Module 6:

Turf science

6.2 Turf problems and controls

1   Control group exercise

Try and identify and provide a brief reason for one specific control method that can be allocated to each of the control groups.

You may decide to focus on just one type of problem for all the control groups, or mix and match weeds, pests, disease, or disorders throughout the groups.

It doesn’t matter as the aim is to get you thinking about potential ways of controlling a turfgrass problem in a relevant way.

Complete the following table with your suggestions.

Control group Example of one specific control method (for each group)
Cultural
Physical
Mechanical
Biological
Chemical

2   Possible solutions

We have included several examples for each group, although there are many examples that could be used. Hopefully you have identified relevant types of controls.

Control group Example of one specific control method (for each group)
Cultural 1. The use of harder wearing grass cultivars helps to retain better ground cover, thereby helping to reduce the thin or bare area available for weed invasion.
2. The use of fertilisers which produce an acidic reaction thereby reducing the surface pH conditions that are more suitable to undesirable annual meadow and many turfgrass diseases.
3. Irrigation management: Applying water quantities based on evapo-transpiration rates and soil moisture deficit calculations.
4. Utilise the one-third mowing rule to manage the mowing regime.
5. Seed when germination rates are optimal, thereby reducing time when some areas will typically be thin or bare during renovation.
Physical 1. Hand weeding of a surface to reduce weed content.
2. The use of traps to control moles and their damage from mole runs and excavation soil mounds.
3. Drag brush to remove dew from leaves, thereby reducing moisture availability for disease spread.
Mechanical 1. Scarification to reduce and remove trailing weeds, as well as for reducing thatch which may harbour disease spores as well as retains moisture for a softer more disease susceptible surface.
2. Aeration to improve air flow, root growth, surface drainage: all outcomes that lead to a healthier, less stressed turf.
3. Ensure mower blades are well sharpened and set uniformly to produce a clean and even cut; this will also reduce potential disease infection areas.
Biological 1. The use of nematodes for chafer grub or leatherjacket control.
2. The use of biostimulants which contain beneficial micro-organisms that are also antagonistic to some undesirable fungal organisms.
3. A biological control could even be occasional use of birds of prey to scare off pigeons and other birds, especially around overseeding time.
Chemical 1. The use of a selective herbicide to control a weed infestation.
2. The use of a fungicide to control a turfgrass disease.
3. The use of an insecticide to control eggs and grubs of insect pests.

Well done if you managed to successfully complete the worksheet. We have just one more part of this ‘Turf problems and control’ section where we will illustrate how some critical thinking can help to improve your approach to turf management.

Module progress: 53%