TIPS: An Integrated Plant Management Project for Turfgrass Managers

Abstract

Turfgrass Information and Pest Scouting (TIPS), a program modified from traditional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, was incorporated into a pilot project specifically designed for turf managers. Objectives of the TIPS program were (i) identifying and incorporating scouting techniques to indicate pest presence and pressure; (ii) maximizing plant health through proper maintenance while promoting prescriptive pesticide usage to maintain acceptable appearance; and (iii) applying computer technology and remote sensing techniques for stress identification and plant problem analysis on golf course turf. Background information was compiled on maintenance practices such as mowing, fertilizing, watering practices, and applying pesticides. Scouting was performed on a 10-d cycle and involved inspecting for pest problems and improper agronomic practices. Management practices were reviewed and recommendations suggested to each manager. Results included (i) educating turf managers on recognizing important pests and determining when sufficient pest levels were present to apply pesticides rather than treating on a calendar basis as previously performed; (ii) transferring computer technology to aid in record keeping and mapping of pest or problem areas; (iii) providing aerial photographs to pinpoint controversial course design or corrections that were necessary; (iv) improving communication channels between county agents, university specialists, and turf managers; and (v) identifying research and extension needs, as well as providing on-site research and demonstration areas. L.B. McCarty, Environmental Horticulture Dep., 1523 Fifield Hall, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611; and D.W. Roberts, L.C. Miller, and J.A. Brittain, Dep. of Horticulture, Clemson Univ., Clemson, SC 29634-0375. Received 2 March 1989. Corresponding author. Published in J. Agron. Educ. 19:155-159 (1990). J. Agron. Educ., Vol. 19, no. 2, 1990 155 T PRODUCTION and maintenance is a major industry in the USA. In North Carolina alone, the yearly economic impact of the turfgrass industry is valued at $734 million (Anon., 1986). Premium quality golf course, sod production, athletic field, recreational ground, roadside acre, and lawn maintenance require highly trained turf managers who are able to maintain these facilities at minimum costs and disruptions. To incorporate all basic pest control techniques and cultural practices to achieve and maintain aesthetically and functionally acceptable plant health, programs such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) have been developed in traditional row-crop agriculture. Integrated Pest Management is simply a way of looking for solutions to plant health problems. The solutions should be economically feasible, environmentally acceptable, and relatively durable. Usually, the IPM solution to plant health problems involves a combination of cultural, agrochemical, and biological tactics (Brittain, 1984). Integrated Pest Management concepts and practices have not previously been targeted specifically for commercial turf operations. The one major difference between traditional IPM and turfgrass productions is that maximum yield is not the ultimate goal of turf producers as it may be with IPM in food and fiber crops. The goal of turf production is to optimize performance. This includes improved aesthetics, durability, recovery from damage, as well as uniformity. Most turf areas are complex environments. Pest and plant managers must consider multiple tuff Sl~ecies, shade and flowering trees, ponds, exotic plants, frequent human interaction through continuous play, and residential development. Experimental IPM programs in selected urban areas in Florida have resulted in approximately a 90% reduction in pesticide application without sacrificing visual quality (Short et al., 1982). Results from a similar IPM scouting program in Maryland suggested that 40 to 80% of the pest problems could be eliminated by a simple substitution of resistant ornamental varieties or elimination of pest-susceptible plants in residential lawns (Hellman et al., 1982). The most significant lawn problems in Maryland were low soil pH, low soil fertility, and weed invasion. Turfgrass Information and Pest Scouting (TIPS), program modified from traditional IPM strategies, was incorporated into a pilot project specifically designed for commercial turf producers. Objectives of the TIPS program included (i) identifying and incorporating scouting techniques and economic thresholds for various turf pests; (ii) maximizing plant health through proper maintenance while promoting prescriptive pesticide usage to maintain acceptable appearance; and (iii) applying computer technology and remote sensing techniques for stress management and plant problem analysis on golf course turf.