[email protected] 1 - golf [email protected] 4 the main herbicides used on turf for controlling...

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Northern RegionBlack beetle

Given the drought and hot summer of 2013 – 14, Black beetle could be very damaging this summer.

On venues with a history of Black beetle, particularly those with a free draining soil type and/or where Browntop, Kikuyu or Paspalum predominate, monitoring is recommendedduring late August – October.

i. Take a series of spade sized samples (say 10 diagonally across a fairway) and count the number of adult black beetles present.ii. You could also try fl ushing Black beetle adults to the surface with a pyrethrum drench and counting them.iii. Where the average number of adult beetles exceeds: • Cool season grasses >1 adult/spade sample • Warm season grasses >3 adults/spade sample: damage from larvae is likely in the coming summer.

In the cooler southern region, spring is the preferred time for controlling moss. This provides not only the opportunity to kill the moss but most importantly the longest growing season to ensure that a complete and dense cover is re-established prior to winter, thus minimising the opportunity for moss re-establishment.

If moss is a reoccurring problem consider and address the causes of this, namely:• Lack of cover (density)• Moisture retentive surface (poor drainage, thatch)• Dry patch• Fertility

SSo tuthhern R RegiionMoss control

SSpring Maanagemmmentt Reequiremennts

Central RegionClubs still topdressing with soil

Do:• Identify next year’s soil early (i.e. allow time for it to dry and be sieved).• Ensure a quality loamy type of soil is sourced.• Ensure soil is free of any stone and if it is sourced from a cropping situation, it is free of any residual herbicides.• If you are uncertain as to the soil’s suitability, forward a representative sample to NZSTI for testing.• Ideally implement a dusting programme with soil during spring - late summer.

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MMANNAGINNG INVVAASIVVE WWEEEDS ON GOLLF COOURSEES

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Introduction

Some weeds (both broad-leaved & grass) are very invasive on golf greens and can be problematic to control. The most

common weeds that fi t this category other than moss, (Spring 2013 – Turf Notes) are;

• Hydrocotyle

• Starweed

• Kikuyu/Carpet grass.

In this issue of Turf Notes we review the control of these troublesome weeds.

Hydrocotyle

Hydrocotyle is the generic name used for this creeping weed, although there are several diff erent species seen on golf

greens. The most common species is Hydrocotyle heteromeria with its distinctive shiny, lime green coloured leaves

earning it the common name Wax weed. The aggressive stoloniferous growth habit and prolifi c seeding of hydrocotyle

often results in persistent and large patches developing on short cut turf such as golf greens, surrounds and tees.

Hydrocotyle prefers a moisture retentive surface, and is encourged by excessive thatch, over watering, surface hollows

and shade.

Control programmes should be undetaken when the turf is actively growing (autumn & spring) and there is good

recovery following spraying. The key is to spray frequently enough so that surfaces are kept free of hydrocotyle or only

small traces of this weed are present.

Hydrocotyle heteromeria Hydrocotyle novae-zealandiae

Controlling large hydrocotyle patches

Providing the turf is growing actively and you have at least 10 – 12 weeks good growth ahead of you, the suggested approach to

avoid signifi cant bare areas and hence disruption to golfers, when controlling large patches of hydrocotyle involves:

• Spray with a light rate of herbicide (typically 1/3 – 1/2 the rate normally used). The goal is to initially thin the hydrocotyle and

enable grass to start recovering amongst the hydrocotyle.

• Follow up with the same light herbicide rate when the fi rst signs of recovery by the hydrocotyle are observed (typically 3 – 4

weeks later).

• Once the you have thinned the patch and grass makes up approximately 50% of the ‘patch’ normal rates of herbicide can be

used to eliminate the remaining hydrocotyle.

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The main herbicides used on turf for controlling hydrocotyle are summarised below.

Starweed

Starweed is a prolifi c seeding, short lived perennial fl at weed that is often diffi cult to eliminate once it becomes

established on golf greens. The seed is spread by golfers, machinery and renovation practises. Generally a

combination of hand weeding and chemical control is required to eliminate this weed.

The key is to treat starweed when it is fi rst observed (generally in the spring) and ‘clean’ your turf surface of all

starweed plants prior to the January/February seeding period, thereby preventing adding further to the rootzone

seed reserve.

To get the best results when spraying for starweed:

• Start treating once growth resumes in the spring.

• Frequent spraying (3 – 6 weeks apart) is required when turf is actively growing.

• Consider using an adjuvant to better stick the herbicide to the waxy cuticle of starweed.

• Mow and possibly verti-cut (groom) prior to spraying to obtain better coverage over the starweed and small

seedlings.

Starweed in a golf green Close up of a starweed plant

Active Ingredient(s) Product Examples Comment

Bromoxynil, ioxynil &

mecoprop

Image Provides reasonable control of starweed. Repeat applications often required. Generally less effective than the

other herbicide options. Care is required, not to use product in bright, sunny conditions when turf is under stress.

MCPA Refer to control of

Hydrocotyle

Generally the most reliable and effective herbicide when controlling starweed. Advantage of being

comparatively softer on fi ne turf.

Triclopyr/picloram Refer to control of

Hydrocotyle

Provides good and reliable control of starweed. Has the advantage of controlling a broad spectrum of weeds and

also providing some residual control (i.e. managing any subsequently germinating seedlings). Can be damaging

to Poa annua. On fi ne turf it should be applied at lower rates than stated on the label.

products. Can be d Poa annuaPoa annua. On fi ne turf it should be applied at lower rates than stated on . On fi ne turf it should be applied at lower rates than stated on

the label.the label.

cotyle seedlings) an be damaging to c Poa annuaPoa annua. On fi ne turf it should be applied at lower rates than . On fi ne turf it should be applied at lower rates than

stated on the label.stated on the label.

Product Examples Comment

Bromoxynil, ioxynil & Bromoxynil, ioxynil &Bromoxynil, ioxynil &Bromoxynil, ioxynil &

mecopropmecopropmecopropmecoprop

ImageImageImageImage Provides reasonable control of Hydrocotyle. Repeat applications are often required. Care is required; do Provides reasonable control of Hydrocotyle. Repeat applications are often required. Care is required; doProvides reasonable control of Hydrocotyle. Repeat applications are often required. Care is required; doProvides reasonable control of Hydrocotyle. Repeat applications are often required. Care is required; do

not use the product in bright, sunny conditions or when the turf is under stress.not use the product in bright, sunny conditions or when the turf is under stress.not use the product in bright, sunny conditions or when the turf is under stress.not use the product in bright, sunny conditions or when the turf is under stress.

MCPAMCPAMCPAMCPA AGPRO MCPA, Clean AGPRO MCPA, CleanAGPRO MCPA, CleanAGPRO MCPA, Clean

Sweep, Maestro etc.Sweep, Maestro etc.Sweep, Maestro etc.Sweep, Maestro etc.

Limited residual activity, hence repeat applications are required where large or dense patches of hydro-Limited residual activity, hence repeat applications are required where large or dense patches of hydro-Limited residual activity, hence repeat applications are required where large or dense patches of hydro-Limited residual activity, hence repeat applications are required where large or dense patches of hydro-

cotyle develop. Has the advantage of being comparatively ‘softer’ particularly on fi ne turf.cotyle develop. Has the advantage of being comparatively ‘softer’ particularly on fi ne turf.cotyle develop. Has the advantage of being comparatively ‘softer’ particularly on fi ne turf.cotyle develop. Has the advantage of being comparatively ‘softer’ particularly on fi ne turf.

TriclopyrTriclopyrTriclopyrTriclopyr Brush Off, Eliminate,Brush Off, Eliminate,Brush Off, Eliminate,Brush Off, Eliminate,

Grazon, Scrubcutter, Grazon, Scrubcutter,Grazon, Scrubcutter,Grazon, Scrubcutter,

Victory etc.Victory etc.Victory etc.Victory etc.

Very effective on hydrocotyle. Lacks broad spectrum and residual activity of triclopyr/picloram containing Very effective on hydrocotyle. Lacks broad spectrum and residual activity of triclopyr/picloram containingVery effective on hydrocotyle. Lacks broad spectrum and residual activity of triclopyr/picloram containingVery effective on hydrocotyle. Lacks broad spectrum and residual activity of triclopyr/picloram containing

products. Can be damaging toproducts. Can be damaging toproducts. Can be damaging toproducts. Can be damaging to

Triclopyr/picloramTriclopyr/picloramTriclopyr/picloramTriclopyr/picloram Conquest, Triumph Conquest, TriumphConquest, TriumphConquest, Triumph

Brushkiller, AGPRO Brushkiller, AGPROBrushkiller, AGPROBrushkiller, AGPRO

Trichloram Brushkiller, Trichloram Brushkiller,Trichloram Brushkiller,Trichloram Brushkiller,

Triumph Gold etc.Triumph Gold etc.Triumph Gold etc.Triumph Gold etc.

Most reliable product when controlling hydrocotyle. Has the advantage of controlling a broad spectrum Most reliable product when controlling hydrocotyle. Has the advantage of controlling a broad spectrumMost reliable product when controlling hydrocotyle. Has the advantage of controlling a broad spectrumMost reliable product when controlling hydrocotyle. Has the advantage of controlling a broad spectrum

of weeds and also providing some residual control (i.e. managing any subsequently germinating hydro-of weeds and also providing some residual control (i.e. managing any subsequently germinating hydro-of weeds and also providing some residual control (i.e. managing any subsequently germinating hydro-of weeds and also providing some residual control (i.e. managing any subsequently germinating hydro-

cotyle seedlings). Can be damaging tocotyle seedlings). Can be damaging tocotyle seedlings). Can be damaging tocotyle seedlings). Can be damaging to

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Cotula dioica

Although invasion of turf areas by Cotula (Leptinella dioica) is seen throughout NZ, it most commonly occurs in the

lower half of the South Island. Cotula is surprisingly tolerant of many herbicides. The key issue when controlling Cotula

is to spray during the autumn (February – May) when Cotula is actively growing. Spring herbicide applications when

the Cotula is fl owering are not eff ective.

Kikuyu/Carpet grass

On golf courses where either Kikuyu or Carpet grass (Axonopus(( spp) dominate, ingression into the greens is an on-

going problem. Best results are achieved when a buff er zone beyond the green’s perimeter (e.g. green collar) is

established and kept free of these weeds, so that disruption to the putting surface is avoided.

When spraying for these weeds:

• Time applications during mid-late autumn as growth of the Kikuyu/carpet grass slows. Spraying can be completed

from spring to autumn, however in the case of Kikuyu, its aggressive growth often results in rapid recovery of the

weed.

• Repeated applications are required at approximately 3 weekly intervals, i.e. once fi rst signs of Kikuyu or Carpet grass

recovery are observed.

Cotula (Leptinella dioica) invading fine turf

Active Ingredient(s) Product Examples Comments

Clopyralid Archer, Tango, Versatill,

Void etc

Apply during autumn. Soft on grasses. Generally provides the most reliable control.

Triclopyr/picloram Refer to control of

Hydrocotyle

Can be damaging to Poa annua, particularly under cool wet conditions. On fi ne turf it should be applied

at lower rates than stated on the label.

Kikuyu ingressing into a golf green


AUCKLAND

Alex Glasgow

09 415 0302027 496 [email protected]

AUCKLAND

Everett Darlington

09 415 0325027 232 [email protected]

AUCKLAND

Spencer Myer

09 415 0303027 521 [email protected]

HAMILTON

David Ormsby

07 846 7698027 442 [email protected]

PALMERSTON NORTH

Andrew Mitchell

06 355 7027027 662 [email protected]

PALMERSTONNORTH

Brendan Hannan

06 355 7024027 442 [email protected]

PALMERSTON NORTH

Chris Gribben

06 355 7026027 552 [email protected]

PALMERSTON NORTH

Megan Cushnahan

06 355 7021027 220 [email protected]

CHRISTCHURCH

Jaymie Batchelor

03 343 8966027 446 [email protected]

DUNEDIN

David Howard

03 477 7333027 446 [email protected]

NZSSTTI Coonttact DDeetaills

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Product Examples Comments

Bromoxynil, ioxynil & mecoprop Image Repeat applications are essential. Care is required, not to use product in bright, sunny

conditions when turf is under stress. A safer option where you have to treat Kikuyu/Car-

pet grass present within the greens.

Fenoxyprop-P-ethyl Puma S, Coronet, Panther S Use on turf mown at 12mm or higher. Ensure weeds are actively growing. Ensure soil

profi le is moist. Effectiveness is reduced under hot temperatures (>25 degrees C). Use

a spreader sticker. Repeat applications during autumn (3 - 4 weeks apart) are required

when controlling Kikuyu.

Triclopyr Refer to control of Hydrocotyle Best results are generally achieved with autumn applications. Can be damaging to Poa

annua – hence lower than label rates are suggested.

Triclopyr/picloram Refer to control of Hydrocotyle Can be damaging to Poa annua, particularly under cool wet conditions. On fi ne turf it

should be applied at lower rates than stated on the label.

[email protected] 1 - golf [email protected] 4 the main herbicides used on turf for controlling...

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