TechNotes Tips - 03.21.02

The current drought conditions along the east coast have had or will have a significant affect on lawns. In Philadelphia water reservoirs are at 30 percent capacity. Delaware is in a drought warning with voluntary water restrictions while Maryland will likely face water restrictions soon. Last week New Jersey instituted a water emergency. Under this order, water use is mandated to be reduced by 50 percent. This week relatively wet stormy weather has moved into the drought regions. According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) however, rain amounts are not likely to be enough to break drought conditions. NOAA reports that the drought is so severe along the east coast that several months of normal-toabove- normal precipitation are necessary to end it.

Dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) is a disease of Kentucky bluegrass and bermudagrass. Although generally a minor problem, this disease is usually most severe on low nitrogen turfs. The characteristic leaf symptom is a hourglass shaped lesion (straw colored) with brown borders.