Researchers Turn to Turfgrass Instead of Chemicals to Deter Pests

Each turfgrass species and cultivar has particular optimal growth requirements. Water, fertility and mowing height differ. Similarly, insect pest management needs vary with grass type. As chemical pest management tools become less available, researchers at the University of Georgia are seeking alternative methods in the management of common turfgrass pests. Their foundation management strategy, they stress, should always be to deploy pest-resistant plants. Why spend time and money fighting a pest problem when it can be simply avoided with plants that are less susceptible? It is important to keep in mind, however, that sustainable systems always use multiple tactics for pest suppression. In other words, we don't want to simply replace chemical control with highly pest-resistant plants. That approach simply increases selection pressure for pests to overcome the pest resistance provided by the plant material and become "resistant to the resistance." Research at the University of Georgia is seeking to develop strategies that complement or better yet synergize one another, believing that this approach makes more economic (and environmental) sense.