Tropical storms cause disease & weeds on FL and Puerto Rico golf courses
Recent steady rains and tropical systems really have disease and weed pressure percolating from central Florida to Puerto Rico. The heat and precipitation are really stressing the turf.

Stadium with leaf spot & patch diseases gains control with BASF fungicides
I spent some time in Orlando and Miami this week. I had the pleasure of meeting with Robert Sample, Superintendent of Grounds at The University of Central Florida. UCF built a new football stadium last year and has consistently battled leaf spot and patch diseases.

Robert Sample has had the best results from Insignia® fungicide and Trinity® fungicide. He’s tried several other competitive fungicides with some success, but little residual control. Insignia is holding about 2-3 weeks. We’re going to tank mix some Emerald® fungicide and Insignia® fungicide to see if we add to the product’s performance and longevity. John Foy from the USGA was also there, and he agreed whole heartedly with my approach. Stay tuned. You can read more about Sample’s results using Insignia in the April 2008 issue of Sports Turf Magazine or online here.

Fairy ring & ring patch aggressively hit Miami & Ft. Lauderdale golf courses
The two most active diseases right now are fairy ring and Rhizoctonia zeae, or “ring patch.” They are both aggressive and highly visible diseases, so superintendents are really struggling to keep pace. I’ve never seen it more than once or twice before this year, but the disease seemed to have exploded after Tropical Storm Faye hit, which dumped 10 to 18 inches of rain across the state.

Could Faye have carried in spores? Current recommendations from UF are Insignia or Heritage, and avoid 3336.

Quote of the day
“In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.” - John Adams

Until next time…