PA: Penn State Extension Cool-Season Turfgrass Pest Management (Category 7) Rated A+

PA: Penn State Extension Cool-Season Turfgrass Pest Management (Category 7) Rated A+ What are three approaches to pest control? 1. cultural control 2. chemical control 3. biological control Why are cultural practices key factors in pest management? If cultural practices are done correctly, then turfgrasses are healthy so that weeds, diseases, and other pests have trouble gaining a foothold. Any pest activity that does occur is masked by vigorously growing turf. What are proper cultural practices for healthy turfgrass? It begins with a selection of high quality turfgrass seed or sod that is well suited for the site followed by sound planting practices. The other proper cultural practices are mowing, watering, and fertilizing. Explain "Healthy turfgrass is tolerant turfgrass." Healthy turfgrass can withstand some pest problems without losing its quality or attractiveness. It is almost more capable of recovering when problems do occur. Define "Biological control" Using living organisms or their products to reduce pest populations (example: mites, nematodes, bacteria, and fungi) Define "Chemical control" Include not only pesticides that kill pests, but also repellents, attractants or pheromones, and insect growth regulators Define "cultural control" Manipulating the planting, growth, and maintenance of turf or a landscape to make it less attractive to a pest and reduce pest activity. Define "endophyte" A turfgrass plant that has fungus within it that is toxic to some insects Define "pest resistance" A pest population that can survive or "resist" the chemical's effect. When this happens, the chemical fails to provide adequate control and is no longer useful. Define "preventative application" Prevent a pest outbreak by making an application before the problem appears Define "reactive (curative) application" "Cure" a pest problem after the problem is noticed. Most insects can be adequately controlled after they are discovered, but before they cause significant damage. Fine (red) fescue turfgrass Tolerates shady, cool areas and becomes rapidly stressed in hot, sunny areas and attached by chinch bugs Ryegrasses and Kentucky Bluegrasses These do best in full sun. They become susceptible to disease in heavily shaded areas. Improved turf-type tall fescue Grows well in sun and shade. Tolerates drought as well as wear and tear of human activity Tasks to be completed before planting are... 1. use a rotary tiller to cultivate the soil 2. add topsoil if needed 3. add organic matter Define "thatch" A layer of living and decomposing turfgrass roots, stems, and leaves on the soil surface. Excessive thatch can cause problems, such as an environment for for insects and interfere with pesticide applications. Obstacles to Effective Chemical Control 1. the presence of thatch in turfgrass 2. poor timing of chemical control 3. pest resistance to the chemical control What does "IPM" stand for? Integrated Pest Management What kind of "control" does this scenario describe? "You select a blend of three improved tall-fescue cultivars containing endophytes. These tall fescues are resistant to chinch bugs,