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| Publication Type:
| Newsletter |
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| Author(s): | Shurtleff, Malcolm C. |
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| Title: | Diseases, irrigation, insects, and worms as they affect thatch & thatch breakdown |
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| Source: | Green is Beautiful. October 1977, p. [2-4]. |
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| Publishing Information: | Islington, Ont., Ontario Golf Superintendents Association |
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| # of Pages: | 3 |
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| Keywords: | TIC Keywords: Thatch accumulation; Disease susceptibility; Microorganisms; Irrigation practices; Insect control; Fungi; Disease control; Soil pH; Topdressing; Irrigation frequency; Water stress; Beneficial insects; Injuries by insects; Earthworms; Organic matter; Biological control; Thatch control
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| Abstract/Contents: | Discusses the potential effects of irrigation and pests on thatch and thatch breakdown. Explains that "thatch develops when the accumulation rate of plant debris from an actively growing turf exceeds the rate of decomposition by soil bacteria, fungi, insects, and earthworms. Thatch accumulation increases the diesease susceptibility of turfgrasses; reduces tolerance to heat, low temperatures, and dought; slows down or restricts the normal movement of air, water, fertilizer, and pesticides into the soil; makes iron more unavailable to the turf; reduces the capacity of grass shoots and roots for vigorous growth; increases proneness to scalping and foot printing; and may result in localized dry spots that require hand watering." States that "by holding moisture like a sponge, an excessive thatch layer provides an ideal microenvironment for the development of most disease-causing fungi...Thatch not only encourages growth of practically all of the 100 disease-causing fungi but it makes their control, through the use of fungicides, much more difficult." Mentions the effect of thatch accumulation on irrigation. Describes potential methods of insect control. States that "certain insects are distinctly beneficial, others are highly injurious to turf, while some are considered primarily a nuisance to human activities." Also discusses potential benefits of earthworms. States that "where earthworms have been introduced by man, and not present before, the surface mat of plant debris disappears." Describes potential methods of biological thatch control, including controlled nitrogen nutrition and irrigation, topdressing, liming, cultivation, proper cutting, good soil drainage, and the use of relatively non-persistent insecticides such as carbaryl or diazinon." |
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| Language: | English |
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| References: | 0 |
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| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Shurtleff, M. C. 1977. Diseases, irrigation, insects, and worms as they affect thatch & thatch breakdown. Green is Beautiful. p. [2-4]. |
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MSU catalog number: SB 433 .A1 G6 |
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