Full TGIF Record # 56620
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Publication Type:
i
Report
Content Type:Abstract or Summary only
Author(s):Goatley, J. M. Jr.; Maddox, V. L.; Krans, J. V.
Author Affiliation:Department of Plant and Soil Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
Title:Algae and cyanobacteria occurrence and control on bermudagrass golf greens
Meeting Info.:51st Annual Meeting, Birmingham, AL, January 26-28, 1998
Source:Southern Weed Science Society Proceedings. Vol. 51, 1998, p. 81.
Publishing Information:Champaign, IL: Southern Weed Science Society.
# of Pages:1
Keywords:TIC Keywords: Algae; Cyanobacteria; Pest control; Cynodon dactylon; Cynodon transvaalensis; Golf greens; Botanical surveys; Algicides; Chlorothalonil; Copper sulfate; Hydrated lime; Mancozeb; Ammonium compounds; Diatomaceous earth; Topdressings; Coring; Discoloration
Abstract/Contents:"Alage and cyanobacteria are simple, sometimes unicellualar plants capable of photosynthesis, and in some cases even limited mobility. The true algae most common to soils are grouped as eukaryotic plants in the divisions Chrysophyta (golden brown algae) and Chlorophyta (green algae). What has been referred to in the past as "blue-green algae" are now more properly classified as cyanobacteria and are grouped as prokaryotes (lacking membrane- bound organelles). Algae and cyanobacteria reside in the top few mm of the soil surface, and can proliferate and out compete turfgrases for space when conditions favor their development (typically poorly drained soils that result in a thin turfgrass canopy). Significant populations of algae and cyanobacteria in bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x transvaalensis Burtt-Davy] putting green turf present serious problems to golf superintendents. Established colonies result in a dark colored, slick playing surface with an unpleasant odor. The algal mat also serves as a barrier that reduces water infiltration, root development, and is even suspected to be allelopathic to turfgrasses. Research in 1990-92 evaluated algae and cyanobacteria populations on golf greens and in irrigation lakes at four area golf courses located in Starkville and Columbus, MS. Over 80 species were identified, with 18 species occurring on greens only, 46 in lakes only, and 16 species found in both greens and lakes. Of the 16 species found in both greens and lakes, only 2 species had significant populations in both lakes and greens. This indicates that lake water is not a major source of inoculum for algae and cyanobacteria on golf putting greens. From 1992-94, several algicides were evaluated for algicidal/cyanobacterial activity based upon direct microscopic counts of algae and cyanobacteria. Two applications of bleach, chlorothalonil, copper sulfate, hydrated lime, mancozeb, and quartenary ammonium salts were applied at three-week intervals on a 'Tifgreen' bermudagrass putting green mowed daily at 4 mm during the summer months. In 1992, hydrated lime and mancozeb significantly reduced numbers of eukaryotic algae, and in 1993, bleach chlorothalonil, copper sulfate, hydrated lime, and mancozeb showed significant reductions. In 1994, eukaryotic numbers were too low to adequately analyze the data. No significant reductions of cyanobacteria (prokaryotes) were observed from any chemical application in 1992 and 1993, but there were significant reductions recorded for chlorothalonil, hydrated lime, and mancozeb in 1994. A diatomaceous earth (DE) topdressing (PSAā„¢) was evaluated for cyanobacterial suppression in 1995-96. In addition to physical changes in soil properties of the turfgrass root zone, these products may also exhibit algicidal/cyanobacterial activity by improving water infiltration and/or disiccation. Treatments of DE, DE+chlorothalonil, and chlorothalonil alone were applied biweekly over a ten-week period to cored and non-cored bermudagrass putting green plots. There were no significant differneces in cyanobacterial numbers between coring treatments in either year. Compared to the check all treatments showed decreasing trends in cyanobacteria numbers across weeks in 1995, but there were no significant treatment differnces witin week until week six, during and after which numbers in all treatments were significantly lower than the check. In 1996, cyanobacterial numbers declined across weeks until weeks four and six when all treatments were significantly lower than the check. After this time, numbers in the check and treatments containing chlorothalonil greatly fluctuated, while numbers in DE treatment alone continued to decline. Turf discoloration was significant in the chlorothalonil treatment after five biweekly applications in 1995 and three applications in 1996. DE improved turf color and masked some discoloration attributed to chlorthalonil in the DE + chlorothalonil treatment. In summary, the most difficult species to combat chemically have been the cyanobacteria. Across all species of algae and cyanobacteria, the degree of chemical activity could at best be termed as periodic suppression and not control. No chemical treatments are yet available that will safely eradicate algae and cyanobacteria from putting green turf, and due to the dynamic nature of these species it is likely this will never occur. The DE topdressing program was effective in the suppression of cyanobacteria and further work with other soil amendment products is warranted. A balanced program that maintains or improves the appropriate soil physical properties (increasing drainage, relieving compaction, ect.) for bermudagrass growth, and utilizes chemical treatments to aid in the suppression of algae and cyanobacteria continues to be the best management strategy."
Language:English
References:0
Note:Reprint appears in Mississippi Turfgrass Association Newsletter, 31(3) March 1998, p. 3-4
This item is an abstract only!
ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Goatley, J. M. Jr., V. L. Maddox, and J. V. Krans. 1998. Algae and cyanobacteria occurrence and control on bermudagrass golf greens. South. Weed Sci. Soc. Proc. 51:p. 81.
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