Pest and Diseases
Obtain a pest and disease chart from your representative to diagnose correctly the problem or concern.
Insects
Leatherjackets – in late Spring the presence of starling activity will indicate grubs of leatherjackets possible still active before pupating (changing to crane fly). Be prepared to use an insecticide to prevent excessive leatherjacket activity.
Worms
These should not be seen very often, but must be dispersed, otherwise local top dressing in that area will result in an uneven surface. If only a few are showing activity, soak the area with water. This waterlogging will often fetch water to the surface where the worms can be removed. For larger areas ask your trade representative.
Once control is accomplished, only treat the outside meter around the green which will prevent the movement of worms back into the bowling area.
Fungi
Corticium (red thread) fungi indicates lack of nitrogen. Normally a liquid feed will correct this, but pay attention to the fertiliser programme. Most greens composed of light sandy soils are prone to leaching. In many older greens the dense roots systems have built up often prevent this leaching, allowing the nitrogen to remain in the soil over a longer period.
Fusarium
Provided the surface of the green is clear of debris, very little incidence of Fusarium will be evident. The most likely chance is in late Summer, particularly if the green is composed mainly of annual meadow grass. It is commonly an Autumn and Winter disease.
Puffball rings (Bovista Nigrens)
In late Summer (generally July) little puffbulls appear in the turf and they grow quickly overnight. These must be removed, placed in a bin an disposed of. They are not usually seen on greens with a comprehensive feeding programme, but if nitrogen is scare, the nitrogen given off by the puffball activity is seen in irregular green circles. These get larger each year, but apart from being unsightly, the only nuisance is having to remove them. Usually they can be removed with an old Yale key!
Thatch fungi
These rounded areas of dying grass collapse in the centre, so affecting the run of the bowls. These depressions need to be seeded and topped up carefully to enable the bowls to run on for the rest of the playing season.
Insects
Leatherjackets – in late Spring the presence of starling activity will indicate grubs of leatherjackets possible still active before pupating (changing to crane fly). Be prepared to use an insecticide to prevent excessive leatherjacket activity.
Worms
These should not be seen very often, but must be dispersed, otherwise local top dressing in that area will result in an uneven surface. If only a few are showing activity, soak the area with water. This waterlogging will often fetch water to the surface where the worms can be removed. For larger areas ask your trade representative.
Once control is accomplished, only treat the outside meter around the green which will prevent the movement of worms back into the bowling area.
Fungi
Corticium (red thread) fungi indicates lack of nitrogen. Normally a liquid feed will correct this, but pay attention to the fertiliser programme. Most greens composed of light sandy soils are prone to leaching. In many older greens the dense roots systems have built up often prevent this leaching, allowing the nitrogen to remain in the soil over a longer period.
Fusarium
Provided the surface of the green is clear of debris, very little incidence of Fusarium will be evident. The most likely chance is in late Summer, particularly if the green is composed mainly of annual meadow grass. It is commonly an Autumn and Winter disease.
Puffball rings (Bovista Nigrens)
In late Summer (generally July) little puffbulls appear in the turf and they grow quickly overnight. These must be removed, placed in a bin an disposed of. They are not usually seen on greens with a comprehensive feeding programme, but if nitrogen is scare, the nitrogen given off by the puffball activity is seen in irregular green circles. These get larger each year, but apart from being unsightly, the only nuisance is having to remove them. Usually they can be removed with an old Yale key!
Thatch fungi
These rounded areas of dying grass collapse in the centre, so affecting the run of the bowls. These depressions need to be seeded and topped up carefully to enable the bowls to run on for the rest of the playing season.
Acknowledgements to Dave Bracey for this article