vascular and root system restricts the size that the vast majority of mosses can grow. The moss species that inhabit a putting green may grow only to a millimeter or two in height. This is well below the acceptable mowing height for a creeping bentgrass, annual bluegrass or bermudagrass putting green.

Life Cycle Mosses have two phases in their life cycle. The green leafy phase that is observed on golf courses is called the gametophyte. This phase consists of a germinating spore giving rise to a green filament (protonema) from which the moss plant with its stems and leafs (gametophores) and rhizoids develop. At maturity the production of sperm and egg give rise to a zygote (fertilized egg). Upon germination, the zygote does not produce another moss plant, but a structure consisting of a slender stalk with a capsule at the top of the stalk containing spores. This phase, from the fertilization of the egg until the production of the stalk and the capsule, is termed the sporophyte phase. The spores are released from the capsule and will give rise to new moss plants, thus completing the cycle.

One difference between the life cycle of mosses and vascular plants is the production of spores (which requires free moisture for
25

HORT SHORTS

COLUMN
A Host of Problems
Jim Chatfield and Joe Boggs, OSU Extension
Horticulturists use a range of criteria to select plants. Plant pests and pathogens use two: the suitability of plants as food, and the competitive advantage that is gained over their rivals. Host range describes the outcome. The host range of a plant pest or plant pathogen, the range of plants they affect, is of great importance to entomologists and plant pathologists. It is in fact one of the three sides to the disease or pest triangle. However, does it matter to the everyday concerns of the green industry? It does – let’s take a look at why. architects and garden centers wants to know which will hold their leaves and look attractive in the landscape. Thanks to university research and the International Ornamental Crabapple Society’s (IOCS) National Crabapple Evaluation Program there is excellent information on which crabapples have genetic resistance to apple scab disease, in other words, which crabapples are hosts for this pathogen. The good news is that there are dozens of crabapple taxa with outstanding genes for resisting the apple scab fungus: uprights and spreading weepers, yellow fruited and red fruited crabs, white flowering and pink flowering crabapples. Most importantly, host range is crucial for plant selection decisions and matching a plant to a particular site. An example would be Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica). Japanese beetles have a wide host range, occurring on many different plants, from roses to raspberries. Two plants highly susceptible are little leaf lindens (Tilia cordata) and many different taxa of roses (Rosa spp.). Planting a linden allee next to a large rose garden is asking for trouble, sort of setting up a training table for Japanese beetle pig-outs. There are ways to control Japanese beetles other than simply not planting susceptible plants, but there is no reason to stack the deck against your company and your customers. The bad news is that crabapples and apple scab illustrate an unfortunate reality relative to host range: genetic resistance may not be forever. The apple scab fungus is a good example that “You can drive out nature with a pitchfork, but she always returns.” While horticulturists and plant pathologists conduct plant selection and breeding programs, the fungus conducts its own natural experimentation, evolving due to genetic recombination and mutation. New races of the apple scab fungus emerge and cause apple scab on taxa resistant to previous strains of the fungus. ‘Harvest Gold’ in Ohio is a good example. Different parts of the country may have different strains of a pathogen, not to mention different environmental Host susceptibility is also critical in situations where the host range is narrow. The apple scab fungal pathogen (Venturia inaequalis) occurs only on apples and crabapples (Malus spp.). A nurseryman who wants to market crabapples to landscapers, landscape
26

conditions. That is why plant evaluation programs such as the crabapple program of IOCS help with localized information, useful at the local level relative to recommended selections and for nurserymen nationally who ship to different areas.

Host range information is also critical in communicating with your customers. Will emerald ash borer spread from ashes to lindens and Callery pears? No – the host range of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis is narrow, occurring only on the genus Fraxinus. Can bacterial crown gall spread from euonymus to rose? Yes, since the host range of the crown gall bacterium, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, is quite broad and includes both euonymus and rose. Someone with a large rose garden needs to be especially observant as to whether there are any galls on the stems of their euonymus plants: crown gall may be no big deal on the occasional euonymus but it will wreak havoc over the years on their roses if infested soil blows or is tracked over to the rose garden.

to this fungus than is oriental planetree (P. orientalis ) and as it turns out the hybrid between these two species, London planetree (Platanus x acerifolia) is intermediate in suspetibility to sycamore anthracnose. This example illustrates that the suitability of plants as food for pests and pathogens is linked to genes and resistance can be selected through selective breeding.

Finally, host range tells us a great deal about the natural history of our landscape and forest plants. Bronze birch borer is native to North America and so exotic birch species such as European white birch (Betula pendula) and the Asian white birch (B. platyphylla) have less natural selection history with this insect, and are thus more affected than native birch species such as river birch (B. nig-

Host range knowledge also teaches us a great deal about plant relationships. As horticulturists, we need to know how closely plants are related to each other. A genus is a group of related species: bronze birch borer has a narrow host range, occurring only on birches, a number of species in the genus Betula. Plum black knot occurs only on the genus Prunus, which includes plums, cherries, flowering almond and others. Bacterial fireblight has a limited host range but it is a little broader host range than these other two examples, occurring only on plants in the rose family (the Rosaceae). Remember a plant family is a group of related genera, and fireblight is common on related genera such as Malus (apple), Pyrus (pear), Pyracantha (firethorn) and Sorbus (mountainash).

ra). This is in contrast to its emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) cousin, an Asian native, which is devastating to our native North American ashes, such as white ash (Fraxinus americana) and green ash (F. pennsylvanica) which have not evolved resistance to the pest under natural selection pressures. Control involves proper species selection such as river birch, limiting drought stress through irrigation, planting in shade, and use of mulches, and as needed, insecticide injections by professional hofrticulturists.

This last example illustrates that the first step in using host range information for pest and disease management is to recognize that it should never be ignored. Host range does not trump other horticultural considerations in plant selection. It is not the only consid-

Knowing this is very helpful diagnostically. If a plant is not in the Rosaceae then fireblight is not one of the possible causes of problems you might see on the plant. Knowing that mountainash (Sorbus) is not related to true ashes (Fraxinus) tells you not to worry about fireblight on the ash and conversely that emerald ash borer is not a problem on mountainash.

eration for pest control and plant health management practices, but it should be part of the package. A plant that dies because it is planted in the wrong place is just as dead as a plant killed by pestilence. Horticulturists, know thy plants.

The fungal pathogen Apiognomonia veneta causes sycamore anthracnose, resulting in twig cankers and leaf blight. It has a narrow host range, occurring only on the genus Platanus. American planetree or sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is far more susceptible
27

NEW GROWTH &
TECHNOLOGY

UNdERSTANdiNG PHOSPHONATE PROdUCTS Part i: fungicide and fertilizer properties
Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science and Joshua Cook, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University
Many golf course managers in Ohio and other mid-western states have used phosphonate products (phosphites or fosetyl aluminumproducts) on putting greens for one reason or another. In fact, you may be using one or more of these products as a regular part of your putting green management program during the summer. Whereas, there is little doubt that phosphonates help reduce some summerstress related problems and suppress Pythium and anthracnose diseases, recent research does not confirm some other reported benefits. The purpose of this two-part article is to help you understand the different phosphonate products and what they do for your turf, so that you can better navigate through the marketing maze and make an appropriate choice for your needs. Phosphonate fungicides and fertilizers should not be confused What are phosphonate products and how do they work? Phosphonates include those products made up of the salts and esters of phosphorous acid (not to be confused with phosphoric acid, the basic ingredient of phosphorus fertilizers). Phosphorous acid is a solid compound that can be bought through various chemical supply companies. When mixed with water, it forms a strong acid called phosphonic acid. This acid is too strong to be used on turf and must be combined with an alkaline compound to raise the pH and decrease the potential for turf burning. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is an alkaline compound that is used by some formulators to neutralize the acidity of phosphonic acid. The resulting solution contains mono-and di-potassium salts of
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phosphorous acid and is often referred to as potassium phosphite. This is the active ingredient in phosphite fungicides (Alude, Magellan, Vital, Resyst) as well as phosphite fertilizers [K-Phite (0-29-26), Ele-Max Foliar Phosphite (0-28-26) and Nutri Phite P + K (0-28-26)]. Phosphonic acid can also be reacted with ethanol to form ethyl phosphonate. Aluminum is added during the manufacturing process and the resulting product is referred to as fosetyl-aluminum or aluminum tris O-ethyl phosphonate. This is the active ingredient in Aliette WDG and Chipco Signature fungicides, marketed by Bayer Environmental Science (2).

with phosphate-derived fertilizers such as ammonium phosphate and triple super phosphate. Even though phosphonate and phosphate compounds have similar (but not identical) chemical structures, they differ significantly in how they act in plants and fungi. For example, phosphate fertilizer is taken up by plants and incorporated into cells where it participates in reactions that are essential for root and foliar growth, photosynthesis and respiration. It does not have a direct effect on turfgrass diseases (although phosphorus-deficient plants are more susceptible to certain diseases than phosphorus-sufficient plants). Phosphonate fungicides and fertilizers are also absorbed by plants and incorporated into cells, but do not appear to be involved in typical phosphorus metabolism and cannot be directly linked to plant growth,

photosynthesis and respiration. Over time, phosphonate products can be converted by soil microbes to phosphate, where it can be taken up and metabolized by plants. However, this conversion is not a very efficient means of phosphorus delivery to plants when compared with phosphate fertilizers. Phosphonate products have direct fungitoxic effects on certain plant pathogens, a benefit that is not found with phosphate fertilizers. Phosphonates as fungicides Phosphonate fungicides are true systemics (have significant mobility in both xylem and phloem) and are effective in controlling diseases caused by oomycete fungi, such as Phytophthora, Pythium, Plasmopara and others (5). In turf, they have good efficacy on Pythium diseases when applied preventatively; but are thought to have poor efficacy when applied after disease symptoms and signs are visible. They also have some suppressive effects against anthracnose basal rot, but results are variable depending on the particular product and where and how the fungicide trials are conducted. The mode of action of phosphonate fungicides is a source of some mystery. Some scientists believe that the primary mode of action is directly on the fungal pathogen; whereas others suspect that these fungicides have both a direct effect on the target fungus and stimulate natural host defenses to prevent disease. Early studies with phosphonate fungicides showed no direct effect on Pythium aphanidermatum; and it was assumed that the mode of action did not involve killing the fungus directly; rather, it involved a stimulation of the plant’s natural chemical and physical defenses against disease (13). However, subsequent studies showed the reason for the lack of fungal inhibition in phosphonate fungicide-amended media was that the phosphate concentration in the media was too high. Lowering the amount of phosphate in the media allowed direct inhibition of fungi by the phosphite ion (the fungitoxic portion of the phosphonate fungicide). Apparently, both phosphite and phosphate ions compete for the same transporters across cell membranes and phosphate tends to out-compete phosphite for access to these sites, thereby blocking uptake of phosphite by fungi (10). This finding led scientist to explore how phosphonate fungicides disrupt phosphate metabolism in fungi. In a study using three Phytophthora spp., Australian scientists found that phosphonate fungicides interfere with phosphate metabolism by causing an accumulation of two compounds, polyphosphate and

pyrophosphate, in fungal cells. Accumulation of these compounds is thought to divert adenosine triphosphate (also called ATP, a vital energy containing chemical in cells) from other metabolic pathways, resulting in a decrease in fungal growth (12). More recently, phosphonate fungicides were found to inhibit several key enzymes needed for growth and development in Phytophthora palmivora (15). These studies suggest that the mode of action is at least partially, if not mostly, direct inhibition of the fungus. Also, the mode of action of phosphonate fungicides appears broad enough so that the potential for rapid resistance development is not as strong as with some other systemic fungicides. Considering that the phosphite ion has little or no influence on phosphorus metabolism in plants, it seems unlikely that it can prevent disease by stimulating host defenses. Nevertheless, research has revealed that when certain species of Phytophthora infect certain plant species treated with phosphonate fungicides, fungusinhibiting chemicals called phytoalexins are produced. A recent study involving Eucalyptus trees showed that the concentration of phosphite ions in these plants may determine the extent of host defense activation. When concentrations of phosphite ions in the roots were low, host defense enzymes were stimulated; but when concentrations of phosphite ions were high, host defense enzymes remained unchanged and the phosphite ions inhibited growth of the pathogen before it caused disease (7). Studies on stimulation of host defense mechanisms are difficult to conduct and require the ability to detect minute quantities of complex compounds in the plant; much less is known about this mode of action than the direct fungitoxic effects of phosphonate fungicides. To our knowledge, very little is known about activation of host defenses in phosphonate-treated turfgrass, but many plant pathologists assume that this is possible, if not likely. What about resistance? The widespread use of phosphonate products as disease control agents, fertilizers and for the improvement of turf quality during periods of environmental stress, has led to concerns about the development of pathogen resistance (16). To date, we are not aware

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Phosphonates as fertilizers Phosphonates were first investigated as fertilizers in Germany and the U.S. during the 1930s and 40s. At that time, agricultural officials were concerned that war activities would disrupt vital shipments of rock phosphate for fertilizer production, so alternative sources of fertilizer phosphorus were explored (6). Results of studies conducted in both countries demonstrated that phosphonates were not effective substitutes for phosphate fertilizer. Scientists in the U.S. found that yields of legumes and grasses treated with calcium phosphite (a phosphonate fertilizer) were lower than phosphate-treat-

Figure 1: Effects of reagent-grade potassium phosphite (H3PO3) and potassium phosphate (H3PO4) on symptom development of Pythium blight of creeping bentgrass. Potassium phosphite has good efficacy against this disease when applied preventatively.

ed plants, and in most cases, lower than control plants receiving no phosphate fertilizer. However, a second crop seeded into soils treated with calcium phosphite showed improved yields. The scientists attributed the delayed phosphorus response to the conversion of phosphite to phosphate in the soil (9). Subsequent research revealed that phosphite could be converted to phosphate primarily by soil-borne bacteria, but that these bacteria would not use phosphite until most phosphate was depleted (1). Based on the results of these studies, phosphonate (phosphite) fertilizer was viewed as an inefficient and costly means of supplying phosphorus to plants and scientists eventually lost interest in this compound as a phosphorus fertilizer.

Figure 2: Annual bluegrass treated with a nutrient solution containing potassium phosphate as the source of phosphorus (left); and the same nutrient solution with potassium phosphite as the source of phosphorus (right). Annual bluegrass treated with potassium phosphite shows phosphorus deficiency symptoms (stunted growth and a red tint to foliage) indicating that this compound is not supplying usable phosphorus to the plants.

Despite previous research findings, phosphonate compounds have been marketed by some companies as a source of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Preliminary results with turfgrasses growing in sand culture and treated with equal amounts of potassium phosphite and potassium phosphate have supported claims that potassium phosphite does not supply usable phosphorus to turfgrasses (Figure 2). Although potassium phosphite can be converted to phosphate in soil, turf managers should realize this is an inefficient means of supplying phosphorus to plants when compared with phosphate fertilizer. Claims that phosphonates consistently enhance rooting are debatable and more evidence is needed to support these claims. A two-year study performed at North Carolina State University showed that bentgrass root mass was unaffected by phosphonate products (4). Certainly, more research using precise root measurement techniques is needed to determine if enhanced rooting due to phosphonates occurs under different environmental and management conditions. If enhanced rooting does occur, it could be due to product formulation, or from the suppression of minor root pathogens (most likely Pythium spp.) due to fungitoxic action of the phosphonate product, leading to healthier and more extensive roots.

of any confirmed reports of pathogen resistance to phosphonate fungicides in turfgrass (although phosphonate-resistant mutants of Pythium aphanidermatum have been induced in a laboratory) (14). Two factors are probably responsible for the reduced resistance risk with phosphonate products; (1) the mode of action in target fungi may involve several sites and (2) the involvement of host defenses in disease suppression. Both of these factors create a broad front against disease development and a difficult hurdle for pathogens to overcome through resistance. Nevertheless, a recent report from California suggests that sensitivity to phosphonate fungicides was compromised in populations of Bremia lactucae (causal agent of lettuce downy mildew) treated repeatedly with phosphonate fungicides and fertilizers (3). The California experience may be an isolated case, but should serve as a reminder to managers that resistance development is a possibility with phosphonates and that indiscriminant use of these products may lead to problems down the road.
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Findings that phosphonates do not affect phosphorus metabolism or yield in grasses appears convincing, but should be tempered by the fact that many of these products have demonstrated improved turf quality. Quality enhancement with potassium phosphite products is probably not due to nutritional effects, as our studies have shown no such improvement with equal amounts of potassium phosphate fertilizer. Certainly, formulation enhancements, as in the case of Chipco Signature fungicide, have led to turf quality improvement (8, 11), but when we apply reagent grade potassium phosphite (with no formulation enhancements) to turf we also see slight quality improvements. It remains to be seen what causes turf quality improvement, but one proposed cause may be the suppression of minor, plant debilitating pathogens – such as Pythium species. More research is needed to determine the cause of enhanced turf quality. Note: Part II of this article will focus on results of disease control and turf quality results. Literature Cited 1. Adams, F. and J.P. Conrad. 1953. Transition of phosphite to phosphate in soils. Soil Science 75:361-371. 2. Anonymous. 2005. Greenbook turf and ornamental reference for plant protection products. Vance Communication Corp., New York, NY. 3. Brown, S., S.T. Koike, O.E. Ochoa, F. Laemmlen, R.W. Michelmore. 2004. Insensitivity to the fungicide fosetyl-aluminum in California isolates of the lettuce downy mildew pathogen, Bremia lactucae. Plant Disease 88:502-508. 4. Dorer, S.P. 1996. Nutritional effects of a fungicide combination on summer bentgrass decline. Master of Science Thesis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. 5. Griffith, J.M., A.J. Davis and B.R. Grant. 1992. Target sites of fungicides to control oomycetes. pp. 69-100. In: Target sites of fungicide action. W. Koller (ed.), CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL. 6. Guest, D. and B. Grant. 1991. The complex action of phosphonates as antifungal agents. Biological Reviews 66:159-187. 7. Jackson, T.J., T. Burgess, I. Colquhoun, G.E.S. Hardy. 2000. Action of the fungicide phosphite on Eucalyptus marginata inoculated with Phytophthora cinnamomi. Plant Pathology 49:147-154.

8. Lucas, L.T. 1994. Development of management of summer decline of bentgrass. Proceedings 1994 Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America International Conference, Dallas, TX. 9. MacIntire, W.H., S.H. Winterberg, L.J. Hardin, A.J. Sterges and L.B. Clements. 1950. Fertilizer evaluation of certain phosphorus, phosphorous, and phosphoric materials by means of pot cultures. Journal American Society Agronomy 42:543-549. 10. McDonald, A.E., B. Grant, and W.C. Plaxton. 2001. Phosphite (phosphorus acid): Relevance in the environment and agriculture and influence on plant phosphate starvation response. Journal Plant Nutrition 24:1505-1519. 11. Mudge, L.C. 1997. Fungicidal compositions for the enhancement of turf quality. United States Patent #5,599,804, www.uspto.gov/ patft/index.html. 12. Niere, J.O., G. DeAngelis, B.R. Grant. 1994. The effect of phosphonate on the acid-soluble phosphorus components in the genus Phytophthora. Microbiology 140:1661-1670. 13. Sanders, P., W.J. Houser and H.Cole, Jr. 1983. Control of Pythium spp. and Pythium blight of turfgrass with fosetyl aluminum. Plant Disease 67:1382-1383. 14. Sanders, P.L., M.D. Coffey, G.D. Greer, M.D. Soika. 1990. Laboratory-induced resistance to fosetyl-Al in a metalaxyl-resistant field isolate of Pythium aphanidermatum. Plant Disease 74:690-692. 15. Stehmann, C. and B.R. Grant. 2000. Inhibition of the glycolytic pathway and hexose monophosphate bypass by phosphonate. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 67:13-24. 16. Vincelli, P. 2004. Resistance to phosphite fungicide: But not yet in turf. Hole Notes 35(6):12.

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The Ohio State University Turfgrass Science Program
iMPACT 2006 – RESEARCH
The mission of The Ohio State University Turfgrass Science Program is to investigate, synthesize and disseminate knowledge on turfgrass science to students, consumers and professional clientele throughout Ohio and the nation. Through these efforts, the functional uses, environmental benefits and aesthetic values of turfgrass will contribute to further enhancement of the quality of life for society. The OSU Turfgrass Science Team strives to maintain national and international excellence by providing leadership in teaching, research and extension-outreach education.

FaCuLty and ExtEnsion Program sPECiaLists oF thE osu turFgrass sCiEnCE Program Dr. Mike Boehm (Department of Plant Pathology) Dr. T. Karl Danneberger (Department of Horticulture and Crop Science) Dr. David S. Gardner (Department of Horticulture and Crop Science) Dr. Parwinder S. Grewal (Department of Entomology) Dr. Ed McCoy (School of Environment and Natural Resources) Joseph W. Rimelspach (Department of Plant Pathology) Pamela J Sherratt (Department of Horticulture and Crop Science) Dr. David J. Shetlar (Department of Entomology) Dr. John R. Street (Department of Horticulture and Crop Science) Dr. Daniel C. Voltz (Agricultural Technical Institute) David A. Willoughby (Agricultural Technical Institute)

One means of assessing productivity of university faculty is to track the number of peer-reviewed publications authored. In general, the more responsibility one has for conducting research, the greater the number of peer-reviewed publications. The adjective “peer-reviewed” indicates that prior to having an article, book chapter or book published that two or three other scientists have critically reviewed the piece and approved it for publication. It is a process designed to validate the scientific soundness of a contribution. The peer-review is done in an anonymous fashion so that reviewers are free to be critical without hurting anyone’s feelings or out of fear for retribution. Although no system is perfect, the peer-review process ensures that sound science is published. In lay terms, the peer-review process could be considered similar to the “Good Housekeeping” or “J.D. Power’s” Seal of Approval.

during 2006, osu turfgrass science professors advised 23 graduate students and 4 postdoctoral researchers/visiting scientists. dr. doug richmond, former m.s. & Ph.d. student of dr. shetlar’s was hired as an assistant Professor of turfgrass Entomology at Purdue university. ruisheng an, a Ph.d. student working with dr. grewal, received a $5,000 grant in the osu-oardC director’s graduate research grants Competition.
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the osu turfgrass science team published 23 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, 9 edited book chapters and received one patent in 2006.

the osu turfgrass science team published 58 trade Journal and newsletter articles in 2006.

in 2006, otF provided $130,000 in programmatic and facility support to the osu turfgrass science team. $52,000 was used

to support operations at the otF research and Educational Facility. $78,000 was provided to the following faculty and extension program specialists: $10,000 each to drs. Boehm, danneberger, gardner, grewal, mcCoy and street; $8,000 to dr. shetlar; $5,000 each to Joe rimelspach and Pam sherratt.

the osu turfgrass science team leveraged the $130,000 provided by otF to attract $608,000 in competitive grants and industry support representing nearly a five-fold return-oninvestment.

The OSU Turfgrass Science Team leveraged OTF’s $130,000 to attract an additional $608,000 in competitive grants and industry support.

2006 OTF Grants and Scholarships Chair, Mark Jordan, presents a check to dr. Bobby Moser, dean, OSU College of Agriculture, during the OTF Conference & Show.

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PRACTiCE SAFE LiFTiNG ANd SAVE YOUR BACK
Lifting is an important part of our job duties. While it is a required part of the job, we do not need to suffer injuries as a result. Back injuries can be very painful and can be difficult to heal. The vast majority of back injuries can be prevented. Back injuries are caused by a number of factors. the following is a list of the most common: • Over exertion over a period of time • Lifting more weight than you’re physically capable of handling • Lifting in an awkward position • Lifting objects too far away from your body • Twisting while lifting or carrying a heavy object • Trying to lift objects too high into the air or trying to lift down objects from overhead • Hurrying and not taking time to plan your lift • Failure to maintain proper muscle tone and strength • The natural aging process and the gradual reduction in physical capabilities that go along with it the following items are important to keep in mind when you are preparing to lift: • Try to reduce the weight of the load if possible • Get help for objects that are too heavy and can’t be lightened • Think through the lifting process before actually lifting • Take your time, don’t hurry • Try to lift only what you can handle comfortably • Use your legs while lifting, not your back • Don’t bend over at the waist when picking up an object • Avoid overhead lifting as much as possible • Keep objects close to your body while lifting • Never twist or jerk while lifting • Use mechanical assistance whenever possible • Do not try to reach over an object to lift another object • Exercise and stay in good physical shape Before lifting an object always remember: A. Seek alternative methods if possible • Lighten the load • Use mechanical assistance such as a hoist, crane, lift truck, pallet jack or two wheel dolly • Get help from others when you cannot lighten the load • If items are stacked too high, use a ladder – remove items one at a time B. Size up the load and determine how heavy it is • If the weight is unknown, review the type and size of the object • Shake the object, if it moves easily you should be able to lift it C. Inspect the object to be lifted for sharp edges, tears or other problems which could cause an injury Know the proper steps of lifting: • Start by placing feet about shoulder distance apart, stand back from the object to be lifted (about six inches). Turn the box or object to be lifted to the left at a 45 degree angle to your body. This will allow you to get as close as possible and reduce the stress on your back. • With feet should width apart, kneel down, putting your hand on the object to be lifted, to maintain balance. • Slide up to the box. Place left foot alongside the left side of the box. Get as close to the box as possible. The inside corner of the box should be directly below your breast bone. • Place your right hand under the right side of the box. Your right arm should be straight up and down. Make sure the box or object to be lifted, is balanced properly. • Place your left hand on the left side of the box. Hand should be centered on the box to provide best balance. • Do not bend over. • Lift straight up with legs in a smooth steady lift. Do not jerk. • Pull object into your body as soon as you stand up. Get a good grip on the box with both hands. • Keep elbows in tight. • Never twist your body while lifting or carrying an object. Always step, turn and pivot in direction of travel. • Set the box down by bending your knees. If setting on a table, set the box down on the edge, then slide into place. • When picking up a box, or object, from a counter, shelf or table, slide the object as close to your body as possible. Bend your knees, then lift with your legs. • Do not reach over an object to lift another object or box. Lifting at arms length puts extreme pressure on the back. Remember, always practice proper lifting habits. You can prevent a back injury if you follow proper lifting procedures all the time.

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Contact your Distributor, or your Andersons Golf Products Territory Manager at 800-253-5296

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OTF Board of Trustees
Trustees Term Expires 2008
doug gallant
Cincinnati Reds

2007 OTF Officers
President
mark Jordan, CgCs
Westfield Companies Country Club

2007 OSU Turfgrass Science Team
Horticulture & Crop Science
dr. John street dr. Karl danneberger dr. david gardner ms. Pamela sherratt ms. deborah holdren

Trustees Term Expires 2009
mark grunkemeyer
Buckeye Ecocare

Vice President
todd Voss
Double Eagle Club

Treasurer
dan Walter
City of Blue Ash Golf Course

Entomology
dr. dave shetlar dr. Parwinder grewal mr. Kevin Power mr. dan digman

Kim Kellogg
Grasshopper Property Maint.

don Lawrence
Red Hawk Run G.C.

immediate Past President
glen Pottenger, CgCs
Clark State Community College

Trustees Term Expires 2010
mike dietrich
Lesco, Inc.

Plant Pathology
dr. michael Boehm mr. Joseph rimelspach mr. todd hicks

director of Education
dr. John r. street
The Ohio State University

Joe Enciso
Century Equipment

Executive director
Kevin thompson
OTF/Offinger Management Co.

School of Natural Resources
dr. Ed mcCoy mr. stephen schneider

randy shaver
Strategic Golf Alliance, Inc.

Agricultural Technical institute (ATi)
mr. david Willoughby dr. daniel Voltz

1400/0407/061