Recent Posts
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Many bermudagrass golf courses in the transition zone wait until January to spray herbicides for annual bluegrass (Poa annua) control. This is the time of year when bermudagrass is at peak dormancy and nonselective herbicides can be used safely for winter weed control. Broadcast applications of glyphosate (Roundup, others) are relatively inexpensive compared to other…
Posted in: Turfgrass weeds -
Yellow Patch (Rhizoctonia cerealis). Sporadic infections of R. cerealis (yellow patch) have been observed in ryegrass over-seeded bermudagrass turf swards and sport fields. The disease is rare in the state, but it thrives in extended periods of wet, cloudy weather. It is a cool-temperature disease (50 to 65°F). Disease development is significantly suppressed at temperatures…
Posted in: Turfgrass disease -
Granulate ambrosia beetle (Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Mot.); Fig. 1a) is a serious pest of woody trees and shrubs in Georgia. This was previously known as the Asian ambrosia beetle. These tiny beetles were first detected in South Carolina in the 1970’s and have spread across the southeastern US. Woody ornamental nursery plants and fruit trees are commonly…
Posted in: Ornamental trees -
Author: Dr. Will Hudson, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia The invasive bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM), Atherigona reversura, has become a serious pest in GA hayfields since it appeared in 2010. The fly is native to Asia but is now found everywhere in the US where bermudagrass is found. The name stem maggot comes from…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
Author: Alfredo Martinez-Espinoza, Plant Pathology Department, University of Georgia-Griffin Campus Large patch: To limit the severity of Rhizoctonia large patch on warm season grasses (especially on zoysiagrass), avoid nitrogen applications at this time. Regardless of fertility, preventive fungicide treatments may be required. The fungus (Rhizoctonia solani) becomes active when night temperatures fall below 60°F. Fungicides of the…
Posted in: Turfgrass disease -
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (Fig. 1) is a caterpillar pest of turfgrass and usually appear on our sod farms, lawns, or golf courses starting late August in Georgia. In spring and summer, adults of fall armyworm or moths fly north from Florida through weather fronts each year. They undergo several generations of moths during summer…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest