The term ‘pesticide’ includes fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, lumbricides, nematocides and rodenticides. Every time a sprayer is taken onto the golf course to apply a pesticide, it poses a pollution risk to the environment and, if used irresponsibly, these products can cause serious damage. Reliance on pesticides is not a sustainable option for golf course management.
Legislation governing the use of pesticides around the world is moving towards a process of managed reduction and a requirement for justification of use, alongside detailed recording of all applications. The use of pesticides for purely cosmetic purposes is impossible to justify and should be abandoned.
Practical steps you can take to begin reducing your use of pesticides include:
- becoming aware of the legislation that exists governing the handling, storage and use of pesticides in your locality
- fully understanding the cause and nature of the problems you are dealing with
- seeking specialist advice for proper identification of problems so that the most sustainable approach to managing them can be achieved
- implementing a programme of cultural control that aims to minimise the likelihood of problems requiring the use of a pesticide
- making sure your management programme is not contributing to the problem by creating conditions that favour diseases, pests or weeds
- alleviating turf stress caused by climatic or environmental conditions
- setting tolerance levels and implementing a regular monitoring programme to catch problems early on in their development.
Cultural control is always the preferred option, economically and environmentally, when trying to prevent or treat diseases, pests and weeds. If turf is managed sustainably, the frequency of such problems will be considerably reduced. Nonetheless, there may still be occasions when a pesticide application is deemed necessary. In this case, pesticide use should always be the last resort and any application must be carried out in a responsible manner, in compliance with relevant legislation.
The ideal procedure to adhere to would be as follows:
- check with your local authority regarding the restrictions on chemical use in your area
- select the correct product and using the correct quantity of active ingredient and water (if using soluble pesticides)
- ensure all storage, handling and application is carried out by fully qualified personnel and in accordance with local regulations
- utilise the most effective spraying equipment that will ensure the greatest efficacy from the application while preventing drift
- ensure that prevailing weather conditions are conducive to safe application
- establish no spray zones around water bodies to minimise the potential for pollution to aquatic systems
- place appropriate signage to warn golfers and the general public that pesticides have been applied
- review your management strategy to assess how disease, pest and weed problems can be avoided in the future.
Reducing your need for pesticides will not only provide better protection for the environment and make your operation more socially acceptable, it will also have a direct cost saving benefit to your business. Monitoring pesticide use through accurate record-keeping will demonstrate accountability, while also highlighting the financial cost of applications.
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Herbicides are used to control weeds, such as clover.
Severe attacks of snow mould can be managed through carefully timed fungicide application.
Insect pests, such as the mole cricket, may need to be controlled with an insecticide, in order to prevent damage to turf.
Spot treatment, where appropriate, will reduce the total amount of pesticide applied.