MSU Turf Update

3-11-2013

 

Attempting to Prevent Ice Damage to Poa annua Greens Crown hydration followed by the crowns being crushed It is that time of year again when the snow is melting and the potential for ice damage may be occurring. Every year it seems that ice formation on Poa annua greens causes turf loss in some part of Michigan, with last year being the exception. The ice damage is referred to as crown hydration and believed to be caused by the Poa annua plants breaking dormancy early and taking up water, then when the temperatures drop at night, ice crystals form in the crown killing the plant. Most of the time the soil in the entire green is saturated following snow melt. While all the P. annua plants in the green take up water and the crowns become hydrated, only the plants in the area where the ice reforms die. The creeping bentgrass plants, which do not break dormancy early, have dehydrated crowns that are not as susceptible to being crushed by the reformation of the ice. So far, I do not see a problem as the Poa annua has not broken dormancy, but it will only take a few days in the 60’s for this to occur. As the snow melts and puddles of water form on the greens, it would be wise to remove as much of the standing water as possible. Good luck, and let’s hope it turns out to be an ice damage-free Spring. J. M. Vargas Jr. Professor, MSU   The message you received and any attachments may contain confidential, proprietary or privileged information and are only for their intended recipient(s). Do not, directly or indirectly, use, disseminate, distribute, alter or copy the message. No confidentiality or privilege is waived by errant delivery. E-mail transmissions cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, or contain viruses. Therefore, the sender, The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation, and their officers, directors, employees, affiliates, and agents (collectively, the "Michigan Turfgrass Foundation") do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of the message.

 

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