Golf courses around the region have experienced an extended dry season. Lakes are at record low levels and have caused large areas of exposed soil. June usually brings regular afternoon showers and they can’t come soon enough! Hopefully, extended rainfall conditions will occur as they did in June 2005 to recharge lakes and rejuvenate turf conditions.

Tilapia are forced to abandon their homes as lake levels drop

Extended dry weather has accentuated other concerns on the golf course, like nematode damage. Nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on turf roots and decrease the turf’s ability to uptake water and nutrients. Limited chemicals exist for suppressing nematodes in bermudagrass turf and our options will decrease significantly once Nemacur (fenamiphos) is taken off the market next year. Dr. Billy Crow, University of Florida Turfgrass nematologist, continues to study alternative products for controlling nematodes and has recently reported some success with the bacteria Bacillus firmus. Increasing irrigation and fertilization frequency to nematode-stressed areas also is an important cultural practice for maintaining good turf quality during dry periods.

The extended dry weather also points out irrigation inadequacies. Older systems often have improperly spaced heads, improperly sized irrigation lines and/or worn out pump stations. Irrigation inadequacies are often masked during periods of rainfall or during cool periods, when the turf is not actively growing. Increased soil temperatures have caused the bermudagrass to grow aggressively and the increased growth and decreased rainfall are showing where inadequate irrigation coverage occurs on the golf course in the form of brown, dry turf. Bermudagrass is drought tolerant and the brown conditions cause no long-term detriment to the golf course, but if the standard is to maintain uniform green turf coverage, then irrigation upgrades should be considered in the future.

Keeping up with routine mowing can become a difficult task as soon as the afternoon showers begin. Plant growth regulators (PGR) like Primo (trinexapac-ethyl) are applied to reduce vertical turf growth and decrease the need for regular mowing. They are excellent tools to apply during rainy periods as mowing becomes difficult. They also reduce clipping yield, which reduces blowing or dragging clippings that accumulate following mowing. Clippings are already accumulating and it is a good idea to start PGR applications.

Source: Todd Lowe, tlowe@usga.org or 941-828-2625