Organic Turf Management at Tufts Pt 1

ORGANIC TURF MANAGEMENT AT TUFTS I. Introduction This report was developed as part of a pilot project to introduce organic lawn care practices on the Tufts University Medford campus. Contributions from students, landscape professionals and staff affiliated with IPM programs at other universities have helped guide this endeavor at Tufts. The principal aims of organic land care include avoiding pollution in landscape care, as well as encouraging and enhancing biological cycles within landscapes.1 Tufts has embarked on an organic land care project, covering approximately 2 acres, setting measurable goals that are attainable through the use of land care methods that support turf health and reduce dependence on chemicals. The larger, long-term goal of the project is to create a combination organic turf management (OTM)/integrated pest management (IPM) policy for the campus as a whole. This report presents some of the useful resources assembled to date, a project narrative, and suggestions about the future scope of the agenda. Our goal is to provide an informative resource for those continuing to work for organic turf management at Tufts and on other college campuses. 1 http://www.organiclandcare.org/standard/aims.htm II. Organic Turf Management: Background The Organic Turf Management (OTM) project is intended to cultivate a landscape that reflects a healthy, natural ecosystem. Principal goals include: • • • • Minimizing or eliminating use of synthetic chemical pesticides; Minimizing or eliminating use of synthetic fertilizer products; Use of cultural methods, such as aeration and overseeding; and Planting species that are less susceptible to pests and diseases and well adapted to the environmental conditions of this region. What is a pesticide? Pesticides are chemicals designed to kill living organisms, including microorganisms, insects, plants, and mammals. Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides all fall within the broad category of pesticides. A pesticide, by definition, is designed to kill living organisms, be they plants, animals, or fungi. The term "pesticide" is used broadly to refer to herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides. Many people associate pesticide use primarily with agriculture, but Americans actually use more pounds of pesticides per acre in and around their homes than farmers use in their fields.2 Pesticide use in areas where people spend time every day presents special concerns for human health, because pesticides are implicated in a range of human illnesses and disabilities. Many pesticides are suspected carcinogens or endocrine disrupters; pesticide exposure can induce or exacerbate asthma; and even low levels of pesticide exposure during critical periods of fetal, infant, or child development can have devastating long-term developmental consequences. In addition to these health effects, pesticides often have adverse effects on soil and groundwater.3 These problems persist over the lifecycle of pesticides, during production, use and disposal. Pesticide labeling The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assigns pesticides to one of four toxicity categories.4 The classifications are based on the greatest acute toxicity from oral or dermal exposure, inhalation, and eye or skin irritation.5 Category I products are the 2 Pimentel in Dower, Ditz, et al. 1997 For a recent overview of the health and environmental effects of pesticides commonly used on lawns, see John Wargo et al., Risks from Lawn-Care Pesticides (North Haven, CT: Environment and Human Health, Inc., 2003), available at http://www.ehhi.org/reports/lcpesticides/lawnpest_full.pdf. 4 http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/tox_categories.htm 5 The onset of an acute effect is rapid following short-term exposure and lasts briefly. Chronic effects, from “prolonged repeated exposures” are longer in duration and typically refer to cancer, birth defects and 3 most toxic and must be labeled with the word “DANGER” and poison, in some cases. Category II products are labeled “WARNING,” while products from either category III or IV bear a “CAUTION” label. Undisclosed or "inert" ingredients Pesticides include "active ingredients" and so-called "inert ingredients." The active ingredient of a pesticide is the ingredient that is specifically meant to kill the target organism. The "inerts" are all other ingredients: anything that is not an active ingredient is considered an inert ingredient. Many so-called "inerts" are as toxic as, or more toxic than, the active ingredient. These ingredients are often considered confidential business information, so users of pesticides cannot find out what "inert" ingredients they contain. The EPA maintains four lists for inerts: ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ List 1 = inerts of toxicological concern; List 2 = potentially toxic inerts; List 3 = inerts of unknown toxicity; and List 4 = inerts of minimal concern.6 Because inert ingredients are considered proprietary information, their identity does not have to be disclosed unless they are on List 1. Scientific evidence has accumulated steadily on the dangers of pesticides, making it clear that they can pose severe health hazards even when they are applied according to label instructions. Glyphosate, for example, is the active ingredient in RoundUp, a nonselective weed killer used on the Tufts campus around paved or sidewalk areas. Glyphosate was registered with the EPA in 1994 as toxicity category III. A variety of inert ingredients are used in glyphosate-containing compounds which have greater toxicity alone or in combination with glyphosate than just the active ingredient. For example, glyphosate-containing products were found to be more toxic in subchronic tests than glyphosate.7 Applying the Precautionary Principle Minimizing pesticide use on campus is an example of a precautionary approach to pest control products. The Wingspread Statement of the precautionary principle says that when an activity raises threats of harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken, even if some cause and effect relationships are not yet fully established. mutations. Tests for chronic effects, while not reflected in the toxicity category scheme, are required as part of registration. For more information on tests required of pesticide manufacturers before submitting their product for registration: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/data.htm. 6 http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/lists.html 7 For a complete review of the human and ecological effects of Roundup see the Herbicide Factsheet in the Journal of Pesticide Reform, Fall 1998, updated 4/03 at http://www.pesticide.org/gly.pdf Pesticide reduction at Tufts is a form of insurance based on preliminary rather than conclusive evidence of the effects from exposures to toxic lawn care chemicals. Tufts campus is an especially appropriate context for this stance given the presence of children as well as adults of childbearing age who use the grounds for sports and recreation. The Tufts Environmental Policy states that the University will strive to: conduct affairs in a manner that safeguards the environmental health and safety of students, faculty, staff and communities; reduce the use of toxic substances and the generation of wastes and to promote strategies to reuse and recycle those wastes that cannot be avoided; [and] exercise whatever control is reasonable and necessary to avoid harm to public health and the environment, whether or not such control is required by regulations.8 In the face of increasing scientific information on pesticide hazards, a range of municipalities have adopted pesticide-free management of grounds and buildings, including Newton, Wellesley, Stoneham and Marblehead in the Boston area. Several universities, i.e. Connecticut College, University of Colorado, Harvard University, have followed suit to some degree, using organic management or pesticides only as a measure of last resort. These approaches are discussed in detail in section V. 8 http://www.tufts.edu/tie/environmental_policy.html III. Grounds Management at Tufts: Baseline The Tufts Medford campus is a patchwork of athletic fields, manicured lawns, flower beds and other general purpose areas. Grounds management is tailored to the specific land uses in each area of the campus. In the spring of 2004, Tufts ground management divided the campus into three major zones: athletic turf, non-athletic turf and ornamental plantings. All areas are susceptible to the pests that have historically been problematic on campus. These include broadleaf weeds (chickweed, cover, crabgrass, knotweed and dandelions) and insects (Japanese beetles and European chafers). The following is a basic overview of the typical grounds management plan prior to the initiation of the OTM pilot project. Entire campus The campus grasses are a mixture of cool season species: bluegrass, ryegrass and fescue.9 The varieties within each species and the percent of the total mixture vary depending upon location. Athletic fields, for example, have a higher content of bluegrass, which spreads readily. Non-athletic areas have a greater percent of ryegrass. This variety has only one blade per root, so it is less likely to grown into pavement cracks and ornamental plantings. Broadleaf weed control: An outside contractor, Prescription Turf Services (PTS) of Middleton, Massachusetts, carries out one to two applications of broadleaf weed killer annually. The product Tru-Power was applied twice in May and August 2003. Fertilizer: There are three applications of synthetic methylene urea each year. (See Section IV for a detailed discussion of fertilizer.) In 2003 there were 2 applications of fertilizer, coinciding with the weed control treatment. Athletic Fields The athletic fields are managed more intensively than most of the campus grounds.10 In addition to the insecticides and herbicides applied by the contractor, the maintenance regimen consists of aeration, overseeding and topdressing with compost.11 These last three practices foster a sustainable system in which the healthy soil is the main source of plant nutrition and health rather than regular doses of lawn care products. Simulating the action of earthworms, aerators mechanically pull cores of soil, leaving them on the surface to allow air and moisture to reach below the ground. This is 9 The ryegrass varieties are endophytic cultivars. These plants host a beneficial fungus that increases resilience and boosts resistance to diseases and insects (UMASS Extension Professional Guide for IPM Turf for Massachusetts, 2003-2004). 10 The lawn surrounding the president’s house on the main campus also receives special care. 11 Prescription Turf Services (PTS) applies chemical fertilizer, broad-leaf weed killer, and insecticides to control Japanese beetle and grubs on the athletics fields each season. especially helpful where there is excess thatch, a layer of dead and decomposing grass just above the soil, which can prevent nutrients from reaching plant roots.12 Overseeding involves spreading seed on top of existing grass. The purpose may be to thicken the lawn or introduce a new variety which will green as the existing grass goes dormant. Topdressing with compost is a form of supplemental fertilization used after overseeding or aeration to speed growth. Good quality compost may bring ample benefits including improving soil structure, disease suppression of some soil borne pathogens, modifying soil pH and encouraging favorable soil microbes.13 Campus Lawns There are subcategories within this division as some areas of campus receive greater attention due to their visibility. For example, the academic quad receives more attention than steeply sloped areas near residence halls or on the edge of campus. Aside from regular clipping, the fertilizer and pesticide applications are the only maintenance these grounds receive each year. Just before graduation, a one-time application of a hydro-seed product (a combination of seed, fertilizer and water) is used to make the grounds green quickly for a short period. Non Grass/Turf Areas In areas not covered by grass, such as concrete and mulch beds, herbicides are used for weed control. ƒ ƒ ƒ Round-up has been used for concrete and mulched areas to kill weeds that could not be completely pulled manually. Additionally, Bromacil has been used on the edges and fence area, to prevent the growth of tall weeds. This herbicide, used for weed and brush control, is usually sprayed or spread dry just before or during active turf growth. Liquid formulations are more toxic than dry formulations.14 Insecticides may be used against pests such as gypsy moths. Trees Trees do not receive routine applications, but if needed a Doggett’s fertilizer product (www.doggettcorp.com) may be used. 12 Thatch is prone to excessive buildup from heavy fertilization, compaction, poor drainage and acidic soils. http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/lawn/lawncare/thatch.html 13 http://www.cce.cornell.edu/~niagara/hort-news-spring-99.html 14 In the context of acute toxicity, the active ingredient falls into category IV for dermal and category III for skin and eye irritation and inhalation. For chronic toxicity, Bromacil is considered a possible carcinogen. Adverse developmental and reproductive effects were also observed in laboratory animals, but according to the EPA, human exposures will not reach levels producing those results. Some Bromacil formulations contain more harmful inert ingredients, such as Hyvar X-L which contains ethylene glycol, a List 1 inert. See http://infoventures.com/e-hlth/pestcide/bromacil.html. IV. Shifting Grounds Management Practices Beginning in Spring 2004 the grounds management plan expanded to include organic management within pilot project areas: the Huskins baseball diamond, a two acre plot of land surrounding South Hall, Latin Way Apartments, Haskell Hall, Tilton Hall, and Lewis Hall on the southern edge of campus and the triangle field (known among undergraduates as the “Tufts Beach”) which abuts Powderhouse rotary, Powderhouse Ave. and College Ave (see map in appendix). In this zone the major changes include: • • • A shift to non-synthetic organic fertilizers; Use of intensive methods such as aeration (new to the non-athletic areas), topdressing with compost, and overseeding; and No pesticide applications. Across the entire campus, measures include: • • Using a less toxic alternative to RoundUp across the entire campus and Developing a formal, written IPM plan, including a procedure for reporting pesticide use on campus. These measures are discussed in detail below. 1. Pesticide Use The most important change is a reduction in the volume of pesticides used, specifically RoundUp, Tri-Power and Bromacil, following the launch of the organic treatment pilot project. The ultimate goal is the greatest possible reduction of pesticide applications, by eliminating routine use with exceptions for extreme circumstances.15 Progress will advance at different rates across campus following improved levels of organic content and soil health. An important aspect of this reduction program is the recognition that every time pesticides are used for a short term improvement, they set back the eventual goal of building the long-term health of the soil. Pesticide use can harm beneficial insects and microorganisms, reducing the ability of the plants to withstand threats and increasing dependency on the chemicals for protection. In spring/summer 2004, the director of facilities approved a plan to eliminate the use of Round-up weed control for non-turf areas such as concrete walkways and mulched areas, including flower beds. In July 2004 the grounds management staff acquired and began using an alternative product, Burnout II. The active ingredient in Burnout is clove oil and the inert ingredients include vinegar, citric acid and mineral oil. The 15 Of note, a reduction in the total amount of chemicals used on campus in the future will be partly attributed to the completion of a synthetic turf field which is located near the baseball field and will be ready for use by fall 2004. product is fast acting and non-selective, intended for sidewalk, border, fence and driveway areas.16 The head of grounds management has initially reported Burnout to be a successful substitute for RoundUp. Burnout does, however, cost significantly more than RoundUp. The 2.5 gallon ready-to-use container is $50.00 vs. $15.00 for the same quantity of RoundUp. The frequency of application remains to be determined. Reporting An accurate account of pesticide use on campus is important for establishing a frame of reference. A profile of the identity, amount and reason for use of pest control products can help track progress in curbing applications and give an overview of the total exposures at a given time. In a spring 2004 meeting, David Gaspar of PTS agreed to submit reports on campus pesticide applications. None have been received for spring 2004, but the grounds supervisor has stated that no pesticides were applied this year due to good turf health. The Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act, 333 CMR 1.00-13.00, mandates that pesticide applicators provide the following information to the entity with which they have entered into a contract: 1. The name and license/certification number of the applicator; 2. The name of the pesticide(s) that were applied to the property and for what purpose; 3. Any precautions indicated on the labeling relative to any post-application requirements; 4. The date and time of application. 5. "The signs should remain posted for a period of 72 hours unless otherwise recommended by the Department of Food and Agriculture". In addition, the pest control contractor must retain records on each application of a pesticide for 2 years. Thus, a system for reporting pesticide use on campus should be created with specifications for what information is needed (e.g. type of pesticide used, reason for use, amount applied, identifying a repository for reports and submission schedule).17 16 Although Burnout II is considered safer than Roundup, it is not a harmless product. The acetic acid is highly corrosive and applicators are the most vulnerable/likely to experience harm from inhalation, skin contact or ingestion if the product is not handled with caution (The Material Safety Data Sheets are provided online by the manufacturer, St. Gabriel Laboratories; www.milkyspore.com). 17 The University of Oregon has a Pest Control Treatment record which could be adapted as a template for the same use at Tufts. A written IPM plan would outline the process by which pesticides could be used as a last resort when circumstances demand this level of control. The quantity of pesticides can also be managed by only using it in the warranted locations – PTS has already agreed to cooperate in this capacity. In order to curtail pesticide use, action thresholds must be set according to the amount of damage that could be sustained and remediated through alternative methods. Pesticides use thus becomes a reaction to evidence of damage, rather than serving as a primary tool for grounds management. 2. Fertilizer Fertilizers vary in their environmental impact. Some types are readily flushed from soil and can overload waterways, while others actually help to build healthy soil over time. The rate at which nitrogen becomes available for plants is the basis for the two main categories of fertilizer, slow- and quick-release.18 Plants require nitrate or ammonium, which may be obtained through ammonium nitrate, urea or through conversion by microorganisms. Slow-release fertilizers can be natural organic materials (e.g. agricultural or municipal waste), which need to be broken down to a usable form by soil microorganisms, or a concentrated nitrogen source enhanced with chemical or physical barriers that reduce water solubility. The length of the activation period depends upon the amount of microorganism activity, which increases with higher soil temperatures and moisture content. Through use of slow-release fertilizers, it is possible to extend the flow of nutrients over greater intervals producing a deeper, more substantial root system of turf grass that absorbs water more efficiently over time. 19 Quick-release fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, urea) are manufactured forms of water-soluble nitrogen which are immediately available to the plant upon application. A newer category of fertilizers, referred to as bridge products, are formulated with both organic and synthetic sources of nitrogen, and have slow and quick release rates.20 Harmony Products Inc., for example, has patented a bridge fertilizer for landscape and turf which chemically combines organic (composted poultry manure) and synthetic (methylene urea) types of slow-release nitrogen with a quick release form (ammonium sulfate). The ammonium sulfate is immediately available for plant use, while the methylene urea and organic nitrogen are gradually activated microbially and chemically. 18 The main nutrients required by plants and provided by fertilizers in the greatest amounts are Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK). Most of the environmental concerns surrounding fertilizer use are directed at the first two. When the rates of application exceed the needs of the plants the excess nutrients can leach/run off from the site and contribute to reduced oxygen in waterways. 19 According to Chip Osborne, Tufts could expect to experience up to a 50% reduction in water demand from the organically fertilized areas, due to the more complete root system. 20 Bridge products are used, though not exclusively, at Harvard as per conversation with Wayne Carbone. The slow release fertilizers composed of natural organic materials are preferable from an environmental standpoint. The addition of organic materials can lend multiple benefits to the soil which can improve the health and quality of the grass to help withstand pressures from diseases and pests. Organic materials can enrich the microorganism populations in the soil and help protect plants from diseases or competitive plant growth. It is worth noting, though, that fertilizers based on organic materials are not always safe. It is important to note that fertilizers containing organic materials do not necessarily meet the standards for organic food production. In some cases, fertilizers can contain toxic substances. Biosolids, for example, are the solid waste residuals from municipal waste which may be applied to land as fertilizers after the completion of certain treatments designed to reduce levels of pathogens and 9 other compounds. Land treated with sludge may not be used to raise certified organic food crops. Thus, it is important to examine possible fertilizer products with care to determine their quality. 21 Tufts uses a controlled release fertilizer in which nitrogen is supplied as methylene urea. The reaction between urea and formaldehyde during manufacturing produces compounds of various lengths for a combination of quick and slow release forms. This is intended to provide quick greening with sustained nitrogen release over a longer time interval. Two types of natural organic biologically activated fertilizers have been selected for use in the pilot areas. On the baseball field, PTS has applied Milorganite which is derived from processed municipal sewage sludge from Milwaukee. Grounds management has ordered a different fertilizer, made of bird guano/composted poultry manure, for the other pilot areas.22 3. Composting 21 Questions may also be raised about whether pathogens, hormones and antibiotic residues could be transferred to land, although this primarily pertains to raw manure. The Agricultural Resource Service of the USDA is pursuing research into this area, specifically for food cropped lands. Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., a microbiologist and principal investigator of several relevant studies responded to these issues explaining that pathogens are killed during composting when the temperature of the pile reaches 50 C. However, there is ambiguity or no information for the persistence and fate of sex hormones and antibiotics. 22 Before these products were selected, we investigated several additional options. We sought recommendations for pelletized or granular organic fertilizer products from a variety of sources including the Ecological Landscaping Association, the UMASS Extension Turf Management Team, the Boston Tree Preservation Society and the Marblehead Living Lawn project website. Based on information from these sources, we compiled a list of four options that seemed reasonable for use at Tufts: Sustane, NatureSafe, North Country Organics and Harmony. Sustane and NatureSafe offer products which have been approved for use in USDA certified organic food production by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). With the exception of North Country Organics, all the above fertilizers contain composted poultry litter which consists primarily of poultry manure and bedding materials. This material is a good source of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, minerals and micronutrients and is commonly the main ingredient of organic fertilizer for agricultural, forestry, lawn and athletic field applications. Currently, Tufts University spreads compost top-dressing around the athletic facilities. Partially for this reason, the athletic fields are much closer than the rest of campus to an organically sustainable level. Composting with an organic product helps to build the content of the soils. While implementing an effective composting regime throughout the entire campus grounds might be cost prohibitive, a system of spot composting in trouble spots throughout campus would help to prevent the invasion of undesirable weeds. The grounds supervisor reported that the Spring 2004 compost application on non-athletic campus grounds was unsuccessful due to difficulties in getting an even coverage around trees with the cyclone spreaders. These trailer mounted spreaders throw the contents from a rotating container for uniform coverage, but are only practical for open turf areas. 4. Intensive Maintenance (Over-seeding, aeration) The athletic fields have been managed using overseeding, aeration and compost. Our findings suggest that incrementally building a program of more intensive maintenance of other areas would help to offset the effects of compaction and low organic content in the soils. The two most readily available methods to begin with would be to overseed and aerate certain sections of the campus grounds on a rotational basis. This process can be done in-house with already available seeders and aerators, thus keeping additional costs to a minimum. The following recommendations were not part of the initial proposal. However, further research into the merits of these practices and available resources at Tufts demonstrates that they deserve a significant role. 5. Native Species Plantings Native plants are considered those which originated or naturally adapted over time to this agricultural zone. Because of their historical presence, their genetic makeup has enabled survival given the soil conditions, rainfall, temperatures and presence of other flora and fauna. “Exotic” species require more care to withstand threats to which they have no resistance. Moreover, they may carry “exotic” pests to an area which endangers the native species. The planting of native species on the Tufts campus offers promising collaborations with the OTM project. These efforts are coordinated by Jeff Licht, a lecturer in the University College of Citizenship and Public Service. Each semester he teaches a course on sustainable landscaping with a hands-on component in which students cultivate areas of campus with native species. Currently there are sites outside of Hill Hall and Tisch Library. The expertise offered by Dr. Licht and the interest and enthusiasm of his students are valuable resources for expanding OTM. By increasing the capacity of sustainable landscaping efforts, Tufts can gain an in-house source of native species which are more expensive in the marketplace.23 In addition, student 23 Dr. Licht and his students currently work out of two small greenhouses for plant propagating near the community garden on the south campus area. The Grounds Supervisor has been willing and responsive to learning to propagate and plant native species provides tangible skills as they become vested stewards of campus property. requests to extend the reach of these efforts. Four raised beds are being constructed and a wide swath of sloping land adjacent to Boston Ave. will be planted in highbush blueberries. There is also the possibility of expanding to the Grafton campus and constructing a much larger greenhouse facility.