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

Pest Management versus Pest Eradication IPM Principles and Concepts

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. A Definition Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

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. IPM Principles and Concepts

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 Area Spray Preemergent Broadleaf Spot Spray Broadleaf Determine Treatment(s) 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 IPM Management Monitor + Risk (records) Area Treat Chinch Bugs Billbugs Sod Webworms White Grubs Determine Treatment(s) Monitor & Record Standard Control Cover Spray Surface Insecticide Grub Insecticide Preventive (sold) Rescue (not sold) Chinch bugs Billbugs Sod webworms

Turf Insecticide LD 50 s Acephate (Orthene) Chlorpyrifos (Dursban) Diazinon Ethoprop (Mocap) Fonofos (Crusade) Isofenphos (Oftanol) Isazofos (Triumph) Malathion Trichlorfon (Dylox/Proxol) Organophosphates (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors)

Bendiocarb (Turcam) Carbaryl (Sevin) Bifenthrin (Talstar) Cyfluthrin (Tempo) Fluvalinate (Mavrik) L-cyhalothrin (Scimitar) Permethrin (Astro) Pyrethroids (disrupt nerve sodium pump) Carbamates (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) Turf Insecticide LD 50 s

Imidacloprid (Merit) Spinosads (Conserve) Halofenozide (MACH2) Insecticidal Soaps B. thuringiensis ,900 >5000 Chloronicotinyl (post-synaptic block of nicotinic ACH sites) Diacylhydrazine (molt accelerating compound, induces molt) Spinosad (synaptic block of nicotinic ACH sites) Fatty Acid Salts (membrane disruption) BT delta-endotoxins (insect gut lining disruption) Turf Insecticide LD 50 s

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/1000ft 2 / 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!