1.
Algae Management For Golf Course Putting Greens<br />John Kaminski1 and John inguagiato2<br />1Penn State University<br />2University of Connecticut<br />

2.

3.

4.
prokaryotic cyanobacteria<br />blue-green algae<br />

5.
chlorophyll <br />release oxygen and photosynthesize<br />

6.
phormidium & oscillatoria<br />Tredway et al., 2006<br />

7.
likely many species involved<br />visual & molecular identification is difficult<br />

8.
The Problem With Algae…<br />

9.
subsurface slim mats<br />develops in or below canopy<br />

10.
mucilage production<br />protection and h2o conservation<br />

11.
algal crusts form in thinned turf<br />impermeable to h2o<br />

12.
scarification required<br />promote infiltration and seedling germination<br />

13.
© LP Tredway<br />black layer<br />anaerobic bacteria & hydrogen sulfide gas<br />

14.
yellow spot<br />associated with algae growth (Tredway et al., 2006)<br />

15.
yellow spot & algae<br />many questions remain unanswered <br />

16.
Conditions promoting algae…<br />

17.
water, water, water…<br />excessive and/or at inopportune time<br />

18.
shade or overcast skies<br />almost guaranteed to develop algae<br />

19.
poor soils<br />from construction or self imposed<br />

20.
poor drainage<br />creating standing water, excessive moisture<br />

21.
weak or thinned turf<br />mechanical stress, diseases, chemicals, etc.<br />

22.
all conditions together<br />may or may not see algae<br />

23.
Managing algae populations<br />Fertility | Wetting Agents | Fungicides <br />

24.
nitrogen sources<br />applications of ammonium sulfate, urea, nitrates, others<br />

25.
algae development on a putting green following repeated fertilizer applications, UMD 2003<br />a<br />a<br />a<br />b<br />b<br />b<br />Fertilizers were applied (5-24 kg N/HA) every two weeks from June 2002 to November 2003<br />b<br />b<br />

26.
20-20-20<br />

27.
Ammonium<br />Sulfate<br />

28.
Ammonium<br />Sulfate<br /> a<br />20-20-20<br />a<br />

29.
algae development on a putting green following repeated fertilizer applications, UMD 2003<br />a<br />a<br />a<br />b<br />b<br />b<br />Fertilizers were applied (5-24 kg N/HA) every two weeks from June 2002 to November 2003<br />b<br />b<br />

30.
impact of fertilizers on algae development on a golf course putting green, UConn 17 August 2010<br />a<br />a<br />a<br />b<br />

31.
Impact of Fertility Summary<br />Nitrogen Sources<br />Ammonium Sulfate = Near Complete Suppression<br />Others = Moderate Suppression<br />20-20-20 = No Reduction<br />Impact of Phosphorous<br />No Impact in 2009-2010 Study<br />

32.
chemical suppression<br />fungicides, “fertilizers”, and wetting agents<br />

33.
Serendipitous Algae Findings<br />Observed Algae Reduction in Plots Treated With:<br />Phosphites<br />Wetting Agents<br />

34.
Phosphate vs Phosphite<br />Phosphate = Fertilizer<br />Phosphoric Acid (H3PO4)<br />Ex. K3PO4<br />Phosphite ≠ Fertilizer<br />Phosphorous Acid (H3PO3)<br />Ex. K2HPO3<br />

35.
Preventive suppression of algae on a golf course putting green, UConn 17 August 2010<br />a<br />a<br />b<br />b<br />bc<br />bc<br />bc<br />bc<br />H3PO4 = Phosphate<br />H3PO3 = Phosphite<br />Phos = Phosphite-Based<br />FT = “Fertilizer”<br />FG = “Fungicide”<br />bc<br />c<br />c<br />c<br />

36.
Preventive suppression of algae on a golf course putting green, UConn 17 August 2010<br />Untreated<br />Daconil<br />3.4 fl oz<br />14-day<br />

37.
Preventive suppression of algae on a golf course putting green, UConn 17 August 2010<br />Untreated<br />Alude<br />7.4 fl oz<br />14-day<br />

38.
Curative suppression of algae on a golf course putting green, UConn 17 August 2010<br />a<br />a<br />b<br />cd<br />bcd<br />H3PO4 = Phosphate<br />H3PO3 = Phosphite<br />Phos = Phosphite-Based<br />FT = “Fertilizer”<br />FG = “Fungicide”<br />bc<br />cd<br />cd<br />bc<br />a<br />d<br />cd<br />

39.
Summary of Phosphite Trials<br />Traditional Fungicides Hard to Beat<br />DaconilUltrex (Chlorothalonil)<br />Protect (Mancozeb)<br />Phosphites Suppress Algae<br />Regardless of Intended Use (FT or FG)<br />Preventive Better Than Curative<br />Impact of Phosphite Rates?<br />

40.
main effect of phosphate/phosphite rates on algae suppression on a bentgrass green, uconn 2010 <br />Treatments were applied every 14 days from 20 May to 26 August 2010. <br />

41.
main effect of phosphate/phosphite types on algae severity on a bentgrass green, uconn 2010 <br />Treatments were applied every 14 days from 20 May to 26 August 2010. Data represent average of all titrations evaluated<br />

42.
Summary of Titration Study<br />All Phosphites Suppressed Algae<br />Suppression Increased with Increased Phosphite Rates<br />“Limited” Suppression with Phosphate<br />High Rates Caused Minor Phytotoxicity with Repeated Applications (>10.9 kg a.i./HA)<br />

43.
wetting agents<br />preliminary field trial and greenhouse study<br />

44.
Development of blue/green algae on a shaded putting green, 21 August 2006<br />

45.
Development of blue/green algae on a shaded putting green, 21 August 2006<br />

46.
Development of blue/green algae on a shaded putting green, 21 August 2006<br />

47.

48.

49.

50.
influence of wetting agents and fungicides on algae development in turf, uconn greenhouse 2010<br />

51.
Summary of Wetting Agents<br />Highly Variable/Conflicting Results<br />Field vs. Greenhouse<br />Among Wetting Agents<br />In Combination With Fungicides<br />Surfactants Creating “Dryer” Canopy Should Reduce Moisture and Possibly Algae<br />More Work Needed<br />

52.
Conclusion of Research Info<br />Preventive Suppression Possible With Phosphites (≤10.9 kg H3PO3/HA)<br />Moderate Curative Suppression<br />Excellent Control with Chlorothalonil/Mancozeb<br />Improve Turf Density With Adequate N-Fertility<br />Impact of Phosphorous Conflicting<br />Acidifying Fertilizers May Directly Reduce Algae<br />Wetting Agent Importance Unclear<br />

53.
Just Tell me what to do…<br />

54.
improve light penetration<br />selective or clear cut tree removal<br />

55.
oxygenate the soil<br />manage water infiltration, organic matter, etc.<br />

56.
increase drainage<br />easier to add water than to remove it<br />

57.
increase drainage<br />easier to add water than to remove it<br />

58.
retrofitting existing greens<br />installed after the fact with little disruption to play<br />Courtesy XGD Systems<br />

59.
manage moisture<br />more fine-tuned information<br />

60.
manage water applications<br />more precision to maintain “enough” water<br />

61.
nitrogen and n-sources<br />ammonium sulfate, improve health, ↓ phosphorous?<br />

62.
utilize available pesticides<br />chlorothalonil & mancozeb as well as phosphites<br />

63.
how much precision?<br />every golf course is different. it’s up to you.<br />

64.
www.turfdiseases.org<br />

65.
Additional Questions?<br />@johnkaminski<br />