Focus on Dollar Spot

As climate change reshapes weather patterns, Dollar Spot—a turf disease once rare in the UK—has become an increasing concern for greenkeepers. This article explores how rising temperatures and humidity levels have created favourable conditions for the spread of Clarireedia jacksonii, the fungus behind Dollar Spot. Learn how to identify the disease's distinct symptoms and discover effective management strategies, including the use of Trichoderma fungi and integrated pest management practices, to combat this new challenge and help your green recover from an outbreak. Stay ahead of the curve and maintain your green's health by understanding the full impact of Dollar Spot and adapting your turf care approach.

June 9, 2026

Focus on Silicon: A Greenkeeper’s Perspective

Silicon is an indispensable element in fine turf management, offering a range of benefits from strengthening plant cell walls to improving nutrient uptake and enhancing stress resistance.

Timely applications of PotSi have been shown to be particularly effective in preventing the onset of fungal diseases. For example, applying PotSi at the early stages of a Dollar Spot outbreak can significantly reduce disease severity by fortifying the turfgrass against the pathogen. This proactive approach not only mitigates disease impact but also reduces the need for chemical fungicides, promoting a more sustainable turf management strategy .

June 8, 2026

Phosphite and Disease Resistance

Phosphite (PO₃³⁻) is a reduced form of phosphate (PO₄³⁻), the familiar phosphorus source in traditional fertilisers. Although the two compounds are chemically related, their behaviours in plants and soils differ significantly. Phosphite is highly soluble and readily absorbed through both roots and foliage, making it a highly efficient delivery mechanism for phosphorus-related benefits, including disease and pest resistance, acting as a trigger for some of the plant's remarkable natural defence mechanisms.

June 7, 2026

Fusarium and the Disease Triangle

Managing diseases like fusarium patch can be a challenge for bowling greenkeepers striving for healthy, high-performance turf. While fungicides provide some relief, long-term reliance can weaken natural defences and disrupt soil health. Emerging research highlights the value of PotSi as a sustainable alternative to bolster turf resilience. By strengthening cell walls, enhancing stress resistance, and activating natural defence mechanisms, potassium silicate offers a proactive approach to reducing disease severity and recurrence. Discover how integrating this innovative solution into your maintenance programme can support greener, more sustainable greens.

June 1, 2026

Sand Top Dressing – Friend or Foe? Soil Texture 5.

Sand Top Dressing - that ubiquitous and apparently simple greenkeeping operation indulged in by most clubs annually is actually a much more complex operation than most give it credit for. In this article John Quinn explains the mechanics of top-dressing. He explains what it can and can't do and why you must understand some soil science before top-dressing is considered.