Turfgrass Pest Management 3A

Why is it important to use both short term suppression and long term suppression tactics in pest management?

Short term suppression - offers a quick fix but the pest population will rebuild.

Long term suppression - maintenance must be used to reduce pest populations permanently

plant resistance

Varieties of grass containing endophyte fungi are one example

Mechanical and physical resistance

Includes hand removal, traps, barriers and repellents

Cultural control

includes raking, thatch removal and aeration

Give one example of a weed situation that can be managed with hand removal techniques

In a new stand of grass, hand removal of weeds may be necessary to prevent damage to the young grass plants

explain why turf cannot at the same time benefit from biological control methods and be pest free

there must be a low level of pest or prey insects for the predators to feed on

How can you help maintain existing populations of beneficial organisms in a turf stand?

by making pesticide applications only when needed

Are microbial insecticides best used for short term suppression or long term maintenance of pest populations? Why?

Long term maintenance. Microbial insecticides are slower acting and do not kill all of the pest at once, which allows there to be food for other beneficial organisms.

List four ways to classify pesticides

Type of pest
Pesticide chemistry
Mode of action
Pesticide formulation

Broad-spectrum pesticide

Can be used to control several pests, but more likely to be hazardous to non target organisms.

Residual pesticide

Good for use when the goal is to reduce the number of applications required to control persistent pests

Systemic herbicide

Superior in treating persistent perennial weeds, kills both aboveground and below ground parts of the plant

Contact herbicide

Does not kill the underground plant parts

Explain why keeping track of degree day accumulations is more useful for monitoring pest activity than going by calendar dates

Insects, diseases and weeds develop based on heat units. The accumulation of heat units varies from year to year

Explain how knowing the species or variety of turf grass in a stand can help in pest diagnosis

Certain diseases and insect pests will affect certain species of turf grass and will not affect others

What three categories of grass species in the United States and Canada? Which is Michigan, and why?

Cool season, transition, warm season
Cool grass in Michigan

List examples of grass species in Michigan

Kentucky bluegrass
Perennial ryegrass
Creeping bent grass

Does the rate of photosynthesis increase or decrease as the temperature increases? How does the temperature stress grass plants?

Food production decreases but the amount of oxygen increases as the temperature gets higher. This causes the plant to use stored energy at higher temperatures.

Most turf grasses grow best in shady locations? TF

False

How does soil PH affect the availability of nutrients to turf grass and other plants?

If the PH is too high or too low, certain nutrients may be present in the soil but will not be soluble and therefore can't be used by plants

Nitrogen (N)

Turfgrass uses large quantities of this nutrient, which may be lost through leaching

Phosphorus (P or P2O5)

This nutrient is important for root development, maturation and seed production, and is rarely deficient in most Michigan soils.

Potassium (K or K2O)

This is an important nutrient for rooting and improves turf grass tolerance to climate stress, routine applications of it are beneficial to turf grass

Micronutrients

Used in plants in relatively small amounts

Explain how to correct for iron (Fe) deficiency in turf.

in short term, by applying an iron-containing fertilizer. In long term by lowering the PH in soil.

How do soil organisms contribute to the well being of turf?

They break down organic matter, making nutrients available for absorption by turf roots

How are turf stands of blends or mixes superior to stands of a single variety or species?

different grasses and varieties do better under different conditions. The ones in a blend most suited to a site will out compete the others. This allows for more versatile seed mix.

When should turf managers use grass seed containing endophytes? When should they not?

Endophyte seed will reduce the potential of damage by some insects. Should not be fed to livestock.

Which of the following would be an improper planting procedure?
A. elimination weedy perennial grasses such as quack grass and bentgrass
B. Amending the soil to improve drainage and nutrient availability
C. Applying "starter" fertilizer and ranking it into the soil surface.
D. Planting vegetative ,material during dry weather

D. Planting vegetative ,material during dry weather

Which of the following approaches is an improper method of post-planting care?
A. check the water requirements of new turf stands regularly
B. Mow as soon as the new turf grows past the desired height
C. Fertilize new stands with nitrogen but not potassium
D. Be cautious about exposing young turf stands to herbicides and other pesticides

C. Fertilize new stands with nitrogen but not potassium

Watering

The amount of this practice needed is measured by evapotranspiration.

Mowing

Regularly performing this operation will generate a dense, uniform, vigorous turf; one of the most costly maintenance procedures.

fertilizing

Requires having soil samples analyzed to determine desired amount.

Aerating

a process that is used especially for improving compacted soils

detaching

removal of tightly intermingled living and dead stems, leaves and roots

What does it mean if a fertilizer is listed as a complete fertilizer

It means that the fertilizer contains the three main nutrients plants need : nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

According to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act:

A. Certified applications can only use general use pesticides
B. Restricted use pesticides can only be used by, or under the direct supervision of, a certified applicator
C. FIFRA regulations are only enforced at the federal level
D. General use pesticides can only be purchased by certified applicators

B. Restricted use pesticides can only be used by, or under the direct supervision of, a certified applicator

Under the Federal Endangered Species Act, who is responsible for making sure pesticide applications do not affect an endangered species

The applicator

Under state law, how long should commercial applicators maintain records of pesticide use for general use and restricted pesticides?

General pesticides - 1 year
Restricted use pesticides - 3 years

Which statement is true according to Regulation 637, Pesticide Use?

A. Pesticide drift is desirable near sensitive areas
B. Vehicles used to transport pesticides need only be identified by the business name of the application form
C. In Michigan, there is a registry of persons who must be notified before turf grass or ornamental pesticide applications can occur on adjacent properties
D. It is not necessary to have a spill kit nearby when mixing and loading

C. In Michigan, there is a registry of persons who must be notified before turf grass or ornamental pesticide applications can occur on adjacent properties

According the Regulation 637, what are the minimum PPE requirements for commercial applicators?

Applicators must wear long pants and a long sleeved short or have soap nearby, and wear protective footwear and gloves that are impervious to the pesticide.

Which of the following choices meet federal and Michigan requirements for displaying lawn marker signs after a pesticide application to a turf site?

A. The sign must be 4 inches high and 5 inches wide, and posted 12 inches above the turf
B. The sign must be 10 inches high and 12 inches wide, and posted 2 inches above the turf
C. The sign must be 6 inches high and 6 inches wide, and posted 6 inches above the turf
D. The sign must be 2 inches high and 3 inches wide, and posted 4 inches above the turf

A. The sign must be 4 inches high and 5 inches wide, and posted 12 inches above the turf

At the time of a golf course pesticide application, where and what type of information must be posted?

On the first and tenth tees and in another conspicuous place.

Date and time of application
Common name of pesticide
list of areas treated
Name of person to contact for more info

Outdoor and ornamental and turf applications of liquid spray pesticides may not be made on school grounds under the following conditions

A. Within 10 feet of occupied classroom buildings
B. Within 50 feet of occupied classroom buildings
C. Within 75 feet of occupied classroom buildings
D. Within 100 feet of occupied classroom buildings

D. Within 100 feet of occupied classroom buildings

Main components of a sprayer

Tank
Pump
Valving
Output

Why should use nozzle screens?

Filter out larger particles of pesticide and dirt, reducing the amount of wear and reducing clogs

Why should you check the rate of output after installing or changing nozzle screens?

Using a different screen has the potential to change the flow rate, and therefore requires a recalibration

Controlled droplet applicator

Spray from this equipment comes in a hallow-cone pattern. its suited to turf IPM because it provides adequate coverage with small amount of pesticide

Small capacity sprayer

Includes compressed air and backpack sprayers.

Hydraulic sprayer

Has 30-1000 gallon tanks mounted behind tractor

Granular spreader

Consists of a hopper and metering device.

A rotary spreader creates more drift than a drop granular spreader. T/F

True

Which of the following choices is an improper procedure or applying a granular pesticide with a hand pushed drops spreader?

A. Fill the spreader on a paved surface
B. Begin the application by moving counterclockwise around the right margin of the property
C. Be sure not to overlap passes of the herbicide
D. Shut off the spreader as you come to obstacles

C. Be sure not to overlap passes of the herbicide

If washed throughly with soap and water, it's safe to use a spray tank that has previously held herbicide for insecticide application. T/F

False

Which of the following choices in an improper technique for applying a pesticide spray?

A. Hold the showered nozzle at an angle pointed away from your feet and legs
B. Drape the hose around your neck
C. Open the trigger before entering the area to be treated to equalize the pressure in the hose
D. Apply pesticide uniformly and accurately

B. Drape the hose around your neck

If you double the speed of your application equipment, how will it affect the application rate of a boom sprayer?

A. the application rate is reduced by the square root
B. the application is cut in half
C. the application rate is doubled
D. the application rate does not change

B. the application is cut in half

What is a weed?

A weed is a plant that is growing where its not wanted

How do monocots and dicots differ?

Monocots - narrow leaves and parallel leaf veins
Dicots - wider leaves with branched leaf veins

Name the three summer annual turf grass weeds

prostrate knotweed, foxtail, crabgrass

Name the three winter annual turf grass weeds

Chickweed, annual bluegrass, Shepards purse

Annual bluegrass

Produces great number of seed heads, regardless of height of cut. Seeds may give areas an overall whitish appearance.

Common chickweed

Winter annual; flowers are sometimes star shaped, has a trailing growth habit.

Mouse-ear chickweed

A spreading perennial with white flowers. Leaves are sticky and hairy. mowing stimulates vigorous low-growth habit

Hairy crabgrass

Seeds produced on 3-12 fingerlike segments at tip of stems; hairs on leaf surface.

Smooth crabgrass

Seeds produced on 3-12 fingerlike segments at tip of stem; NO hairs on leaf surface.

Dandelion

has a taproot that contains milky juice

Broadleaf Plantain

A perennial; occasionally an annual. Easily identified by the large broad leaves at the base of the plant.

Narrowleaf Plantain

A perennial with narrow leaves that form a dense rosette. Leaves often twist or curl.

Prostrate spurge

Has stems that grow flat along the ground to form a thick mat. the majority of leaves have a purplish red spot in the center.

How do pre-emergence herbicides work?

Suppress the germination of weeds.

What is the difference between a disease and a disorder in plants?

Disease is caused by pathogens and can spread from plant to plant. Disorders are caused by unfavorable growing conditions such as temperature extremes, soil compaction, injury from machines

What are the four factors in the plant disease triangle?

Host
Pathogen
Environment
Time

Infrequent deep irrigation is the best way prevent disease organisms in turf. T/F

False
Too much irrigation at one time stresses the turf by restricting oxygen to the root system

Describe the differences between systemic and protectant fungicides?

Systemic fungicides - move through the plant and can kill fungal pathogens that are already in the plant

Protectant - fungicides coat the leaves and stems and prevent fungal pathogen from establishing itself on the plant

Anthracnose

A disease of annual bluegrass, patches of infected turf 2 inches to 10 feet wide turn yellow-bronze to reddish brown

Dollar spot

Recognizable by the appearance of small bleached out spots about the size of a quarter

Fairy rings

May be a few inches to more than 50 feet in diameter, mushrooms may suddenly appear.

Microdochium Patch

When conditions are cool, whitish gray or reddish brown spots develop, shortly after snow melt, pink fungal strands can be seen on the edges of the spots

Leafspot and melting out:

Caused by several fungi; first appearing purple, then purple to black lesions on leaf blades.

Necrotic Ring Spot

A serious disease of Kentucky bluegrass, can be recognized by its characteristics "frog eye" pattern of dead turf

Powdery mildew

heavily infected turf appears dull white, as if dusted with flour

Which of the following options would be an appropriate way tp manage rhizoctonia brown patch?

A. Avoid high nitrogen levels
B. Use a bactericide
C. Fumigate lawns
D. Reduce air circulation

A. Avoid high nitrogen levels

Which of the following options would be an appropriate way to manage lelfspot and melting out?

A. Use susceptible turf varieties
B. Mow at high height to limit stress
C. Water more frequently in the evening and at night
B. Use a bateriocide

B. Mow at high height to limit stress

What are the symptoms of nematode infestation?

Nematode infested turf is thin, lack vigor and is frequently pale yellow, stunted and slow growing. Roots may appear bushy or stubby with enlarged tips and often have dark sunken lesions