1. Weeds, Insects & Diseases
Information courtesy of
Texas A&M University Turf Grass

2. Weeds Number one problem on golf courses Detract from green uniformity
Aggressive competitors for
Sunlight
Moisture
Nutrients

3. Weeds (cont.)
Effective weed control requires proper identification of the unwanted plants
Types
Grassy
Sedges
Broadleaf

4. 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.

5. 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

6. Grassy Weeds- Perennials
Broomsedge
Carpetgrass
Johnsongrass
Knotgrass
Smutgrass
For a complete list visit

7. Grassy Weeds- Annual Annual bluegrass Crowsfootgrass
Egyptian Crabgrass
Sandbur
Stinkgrass
Wild Oats
For a complete list visit

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Big Eyed Bug

12. Bermudagrass mites

13. Chinchbugs
Common in St. Augustinegrass
Creates yellow patches in turf

14. Red Fire Ants
Common in Texas

15. Diseases
Insects must be properly identified in order to utilize control recommendations
Common Turf Diseases
Dollar Spot
Rust
St. Augustine Decline
Take-All Patch

16. Dollar Spot
Symptoms include silver dollar sized circular spots that are straw colored
Host Grasses Include
St. Augustine grass
Annual bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass

17. Rust Symptoms include yellow appearance progressing to red, then brown
Host Grasses include
Kentucky bluegrass
Tall fescue
Bermudagrass
St. Augustinegrass

18. St. Augustine Decline Symptoms include mottling or stippling
Source:

19. Take-All Patch
Symptoms include circular patches up to 2 feet in diameter
Host grasses include
Bermudagrass
St. Augustinegrass
Fine fescues

20. 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