Research on the Fate of Pesticides Applied to Turfgrass: A Perspective by a Scientist, Administrator and Emeritus

During the final two decades of the last century, there appeared to be an increasing concern for the potential movement of chemicals from intensively managed turfgrass. Funding opportunities appeared and numerous research programs were initiated across the United States. Results of a research program conducted at the University of Georgia from 1992-1997 indicated that very small fractions of certain pesticides were transported through lysimeters containing the soil mixture recommended by the United States Golf Association for turfgrass maintained as golf course greens. Additionally, small quantities of certain pesticides were transported in surface runoff from treated mini-plots simulating golf course fairways and home lawns. It was concluded that certain pesticides could be applied to turfgrass with minimal risk. Other research programs, conducted during the 1990's, obtained similar results and reached similar conclusions. Did these publicized conclusions result in apathy toward risk assessment research on turfgrass management? It appears that the importance of risk assessment studies on turfgrass management strategies has lessened during recent past. Special funding (eg. grants and gifts) has been reduced considerably over the past five years. Additionally, reduced state and federal budgets have impacted the formula funding at Land Grant Universities (LGU’s). Currently in LGU’s, use of formula funding for this research suffers compared to other disciplines (eg. genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics). The clientele of these Universities demand research programs D o w n lo ad ed b y 1 7 3 .3 3 .1 6 .4 7 o n M ay 1 2 , 2 0 1 1 | h tt p :/ /p u b s. ac s. o rg