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EDITOR'S BLOG

AUTUMN DISEASE PRESSURES
What to look out for
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

The combination of early morning dews, warm and wet weather and diminishing daylight hours increases the risk of fungal disease outbreaks.

We are now entering the time of the year when we are likely to see the formation of morning dews on our grass surfaces. This generally occurs when evening air temperatures start dropping dramatically, especially when we have clear cloudless nights.

On a clear day, water evaporates from the warm ground into the atmosphere. When night falls, the ground radiates the day's warmth into the skies. Warm air can hold more moisture which precipitates out onto the leaf as the temperatures plummet overnight. The ground becomes much cooler, causing the water vapour to condense. This condensed vapour is dew. When the nights get colder, this dew gets transformed into frost.

The combination of early morning dews, warm and wet weather and diminishing daylight hours increases the risk of fungal disease outbreaks. The right conditions to trigger these disease attacks are weakened or susceptible plants, a disease-producing organism (pathogen usually fungi) and weather conditions which favour the formation of fruiting bodies and spores (moist, mild wet conditions).

Most cool season turfgrass diseases spread via water droplets. Plants also release excess nutrients via their stomata's (gutation) during night hours when there is no sun and rarely any wind to evaporate it. These exudates become mixed with the dew water and become the perfect food source for disease pathogens in their early stages of development.

Many diseases that are occurring now have responded to the unusually warm, autumn weather conditions. Boundary layers around the leaves have stayed moist and humid. Relative humidity is important for spore germination and penetration of leaf tissues and constant wet conditions will allow the development and transportation of active fungi spores.

Most fungi grow well between 10°C - 40°C and function best at a pH range of 4-7pH. The current lack of cooler weather and sharp frosts has not helped in reducing these active pathogens.

The first step in turfgrass disease management is identifying the true nature of the problem. Diseases are only one cause of turf loss, and disease control measures will do nothing to alleviate damage from other causes such as management, wear or plant stress. It is therefore essential to determine whether the problem is disease, and if so, which disease.

Disease Triangle

The three disease factors: susceptible grass / host, pathogen, and environment, provide the evidence for disease diagnosis. Symptoms are the expression of the susceptible grass to the disease and can take on a variety of forms.

Symptoms may appear on the leaves as small, circular, tan-coloured lesions surrounded by brown or purple borders (leaf spotting); as yellow, red, or tan blotches over most or all of the leaf blade (blighting); stunting; wilting; or as a brown or black rot on the crowns and roots. The appearance of these symptoms will also vary depending on the type of disease, the severity of the attack and the developing stage of the disease.

Fusarium disease

Early identification of the symptoms is essential for good disease management; however the best form of management is using preventive, cultural turf maintenance methods that reduce the ideal environmental factors that these diseases require for development. E.g. regular brushing/switching of the grass to remove excess moisture, regular aeration to allow gaseous exchange and water percolation.

Turf grass diseases refer to a variety of fungal, bacterial, or viral infections that affect the health and appearance of grass in lawns, sports fields, golf courses, and other turf areas. These diseases can cause discoloration, thinning, wilting, and even death of the turf grass if left untreated. Different types of grasses are susceptible to specific diseases, and the severity of the disease can vary depending on environmental conditions and cultural practices.
Some common turf grass diseases include:

Brown Patch: This fungal disease primarily affects cool-season grasses during hot and humid conditions, causing circular patches of brown or tan grass.

Dollar Spot: Dollar Spot is another fungal disease that creates small, silver-dollar-sized spots on the turf, usually during warm and humid weather.
Pythium Blight: This disease is caused by a water mould and can quickly kill large areas of turf, especially in hot and wet conditions. It appears as irregularly shaped patches of discoloured, greasy-looking grass.

Leaf Spot: Leaf Spot is a fungal disease that causes small, circular spots on the grass blades. It is commonly seen in warm-season grasses during periods of high humidity or excessive moisture.

Rust: Rust is a fungal disease that gives the grass a rusty or orange appearance. It is often found in lawns with poor fertility or during cool and wet weather.

Snow Mould: Snow Mould is a fungal disease that develops under snow cover during winter. It appears as circular patches of matted, straw-colored grass when the snow melts.

Red Thread disease

Red Thread: Red thread turf disease, also known as pink patch, is a common fungal infection that affects various types of grass, particularly fine fescues, ryegrasses.

Fusarium turf disease: also known as Fusarium patch or Fusarium blight, is a common fungal disease that affects turfgrass species. It is caused by various species of the Fusarium fungus, particularly Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium oxysporum.

Site characteristics and turf management practices have a large influence on disease management. Factors such as air movement, drainage, soil conditions, and the amount of sun or shade, slope, fertilisation and aeration programmes are important in influencing the development of turf diseases.
It is important to remember that pathogenic fungi can survive and remain in a dormant state in plant debris and soil until favourable conditions arrive again to stimulate another disease outbreak.

The Pathogens that cause these diseases are always around lying dormant in the thatch layers waiting for the ideal conditions to become active. Once these spores are activated and have found an appropriate host they are able to grow and reproduce themselves, spreading new spores and infections to other areas of turf. This cycle continues whilst favourable conditions prevail.

Understanding the disease cycle and implementing works that can break up the disease cycle will help reduce the opportunities for disease development and outbreak.

When it comes to disease identification, there is as much emphasis on you as the turf manager to provide appropriate turf samples for analysis as there is for the lab to accurately identify the problem. In most cases, the best place to remove a turf sample for analysis is from the leading edge of the symptoms, where the affected or discoloured plants give way to healthy turf.

However, we must recognise that by achieving good cultural practices to reduce thatch, improve air movement in soils, balanced feeding and correct mowing regimes will play an important part in promoting a vigorous healthy turf that can fight off and reduce the chance of disease attack.

We have also seen in recent years a trend towards more use of alternative products, such as organic fertilisers, compost teas, use of phosphite as well as tonics and bio stimulants to improve turf grass quality and help reduce disease incidence.

Good cultural practices may be the only option for disease control in the future especially as there are moves to reduce the amount of chemicals and fungicides available for use in the coming years. However, at the moment we are still able to reduce fungi pathogen populations by applying fungicides, which either kill off the pathogen or slow down the production of fungal spores.

Again, it is important to have identified the disease correctly, so that an appropriate fungicide can be selected. Using the wrong fungicide or wrong application rates can lead to a number of problems, not only would it be a waste of time and money, but the effect on the disease is also likely to be negative and may well exacerbate the problem by making the disease more resilient to the Active Ingredient applied.

Fungicides can be divided into two broad categories: contact fungicides and systemic fungicides. The contact fungicides generally are applied to the leaf and stem surfaces of grass plants. These materials may or can be washed or mowed off easily, which implies that they often only have a short term active durations, between 7-10 days. These fungicides are usually used to control foliar diseases and not diseases of the root and crown structures of the plant. Contact fungicides are used throughout the twelve months of the year.

Systemic fungicides have a different mode of action; the chemicals are absorbed and translocated within the plant’s tissues. Thus, they are not as likely to be removed from the plant by rainfall and mowing. Therefore, they are active for longer periods and can protect plants for up to 4 weeks. Most systemic fungicides can control both foliar and root / crown diseases. Use of systemic fungicides during colder months is not advised, as the plant is either dormant of slow growing and will not rapidly uptake the fungicide-greatly reducing its effectiveness.

Remember, prevention is key when it comes to disease outbreaks. By implementing these practices and maintaining good turf management practices, you can reduce the risk of diseases and keep your turf healthy and vibrant. If you encounter persistent or severe disease issues, consult with a local turfgrass professional or extension service for guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Please keep in mind that the use of fungicides should be done according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer and local regulations. It's also important to consider integrated pest management (IPM) practices, such as proper mowing, irrigation, and fertilisation, to maintain a healthy turf and reduce the need for fungicide applications.

NEWS

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE PROFESSIONAL DEALER
In Service Dealer's 2024 Dealer of the Year Awards

We want to hear from the readers of TurfPro, telling us who the dealerships are that you use, who go above and beyond.

TurfPro's sister title for the specialist outdoor powered machinery dealer sector, Service Dealer, each year runs a series of awards, designed to highlight the incredible work carried out across the industry.

The organisers of 2024's Dealer Of The Year Awards now want to hear from the readers of TurfPro, to let us know the dealerships that you use, who go above and beyond to meet your new machinery and servicing needs.

Owner of TurfPro and Service Dealer, Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "When it comes to professional groundcare we are looking for a dealership who is a cut above the rest. We want to hear all about the dealership who’s firing on all cylinders for their customers and a worthy nominee for the Professional Turfcare Dealer of the Year."

Below you will find the link for you to tell us which dealership deserves the title of Professional Turfcare Machinery Dealer of the Year.

You may also feel you'd like to vote for a company which may be more accurately described as a Garden Machinery, a Forestry Machinery, an ATV / Utility Vehicle, or a Farm Machinery dealership, if those are the businesses you use locally.

A judging panel will review all the nominations prior to the Awards Ceremony on the 28th November. All entries for the categories below will be considered by the judging panel for the prestigious Overall Dealer of the Year award (sponsored by Kress).

Below are the categories which we'd like to hear our TurfPro readers' thoughts on. Nominations close this Friday, October 18th.

Professional Turfcare Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Toro UK

NOMINATE PROFESSIONAL TURFCARE DEALER OF THE YEAR

Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Husqvarna

NOMINATE GARDEN MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR

Farm Machinery Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Ibcos

NOMINATE FARM MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR

Forestry Equipment Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Societe Generale Equipment Finance

NOMINATE FORESTRY EQUIPMENT DEALER OF THE YEAR

ATV/Quad Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Yamaha

NOMINATE ATV/QUAD DEALER OF THE YEAR

The Awards will be presented at the Gala Dinner following the Service Dealer Conference that takes place on Thursday 28th November 2024 at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford upon Avon. The theme for this year's event is Driving Success.

GMA ANNOUNCE PANEL
To judge their awards

In our first WEB ONLY story, this year’s panel consists of ten leading turf professionals tasked with selecting seventeen award winners across a variety of categories.

AUTUMN WORKSHOPS UNVEILED
Designed to provide essential skills

In our next WEB ONLY story, provider says these workshops will cover key topics of interest to professionals in the sports turf management sector.

OVER 120 ATTEND CONFERENCE
Successful event held

Supplier's dealer conference sees the introduction of new spare parts system.

Iseki UK & Ireland welcomed over 120 attendees from across the UK, Ireland and Europe to their 2024 Dealer Conference recently, for a combination of outdoor training, seminars and product announcements.

Sixty dealers representing the UK, Ireland and Iceland were joined by the managing director of Iseki Europe, Mr Ota, and Mr Suzuki from Iseki Japan at the Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club for the one-day conference.

The company says the event provided a platform for dealers to engage in hands-on and practical demonstrations of the company's latest machinery. On either side of the practical demonstrations, attendees also participated in a series of seminars led by Iseki's technical and commercial experts.

David Withers, managing director of Iseki UK and Ireland, said, "We are thrilled with the level of engagement and enthusiasm from our dealers at this year's conference. The demonstrations and seminars have hopefully empowered our dealers with the tools and knowledge they need to better serve their customers and win against our competitors."

The conference also saw the introduction of Iseki's new PartSmart spare parts system, which the company said was brought in as part of their commitment to ensuring dealer success. They said the new system promises to streamline ordering processes, reduce downtime, and improve overall customer service across the dealer network.

TECH LEADS CLUB'S FLEET
Invested in "practical and progressive" machinery

L-R: Clint Whittaker, general manager; Joshua Nash, Reesink Turfcare; and Andrew Kerr, course manager

Golf club says they have invested for the first time in "environmentally friendly" technology.

In its latest Toro fleet deal with Reesink Turfcare, Surbiton Golf Club has invested for the first time in what it describes as "environmentally friendly technology" with two Greensmaster 3360 hybrid mowers and in new spraying technology with the GeoLink system.

L-R: Clint Whittaker, general manager; Joshua Nash, Reesink Turfcare; and Andrew Kerr, course manager

Course manager Andrew Kerr says the reasons for these choices are progressive as well as practical; “We’ve been evolving and adapting to golf technology and the needs of golfers since we began, and this is the next step. We’ve noticed in recent years that members use Surbiton as a destination location, to enjoy the environment it provides, not just for playing golf.

“With reduced emissions and lower operating noise these mowers contribute to creating a better and more relaxed place to be. And for the same reasons, are pleasing to the residents around us.” Andrew says he is also noticing a reduction in fuel consumption too.

Based on the outskirts of Southwest London, Surbiton Golf Club is one of the first clubs to take advantage of the latest GeoLink spray system.

“The level of accuracy it provides you just wouldn’t be able to achieve manually no matter how good or experienced the operator,” he says. “It’s reducing how much product we use and lowering our costs because we’re only using what we need to, there’s no wastage. We don’t have square greens or fairways here and that had made spraying tricky but now we cover every inch with no over or under spraying.”

Also included in the order are two Groundsmaster 3500-D with Sidewinders, seven Greensmaster 1021 pedestrian mowers, two Reelmaster 3575-D fairway mowers and a Groundsmaster 4700-D rough mower in what is the club’s second Toro fleet deal.

“We got our last fleet about six years ago and we would usually replace it after five years, but we’ve been waiting for the machines to be available,” explains Andrew.

“Our members love striped greens and complexes and having the combination of the cylinders and Sidewinders makes delivering eye catching stripes easy.”

SUZUKI ADD TO DEALER NETWORK
New appointment announced

Suzuki have appointed to their dealer network

New authorised dealer takes on the KingQuad all-terrain vehicles.

Suzuki have appointed ARK ATVs as an authorised dealer in the southwest of England for its KingQuad all-terrain vehicles.

The ARK ATVs team

ARK is a well-established specialist ATV sales and service centre based near Minehead in Somerset. Family-owned and run since 1997, the business was originally set up by Rob and Kathy Blomfield-Richards alongside Tony Leader and it is still going strong to this day. Rob and Tony have over 75 years of ATV experience between them, selling over 10,000 ATVs during this time.

James Westwood from ARK ATVs said, “We are so pleased to be adding Suzuki KingQuads to our product range. These machines are so robust and reliable we know they are already popular among farmers, and we are looking forward to being able to offer them exclusively to our customers.”

Mark Beeley, head of ATV & Marine for Suzuki GB said, “It is great to welcome ARK ATVs to the Suzuki family. We know they will do a great job in representing our brand and we are looking forward to working with them.”

Sponsored Content

MAJOR TO LAUNCH UPGRADED TDR
At Saltex 2024

Major Equipment Ltd, a leading innovator in professional tractor-powered groundcare mowers, is delighted to announce the launch of its upgraded TDR Rotary Mower, at this year’s SALTEX.

Designed for the management of parklands, sports pitches and semi-rough golf course grass, this new model delivers enhanced durability, precision and efficiency in maintaining expansive green spaces.

The upgraded TDR stands out with several key improvements over its predecessor including:

Galvanised Body: The entire body of the Major TDR is now galvanized, offering superior resistance to rust and corrosion, ensuring longevity and reducing maintenance costs.
5mm Blades: The new model is equipped with 5mm blades, designed to deliver a cleaner, more precise cut. These robust blades enhance the mower's ability to handle tougher grass and vegetation, resulting in a consistently professional finish, adding an aesthetic appeal to any public space.
Hydraulic brakes: Safety is paramount, and the inclusion of hydraulic brakes as standard ensures that operators have better handling and can operate the mower with increased confidence particularly when travelling between sites.
Heavy duty driveline: The gearbox drive line delivers consistent cutting rates, even in heavy and wet conditions, eliminating the belt slippages and inconsistent cutting associated with belt driven mowers.
Simple height adjustment: Operators can easily adjust the cutting height from 10-140mm, allowing for a wide range of applications and delivering the perfect cut every time.

The upgraded Major TDR is available in two working widths; 4.90m and 6.1m and is the ideal solution for local authorities responsible for maintaining parks, sports fields and other public spaces, as well as private contractors who require reliable, high-performance equipment for large-scale landscaping projects. The rear deck can be detached from the chassis and used independently. This feature allows for greater operational flexibility, making the TDR a multi-purpose tool for any grounds maintenance team.

Major Equipment will be showcasing the TDR at stand J112 at Saltex 2024, October 30th and 31st 2024. Visitors to the stand can also see the Major CS-Pro, a 3m tractor-mounted mower ideal for smaller compact tractors and the MJ2000 Flail Collector, a versatile machine designed for cutting and collecting grass and perfect for areas with infrequent mowing cycles.

For more information about the upgraded Major TDR or to schedule a demonstration call Major Equipment Ltd on 01524 850501 or visit www.major-equipment.com

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