Turf (3b): Turf Pest Management - Test
Your Knowledge (all solved)
Name some of the factors turfgrass managers must consider
when setting pest management priorities. - -Turfgrass
management professionals must consider human safety,
environmental safety, turf use(s), efficacy, and economics.
-Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary? - -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. - -Use 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? - -They are most likely to cause problems. Key
pests, varieties, and locations require special monitoring and
care.
-What is a "key pest"? - -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"? - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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.
Your Knowledge (all solved)
Name some of the factors turfgrass managers must consider
when setting pest management priorities. - -Turfgrass
management professionals must consider human safety,
environmental safety, turf use(s), efficacy, and economics.
-Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary? - -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. - -Use 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? - -They are most likely to cause problems. Key
pests, varieties, and locations require special monitoring and
care.
-What is a "key pest"? - -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"? - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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.
