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Observations with the NASA Lenses (from a golf course superintendent in Washington)
General: Different viewing times can give quite different interpretations of problems. Morning, noon or afternoon and especially bright sun or cloud cover and even shade. Water management: This time of year, am I applying too much? Slow green speed, too soft a surface, or too soft on collars and approaches? The other side: Too firm, too dry, and hot spots, or the expense of applying unneeded water! The lenses have become a unique tool in my management system. I have observed dry areas on greens that to the naked eye are only the size of a baseball, when the lenses are used, it is actually the size of a basketball. Areas that, again to the naked eye, are green and vibrant are showing dryness. Upon using a soil probe, they are dry. Only the lenses are seeing this. Do not be misled by the thought of under management, I am currently using both wettings agents, through a hose end sprayer and a dry applied. Disease: At this point I am only dealing with fusarium. The observations were astounding! I saw 15-20 dime to quarter size dots on 3 of my 20 greens. Since our program is set up as a curative rather then preventative system, normal procedure would be to watch it a day and see if the turf grows out of this condition or not. Well I thought let’s try out those new gimmick lenses. Hah! Under the lenses I could see my greens had measles. I’m not kidding, the greens were covered with disease I couldn’t see. I sprayed. The next day the normal outer ring that shows healthy and growing fusarium was gone. I looked through the lenses, still measles, I have never been able to observe fusarium after it is stopped. Well, a week later, the measles are still there, only through the lenses, but I still can’t see this with the naked eye, nor can any of my spraying crew! Observing the recovering dots, I note the grass plants are actually greener and leaf blade is wider. I have now become a researcher (haha) what will other disease look like? I am now taking pictures with my camera through the lenses. I am certain more images will turn up. POA ANNUA: Didn’t mention the seourge! The lenses key in on this turf beautifully. One doesn’t know how much POA one has, until observed through them. Not only do you see all the POA in the green, (tee, fairway, rough) but the seed head production as well. I have now advanced my seed head suppreion spray as I can see the build-up before it surfaces to the naked eye. I am also seeing POA die back which at this point there isn’t any cure that I am aware of. Sometimes these lenses tell you too much! Negative: Early light air in the morning 5:00 am – 7:00 am with cloud cover is harder to see; as the lenses are dark in shade I am not seeing the dry spots as well. Can’t see disease as well either. Definitely helps to have clear skies and sunlight.
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