Best Management Practices for Maryland Golf Courses

Best Management Practices

• To prevent weed encroachment, adopt or maintain cultural practices that protect turfgrass from environmental stresses such as shade, drought, and extreme temperatures. • To reduce weed infestation, address improper turf management practices, such as the misuse of fertilizers and chemicals, improper mowing height or mowing frequency, improper soil aeration, and physical damage and compaction from excessive traffic. • Fertilize adequately to sustain desirable color, growth density, and vigor and to better resist diseases, weeds, and insects. • Weed-free materials should be used for topdressing. • Address damage from turfgrass pests such as diseases, insects, nematodes, and animals to prevent density/canopy loss to broadleaf weeds.

Figure 36. Annual bluegrass encroachment in green. Photo credit: Thomas Turner.

Turf Insects/Arthropods

Many arthropods (especially insects and mites) occur in turfgrass and the ornamental plant beds on golf courses. Some are beneficial (e.g., pollinators, decomposers, and natural enemies) or are aesthetically attractive (e.g., butterflies), while others may be nuisance pests or may negatively affect plant health. Arthropods can cause various types of damage to turfgrass, depending on where they attack the plant. Annually recurring insect pest groups on Maryland golf courses

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