...get bunkers properly edged and topped a full two months ahead of Augusta being on TV
Fig. 1. Poor presentation in winter. Why? In many cases, the result of poor hole changing technique
bunkers properly edged and topped up with sand in January or February, a full two months ahead of Augusta being on TV.
Directional raking of sand towards the hole/flag is a presentational tip that is easy to achieve and is a nice feature if it is done well.
Knowing that the consistency of
bunkers is a highly emotive topic for the majority of golfers, there can be a good argument for allocating more man- hours which could justify employing additional labour on a golf course to
achieve high standards on a regular basis.
It remains my opinion that the great thing about golf courses is that each is unique. The challenges of each individual course, its aesthetics, its setting, the way it looks and ‘feels’, is what gives each course its individual character. And, the way they are managed and maintained is what keeps the body of the course alive in the eyes of those who play it. Therefore, one thing we all need to concentrate on, irrespective of the location, is the attention to detail and daily presentation of the course on an all-year-round-basis.
Fig. 2. Good winter hole cup presentation and attention to detail
It is true to say that one of the great things about Augusta for me over the years has been the reluctance to stand still in terms of presentation. The course seems to re-invent itself each year with subtle changes in terms of presentation. Can we match it here, or even do better?
Peter Jones is an Independent Consultant Agronomist, a Patron of FEGGA and a member of RIPTA. Tel: 01525 280 573 E:
pjassociates@clara.co.uk
Fig. 3. Poor presentation of a bunker in winter
Fig. 4. Good bunker presentation in winter (06.02.07)
Seedling Diseases
SEEDLING diseases can cause problems for turf managers who are trying to establish a sward during sub-optimal growing conditions. In an ideal situation, a seedbed would be prepared and the seed sown when there is greatest chance for the seed to germinate and establish quickly. The longer the non-germinated seed remains in the ground, the more chance there is of it failing to germinate and decaying. In addition, a slow germination can result in weak plants that can easily be attacked by a range of fungi, causing a patchy loss of cover, especially in any lower-lying areas.
There are several genera of fungi that are commonly associated with seedling diseases in turf, and these include Pythium sp., Fusarium sp. and Rhizoctonia sp. All three of these genera contain species that are saprophytic, i.e. capable of living on dead and decaying organic matter in the rootzone, and are ubiquitous in turfgrass rootzones.
There are three main symptoms of seedling disease; seed rot, pre-
emergence disease and post- emergence disease. Once seed has been sown, it will take in water (imbibition) and the process of germination will begin. However, if the rootzone temperature is unfavourable at the time of seeding, the seed will not germinate and then it will effectively become a food source for the fungi and bacteria associated with decay. This will lead to seed rot. If the imbibed seed germinates but fails to emerge, due to depth of planting or unfavourable growing conditions, the seedlings will decay before they break the surface of the rootzone. This is pre-emergence disease and, where it occurs, will show as a patchy sward development across the seeded area. Most commonly, the seed will germinate and the seedlings emerge from the rootzone, but slow growth or adverse environmental conditions will result in the plants becoming colonised by one or more of the fungi associated with seedling disease. Once a few plants are infected, the fungus will utilise the plant material and allow further
infection in to adjacent plants that may, under normal conditions, not have succumbed to infection. Most often, seedling disease is noticed as circular patches throughout the area that may be yellow or red in colour but which decline or rot, either with or without aerial fungal mycelium. The distribution of the patches will often suggest a cause for the problem with Pythium sp. infections, for example, developing on lower-lying or wetter parts of the area. Seedling disease can also develop with Fusarium sp. of fungi but they can damage the young plants growing on either wet or dry rootzones.
With the naked eye, it is difficult
to be certain of the cause of seedling disease but, by using a microscope to analyse the infected plant tissues (leaf and/or root), the cause of the disease can be determined. With regard to management of
Pythium
these diseases, cultural control is perhaps the most effective, making sure that the seedbed is prepared to a high standard, that new seed is used and sown at the correct depth and that adequate seedbed nutrition is provided. Certain fungicides may be applied to seedling turf but it will be necessary to check the product label to establish the growth stage at which they are safe to use. Always ensure that the disease is correctly identified prior to the application of any plant protection product.
Dr. Kate Entwistle The Turf Disease Centre Tel: 01256 880246
15
disease OF THE MONTH
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