Continued from page 17 "One Sports Field Managers"..fungus became the next consideration. Although a lightapplication of a fast acting water soluble nitrogen isrecommended to alleviate the symptoms of Red Threadwe felt the potential increase in top growth caused by theapplication was not warranted based on the extent of theRed Thread we observed.

All three fields started to look a little hungry aroundthe end of May and it was agreed that we would apply 1.5pounds of nitrogen per thousand square feet util izingmethylene urea. This particular product has a smallamount of urea for immediate response with approx. 50%being slowly water soluble and the remaining portionbeing released by the microbial action of the soil similar tothe urea- formaldehyde we used for the renovation of theone field. The difference being, methylene ureaincorporates a higher percentage of slowly water-solublenitrogen with a little less water insoluble nitrogen, giving ita faster release pattern than the UF. ln contrastmethylene urea has a longer residual affect than most ofthe coated urea products along with a lower salt index.It's a matter of matching the product with the desiredresponse.

There is little if any difference in the quality of each ofthe fields even though we used different products toaccomplish our objectives.

Its now August and the soccer teams are using allthree fields. I guess that's job security. A

'Jim Hermann is a Ceftified Sports Field Manager and President ofTotal Control, Athletic Field Maintenance and Consulting. iimtc@att.net

"Question & Answer"by Jim Hermann, CSFM

Question: This year it seems as though we have abumper crop of crabgrass. What is the right way to dealwith this problem?Fact: Crabgrass is a summer annual that germinates,matures, reseeds itself and dies within the confines ofone calendar year. The seeds germinate and smallplants emerge in the late spring or early summer after soiltemperatures reach or exceed 55 degrees for anextended period of time. The young crabgrass is coursetextured and light green in color. Initially, as an immatureplant, crabgrass really doesn't seem too competitive orinvasive. As it matures crabgrass has a very prostrate orhorizontal growth habit, which interferes with theexistence and development of desirable turf. Thesemature crabgrass plants reseed before dying with the firstfrost thus setting the scene for next year's generation.

AnSwer: The correct answer is that there is no singleright or correct way to deal with crabgrass. The bestanswer to this question lies in your ability as a sports fieldmanager to assess your individual turf program and assuch the degree to which crabgrass infestation impactson the objectives of that program.

There are a number of ways to deal with crabgrasscontrol. You can treat in the spring with a preemergent

Sports Field Managers Association o{ New Jersey

control product or you can treat in the summer or fall witha selective post-emergent product. You can even treatwith a product combining both pre and post-emergentqualities thereby extending the application window of thatproduct in the late spring, early summer. In certainsituations a non-selective post-emergent (total kill)application is warranted.

Now, what does all this mean? A 'post' emergentcrabgrass control product is a product that controls thecrabgrass after it has emerged and is visible within thestand of desirable turf. A 'pre' emergent crabgrasscontrol product is a product that prevents an anticipatedinfestation of crabgrass by interfering with the seedgermination. 'Selective' means that you have discretionon what plants you want controlled based on the label ofthe product chosen. 'Nonselective' means you have littlediscretion on what plants are affected by the application.A complete understanding of the label description of anyproduct is required by every applicator prior to theapplication of that product. lt should be understood thatmost preemergent crabgrass control products alsointerfere with the germination and establishment ofdesirable turf seed

As a sports field manager, my main objective is tomaintain my fields in a 'safe' and 'playable' condition. lf Ican't shut a field down and crabgrass is the only existingturf cover, it would be my decision to leave it. Once thisdecision is made, a long-term plan would need to beconsidered in order to correct the oroblem in the future.This could include a late fall seeding after the coolweather has killed or severely compromised thedevelopment and competition of existing crabgrass. Sliceseeding is recommended for this procedure. A follow-upapplication the following season in the late spring of acrabgrass control product would be indicated. Thisapplication should be made after the new seeding hasemerged and established in the spring.

lf in late summer, it is decided that there is asignificant amount of desirable turf within an infestation ofcrabgrass, the crabgrass could be treated selectively witha post emergent product. In this situation overseeding ofdesirable turf could be accomplished earlier in the fallwhile stil l being effective due to the earlier elimination ofcompetition caused by the crabgrass. The crabgrasscontrol product label should be referenced to insure thatseeding is not accomplished too soon after the crabgrasscontrol application.

lf the field can be shut down for the fall season, thefollowing options exist.

1. lf desirable turf is non-existent or at best notworth considering, a non-selective herbicidecould be applied to kill all existing vegetationand overseeding accomplished after the labelrecommended wait time.

2. lf there is a significant amount of desirable turf,a selective post emergent product could beapplied to eliminate the crabgrass and seedingcould be accomolished after the labelrecommended wait time has elapsed.

Continued on next paqe...,,...,..

Ph/Fax 9OB-730-777O18 Seot./Oct. 2003

Continued from page 18 "Question & Answer"...The decision would then need to be made on how to dealwith the crabgrass problem the following season.Grabgrass thrives in compacted soil of low fertil ity and hotdry weather. Providing an environment conducive to anaggressive, healthy turf is the most environmentallyconscientious approach to any and all pest control. Thisenvironment would include but not be limited to propersoil pH, adequate soil aeration, adequate soil moistureand adequate nutrient availability. An important outsideinfluence contributing to the control of crabgrass isproper mowing management. A

"Sports Turf News"TURF-TEC DIGEST -Volume 9 Number 2 - Aug. 2003*Ey: Jofin Mascaro

STMA - New Looo for STMA.

The National Sports Turf Managers Association has a new logofor the association. They felt the logo is easier to read and thecleanliness makes it look more professional. (Photo onWebsite only! See below) Start Planning now for the STMANational Conference and show.

The STMA National conference and show will be in San Diego,CA in January, 2OO4. The exact dates for the STMA's 15thAnnual Con{erence & Exhibition are January 21 - 25,2004. For

updates go to the STMAhttp ://www. sportstu rf manage r.com/

Xew raqlneladl4A

website

"STMA: Experts on the Field, Partners in the Game" Thetagline takes an everyday phrase "an expert in the field" andplays upon it to get across that STMA members are theabsolute "experts" both in the field of sports turf and on theplaying field and field management issues. "Partners in theGame" portrays the professionalism, and positions. STMAmembers on equal footing with others in the organization orathletic department. The tagline is a catchy, easily recognizablephrase to be used for marketing purposes. Public RelationsPositioning Statement "The sports industry can count on thehealthiest and safest playing fields because sports turfmanagers are unequaled in expertise and professionalism."

STMA Members Forum.

There is a new feature on the Sports Turf Managers websitecalled the "Members Forum". This question and answer forum isfor members ol the STMA National and is an excellent way toget questions answered and also find out what works for othersports turf managers. To find the forum, go to the website athttp://www.sportsturfmanager.com and then click the tab in theupper right corner to logon. Once you have logged on youshould go to # 2 in the STMA Top Five called "Member Forum Q& A".

* John Mascaro is editor of Turt-Tec Digest TO SEE THE REST OFTHIS NEWSLETTER ONLINE WITH PICTURES> http ://www.tu rflec. com/aug03. htm

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