|
Weather Update
We have finally entered a weather pattern that is more typical of mid-July in central and northern Illinois.
Temperatures for the next 5-7 days are expected to remain in the upper 80s to low 90s for daytime highs, with overnight lows in the 70s.
Dew points will also be in the 70s range, which means that relative humidity readings and heat indices will be fairly high as well.
Relative humidity will be near 100% during
most nights and in the early morning hours.
This weather pattern is expected to persist for the next week or so, with a few scattered showers and thundershowers thrown in the mix; we certainly need the rain in the northern third of the state.
High temps and dew points along with off and on showers are conducive to development of foliar fungal diseases such as Pythium and Rhizoctonia brown patch.
I suspect that these problems are more likely to occur on golf courses south of I-80, for a couple of reasons.
First, the Chicago area has been very dry, whereas many areas of central IL have had more frequent rains.
Second, the northern areas have had more cool weather periods that would squelch a Pythium or Rhizoc outbreak - temperatures in the central or more southerly parts of the state have remained higher and could support the longer term development of Pythium or Rhizoc infections.
Ryegrass growers in central Illinois should also be on the lookout for early symptoms of gray leaf spot, which typically begins to develop in late July and early August.
Diseases
Complaints about fairy rings continue, even from superintendents at relatively new courses that haven't had a long history of fine turfgrass culture on native soils or sand greens.
Dollar spot is active but very spotty, as our recent weather fluctuations continue to influence how much fungal activity will occur.
A few cases of anthracnose have been reported, on both Poa annua and creeping bentgrass (see notes from last week and pest alert on website).
We have heard of a few minor cases of Pythium and brown patch, but no major outbreaks to date.
However, the weather pattern we are experiencing now is conducive to these diseases, so be sure to scout your
hot spots for early indications of disease.
Finally, as summer moves along, we should see more summer decline of Poa annua (and Poa trivialis), whether it is caused by root rots, anthracnose, or just plain old heat stress.
Insects
In the latest edition of the U of I Home, Yard, and Garden Newsletter, Phil Nixon notes that masked chafer counts are down this year in central IL, but the number of white grubs could be high anyway because of large numbers of Japanese beetles.
There have been quite a few masked chafers observed in the western suburbs (see photo); Japanese beetle infestations are scattered.
Since most of our region is dry, beetle adults will be seeking-out irrigated turf for egg laying, so the possibility of damage to fairways and irrigated roughs remains high.
Check out this news here.
We are also starting to see more cutworm damage (and bird feeding activity) on greens, perhaps earlier insecticide applications are wearing off.
There have also been a few reports of high numbers of Ataenius grubs and some turf damage (wilting patches that aren't dry spots!) on fairways in central Illinois.
If you have had problems with Ataenius in the past, there is a good chance they will revisit your turf again!
Weeds
If you didn't take action this spring to control crabgrasses, the plants are easily visible at this stage.
Crabgrass is a C4 plant that loves heat, humidity and drought, and can be very invasive on most turf areas (including tees and greens!).
Big crabgrass plants are also very difficult to control with even the best post emergent herbicides, plus herbicide treatments in this weather can be phytotoxic to turf (if its not already dormant).
Anyone with new news regarding moss control on greens, please RSVP with a note of your observations.
Finally, for those of you who may have missed this info in an earlier update, here are new address and phone numbers for the CDGA at our new Midwest Golf House at Cog Hill:
Midwest Golf House
11855 Archer Avenue
Lemont, IL 60439
phone: 630-257-2005 (main)
fax: 630-257-2088
my direct line: 630-257-8126
YOUR FEEDBACK OF OBSERVED PEST PROBLEMS IS IMPORTANT
Especially at this time of year, when diseases and insects are becoming more active.
Please respond with your observations to pestalert@interactiveturf.com so that we can build our pest activity data base and report those pest outbreaks back to our readers.
|
