http://www.pitchcare.com/ The most recent 20 Consultancy articles of Pitchcare, the online magazine for Groundsmen and Greenkeepers Copyright 2008 Pitchcare.com Ltd mail@pitchcare.com mail@pitchcare.com en Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:30:28 +0100 Pitchcare's Custom Grown in House CMS 60 http://www.pitchcare.com/images/general/newlogo.png http://www.pitchcare.com/ 22 23 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Saturday Sunday Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:15:00 GMT The visible symptoms of disease that develop on the sward are generally our initial indication that the turf has become infected by a pathogen. However, prior to the development of these symptoms, the pathogen has had to go through a series of different processes both on the surface of the plant and inside the plant cells, in order for the plant to show these detrimental symptoms. mail@pitchcare.com (Dr Kate Entwistle) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5428 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT In the last 30 years, plant growth regulator (PGR) use has progressed from a marginal or niche application to an integral part of golf course management programmes. In the early 1980s mefluidide (Embark) was the first plant growth regulator widely used on fine quality turf. mail@pitchcare.com (Karl Danneberger) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5411 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT The recent wet winters have produced problems on many winter sports pitches. Often the first line of approach is to install an intensive pipe drainage scheme. Clubs commonly expect such a system to work immediately, to require limited maintenance and, worse still, are frequently forgotten about. mail@pitchcare.com (Steve Gingell) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5397 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:00:00 GMT Diseases are caused by fungal and bacterial pathogens. These are the most numerous infectious agents of plant diseases. If your grass has visible symptoms, the first step is identification to decide if the problem is a plant disease. Compiled by Laurence Gale MSc and Paul Cawood, Languard Ltd. - mail@pitchcare.com (Laurence Gale & Paul Cawood) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5389 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:35:00 GMT Rubber crumb top dressing has been used for many years on a wide variety of sports surfaces. The crumb has been found to have some benefits in improving turf resiliency and wear tolerance, but the main function of the crumb is for protection. mail@pitchcare.com (Steve Prinn & Daniel Prest) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5357 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:00 GMT Continuing the sugar debate, agronomist Mark Atkins of Soil Harmony, suggests that sugars need some help to achieve success. Recent warm weather has finally given turf the kick start it needed for really healthy growth and vibrant colour, but just eight weeks ago it was a very different picture. mail@pitchcare.com (Mark Atkins) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5354 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:00:00 GMT What are those brown patches on the 12th green Four different people have taken a look and so far you have three different diagnoses. If it is a disease, you will need to control it. But, what happens if it is not the disease you think it is Have you wasted time, effort and money on a fungicide that may not provide good control Is it a disease at all mail@pitchcare.com (Ruth Mann) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5318 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:00:00 GMT As an agronomist writing this article you might expect me to be biased and respond with an unequivocal yes in answer to the question, yet if I were to be honest a truer response might be yes, possibly or even no Unfortunately the role of the agronomist in modern turf culture can be one of the most misunderstood within the club committee structure. - mail@pitchcare.com (Ian McClements) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5317 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT This project has been the main research focus for the past 18 months of Andrew Mitchell, our Research and Benchmarking Coordinator. The project has four key outcomes including development of a national database on sport field quality and performance... - mail@pitchcare.com (Editor) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5289 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:00:00 GMT Professional turf managers the world over agree that producing a consistent, firm (not soft or hard) surface with good grass coverage is their aim. While many factors go into this, one of the most fundamental is management of moisture in the rootzone. mail@pitchcare.com (Demie Moore) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5278 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:00:00 GMT Without a doubt, information about chemicals has improved significantly over the years. IPM (Integrated PlantPest Management) and chemical safety are important factors according to Nia Frost, Technical Manager, Plant Protection Products, Scotts Professional mail@pitchcare.com (Nia Frost) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5277 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:00:00 GMT Dead grass, how many headaches does it give the sports turf manager It causes disease, dry patch and fairy rings, water retention, black layer, poa annua ingress and slow playing surfaces that seem to eat fertiliser, water, fungicides and top dressing. mail@pitchcare.com (Martin Ward) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5255 Sun, 11 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT Pearlwort can become a troublesome weed when allowed to spread and establish in turf. mail@pitchcare.com (Laurence Gale MSc) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5198 Tue, 06 May 2008 12:35:00 GMT Overseeding worn and bare areas on sports pitches is an essential maintenance regime to ensure the upkeep of a healthy grass sward. Successful seed germination will be determined by a number of factors, weather and ground conditions at the time of sowing, methods used to sow the seed and, finally, the choice and quality of seed used. mail@pitchcare.com (Editor) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5180 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:00:00 GMT It is often said that all that is needed to provide a successful irrigation system is sufficient water, an adequate power supply and enough money mail@pitchcare.com (Simon Leatherly) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5148 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:50:00 GMT Understanding their role in sportsturf management mail@pitchcare.com (Dr Tim Butler) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5127 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:00:00 GMT Turf mangers look set for a weekend of very high Fusarium infection, with forecasts of intense disease pressure right through from today (Thursday 10 April) to Tuesday next week across the UK and Ireland. - mail@pitchcare.com (Mark Sanderson) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5109 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:00:00 GMT Christmas has come and gone, but winter still remains, or at least it should have if Ive written this article in time for the February issue of Pitchcare if youre reading this in April, think of this article as more of a review article instead. mail@pitchcare.com (Dr Colin Mumford) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5105 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT Identifying the primary cause of turfgrass diseases has, arguably, become more difficult over recent years as we have become better able to identify differences between certain closely-related organisms and to recognise the potential of previously unconsidered pests. mail@pitchcare.com (Dr Kate Entwistle) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5097 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT Thatch is a Course Managers worst nightmare. New expectations and demands for improved playing conditions are prime factors in the minds of users and managers alike. By David H Bates mail@pitchcare.com (David Bates) http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/article/5054