Despite the humidity and almost 100 degrees temperatures at the golf session of Rutgers University Turf Field Day on July 29th, more than 150 industry professionals were in attendance to check out the various research plots. Highlights from the day included the latest on the anthracnose management on Poa annua, new bentgrass cultivars, management practices for greens and fairways, pest control advancements, and traffic trials on cool-season grasses.

View of research plots at Rutgers University Field Day.

At Rutgers, I met with Kyle Miller, BASF senior technical specialist, to talk industry issues and participate in the plot tour showcasing the turf researchers’ study results. Kyle was very knowledgeable about the factors influencing each study, as well as the various products and controls that were used. I also had the chance to meet Ted Huhn, BASF senior sales specialist, and John O’Barr, BASF field biologist.

Kyle and I were pleased to see that Trinity™ fungicide was providing excellent control of dollar spot at both a 14-day and 21-day spray intervals. Emerald® fungicide also provided excellent control of dollar spot at 14, 21 and 28 days.

Kyle Miller and John O’Barr looking at dollar spot research plots.

In the anthracnose trial, Trinity at a 14-day spray interval showed very good control. While the disease in the summer patch trial was just ramping up, the Insignia® fungicide treatment looked excellent, as did the Insignia and Trinity combination. Trinity alone showed exceptional control.

Side-by-side comparison of Insignia 21-day and 14-day.

Brown patch pressure was just heating up so there were no observable treatment differences. Drive® XLR8 herbicide performed excellent in crabgrass trials giving effective control at multi-leaf and multi-tiller prior to the actual field day.