What started out two years ago as a trickle of educational videos Wendy Gelernter and Larry Stowell on YouTube has turned into an all-out media blitz that includes dozens of pieces of information designed to provide golf course superintendents with answers to a variety of turfgrass problems as well as tools to help them educate supervisors and golfing members about what they do on a daily basis and why.
The latest video offering by Pace Turf entitled
In the video, Stowell refers to nematode damage in fresh A4 creeping bentgrass sod at Hacienda Country Club in La Habra Heights, Calif.
After studying nematode counts and damage on the new sod, both at the golf course and while still at the supplier, Stowell determined that damage in new sod was pronounced even when root knot nematode counts were not severed because of the shorter roots in new sod.
Shorter roots associated with new, immature sod are more likely to be attacked and infested with nematodes, Stowell said.
"The observation that existing moderate nematode populations can cause establishment problems is important as more courses want to take advantage of newer bentgrass varieties."
Stowell suggests fumigating the area first before regressing.
Even in the face of limited availability of methyl bromide, there are realistic fumigation options, such as Basimid G, that can wipe out insect, weed and disease pests, Stowell said.
Pace Turf, the turf management consulting firm in San Diego, now offers nearly 60 videos on its YouTube page. All are designed for superintendents to share with managers, green chairman or at committee meetings. Viewers also can link to them the blog page or club homepage.