Grigg Brothers has developed integrated pest management (IPM) to manage anthracnose based on seven (7) years of research.
Maximize budget dollars through increased fertilizer efficiency!
Grigg Brothers® focuses on applied research designed to test product efficacy, provide agronomic solutions, and answer questions which allow golf course superintendents to develop specific and reliable integrated pest management (IPM) and best fertilizer management (BFM) programs.
Anthracnose (Collectotrichum Cereale) has become a major disease problem on annual bluegrass (poa annua) putting greens. An integrated approach remains essential to manage this disease effectively.
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The most current strategies include:
· Supply adequate Nitrogen (N) (spoon feeding)
· Maintain mowing heights = 0.125 in. (3.175 mm)
· Frequent topdressing
· Correct water management (replace 80% ET loss)
· Use of elicitors including potassium phosphate
· Correct and rotational fungicide use
Initial research form 2003 indicated that the use of potassium phosphite, in the form of P-K Plus®, could lessen the severity of anthracnose compared to the fertilizer alone (Gary's Green®) and control treatments (see graph on left).
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Phosphite (PO3-) provides disease management options and plant health benefits that result from the upregulation of the turfs natural defense mechanisms such as antioxidant production.
Over the last 5 years, Grigg Brothers has expanded upon this work and evaluated foliar fertilizer programs applied alone and in combination with potassium phosphate and/or chlorothalonil to manage anthracnose.
Research Objectives:
· Determine the effect of foliar fertilizer programs, including those that contain potassium phosphate (K2PO3-), on anthracnose incidence and severity.
· Evaluate whether Grigg Brothers® foliar fertilizers, when applied with reduced rates of chlorothalonil, will provide commercially acceptable control of anthracnose under moderate disease pressure.
· Identify the best programmatic (IPM/BFM) approach to manage anthracnose using foliar fertilizers (N), potassium phosphate (K2PO3-), and chlorothalonil.
· Compare these foliar fertilizer/chlorothalonil application strategies to traditional and rotational fungicide programs on anthracnose development and severity.
Recent research results document the synergy associated with repeat applications of 6 fl. oz./M of P-K Plus® combined with 1.8 oz./M of Daconil Ultrex®. This combination, even under severe disease pressure, provided excellent anthracnose suppression and equal to more elaborate fungicide programs (see graphs on left and below highlighting work from 2007 and 2008 respectively).
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In 2009, treatment difference became more pronounced on 24-Aug with the Grigg Brothers® programs providing the best anthracnose control (see graph on left).
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Program # 1
Gary's Green Ultra® 15 fl. Oz./M + P-K Plus® 6 fl. oz./M + Dactonil Ultrex® 1.8 oz./M
Program # 2-Above program applied until disease intensity was considered severe (Aug. 7), then 3.2 oz. of Dactonil Ultrex® was applied.
Importantly, the nutritional value associated with Grigg Brothers® foliar fertilizer program(s) provide excellent turfgrass color and overall quality (see graph on right).
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Overall these results clearly demonstrate the effective use of highly efficient foliar Nitrogen (N) source and P-K Plus®, applied in combination with 1.8 oz./M chlorothalinol under moderate pressure and 3.2 oz./M under heavy disease pressure for best anthracnose management.
