Weeds, Insects & Diseases

Information courtesy of Texas A&M University Turf Grasshttp://aggieturf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/golf/gcindex.html

Weeds

• Number one problem on golf courses • Detract from green uniformity • Aggressive competitors for – Sunlight – Moisture– Nutrients

Weeds (cont.)

• Effective weed control requires proper identification of the unwanted plants

• Types– Grassy– Sedges– Broadleaf

Common Turfgrass Weeds• Must identify weeds in order to properly treat the turf without

damage • Grassy weed identification depends heavily on the vegetative

characteristics of the plant.• Additional clues used in identification are

– time of year– cutting height– soil moisture– shade.

• Vegetative identification of grasses requires careful inspection of primary vegetative characteristics.

Common Turfgrass Weeds (cont.)

• Warm Season– Bermuda grass– St. Augustine grass– Buffalo grass

• Cool Season– Annual Bluegrass– Chewings Fescue– Kentucky Bluegrass– Tall Fescue

• For a complete list visit http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/grasswee/turf.html

Grassy Weeds- Perennials

• Broomsedge • Carpetgrass• Johnsongrass• Knotgrass• Smutgrass• For a complete list visit http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/grasswee/grass.html

Grassy Weeds- Annual

• Annual bluegrass• Crowsfootgrass• Egyptian Crabgrass• Sandbur • Stinkgrass• Wild Oats• For a complete list visit http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/grasswee/grass.html

Broadleaf Weeds• Can be easily controlled– Usually during post emergence

• Common broadleaf weeds include– Bindweed– Ground Ivy– Poison Ivy– Wild Violet

• For a complete list visit http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/grasswee/broadlf.html

Sedges • Usually appear in water soaked or slow draining

areas in the turf • Hard to get rid of because they produce

underground nutlets that produce new sedge plants

• Common Sedges – Yellow Nutsedge – Texas Sedge – Annual Sedge

• For a complete list visit http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/grasswee/sedge.html

Insects

• Insects must be properly identified in order to utilize control recommendations

• Common Turf Insects – Big Eyed Bugs– Bermudagrass mites– Chinch Bugs– Red Fire Ants

Big Eyed Bug

Bermudagrass mites

Chinchbugs• Common in St. Augustinegrass• Creates yellow patches in turf

Red Fire Ants

• Common in Texas

Diseases

• Insects must be properly identified in order to utilize control recommendations

• Common Turf Diseases– Dollar Spot– Rust– St. Augustine Decline– Take-All Patch

Dollar Spot

• Symptoms include silver dollar sized circular spots that are straw colored

• Host Grasses Include– St. Augustine grass– Annual bluegrass– Kentucky bluegrass

Rust

• Symptoms include yellow appearance progressing to red, then brown

• Host Grasses include– Kentucky bluegrass– Tall fescue– Bermudagrass– St. Augustinegrass

St. Augustine Decline

• Symptoms include mottling or stippling

Source: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/turf/publications/Staugdecline.html

Take-All Patch

• Symptoms include circular patches up to 2 feet in diameter

• Host grasses include– Bermudagrass– St. Augustinegrass– Fine fescues

Summary

• Weeds and Insect control first begins with proper identification

• Become familiar with common weeds, insects and diseases so a healthy turf can be maintained and treated

• For more information and a complete list of weeds and insects visit http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/insect/insectindex.html