● Both — Map infected areas and initiate fall fungicide applications when thatch temperatures decrease to 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit — typically early September through late October, depending on location. Spray one half of an infected fairway and repeat on several fairways to observe differences between treated and non-treated areas. ● Late summer aeration is critical for fall disease management. Small- diameter solid tines are effective and non-disruptive during late summer. ● Research published in 2004 from Clemson University suggested that mancozeb (Fore 80 WP) applied at 8 ounces per 1,000 square feet in combination with fosetyl-Al (Aliette Signature) at 4 ounces per 1,000 square feet enhanced bermudagrass transition. Products with green pigment were more effective at expediting bermudagrass recovery. ● Additional fungicide options include: Azoxystrobin (Heritage) — Both Flutolanil (Prostar) — Large patch only Myclobutanil (Eagle)* — Large patch only Pyraclostrobin (Insignia) — Both Thiophanate methyl (3336) — Both Triadimefon (Bayleton)* — Both *Note: DMI fungicides such as myclobutanil, triadimefon, and difenoconazole should be used with caution on bermudagrass, and con- secutive applications should not be made during or recently after dor- mancy break or when temperatures are expected to exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Is it possible that the poor bermudagras recovery in this fairway can be linked to disease during the previous fall and spring seasons? ● Both — If the fall application window was missed, apply a fungicide in the spring as the bermudagrass begins to emerge from winter dormancy. ● Both — Preventative fungicide applications yield significantly better control compared to a curative strategy. CONCLUSION At this point, the extent that either dis- ease affects bermudagrass recovery from overseeding — i.e., spring transition — is unknown. However, turf managers are encouraged to experiment with a combination of disease-control strategies offered in this article and evaluate the efficacy of each compared with non-treated areas. The implementation of several key cultural and chemical disease-management options will not only aid in disease suppression but will yield improved bermudagrass health and playability. Although this article does not resolve the question of the degree these diseases affect bermudagrass transition, it does raise awareness of disease pressure throughout the Desert Southwest. Furthermore, this article encourages turf mangers to deploy a variety of disease-suppression strategies while evaluating their effectiveness in order to improve and refine long-term management plans. BRIAN WHITLARK is an agronomist in the Southwest Region. GABE TOWERS is a representative of Wilbur-Ellis specializing in professional markets. Green Section Record Vol. 52 (17) August 22, 2014 ©2014 by United States Golf Association. All rights reserved. Please see Policies for the Reuse of USGA Green Section Publications. Subscribe to the USGA Green Section Record. Page 4