Top 10 Problems in Sports Turf

The Top-10 Athletic Turf Problems results are in. Guess who's number one? The Top-10 Athletic Turf Problems results are in. Guess who's number one? No, it isn't me, though I'm sure some of you were tempted. It's the ubiquitous Poa annua!.

The survey we put out in March had quite a small response in relation to the number of Buckeyeturf web-site subscribers, but it's the first year we've done this. Forty six turf managers responded from 17 states, Canada and Israel. While such a small sample does not represent the industry, it's certainly a starting point & maybe something the STMA will pick up at their conference.

The top 10 pests on athletic fields are as follows:

1. Poa annua and other weed grasses

2. Excessive use

3. White grubs and their predators

4. Broadleaf weeds

5. Dollar spot

6. Brown patch

7. Summer patch

8. Heat/drought stress

9. Mole crickets

10. Ants

Authors: Pam Sherratt & John Street