Managing Turf Diseases on Golf Courses During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Carolinas GCSA has been active in providing digital materials for superintendents and turfgrass managers on how to best maintain turfgrass during the coronavirus pandemic with limited staff and even less play. The first video in this series was an interview with Dr. Bert McCarty (Clemson) and Dr. Fred Yelverton (North Carolina State) discussing maintenance strategies, especially in the southeastern region of the US.

The next video in the series is focused on turf disease management strategies in a roundtable discussion with turfgrass pathologists Dr. Jim Kerns (North Carolina State), Dr. Bruce Clarke (Rutgers), and Dr. Joe Roberts (Clemson).

A very informative conversation that covered many diseases across multiple regions. Here are a few of the highlights:

Southern Regions

  • Low fertility diseases such as dollar spot, cream leaf blight, etc. are starting to show up in turf that was under fertilized going into winter and spring.
  • Spring fungicide applications for large patch and take all root rot on ultradwarf bermudagrass greens will be critical

Northern Regions

  • Practicing best management practices can go a long way. Maintaining adequate fertility, increasing mowing height, and mechanized topdressing can reduce anthracnose and dollar spot pressure
  • Springtime fungicide applications for take all patch (2-in soil temps 40-60 F) and fairy ring (55-60 F)

Check out the full-length conversation for many more helpful tips and tricks to manage turfgrass diseases with limited maintenance practices. Stay safe and healthy!