john neylan
s
john neylan
There have been several recent examples of scarab larvae damage and ineffective control strategies employed because of incorrect identification
control to be taken where key areas are treated rather than blanket spraying. If nothing else, it provides a means of understanding the pests
also weeds and diseases. Accurate and detailed records have to be kept including identification, location, numbers present and stage of life cycle (insects). There has been several recent examples of scarab larvae damage and ineffective control strategies employed because of incorrect identification and a lack of understanding of the life cycle stage (i.e.: what instar is it). The Argentine scarab (Cyclocephala signaticollis) is one such example of a pest that has been incorrectly identified. It has a different life cycle compared to many of the other scarabs treated and the effects of most insecticides will have been depleted by the time the insect requires control. If they are at the 3rd instar stage the control options become even more limited. Regular monitoring enables threshold damage levels to be determined. This is the challenging bit – what level of turf damage is acceptable before treatment needs to be initiated? Another key part of the IPM strategy is that if chemical treatment is
present and pest dynamics. Monitoring is an ongoing process and provides early detection of a developing problem, location of the problem pests and pest population status. However, it takes time and effort to do it well. Monitoring turf areas will involve inspecting key turf areas regularly and not only recording insects but
necessary, treatments are restricted to the target area rather than blanket spraying, which will substantially reduce the amount of chemical used. At the very least it is time to review what is being done on your turf area and whether a more environmentally approach to past management can be taken.
One of the best
T
he great part of working in the turf industry is the people Mick was involved with trialling couch overseeded with ryegrass that work in it. I am pleased to say that I have known as a playing surface when ryegrass was still the dominant turf and worked alongside one of the real surface and then helped to sell the concept gentleman involved in turf management – Mick of resurfacing the ground and installing a new O’Shannessy, who was featured in the last drainage system to then AFL football operations edition of Australian Turfgrass Management manager Ian Collins. It was quite an experience (Small in stature, big in heart; Vol 15.1, pp22to see two Carlton men of strong will and opinion 26). Following his retirement last year I was set Waverley Park in a new and better direction. pleased to have lunch with him at one of our From that period on Waverley Park became old haunts, Waverley Park football ground and it the premier surface in the AFL. Following the first was as if nothing had changed. season of couch/rye, the ryegrass was removed Waverley Park back in the early 1990’s was and a pure couch surface re-established. There a place that could either break you or make you was a lot learnt at that time in terms of what and at times both in the same day. After some was the most effective herbicide, what was the pre-season problems around that time, Mick level of damage to the couch, how long would was brought in to assist in getting the ground it take to grow it back in and how to achieve back on track. While I had worked with Mick a successful overseeding with ryegrass. It is previously, it was a great learning period for me interesting to note that these lessons are being Mick O’Shannessy re-learnt again some 18 years on! working with one of the very best greenkeepers. What Mick bought to Waverley Park was In 1999 it was decided to end it all and the golf course superintendent’s eye for detail and a very strong the last official AFL game was played in 1999 between Hawthorn work ethic. He was also very pragmatic and direct and you had to and Sydney in front of a sell-out crowd of 72,130. Mick moved on know how to support your argument. The way he operated made me to Hidden Valley Golf & Country Club and with minimal resources, realise how well trained and experienced golf course greenkeepers limited water and bitterly cold winters managed to develop a very were and the understanding of the standards required for high level good golf course. The presentation of the golf course was again sport. On reflection, it is probably the broader base of experiences testament to his hands-on approach to greenkeeping, pride in his that a golf course greenkeeper is exposed to that allowed Mick to work and eye for detail. All the very best in your retirement Mick! improve the playing surface the way he did. - John Neylan 30
Australian Turfgrass Management