7/16/2011 2:07 PM
I have just recieved results back from our extension lab for some samples I sent in to check for nematodes. It's an ongoing struggle here on these greens with Ring nematodes, but the numbers that came in the other day have me wondering what is in store in the weeks that finish July and August. Our lab returns numbers based on qty found per 100 cc soil. The low number on six tests was 1375, and the high was 18,042. I had to ask the technician three times if that number was correct. Yes, yes and yes. I have another green that tested 12,208. Yes, yes and yes. The funny thing is the areas we sampled were a bit off color, and not thinning, but relatively close to the same spots we sampled last year at the same time of the season. The roots we have are 5-6", and growing with a 1" 2010 fall core hole through the middle of these plugs that have 8-9" roots. There are two things I am doing different this summer to these greens, one is applying Primo Maxx every two weeks at 6 oz/acre, and needle tining the in between week with a Procore. I have cut out all wetting agents, as my greens hold moisture fairly well and always seem to get puffy when I used them anyways. My guys pitchfork a dry spot and hand water it until the moisture starts working into the dry spot, so based on that I'm not about to use anything to make bent puffy in July and August.
I guess my questions here are: does anyone have any practical information for the suppression of Ring nematodes, and what labs in the south central United States are you using to run your tests through? I know there is no silver bullet for this problem, and likely not to be any time soon especially with bentgrass. Maybe Nortica will get a bent label soon, I would like to try it and see what happens. I'm also hearing some folks talk about "Rhizogen" fertilizer that has some sort of bacteria sourse in it. Seems most of the organics claim they do, Nature Safe, Roots, etc. but do they help?
On a rant, need to get out and check greens!