Articles
REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES THROUGH SUSTAINABLE HIGH PERFORMANCE TURFGRASS SYSTEMS
Article number
938_13
Pages
105 – 111
Language
English
Abstract
Turf is often the most visible of plantings in urban areas.
While crop production is not the main focus of turfgrass systems, a dense, vigorous sward of turf (often as a monoculture) is a key goal.
And it is an extremely challenging one for turf managers, requiring the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and water to provide aesthetic, safe, and performance-acceptable venues.
Moreover, to provide modern playing conditions, certain management practices such as mowing have been intensified to achieve desired condition.
For example, modern golf course greens are mowed at a height of 2-3 mm and are designed to receive 50% of the play even though the total green area makes up less than 3% of the total playing area of a golf course.
However, even under intensive management, the goal of turf sustainability is becoming more of a reality than hype or hope, as turfgrass scientists and managers have worked to identify turfgrass management systems that are more efficient, thus requiring less input.
In addition, identification and improvements in grasses such as seashore paspalum for amenity use has increased the opportunity for improved performance with reduced quality water.
New agrichemicals target pests with increased specificity at lowered rates of active ingredients.
Increasing chemical use such as surfactants can also improve aspects of turf sustainability by increasing uniform soil wetting and decreasing irrigation needs by over fifty percent.
With these gains, turfgrass land-scapes can be maintained with reduced agrichemical and water needs that are consistent with attaining sustainability.
While crop production is not the main focus of turfgrass systems, a dense, vigorous sward of turf (often as a monoculture) is a key goal.
And it is an extremely challenging one for turf managers, requiring the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and water to provide aesthetic, safe, and performance-acceptable venues.
Moreover, to provide modern playing conditions, certain management practices such as mowing have been intensified to achieve desired condition.
For example, modern golf course greens are mowed at a height of 2-3 mm and are designed to receive 50% of the play even though the total green area makes up less than 3% of the total playing area of a golf course.
However, even under intensive management, the goal of turf sustainability is becoming more of a reality than hype or hope, as turfgrass scientists and managers have worked to identify turfgrass management systems that are more efficient, thus requiring less input.
In addition, identification and improvements in grasses such as seashore paspalum for amenity use has increased the opportunity for improved performance with reduced quality water.
New agrichemicals target pests with increased specificity at lowered rates of active ingredients.
Increasing chemical use such as surfactants can also improve aspects of turf sustainability by increasing uniform soil wetting and decreasing irrigation needs by over fifty percent.
With these gains, turfgrass land-scapes can be maintained with reduced agrichemical and water needs that are consistent with attaining sustainability.
Authors
J.L. Cisar
Keywords
turfgrass, sustainable, water quality, water quantity, agrichemicals, pollution
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