The Sports Turf Management division of the Maryland Soccer Foundation’s Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, MD has always taken pride in its IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program. Now in 2009, the Turf Management division is setting its goals even higher to pioneer an entirely new level to IPM across the world with the initiation of 2 research studies on plant health and the reduction and more efficient use of fungicides to battle turfgrass diseases.
The first study is in conjunction with Floratine Products Group of Collierville, TN, a leader in foliar turf nutrition and diagnostics. Since 1991, Floratine has provided sports field managers and golf course superintendents around the world with the tools they need to manage premier grass playing surfaces through innovative turf nutrition technologies that are both effective and environmentally friendly. The Floratine motto, “Rooted in Science”, reflects their commitment to research and education and is why Maryland SoccerPlex is proud to partner with them. The SoccerPlex Turf Management team will combine the current management and IPM program together with current and new products from Floratine to document the products effectiveness on plant health issues including tolerance to wear from heavy play, water use, disease resistance and recovery, and seedling development and growth.
The second of the field studies is created independently by the Maryland SoccerPlex Turf Management team lead by Sports Turf Manager Jerad Minnick, and Assistant Sports Turf Managers Matt Carroll and John Torres. Support and feedback will be supplied through groups including Floratine Products, The University of Missouri, The Ohio State University, Penn State University, Hunter Irrigation, and John Deere Golf. The study will focus on plant health and strength to manage turfgrass disease pressure and infection in order to more efficiently use and reduce fungicides. This study can be compared to a person maintaining proper health through exercise, hydration, balanced diet, and increasing nutrient intake to fend off infection instead of immediately turning to over-the-counter or pharmaceutical drugs if they can be avoided.
Environmentally, fungicide use is friendly and all turfgrass fungicides are safe and EPA approved. Yet the breakthroughs these studies might provide will help in long term environmental stewardship to develop reductions in the use of fungicides. The reductions will also help to decrease the cost of quality turfgrass through the lawn, golf course, and sports field management industry. Then in the end, the environment and the users of these facilities both win! Maryland SoccerPlex is excited to again be a pioneer for all facilities across the country, and hopes to illustrate to both industry and government that “Green” is possible through cooperation and pro-active leadership like this.
Questions or research support inquires can be directed to Jerad Minnick at jminnick@mdsoccerplex.org.
