Can putting greens be managed without pesticides?
Jennifer A. Grant, Cornell University, IPM Program, NYSAES, Geneva, NY and Frank S. Rossi, Cornell University, Dept. of Horticulture, Plant Science Bldg, Ithaca, NY. We designed this project to provide information on the feasibility and performance of golf course turf managed with few or no chemical pesticides. The project is located at one of the 5 golf courses at the Bethpage State Park, Long Island, NY, and is funded by the USGA. Current golf course pest management practices (“unrestricted”) are compared with IPM and non-chemical management. Further comparisons are made between standard cultural practices and “alternative” practices that we believe will reduce turfgrass stress and thereby minimize pest problems. Total management systems, as practiced by turf managers are imposed, rather than focusing on individual technologies and isolated practices. Two years of a three-year project have been completed. Systems were evaluated for aesthetic and functional performance, pest occurrenc
