West Virginia GCSA seminar features Joe Vargas, Jr., Ph.D., Michigan State University Turf Pathology
BASF Sales Specialist McGee Poole and myself attended a turf seminar early last week in Wheeling, W.Va., offered by the WVGCSA. This was pretty much an all-day seminar presented by Dr. Vargas. This was the most in-depth seminar I have attended in quite some time. A tremendous amount of tangible, technical information was presented to the group on everything from sand top-dressing and the black layer to summer stress syndrome information.

Talked turf with The Ohio State University’s Turf Pathology and Weed Science staff and faculty
BASF Senior Technical Specialist Kyle Miller and myself met with The Ohio State’s Joseph W. Rimelspach, Extension Pathologist from the Plant Pathology Department, and Todd Hicks, Program Coordinator for the Turf Pathology Program. I very much appreciate Kyle Miller putting these appointments together and inviting me to take an active role in the discussions. These meetings help us to better understand all of the opportunities there are in working with these university contacts, both from the perspective from field sales and technical service. Next, we met with John Street, Ph.D., OSU Weed Science, and Deb Holdran, Research Technical Representative for Dr. Street and Dr. Dave Gardner.

Michigan State University meeting discussion: BASF Insignia + Trinity fungicides = healthy turf in Michigan & Ohio
Kyle Miller made similar appointments with Michigan State University turf and ornamentals contacts as with The Ohio State University. We had an early-morning appointment with Dr. Mary K. Hausbeck, MSU Professor and Extension Specialist in vegetable and greenhouse ornamental crops at MSU’s Department of Plant Pathology, Blair Harlan, Research Assistant, and later with Dr. Vargas, and Research Technician, Nancy Dykama, MSU Turf Pathology. We also had a meeting with Ron Calhoun and his Research Technician of MSU Turf Weed Science.

I brought up the point that early November applications of BASF Insignia® fungicide plus BASF Trinity® fungicide in Michigan and Northern Ohio gave golf courses in 2007-2009 some of the best-looking greens they have experienced in some time coming out of winter. This may also be giving some protection for crown hydration and Poa annua desiccation concerns. In 2009, Michigan golf courses experienced ice cover followed by prolonged snow cover to start out the season. The snow and ice eventually melted and the ice reformed, which is a recipe for losing turf.

Curalan + Chlorothalonil/Iprodione + Chlorothalonil = control of Microdochium Patch & Leaf Spot
Many golf courses are beginning their spring aerification schedules. Golf course superintendents are very busy dealing with the beginning stages of early-season golf play and trying to manage the many other early-season variables in managing turfgrass – all while trying to accommodate golfers’ expectations.

Brown ring patch (aka Waitea patch) has been identified in western Michigan. Early-April BASF Curalan® EG fungicide + Chlorothalonil or Iprodione Pro 2 SE fungicide + Chlorothalonil applications are being applied for microdochium patch and leaf spot. Spring is here in the Midwest!