Introduction to controlling weeds in sports turf
📌What is a weed…
Weeds are really determined by our own criteria in that they are simply a plant growing in a situation where their presence is not desirable.
In sports turf however too many weeds and particular types are not only visually not very pleasing but they can also affect the playability of the surface negatively impacting on the quality of the pitch.
🗝️Weeds thrive in certain conditions…
In the learning cards to follow we’ll explore the specifics of what conditions each weed particularly enjoys but there are trends with certain weeds thriving in bare and compacted ground, nutrient deficient conditions, soils that are too dry or too wet and where mowing heights are too short.
📌What can we do to control weed populations?
This really falls into two categories; what we call cultural controls and chemical controls these are covered in more detail in the learning cards to follow.
As a brief introduction cultural control may include;
🌿 Maintaining a dense grass sward with suitable grass species
🌿 Maintaining appropriate mowing heights
🌿 Adequate fertiliser application
🌿 Scarification and surface grooming
🌿 Surface aeration and soil decompaction
🌿 Hand weeding
Chemical controls
In some situations, especially when trying to control an existing weed population on a pitch, application of selective herbicides may be necessary. Selective herbicides as the name suggests contain active ingredients that are selective in that they should not, if appropriately applied, in the correct conditions have a detrimental impact on the health of surrounding turf. These should never be confused with total herbicides that control all vegetation.
📌Factors to consider…
Promoting healthy turf and carrying out the right cultural practices should always be the first line of defence when working to minimise weed populations.
Whilst it may be necessary, application of selective herbicides should not be considered without first assessing any potential alternatives, the sustainable use of pesticides directive promotes the use of integrated turf management and using alternative, non-chemical approaches where possible. The main crux of this is setting an acceptable tolerance for weeds within your pitch, say 6-10%, and only using a selective herbicide when weed coverage exceeds this after all alternative controls have been tried.
⚠ Application of selective herbicides… The Law
The following section aims to summarise the laws, best practice and responsibilities regarding the use of Plant Protection Products, but comprehensive information can be found on gov.uk and the Amenity Forum website.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/using-pesticides/index.htm
https://amenityforum.co.uk/guidance/
All those who use or supply professional plant protection products (PPP) now have a legal obligation to register themselves with DEFRA.
We have made members and industry colleagues aware of the requirement via a range of GMA communications channels, including the emailed Newsletter, the website and via social media. Please help to spread the word by sharing with your networks.
You can read the update here on the GMA website
There are now Pesticide Enforcement Officers who’s role is to conduct official controls on operators throughout the plant protection product (PPP) supply chain in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Operators include importers, manufacturers, formulators, those who package and label plant protection products, distributors/sellers and users of plant protection products authorised for professional use.
⚠ Myth busting
🗝️You may see the term “Pesticides” and think well that doesn’t apply to me, well the chances are it does.
🗝️Pesticides are an umbrella term, also known as ‘plant protection products’ (PPP)
🗝️Pesticides are used to control pests, weeds and diseases. Examples include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, molluscicides, and plant growth regulators.
📝 It is a legal requirement for those applying Amenity Professional Pesticides to be trained and hold the appropriate certification, this applies to everyone, there are no exclusions irrespective of whether it is on private ground etc.
📝 Fertilisers (granular and liquid), soil conditioners, bio stimulants etc are not so categorised providing they do not contain any active ingredients classified as a pesticide.
🗝️The active ingredients MCPA and Mecoprop-P or similar can often be found in “Weed and Feed” granular fertilisers and application of these DOES require the appropriate certification.
📝 Plant protection products can be identified by having a MAPP number which is a unique product authorisation number for the purpose of use as a PPP.
📝 The so called “Grandfather rights” for owners to be able to spray their own land/area, without certification expired on the 25th of November 2015 and now, all using these products must hold the appropriate certification.
What qualifications could I need?
🌿 In recreational settings and for volunteers it will almost certainly be more cost effective and appropriate to use a qualified sports turf contractor or weed control specialist for such applications who have the necessary equipment, certification and expertise.
🌿 However, if this was something you were considering yourself there are a catalogue of awards that cover everything from spraying pesticides for vertebrate pest control to pesticide application from the air or by boat.
🌿 For most applications the following will be the appropriate qualifications and are generally considered the industry standard for most applying plant protection products in a sports turf setting.
🎯 The two awarding bodies for these qualifications or similar are City & Guilds or LANTRA.
Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides (Referred to as PA1)
👉 Think of this as the theory modules and test required before you can take a practical driving test, it underpins the various other practical training and awards you can take.
Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides Using Self Propelled, Mounted, Trailed Horizontal Boom Sprayers (Referred to as PA2)
👉 Anyone using for example a tractor mounted boom sprayer will require this qualification.
Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides using Pedestrian Handheld Equipment (Referred to as PA6)
👉 Anyone using for example a pedestrian barrow sprayer or backpack Knapsack sprayer.
Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pelleted or Granular Pesticides Using Mounted or Trailed Applicators (Referred to as Pa4)
👉 Anyone using a tractor mounted fertiliser spreader for example to spread granular fertiliser containing a selective herbicide.
💡 Where should I go for advice?
👥 Those selling and/or advising on the use of professional pesticides should be appropriately trained and qualified so if you are looking for advice and guidance on product choice, application timings etc contact a consumables supplier and ask to speak to a staff member with a BASIS Field sales and Technical Staff Certificate covering sports turf and amenity.
🎯 As previously mentioned, the Amenity Forum are the go-to organisation promoting best practice, and the safe and sustainable management of weeds, pests and diseases.