Updated January 2018

New Research: Management of frit fly in golf courses

Frit fly (Oscinella frit) is a relatively less researched turfgrass insect pest in Hawaii, mainly attacking young leaves of Bermudagrass varieties, and also commonly considered as a nuisance pest in golf courses. This project aims to develop an IPM program to control frit fly. Dr. Cheng has recently received funding, and visited two golf courses to confirm trial sites. Treatments will start in January 2018.


Frit fly damage at a golf course in Hawaii (photo courtesy of Dr. Scot Nelson, TPSS)

Suppressing bermudagrass in seashore paspalum turf

An emerging management challenge of seashore paspalum turf installations and maintenance in Hawaii in recent years is the infestation of the bermudagrass cultivar that was replaced or common bermudagrass. PI Z. Cheng and Co-PI J. DeFrank continue to receive inquiries from golf courses that use seashore paspalum to develop new grassy weed control options that do not depend on salt applications. This project will address this immediate need of Hawaii's turf/golf industry. An M.S. student who started in August 2016 is working on this 2-year project. Field trials are currently being conducted in UH Manoa Magoon research facility, West Loch Golf Course, and Hoakalei Country Club.


A putting green with both bermudagrass and seashore paspalum


Research trials at Hoakalei Country Club (January 2017)

Management of take-all patch (Bermudagrass decline) of turfgrass in Hawaii

In collaboration with 3 golf courses on Big Island, Maui and Oahu, and with industry support from 2 major chemical companies, Dr. Cheng started this applied research project in November 2015 to evaluate various fungicide programs against take-all patch (also commonly known as Bermudagrass decline) in both bermudagrass and seashore paspalum turf. Various fungicide rotation programs and combination treatments are included in this field research.


Field trial plots on Bermudagrass green at a golf course on Big Island


Field trial plots on seashore paspalum putting green at a golf course on Maui


Field trial plot on seashore paspalum tee box at a golf course on Oahu

Management of leaf and sheath spot (mini ring) of turfgrass in Hawaii

In collaboration with a golf course on Maui and with industry support, Dr. Cheng started this applied research project in June 2015 to evaluate various fungicide programs against leaf and sheath spot (also commonly known as mini ring) in Hawaii's turfgrass system. Seven treatments and an untreated control with four replications each are included in this field research.



Shade tolerance study on some new turfgrass varieties in Hawaii

Conducted as a class project (PEPS/TPSS 418, Turfgrass Pest Management, Fall 2015, offered by Dr. Cheng), this project at Magoon turf research facility was conducetd to evaluate shade tolerance of multiple new turf varieties of zoysia grass, Bermudagrass, and St. Augustin grass in Hawaii, in collaboration with one of the major sod farms in Hawaii. High shade, moderate shade, and no shade were included in this bench study.


Pesticide application residue research underway (starting Feb. 2015)

In collaboration with 2 golf courses on Oahu, Dr. Qingxiao Li (MBBE) and Dr. Cheng are conducting a pesticide application residue research. Multiple patches are attached to the applicator when chemicals are sprayed, and these patches will be analyzed for chemical residues. We thank golf courses participating in this research.


Non-chemical "lights-out" turf renovation and weed/pest control

Dr. Cheng and Dr. Joe DeFrank (TPSS) started this 2-year non-chemical "lights-out" turf renovation and weed/pest control project at Magoon Turf Research Facility in October 2014. In addition to weed suppression, we also studied impacts of this turf renovation method on insects and soil food webs in turf systems. An M.S. student in Dr. Cheng's lab conducted this research as her thesis project.


Field experiment plots at Magoon (Year 1)


Field experiment plots at Magoon (Year 2)

Field trial for Brachymyrmex management at Hualalai

Based on our lab test results, three ant baits are now included in field trials for Brachymyrmex management at Hualalai Resort / Golf Course. One un-treated control is also included. There are 4 replications for each treatment and the control. Pre- and post- treatment Brachymyrmex population densities (0-4) have been evaluated as scheduled.


Pre-screening promising ant baits for Brachymyrmex control at Hualalai

Brachymyrmex alate swarms have been a seasonal nuisance at Hualalai Resort and other golf courses in Hawaii for the past several years. Dr. Cheng began this research in July 2014 by testing multiple new ant baits in the lab for potential attracting and killing effects on Brachymyrmex. Three granular ant baits showed some effects. The next step is to bring these to field trials.


Non-chemical "lights-out" turf renovation and weed/pest control

Conducted as a class project (PEPS 491, Special Topics: Turfgrass Pest Management, Spring 2014, offered by Dr. Cheng), this project demonstrated the non-chemical "lights-out" method for turf renovation and weed/pest control was a feasible approach for turf management, especially in sports turf and howm lawns settings. In collaboration with Dr. Joe DeFrank, a larger-scale research project will start in October 2014.



 

 

 

 


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