Turf (3b): Turf Pest Management - Test Your Knowledge Questions And Answers Rated 100% Correct!!

Name some of the factors turfgrass managers must consider when setting pest management priorities. - Answer-Turfgrass management professionals must consider human safety, environmental safety, turf use(s), efficacy, and economics. Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary? - Answer-Pest thresholds vary from site to site because they depend on site characteristics and uses. For example, there may be zero tolerance for pests of any sort on a gold green. On the other hand, there may be no great need to control pests in the grassy areas of an industrial site. However, setting thresholds in some sites - like a school athletic field or playground - may not be simple and clear-cut. A thick, uniform surface is ideal for play areas, for optimum utility and safety. This, in turn, means the tolerance for pests is low. However reliance on pesticide use may not be acceptable for some recreational sites, especially if the primary users of that site are children. What is the first, most basic step to take to manage pest problems? Explain your answer. - AnswerUse Best Management Practices (BMPs) for initial design, installation, and maintenance programs. Begin by selecting high quality, disease- and insect-free turfgrass. When possible, plant or install resistant varieties. Choosing the right variety for the site and use(s) is essential. Next, good cultural practices provide the best conditions for plant health. Why should you focus your attention on key pests, key varieties, or key locations? - Answer-They are most likely to cause problems. Key pests, varieties, and locations require special monitoring and care. What is a "key pest"? - Answer-A key pest is one that often reaches population densities that justify management, and/or is capable of causing unacceptable damage at relatively low densities, and/or attacks and damages turfgrass(es) in conspicuous or valuable areas. What is a "key variety"? - Answer-A "key variety" has a special "high profile" use. A variety that sustains damage from pests on a regular basis, or has a particular pest that can kill or disfigure it in low densities, would also be considered a "key variety." Describe a site that would be considered a key location. - Answer-Key locations are heavily used or are significant in some way. Areas where turfgrasses have chronic problems with pests, and/or areas that are near something or someone requiring special protection are "key locations."Name several things you need to make an accurate diagnosis of a pest problem. - Answer-Description of the type and extent of plant damage, identification of the pest, familiarity with the life cycle of the pest, a good estimation of the size and distribution of the pest population, and an assessment of whether it is increasing or decreasing. Define the term "Integrated Pest Management." List IPM tactics used in turfgrass pest control. - Answer-Integrated Pest Management refers to the use of a combination of pest control tactics. IPM programs use many types of techniques in a single plan or strategy to reduce pests and keep their damage to an acceptable level. IPM tactics include monitoring and early detection, sanitation, and cultural, mechanical (physical), biological, and chemical control methods. What is biological control? Give one example. - Answer-Biological control involves using some aspect of the pest's biology to control it. One example is the uyse of natural enemies, biological agents that control a pest. Turfgrass managers can preserve or encourage natural enemies already present in the system. Alternatively, they can introduce commercially produced biological organisms. Biological control also includes the use of pheromones or juvenile hormones to control insects. What are some factors that influence the success of biological controls? - Answer-Biological control agents usually target specific pests. Biological control agents must be able to move to - or be placed in contact with - the target pest. For that reason, application techniques influence success. Adoption of biological control measures usually takes careful planning and timing. Finally, biological control organisms must be able to tolerate conditions at the site. To be sustainable, they must persist from season to season. What is cultural control? List several cultural control tactics used in turf. - Answer-Cultural control measures disrupt the normal relationship between pest and host in order to prevent or suppress an infestation. Cultural controls make the pest less likely to survive, grow, or reproduce. They can involve changing the turf grass environment or its physical condition. Cultural control measures may also change the behavior of a pest. In turf, variety selection and proper establishment are basic cultural control measures. Other practices employed in turf include thatch management and proper mowing, watering, and fertilization regimes. Aerating soil and cultivation practices that improve water infiltration (spiking, vertical mowing, or coring) can help. What is mechanical control? - Answer-Mechanical controls use some mechanical device such as a trap or barrier to control pests. What is sanitation? Give two examples. - Answer-Sanitation is general cleanliness. Sanitation reduces the levels of pathogens and other pests in the turf grass environment. Using pest-free seed, sprigs, or sod is a sanitation strategy. Careful disposal of diseased clippings is another. So are cleaning and disinfecting tools and equipment, and taking care to avoid spreading disease by foot traffic.Why is the timing of a pesticide application important? - Answer-To be effective, pesticides must be applied correctly and at the proper time and rate. In many cases, pesticides need to be used at a certain stage in a pest's life cycle. Applying them too early or too late is a waste of time and money. In addition, poorly timed applications may pose a threat to the turf you intend to protect as well as to other organisms and the environment. Explain the difference between a preventative and a curative pesticide application. - Answer-A preventative application is made before the problem appears. A curative application is made after the problem is noticed. What is phytotoxicity? How can you recognize the problem? - Answer-Phytotoxicity is injury or damage to a sensitive plant caused by a chemical exposure. Symptoms of phytotoxicity include: death of rapidly growing tissues; stunting or delayed development; misshapen or distorted stems, leaves, or fruits; russeting or bronzing of leaves or fruit; dead spots or flecks on leaves, dead leaf tips or margins; and dead areas between leaf veins. You might suspect phytotoxicity if you see plant damage but no sign of pest presence. Another warning sign is injury that occurs suddenly or over a short period of time that does not spread from plant to plant. Consulting spray records might give you a clue if pesticide use is causing phytotoxic effects. Records may document the use of a pesticide near a sensitive plant showing signs of injury. Describe some pesticide uses that might result in phytotoxicity. - Answer--Application of a pesticide during adverse environmental conditions. -Use of a pesticide contrary to label directions (ex. wrong side or wrong rate). -Movement offsite from a target area to a sensitive area (ex. drift or runoff). -Accumulation of persistent residues in the soil; or on the plant. How can you avoid causing phytotoxicity when using pesticides? - Answer-Be certain the plant you plan to treat is listed on the product label. Measure and prepare the chemical carefully. Use the proper rate and application techniques. Follow label directions for the number and timing of applications. Apply and store pesticides according to label directions. Do not treat stressed plants. Direct pesticides to the target. Do not allow offsite movement. Do not treat plants when they are subject to extreme heat or cold. How can you minimize clover mite injury? - Answer-One of the best ways to limit clover mite injury is to provide adequate water to sites that have a high risk of injury. Watering both suppresses winter mite populations and helps turfgrass to tolerate injury.If you are going to apply a pesticide to control clover mites, would you use a spot or broadcast treatment? Explain your answer. - Answer-Usually, clover mite damage is limited to warm, dry areas along sun-exposed sides of buildings. Spot treatments are effective when directed to sites clover mites use for feedinga nd egg laying. Areas to treat include lower foundation walls and tree trunks as well as adjacent sun-exposed turf. Spot applications reduce pesticide use. How can you manage cutworms with minimal environmental impact? - Answer-When possible, select a resistant endophyte-enhanced variety of fescue or ryegrass. Do not mow turf any lower than 2.5 inches (6.25 cm). Remove clippings after mowing because adult cutworm moths lay eggs at the tip of grass blades. If you use insecticides, apply them late in the day because cutworm larvae feed at night. Consider using beneficial nematodes, especially in sites where continual reinfestation occurs. What turf management and maintenance practices minimize problems with chinch bugs? - AnswerManage (minimize) thatch. Avoid using susceptible varieties. Do not plant fine (red) fescue in full sun. Choose endophyte0enhanced fescue and ryegrass. Do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizer applications in spring. What should you do to control fall armyworms? - Answer-You can manage fall armyworms with entomopathenogenic nematodes or insecticides. Monitor larval populations by using a disclosing soap solution. Apply insecticides at the first sign of damage. (Damage usually does not occur until late in the season.) Light irrigation several hours before an insecticide application may help to draw larvae to the surface. Apply insecticides when larvae are active near the surface - in morning or early afternoon. What turf management and maintenance practices minimize problems with sod webworms? - Answer-Plant resistant endophyte-enhanced varieties of fescue and ryegrass. Avoid close mowing because damage is seldom noticeable in turf 2.5 inches (6.25 cm) in height. Describe some sod webworm control strategies. - Answer-You can control sod webworms with insecticides or entomopathenogenic nematodes. Effective times for insecticide applications are: -spring and early summer (to control larvae that overwintered), and -late June and early September, about two weeks after adults are seen. (Young larvae are most susceptible to insecticide True or false: Thatch can interfere with white grub control tactics. - Answer-True. Most white grub larvae live and feed below ground. Thatch will reduce the penetration and efficacy of surface-applied insecticides.What are the action thresholds for white grubs? - Answer-The threshold for green June beetle is 2 to 5 grubs per square foot. For Japanese beetles and May and June beetle, populations of 6 to 10 grubs per square foot are high enough to warrant control measures. Thresholds for black turf ataenius (BTA) are not firm. However, 20 to 30 BTA grubs per square foot will usually cause an unacceptable amount of damage. Describe some effective control tactics for white grubs. - Answer-White grub larvae are most susceptible to insecticides in the early stages. For Green June beetle, Japanese beetle, and May and June beetles, insecticides for grub control are most effective if applied in early to mid-August. Make spring applications to control the first generation of Blue turf ataenius (BTA) grubs in early May - when horsechestnut or Vanhoutte spirea are in bloom. Make applications to control the second BTA grub generation, if necessary, in August. All grub control insecticides should be watered in.