Page 39 - Transitioning Turfgrass

6 ETS Field Days
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Management of the Main Issues

Observed without the Use of Chemicals

Massimo Mocioni, AntNet Srl, Alessandro De Luca, Italian Golf Federation, Green Section (Sutri, Italy)

In Italy the introduction of the National Action homoeocarpa), causal agent of dollar spot, that
Plan on the sustainable use of pesticides has ac- causes damages on turf particularly in spring
tually reduced dramatically the authorised chem- and autumn. The control strategies relied on IBS
icals on turfgrass in public areas (including sport fungicides (mainly propiconazole) that cannot be
fields and golf courses). Only some products con- used in public areas, replaced by biofungicides
taining Bacillus thuringiensis, one with chlorpyrifos containing Trichoderma spp. Last year, severe at-
as insecticides and two formulations of Trichoder- tacks of dollar spot caused damages on bentgrass
ma spp. as fungicides are authorised. No herbi- and Poa annua greens and Trichoderma spp. for-
cide is permitted as well as any other products mulations showed a partial control, particularly if
authorised and registered by Health Ministry as the product was applied on a preventive basis in
pesticides in organic farming. In this context the spring, with a reduced efficacy in autumn when
golf Superintendents and the turfgrass mainte- the weather conditions were very conductive for
nance workers have to adopt other control strat- the disease; in many cases the signs of the disease
egies (in particular cultural practices) that can were visible until the following spring, causing an
help to reduce pests. One of the most danger- inadequate playability of the green surfaces. Also
ous pests is Clarireedia spp. (formerly Sclerotinia increased nitrogen fertilisation seems to contrib-

Photo 1 Severe attacks of dollar spot on a golf green. Photo 2 Ophioshaerella spp. on Miniverde bermudagrass.

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