‘What’s wrong with my lawn?’ Research points toward possible answer
By Maddie Johnson
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
With spring rains, warm-season turfgrasses such as bermudagrass and zoysiagrass are at risk of a fungal disease called large patch that can leave a lawn marked with large brown areas of dead and dying grass.
Large patch is caused by a fungus and affects warm-season turfgrasses, which go dormant in cooler months. This disease begins with small, round patches that can grow in diameter and are characterized by a yellow, orange or brown color as the affected grass dies.
A new article, “Review of the biology and management of large patch of warm-season turfgrasses,” was published in the Crop Science journal and provides critical knowledge about the disease that can compromise the health, aesthetics and usability of turfgrass.
It provides readers with comprehensive information covering the disease’s pathology, progression and management, and it highlights areas in turfgrass science research that require further attention, such as the environmental and soil elements that contribute to the spread of the fungus behind the disease. These could include soil salinity, pH and fertility.
The article identifies breeding for improved large patch resistance as another opportunity for further research.
The article’s first author, Samuel Kreinberg, is a University of Arkansas graduate student specializing in turfgrass science. He plans to defend his master’s thesis this month and present the paper at the 15thInternational Turfgrass Research Conference in Karuizawa, Japan, this summer.
Diagnosing turf
Wendell Hutchens, who is Kreinberg’s adviser and co-author, said he is often asked the question: “What’s wrong with my lawn this spring?”
Hutchens is an assistant professor of turfgrass science in the Horticulture Department with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service — the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s research and outreach arms — and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
Because the article includes information on the disease cycle and management strategies for large patch, Hutchens said it is useful as both a research and outreach resource to answer such a question.
“The paper is a helpful resource to send to a golf course superintendent, sod grower, sports field manager, or anybody that struggles with the disease large patch,” he said.
Hutchens noted that rainy climates and moderate temperatures can lead to a greater prevalence of large patch. As temperatures rise in the summer and the weather becomes drier, the disease will typically go away.
When it comes to managing large patch, Hutchens said many people often make the mistake of watering their grass too much. He said that mowing properly, fertilizing correctly and not overwatering grass will “alleviate the vast majority of the issues” with the disease.
Kreinberg said that large patch is one of the primary issues of zoysiagrass lawns in Arkansas, and he conducted a research trial in both Fayetteville and Alma, Arkansas, to analyze the spread of the disease in zoysiagrass.
Those who suspect that large patch has affected their lawns can submit samples to the Arkansas Plant Health Clinic through county extension offices, and by walk-in at the clinic in Fayetteville, located at 2601 N. Young Ave.
Inspiration behind the work
As for the motivation behind the research, Hutchens said he and Kreinberg “wanted to identify what had not been studied about the disease.”
Hutchens also credited Kreinberg for the accomplishment of serving as the first author of a piece that was published in Crop Science, the flagship journal of Crop Science Society of America.
“Sam is just a rock star student who is an exceptional writer and researcher,” Hutchens said.
The article also featured Division of Agriculture and Bumpers College faculty members Mike Richardson, professor of horticulture, and Terry Spurlock, associate professor and extension plant pathologist, as co-authors.
Jim Kerns, professor and extension specialist of turfgrass pathology with North Carolina State University, and Lee Miller, assistant professor of botany and plant pathology with Purdue University, were also co-authors.
The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and North Carolina State University are part of a system of agricultural research centers at land-grant universities in the southern United States where scientists collaborate to conduct research and outreach focused on conserving the region’s natural resources and sustainably feeding a growing global population.
To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the Food, Farms and Forests podcast and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three system campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
Partnership restores local lizards with sooner ‘boomers’
By Randy Zellers
A dozen Oklahoma-born eastern collared lizards now call The Natural State home thanks to a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, the Little Rock Zoo, Tulsa Zoo and the Collared Lizard Conservation Team. With a little luck, these transplants may be able to replenish a pocket of prime habitat in west-central Arkansas.
Eastern collared lizards, affectionately called “mountain boomers” by many wildlife enthusiasts, are one of Arkansas’s species of greatest conservation need. They are some of the largest lizards found in Arkansas, sometimes reaching 14 inches in length. Males possess vibrant yellow, green and teal markings, while females tend to be more muted, with reddish-orange accents. These lizards have seen dramatic declines throughout much of their range in Arkansas as their preferred fire-tolerant habitats have been swallowed by cedars and other woody plants. Thanks to multi-agency partnerships and work funded through the State Wildlife Grant Program, aggressive habitat restoration in many key locations using prescribed fire and cedar removals have restored some of this habitat. Additional SWG projects have helped to establish captive breeding programs in coordination with the Little Rock Zoo have been used to re-establish these charismatic reptiles in newly recovered sites.
According to AGFC Herpetologist Amanda Bryant, the lizards were transplanted to a portion of private land that had historically housed one of the largest monitored populations of the species but saw a population crash last year.
“We want to reestablish a population at that site because it has so much quality habitat for the species,” Bryant said. “We do not know the cause of the crash, so we are starting with a modest number and monitoring closely in the next few weeks for any disease or environmental issue. Four of the females we released had eggs, so we’ll go back later in the summer to see if we can find any new hatchlings at the site.”
Bryant said the lizards were captured with the help of Casey Brewster of the Collared Lizard Conservation Team under access and permits granted through Mark Howery at ODWC. Kay Backues at the Tulsa Zoo and staff at the Little Rock Zoo screened the reptiles to ensure they were free of diseases and parasites before relocating them.
“It’s been really great to see the team come together and make this project a success,” Bryant added. “I also want to especially thank Matt Gifford and Casey Brewster of the Collared Lizard Conservation Team for being key members of the reintroduction of this fascinating reptile species in a portion of Arkansas where they once thrived.”
Navigate with care in high water
By Sarah Baxter
Arkansas has experienced one of the wettest springs on record, causing swollen streams and extended high water throughout most of the state’s large lakes and reservoirs. Table Rock, Beaver, Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Greers Ferry lakes have all been above their conservation (full) pool levels for many weeks, and a smattering of other large lakes around the state are also within their flood pool level. While these elevated water levels can open up exciting opportunities for anglers looking to find bass, bream and crappie in newly flooded habitat, they introduce a new set of hazards in the form of floating debris and unknown structures hiding beneath the surface.
Always operate your boat at a reduced speed in unfamiliar or newly flooded areas. This gives you more time to react to unexpected obstacles and minimizes damage if an impact does occur.
High water may appear serene once the storm has passed, but what looks like open water may conceal submerged obstacles that can quickly turn a peaceful outing into a costly accident or a dangerous situation. Submerged tree stumps and sunken logs can wreak havoc on a boat’s hull or smash the lower unit of an outboard. What may look like a small twig at first glance can turn out to be the top of an entire tree hidden just beneath the water’s surface. Fence posts, submerged gates, courtesy docks and picnic tables are other shoreline amenities that can turn into obstacles when the water rises.
Even away from the shoreline, keeping a proper lookout during these conditions is paramount to boating safety, especially for anglers running in low-light hours.
“Don’t assume a familiar area is free of danger simply because you’ve safely navigated it before,” AGFC Black Bass Program Coordinator Jeremy Risley said. “Floating debris is difficult to see first thing in the morning and as the sun sets in the evening. As days grow hotter and night-fishing becomes more prevalent, extra caution becomes even more important.”
Boaters should also know how much water their vessel needs to operate safely and avoid venturing into areas that are too shallow. Allow for extra clearance, remembering that you may not be able to see submerged debris. Pay close attention to your depth finder, but remember that it only reads where you’re at, not what is just ahead. When in doubt, opt for slow and steady, even using the trolling motor if you know you’re in an area likely to be riddled with underwater obstacles.
Wearing a properly fitting life jacket is always encouraged, but even more so when navigating unfamiliar high water. Strong currents, floating debris, and unexpected impacts can cause boaters to be thrown into the water, and a life jacket can be the difference between an embarrassing plunge and a tragic situation. By law, all boats in Arkansas must have a properly fitting, wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket readily accessible for every person on board. Children 12 and under must wear their U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket the entire time they are on board any vessel unless such occupants are within the enclosed area of a houseboat or cruiser, or within the area enclosed by railings of a houseboat, party barge, or cruiser, and the vessel is not underway.
High water amplifies the need for focused, responsible boating. Be mindful of these new challenges and you can unlock the key to some fantastic fishing on Arkansas’s beautiful lakes and reservoirs this summer.
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts exhibition highlights the art of conservation
By Randy Zellers
The management of fish and wildlife habitat is typically viewed as being within the purview of scientists, but an exhibition opening Friday at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts demonstrates that artists also have played a significant role in advancing the conservation of natural resources.
“The Long View: From Conservation to Sustainability: Works From the Bank of America Collection” will be on display at AMFA June 13 through Aug. 31. The exhibition features paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures by artists who used their art to advocate for the conservation and protection of the planet and the creation of sustainable habitats for the future. Spanning from the mid-19th century to the present, the art charts the evolution of how people think about and interact with nature. Admission to the museum is free.
To celebrate the opening of the exhibition, the AMFA will host “Family Fest: Into the Wild” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14, featuring interactive artmaking, outdoor adventure and numerous hands-on activities for visitors throughout the museum and outside on the museum’s Event Lawn. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be among multiple participants presenting activities, including birds of prey, nature-inspired artmaking and a short film about Arkansas brown trout. AGFC Art Director Greta James, who has created the art for several AGFC Conservation License Plates, will discuss the role of art in conservation and assist with artmaking activities. Other activities, all of which are free and open to the public, include guided artmaking — with live animal models — in the museum’s Windgate Art School, fly-casting instruction and games from the Arkansas Fly Fishers, animals from the Little Rock Zoo, and cycling and hiking presentations from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
“Art has played an important role in conservation throughout the country and here in Arkansas,” Trey Reid, AGFC assistant chief of communications, said. “The federal duck stamp program has raised more than $1.2 billion for waterfowl and wildlife habitat and public hunting areas since its inception in 1934. Closer to home, the Game and Fish Commission’s Conservation License Plate program, featuring artistic renderings of Natural State fish and wildlife on state-issued vehicle license plates, has raised more than $20 million to support conservation education programs in the state. So we’re excited to play a small part in AMFA’s Family Fest to highlight the important role of art in conservation.”
“Into the Wild: From Conservation to Sustainability” is divided into four thematic sections and highlights the work of many prominent artists as well as lesser-known artists. “The Beginnings of Conservation” features late-19th- and early-20th-century artists like John James Audubon and Carleton Watkins, whose works influenced the founding of the Audubon Society and National Park Service. “Push and Pull — Industry and Environment” includes art by regionalists such as Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood alongside Arthur Rothstein’s iconic Dust Bowl images exploring the impact of unsustainable farming practices, as well as photographs by Ansel Adams.
“The Emergence of Conservation Activism” focuses on post-war works and the emerging social and political focus on ecology during the late 1960s and 1970s. This section includes Robert Rauschenberg’s design for the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, and Michael Heizer’s innovative prints using plates made from recycled scrap-metal waste. “Working Towards a Sustainable Vision” highlights contemporary artists Aurora Robson and John Sabraw, who pull pollutants such as plastic debris and acidic mine drainage from our landscape to use as their materials, alongside other artists who emphasize the need to safeguard the planet.
The combined voices of the artists provide an innovative look at the interaction between humans and the natural environment over time, revealing its wonders and inviting visitors to contribute to conservation and sustainability.
“What we love about this exhibition is that it is really tracing the history of artists who are environmentalists themselves, or very interested in science and using their art to make a difference,” AMFA Curator Jennifer Jankauskas said. “The unifying theme is nature, and these artists are very interested in really talking about what our relationship with nature is. What I think is so interesting about some of these artists is that they think almost more like scientists in that they’re really trying to come up with solutions. It’s not just about documenting what’s out there, but it’s looking forward for the future.”
“Into the Wild: From Conservation to Sustainability” opens to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, June 13. A special preview for AMFA members is 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 12. The AMFA is at 501 E. Ninth St. in Little Rock’s MacArthur Park. More information is available at www.arkmfa.org or by calling 501-372-4000.
(Jennifer Jankauskas, AMFA curator, and Chris Revelle, AMFA Director of Community Engagement, are guests on the latest episode of the AGFC’s “Arkansas Wildlife” podcast, which can be accessed at https://youtu.be/Ro6VrGVNOHE and on other podcast platforms.)