(Tourney -Cast) TC12v.06 9 April 2012 We made it to April The warm weather continues in parts of the US, particularly in the Midwest, where growing conditions are estimated to be 4-6 weeks ahead of normal. March 2012 was the warmest on record in the contiguous United States since 1895, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Temperatures in other regions have moderated considerably, such along as the East Coast. Disease Sightings Diseases are just all over the place right now. Everything from Microdochium patch to brown patch has been seen in the US within the last two weeks (fortunately not at the same time!). Microdochium patch: returned in Chicago, along with cooler, wet weather last week. Microdochium patch continues to be problematic in the Northwest, particularly Idaho and eastern Washington, as the weather conditions remain cool. Anthracnose: basal stem anthracnose has been found throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Dollar spot: Early season dollar spot applications should be down by now in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and southern New England. Dollar spot reports are common in several regions right now. Brown ring patch: continues more found throughout the Mid- Atlantic, Midwest, and an unconfirmed report in Rhode Island.
Yellow patch: Yellow patch is what I would normally expect to be hearing about this time of year, and there have been a few reports mentioned of it. But the warm weather has definitely diminished yellow patch severity. Fairy ring: Similar to dollar spot, preventive applications should be applied soon (if not already) in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Large patch/zoysia patch: Due to the quick warm-up, 2012 is anticipated to be a long season for large patch (LP) and zoysia patch (ZP). LP and ZP are caused by Rhizoctonia solani, the same causal agent of brown patch in cool season turf. But because it is on warm season turf, the disease cycle is different. LP and ZP infections begin in the fall; this is when preventive fungicide applications should be applied. Symptoms can be expressed in the fall and then again in the spring. Spring applications are considered to be curative and may help alleviate symptoms. Typical LP/ZP looks like:
Summer patch: Preventive applications (of Tourney Fungicide, of course!) should begin in the Midwest, especially in KS, KY, MO, IA, and NE. Multiple applications will be necessary this year. Powdery mildew: One report of powdery mildew on lawn turf was reported last week in Maryland. Wow, crazy year. Brown patch: Yes, that brown patch. Dr. Lee Miller, University of Missouri, confirmed an active brown patch infection on sod in Missouri. Dr. Miller did add the caveat that the sod had been recently fertilized, therefore encouraging the disease. Ornamental Disease Reminder The Easter bunny came a few days early this year and brought with him a basket full of early Tourney efficacy data! Todd Mayhew had the wherewithal to set up a trial for preventive control of sycamore anthracnose back in February. Last week we got the report already, and it was good. No, it was great! Disease Severity (0-10) 10 8 6 4 2 0 12 March 27 March Tourney (3oz) Tourney (4oz) UTC The study was conducted by Buzz Uber at Pardee Tree Nursery in Valley Center, CA. Treatments were applied three times, on a fourteen interval, beginning 10 February. Sycamore anthracnose can be caused by several different fungi, including Apiognomonia errabunda, A. veneta, Colletotrichum
gloeosporioides, Discula fraxinea, and Glomerella sp. Symptoms include leaf spots, leaf curl and eventual defoliation if the infection is severe enough. Sycamore anthracnose can spread from leaves to twigs and cause twig and small stem cankers (below). The pathogen(s) overwinter in infected leaf litter and infected twigs, and spores are released very early in the spring to infect expanding leaves. This is why an early, preventive application of Tourney is so important for all foliar diseases on ornamentals! In the case of sycamore anthracnose if weather conditions conducive for disease development persist (cool, wet weather as in the case with many foliar diseases on ornamentals), multiple applications will be necessary early in the season.
Easter Bounty Dr. Riffle forwarded this picture yesterday to our group: Thus ushering the triumphant return of dog vomit fungus to Tourney-Cast! And can you believe that certain people, who shall remain nameless (ahem you know who you are), actually called it NASTY and SLIMY?!? Slimy, yes, of course it is a slime mold after all. But, nasty?!? Bah. No love for the slime molds. Have a great week! Jill Jill M Calabro Products That Work, From People Who Care www.valentpro.com 800-89-VALENT (898-2536) Always read and follow label instructions. Tourney and Products That Work, From People Who Care are registered trademarks of Valent U.S.A. Corporation. 2012 Valent U.S.A. Corporation. All rights reserved.