Nitrogen source affects bacterial decline severity

Research from the Michigan State lab of Dr. Joe Vargas has been focusing on the factors that cause the strange syndrome of etiolated (stretched out) bentgrass. This problem has been hitting bentgrass greens during summer heat spells, and while the initial symptoms are weak, spindly and elongated turf plants, it can eventually lead to death of the affected turf.

While etiolated turf can be caused by any number of factors, researchers have identified the bacterium, Acidovorax avenae, as the culprit…