{"id":151617,"date":"2019-07-01T08:51:12","date_gmt":"2019-07-01T12:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=151617"},"modified":"2023-06-27T12:16:31","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T16:16:31","slug":"controlling-weeds-playing-fields-parks-lawns-without-herbicides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2019\/07\/controlling-weeds-playing-fields-parks-lawns-without-herbicides\/","title":{"rendered":"Controlling Weeds on Playing Fields, Parks and Lawns Without Herbicides"},"content":{"rendered":"

Turfgrass covers more than 40 million acres of land in the continental United States, including lawns, parks, commercial landscapes, sports fields and golf courses. It is the\u00a0single largest irrigated crop in the nation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Turfgrasses are grass species with qualities that make them well suited for these uses. They tolerate frequent mowing, withstand intense traffic and form dense, uniform surfaces. They create places to play sports or relax outdoors; reduce soil erosion; reduce dust and mud problems around homes, schools and businesses; and\u00a0create clear sight lines along highways<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Often, however, the turfgrass industry is criticized for using significant quantities of water, fertilizer and pesticides. Pesticides have come under especially intense scrutiny as concerns increase over potential health risks.<\/p>\n

In many places pesticide legislation has advanced faster than alternative pest control methods. As a\u00a0researcher specializing in turfgrass and soil sciences<\/a>, I\u2019m interested in new options and have developed a completely new method and tool for turfgrass management that kills weeds without applying chemicals.<\/p>\n

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Turfgrass treated mechanically for weeds with the Weedbine (left) and untreated (right).<\/span>\u00a0Jason Henderson<\/span>,\u00a0CC BY-ND<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Herbicides and health<\/h2>\n

Americans use considerable quantities of herbicides on nonfarmlands, such as lawns, gardens, golf courses, sports fields and public parks. In 2012 such uses accounted for\u00a054 million pounds of herbicide active ingredient<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 that is, the weed-killing portion of herbicides.<\/p>\n

Concerns over pesticides\u2019 potential health impacts have been well publicized in recent years. The\u00a0American Academy of Pediatrics<\/a>, the\u00a0Canadian Pediatric Society<\/a>\u00a0and other health organizations advise limiting children\u2019s exposure to pesticides both in utero and after birth.<\/p>\n

According to these experts, children are most vulnerable to ongoing low-level doses of pesticides because they are growing and developing rapidly, and consume more food and fluids per pound of body weight than adults. They also have more frequent contact with the ground outdoors and floors indoors, and are more likely to ingest residues through frequent hand-to-mouth activity.<\/p>\n

In response, Connecticut has\u00a0banned use of lawn care pesticides on school grounds<\/a>\u00a0at public and private pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade schools. New York state has banned pesticide use on\u00a0school grounds, daycare centers and athletic fields<\/a>\u00a0through grade 12. Many U.S. municipalities have banned pesticide use in\u00a0parks, open space parcels and public rights of way<\/a><\/p>\n

Internationally,\u00a0eight of Canada\u2019s 10 provinces have restricted use of \u201ccosmetic\u201d pesticides<\/a>. Many cities, states and nations worldwide are banning or restricting sales of\u00a0glyphosate-based products<\/a>\u00a0in response to ongoing concerns about this widely used herbicide\u2019s health effects.<\/p>\n

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