ARS | Publication request: Reducing Pesticide and Nutrient Runoff from Fairways Using Management Practices

Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 17, 2008
Publication Date: January 1, 2009
Repository URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10113/23740
Citation: Rice, P.J., Horgan, B.P. 2009. Reducing Pesticide and Nutrient Runoff from Fairways Using Management Practices. USGA Green Section Record. Vol. 47, No. 1, January/February 2009, p. 17-19. Available at: (http://www.usga.org/turf/green_section_record/2009/jan_feb/reducing_fairway_runoff.pdf)

Technical Abstract: We designed experiments to measure the quantity of fertilizers and pesticides transported with runoff from golf course fairway turf, and to evaluate the ability of management practices to reduce the transport of applied chemicals with runoff. Overall aeratation of fairway turf with hollow tines reduced runoff volumes, nutrient loss with runoff, and pesticide loss with runoff compared to management with solid-tine aeration. The addition of vertical mowing to hollow-tine aeration increased water infiltration, further reduced quantities of water leaving the turf plots as runoff, and reduced the off-site transport of nutrients with runoff.