Identifying, Treating Take-All Root Rot In Grass
Submitted By Mario Villarino, Agriculture and natural resources Extension Agent for Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Service
Take-all root rot is a fungal disease that causes weak, brown, dead patches in turfgrass. In Texas, the disease severely affects St. Augustinegrass and bermudagrass, in which the disease is known as bermudagrass decline.
Take-all root rot is caused by a fungus, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis, that lives in the soil. The fungus lives in many parts of Texas and is commonly found in both diseased-looking and apparently healthy-looking turfgrass. It lives in thatch, which is a layer of plant roots, stolons (shoots that grow horizontally along the ground surface), and decaying plant matter.
The fungus can produce spores but spreads mainly through the roots and stolons. The disease is not usually transported by mowers or foot traffic; it is more likely to be spread when infected grass, thatch, or soil is moved elsewhere.
The symptoms of take-all root rot often appear in spring or early summer when the turfgrass emerges from winter dormancy. However, they may appear anytime during the growing season when the grass is stressed by heat, drought, shade, alkaline soil or high-sodium water.
The most obvious initial symptom is yellowish foliage that eventually turns brown and wilts. The turf thins out, leaving brown, irregular patches from 1 foot to more than 20 feet in diameter.
As a field diagnosis, look at the roots of infected grass, which are usually short, blackened, and rotten, making it easy to lift the stolons from the soil. The nodes, or stem joints, may be discolored. On St. Augustinegrass, take-all root rot may be easily mistaken for large patch, which is caused by Rhizoctonia solani (Fig. 4), or chinch bug injury.
If you suspect that your grass has take-all root rot, first eliminate the possibility of these other two common problems. The treatments for them differ greatly from those for take-all root rot.
Chinch bugs are about the size of a sesame seed and move fast, which makes it difficult for the untrained eye to recognize them. To confirm the presence of chinch bugs on your turfgrass:
1. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing detergent in 1 gallon of water.
2. Use a watering can to pour the mixture evenly over a 1-square-yard area of the affected turf.
3. Look closely for chinch bugs. Within minutes, they will begin scurrying about. The adult bugs are black and about 3/16 inch long, with distinctive shiny, white wings; the immature nymphs are smaller and reddish, with a whitish band across the back. If many chinch bugs appear, they are probably the main cause of the turf problem.
In some cases, the turfgrass may be afflicted by both chinch bugs and take-all root rot. If so, you must act against both culprits, and you may need to apply both an insecticide and a fungicide.
Large patch: An easy diagnosis method is to pull a few plant leaves out. Unlike those infected with take-all root rot, grass blades with large patch can be slipped easily from the stolon because the fungus has rotted the stems. Infected leaves often have a slimy, dark brown lesion at the base of the leaf.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903 885-3443.
Coming Up
Field Day for Producers and Grassland Managers: Oct. 18, 2019- free. Register by calling 903-885-3443.
Northeast Texas Dairy Producers Conference (DOPA) Oct. 30, 2019, $10. Register by calling 903-885-3443.
PAT CEU Credits: Nov. 6, 2019, $30. Register by calling 903-885-3443.
Pesticide Applicator Certification (new licensee only): Nov. 13, 2019. $30, Lunch included. Register by calling 903-885-3443.
Veterans Parade November 9th, 2019 – Calling All Marching Bands!
The 4th annual Veterans Parade will take place November 9th, 2019 at 10:00 AM. This year’s Parade Marshall is Clayton McGraw.
The parade will start at Gerald Prim Stadium and wind it’s way east and south to Brookshire’s. Businesses, Churches, and groups of any kind are welcome to join the parade. Businesses are welcomed to advertise on their parade entry. Tossing candy during the parade is encouraged. No matter the entry type, call 903-634-5673 to register.
The parade is desperately needing more marching band entries! If your school or organization has such, please consider entry in this patriotic event. Bands on trailers are also welcome!
The Veterans Parade is organized by Community SEEDS. Donations are welcome.
4 Jailed In Hopkins County Wednesday On Warrants
At least four people were taken jailed in Hopkins County on Wednesday, three on felony charges and one on a misdemeanor warrant, according to arrest and jail reports.
Latasha Monte Childers, 39, of Como was transported at 1:05 p.m. October 2nd from Plane State Jail to Hopkins County jail, where she was held on a bench warrant for violation of probation on a September 26th, 2017 engaging in organized criminal activity charge, according to arrest reports.
Childers remained in the county jail Thursday morning, October 3rd, on that charge as well as local warrants for possession of drug paraphernalia, expired registration, driving while license invalid and failure to maintain financial responsibility, according to jail reports.
Jason Scott Flowers, 38, was transported at 9 a.m. from another location to Hopkins County jail. He was held for violation of probation, which he was on for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Flowers remained in the county jail Thursday morning, Oct. 3, on the charge, according to jail reports.
Robert Kent Schepp, 55, of Pickton was taken into custody at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, October 2nd, in Hopkins County District Court by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Baumann, according to arrest reports.
Schepp arrived in court, where the district judge had him remanded into custody on two possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana charges, the deputy noted in arrest reports.
The Pickton man remained in the county jail on both charges Thursday morning, October 3rd, according to jail reports.
A 22-year-old Mount Vernon man reportedly arrived at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 2nd, and told authorities he believed a warrant had been issued for his arrest. A deputy checked and received confirmation the man was indeed wanted on a misdemeanor charge, according to arrest reports.
The deputy took the man into custody and escorted him into the county jail. He was booked on a misdemeanor warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a possession of 2 ounces or more but less than 4 ounces of marijuana charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
The Mount Vernon man remained in the county jail Thursday morning, October 3rd Bond on the charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs ISD Plans For Early Release Friday
Friday, Oct. 4, is an early release day for Sulphur Spring Independent School District.
All students and staff in the Sulphur Springs ISD will be released an hour early on Friday. Buses will also run one hour ahead of their regular schedule
Families reminded to adjust their schedules for the early release time.
Man’s Repeated Calls To Dairy Queen Result In Arrest
A 61-year-old Sulphur Springs man ended up in jail Wednesday for telephone harassment, after he refused to stop calling Dairy Queen, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs police contacted him at his residence Wednesday afternoon, after receiving complaints that he was constantly calling Dairy Queen from his phone. The officer alleged when he asked him to stop calling the business, the man refused.
When he left the residence, the officer went to Dairy Queen. The man was reportedly still calling the business. The officer alleged when he answered the phone and the man identified himself. The officer had the call on speaker and used his body camera to record while speaking with the man on the phone, according to arrest reports..
Police then returned to the man’s residence and took him into custody for telephone harassment, the officer alleged in arrest reports.
The 61-year-old remained in the county jail on the harassment charge Thursday morning, Oct. 3. Bond was set at $1,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Follow the SSISD Wildcat Marching Band
Please make plans to follow the SSISD Wildcat Band to the UIL State Marching Band Contest in San Antonio. Let’s cheer them on!!!
- Contest Dates:
- Oct 5 – Mesquite; Performance: 4:30
- Oct 12 – Royce City; Performance: 2:45
- Oct 15 UIL Region – Mt. Pleasant Performance: 4:15
- Oct 19 – Commerce; Performance: TBA
- Oct 26 UIL Area – Mesquite; if they qualify
The State Marching Band Contest will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio November 4, 5, & 6 2019.
Pickton School Alumni Reunion Set for October 19 at Pickton Community Center
Paula Altenbaumer grew up near the Pine Forest community and went to school at the old Pickton School, located in southeastern Hopkins County. Paula and other alumni of the Pickton School plan a School Reunion on Saturday October 19, 2019 starting at 10 am inside the Pickton Community Center. A covered dish or pot luck lunch is to be spread at 12 noon. There will be plenty of time to renew friendships, and all former students and school personnel are invited.
Paula attended first through eighth grades at the Pickton School. During her early years, the school held all the students, grades 1-12. In 1965, Paul began school at Como-Pickton High School as a freshman, because consolidation of the two high schools had been decided during the summer of 1965 before the opening day of school. The lower grades remained at the Pickton School until 1974 when the school finally closed down. So, Paula graduated from Como-Pickton High School in 1969, and also will share with the Pickton Class of 1969 when it is honored at the Reunion. Many will be honored similarly who started out as Pickton Hornets and later became Como-Pickton Eagles during their High School years. Additionally, the Reunion will honor members of the classes of 1949 and 1959.
Paula especially remembers teacher Pauline Haydon who put in more than 30 years at the school, and her husband Mr. Haydon who was a bus driver. Sharing of memories of the old school days will be a highlight of the Reunion. Realizing that there are many others like herself who have not forgotten their original school, classmates and teachers, Paula hopes they will come and enjoy the Reunion and find out ways in which they might lend support to the preservation of it’s memories. All that remains on the school grounds is the cafetorium which now serves as the Pickton Community Center. Originally, the Pickton School had no cafeteria and students brought their lunches from home. The original school was built as a WPA project years prior to the cafetorium,, and is no longer standing on the site.
One of Paula’s hobbies is portraying colorful Hopkins County women of history. She sends out a special invitation to anyone who enjoys local history and tradition for the Indian Summer Day in Heritage Park this Saturday October 5, 2019. Maintained by the Hopkins County Historical Society, Heritage Park and Museum will welcome visitors from 8 am til 2 pm. They can tour the many restored buildings, see demonstrations of primitive skills like Dutch Oven cooking and blacksmithing, and take part in interesting activities for children and all ages. A plate of Dutch-Oven lunch will be $5, serving as a fundraiser for the Park. Banjo music will be supplied by Bob Haydon, and dulcimer music will also be going on through the day. Displays will include quilts, leather goods, Indian artifacts and a train depot. Look for Paula dressed as one of Hopkins County’s pioneer women! Cost to enter Heritage Park and Museum at 468 Jackson Street during Indian Summer Day is only $3, with children under age 6 free. If you share an interest in history or primitive skills and traditions, contact Hopkins County Historical Society President Rick Wilson at 903-335-2752.
Flags to Half Staff Sunday October 6th, 2019
On Sunday, October 6, 2019, in accordance with Public Law 107-51, the flags of the United States will be flown at half-staff at all Federal office buildings in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
In observance of this day the Hopkins County Marine Corps League will lower all flags to Half Staff at the Veterans Memorial and around the community @0800 hrs (8AM) . The flags will be returned to full staff @1700 hrs (5PM) the same day.
Semper Fidelis.
Derb Goodman
And the Hopkins County Marine Corps League
Salute to the Battling Boys of Benghazi
Chamber Connection for Oct. 3, 2019
By Lezley Brown, CEO/president, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
The deadline for entry into the World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest is Friday, October 4th at 5 p.m. All cooks signed up for the 50th Annual Stew Cook-off will need to pick up their stew goody bags on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce (110 Main Street). Cooks will receive their grocery reimbursement from the Chamber, their goody bags, and a list of rules and regulations for the Stew Cook-off. First time cooks will have a brief orientation meeting at the Chamber at 6 p.m. that day as well. Please make plans to be there! T-shirts will be available for purchase that night. Call the Chamber for additional information at (903) 885-6515.
I have some more very exciting news! The Chamber of Commerce is currently selling our 2019 Hopkins County Christmas ornament. This ornament is the second of our series and features our beautiful Buford Park, the 50th Anniversary Stew Contest, and beautiful oak trees under a starry sky. It is dated with the year, made with 24 karat gold, shatterproof, and VERY limited in number. They are quite beautiful and the perfect addition to a rare collection. They are $40 each and literally flying out the door. If you would like to purchase one, please call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515, or come by soon.
The Chamber is excited to announce our vendor call for the Stew Fest Market! The Chamber is currently accepting vendors for the Stew Fest Market, which will be located on the south side of Buford Park during Friday night and Saturday Stew Contest activities. This is a great opportunity to sell goods or to promote your business to 7,000 people who attend the Stew Contest annually. Vendors may rent booth space to sell goods or distribute information about their business. Booths will be assigned on a first-paid basis. Access to electricity is not guaranteed. Generators are permitted. Desserts may be sold, but no other food or drinks may be distributed. Vendors who are interested in purchasing booth space, call the Chamber of Commerce at (903) 885-6515.
Texafied JamFest schedules a ribbon cutting
Texafied JamFest is hosting a ribbon cutting celebration on Thursday, Oct. 3 at noon at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. Come by to learn all about the upcoming Texafied JamFest!
Workforce Solutions will host its annual LEAP Conference on Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas is hosting its annual LEAP (Learning Endorsements and Professions) Youth Expo on Friday, Oct. 4. This event is very much like a job fair except that it is geared to educate eighth graders and help guide them as they make their endorsement selections heading into high school. Workforce Solutions is seeking a wide variety of companies and businesses to attend the LEAP Youth Expo to describe your business and expose eighth graders to all career avenues after graduation. Since students now choose their high school endorsements while in eighth grade, the Expo is perfect for them. Over the past two years, they’ve had difficulty getting a veterinarian, doctor, dentist, orthodontist, pilot, author, artist, musician, architect, and sports/personal trainer. Please consider attending this Expo and taking visuals and information to give away. They will be so thankful to have you there! Please call Bart Spivy at (903)794-9490, ext. 513, with any questions.
DBA hosts Worldwide Photo Walk
Our Sulphur Springs DBA is hosting the Worldwide Photo Walk on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. All interested participants should meet at Whimsy, located at 300 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs, that morning. To RSVP, email [email protected].
Dutch Oven Cook-off and Indian Summer Days are scheduled Saturday, Oct. 5
Hopkins County Heritage Park will host Indian Summer Days with the John Chester Dutch Oven Cook-off on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entry fee to the Indian Summer Days is $3.00 per person and includes food and fun for the whole family! While there, you may purchase an all you can eat plate for $5 to the Dutch Oven Cook-off. To enter the Dutch Oven Cook-off, call Rick Wilson at (903) 885-9692.
NETBIO hosts the Cattleman’s Classic Ribeye Roundup
NETBIO hosts the Cattleman’s Classic Ribeye Roundup and Steak Cookoff on Saturday, Oct. 5. Dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and concert will follow featuring country music artist Mike Ryan. You don’t want to miss this!
Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ Flea Market Style/Swap
Join us for a ribbon cutting celebration at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, for Danna and the Buffalo Girls. Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ will be having a flea market style/swap event Oct. 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 20670 State Highway 11 east in Winnsboro. The Highway 11 Treasure Trails, a garage sale stretching from Linden to Sulphur Springs, will be held in conjunction with the Flea Market that same weekend. Visit www.dannasfleamarketstyle.com or call 903-439-7091 for more information.
Eternity Creations is hosting a sweet 16 birthday party
Eternity Creations, located at 301 Gilmer Street, Suite 3, in Sulphur Springs, is hosting their Sweet 16 Birthday Party on Friday, Oct. 11, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to wish Eternity Creations a happy birthday!
Barbara Bush Primary holds a 5K Fun Run
Barbara Bush Primary in Sulphur Springs is holding a Spooktacular 5K & Fun Run benefiting Barbara Bush PTO on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 5:40 p.m. Registration and packet pickup will begin at 5 p.m., the Fun Run will begin at 5:40 p.m., and the 5K will begin at 6 p.m. For entry information, call Barbara Bush Primary at (903) 439-6170.
Ribbon Cuttings
The Chamber of Commerce celebrated their big day with an open house and ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at our new location, 110 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Thank you to everyone who came by to see us. Stop by for a visit at the Chamber anytime!
CasaBlanca the Salon held its ribbon cutting celebration on Friday, Sept. 27, at noon. CasaBlanca is located at 215 A Main Street in Sulphur Springs.
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report For Oct. 1, 2019
Presented to the City Council by City Manager Marc Maxwell on Oct. 1, 2019
SUNSET STREET – This project is nearing completion. The Capital Construction Division is on the last segment of this street. You can see them setting forms for curb & gutter in the photo to the right. I expect them to finish in 3 weeks, as we will still need to tie-in some driveways.
CONNALLY STREET – The contractor, 5W Contracting, has finished about 1/3 of their work on Connally Street. At this rate they should finish in December. The Capital Construction Division will construct the intersections, while 5W will construct the street segments in between. After the street is done, the Capital Construction Division will construct sidewalks on both sides of the street. The sidewalk on the north side of the street is funded by a grant from TxDOT.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – The new aerators are working very well at the wastewater treatment plant. The contractor, Gracon, has refitted half of the old aerator basins with the new diffused-aeration systems. They will refit the remaining basins this month. Afterwards, all that remains is the reconstruction of the road, a few sidewalks and other miscellaneous items. This project will be finished in January. We are already seeing fantastic numbers out of the plant.
CLAIMS – We did not have any liability claims in September, but we did have one workers’ compensation claim for a broken finger. The water treatment plant employee was treated and released to work.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will not give a year-to-date report of revenues and expenditures since this is only the first day of the month, but she will present a variance report for the full year at the next regularly scheduled city council meeting.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
• Repaired Raintree lift station.
• Repaired the chlorine feed at the wastewater treatment plant.
• Repaired the fountain pump at the airport.
• Repaired the plaza fountain.
• Repaired one a/c unit at city hall.
• Received bids for roofs at the airport (storm damage).
• Shredded the easement for the sewer outfall line.
• Placed rip rap at treated sewer discharge in Rock Creek to prevent further washout.
• Treated wastewater to a daily average total suspended solids reading of .45 mg/L.
• Repaired 14 water main ruptures.
• Replaced 27 water meters.
• Unstopped 6 sewer mains.
• Repaired 2 sewer mains.
• Washed 78,000 feet of sewer mains.
• Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
• Treated 156 million gallons of potable water.
Sold 2,395 gallons of AvGas and 7,577 gallons of JetA fuel.
• Checked out 3,215 items from the library plus 807 eBooks.
• Conducted 35 building inspections, 23 electrical inspections, 16 plumbing inspections, 7 mechanical inspections and issued 24 building permits.
• Responded to 198 animal control calls and achieved an adoption rate of 60%.
• Made 5 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
• Responded to 2,698 police calls, made 81 arrests, recorded 85 offences, wrote 494 citations, and responded to 29 accidents in the Patrol Division.
• Responded to 212 fire/rescue calls including 1 structure fire and 6 grass fires.
• Conducted 50 fire inspections and reviewed 50 pre-fire plans.
• Performed preventative maintenance on 68 fire hydrants.
• Treated athletic fields for army worms.
• Prepared soccer fields for the season.
• Hosted a 36-team baseball tournament.
• Made 13 major street repairs following utility repairs.
• Patched 15 potholes.
• Installed signs at Mel Haven cemetery.
• Ordered pipe and parts for Bellview Street.
