1. Turf Production Without Pesticides
Glen Sampson

2. A Change in Attitude Prevention is the key
Treating the cause rather than the symptoms
pesticides are no longer the only way to go
We cannot only be concerned about the specific site we are dealing with but adjacent areas as well
Total site management not just pest management
We must be more knowledgeable about what is going on in a turf

3. Growing Turf Without “Pesticides”
The philosophy of growing turf (or anything else) without pesticides is simply that a healthy soil grows healthy plants
When you feed the beneficial life in the soil, those growing populations of microorganisms begin to accomplish many jobs that now consume great amounts of your time, money, and energy.

4. Key Definitions
Plant Health Care (PHC) – A comprehensive system for managing the appearance, structure, and vitality of ornamental landscapes and sports turf within client expectations
Site evaluation and preparation
Plant selection, establishment, and cultivation
Pest management
Plant removal and utilization
Integrated Pest Mgt. (IPM) – A method for managing pests that combines cultural, biological, and chemical control tactics into a single management strategy
IPM is an essential component of the PHC management system!

5. Key Definitions Pest – any organism that
threatens the health, structure, appearance, or value of desirable plants
Competes with desirable plants for resources
Diminishes personal enjoyment, comfort, or safety in the landscape
Most organisms in the landscape are not pests
Many organisms make positive contributions to the landscape
A “pest” is not always a pest
Not all pests require control

6. Categorizing the site Class A Class B Class C
High level of service: fine ornamental lawns, golf and lawn bowling greens, irrigated sports fields.
Class B
Moderate level of service: general park areas, residential and commercial lawns, boulevards, recreational fields, golf fairways.
Class C
Low level of service: meadows, picnic areas, rough grass, undeveloped and naturalized areas.

7. IPM is:
A pest management philosophy that utilizes all suitable pest management techniques and methods to keep pest populations below economically injurious levels or below what causes damage that is aesthetically unacceptable.
Prevention is the key
Each pest management technique must be environmentally sound and compatible with turf/landscape manager’s objectives.

8. A changing perspective on IPM and its implementation
an increasingly competitive market
higher expectations
continued societal concerns over pesticides
increasing regulations in many areas
newer, less-toxic products
Treating problems rather than symptoms

9. Societal and industry concerns
Environmental concerns
Pesticide contamination of urban creeks, estuaries, and other waterways is an increasing concern
Health concerns
Chronic health concerns, environmental sensitivities
Pesticide resistance
Pest resurgence
Pest replacement
These are industry concerns as well as societies concern.

10. Glyphosate Resistant Buckthorn Plantain
Rates:
L/ha 2 4 6 8 10
Glyphosate resistant Susceptible

11. Sustainable Landscape Practices
Best Management Practices
Emphasize plant health and longevity
creating outdoor spaces that utilize fewer inputs
are environmentally friendly
are self-perpetuating over a period of time.
Improve the environment by conserving resources, reducing chemical inputs and reduce labour inputs

12. Manage pests
Most problems in lawns are not caused by pests, such as weeds, insects or disease-causing pathogens.
Damage is more likely the result of poor turfgrass selection or improper maintenance practices.
Providing proper care and using an appropriate turfgrass species can prevent the majority of lawn problems.

13. Does IPM work?
“If our team invested time monitoring the turf conditions and paid attention to what were the stressors on a specific area such as a sports field, we knew we could keep the area very healthy with good plant cultural practices,” -Karen Richter, Organizational Leader of Parks Maintenance at the City of Waterloo.
With the consistent application of sound horticultural practices, Waterloo decreased its use of pesticides at a steady pace throughout the 1980s. By the mid-1980s, the city had eliminated blanket spraying. By 1990, Waterloo spot sprayed less than 10 per cent of its green space.

14. Basic Principles of IPM
A dense, vigorously growing, healthy plant population will resist invasion by pests
Pests must be kept below levels that are incompatible with the purpose of the desirable species

15. A Good Pest Management Strategy
A good pest management strategy incorporates some or all methods available to manage a given pest.
The goal
to reduce pest populations and damage to economically and aesthetically tolerable levels. Complete eradication may not be possible, practical, or desirable.

16. A Good Pest Management Strategy
Prevention
Prevention the introduction and/or spread of a pest
Into or away from a site
Exclusion One of the safest and most effective ways to manage pests in the home environment is to deny them access - pest-proofing
Exclusion by Regulation
Mechanical Exclusion

17. What does a Turf IPM program look like
Tom Voigt and Tom Fermanian - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

18. Establishing new turf Rapid establishment of turf is desirable
Reduces erosion
Suppresses weed seed germination and weed growth
Optimum seeding rates ( kg 100m2)
Healthy turf to enter winter

19. Pre-plant weed control
Cultivation
Irrigate to allow germination of weeds in planting bed.
Follow up with a shallow (less than 1 inch) cultivation after weeds have emerged but before they get too big (usually before they have 4 leaves).
Repeat the irrigation and cultivation cycle two or three times for best results.
Summer cultivation for perennials
For perennial weeds, it is ideal to repeatedly cultivate soil in summer, keeping it completely dry for extended periods to dehydrate propagules (stems, rhizomes, or tubers).
Herbicide application
Irrigate to allow germination of weed seeds in planting bed.
Apply non-selective herbicide, such as glyphosate.
Repeat the irrigation and herbicide cycle if necessary.
Solarization
Solarization is very effective during the hottest part of the year. Six weeks are required for best results

20. Role of soil microorganisms
Fertilize by fixing nitrogen from the air, mineralizing soil organic nutrient, generating carbon dioxide, and dissolving mineral nutrient from rock
De-thatch by composing thatch and other organic matter into valuable nutrients and humus, which in turn increase the water and nutrient holding capacity of the soil
Aerate the soil
Control many insect and disease problems by competition and predation

21. Soil amendments and fertilizers
Fertilizers vs. soil amendments
Fertilizers improve the supply of nutrients in the soil, directly affecting plant growth. Soil amendments improve a soil's physical condition (e.g. soil structure, water infiltration), indirectly affecting plant growth.
Topsoil
Topsoil may be added to raise the soil level to a minimum depth of 6 to 8 inches.
The topsoil should be mixed into the existing soil.
Soil pH
The ideal soil pH ranges from
Grass loses it comprtitive ability at lower pH

22. Soil amendments Organic (material) amendments
Organic material improves soil structure.
Organic material can be added to sandy soils to increase nutrient and moisture retention.
Clay soils can also be amended with organic material to help loosen the soil and provide better aeration and drainage.
Compost is the easiest organic material to use.
A rotary tiller works best to incorporate the organic material to your soil.
A layer of inches spread over your site should be tilled to a depth of inches.

23. Choose and identify your turf species
Successful selection of a turf grass requires knowing how the turf will be used, where it will be grown and what level of quality is desired
Failure to properly identify a turf grass species can lead to mistakes in maintenance.
not all turf grass species tolerate the same mowing height or frequency.
Irrigation frequency and the amount of water needed vary among species as do the frequency and amount of fertilizer.
Turf grasses also differ in how they adapt to sun, shade, and temperature.
Most lawns are mixtures of various turf grass species.

24. Endophytic grasses
Endophyte is a naturally occurring fungus that grows symbiotically in the grass plant.
It produces compounds that prevent insects from feeding on the leaves and stems of the plant.
Improved performance under low maintenance situations makes some of the endophytic forms good candidates for low maintenance uses such as on roadside right of ways and in parks.
The presence of the fungus improves plant vigour and helps with resistance to some environmental stresses.
Avanex™ - endophyte tall fescue for airports – research has shown that it reduces bird populations by 87%

25. Concerns with endophytic grasses
Animal toxicity – alkaloids -Ergovaline
Reduced biodiversity
Invasive species
Storage issues that affect the viability of the endophytes – therefore, variety may not perform as expected

26. Lawn care for established lawns
No two lawns are exactly alike. Lawns may differ by turf species, soil type, climate, location, how they are used, and how they are maintained. Tailor a program with the specifics of your situation in mind.
A good maintenance program includes
Mowing
Irrigating
Fertilizing
Dethatching
Aerating
A well-planned and executed maintenance program will produce good-looking, green turf grass that will quickly recover from wear, pest damage, or mechanical injury

27. Lawn renovation Some causes of lawns deterioration
from poor maintenance,
inadequate drainage
heavy traffic
pest problems,
weed invasions,
simply because the wrong grass species was planted.

28. Lawn Renovation Neglected lawns
Take better care of your lawn and bring it back to life with regular maintenance.
Localized problems - Partially renovate your lawn by patching.
Problem areas spread throughout the lawn
Overseed your lawn.
Severe problems encompassing more than 40% of the lawn
Completely renovate your lawn by killing it and starting over from scratch.
Don't repeat mistakes! Find the cause of your problems before you renovate

29. Weeds as stress indicators in turf
Species Condition
Annual bluegrass low fertility, compact soil, mowing too short, excessive moisture
Buttercup Excessive moisture
Chickweed thin grass, excessive moisture
Clover low nitrogen, drought, compaction
Crabgrass thin grass, low fertility, compaction
Dandelion thin grass, low fertility, mowing too short
Hawkweed low pH

30. Weeds as stress indicators in turf
Species Condition
Sheep sorrel low pH
Moss heavy shade, low fertility, low pH
Plantain low fertility, mowing too short
Dock excessive moisture
Creeping charlie excessive shade

31. Overseeding a lawn When should you overseed?
Your lawn appears to be in good condition, but just a little thin
Thinning lawn following winter
High traffic areas
Always determine and solve the cause of your current problem before beginning repairs, and plan to seed at a time of year appropriate to the planted turf species.
What should you overseed with?
If your lawn is in relatively good condition in most areas, choose the seed mix you used in the past or turf recommended for overseeding

32. Patching the lawn with seed, sod, sprigs, plugs, stolons
Overseeding your lawn
Closely mow the turf and rake up the debris
Dethatch and aerate
Seed, fertilize, and irrigate
Maintenance
Patching the lawn with seed, sod, sprigs, plugs, stolons
Dig out the affected area
Work the soil
Replant with seed, sod, stolons, sprigs, plugs
Complete renovation
Kill the existing turf and weeds
Remove the remaining turf
Rethink your irrigation system
Prepare the soil

33. Thinning lawn

34. What are the abiotic stress factors
Compaction

35. Examples of poor design that can lead to problems

36. Abiotic factors
Dog Urine

37. Abiotic factors
Fertilizer burn

38. Abiotic factors
Nitrogen deficiency

39. Abiotic factors
Uneven fertilizer application

40. Abiotic factors
Overwatering

41. Abiotic factors
Glyphosate (Roundup damage)

42. Abiotic factors
Items left on lawn

43. Abiotic factors
Scalping

44. Abiotic factors
Shade

45. Abiotic factors
Dull mower blades

46. Components of a Sustainable Urban Landscape/Golf Course Program
Fertility management
Mowing practices
Water management
Traffic management
Weed management
Disease and insect management
Integrated pest (turf) management =

47. “A pest management philosophy”
Recognizes there is no “cure-all” in pest control.
Dependence on any one pest management method will have undesirable effects.
Determine and correct the cause of the pest problem.
Understanding Pest biology and ecology is essential.
Manipulate the environment to the crop’s advantage and to the detriment of the pest.
Recognizes that eradication of a pest is seldom necessary or even desirable, and generally not possible.
Some damage is unavoidable and acceptable

48. Effective pest management plans
are comprehensive in scope
integrate agronomic and biological principles
integrates cultural, biological and chemical pest control practices.
They provide proven, science-driven and reliable methods for resolving the sometimes conflicting goals that golf course superintendents face
producing consistently high quality, high playability turf
at the same time reducing environmental impacts and keeping within budget constraints.

49. Schematic of IPM Concept
Toolbox of management tactics:
Biological Controls
Cultural Controls
Mechanical Controls
Chemical Controls
Decision-making aids:
Proper Pest Identification
Pest Monitoring Methods
Environmental Monitoring
Use of Degree Days
Models economic injury
Action thresholds
Knowledge of pest/host/ecosystem biology:
Life Cycle
Behaviour
Seasonal
Cycle
Population
dynamics
Interaction
Schematic of IPM Concept

50. Approaches for Turf Protection using IPM
Regulation using certified seed, sod, sprigs
Genetic selection of the best adapted species/cultivars for the location
Cultural – a healthy grass means fewer problems
Physical – isolating areas where pests are a problem
Biological – favouring natural competition
Chemical

51. The ability to identify, understand the biology and stay abreast of control strategies for golf course pests – including weeds, diseases, insects and other arthropods and nematodes – is essential for development and implementation of IPM plans.

52. “Each Pest Control Technique Must be Environmentally Sound” Risk vs
“Each Pest Control Technique Must be Environmentally Sound” Risk vs. Benefits

53. And “Compatible with With Producers Objectives”

54. Pest Identification
What are the key pests to be managed in the system, what are their life cycles, how do they reproduce and how do they disperse.
Text books
Fact sheets
Specialists
Expert pest id systems

59. Monitoring - What’s Needed
Site Descriptions
Past history, soil factors, fertility level, drainage, management
Develop a descriptive and predictive models
What pests are most likely to occur, ways in which they can be introduced and seriousness of the problem
Identify and fill in knowledge gaps
Life cycles, reproductive strategy
Biology, ecology

60. MONITORING
Based on visual inspections (rough estimations) and on pest counts, presence
It is important to keep written records of all counts, as well as notes from visual inspections for future reference.
Photographs are useful as a record.

61. Diagnosing your problem
Lawn problems are difficult to diagnose, and the diagnosis process can be quite complex.
Remember that most turf grass problems are caused by improper management practices, not by insects or diseases.
Before you begin the diagnostic process, take a look at how you manage your lawn. You may be able to solve your problem by simply changing your cultural practices.

62. Diagnostic tips Know the history of your lawn
Know your predominant turf species
Identify the problem when you first see symptoms
Check for symptoms in the early morning
Collect entire grass plant samples
Perform a drench test
Get help

63. Drench test

64. Winter dessication

65. Pink Snow Mold
Michrodochium nivale

66. Gray Snow mold
Typhula spp.

67. anthracnose
Colletotrichum graminicola

68. Colletotrichum graminicola

69. Sclerotinia homoeocarpa
Dollar spot
Sclerotinia homoeocarpa

70. Fairy ring

71. Crane flies

72. White grubs

73. Japanese Beetle

74. European Chafer

75. Chafer Damage

76. June Bug

77. Black Turfgrass Ataenius

78. Black Turfgrass Ataenius damage

79. White Grubs
Japanese Beetle
European Chafer
June Beetle

80. Chinch bug

81. Action Threshold
Pest Population at which a grower must take action to prevent a pest populations from reaching the economic injury level
Economic threshold is slightly below the economic injury level
Pest populations must be increasing

82. Economic Injury Level (Aesthetic)
Action Threshold
Pest
Density
Pest Population
This graph explains the relationship of the Economic Injury Level to the Economic Threshold. The red arrow may indicate a pesticide application which was applied at the economic threshold and did not allow the pest population to reach the Economic Injury Level.
Time

83. Action thresholds In turf, it is difficult to put a dollar value
Therefore it is dictated by the individuals tolerance for pest damage -aesthetic
Aesthetic threshold – similar to economic threshold except based on what is visually unacceptable
Most lawns can withstand some loss of foliage without quality and growth being affected
May need to adjust aesthetic sensitivities to allow for a little more damage

84. “To Keep Pests Below the Economic Injury Level”
Cost of control = $ amount of damage caused by the pest
Includes amount of pest damage
Cost of each control practice
Are determined through extensive research
Economic Injury Level is the information that is necessary to develop an Economic Threshold, which is used by crop advisors

85. Action thresholds of some common pests
Number per sq. ft.
Monitoring method
Army worms
3-4
Visual, soap flush
Chinch bugs
20 adults
Flotation, soap flush
Cutworms 1
White grubs
Visual

86. Action thresholds for cranefly
Average # larvae per sq. ft
Decision
0- 25
Do nothing; fertilize appropriately. May need to treat if turf is young, not well established and with poor root structure
If your lawn is vigorous and healthy, do nothing. Decisions are based on the health of the turf, your personal tolerance, location and use of the turf
50-80
Treat crane fly problem. Look towards long-term solutions, such as replacing problem areas with a turf alternative species.

87. Insect traps for monitoring
Visual cues – color traps
omnidirectional shape
smooth poly surface
scientifically tapered cone
attractive, permanent yellow color

88. Growing degree days
Daily high + daily low/2 – base development temperature of the insect=daily degree days
Below the base development temperature the insect will not develop. Insects vary in their base development temperature. The base development temperature of European corn borer is 7oC

89. Example Can use a max-min thermometer Cumulative total Max = 25oC
Min = 10oC
Average = 17.5oC
Subtract base temperature 7oC
Total degree days = 10.5
Cumulative total

90. Chinch bug and damage

91. Hairy Chinch Bug Blissus leucopterus hirtus
Immature nymphs - bright red in colour when they first hatch, and begin to darken from brick red to grey/brown when they are nearly mature
Characteristic white band across their abdomen which is eventually covered by the enlarging wings as the insects become larger and mature.

92. Control - monitoring
obtain a large can which has a circular area of approximately 200 centimetres
cut out the bottom and the top to form a cylinder and force this into the turf
fill the cylinder with water, the chinch bugs will soon float to the surface where they can be seen

93. Growing degree days – Chinch bug
max temperature – min temperature – base temperature 2
427 and 877 degree-days (7ºC base, air temperature)
numbers of second and third instar nymphs peak between mid-July and mid-August.
Threshold -100 nymphs per sq ft.
Based on growing degree-days for
normal years - monitor for chinch
bugs from July 1 to mid-August.

94. Annual bluegrass BIOLOGY a winter annual, cool-season grass.
The leaf tips are boat-shaped like the bow of a boat.
Poa has a prominent membranous ligule and a shallow, fibrous root system.
The plant oftentimes is lighter green than perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass and creeping bentgrass.

95. Annual Bluegrass

96. Annual Bluegrass
Annual Bluegrass is a lighter green colour than Kentucky Bluegrass or Fine Fescue and therefore causes discoloration throughout the lawn
It has a tendency to thin out and die during summer drought conditions. This can cause areas of patching which weeds and insects will take advantage of.
its seed head production is higher than Kentucky Bluegrass or Fine Fescue, which causes the lawn to appear overrun and not well maintained and gives it an unsightly look.

97. Control of Annual Bluegrass
Use certified seed and cut out and re-seed bare areas or overseed later in season
Aerating your lawn once a year
Water deeply and infrequently to encourage good root development in your Fescue and Bluegrass lawns.
Mow at 2 1/2 to 3 inches to discourage development of seed heads.U
Unless a soil test recommends otherwise, cut back on applying high phosphorus fertilizers
Slow release N fertilizers and spread over the summer

98. Control
Insecticides
cultural and mowing practices that minimize thatch accumulation
WATCH FOR Chinch bugs when weather turns hot and dry
Weekly deep waterings

99. Should Pesticides be used in an IPM Program?
Pesticides used only as a last resort and in a manner that is legal.
Pesticides are to be used when there is no risk of environmental damage or when benefits outweigh the risks. Use pesticides only when other control practices aren’t available, economical or practical.
Must monitor pest populations in the field.
Identify the pest
Compare pest population and the economic threshold
Life stage susceptible to pesticide?
Crop stage and preventable loss.

100. What is “Cultural Control”
Agronomic practices that are designed to:
Optimize growing conditions for the desirable plants. Anything that increases a plant’s competitive edge will result in increased tolerance to pests often resulting in reduced pesticide use.
Create unfavorable conditions for the pest
E.g. fertility management, irrigation scheduling, mowing heights

101. What is Mechanical Control?
Uses machinery and/or other tools to control pests
Mowing
Physical barriers
Mulches
Floating mulch
Greens covers

102. What is Sanitary Control?
Methods to avoid introducing a pest into a site
Cleaning equipment –mowers, golf carts, fertilizer applicators
Planting certified seed
Quarantines

103. What is Natural Control?
Enhancement of naturally occurring pest management methods
Beneficial insects
Beneficial diseases

104. What is Biological Control?
Manipulation of biological organism to control pests
Release of predators/parasites/disease of an insect or weed
Can be time consuming, expensive and difficult
E.g. cinnabar moth,

105. Registered Bioherbicides
“Biomal” for roundleaf mallow control
2003 – “Chontrol” for woody shrubs along rights of way
2007 – “Sarritor” limited use of Sclerotinia minor on dandelion

106. Dandelion

107. Dandelion control

108. Biological Pesticides
Herbicides
Fungicides
Insecticides
Sarritor™
Biomal™
Chontrol™
Nivalis™
Mycostop™
Rootshield™
Serenade™ (Bacillus Subtilis)
Rhapsody™
BTK – Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.)
Beauveria bassiana

109. Constraints for use of biological pesticides
Environmental
Specific temperature and moisture requirements
Formulation
Shelf life
Specificity

110. Natural Products Herbicides Fungicides Insecticides
Acetic acid (vinegar)
Citric Acid
Organosol™ (Lactic acid/citric acid)
Fiesta™ (FeHDTA)
Elemental Sulphur
Garlic powder
Borax
Garlic oil

111. What is Host Plant Resistance?
Manipulating the plant to withstand or tolerate pests
Natural breeding method
Genetically modified plants
Not a permanent method of control
Examples: resistant varieties, endophyte grasses

112. Barriers to adaptation of IPM
There is a large gap between the general IPM principles found in textbooks and the development of site-specific strategies that address issues of climate and weather, turf varieties, soil and water quality, specific pest complexes, client/golfer expectations and varying budgets.
There are currently few tools available to landscapers/superintendents that bridge this gap, and as a result, IPM programs are rarely realized to their full potential.

113. Barriers to adaptation of IPM
Once IPM plans are developed, they cannot remain static.
Shifts in pest populations
Changes in client/golf course expectations and budgets
The introduction of new products, technologies and scientific information
Require methods of evaluating new advances as well as procedures for periodic updating of IPM plans.

114. Barriers to adaptation of IPM
Monitoring (for pests, weather, equipment operation/calibration and for the quality of water, soil and turf) and record keeping are the backbone of any successful IPM program
Information on monitoring and record keeping tools and procedures needs to be centralized and presented in a form that is easily accessible to landscapers/golf course superintendents.

115. Barriers to adaptation of IPM
Objective evaluation of the success (or failure) of newly introduced practices in meeting turf maintenance goals.
Without tools for assessing the effectiveness of new techniques, the landscapers/superintendent’s ability to justify and promote their management decisions can be compromised.

116. Barriers to adaptation of IPM
Superintendents vary widely in their technical backgrounds, computer literacy access to information.
And golf courses vary widely in their interest in IPM principles and the budgets available to implement them.
Yet the ability to incorporate IPM into turf management programs should be feasible for all interested superintendents and golf courses
Rather than assuming a “one size fits all” approach to IPM, successful plans need to be flexible enough to take these differences into account and to make it possible for superintendents at levels to participate.

117. IPMgolfpro™ SPRAY & SCOUT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
IPM golfpro™ is a web based software specifically designed for golf course Superintendents to track and manage their Spray and Scout activities.
IPM golfpro™ offers the following:
Easy to use and understand
Plan, execute, track and document your pest management strategies
Generate reports required by the IPM regulatory legislation
Track your Fertilizer and Pesticide usage
Calibrate your Sprayers
Track your staff Training history

118. PRICING: Annual Subscription in CAD$ (plus applicable taxes)
Annual subscription to IPM golfpro™ software includes initial course setup, technical support, maintenance and updates
PRICING: Annual Subscription in CAD$ (plus applicable taxes)
Number of Holes
9 $349
18 $698
27 $1047
36 $1396