Okay, so fall has officially arrived which is always bittersweet for me because most field trials are complete, football season is upon us, and I'm stuck in front of my computer trying to make sense of my mounds of data from summer trials.

Most of my questions this time of year have something to do with fungicide applications for spring dead spot of bermudagrass. Yes, it is that time (actually a little late) and fungicides can provide a successful means for keeping disease at bay. For years, Rubigan has been the Gold Standard, but it sounds like those days are limited. To learn more about its discontinuation, check out the blog post from one of my colleagues on the Turf Disease blog. While you're there, check out some of the posts from other pathologist from around the world. There is a plethora of up-to-the-minute knowledge that will most likely be useful to many of you. The focus is mostly geared towards golf, but the information is highly applicable across segments. It's a safe bet this won't be the last time you see a link from me.

As I said, most of my questions this time of year typically have to do with spring dead spot. But over the last two weeks, most of the state has experienced a steady diet of overcast skies, frequent rains, and warm (not hot, not cool) temperatures. As many have already noticed, that is a perfect recipe for disease. My week has largely been filled with calls numerous turf managers around Virginia. I have talked with folks from northern Virginia, Richmond metro, Hampton Roads, Roanoke Valley, Shenandoah Valley, and the New River Valley all experiencing similar issues. In each case, disease was on a roll in their bermudagrass and cool-season grasses. Based on symptoms described to me over the last week, various leaf spots and Pythium blight are most probable, with some brown patch active as well. Do you spray for these diseases now? That's your call, but you will want to have some certainty about which disease is active because fungicide efficacy varies greatly among these diseases. Check out the Virginia Cooperative Extension Pest Management Guide for recommendations. A quick glance at 10-day outlooks around the state shows more sunshine and cooler temperatures. This should help slow disease activity (and allow for some needed recovery time for cool-season grasses, at least).

Lastly, I mentioned the upcoming Turf Nerds meeting in San Antonio, TX in my previous post. This refers to a meeting of fellow turf researchers who belong to the C-5 division of ACS tri-societies. It is a large collection of agronomists, soil scientists, plant geneticists, physiologists, pathologists, etc. from around the globe...Turf Nerds sounds so much easier! Virginia Tech will be well represented by the turf group, along with numerous agronomists, soil scientists, etc. I will present data on DMI fungicide use during spring annual bluegrass seedhead flush and during summer stress. Dr. Ervin and his research team will be sharing their research on Biosolids Impact On Tall Fescue Antioxidant Metabolism and Drought Resistance, Effects of Biosolids On Tall Fescue Sod Production and Soil Properties, and Antioxidant Metabolism During Cold Acclimation In Two Zoysiagrass Cultivars Contrasting In Freezing Tolerance. Some of Dr. Goatley's work on trafficked bermudagrass will be presented by student Eric Reasor. Dr. Goatley will also present a joint project on Effects of Compost Sources and Treatments On Germination and Emergence of Four Turfgrass Species. Beyond the VT Turf Team, there will be hundreds of great talks and posters on cutting edge research. The amount of brainpower and research projects at this meeting is overwhelming, but I recommend you taking a few minutes to scroll through the talks (especially turf talks) to see if there is something that can benefit you or your facility.

David McCall is a plant pathologist, working with Virginia Tech as a research Specialist. David also writes columns for your monthly "LSI Connections"