breeding a better bahiagrass - · pdf filenematicides and soil health | 06 breeding programs...

Clippings is published quarterly by Turfgrass Producers of Florida P. O. Box 217 LaBelle, Florida 33975 Tel: (863) 675-2144 www.floridaturf.com

News & Notes | 02 Schedule Your Operation Cleansweep Pickup| 03

Author Nathan Whitaker to Speak at Growing Better 2018 | 04 Nematode Research: Organic Amendments; Nematicides and Soil Health | 06 Breeding Programs Enter Final Evaluation Phases | 11 EREF: Wins, Losses and What’s Up for 2018| 12 Florida’s Constitutional Review Committee Makes Proposals | 14 TPF Regional Meeting Set for January 30 | 15

tion to contain some - well - surprises). The Bahia cultivars currently used in Florida do not form a dense turf, but have an open growth habit which can make lawns look sparse. It can also allow for weed intrusion, which can be diffi-cult to treat, as many readily available home-use lawn products are either ineffective or damaging to the grass. It’s best mowed at 3-4 inches, and its tough, fibrous stalk is hard on mower blades. And homeowners can be unpleasantly surprised by a lawn that turns yellow-brown and goes dormant in dry or cool weather. Watering and fertilizing to maintain the green color can be counterproductive; UF studies have shown that over-fertilizing or too much supple-mental irrigation can actually weaken the grass, encouraging weed intrusion and negating water savings. Finally, although good seed heads are a plus for existing grasses - seed can be harvested and sold separately for establishing pastures or allowed to remain to reseed the area - seed heads in a home lawn can be unappealing and unsightly. Some Florida growers have produced Bahia- grass on the farm along with other varieties, but market conditions and perception have made it

(Continued on page 8)

Bahiagrass has been a staple for Florida turf use for decades. Originally introduced from South America in the early 1900s as a forage grass that could perform well in sandy soils, it soon gained popularity for turf applications that focused on low cost and the ability to survive without supple-mental irrigation and fertilization. These characteristics have made it appealing to those advocating for “native” landscapes (based on the misperception that it is a Florida native grass) as well as those who are concerned with water and fertilizer use. The particularly low cost of bahia also made it the grass of choice for applications like highway shoulders and medians, moderate-cost home builders, and large turf areas with little traffic. The grass has also very few dis-ease or pest issues. Bahia is not without its drawbacks. Most of the Bahia in Florida is still produced as forage (Florida’s cattle industry is among the largest in the United States) and is harvested every 3-5 years from exist-ing pasture lands on a rotational basis as herds are moved to adjacent lands. And while many cattle producers have developed a process to prepare the grass for harvest, the quality of the grass and its suitability for home lawn or commercial applica-tions can vary widely (it’s also not unheard of for a load of Bahia delivered for a home lawn installa-

Breeding a Better Bahiagrass

Clip

ping

s

02 | Clippings | Turfgrass Producers of Florida

News and Notes 2018 Urban Landscape Summit Dates Announced: The University of Florida | IFAS Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology (CLCE) will again host the Urban Landscape Summit on March 14-15 at the Straughn Center on the University of Florida’s Gainesville campus. The Urban Landscape Summit focuses on presentations of applied research or extension projects pertaining to urban land-scape issues in Florida. Topics at the 2017 Summit ranged from the impacts of building practices on water quality to consumer prefer-ences in landscapes. The format of 20 minutes presentations plus 5-minute “lightning rounds” provides for the maximum amount of topics in a easy-to-follow format. For more information and a list of last year’s presentations, visit https://clce.ifas.ufl.edu/events/urban-landscape-summit.html. Registration is $65 per person and will open in early spring.

Firefly Equipment Unveils New Self-Propelled Electric Deck Mower: FireFly Equipment is very excited for the unveiling of our industry’s first self-propelled, electric deck mower. Field testing has shown extraordinary precision mowing combined with high speed and low maintenance. The new mower will be officially introduced at TPI on February 14th, in Tucson, Arizona. The machine will be available for a farm-to-farm demo tour in Florida shortly thereafter. In other news, Firefly has introduced enhanced software to its existing ProSlab155 Automated Harvester. The software updates now allow customer farms to reach production rates over 22 pallets (500 sq. ft) per hour in some cases. FireFly Equipment has also teamed up with Trimble and Vantage Southeast. Customers that have added the sub inch Trimble Navigation System to the ProSlab 155 machines are reporting over 2,000 square feet per acre in additional yield. Finally, Firefly Equipment is pleased to introduce Shea Kendall to the state of Florida. Shea has been with Firefly’s sales repre-sentative in Alabama and Georgia, and his territory has now expanded to include Florida. Wayne Graham continues to serve as our regional technician and trainer in the state.

We welcome Industry News items which are published as space is available. Submit news and jpeg or png photos to [email protected].

Turfgrass Producers of Florida’s website, www.floridaturf.com, is sporting a new look and some new functionality!

Find a Farm: Customers can still locate farm members by region or browse through all farm members alpha-betically. Member listings offer sod sales numbers, website links to your farm, and a list of varieties that each farm offers. The Turf Types link (formerly “Varieties”) allows sod customers to search for a particular cultivar or browse through all cultivars of any grass type grown by Florida members. For example, a customer who clicks on “Tifway 419 Bermudagrass” can view a list of all farms currently offering Tifway 419, along with the full list of other turf types being produced by that farm. Homeowners looking for a new lawn now have a convenient homepage link to sod installers, landscape members, and farm members who offer site prep, sod delivery, and installation services. If you provide installa-tion, be sure to let us know so you won’t be missed. Calendar: In addition to TPF events, our calendar will include other meetings and events that may be of interest to our members. Web Banner Ads keep your farm (or business) front and center so customers can locate you easily. They’re inexpensive and help support the work of TPF. Call for details!

Check out our new look at www.floridaturf.com

Membership Renewals

You can renew your membership or make updates to your member info online at www.floridaturf.com/join.

Change or update your contact information Change or update the turf types you’re growing Add a business description Pay your dues by credit card

Renewals are due by January 31, 2018.

Advertise with TPF

Clippings Quarterly Newsletter: Are Florida sod farms your target market? Try our Clippings newsletter to reach your clients makers statewide. Discounts available for TPF mem-bers and for multiple-issue placements. Web Banner Ads: www.Floridaturf.com serves as a go- to resource for wholesale and retail buyers statewide. Advertise your farm directly to customers or your products and services to the landscapers and installers who use the site to source sod.

Call for more information or view the 2018 Ad Rate Sheets online at floridaturf.com/advertise.

Clippings| Winter 2018 | 03

Operation Cleansweep Flyer (new)

FL Peanut Producers AssociationFL Farm BureauFL Fruit & Vegetable AssociationFL Nursery Growers & Landscape Assn.FL Forestry AssociationFL Landscape Maintenance AssociationFL Dept. of Ag. and Consumer ServiceFL Golf Course Superintendents Assn.FL Turf Grass AssociationFL Fertilizer & Agrichemical AssociationFL Pest Management AssociationFL Tomato CommitteeFL Citrus MutualFL Dept. of Environmental ProtectionCertified Pest Control Operator Assn.UF Institute of Food & Ag. SciencesTurf Grass Producers of Florida

TPF Welcomes Nathan Whitaker to Growing Better Annual Meeting

Turfgrass Producers of Florida is pleased to welcome author and writer Nathan Whitaker as the featured speaker for our annual meeting lunch on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey in the Hills. The lunch kicks off the day and a half 2018 Growing Better TPF Annual Meeting & Field Day. Voted by his peers as “The Person Most Likely to be Standing Alone, Lost and Awk-ward at a Cocktail Party,” Nathan Whitaker is the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Quiet Strength, and the founder of Whitaker Partners, LLC, a firm specializing in the representation of coaches and front office personnel. A two-sport athlete in baseball and football at Duke University, he played for Steve Spurrier on Duke’s most recent ACC Championship football team and graduated cum laude with a degree in English and Political Science in 1991. Following that, he graduated cum laude from the Harvard Law School in 1994, at which point he began his varied professional journey. He initially spent two years as a law clerk for William Terrell Hodges, a United States District Judge, and then practiced in general business litigation and employment law with Smith, Helms, Mulliss & Moore, LLP in Greensboro, NC. Whitaker left the firm in 1998 to join the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he was responsible for the club’s football operations and budgeting, as well as working with the salary cap and player contract negotiations. After two seasons with the Jaguars,

he switched conferences and Florida coasts to work for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was in Tampa, while working on legal, salary cap and scouting matters that he worked alongside Tony Dungy. In 2004, he embarked on a three-year journey to write a book, a portion of which time he also was employed as the Director of Community at Van Dyke United Methodist Church in Lutz, Florida. During this time he also founded Whitaker Partners, LLC, in which he and his father, a Gainesville, Florida attorney, assist coaches and administrators with the professional and personal matters of their lives. The book-writing journey finally culminated with the July 2007 release of “Quiet Strength,” Tony Dungy’s memoir. Since its re-lease, it has become one of the best-selling hardcover sports autobiographies ever, is the longest-tenured sports-related book in the top ten of the NYT hardcover, nonfiction list, and has over a million and a half copies in print. He has also co-authored the New York Times bestsellers “Uncommon” (NYT hardcover, advice list at #2) , “The Mentor Leader” (NYT hardcover, advice list at #2) “You Can Do It!” (NYT children’s list at #1), “You Can Be a Friend” (NYT children’s list at #2), “Through My Eyes” with Tim Tebow (NYT hardcover, nonfiction list at #6), “Uncommon Marriage,” “The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge,” and has also co-authored others, in-cluding “Role of a Lifetime” with James Brown of CBS Sports. Whitaker currently lives in Florida with his wife two daughters, and two rescue dogs, Daisy and RickyBobby, who no longer seem sufficiently grateful.

NATHAN WHITAKER

Reserve Your Exhibit Space or Sponsorship Now! Regular registration opens February 1. www.floridaturf.com/events

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Annual Meeting Lunch | Skeet Shoot | Reception and Dinner Mission Inn Resort, Howey in the Hills, Florida

Friday, May 4, 2018

On Farm Field Day with Tabletop & Equipment Displays Lake Jem Farms, Mount Dora, Florida

Save the Date!

2018 Partner Sponsors

Growing Better 2018 Gr

Co-Author of “Quiet Strength”, with Tony Dungy and “Through My Eyes”, with Tim Tebow

04| Clippings | Turfgrass Producers of Florida


Progressive Turf Equipment Full Page

Repeat from Fall 2017

The Progressive ADVANTAGEPuts more in your pocket!$$

Learn more about Progressive and our Dealers at:(800) 668-8873 (519) 527-1080 fax: (519) 527-2275www.progressiveturfequip.com [email protected]

TURF EQUIPMENT INC .TURF EQUIPMENT INC .PROGRESSIVE

The Better Built Choice.™

Features to reduce your cost ofoperation over the long haul

Maintenance Free Blade SpindlesFour blade choices to optimize cut and costs100 hour extended service PTOs3 year gearbox warranty

Extensive Dealer network thatyou can rely on

Knowledgeable and dedicated to the Turf industry

Widest range of rotary finishing mowersavailable from one source

Four models with bolt-on galvanized or painted deck shells

Four models with the Pro Lift-N-Turn™

Proudly designed and manufactured inNorth America

❏✓

❏✓

❏✓

❏✓

Exclusive Bolt-on Deck ShellsSince 2007, Progressive has offered turfgrass mowers withheavy-duty, bolt-on deck shells in either galvanized orpainted finishes. Galvanized shells are ideal for Producerswith highly acidic soils or where certain fertilizers canaccelerate the corrosion of a painted deck. Progressiveoffers four models with bolt-on decks.

Roller mower cutting widths:12’, 15.5’, 22’ & 29.5’

Tri-Deck cutting widths:12’, 15.5’, 22’ & 36’

In 2016, we’ve bought over 160feet of galvanized deck mowersfrom Progressive, you couldsay we like the product.

Ben Copeland Jr., Super Sod

“”

FIEL

D PROVEN

Bolt-on

DeckGalvanized

GR

E

ATER PRODUCTIO

N

With the exception of a few locations throughout the state, the soils throughout Florida are dominated by high sand content, remnants of a time period when the state was completely inun-dated by a shallow sea. The white sandy beaches that the state is known for can be found along the majority of the coastline. While tourists travel from all over the world to experience the tranquility of walking barefoot along these sandy coastlines, other organisms which can be economically devastating to turfgrass stands also thrive in these Florida sandy ecosystems. What I am referring to is plant-parasitic nematodes that can be a major problem for sod producers, golf courses, athletic fields, and residential lawns throughout most of Florida. Most people working in the turfgrass industry have a basic understanding of nematodes, along with some knowledge on treating them. For management of these problematic nematodes, the common method is to use pesticides, but it is important to realize there may be other options available. The use of organic amendments on turfgrass systems has been shown to improve overall health of the plants by counter-acting some of the negative properties associated with sandy soils such as decreased water holding capacity, cation ex-change capacity and microbial activity. There is some evidence showing a reduction in plant-parasitic nematode numbers with the addition of organic soil amendments, but the data showing a population reduction is largely inconclusive. It’s important for more research to be completed in this area, which is where I come into the story. I am currently working in the landscape nematology lab at the University of Florida and my research is focused on the use of organic amendments on turfgrass. The project I’m currently working on consists of three separate trials over a period of two years. Two of the trials are topdressing studies and the third trial had amendments incorpo-rated within the soil prior to sprigging. All of the trials are taking place on different bermudagrass cultivars. The amendments being used are Canadian sphagnum peat moss (CSPM), conventionally produced compost, a specific compost product called Comand® Compost, and sand. Many of these treatments are commonly used soil amendments which most people are familiar with. Comand compost is a commercially available product which has been inoculated with specific microorgan-isms, some of which may be antagonistic toward certain plant-parasitic nematode species. Our objective is the measure the overall effects these different amendments have on turfgrass, so we are collecting data through many different avenues including measuring, root lengths, percent green coverage, thatch depth and of course, plant-parasitic nema-tode counts. This project will continue through May 2018 so we are still collecting data. Overall, we are seeing an improvement in turfgrass health among the treatments when compared to

the control treatments. The root systems are generally more developed, the percent green coverage is higher and the plant-parasitic nematode populations are lower. However, each of the amendments seem to have their own different benefits. Some may have higher percent green coverage, but higher nematode counts while the other treatment is the opposite. At this point, it is safe to assume the addition of soil amendments will benefit a turfgrass system, but we’ll need to collect more evi-dence before any specific recommendation can be made.

Nematicides and Soil Health Benjamin D. Waldo, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Florida and W. T. Crow, Professor of Nematology, University of Florida

Not all nematodes are harmful to plants. The vast majority of nematodes in soil are beneficial and contribute to nutrient cycles and soil ecosystem health. Harmful nematodes feed on plants while beneficial nematodes feed on microorganisms in the soil. Microbes help break down organic matter and release nutrients that are bound up in biomass. Beneficial nematodes feed by grazing on microbes such as bacteria and fungi, but also on other nematodes and insects. The grazing feeding behavior stimulates population growth while preventing populations from getting too large and crashing. Soil health can be assessed by analyzing the nematode feeding groups present in soil samples. Stable environ-ments contain a variety of nematodes with different feeding types. Soil with an unhealthy ecosystem is dominated by a few feeding groups with few nematodes high on the food chain that are sensitive to environmental disturbance. In our study, we found varying effects of nematicides on non-target nematodes. Indemnify had the greatest impact on beneficial nematodes. We found decreases in nematode numbers

Nematodes, Turfgrass, and Organic Amendments

W. Brandon Jones, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Florida and W. T. Crow, PhD, Professor of Nematology, University of Florida


Fig. 1: Effects of incorporating an organic amendment before sprigging in a sting nematode infested field (photo taken 1 year after planting). Left - untreated; right, treated.


starting within a few days after the final application, which lasted over eight months. Other researchers have found Indemnify to persist in the soil for an extended period of time. This is beneficial for plant-parasitic nematode management, but it can negatively affect beneficial nematodes and soil health. Divanem, Nimitz and MultiGuard had moderate to low impacts. These three nemati-cides negatively affected beneficial nematodes a few days after the final treatment, but most of the nematode populations were able to recover after eight months. Nematodes high up the food chain were affected longer than the nematodes lower on the food chain. The active ingredients in Divanem, Nimitz, and Multi-guard break down faster in the soil than the active ingredient in Indemnify. The movement rate and susceptibility to microbial de-composition of these nematicides may contribute to the lower impact on beneficial nematodes than Indemnify. In summary, nematicides affect beneficial nematodes differently. Nematicide selection may have an impact on soil health. Indemnify has long lasting effects on plant-parasitic nematodes in the soil, but these long lasting effects also negatively impact beneficial nematodes. Divanem, Nimitz, and MultiGuard has lower impacts on beneficial nematodes. The effects of these nematicides last weeks to months, but generally recover by eight months. Nematodes at the top of the food chain are affected longer than lower food chain nematodes. This suggests that while some nematodes recover quickly, other nematodes and soil health are impacted potentially for over half a year after nematicide application.

TPI Winter Meeting Half Page (new)

Welcome New Members! Producer Member

Island Turf LLC Royal Hayes| Jupiter, Florida (561) 718-9557 | [email protected] www.islandturf.net Varieties Available: Bermudagrasses, Floratam St. Augustine, and Zoysiagrass. Specializing in sports turf installation, Island Turf offers both wholesale and direct to homeowner sales from our western Palm Beach County farm location. Other instal-lation services and delivery are also available. Associate Member

Sod Depot Orlando Luis Silva| Orlando, Florida (407) 412-8266 | [email protected] www.soddepotflorida.com

Sod Depot of Orlando has been a leader in providing retail sod for the Central Florida region for over 15 years. We’re a veteran-owned business serving contractors, landscapers and residential customers and providing the best quality products to consumers throughout Florida.

Visit www.TurfGrassSod.orgfor more information

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!


Bahia Breeding, continued from page 1

difficult to compete cost-wise with inexpensive pasture-harvested Bahia. So can we develop a Bahiagrass that retains the best qualities of existing varieties - drought tolerance, low maintenance, pest and disease resistance - while improving on some of the less desirable characteristics, creating a denser growth habit, minimizing seedheads, and improving the overall appearance? UF Bahiagrass Breeding Update

In 2008, with financial support provided by TPF, the turf-type bahiagrass improvement project was initiated at the University of Florida. This project focused on the improvement of tetraploid bahiagrass (a.k.a. Argentine bahiagrass). Tetraploid bahiagrass was selected for improvement because the resulting turf stand is more uniform than turf produced from diploid bahiagrass (a.k.a. Pensacola bahiagrass). Because tetraploid bahiagrass plants reproduce through apomixis (clonal propagation through seed) it is not possible to make crosses to generate variation as would occur in a conventional breeding program. To produce varia-tion, apomictic plants are exposed to mutagenic substances that cause changes in their DNA that might randomly result in desirable attributes in the mutant progeny lines.

Initially, 2000 mutant plants were produced by exposing seed and rhizomes of two tetraploid (apomictic) bahiagrass cultivars (Argentine and Wilmington) to gamma radiation, x-rays, ethyl methanesulfonate or cells in tissue culture to sodium azide. These plants were grown in the field for three years, until selec-tions were made for reduced flowering, darker green color and higher turf density in the summer of 2011 (Figure 1). In 2012, approximately 70 selected plants were planted in a replicated study for better assessment of turfgrass performance (Figure 2). In 2014-2015 with funding from the United States Golf Association, eleven plants were advanced for establishment in larger plots at

Citra and Jay, FL. Data from these two trials has been collected for turfgrass performance (quality, color and density), and seed head density. Overall the advanced lines include grasses that could enter the market as follows: 1) seed produced with the primary use as a forage and secondary use as a turf (with slight improvements in turf performance compared to Argentine), 2) seed produced and used only as a turf, and 3) vegetative pro-duction only and used only as a turf. In December 2015, the plots at Citra were used to dig sprigs which were transferred to a collaborating sod producer and planted in 20 × 40 ft blocks to assess the ability of these ad-vanced lines to establish vegetatively and to learn if these lines can be produced using conventional sod production practices Fig. 1. Initial set of mutant bahiagrass plants evaluated at the PSREU from

2008-2011. Photo courtesy of Kevin Kenworthy.

Fig. 2. Selected turf-type bahiagrass plants evaluated at the PSREU and WFREC from 2012-2014. Photo courtesy of Kevin Kenworthy.

remain regarding herbicides, sod strength and regrowth. Addi-tionally, testing in landscapes remains as a critical component that must be evaluated. One of the mutant Wilmington lines has by far, the best turfgrass performance (i.e. high turf quality, dark green color, good density and very few, short seed heads). In 2018, this line named WEMS12, will be expanded at two farms with a goal of having enough material to conduct landscape testing in 2019. In addition, a graduate student, Agustin Boeri, under the direction of Bryan Unruh will evaluate herbicide responses and sod strength for several of the advanced lines. This project is briefly described below:

In July 2017, sprigs from plots at the West Florida Research and Education Center, Jay, FL were collected to conduct a herbicide tolerance study. Under greenhouse conditions, nine advanced lines and Argentine bahiagrass were sprayed with 12 commercial herbicides at 1X and 2X labeled rates. Treatments were sprayed within a DeVries Research Track Sprayer which provides a very precise application. Visual ratings of damage and turf color were assessed. In addition, dry weights were collected to detect differences in growth after the herbicide application. In general, almost of the improved lines showed a response similar Argentine bahiagrass. FLDW 5-1 demonstrated greater herbicide tolerance. The most susceptible line was 3 FPEN8. From the 12 herbicides

tested, Acclaim, Celsius and MSM (metsulfuron methyl) were the most damaging. In spring 2018, these 10 lines will be tested for drought response to assess whether the improved lines are as drought resistant as conventional bahiagrass cultivars. These experiments will be performed by growing the grasses at different levels of moisture stress. Photosynthetic responses will be tested using a LI-COR LI-6800 Photosynthesis System. Furthermore, evapotranspi-ration (ET) and weekly visual ratings of TQ and leaf firing will be evaluated. In 2018, new plots will be established to test sod production characteristics. Establishment of sprigged plots will be assessed using digital image analysis; and subsequently, sod will be harvested and evaluated for sod tensile strength.

(Figure 3). This information is critical because a few of the advanced lines with superior turf quality do not produce enough seed heads or viable seed to warrant seed production. In short, these grasses will only become commercially available if they can be produced and sold as sod. In October 2016, the blocks ranged from 80 to 95 percent established, providing good indi-cation that sprigged sod fields could be produced in 12 months. The original intent for 2017 was to take two or three of best experimental lines and expand to 0.5 acre blocks and begin testing these grasses in landscapes by early 2018. Unfortunately, as a result of excessively dry conditions and subsurface irrigation from fall 2016 through spring 2017 significant salts accumulated in these blocks. The salt level at the soil surface was near the levels found in sea water. These conditions resulted in significant dieback of the experimental lines. Observations of the eleven different plots under high soil salinity clearly identified that the Wilmington mutants were more sensitive to the salt compared to the Argentine mutants. The Wilmington mutants are those with the highest turf quality, darker green color and fewer seed heads. Secondarily, these plots were planted in a low area and the excessive rain that fell through the summer of 2017 resulted in water logged soils and essentially wiped out these blocks. Moving Forward

We are very confident that these mutant bahiagrasses can establish quickly enough for sod production; however, questions


Fig 3. Sprigged production blocks planted December 2015 showing grow-in as of September 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Kenworthy.

Attendees at the 2017 Citra Turfgrass Field Day view plots of Bahiagrass cultivars under evaluation.

UF Investigators on this project are Agustin Boeri, Esteban Rios, Dr. Bryan Unruh, Dr. Ken Quesenberry, Dr. Fredy Altpeter, Dr. Ann Blount and Dr. Kevin Kenworthy, who provided this report. Thank you!

Trebro Manufacturing Full Page

Repeat from Fall 2017


Two comprehensive breeding research programs at the University of Florida - one focusing on zoysiagrass and the other on St. Augustinegrass - are reaching the final phases of testing and development of the most promising lines. Turf Research Florida is a five-year research service agreement effort between Sod Solutions, Inc., a turfgrass breeding and development company, and Florida Foundation Seed Producers (FFSP), the entity responsible for the administration of the Universi-ty of Florida’s joint release programs. Turfgrass Producers of Florida is a partner in this agreement. The St. Augustine Breeding Research effort is a four-year research service agreement between Turfgrass Producers of Florida and FFSP, with Sod Solutions as a marketing partner. Both programs have been funded by Florida growers. UF agronomist, Dr. Kevin Kenworthy serves as the lead investigator for both programs. The zoysia program focused on finding additional cultivars that would perform well under Florida’s varied soil and climate

conditions. The St. Augustine program specifically looked at lines that offered pest resistance (specifically looking at chinch bugs), disease response (focusing on large patch and take all root rot), and shade tolerance. Cultivars were also assessed for the ability to thrive in Florida’s varied soil and climate conditions. “Floratam St. Augus-tine, released in 1973, has long been the

most versatile and dependable St. Augustine variety. However, as with any crop or plant, there’s room for improvement. When we joined Kevin in this effort, our members were adamant that any new variety should be distinctly better and unique from what is currently available,” said TPF executive director Betsy McGill. On October 11, the TPF board of directors, grower partici-pants, and representatives of Sod Solutions and the FFSP met to review the status of both programs and to develop a procedure for moving into on-farm and landscape testing. The zoysia program is focusing on the expansion of existing on-farm plots and the selection and establishment of a founda-tion material source, should releases be made. Three lines have been selected to move forward in the expansion and landscape test phases, based on data from multiple test locations through-out the state, both on sod farms and at UF / IFAS research stations, as well as NTEP trial data. Disease and pest evaluations on the St. Augustine lines will

begin in the spring of 2018 under the direction of UF plant pathologist Dr. Phil Harmon and UF entomologist Dr. Adam Dale. Dr. Dale is also overseeing the 2016 St. Augustinegrass NTEP trial for chinch bug response. At least one line will be expanded to additional farm locations for testing, and a foundation supply source farm will be selected. This line will be moved into landscape settings for evaluation as well. Cultivars which perform well may be approved by the University for release; from that point, the results of additional testing will determine which of the lines will be approved for commercialization, and ultimately, for licensing to producers.

Zoysiagrass and St. Augustine Breeding: Promising Lines Move to Final Testing


Trial planted with sod from H&H Sod Company in August 2017 to initiate mowing height and nitrogen rate comparisons between

Floratam, Palmetto and (experimental St. Augustine line) 06-2-8-11. Photo: Kevin Kenworthy

Plot establishment in Dr. Phil Harmon’s shade house to conduct disease evaluations (UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and

Education Unit, Citra, Florida. Photo: Kevin Kenworthy.


Advocacy This past year was on balance generally successful in terms of advocacy efforts related to our principal nemesis – the summer-time fertilizer blackouts considered by local governments. The general scorecard was as follows:

Wins – Hernando County, Citrus County; Orange County; City of Sanford; City of Winter Springs; City of Temple Terrace Losses – Seminole County; Lake County

In the case of the wins, the results were either the adoption of the FDEP Model Ordinance (which does not include a blackout – Winter Springs; Temple Terrace) or the adoption of a blackout WITH exemptions for licensed lawn-care professionals and BMP-trained homeowners (Hernando County, Citrus County, Orange County and Sanford). Fortunately, sod farms, golf and sports turf installations have been consistently exempted with no serious efforts to undermine those exemptions to date. In the case of the losses, both Semi-nole County and Lake County adopt-ed the so-called strong model with a four-month (June-September) black-out on any N or P. The “summer blends” with minors and iron are al-lowed in both cases. Both adopted a 50% control release minimum, with Seminole adding a look-forward adoption of 65% control release when available. Lake County specifically rejected this provision. Further on Lake County, this was an exceedingly close vote (a 3-2 loss), with the board chair switching his vote at the last minute, mostly we believe on the impact of many local citizens having the last word in the public hearing – something we had no control over. Seminole County was overtly hostile to our efforts from the outset and worked actively and openly against our message throughout our engagement there, as well as in Orange County, Lake County and Sanford. This stood in stark contrast to city and county staff receptions in all of the other locales, where we received generally respectful treatment. Clearly, the Orange County effort was the most intensive, last-ing over two months with hearings before their Environmental Pro-tection Commission and the Board of County Commissioners. We were trading punches with the Sierra Club and others throughout. That effort absorbed a great deal of time and resources (see be-low), but rewarded us with unanimous victories in both stages – especially important in this huge market for our stakeholders. Cit-rus County and Sanford were also hard-fought with similar results.

EREF Year in Review:

Wins, Losses and What’s Next in 2018 Mac Carraway, Consulting Executive Director

Green Industry Solidarity One of the most rewarding aspects of the EREF year is the soli-darity and consistency among green industry organizations in the message to local governments. This is certainly a continuation from prior years and is essential to any hope of victory over junk science and fear tactics. In all cases above, a good cross-section of industry representatives attended and spoke at the public hearings. It simply goes without saying that failure to show up and make our case is a near guarantee of failure. That is not to say that we could not do better, but 2017 was clearly an improve-ment, and stems from EREF’s communication and social media outreach, further enhanced by green industry trade organizations taking those messages and mobilizing their members and bases. Resources EREF operates on a very modest budget, with the principal recurring costs going for my time and travel, website expenses, and social media support. In 2017, the EREF board approved a significant one-time outlay for a peer review of the MACTEC study on the Wekiva River Basin conducted in connection with the ef-forts in Orange County. This study on the fate of nitrogen and its impact on the environment has been widely cited by activists in

support of fertilizers blackouts; however, we in the industry have long been concerned about the limitations of the study and the reliability of the results. The review was performed by Dr. Stuart Cohen’s firm, and the results proved to be a cor-nerstone of our ability to highlight the serious biases and flaws in activists’ assertions about urban fertiliz-er impacts on natural systems. EREF also judiciously utilizes a digital media firm in Orlando to help with those efforts, and our web-site has improved significantly over the year, in-cluding now having the ability to initiate an email “campaign” which stakeholders can participate in to produce email messages to local government officials. In terms of my contribution, I would say that I am well-suited to carrying our message be-

cause of my long experience with water issues and my on-the-record statewide history as a champion of industry BMP imple-mentation and natural system protection. I still serve as the Co-Chair of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Agri-cultural / Green Industry Advisory Committee, a position I have held for several years and a committee on which I have served almost continuously for over 20 years. Strategy Our mission is simple in the respect that we are vigilant about ordinance activity. Our goal is to get in as early as possible, to professionally and persistently convey our message of good sci-ence and responsible nutrient management, and to mobilize stakeholder involvement. Knowing that this is often more political than scientific, we have to be able to operate accordingly, and I believe our message and tactics continue to evolve favorably to this complicated environment.


One of the most rewarding aspects of the EREF Year is

the solidarity and consistency among green industry

organizations in the message to local governments.

Brouwer-Kesmac Full Page

(Winter 2017)



Our great State of Florida has a very unique process. Every 20 years, a group of appointed individuals are convened to review our state’s constitution. Known as the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, it’s comprised of appointees named by the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker and the Chief Justice of the Flori-da Supreme Court. This group of 37 powerbrokers began meeting during the summer and must complete its work by May 2018. Logically, one might ask what exactly can this group do? And, how much can they really “rock the boat” or “upset the apple cart?” Well, the reality is this group not only has broad discretion to propose changes, additions and deletions to our state constitution, it can place any such proposals directly on the November 2018 ballot for voter consideration. The CRC does not need to go through normal procedures to qualify measures for the ballot. Nor

are they required to keep their pro-posals to “single- subject” criteria. For example, the previous CRC in 1998 proposed nine amendments for Florida voters to decide. Within those nine pro-

posed amendments, there were actually 36 separate proposals! Complicated? Yes. Convoluted? You bet. A little scary? Agreed! Currently, the CRC is working through myriad of proposals and topics. There are three particular proposals which I recently high-lighted for members of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Land-scape Association (FNGLA):

Proposal 23: Establishes every person has a right to a clean environment.

This proposal is sponsored by Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippish, a self-proclaimed

activist from Martin County. As currently drafted, this amendment proposes to enshrine in Florida’s Constitution every person’s right to a clean environment. The right would be bestowed to any “person” anywhere - not even limited to Florida residents! Anyone will have the right to file a legal challenge against any proposed or existing activity under the notion it may impact the air, water, natural, scenic or aesthetic beauty. Taken to the extreme, let’s say you wanted to expand your nursery, landscape or garden center business, or perhaps add a pool to your house, or even seek additional water in your water use permit. At its fundamental base, this amendment allows someone somewhere to exercise his or her new right to a clean environment so as to challenge you in court. Working with a leading coalition of agriculture and business groups, FNGLA has studied the various options for this proposal.

Florida’s Constitutional Review Committee Jim Spratt, President, Magnolia Strategies LLC

Yet, at this point, we are unable to see any reason why Proposal 23 should be added to Florida’s constitution. So, we are focusing our joints efforts to eliminate this well-intended, yet woefully misguided proposal.

Proposal 29: Requires employers to verify employment eligibility using the Federal Employment Authorization Program (E-Verify) or successor program.

This proposal is sponsored by Commissioner John Newsome, an Orlando-based trial attorney. As drafted, this proposal establishes in the state constitution the requirement for every Florida employer to verify the work eligibility of employees with the federal E-Verify program. As Yogi Berra said, “It’s déjà vu all over again!” The reality is mandatory E-Verify will cause many nurseries, landscape firms, and many businesses outside our industry to simply fold up and disappear as there will be no adequate labor supply. It has long been FNGLA’s position to support E-Verify pro-vided there are also meaningful reforms to foreign guest worker programs so there are people who will do the jobs for which Americans are unavailable or unwilling to do. As we all know too well, this issue has become a “third rail” in politics often devolving into emotional vitriol, extreme views and political grandstanding rather than actually trying to solve the complex workforce policy issues. FNGLA does not believe Proposal 29 belongs in our state constitution. The real solution lays with Washington, D.C. to reform and enforce our immigration policies and programs.

Proposal 48: Establishes the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall exercise the regulatory and executive authorities over habitat and habitat corridors. This proposal is also sponsored by Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippish. It falls into

the category of the “devil is in the details.” As currently drafted, this proposal expands authority in the state constitution for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to regulate and oversee wildlife habitats and habitat corridors. The real implications of this proposal are not yet fully understood. However, its potential impacts may create a duplicative permitting process whereby you may be required to secure permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as well as the Fish and Wildlife Conser-vation Commission. Certainly, the proposal empowers FWC to have direct authority for acquisition of private property under the banner of habitat or habitat corridors. As drafted, the proposal also calls into question local government comprehensive plans, zoning maps, as well as local and state environmental laws, simply by bringing a new


...this group not only has broad discretion to propose changes, additions and deletions to our state constitution, it can place any such proposals directly on the November 2018 ballot for voter consideration.

Clippings| Winter 2018 |15

Sugarcane Mosaic Virus: Understanding the New Threat

Sugarcane Mosaic Virus is not new to Florida, but recent outbreaks have pointed to a new combination virus that has devastated lawns in southeast Florida and may be spreading. UF/IFAS Plant Pathologist Dr. Phil Harmon will explain how to identi-fy the virus, what’s been detected in samples analyzed, possible vectors, and where it’s been reported. Bill Schall and Laurie Albrecht with the UF | IFAS Palm Beach County Extension will share case studies from some of most-affected areas.

A New Option for Tropical Signalgrass Control

Tropical signalgrass driving you nuts? Help may be on the way! In a follow up to last May’s Pop-Up seminar presentation, Neil Young with Turfgrass Environmental Research will share results from trials on Florida farms of a new Syngenta chemistry that may finally offer control of this tough weed.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Bert J Harris Agriculture Center, 4509 George Boulevard, Sebring, Florida $25 per person | Lunch Included

Coffee and networking at 9:30 AM

REGISTER ONLINE at www.floridaturf.com/regional-meetings

agency into the mix with a different litmus test on land and land use. The bottom line to all of this is Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission is not something to be taken lightly. Its authority and ability to put things directly “to the voters” should be a bright red light for all of us. FNGLA will continue to work with other similarly concerned groups when appropriate and FNGLA will readily stand on our own merits when needed to protect Florida’s nursery and landscape businesses. For those who are interested, here is a link to the Florida CRC webpage: https://www.flcrc.gov/. This page gives you the ability to view the various proposals and to see info on the 37 commis-sioners. Jim Spratt is President of Magnolia Strategies, LLC, a Tallahassee-based lobbying firm with a focus on small business and agriculture issues. Jim is a former FNGLA staff member and has been serving Florida’s nursery and landscape industry since 2004. Jim can be reached by email at [email protected]. This article originally appeared in the December edition of the FNGLA’s Greenline; we appreciate Jim and Ben sharing it with us.

Our most recent initiative is to go on the offensive! We do not accept that passage of these bad ordinances is permanent. Accordingly, we are approaching Manatee County, which passed a summertime fertilizer blackout in 2012, to ask that they modify the ordinance to allow exemptions for licensed lawn-care professionals and BMP-trained homeowners, similar to Orange County’s recent model. I have met with all of the County Commissioners, the County Administrator and the county’s Director of Parks and Natural Resources. A workshop with the Commission is tentatively scheduled for February/March, and to date, treatment has been respectful and productive. Regardless of the outcome, it will further help our case, our message and our strategy. On other fronts, we continue to watch for other bad local and state legislation on nutrients, landscapes, water conserva-tion and crop protection chemicals. The glyphosate issue for example is front burner; we have engaged on that in the past and will no doubt have to do so again. Sign up for the EREF newsletter at www.ereflorida.com to receive update on these and other issues.

Turfgrass Producers of Florida Regional Meeting

Recommended for: Producers | Installers

Landscape & Lawn Care Professionals

Constitutional Review, continued from page 14 EREF Update, continued from page 10

P. O. Box 217 LaBelle, Florida 33975

Harrell’s

Half Page New - Winter 2018 The tide just rose for

more stress-tolerant turf.

Give Dave a Call Today!DAVE NOWAKOWSKI

[email protected](786) 390-9154

www.harrells.comFree CEUs now available online

for Harrell’s customers

The combination of cytokinins, auxins, and amino acids contained within Seaweed Extract all contribute to increased stress resistance and improved plant function.

Visit Harrells.com for details on how Seaweed Extract is the perfect foundation for your turf nutrition program.

Harrell’s, LLCPost Office Box 807 | Lakeland, FL 33802 | (800) 282-8007 | Harrells.com

LIQ

UID

FO

LIA

R &

SO

IL A

DD

ITIV

ES

| Harrells.comnd, FL 33802 | (

® 100% Kelp Extract from Ascophyllum nodosum (microbe food)

NONPLANT FOOD INGREDIENT

PRECAUTIONS• Avoid getting in eyes or on skin. The use of safety glasses

with side shields (or goggles) and water repellent, chemical resistant gloves when handling this product is recommended.

• Do not contaminate water during application or when cleaning equipment.

IN CASE OF SPILL OR MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CONTACT CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

CAUTION

Read entire label for additional precautionary statements and use directions.

FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY

FIRST AID

If on Skin: Wash with soap and water. Consult a physician if any irritation persists

If in Eyes: Rinse with clean water for 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses after the first 5 minutes and continue to rinse. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.

If Ingested: Call 911 or a physician for treatment advice.

Have the product label with you when calling a doctor or going for treatment.

250 gallons (946 liters) 30 gallons (113.52 liters) 2.5 gallons (9.46 liters)Weight per gallon: 8.65 lbs. @ 68°F

F352

NET CONTENTS

Seaweed Extract

6820445 07/16

breeding a better bahiagrass - · pdf filenematicides and soil health | 06 breeding programs...

Documents