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2024 Winter Turfgrass Field Day

Thursday - Feb 29, 2024

3 P.M. Education at Lewis-Brown Horticulture Farm, 33329 Peoria Rd, Corvallis, OR, 97333

5 P.M. Dinner

Registration and Dinner is FREE for all attendees 

Please RSVP to alec.kowalewski@oregonstate.edu 

Presentations

Backpack Spayer 101: Modifications and Calibration

Invasive Species Alert (European Chafer)

Pest Management Seminar

Fungicide Alternatives

Extension Bulletins

Backpack Sprayer Modification and Calibration

Weed Management: Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks

Insects: Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks

Managing Microdochium Patch in Pacific Northwest Turfgrass

Irrigation Rates and Frequencies for Western and Eastern Oregon Turfgrass

Fungicide Rotation Program for Microdochium Patch 

Anthracnose Control in the Pacific Northwest

Microdochium patch management without fungicides

Microdochium patch control alternatives

Annual Bluegrass, Poa annua L. (Cook, 2008)

Trading one problem for another: Sulfur for One

Research Publications

Comparing Methods to Quantify Cover in Turfgrass Research

Using survey results to direct future extension efforts in annual bluegrass management

High soil carbon sequestration rates persist several decades in turfgrass systems: a meta-analysis

Carbon Sequestration in Turfgrass–Soil Systems

Analyzing golf course pesticide risk across the US and Europe—The importance of regulatory environment

Advances in managing organic matter in turfgrass ecosystems

Iron sulfate and phosphorous acid affect turfgrass surface pH and Microdochium patch severity on annual bluegrass

Developing and implementing an integrated weed management program for herbicide resistant Poa annua in turfgrass

First report of Pyricularia grisea causing gray leaf spot of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in Oregon

Nitrogen Fertility Rates Affecting Weed Population Dynamics in a Perennial Ryegrass Stand in Western Oregon

Irrigation Frequen Optimal Fine Fescue Mixture Seeding Dates in the Northern United States

Effects of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Rates on Microdochium Patch

Integrated Pest Management Effects on Weed Populations Managed Without Herbicides in the Pacific Northwest

Estimating economic minimums of mowing, fertilizing, and irrigating turfgrass

A justification for continued management of turfgrass during economic contraction

Comparing rates of mineral oil, sulfur, and phosphorous acid on Microdochium patch suppression and turfgrass quality

Suppression of Microdochium patch using rotations of mineral oil, sulfur, and phosphorous acid

Evaluation of selected fungicides for control of Microdochium nivale on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2019-2020

Evaluation of selected fungicides for control of Colletotrichum cereale on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2019

Evaluation of fungicides and fertilizers for control of Colletotrichum cereale on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2019

Adding a Late Fall Application of Proxy (Ethephon) Before Two Traditional Spring Applications Improves Seedhead Control of Annual Bluegrass

Frequent soil surfactant applications influence anthracnose on an annual bluegrass research green.

Combinations of rolling, mineral oil, sulfur, and phosphorous acid affect Microdochium patch severity.

The effects of iron sulfate heptahydrate water carrier volumes on Microdochium patch suppression and turfgrass quality.

The Influence of Iron Sulfate Application Interval on the Suppression of Microdochium Patch on an Annual Bluegrass Research Green in Western Oregon.

Rolling and Biological Control Products Affect Microdochium Patch Severity on an Annual Bluegrass Putting Green

Evaluation of fungicides, phosphites, and nutrients for the control of Anthracnose on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2018

Evaluation of fungicide programs for the control of Anthracnose on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2018

Winter Foot Traffic on an Annual Bluegrass Putting Green in Western Oregon

Effects of Fungicides on Leaf Spot in Western Oregon, 2016.

Effect of fungicides applied at reduced rates on Microdochium patch in western Oregon, 2017.

Evaluation of winter fertility practices in combination with simulated traffic in order to determine their effects on the suppression of Microdochium patchand turfgrass recovery on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2013-2014

Evaluation of fungicide alternatives or the control of Microdochium patch on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2013-2014

Evaluation of fungicides for preventative control of gray snow mold in central Oregon, 2010–2011

Evaluation of fungicide programs for the control of anthracnose on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2015

Evaluation of fungicides for preventative control of Microdochium patch on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2016

Videos

2022 OSU Winter Field Day Video

2021 OSU Winter Field Day Videos

2020 OSU Turf Field Day Videos

OSU Turfgrass Field Trials

Turfgrass Hotline with Clint Mattox: Pacific NW Update

Update on what's new in Microdochium patch control

OSU Partnership with Trysting Tree Golf Club in Corvallis, OR

Clint Mattox Discusses Microdochium Patch Mangement with Frank Rossi

Fall 2016 Fungicide Alternative Update – OSU

The Long Game - reducing pesticides on golf courses

Fine Fescue as a Putting Surface (GCSAA TV)

Tall Fescue on Golf Courses (GCSAA TV)

Tod's Turf Tips

Professional and Continuing Education Turfgrass Management Program

Professional and Continuing Education Turfgrass Management Program

Whether you work for a lawn care company, manage an athletic field, landscape at a city park, work at a golf course or just want the best lawn on your block, our turfgrass management program can help you succeed.  This program is also great for anyone interested in a profession that deals with lawn care. If you work for a hardware or lawn care store and field customer questions or consult with landscape architects, this course will give you the language, knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

List of Courses 

 

Publications

Kentucky Bluegrass, Poa pratensis L.

Poa pratensis L.

Introduction:

Thatch Management
January 1, 2008

Thatch is a layer of organic material between the green grass and the soil. Thatch is composed of living and dead stems and roots. Leaves make up only a very small percentage of thatch. Sometimes leaves will form a layer of pseudo thatch at the juncture of the thatch and the green grass. It disappears quickly.

*The following is a slideshare presentation.  Click the left or right arrows to navigate through the presentation, or click "full" to view the presentation in full-screen.

Vegetative Identification of Common Turfgrasses in the Pacific Northwest
January 1, 2008

Identifying lawn grasses requires a basic knowledge of plant structure and the ability to distinguish between those structures to categorize specific grasses. To get really good at identifying turfgrasses you have to learn the characteristics of the common grasses.

*The following is a slideshare presentation.  Click the left or right arrows to navigate through the presentation, or click "full" to view the presentation in full-screen.

European Crane Fly
February 1, 2008

This is an unusual insect in that it causes most of its damage in late winter and early spring as larvae feeding on all parts of the plant. While we think of it as a turfgrass pest it is also active on many ornamental perennials. The historical pattern for this insect is to move quietly into an area where it may develop to very high populations within a year or two.

*The following is a slideshare presentation.  Click the left or right arrows to navigate through the presentation, or click "full" to view the presentation in full-screen.

Annual Bluegrass , Poa annua L.
February 1, 2008

Revised Feb. 2008

In nature, annual bluegrass, Poa annua L. behaves as a true annual. It germinates in fall or spring when moisture is adequate and develops quickly, often flowering six to eight weeks after germination. In the Pacific Northwest we see it most commonly as a winter annual (Fig 1). After flowering and setting seed these annual types die typically from drought and leave dormant viable seed behind to germinate when moisture again becomes available. This efficiency in seed production makes annual bluegrass a major component of the seed bank of cultivated soils.

Turf Adaptation & Ecology Part 2: Turf communities in Western Oregon
January 1, 2008

Turf adaptation implies that commonly planted grasses have specific climatic conditions in which they thrive. Therefore, if we know the climate we should be able to predict what grasses will have a reasonable chance to prosper. The converse is also true. If we plant grasses in climates where they are not adapted, we can expect to have problems growing a healthy lawn. One way to depict turf adaptation is through maps.

Creeping Bentgrass
February 1, 2008

Introduction:

For as long as golf has been played in the Pacific Northwest creeping bentgrass has been planted on putting greens, first as a component of South German mixed bentgrass, and later as seeded or stolonized varieties. In recent years, intense breeding and selection work has resulted in a flood of new cultivars with widely varying characteristics and generally much improved surface quality. While early creeping bentgrasses quickly gave way to annual bluegrass, newer cultivars are much more competitive and may prove to be much more persistent.

2008 Annual Bluegrass Fertility Trial
June 9, 2009

NTA Final Report June 9, 2009

Purpose

By using balanced NPK + micros applied at a low rate (3.25 lbs N/1,000 sq ft/yr) or a high rate (6.5 lbs N/1,000 sq ft/yr), we are trying to determine if total annual NPK with or without added calcium, sulfur, or humates has any measurable impact on putting green turf quality, Microdochium patch disease, anthracnose disease, and/or turf species composition.

Putting green Anthracnose trials: 2007
October 30, 2007

Evaluation of different products in the management of Anthracnose.  The trial site was the Emerald Valley Golf Club, Cresswell, OR.  The site has a history of severe Anthracnose.  Many thanks to Scott Larsen for letting us use his practice green.

Tall Fescue

Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.
(Formerly Festuca arundinacea Schreb.

Introduction:

Tall fescue is probably the most widely planted cool season grass in the world. This guide will cover botany, history, cultural requirements, and strengths and weaknesses of this fascinating grass.

Botanical Characteristics and Identification:

2008 Evaluation of Proxy, Primo, & Trimmit Growth Regulators Applied to Providence Creeping Bentgrass Putting Green for Phytotoxicity and Turf Quality
June 29, 2009

Final Report, June 29, 2009

Objective

The primary objective of this trial was to determine whether repeated applications (2, 3, or 4) of Proxy (ethephon) or Proxy + Primo (trinexpac-ethyl) caused phytotoxicity to ‘Providence’ creeping bentgrass maintained at putting green height. A secondary objective was to evaluate turf quality of putting green turf treated with Proxy, Proxy + Primo, or Trimmit (paclobutrazol) growth regulators.

Materials and Methods

Fertility Management for Annual Bluegrass
October 30, 2007

Putting greens in Oregon range from 80% to almost 100 % annual bluegrass.  The reality of golf course maintenance in the Pacfic North West is that annual bluegrass will eventually dominate turf on tees, greens, and fairways.

*The following is a slideshare presentation.  Click the left or right arrows to navigate through the presentation, or click "full" to view the presentation in full-screen.

Perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne L.

Lolium perenne L.

Introduction:

The Fine Fescues

Festuca sp.

Introduction:

The fine fescues are composed of several different Festuca species and subspecies. All are fine textured compared to most other commonly planted turfgrasses. Fine fescues have long been used in mixtures with other grasses and are generally considered the standard for shade tolerance in cool season grasses. In recent years, the fine fescues have received attention as low input environmentally sustainable grasses. Most retail lawn mixtures contain at least some fine fescue.

Botanical Characteristics:

Colonial and Highland bentgrass

(Agrostis sp.)

Introduction:

Annual Bluegrass Fertility Trial 2006-2008

Note:

The information presented below is in the form of a progress report and all data are considered preliminary.

Purpose:

Using balanced NPK + micros applied at a low rate (3.25 lbs N/1000 sq ft/ yr) or a high rate (6.5 lbs N/1000 sq ft/yr), we are trying to determine if total annual NPK with or without added Ca, S, or humates has any measurable impact on turf quality, Microdochium patch disease, Anthracnose disease, and/or turf species composition.

Methods:

Roundup Tolerant Tall Fescue/Perennial Ryegrass Trial
Introduction:

Previous work reported by Crystal Fricker at Pure Seed Testing Inc. demonstrated that it is possible to develop tall fescues and fine fescues that have relatively good tolerance to low rates of glyphosate. This trial is part of an ongoing effort to evaluate tolerance of tall fescues and other grasses to glyphosate at rates that are effective in controlling annual bluegrass.

Shade Trial Summary 2008

Shade Trial – Area 4
Seeded Spring 2003

Introduction:

Controlling Moss in Lawns

This publication examines the cultural, mechanical and chemical control of moss in lawns.

Turfgrass Seeding Recommendations for the Pacific Northwest
December 1, 1998

Explains the basics of germination, purity, seed tags, seeds per pound, blends, mixtures, and overseeding. Provides seeding and overseeding recommendations for putting greens, tees, fairways, sports fields, home lawns, cemeteries, roadsides, and slope stabilization for Idaho, and western and eastern Oregon and Washington. Describes the characteristics and uses of new cultivars of turftype tall fescues and provides average number of seeds per pound for common turfgrasses. Intended for homeowners, seed companies, sales people, and turfgrass managers.

2008 Evaluation of Turf Phytotoxicity and Quality of a “Providence” Creeping Bentgrass Putting Green Resulting from Multiple Applications of Proxy, Primo, & Trimmit Growth Regulators
August 13, 2009

Preliminary Report

Objective

The primary objective of this trial is to determine whether repeated applications (2, 3, or 4) of Proxy (ethephon) or Proxy + Primo (trinexpac-ethyl) causes phytotoxicity to Providence creeping bentgrass maintained at putting green height. A secondary objective is to evaluate turf quality of putting green turf treated with Proxy, Proxy + Primo, or Trimmit (paclobutrazol) growth regulators. The Trimmit was applied at two rates alone and with additional fertilizer.