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Weather Review:
Since August 5th, we have had some nice cool breaks in the hot
weather pattern with some much needed (and greatly appreciated!)
rainfall. According to forecasts, the hot summer will continue
a while longer with forecasted high 80s and higher humidity later
this week. It does look like we may be over the "hump"
though, and headed for some better turf growing/recovery conditions.
The recommended seeding window for bentgrass is also open and
usually lasts until late September.
Since the July 29 update we have added 8 days with 90+ F high
temperatures, bringing the total for the season to 28 days in
the Chicago region (with 45 days > 85 F) - see the table
below. In parts of central IL, heavy rainfall the last few
days has broken an extended drought, and temperatures there are
also moderating. Most of central IL had been running a 4-5"
rainfall deficit, with a lot more heat (about 45 days > 90
F) than northern IL. Like the Chicago region, we have started
to see some recovery of heat stressed turf with these recent rains
and cooler temperatures; however forecasts for the next few days
will turn hotter in central IL (forecasted low 90s, "real
feel" of 105 for Thursday in Champaign!).
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Number of Days with Daily High Temperatures:
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85+
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90+
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95-100+
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2002*
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45
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28
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4
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2001
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43
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18
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2
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2000
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31
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4
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0
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1999
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48
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20
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3
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1995
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64
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30
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11
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Although some may disagree, the summer of 2002 (which is not
over yet) has not seemed as severe a disease or Poa decline
year as 1995, 1999, or 2001. This is probably because most of
the hot weather this summer was accompanied by low or moderate
humidity and low rainfall. Relative humidity readings did get
high for a few days, but in general most of the weather was of
the "dry heat" variety, leaving less humidity/ moisture
present on the leaves overnight.
Diseases:
Now that there is moisture in the soil and dew from nighttime
cooling some foliar diseases may become more active over the next
few days. With the sharp increase in temperatures over the next
few days and the previous rains, brown patch activity may creep
up again later in the week (especially in central IL) provided
low temperatures don't dip below 59 again. However, the
most severe disease resurgence will probably be dollar
spot over the next few days/weeks as high temperatures steadily
moderate to the upper 70s to low 80s.
Some summer patch has recently reported on Kentucky bluegrass,
although this disease is ususally more severe in wetter summers.
Summer patch and anthracnose have been sporadic on Poa annua
for the last month or so, and anthracnose
on bentgrass has also been observed recently on a few sites.
Localized dry spots
and fairy rings are still active; be alert for LDS popping
up on dry, cool days after weather fronts go through . Some of
these LDS/fairy ring patches are not the typical symptoms you
may be used to seeing, but out of several samples we have received
this summer we are quite sure fairy ring type fungi are to blame
- see pictures below.
Insects:
There have been few reports this summer of Ataenius grub damage,
which is usually going to be found by now if the little guys are
there chomping on roots. It would probably be wise to continue
to scout for Ataenius if you have had problem areas in the past.
Likewise, since it was a banner year for Japanese beetle adult
populations in many areas this summer, there could be a heavy
crop of JB grubs. Our predictive model indicates they should be
in their 2-3 instar stage and should be actively feeding now (past
red alert stage by about a week now). Masked chafers and other
annual white grubs could be in abundance as well; the raccoons
and skunks will start digging for hors d'oeuvres in the next couple
of weeks.
Weeds:
The hot summer weather has been quite favorable to crabgrass
and goosegrass, as well as foxtail and some other warm season
annual grasses (see previous turftips, "Stemmy
Turf and Postemergence Annual Grassy Weed Control" or
"Postemergence Control of Warm
Season Annual Grassy Weeds" for more information). You
may also run into some perennial C4 grassy weeds in a summer like
this, for example common bermudagrass (especially south of I-80)
and the nutsedge types (which aren't true grasses, by the way).
Moss infestations are starting to return with the cooler weather.
Moss and algae readily invade turf that is thinned from summer
stress and traffic, and can grow rapidly in late summer and compete
with desirable turf species.
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Thank you to everyone that participated at the U of I field day;
I hope that the seminars and presentations were useful and instructional.
Also, please notice the new pest alerts pages -
click here to view them through the menu page. These new pages
should display alerts in a more readible and accessible fashion
and should (maybe most importantly) load much faster on your machine.
If they are not doing their job, or if you have any suggestions
for improvement of these pages please let us know.
Also, please keep us in the loop as to the health and condition
of your turfgrass. We are exploring avenues that will help us
grasp total turfgrass health as well as IPM, so please don't limit
feedback to just pest problems. Drop us an email or give us a
phone call to let us know what is going on in your neck of the
woods.
Randy Kane
CDGA
Director of Turfgrass Programs
Midwest Golf House
11855 Archer Ave
Lemont, IL 60439
630-257-8126
Lee Miller
CDGA
Manager of Turfgrass Research
Midwest Golf House
11855 Archer Ave
Lemont, IL 60439
630-257-2005 x.111
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