Plant Pathology: Academic Programs: Courses / Syllabi

CRSS(ENTO)(PATH) 3500 - Turfgrass Pest Management

This course discusses the identification, biology, and control practices for the major insects, diseases and weeds that infest turfgrasses. Emphasis will be placed on management strategies that include both chemical and non-chemical approaches to the prevention and control of common turfgrass pests.

Instructors -  Drs. T. R. Murphy, W. G. Hudson, P. Guillebeau, and L. Burpee
Credit Hours - 3
Course Offered - Spring Semester and thru Continuing Education

Prerequisites:

CRSS 2830 or CRSS 3270-3270L.

Semester and Year Syllabus is for:

Spring, 2005

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course you should be able to adequately answer of fulfill these objectives:

1. Understand why turfgrass insects, disease and weeds are management problems in turfgrass culture.
2. Be able to identify and understand the biology of common surface-feeding, subsurface and nuisance insect pests of turfgrasses
3. Discuss chemical and non-chemical methods used to control insect and mite problem sin turfgrass.
4. To become familiar with diagnostic features and management strategies associated with common diseases of turfgrasses grown in the southeastern United States.
5. Be able to diagnose foliar and root diseases of turfgrasses.
6. Discuss both chemical and non-chemical control strategies for turfgrass diseases.
7. Identify and understand the basic biology of common turfgrass weeds.
8. Discuss both chemical and non-chemical control strategies for turfgrass weeds.
9. Understand the mode-of-action and environmental fate of turfgrass herbicides.

Topical Outline

1. Entomology
   1. Introduction to Insect Pest Management in Turf
      1. 1. Overview of course
      2. 2. General Entomology Review
   2. B. Surface-feeding Insect Pests
   3. C. Subsurface Pests
   4. D. Nuisance Pests
   5. E. Beneficial Insects and Alternative Control Measures
   6. F. Pesticide Use in Turf IPM Program
   7. G. Sampling Techniques and Identification of Pests/Beneficials
   
   Exam 1 - 100 points
   
2. Introduction to Turfgrass Disease
   1. A. The Concept of Plant Disease
   2. B. Principles of Disease Diagnosis
   3. C. Principles of Disease Management
      
3. Diagnosis and Management of Foliar Diseases
   
   1. Dollar Spot
   2. B. Anthracnose
   3. C. Brown Patch and Large Patch
   4. D. Yellow Patch
   5. E. Pythium Blight
   6. F. Gray Leaf Spot
   
   Exam 2 - 50 points
   
4. Diagnosis and Management of Root Diseases
   1. A. Spring Dead Spot
   2. B. Take-All Patch
   3. C. Bermudagrass Decline and Take-All Root Rot
   4. D. Fairy Ring
   5. E. Pythium Induced Root Dysfunction and Pythium Root Rot
   6. F. Nematodes
   
   Exam 3 - 50 points
   
5. Basics of Turfgrass Weed Management, Biology and Identification
   1. A. Turfgrass Weed Management Basics
   2. B. Turfgrass Weed Biology and Identification
      
6. Turfgrass Herbicides
   1. A. Use Characteristics
   2. B. Families and Mode-of-Action
   3. C. Herbicide Fate in the Environment
      
7. Turfgrass Weed Control
   1. A. Control of Problem Turfgrass Weeds
   2. B. Herbicide Resistant Weeds and Glyphosate-tolerant Turfgrass
   
   Exam 4 - 100 points
   
8. Site Specific Weed Management Strategies
   1. A. Golf Course Putting Greens
   2. B. Athletic Fields
   
   Final Exam - 100 points

University Honor Code and Academic Honesty Policy:

All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty." Each student is responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any academic work.

The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructors may be necessary.

Assignments:

Instructors will note assigned readings in texts, and/or provide handouts.

Exams and quizzes will be taken from lectures and assigned readings.

Grading Policy:

Four examinations (one entomology, two plant pathology, one weed science) and a comprehensive final will be given each semester. Entomology and weed science exams are worth 100 points each. The two plant pathology exams are worth 50 points each, for a total of 100 points from this section. The final examination will count 100 points. A total of 400 points may be earned.

The grading scale will be:
A = 360 points and above
B = 320 - 359 points
C = 280 - 319 points
D = 240 - 279 points
F = 239 points and below

Make-up Examinations:

For excused absences, students may schedule a time with instructor for make-up exam. There will be no make-up exams for unexcused absences.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is required. Instructor has the right to withdraw a student who has five or more unexcused absences.

Required Texts:

Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases. 2nd Edition. Smiley, R.W., et al. 1992. APS Press, St. Paul, MN, Weeds of Southern Turfgrasses, Murphy, T. R. et al.; Handbook of Turfgrass Insect Pests. Brandenburg, R.L. and M.G. Villani. 1995. ESA Press, Lanham, MD.