Sports Turf and Lawn Care - A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK
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A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK Founded on research – focused on nature A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 1 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK
INTRODUCTION
The past decade has seen an increasing number of chemicals withdrawn from the market
due to concerns over human safety and the environment. According to the Pesticide
Action Network (PAN), more than 225 pesticides are currently banned in the UK and in
the European Union (EU).
Fortunately, an alternative solution to The simplest, and probably most well-known,
chemical pesticides is at hand, in the example of a biocontrol agent is the ladybird-
form of biological pesticides – so-called gardeners who encourage ladybirds to flourish
‘biopesticides’ (or ‘bioprotectants’) include are less likely to be bothered by aphids,
insect pathogenic fungi and bacteria, because the ladybirds will eat the aphids.
beneficial nematodes and insects.
The science lies simply in matching the correct
Biopesticides harness nature by identifying and natural enemy to each pest.
developing products that use natural enemies
to manage insect pests in different sectors.
Biopesticides provide a solution to filling gaps in the market
left by banned chemical pesticides
Biopesticides also offer several other advantages:
• They target specific • They can be very • They are easy to apply
pests, so they don’t harm effective at controlling using conventional
other beneficial insects insects that attack plants, spraying equipment.
and wildlife, such as including grasses.
• Biopesticides are
pollinators.
• Pests don’t develop compatible with other
• They are non-toxic ‘chemical resistance’ to cultural control methods
to workers, users and biopesticides so these and approaches
consumers. products don’t become to integrated pest
less effective over time. management (IPM).
In recent years, growing awareness and acceptance of biopesticides to meet the
challenges of sustainable crop protection has driven their growth in the agriculture sector.
The same is now becoming true for turf and amenities as well.
A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 2 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK “ The science lies simply in matching the correct natural enemy to each pest.
A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 3 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK
COMMON SPORTS TURF PESTS
Insect pests have been known to destroy turf on golf courses, football pitches, racecourses,
cricket grounds and the general landscape, causing millions of pounds of damage annually.
These pests include leatherjackets, chafer Leather jackets and chafer grubs are the most
grubs, cutworms and mole crickets. These economically important pest of turfgrass.
pests all feed on grass plants, killing the grasses ADAS, UK consultancy has calculated annual
and leaving large areas of turf stripped of control cost of chafer grubs alone up to £85m
green. Crows, badgers, racoons and other for golf courses in UK, from lost income and
insect-eating wildlife animals can also cause damage repair. Their report highlighted that on
immense damage by digging up the soil to 40% of racecourses affected by pest damage,
eat the larvae, further stripping the turf and lost income could amount up to £605,000
making the situation even worse. per course.
Leatherjackets Chafer grubs
Leatherjackets are the larvae of the crane fly Chafer grubs are the soil-dwelling larvae of
(also known as ‘daddy long legs’) and called so chafer beetles. Grubs or larvae feed on – and
because of its tough leathery skin. They feed kill – the roots of grass plants. Chafer beetles
on the roots of grass plants, often leaving large lay their eggs in the summer, and they hatch
areas of turf barren and empty of vegetation. in the autumn, at which point the larvae –
‘grubs’ – begin to feed on the grass roots. The
The crane fly spends most of its life in this
grubs over-winter in the soil, before emerging
damaging larval stage. The adults lay their eggs
in the spring to feed again when the weather
in August/September and, about 7 - 10 days
is warmer. The grubs pupate in late spring and
later, the eggs hatch into the larvae – what we
emerge in early June as fully-grown adults,
call ‘leatherjackets’ – which eat voraciously until
ready to mate and begin the cycle again.
the following July. They then pupate (become
a cocoon), and in mid-August and emerge as
an adult in late August and early September.
The adults will often mate and lay their eggs
in the same night, continuing the cycle and
producing more leatherjackets that will
damage surrounding plants.
Leatherjacket Chafer grub
A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 4 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 5 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK
THE PESTS BENEFICIAL NEMATODES AS BIOCONTROL
AGENTS FOR TURF PESTS
Until recently, turf and amenity managers were able to control these insect pests with
chemical pesticides – it was even common to spray undamaged turf with these products
to prevent any infestations. However, those chemicals are no longer on the market due to
concerns over toxicity. Thankfully, biopesticides offer an alternative solution.
Certain species of beneficial nematodes When using any biopesticides, it is important
(roundworms) actively search for insect larvae to remember that you are dealing with living
in the soil. They enter the insects through organisms, which tend to have optimal
Turf characteristics & symptoms caused by The chafer grub causes extensive damage to
birds & wildlife searching for the protein rich grass roots when feeding. natural openings and release lethal bacteria windows for performance.
chafer grubs. that kill them within 24-72 hours. This is a
For example, factors like temperature, pH or
natural process, as it forms part of these
humidity can have a significant impact on
nematodes’ life cycle.
performance. Nematodes are particularly
The nematodes breed within the dead insect, susceptible to ultra-violet light and desiccation,
THE SOLUTION feeding on their body tissues. The nematodes so biopesticides containing nematodes should
reproduce within 2 weeks and reproduce only be applied early in the morning or late in
thousands of nematodes, the new nematodes the evening, when there is less direct sunlight.
come out in search of more larvae, and the
They also function best when surface
natural cycle continues.
temperatures are at least 12ºC and, while they
This self-sustainability offers extended pest need a reasonable amount of moisture to
control and helps to ensure that overall costs move through the soil, watering-logging can
compare favourably with those of old chemical reduce their performance.
pesticides.
NemaTrident®C, contains the beneficial
nematode.
Chafer grubs killed with NemaTrident®C
“ It is important to remember that you are dealing with living organisms.
PE
NETRATION
1
EM
E C TI O N
ER GENCE
4 2
IN F
3
RE N
PRO
D U C TI O
A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 6 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 7 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK
NemaTrident®
A TRI-COMPONENT SOLUTION FOR BETTER EFFICACY
Ensuring conditions for maximising nematode performance can be built into an
application regimen once you are aware of them. At Bionema, we ensure this is achieved
easily, by applying the three components of our NemaTrident® biopesticide programme:
1. The beneficial nematodes, NemaTrident® products incorporate a range
2. NemaSpreader®, a biocompatible wetting of highly virulent insect-parasitic nematodes
agent that helps the nematodes to spread within the Heterorhabditis and Steinernema
and reach the target, and genera. These nematodes attack and destroy
the larvae of leatherjackets, chafer grubs
3. The specialist training and advice for
and cutworms, and the nymphs of mole
our customers on how to optimise the
crickets. They are non-toxic to users and the
effectiveness of the nematodes.
environment, they decompose naturally,
Using all three parts of the programme – and they do not harm beneficial insects
beneficial nematodes, wetting agent and our (e.g. pollinators).
expert advice – there’s no reason why you
When correctly applied, NemaTrident® shows
shouldn’t get great results from controlling
up to 90% success in pest control, making
your turf pests with nematodes.
it the most effective and flexible nematode
product in the market.
Nematodes
Tri
nd advice
-Component
Nem
ga
System
aS
n
pr
i
in ea
de
Tra ®
r
Nematrident® - the most effective and flexible
nematode product on the market
A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 8 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 9 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK
CHOOSING THE RIGHT APPROACH APPLICATION ADVICE
If you suspect that your turf has a problem with insect pests, and you would like to As with any tool, optimal results will be achieved if that tool is used correctly. It has
control them with a biopesticide such as NemaTrident®, it is important to first identify the already been noted that nematodes are living organisms, so factors like temperature,
pests properly so they can be matched to the correct management options available. pH or humidity can have a significant impact on their performance. Here is some
practical advice specific to the storing, mixing and application of NemaTrident®
nematode products, and some key ‘do’s and don’ts’.
In order to do this, it is advisable to dig a hole 1 Preventative approach: a single application
with golf hole cutter (10cm diameter) and of nematodes in the autumn, to kill the For a video demonstrating the successful nematode application for the control of
collect any larvae from that sample of soil. An newly hatch larvae (before they can cause turf pests, visit https://youtu.be/GmdhPDNv91w
expert agronomist can help you to identify extensive damage to the turf ).
the species of larvae, and to measure the
2 Eradicative approach: two applications of Application Tank mixing
‘infestation level’, which is generally calculated
nematodes in the spring and autumn, to kill
by counting the number of each hole and 1. All equipment should be cleaned with fresh 1. Each packet of NemaTrident® should be
the pupae/larvae in sprint and newly hatch water before using NemaTrident®, and mixed into 10 litres of water, in accordance
multiplying that number by ten.
larvae in autumn. any chemical residues that might harm the with the instructions on the product label.
Once the species and infestation levels are nematodes must be washed away. Remember to rinse the packet because the
3 Chafer Trap: A trap is designed to capture nematodes often cling to the inside of the
known, it is possible to plan a nematode All fine filters in the tubing and nozzles
beetle and can be placed late May until packaging.
application regimen. Generally speaking, when should be removed, and only nozzles with a
mid-July to reduce adult populations.
considering turf pests such as leatherjackets diameter of at least 0.8 mm should be used, 2 It is advisable to check the status of the
and chafer grubs, infestation levels of Two weeks after applying the nematodes, it otherwise the nematodes will not be able to nematodes (using a magnifying glass)
pass freely through them. before application, to make sure they are
10–20 suggest a preventative approach, while is advisable to assess the results by digging
2. Grass should be cut and aerated alive and active.
infestation levels of 20 or more suggest the another hole to expose any remaining larvae
need for an eradicative approach. in the soil. Our technical specialist will be able (holocoring) prior to spraying, to allow the 3 The solution should be stirred for 3 - 5
nematodes easy access to the soil. The area minutes, until all lumps are dissolved.
to help you assess the dead larva, which may
should also be watered after spraying to It can then be added to the spray tank,
Threshold (m2) differ in colour according to the nematode wash off any nematodes stuck to the grass which should be clean of any prior
Insect species biopesticide that was applied. stems, so they can move down into the soil chemical residues (that might be harmful
Preventative Eradicative
in search of insect pests. to the nematodes). The wetting agent,
Crane fly / NemaSpreader®, should also be added at
3. After application, the soil surface should be
leatherjacket 10 - 20 20+ this stage.
larvae
kept moist (not soaking) for about 2 weeks.
It is always important to remember that the
Chafer grubs 10 - 20 20+ nematodes are living and require a good Storing
environment to thrive.
1. Prior to mixing with water, the product may
be stored for 8–10 weeks at 5–10°C.
2. As soon as NemaTrident® has been mixed
with water and NemaSpreader®, the entire
spray solution should be used in a single
application. It should not be stored for
longer than 2 - 4 hours in the tank.
A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 10 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 11 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK
DO’S & DON’TS
✔ Do wash all chemical residues ✘ Don’t forget that you are dealing
from sprayer before adding the with living organisms.
nematodes.
✘ Don’t spray in hot sunlight.
✔ Do check compatibility with any
other products being used on the ✘ Don’t leave nematodes on the
soil. surface, where they could dry out
and die.
✔ Do cut the grass and aerate the soil
before the nematodes are applied. ✘ Don’t use filters smaller than 0.8
mm diameter.
✔ Do use NemaTrident® with
Nemaspreader®, a wetting ✘ Don’t leave the filters in the
agent that ensures the effective sprayer.
distribution and survival of the
nematodes in the soil.
✘ Don’t apply when the surface
temperature is below 8oC.
✔ Do water the area before and after
✘ Don’t apply to waterlogged soil.
spraying.
ABOUT BIONEMA
Bionema is a leading biopesticide
technology developer, specialising in
chemical-free, organic crop protection. Founded on research – focused on nature
Our research is focused on the Swansea University, Singleton Park,
development of natural products to Swansea, SA2 8PP
protect crops from insect damage, Email info@bionema.com
reducing the use of synthetic pesticides, Tel +44 (0)1792 606 916
enhancing food security and increasing
crop yields. We supply specialist bio- www.bionema.com
control products to the horticulture,
turf and amenity and forestry sectors,
providing training aimed at increasing
product efficacy.
A Guide for Sports Turf and Lawn Care 12 A White Paper by Bionema Ltd, UK
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