Integrated Turf Management (ITM)

The use of a range of hierarchical control methods for two purposes. One purpose is to reduce the need for chemical control of undesirable organisms (e.g. weeds, pests, diseases), but primarily the aim is to create optimum grass development conditions, with reduced stress on grass growth. It has a very similar meaning as Integrated Pest Management, but with the added aspect, or focus, of also reducing plant stress; this change of emphasis is significant. This term also helps to specifically focus the applied context to turfgrass surfaces.