 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Pesticides
The term "pesticide" is often used incorrectly to mean only insecticides, when in fact it encompasses the entire group of chemicals used to control fungi, plant, and animal pests. The pesticides most commonly used by golf course superintendents are "fungicides" which do not kill fungi, but inhibit their growth. This analysis of pesticides includes: a complete list of pesticides that superintendents primarily apply to their courses, the money spent on pesticides, toxicity rankings, alternative practices, and comments from superintendents. Recommendations are also made regarding pesticide use for a green golf course.
I did not collect information on application rates; therefore the amount
of money superintendents spend on pesticides per year was used as an analytical
tool to determine the courses that appear to be applying the highest and
lowest amounts of pesticides. The maintenance practices of the high-end
and the low-end spenders were compared and analyzed. This comparison provided
insights regarding pesticide use and ways to reduce it. In addition, alternative
practices to pesticides were evaluated and analyzed according to popularity
of use. I defined "successful" courses through the procss of
determining a threshold, and specifically analyzed the courses that fell
below the threshold.
Fungicides
Fungicides are the most commonly used pesticide on golf courses. There
are two main types of fungicides: systemic (surface) and nonsystemic (contact).
The main difference between the two is the method in which they control
turf grass diseases. A contact fungicide is applied to the foliage, where
it prevents or halts infection. It is best pictured as forming a protective
shield around the outside of the plant. Exposure to weathering, photodecomposition,
and mowing disadvantages the contacts. Mowing is one of the greatest disadvantages,
as the old foliage is mowed off, and the new foliage is unprotected. Watering
is another disadvantage, as the water tends to wash away a majority of
the fungicide. [24]
The systemics are similar to the contact fungicides: they both provide
an external barrier to infection; however, the systemics are absorbed
by the plant and translocated throughout it. Because the systemic fungicides
can be absorbed, they can persist after the treated foliage has been mowed
off and new foliage will often obtain the fungicide from redistribution
and the roots that continue to pick up the chemicals from the soil. Eventually,
the systemic fungicides are tied up, broken down (degraded), or leached
from the soil and are no longer available. Most systemic fungicides last
3-4 weeks, depending on the soil type and disease pressure, and then an
additional application is needed. [25]