Weeds, Diseases and Pests Resources
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The southern chinch bug, Blissus insularis Barber, is a serious insect pest of turfgrass, especially St. Augustinegrass, in Georgia. Bermudagrass, centipedegrass, and zoysiagrass are also attacked by southern chinch bug. They feed on grass using their piercing and sucking mouthparts. Affected turfgrass can form yellow to brown patches that are sometimes mistaken as indicators of disease or drought stress. Populations of southern chinch bug can build up at the edges of these patches at over 100 individuals per square foot, which can kill the affected grass. The development of southern chinch bug in the grass can easily go unnoticed because of their small size and dark-gray color, which blends in with thatch. This publication summarizes the biology, lifecycle and management options available for southern chinch bug in Georgia.
William G. Hudson, Shimat V. Joseph, and Fawad Khan
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Bill Pickens, Conifer Silviculturist,
North Carolina Forest Service
Shortleaf pine and its associated plant communities evolved with fire of varied temperatures, or mixed severity, and a fire return interval, or frequency of 2–18 years. Periodic occurrences of fire provide shortleaf a growth advantage; a competitive edge that allows it to both establish and maintain a place in the canopy. Without fire, hardwoods and loblolly or Virginia pines out-compete shortleaf. Across its wide range, shortleaf is found growing with blackjack, white, and post oaks; trees that have similar adaptive traits and fire resistance. The high diversity and number of herbaceous understory plants and wildlife found in shortleaf savannahs and woodlands is sustained with frequent prescribed burns. The frequency, intensity, and time of year of a burn all influence how fire shapes a shortleaf forest. Due to its reliance on fire, foresters and ecologists commonly refer to shortleaf as fire resistant, fire resilient, fire dependent, or fire adapted. However, shortleaf pine is not fire-proof. And while fire provides many benefits there are risks. Some trees, particular seedlings and saplings will be damaged or destroyed from fire. Land managers must base the decision to burn on their overall management goals.Brent Peterson
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David R. Coyle, A. Brady Self, James D. Floyd, and John J. Riggins
Four species of Ips bark beetles (also commonly known as Ips engraver beetles or Ips beetles) occur throughout pure and mixed pine forests in the southeastern U.S.: the six-spined ips (Ips calligraphus), the pine engraver (Ips pini), the eastern five-spined ips (Ips grandicollis), and the small southern pine engraver (Ips avulsus). Ips beetles appear similar to other bark beetles in this region, including the southern pine beetle (SPB), black turpentine beetle, and red turpentine beetle. These beetles occur throughout the entire southeastern U.S., with the exception of the pine engraver and red turpentine beetle, which are found only in the Appalachian region.
Brent Peterson
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This resource introduces the effective and environmentally friendly use of trap crops as an alternative to controlling damaging insects in the vegetable garden. Trap crops are sacrificial plants that can draw damaging insects away from valuable crops.
Bob Westerfield and S. Kris Braman
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In the state of Georgia, gray leaf spot primarily affects St. Augustinegrass and is particularly chronic and damaging in the coastal area of the state. This publication contains important information on the biology of the causal agent, detailed descriptions and photos of the disease symptoms, information on conditions favoring the disease, as well as cultural, genetic, and chemical methods of control. The publication is intended for turfgrass professionals, consultants, county faculty, homeowners, and the general public.
Jake Price, Elizabeth L. Little, Alfredo Martinez, and Donald M. Gardner
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Take-all root rot (TARR) has emerged as a destructive disease in central, south and coastal Georgia. TARR affects all warm-season turfgrasses in Georgia, but it is more common and severe in St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum).
This publication contains important information on the biology of the causal agent, detailed descriptions of the disease symptoms (aided by high-quality, detailed pictures), relevant up-to-date information on conditions favoring the disease, and cultural, genetic and chemical methods of control. This publication is intended for turfgrass professionals, consultants, county faculty, homeowners, and general public.
Alfredo Martinez, Jake Price, Donald M. Gardner, and Elizabeth L. Little
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El mal del pie es una enfermedad destrcutiva en la region central, sur y costera de Georgia. EL mal del pie afecta todos los cespedes de clima calido en Georgia pero es mas severo en el cesped San Agustin (Stenotaphrum secundatum). La publicacion contiene informacion importante en la biologia del gente causal, descripcion detallada de los sintomas de la enfermedad (con fotografias de alta definicion), informacion relevante y reciente en las condiciones que favorecen la enfermedad, asi como los metodos de control cultural, genetico y quimico. Esta publicacion es dirigida a profesionales, consultores, agentes de extension y publico en general
Alfredo Martinez, Jake Price, Don Gardner, and Elizabeth L. Little
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Mancha dólar es una enfermedad omnipresent en cespedes de clima calido y frio en el estado de Georgia. La publicacion contiene informacion importante en la biologia del gente causal, descripcion detallada de los sintomas de la enfermedad (con fotografias de alta definicion), informacion relevante y reciente en las condiciones que favorecen la enfermedad, asi como los metodos de control cultural, genetico y quimico. Esta publicacion es dirigida a profesionales, consultores, agentes de extension y publico en general.
Alfredo Martinez, Elizabeth L. Little, Kim Toal, and Brian Vermeer
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La mancha larga causada por Rhizoctonia es una de las enfermedades mas comunes y severas de cespedes de clima calido en georgia y en los Estados Unidos. La publicacion contiene informacion importante en la biologia del gente causal, descripcion detallada de los sintomas de la enfermedad (con fotografias de alta definicion), informacion relevante y reciente en las condiciones que favorecen la enfermedad, asi como los metodos de control cultural, genetico y quimico. Esta publicacion es dirigida a profesionales, consultores, agentes de extension y publico en general.
Alfredo Martinez, Elizabeth L. Little, Timothy Daly, and Brian Vermeer
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