Dollar spot survey reveals infection pressures and actions

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Dollar spot survey reveals infection pressures and actions: Syngenta has published the findings of the Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey 2024. Key findings of the report highlight the role for Integrated Turf Management actions to reduce disease outbreaks, including nutrition, rolling, moisture management and fungicide timings.

Assessing responses from over 100 golf course managers, Syngenta Technical Managers, Glenn Kirby and Sean Loakes, reported the scale of issues with dollar spot have become far more widespread – affecting all areas of the course and for a far extended part of the season.

Dollar spot survey reveals infection pressures and actions

Dollar spot survey reveals infection pressures and actions

“Dollar spot had typically been attributed as a summer disease, but the reports have shown it can occur throughout the year, with significant numbers of outbreaks reported from March right through to October,” commented Sean Loakes.

“Furthermore, while it has frequently been associated with less intensively managed tees, fairways and approaches, the report highlighted that greens were actually the most frequently affected surfaces.”

He added that all grass species would appear to be affected, with the management actions on turf a more influential factor of disease outbreak, over the species composition of the sward. Dollar spot outbreaks were reported on 81% of instances of fescue dominant greens, compared to 58% of bent blends and 57% poa dominant surfaces.

Linking the postcode of survey responses to local records of Smith-Kerns pressure, of weather conditions that would be associated with dollar spot outbreaks, revealed that high pressure would indicate more disease.

“However, it is not a clear-cut correlation,” said Sean. “Some courses under prolonged high pressure reported no dollar spot incidences, which indicates that the disease can be effectively managed by other turf management actions.

“Equally, some courses with relatively low weather related pressure did report dollar spot infections. This has highlighted that the Smith-Kerns model is a useful guide for risk, but that the numbers must be interpreted along with all other actions in making decisions.”

For effective ITM strategies, frequent rolling, maintaining higher soil moisture content and providing higher levels of nutrition were all associated with lower levels of dollar spot being reported, Sean added.

“The survey responses showed a clear trend of a higher incidence of disease reported where turf was being managed at lower rates of nutrition.

“However, it was not exclusively so, indicating that dollar spot could still be contained on lower nutrient management strategies, providing other ITM actions were taken to avoid outbreaks,” he advised.

“Furthermore, while fewer outbreaks were reported on turf managed with higher nutrient inputs, it could still occur if turf management practices and conditions were conducive to disease.”

Responses to the Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey also showed the link between management to target lower levels of soil volumetric moisture content (VMC) and the reported incidence of dollar spot.

Surfaces targeted to manage VMC below 15% reported the highest levels of infection outbreaks, at over 70% of instances. When responses for surfaces managed at a higher target VMC of 21 to 25% were assessed, over 60% of courses reported no outbreaks dollar spot.

“The survey responses showed a clear pattern that the greater use of turf iron for rolling surfaces resulted in a reduced incidence of dollar spot reports,” Sean pointed out.

“On courses where greens were never rolled dollar spot was reported in 75% of cases, with a trend declining to 50% of courses rolling surface five times a week. Most courses (61%) were reported to be rolling surfaces two or three times a week.”

For courses that were rolling almost daily, there was no incidence of dollar spot reported. However, this was a very small proportion of the survey responses (3%).

The survey identified no link between organic matter levels and dollar spot outbreaks, however there was some indication that lower cutting height could be associated with reduced levels of infection. “This is an element of the ITM strategy requires further investigation,” he suggested.

Analysis of the Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey indicate that where greenkeepers are managing to promote fescue dominant surfaces, they are lowering the target moisture levels, reducing the nitrogen applied and raising the height of cut, compared to predominantly poa and bent greens.

Greens containing fescue receive, on average, 40% less nitrogen compered to poa or bent greens. Fescue greens are also managed at a target VMC 4-5% lower and with a height of cut at an average 3.9mm, which is 0.4-0.5mm higher than poa or bent greens.

“From the findings of the report these management practices may also be playing into the hands of dollar spot.

“Whilst the feeling is that fescue species are slightly more tolerant to dollar spot, the management practices needed to maintain them can lead to fescue dominant surfaces being more vulnerable to the disease,” he warned.

The report identified that most greenkeepers – nearly 70% – have used fungicides as part of their strategy to manage dollar spot.

“While in some situations managers may consider that dollar spot doesn’t warrant fungicidal control on all areas of the course, as the climate changes we need to consider how we keep damage at an acceptable level,” added Sean.

“New fungicide technology, good disease modelling to help improve timings and good application techniques will help turf managers get the best out of them as part of their Integrated Turf Management strategy.”

Responses to the survey have provided guidance on a number of actions that turf managers could consider to reduce risks and minimise impact of this increasingly challenging disease.

Sean’s Top Tips to reduce dollar spot pressure and better manage disease:

  • Adequate nutrition
  • Maintain moisture levels
  • Regular rolling
  • Lower cutting heights
  • Monitor weather conditions conducive to disease
  • Timely and accurate fungicide application
  • Year-round management

“A better understanding of the implications of certain management practices on the risk of dollar spot, could help to instigate counter measures to reduce pressure in the future,” he concluded.

Following on from the dollar spot survey, a new Microdochium Patch State of the Nation Survey will seek to identify and share experiences of management practices to help all turf managers effectively tackle the most widespread turf disease. Complete the survey here.

The full Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey 2024 report is available to download from the Syngenta Turf & Landscape website.

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Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden

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Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden: Today at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Flood Re, in collaboration with Dr. Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade, unveils the pioneering Flood Resilient Garden. 

Today, 1 in 4 homes in the UK are at risk of flooding – not just by the coast and rivers, but in urban areas too. Flooding doesn’t just damage homes and gardens; it devastates lives, causing lasting financial and emotional strain. In total, 5.4 million (1 in 8) UK adults with gardens have experienced the devastating impact of flooding on their green spaces.

Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden

Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden

From Roots to Resilience

The Flood Resilient Garden is designed to inspire and educate homeowners about the critical role their garden can play in flood defence. Incorporating sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), native flood-tolerant plant species, and innovative water management techniques, the garden is a model for future landscaping under the threat of increasing extreme weather events due to climate change.

In a groundbreaking display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Flood Resilient Garden will intentionally flood to demonstrate its unique capabilities. This never-seen-before feature will illustrate how the garden adapts to changing water levels. Visitors will witness firsthand how the central swale becomes a lively stream, channelling rainwater into a feature pond where it can gradually soak away, while large water tanks double as ornamental ponds which store water for later use.

Leading weather & climate change expert Laura Tobin Joins the Cause

Adding to the excitement, leading weather & climate change expert Laura Tobin will be on hand to discuss the garden’s role in mitigating flood risks.

Laura Tobin Said:  “The Flood Resilient Garden shows that adapting to climate change can still be beautiful and homeowners don’t have to give up having a lovely garden to make it work hard against extreme weather. It’s about blending smart, sustainable choices with thoughtful design to protect our homes and communities”.

A Nation at Risk

The unveiling also shines a light on the latest insights from Flood Re, revealing a concerning lack of flood awareness amongst UK citizens.

Flood Re’s research shows that only 5% of people living in areas at high-risk of flooding could correctly identify their flood risk. Concerningly, 68% of people in high-risk flood areas incorrectly think their flood risk is low.

The research shows that despite Brits spending an average of £402 on their gardens over the past year, they are not taking the crucial steps they need to protect their homes and gardens from flooding.

Indeed, 90% of homeowners, rising to 93% in high and mid flood risk areas, haven’t taken any steps to make their homes and gardens more flood resilient. Despite the extreme weather conditions, this doesn’t look to be changing, with only 9% of homeowners planning to add flood resilience measures to their homes and gardens in the next year

Build Back Better

In the event of a flood, Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme allows eligible customers with specific home insurers to receive up to £10,000 as part of a claim.

The amount is meant for home and garden improvements that go beyond basic repairs, focusing on enhancing the property’s resilience against future floods

The Flood Resilient Garden is not just a temporary exhibit. After the show, it will find a permanent home at Howbery Business Park, allowing the public to explore its features and learn about flood resilience year-round.

Flood Re is on hand to help you invest wisely in your garden to make it beautiful and resilient. Check out all the best tips and tricks to make your garden both beautiful and resilient here.

Flood Re CEO Andy Bord, said: “Gardens bring joy to so many of us but they also provide an important first line of defence to flooding. With this garden we’re hoping to inspire more people to think about their flood risk and get smart with their spending by considering the plants and garden features that will both endure a flood and could also help reduce the physical destruction and psychological distress when a flood strikes. If flood resilient features and water storage capacity were to become a feature of most gardens in a neighbourhood, the positive combined effect would be enormous!”

Naomi Slade, Garden Designer, said: “People spend a huge amount of time and money on their gardens and floods can wreak havoc and cause a huge amount of disruption, heartache and expense. The principles showcased within our Flood Resilient Garden are impactful, practical and transferable, but crucially we’ve shown that making a garden more climate and flood-resilient does not have to be a compromise on either its form or function.”

Ed Barsley, The Environmental Design Studio, said: “With the increase in extreme weather events, heavy rainfall and flooding as well as drought, and even wildfires, many people are anxious. As individuals they can feel powerless to make a difference. But gardens are hugely powerful tools and the Flood Re: The Flood Resilient Garden sends a positive message of agency and hope, and it is packed with practical, achievable ideas and solutions to enable people, as we adapt to the climate crisis.”

For more information, interviews, or a guided tour of the Flood Resilient Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, please contact:

Headland Consultancy: Beth Kelly – bkelly@headlandconsultancy.com

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Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!

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Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!: Team Sprayers is delighted to announce the manufacture and sale of its 20,000th sprayer. The Club 800 sprayer, a tractor mounted ground care sprayer, destined for Tractor Services CL Ltd in Jersey, made its way out of their Ely based factory on 10th May 2024, 43 years after the company was established.

Team Sprayers was established in 1981 by Robert (Bob) Hubbard following the closure of Dorman Sprayers. Seven of Dorman’s employees transferred across to Team bringing a combination of skills and knowledge, which were an essential starting block for the newly founded company. Leveraging their skills and knowledge, Team has worked hard to become a respected market leader in the production and manufacturing of its range of sprayers and applicators.

Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!

Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!

In 2024 Team Sprayers’ range includes more than 30 models which span the golf course & sports pitch, agriculture and de-icing markets. Each and every one of Team’s sprayers is made to order and is built to a high specification using the highest quality parts and components. Their focus is on accuracy, boom stability and strength. As each sprayer is built to order Team has the ability to build bespoke sprayers, exactly to their customers’ needs. Every sprayer comes with a range of advanced functions as standard with the choice of either manual or electric folding boom, a dual covered boom system or computerised auto spray rate controller, and GPS mapping.

Not only do Team build accurate sprayers that are made to last, being a family owned business, employing 24 members of staff allows Team to deliver a quality, friendly and dependable service to its customers. In 2024 Team is led by brothers Phil and Danny Hubbard, the sons of Bob who have worked for the business since 1995 and 1998 respectively.

On the sale of the 20,000th sprayer Danny Hubbard, Managing Director of Team Sprayers said, “We are incredibly proud to have manufactured and delivered our 20,000th sprayer. It is testament to both our sprayers’ build and our service quality that we have secured enough orders in the last 43 years to have reached such a great number and we would like to thank each and every customer for supporting us. We look forward to producing the next 20,000 to the high standard that our customers have come to expect from us.”

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