Weeds, Insects & Diseases Information courtesy of Texas A&M University Turf Grass http://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