Dr. Hurley is known as the bentgrassdoctor and has been breeding Improved bentgrasses since 1982 to Include the advanced generation varieties 007, 777 and 007XL.
These advanced generation bentgrasses have the greatest opportunity for success in cool season climates for grassing greens, tees and fairways.
Now designated as a class of "Super BentsTM" these varieties will produce a turf showing greater disease resistance / lower fungicide use, finer leaves, a denser turf that is more tolerant to close mowing.
Within the "Super BentTM" class are the varieties 007, 777, 007XL -- as well as MacKenzie, Flagstick and Tyee.
For "Super BentTM" information contact https://sroseed.com/super-bents
For "Super BentTM" variety qualities contact
https://www.sroseed.com/find-a-product/bentgrass
ph: 570-350-8906
hurlrich
Not all new bentgrass varieties display improved resistance to turf diseases.
Turfgrass specialists should be cautious when recommending new bentgrass varieties that are known to be highly susceptible to dollar spot.
Commercially available bentgrass varieties that have tested to be highly susceptible to dollar spot include "Ninety-Six Two," "Shark," "Pure Distinction," and "Independence."
The concern for golf course superintendents is that use of these varieties for greens, tees, and fairways will result in higher fungicide use and more money spent to control dollar spot.
Genetic resistance to dollar spot.
*Classification for the following creeping bentgrass varieties:
Most tolerant: 007XL, Flagstick, 007, MacDonald, Benchmark, Declaration, Kingpin, Pennlinks II, Baracuda, Luminary, 777, Focus, V-8, 13-M, and Memorial.
Moderate tolerant: Authority, L-93, Penn A-1, Penn A-2, Penncross, Pennlinks, Seaside, Seaside II, and SR1150, Proclamation, Crystal Blue Links, Cobra II, and Penneagle II.
Moderate Susceptible: Tyee, Alpha, T-1, Bengal, Backspin, Grand Prix, Mackenzie, Putter, A-4, Penneagle II, G-2, Princeville, Providence, Penncross, Southshore, Pin-Up, and SR1119.
Highly Susceptible: Ninety-Six Two, Shark, Pure Distinction, Century, Crenshaw, Imperial, Independence, and 18th Green.
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Review the table below and think of fungicide use comparing the most susceptable variety to other more resistant varieties.
NUMBERS OF DOLLAR SPOT INFECTION CENTERS IN CREEPING BENTGRASS VARIETIES.
NTEP data, Purdue University.
Putting green trial, 2009 - 2013.
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DOLLAR SPOT INFECTION CENTERS, 4 X 6 FOOT PLOTS.
VARIETY NAME
PURE DISTINCTION 251.0
T-1 35.3
PIN-UP 31.5
AFM 31.3
V8 29.2
AUTHORITY 24.3
PENN A-1 21.7
ALPHA 19.3
L-93 17.2
PENN A-2 16.8
LUMINARY 15.3
PENNCROSS 10.8
PROCLAMATION 9.8
DECLARATION 8.7
BARRACUDA 7.0
FOCUS 6.8
LSD VALUE 46.4
C.V. (%) 63.8
Use of "Disease susceptible bentgrass varieties" should always be discouraged due to a concerned for fungicide costs and over use of pesticides.
Case studies: 007 bentgrass and reducing fungicide use:
Ridgemoor Country Club, total course renovation, Summer / Fall 2014.
Evaluating this eleven month old 007 turf: Going into August 2015 Josh Langell, Superintendent, reported he has cut fungicide use approximately 50% with 007 seeded on greens, tees, and fairways compared with what he was using prior to the total course renovation. Those saving on fungicides are real and will continue month after month and year after year.
The River Bend Club, Great Falls Virginia, underwent a total course renovation and regrassing in 2010.
After five years of maintaining 007 bentgrass, golf course superintendent, Tom Lipscomb reports significant fungicide savings to control dollar spot and brown patch comparing his new 007 bentgrass greens, fairways and tees to the old prerenovation mixed bent / Poa annua greens and a stand of bents, Poa annua and ryegrass on tees and fairways.
Photo below - November 10, 2010 - is the par five 9th hole at River Bend. Fairways sodded in late summer 2010 using 100% 007 creeping bentgrass.
Copyright 2013 R.H. Hurley, LLC. All rights reserved.
ph: 570-350-8906
hurlrich