Transcript Document

IPM Concepts
For Sport Fields
David J. Shetlar, Ph.D.
The BugDoc
Landscape Entomologist
The Ohio State University
IPM Concepts
Program - Way of Thinking
Preventive - Reactive
Single Control - Multiple Controls
Pest Thresholds
IPM Principles and Concepts
Pest Management
versus
Pest Eradication
Integrated Pest Management
(IPM)
A Definition
IPM is a process where the selection,
integration, and implementation of pest
control (biological, chemical or cultural)
is based on predicted economic,
ecological, and sociological
consequences.
IPM Principles and Concepts
IPM Core Concepts
No single pest control method will be
successful.
Monitoring (sampling) of the pest is
constantly needed.
Mere presence of a pest is no
reason to justify action.
IPM Principles and Concepts
IPM is NOT:
a biological control program
an organic program
a pesticide free program
the most expensive approach
the least expensive approach
IPM Principles and Concepts
IPM is:
a decision making process that
is based on ecological, economic
and sociological values/restrictions,
uses pest monitoring and sampling,
and considers all of the control
options.
IPM Principles and Concepts
Traditional Approaches
(based on crops)
sample pest populations on a
regular basis.
develop pest economic injury levels.
determine economic threshold
levels (action thresholds) for each
crop and pest.
IPM Principles and Concepts
Problems Applying Field Crop
Concepts to Athletic Fields
athletic fields are aesthetic “crops”
general public fear of “chemicals”
turf is a perennial that changes
over time
plant stress is caused by field
usage
IPM Principles and Concepts
Urban Approaches
(for landscapes)
Key Plants - plants prone to
damaging pest problems.
Key Pests - pests that can cause
serious damage or plant loss.
Do you use IPM and not realize it??
Use targeted applications?
Look before you spray?
Select least toxic pesticides?
(soaps, oils, Bt)
Keep records of pest activity?
Practice turf health care?
The IPM Process
Ask, “What is the cause of the pest
problem?”
Can the cause be eliminated?
Will “Turf Health Care” reduce or
eliminate the pest?
Are cultural or biological controls
available and effective?
What is the least toxic pesticide or
pesticide usage strategy?
Turf Selection
AVOID “Contractor’s Blend”!!!!
Use blend of CULTIVARS of SAME
species, not several species!
Turf-Type (dwarf) tall fescues are well
adapted to Ohio sport fields, especially
lower maintenance ones!
Ryegrasses establish fast, but are
disease and drought prone!
Kentucky bluegrass establishes slow,
requires extensive fertilizer & water!
Fertilizing Sport Fields
Use fertilizers to increase root depth
and density and increase stem density.
Return clippings to turf to recycle
nutrients.
Use slow release, balanced
fertilizers and/or urban composts.
Concentrate fertilizer applications
for periods of root growth - late April to
mid-May and again in October into
November.
Weed Control Approach
(BASIC STRATEGY - dense, tall turf tends to
reduce weed invasion)
Mow high, 2 inches MINIMUM.
Promote root growth – fertilize in early
spring and/or fall.
Reduce wear traffic – rotate goals and
field design if possible; develop practice
fields; core aerify twice per year.
Overseed or slit-seed when needed.
Use herbicides only when necessary.
Turf Weeds
Standard Control
Cover Spray
Preemergent
Broadleaf
Early Summer
Fall (?)
IPM Management
Monitor + Records
Determine Treatment(s)
Area Spray
Preemergent
Broadleaf
Spot Spray
Broadleaf
Monitor & Record
Are there herbicide alternatives?
Corn gluten meal has demonstrated
preemergent herbicide activity.
Rather expensive and a weak
herbicide.
Most of action is likely nutrient value
from decomposition of meal - added
fertility thickens turf and reduces weed
invasion!
Insect Control Approach
(BASIC STRATEGY - use resistant turf species
and create deep root systems)
Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass w/o endophyte
& fine fescues w/o endophytes are most
susceptible to surface insects.
Ryegrasses and fescues with endophytes are
resistant to surface insects.
Fertilize in spring & fall, reduce irrigation in
summer to discourage grubs.
Use insecticides only when necessary.
Turf Insects
Standard Control
Cover Spray
Surface Insecticide
Chinch bugs
Billbugs
Sod webworms
Grub Insecticide
Preventive (sold)
Rescue (not sold)
IPM Management
Monitor + Risk (records)
Determine Treatment(s)
Area Treat
Chinch Bugs
Billbugs
Sod Webworms
White Grubs
Monitor & Record
Turf Insecticide LD50s
Organophosphates (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors)
980
Acephate (Orthene)
270
Chlorpyrifos (Dursban)
Diazinon
400
Ethoprop (Mocap)
62
18
Fonofos (Crusade)
20
Isofenphos (Oftanol)
Isazofos (Triumph)
40-60
Malathion
1000
Trichlorfon (Dylox/Proxol) 250
Turf Insecticide LD50s
Carbamates (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors)
Bendiocarb (Turcam)
Carbaryl (Sevin)
156
246
Pyrethroids (disrupt nerve sodium pump)
Bifenthrin (Talstar)
Cyfluthrin (Tempo)
Fluvalinate (Mavrik)
L-cyhalothrin (Scimitar)
Permethrin (Astro)
375
826
282
79
430
Turf Insecticide LD50s
Chloronicotinyl (post-synaptic block of nicotinic ACH sites)
Imidacloprid (Merit)
450
Spinosad (synaptic block of nicotinic ACH sites)
Spinosads (Conserve) 3783-5000
Diacylhydrazine (molt accelerating compound, induces molt)
Halofenozide (MACH2)
2850
Fatty Acid Salts (membrane disruption)
Insecticidal Soaps
16,900
BT delta-endotoxins (insect gut lining disruption)
B. thuringiensis
>5000
Are there alternatives to
insecticides?
Insect parasitic nematodes are
effective, but expensive and inconsistent.
Milky disease of Japanese beetles
does not affect other species of grubs. In
Ohio, the disease is a weak pathogen that
will eventually occur “naturally.” Very
expensive to apply.
Endophytes provide long term,
consistent control (of surface insects).
Simple slit seeding of endophytic ryegrass into KBG
resulted in a 30 to 50% stand of endophyte - enough
to control surface insects!
Why do we want quality athletic
fields for our schools or
municipalities?
Pride (it looks better!)
SAFETY! (It has been shown
time and again that a high quality
turf playing surface reduces
athletic injuries!)
Our view on
television!
Typical School reality for athletic fields!
Most common problems with
school/municipal athletic fields
“Manager” has little or no turf maintenance
training and insufficient time and personnel to
maintain the turf.
Poor turf varieties on native soils.
Soil compaction, poor drainage, low fertility,
improper mowing.
Too much “multi-purpose” usage!
Coach demands – usage, mowing height!
Sport Fields are DIFFERENT
from Lawns!
Sport fields require higher fertility amounts
to maintain root and stem density.
Sport fields should drain rapidly.
Sport fields should be kept growing through
summer season - irrigation.
Sport fields will need repair or renovation
on a regular basis.
General Sport Field Maintenance
Needs 4 to 6 pounds Nitrogen/1000ft2/
year (twice that of lawns).
Preemergent herbicides may reduce
seed germination needed in reseeded
areas. Avoid usage.
Broadleaf herbicides may be needed
annually until density reduces invasion.
Apply when no play is expected.
Mowing frequency may be double that
of lawn areas (2 - 3 times per week)
General Sport Field Maintenance
Should be irrigated during drought
months to keep turf green.
Core aerify at least once per year,
prefer two times per year.
Overseed once or twice per year,
especially in “wear” places.
Long Term Goals for School &
Municipal Sport Fields
Separate “general use” fields from
varsity/tournament fields.
Attempt to keep varsity field only for
sport events and other special events.
Require most practice to take place on
general use fields.
Design general use fields so that goals
can be relocated (change wear patterns
regularly).
Final Recommendations
Have school/municipal district develop
a general management plan for grounds
(play areas, lawns and ornamental plants)
and athletic fields (general use and varsity
sports). Emphasize improving turf
cultivars, define fertilizer rates, and
identify what pesticides are acceptable
and when.
Provide funding and time for
maintenance personnel to receive training
on turf and ornamental plant care.
Other Options
Many districts have little to no funding for
grounds and sport field maintenance.
Parent groups may assist by providing special
funding or help. You will need a well defined
management protocol that can be followed by
such novices.
Many local lawn care companies will donate
materials and personnel to maintain lawns and
athletic fields. They will gladly follow YOUR
protocols IF you have them!