Non-Pesticidal Disease Management

Disease suppression is a major factor in the management of amenity turfgrasses and this seminar will explore how to successfully do so despite the absence of fungicides or with limited availability.

Using the ‘disease pyramid’, Dr John Dempsey will show how turf managers can target factors that influence disease incidence. Specific areas include: environmental factors; dew control; air movement; and light quality.

The class will provide research data showing how cultural practices such as rolling, sand topdressing, mowing and irrigation can reduce disease levels.

Learning outcomes:

• What a disease is and how to use the disease pyramid
• How cultural practices can reduce disease
• How turfgrass nutrients impact disease incidence
• Identify turfgrass pathogens and their infection symptoms
• How to correctly adjust cultural management practices
• Combining fungicide programmes to reduce reliance