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PESTICIDE LAWS AND REGULATIONS

1) Licenses- A pesticide license is required by law for all applicators to apply restricted pesticides. -For turf an ornamental: a) Custom grounds-Can buy and apply off property b) Arborist- only license to spray above 5 meters c) Golf Course -Supervisory- buy and use or supervise only on golf course property -Operators- holder can apply under direction of supervisor- cannot buy.

2) Records- Must be kept for 5 years(samples) - Include applicator (name and license #) - pesticide applied - location applied - amount applied - date -Target pest -Comments

3) EPA # -all pesticides sold in state must have an EPA registration #

4) Labels- all pesticides must be labeled 5) MSDS- all pesticides must have a MSDS sheet must be available to all employees 6) Pesticide use forms must be submitted to DEP at conclusion of each year.

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7) Posting Posting laws-golf course and homeowner -model for other states Registry 8) Pesticide Storage Facility 9) Phone # of Poison Control Center

PESTICIDE SAFETY EQUIPMENT 1) Gloves 2) Disposable suit 3) Boots 4) Safety glasses 5) Respirator 6) An eye wash station near mixing area 7) A shower close to mixing area 8) Spill kits close at hand 9) MSDS and Label station

PEST RELATED TURF PROBLEMS

weed vertebrate

Disease

Insects

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Key to Controlling: Disease/Weeds/Insects ID Life cycles Conditions favoring Preferred host Cultural methods of control Chemical methods of control Chemicals used Methods how to maximize control Timing of application Safety measures taken

Managing for turf pests: Use IPM - know the "hot spots Watch the weather Choose method of control once pest is identified

TURFGRASS DISEASE

Disease Control Host Favoring conditions

MOISTURE
Field Symptoms Threshold levels Control Warranted?

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Host

TIME
Pathogen Environment Host

No Disease
Pathogen

Environment

Disease

Diseases and Disease Control Major cause of disease: Pathogenic fungi that invade: leaves roots stems. Very few bacteria and virus diseases in turf. It is inevitable that intensely managed turf will, at some point, become infected with disease

The key to effective disease management begins with good cultural practices: a) improved plant varieties** b) proper mowing c) proper fertilization programs d) irrigation practices e) cultural practices (aerating, verti-cutting, clipping removal, dew removal. f) IPM- know hot spots g) knowledge the conditions that favor the different diseases.

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Pathogen-disease causing agent Pathogens often produce visible structures that aid in ID- mushrooms, sclerotia, lesions, red or black pustules etc.

symptoms- any of various response from plant disease. ie. leaf spots, yellowing, bronzing, death to leaves

Signs - fungal structures Mycelia growth Red or black pustules on leaves Fruiting structures Sclerotia Mushrooms Spores, fruiting structures id (microscope often needed)

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hypha single filament may have cross walls

mycelium- (mass of hyphae)- vegetative body of fungus

Mycelium

Powdery mildew

Rusts

Mushrooms

Sclerotia

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In order to diagnose in the field the turf manager must know: field signs and symptoms i.e.. Mycelium, patch time of year turfgrass species temperature humidity soil moisture levels fertilization levels environmental conditions i.e.. shade or sun

Annual Grasses Crabgrass Goosegrass

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Pre-emergence control of Crabgrass and Goosegrass Prior to weed germination Apply herbicide before soil temperatures reach 55 Applications two weeks after Forsythia in full bloom Water in herbicide Creates a chemical barrier Barrier lasts from 6 12 weeks depending on chemical used Disturbance of soil by man, (cultivation) or animal, (earthworm, skunk) can provide a breakdown of the barrier and weeds can encroach.

Post emergent options as well

Broadleaf Weed Control

General Comments Read the label For large areas, spraying herbicides provide for better control than granular. Spraying is cheaper than granular. However, you need specialized equipment Use caution on new plantings (at least 5 mowings) Store properly i.e. away from seed Label different sprayers for different uses Clean equipment after use Use Pesticides as last resort!

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Post-emergent Comments
Spray when weeds actively growing Dont spray temperatures above 85 F Avoid spraying in wind (injury to ornamentals,Volatility) Apply when soils moist Avoid mowing 24 hrs before and after Avoid Water for 24 hours Be aware of product characteristics i.e. Dicamba

TURFGRASS INSECTS
Three Zones Foliar and stem visual observation

Stem/thatch Thatch/soil

often avoid detection until damage evident

Hyp. Weevil

Bluegrass Bill Bug

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Insect Control
Scout and monitor

Identify Symptoms

Know when to expect problems (life cycles)****

Select Control Method

Cultural Sanitation Thatch reduction Resistant varieties (endophytes) Healthy turf = higher thresholds Biological Predator Parasites Pathogens Chemical Preventative Curative

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