Golfdom, January 2017

RESEARCH FOR REAL SUPERINTENDENTS Hosted by Clark Throssell Ph D clarkthrossell@ bresnan net Super Science HELP IS AT HAND NEWS UPDATES RESISTING THE LITTLE GREEN INVADERS HUMMEL TABBED FOR 17 GREEN W hat do superintendents farmers and weekend gardeners have in common For one they all share a strong dislike of weeds Whether youre a professional or amateur nothing can ruin your day like a weed Worse yet no matter how you try to control this pesky green invader it just keeps coming back for more Fortunately theres help available to get weeds under control The University of Tennessee Weed Diagnostics Center UTWDC is here to help identify weeds and screen them for herbicide resistance This initiative supported by UT AgResearch and UT Extension provides end users with diagnostic tests tailored to weeds in a variety of settings Our aim is to provide a broad spectrum of services to both professional and consumer clientele says Jim Brosnan Ph D associate professor of turfgrass weed science at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Our tests he says are tailored to weeds of crop production systems as well as turf ornamentals and urban landscapes Superintendents can submit annual bluegrass Poa annua crabgrass Digitaria spp goosegrass Elusine indica and other weed species for screening for herbicide resistance The turnaround for herbicide screening is from two weeks to five months depending on the type of screen requested Another service tailored to southern U S superintendents is bermudagrass off type assessments Brosnan heads up UTWDC and sees it as a valuable service across the U S He says its important to have weeds tested to help keep them under control and then to use the diagnostic results to implement optimal management strategies All UTWDC test results are complimented with research based control recommendations to promote proper weed management in the field Brosnan says Well also complement the ongoing disease and plant diagnostic efforts at UTIAs Soil Plant and Pest Center in Nashville Employing both whole plant and molecular methods specialists at UTWDC provide a wide range of diagnostic services from basic weed identification to herbicide resistance tests using DNA screening Were looking to provide an all inclusive service for our clients thats cost effective and helps them conserve financial and technological resources Brosnan says You can find more information about UTWDC online at weeddiagnostics org Follow the Center on Twitter @ WeedDiagnostics Jim Brosnan Ph D is a turfgrass weed scientist at the University of Tennessee You may reach him at jbrosnan@ utk edu for more information Doug Edlund University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture contributed to this summary SECTION AWARD The USGA announced Dr Norman Hummel as the recipient of the 2017 USGA Green Section Award The award recognizes an individuals distinguished service to the game of golf through their work with turfgrass Hummel began his career in the golf business working on the maintenance crew as a mechanic and a night watchman at Park Country Club in Williamsville N Y Following four seasons at the club the graduate of New Mexico State University left to pursue advanced degrees at Pennsylvania State University where he earned both his masters and Ph D in agronomy with an emphasis in soil science In 1991 he took a one year sabbatical from Cornell to work with the USGA on putting green construction research updating the USGA Recommendations for a Method of Putting Green Construction These guidelines firmly established the USGA method as the best and most thoroughly researched in the world His work has had a profoundly positive impact on the game of golf by helping courses build and renovate better greens that perform more predictably and reliably said David Oatis director of the Northeast Region for the USGA Green Section Hummel left Cornell in 1995 to devote his full attention to a consulting venture he started in 1991 Hummel Co Inc quickly became one of the most respected physical soils testing laboratories in the industry The company has worked with more than 2000 golf courses TRAFFIC TREATMENTS ESPECIALLY THOSE APPLIED AT 8 A M HAD A SIGNIFICANT DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON CREEPING BENTGRASS HEALTH AND APPEARANCE Winston Nickles Mirmow see story on page 38 January 2017 Golfdom 37 Golfdom com PHOTO BY UTIA