Schedule for Athletic Field Disease Management

Why should I spray now? This is a question one might ask themselves on a cool spring day. I mean, the grass is just greening up and has only been mowed once or twice so far. In the world of turf, problems such as diseases usually begin long before we notice the symptoms. A disease is often referred to as a cluster of organisms overtaking another being. So, in essence, there can be a lot of a disease pathogen present without the slightest imperfection on the turf. On cool season turf (Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue, and tall fescue), the three big diseases we face are dollar spot, summer patch, and fairy ring.

Now, before you start thinking, “Well, what about leaf spot? Anthracnose is possible in sports turf! I’ve seen brown patch before on bluegrass!” Yes, these are all possible and can be issues for sure, but the vast majority of diseases that attack sports turf (I’d be willing to go out on a limb and say 90% of the diseases we see on sports fields) are typically dollar spot, summer patch, and fairy ring.

So, the question is posed: What is the best cost-effective method for controlling the big three diseases? The answer is the time and temp—the same slogan that used to scroll across the television during the 1980s and 90s.

To effectively control or suppress a disease, we need to apply fungicide within the proper timeframe:

• Fairy ring should be treated when soil temperatures are between 55-60°F at a depth of two inches for three to four consecutive days.
• Summer patch should be treated when soil temperatures are between 65-70°F at a depth of two inches for three to four consecutive days.
• For dollar spot, treatment should start when air temperatures are between 60-70°F for three to four consecutive days.

As far as chemistries go, here are a few suggestions that are very specific for each listed disease:

• Fairy ring: Tourney at a rate of 16 ounces per acre. Water in after application.
• Summer patch: Insignia at a rate of 30.4 ounces per acre. Water in after application.
• Dollar spot: Tourney at a rate of 16oz ounces per acre.

Finally, the last thing I’ll say (which is the biggest advice I will have in this short article), is if you do not have the ability to spray, there is a phenomenal granular fungicide called Pillar G by BASF. There are 27 diseases listed on the label, including the above three diseases. It is a very small, prilled granular that covers evenly and has two different active ingredients and modes of action. A 30-pound bag will cover 10,000 square feet, which makes applying to a baseball/softball infield between the hashes very feasible.

I know I am just brushing the tip of the iceberg with the number of chemistries we can apply to prevent these diseases. What I do know is that whatever fungicide you do decide to use earlier in the year, you will use less overall chemical because of the efficiency. Please apply EARLY!

Craig Shepherd
Sales Representative