Dr. Joe Vargas

2009 MTF Research Update

Understanding the mechanisms involved in dollar spot reduction through rolling
Project duration: 2008 and 2009
Collaborators: Paul Giordano, and J.M. Vargas Jr.

The rolling treatments administered to the 12’ x 7’ plots of creeping bentgrass growing on a USGA green were as follows:
1. Control (no roll)
2. Rolled 1x in a.m. (immediately after mowing)
3. Rolled 1x in the p.m. (after dew has dissipated)
4. Rolled 2x in the a.m. (immediately after mowing)

The study involving rolling for the reduction of dollar spot has been underway for the past two summers (2008 and 2009), and has given some insight into dollar spot infection and proliferation on bentgrass putting greens.
 
Dollar spot counts and quality ratings were taken when disease pressure was evident, and clipping collections were made in 2008 and 2009 on numerous dates. A key finding in this study related to the removal of dew and guttation water is that in both years, rolling once in the a.m. and once in the p.m. were not significantly different from one another, but were significant from the control. The PDF document indicates the seasonal means for both 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Understanding the mechanisms involved in dollar spot reduction through rolling 

Research Technicians

Ron Detweiler  Vargas Lab
Nancy Dykema Vargas Lab 
Contact Information: 517-353-9082

Research Reports