Plant Growth Regulators: A Management Tool for Poa annua Putting Greens

Managing Poa annua var. annua (Poa annua) on putting greens has been an increasing challenge for golf course superintendents. As the golfer has continued to demand higher quality and faster greens, managing this species has become part science and part art form. Of all the management issues superintendents face with Poa annua putting greens, one of the most important in my mind has to be the control of annual seedheads. As Poa annua comes out of winter dormancy, the plant goes through the natural process of going to seed. Since annual bluegrass is an annual plant, it naturally makes new seeds in order to promote new off-spring. These seedheads cause the putting green surface to become bumpy and irregular. As a result, golfers complain to course employees about the conditions of the putting surfaces.

As part of an overall management strategy, plant growth regulators (PGR’s) have become an important tool in the management of Poa annua putting greens. Simply defined, PGR’s are chemical substances that control various growth and development processes within plants (Huang, 2007). PGR’s can be divided into two different broad categories: compounds that promote growth and stress tolerances, also known as biostimulants, and those that suppress growth. Our focus will be on PGR’s that suppress the growth and development of plants, in particular Class A, C, and E regulators.

Class A compounds suppress growth by inhibiting gibberellin biosynthesis. Trinexapac-ethyl (Primo) is our best example of this class of PGR. Research has shown that in addition to reducing plant top growth, trinexapac-ethyl improves overall turfgrass quality, canopy density, and stress tolerances (Huang, 2007). Ervin and Zhang (2007) found that frequent applications of trinexapac-ethyl had similar results as applications of seaweed extracts in combination with humic acids in that higher levels of naturally occurring plant cytokinins were found in plant leaf tissues. They theorize that by maintaining healthy plants that show delayed leaf senescence, these plants will remain more efficient at photosynthesis resulting in more production of carbohydrates for use by the plant (Ervin and Zhang, 2007). However, Primo alone has never been found to control annual seedhead production of Poa annua. The use of multiple applications of Primo in combination with ethephon (Proxy) (a Class E regulator that works by releasing ethylene after being absorbed by the plant) has, however, proven to be a fairly successful method of reducing seedheads on Poa annua putting greens with few phytotoxic effects. Application of this combination can cause stem elongation which in turn could result in scalping related injuries (Kaminski, 2009, Penn State University Lecture). Timing of the first application is still critical followed by a second application two to six weeks after the initial application.

Class C compounds are those that suppress cell division within a plant including mefluidide (Embark). Embark has been the standard chemical for controlling seedhead production of annual bluegrass on putting greens for many years. Able to achieve seedhead control of nearly 100%, Embark has proven itself effective. In order for the product to be most effective, the optimum timing of the spray must occur just before the seedhead emerges from the plant. This product does come with several potential side effects. I have observed that spraying this product too early in the season could result in the yellowing or browning of the turfgrass if the spray is followed by extremely cold weather or frost. Also, spraying too late in the season could result in poor suppression of seedheads.

Superintendents must determine which product or combination of products best fits into their maintenance plan for their course. They must monitor the weather and the many microclimates on the golf course in order to develop a comprehensive management plan that includes both chemical and cultural practices for the control of annual bluegrass seedheads as well as the overall plant health of the Poa annua putting greens on their course.

It is worth noting that no matter which product or combination of products is used to control this annual problem, label rates should always be used. Increasing or decreasing label rates could have adverse effects on the quality of the putting greens. A successful seedhead management program begins with knowing the products on the market and how they work, knowing the amount of annual bluegrass species you have on your golf course, and understanding your clientele and their expectations.

Networking Opportunities: They Are All Around Us

Last year I decided that it was time for a change in my life. I have been involved in the golf industry from 1983 to 1995, then again from 2003 to 2006, and finally in the landscaping industry since 1996 when I opened my own business. For the past couple of years, I gave much thought to re-entering the golf industry. This time, however, I did not want to end up working at just any ordinary course. I wanted to take it to the next level, but how to get there became the question to answer. My search began after doing some research about the turfgrass program at Penn State. Last March after meeting with Dr. John Kaminski at his office on the Penn State main campus, I decided that this might be an excellent way to re-enter the golf course profession. We discussed course work and the internship as well as his plan to achieve my ultimate goal of being a superintendent at a championship golf course. Penn State’s Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program is known around the world as being a leader in educating the best and brightest turfgrass managers. Having the largest turfgrass science alumni base in the world provides a wonderful support system as well as networking opportunities that no other school can match. Making the decision to return to school and enter the Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program at Penn State soon became a much easier decision after hearing all the attributes of the Penn State Program.

Part of the plan that we developed included volunteering at several major tournament events in order to begin building my network of influential individuals within the turfgrass industry. We decided on two major events last year: the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open held at Saucon Valley Country Club and the 2009 Walker Cup held at Merion Golf Club. Through these opportunities, I met many assistants, superintendents, industry representatives, and USGA officials who were all very eager to offer advice to help me navigate my way through these early years of my professional career.

Building an influential network is a process that takes an entire career. In addition to picking the right turf school and volunteering at major events, successful networking can be achieved in many other ways including:

• Start with your friends. Use them to add to your group by having them introduce you to others.
• Go to where industry leaders might be such as trade shows, conferences, and university turf field days. Meet as many individuals as you can. Hand out business cards and collect them. Ask questions by participating in conference classes. Introduce yourself to as many industry leaders as possible.
• Start a Blog. Follow a Blog. Be an active participant so that people take notice.
• Write an article in an industry journal or magazine.
• Join professional organizations such as the GCSAA as well as state and local industry groups.
• Talk to university faculty and fellow alumni.
  

While attending conferences or volunteering at tournaments, remember that you are always being watched by someone who could be your future employer. Maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Remember that you only have one chance to make a first impression.

• Dress appropriately for the event and always make sure that you are well groomed.
• Be positive. People do not like to be around negative individuals.
• Be friendly, polite, and attentive to those around you.
• Know how to start and end a conversation.
• Have a good handshake.
• Practice techniques to remember names.
• Show enthusiasm and be helpful.
  
  Remember that trust developed between individuals within a network is not something that is automatically given; it is something that must be earned over time through hard work, determination, and a mutual respect for the other individuals in the network.
  
  Networking opportunities are all around us. Keep your eyes and ears open as you never know who might be there. Use every means available to make contacts including conferences, trade shows, volunteering, professional organizations, the internet, trade journals, university faculty, fellow alumni, and most importantly your friends. Networking is a two way street. It is not just about meeting new people who can potentially help your career in the future, but also about how you can help others achieve their personal and professional goals.

A Look Inside the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council

The Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC) plays a vital role in the turfgrass industry in Pennsylvania. The primary mission of the PTC is to raise money to support turfgrass science research efforts in Pennsylvania. In addition, the PTC operates as the state-wide advocate for the turfgrass industry.

Founded in 1955 by a small group of individuals, the original intent of the organization was to promote research in the turfgrass industry. Over time, however, the mission of the organization has evolved to include the funding of educational programs through scholarships to those undergraduate and graduate students pursuing an education in turfgrass science, the promotion of the entire turfgrass industry within the state, as well as the sponsorship of various educational and trade show conferences within Pennsylvania.

Income is derived from membership dues, charitable donations, various golf outings and trade shows. In addition to the financial benefits, these events can be an excellent opportunity to network, obtain continuing education credits, and get the most up-to-date information on all areas of turfgrass research.

The organization is governed by a board of directors that includes golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, faculty members from The Pennsylvania State University, and representatives from the turfgrass industry. The board is supported by faculty members from Penn State that represent the various disciplines of the industry including soils, weed science, entomology, turfgrass management, and plant pathology.

Funding education and research is a most vital component of building a strong turfgrass industry. Since 1974, the PTC has provided over $2 million of research grants to Penn State. These monies allow Penn State researchers to stay on the forefront of research that affect golf course professionals, sports turf manager, and landscape professionals. It is critical that we continue to fund projects and be forward thinking in order to continue providing important funding to the turfgrass professionals in Pennsylvania.

As a member of the turfgrass industry in Pennsylvania, we should all try our best to support this fine organization. We should continue to improve our membership roles beyond the roughly eleven hundred individuals, corporations, and golf clubs that currently support the PTC. Take some time and visit the PTC website at www.paturf.org and consider joining today.