Answer

Is an IPM approach to turf management just a case of doing more aeration instead of using chemicals or is there more to it than that?

Environmental concerns, the reduction of current pesticides and tighter legislation concerning chemical use have resulted in an increased interest in an IPM approach to managing turf. IPM Definition: ‘Attempt to control pests using various different proactive management strategies, considering everything that may affect pest development.' Most greenkeepers are carrying out some form of IPM to a greater or lesser degree. An IPM plan is an actual document that sets out how an overall approach to IPM can be implemented and managed on your particular turf area. The plan is designed to help you manage your turf area in a more proactive and environmentally friendly way without sacrificing the turf quality. How do you make an IPM plan? There is no set example of how a plan should look or how it should be set out, it really depends on how much time you want to put into making and working with the plan. The following points form the basic structure of the plan. Each point should make up a separate section of the plan. As much information as possible should be included for each point including maps of the turf area to be managed, photographs of diseases and affected areas etc. Site assessment - Understanding conditions that favour the pest unique to your turf area. Map the area to be managed in the plan. Monitoring - Accurate identification needed of pest, map specific areas of responsibility for the person monitoring, give training. Setting thresholds - how little/much is acceptable to staff/golfers. Identifying management options: cultural, biological, genetic, chemical how should each one be used and to what degree. Building pest profiles – type of disease, condition that favour it, treatments to get rid of it etc. Proactive turf management – actually how you are going to treat the problem and, document work carried out to eradicate pest. Evaluation – monitoring the plan, did the treatments work, can anything else be done to improve conditions, updating plan.