You Are Here: Management Updates 2003 Archive October 9, 2003

Date: October 9, 2003
Category: Diseases
Subject: Gray Leaf Spot, Dollar Spot, Lab Schedule

Only one gray leaf spot sample has been confirmed, and the weather will be cooler next week. We are probably out of the danger zone for this season. Dollar spot continues to plague many golf course superintendents despite fungicide treatment. Fungicides are very effective at stopping the growth of the fungus, but repair of damaged areas depends on regrowth of the turf. This requires that the roots have an adequate water supply, enough N, and are not growing in compacted soil. The shorter days are giving us heavy, long-lasting dews and extended shade from nearby trees. If you are not mowing daily, it is important to whip the dew from the leaf surfaces to minimize leaf wetness and guttation fluid which favor disease.

Special diagnostic lab schedule next week: The diagnostic lab will be closed next week on October 16 and 17 (Thurs and Fri) for fall break at Marquette University. If you have disease concerns, please ship samples on Monday or Tuesday (although the post office will be closed on Monday because of Columbus Day). It is good grass growing weather, so I hope this will not be incovenient. If you have a disease crisis later in the week, please contact the URI lab (http://www.uriturf.org/diagnostic.html) or the Rutgers lab (http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/plantdiagnosticlab/default.asp)

- Submitted by: Dr. Gail Schumann