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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #168128

Title: EVALUATING PESTICIDE AND NUTRIENT LOSS WITH RUNOFF FROM FAIRWAY TURF AND THE ABILITY OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO MITIGATE THEIR LOSS

Author
item Rice, Pamela
item HORGAN, BRIAN - UNIV OF MINNESOTA

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/23/2004
Publication Date: 7/29/2004
Citation: Rice, P.J., Horgan, B. 2004. Evaluating pesticide and nutrient loss with runoff from fairway turf and the ability of management practices to mitigate their loss. Extension Publications. pp. 2-3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This research project is part of a multi-state (Minnesota, Maryland, Mississippi, and Oklahoma) cooperative initiative to improve the current understanding of pesticide and nutrient runoff from turf. Multi-regional objectives of the study are to quantify pesticide and nutrient transport with runoff from fairway turf as affected by regional variability, turf species variability, and test plot size. Specific objectives for Minnesota are to evaluate the ability of turf management practices to mitigate pesticide and nutrient loss with rainfall and snowmelt runoff. Data collected from this study will help fill the information gaps between former studies and what is required by the US EPA to more accurately assess the non-point source pollution potential of pesticides and nutrients from turf runoff. Improved knowledge of pesticide transport will allow risk assessments to be made with quantitative data rather than conservative assumptions, which should reduce overestimation of risk and provide more accurate real-life estimates, resulting in more scientifically-based criteria for the registration and use of turf protection products. Results of this research will also provide quantitative information to golf course superintendents that will allow for informed decisions on best management practices that are both environmentally responsible and provide quality turf.