Influence of post-application irrigation and mowing timing on fungicide fate on a United States Golf Association golf course putting green.

Fungicides are routinely applied to golf course putting greens throughout the growing season. Gaining a better understanding of fungicide fate can improve fungicide use and stewardship. Therefore, optimizing fungicide applications with post-application management practices may enhance fungicide movement and limit potential off-target effects. Two field studies were initiated on a golf course putting green to evaluate the influence of post-fungicide application irrigation and mowing timing on fungicide movement into the soil profile and removal in turfgrass clippings. Plots were treated with a single application of either pyraclostrobin, triadimefon, or penthiopyrad and received 0.64 cm post-application irrigation immediately or 6 h after application or received no post-application irrigation. Clippings were collected 0, 1, and 3 d after treatment (DAT). Cores were harvested 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 DAT and dissected into the remaining aboveground vegetation (RAV; verdure/thatch; 0-to-2.5-, 2.5-to-5.1-, and 5.1-to-7.6-cm soil subsections). A small amount of fungicide (<3.6%) was removed with clippings regardless of mowing and irrigation treatment. Post-application irrigation treatment influenced fungicide movement; however, >50% of fungicide remained restricted to the RAV for the first 3 DAT. Less fungicide remained restricted to the RAV, and more fungicide was detected in deeper soil depths when plots were irrigated immediately after application. Fungicide was only detected at the 5.1-to-7.6-cm depth when plots were irrigated immediately. Applying post-application irrigation immediately may result in more fungicide moving down to soilborne targets. Irrigating 6 h after application facilitated moderate fungicide movement compared with irrigating immediately but was better than no post-application irrigation.

Persistence in and Release of 2,4-D and Azoxystrobin from Turfgrass Clippings.

Research has shown that pesticide residue in clippings from previously treated turfgrass may become bioavailable as grass decomposes, adversely affecting off-target organisms. We conducted a field study to quantify 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and azoxystrobin (methyl(E)-2-{2[6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrmidin-4-yloxy]phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate) residues in turfgrass clippings collected from hybrid bermudagrass [ (L.) Pers. × Burtt-Davy], tall fescue [ (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire], and zoysiagrass ( Steud.). A subsequent greenhouse experiment was conducted to measure pesticide release from clippings into water. 2,4-D (1.6 kg a.i. ha) and azoxystrobin (0.6 kg a.i. ha) were applied to field plots at 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1, or 0 d before collection of the clippings. Clippings were collected from each experimental unit to quantify pesticide release from clippings into water. Both 2,4-D and azoxystrobin were detected when turfgrass was treated over the 32-d experimental period, suggesting that clipping management should be implemented for an extended period of time after application. Pesticide residue was detected in all water samples collected, confirming 2,4-D and azoxystrobin release from turfgrass clippings; however, pesticide release varied between compounds. Two days after clippings were incorporated in water, 39 and 10% of 2,4-D and azoxystrobin were released from clippings, respectively. Our research supports the currently recommended practice of returning clippings to the turfgrass stand when mowing because removal of 2,4-D and azoxystrobin in clippings may reduce pest control and cause adverse off-target impacts.

Factors Influencing Dislodgeable 2, 4-D Plant Residues from Hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. x C. transvaalensis) Athletic Fields.

Research to date has confirmed 2,4-D residues may dislodge from turfgrass; however, experiments have not been conducted on hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. x C. transvaalensis), the most common athletic field turfgrass in subtropical climates. More specifically, previous research has not investigated the effect of post-application irrigation on dislodgeable 2,4-D residues from hybrid bermudagrass and across turfgrass species, research has been nondescript regarding sample time within a d (TWD) or conducted in the afternoon when the turfgrass canopy is dry, possibly underestimating potential for dislodgement. The effect of irrigation and TWD on 2,4-D dislodgeability was investigated. Dislodgeable 2,4-D amine was reduced > 300% following irrigation. From 2 to 7 d after treatment (DAT), ≤ 0.5% of applied 2,4-D was dislodged from irrigated turfgrass, while ≤ 2.3% of applied 2,4-D was dislodged when not irrigated. 2,4-D dislodgeability decreased as TWD increased. Dislodgeable 2,4-D residues declined to < 0.1% of the applied at 1 DAT- 13:00, and increased to 1 to 3% of the applied 2 DAT- 5:00, suggesting 2,4-D re-suspended on treated turfgrass vegetation overnight. In conclusion, irrigating treated turfgrass reduced dislodgeable 2,4-D. 2,4-D dislodgeability increased as TWD decreased, which was attributed to non-precipitation climatic conditions favoring turfgrass canopy wetness. This research will improve turfgrass management practices and research designed to minimize human 2,4-D exposure.