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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #229454
Title: Reducing the transport of pesticides with runoff from fairway turf using management practices

Author
item Rice, Pamela
item HORGAN, BRIAN - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item Hamlin, Jennifer

Submitted to: Pan-Pacific Conference on Pesticide Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2008
Publication Date: 6/1/2010
Citation: Rice, P.J., Horgan, B.P., Rittenhouse, J.L. 2010. Reducing the transport of pesticides with runoff from fairway turf using management practices [abstract]. Pan-Pacific Conference on Pesticide Science. Abstract No. 48.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Chemical pollutants have been detected in surface waters of urban and rural areas. As a result, attempts are being made to identify the sources of these compounds and reduce their inputs. The use of pesticides in highly managed turf systems has raised questions concerning the contribution of runoff from managed turf. Experiments were designed to measure the quantity of pesticides transported with runoff from turf plots maintained as a golf course fairway, and to evaluate the ability of management practices to reduce the transport of applied chemicals with runoff. Half of the plots were managed with solid tine aerification while the remaining plots received hollow tine aerification. Management practices were initiated 2 and 63 days prior to chemical application and simulation of precipitation. Runoff volumes and quantities of pesticides and nutrients transported with runoff were reduced in fairway turf plots managed with hollow tines relative to solid tines. Trends in reduced chemical loss remained despite the increased time duration between management practice and precipitation. The addition of vertical mowing to manage thatch was evaluated the following season. Infiltration measurements, quantification of runoff volumes and examination of hydrographs revealed the addition of vertical mowing to hollow tine aerification doubled precipitation infiltrations rates, reduced runoff volumes, and lessened loads of pesticides transported off-site with runoff water. Understanding chemical transport with runoff and identifying strategies that reduce off-site transport of applied chemicals will increase their effectiveness at intended sites of application and will minimize undesirable impacts to surrounding areas.