Reducing human health and environmental risks associated with fungicide use on golf courses

Abstract The widespread use of pesticides on golf courses, essential for maintaining healthy turfgrass, has raised significant environmental and health concerns as perceived by many well‐intentioned members of society. In response to regulatory pressures, this study aimed to evaluate reduced‐risk approaches to managing two prevalent turf diseases, dollar spot ( Clarireedia spp.) and snow molds ( Typhula sp. and Microdochium nivale (Fr.) Samuels & I.C. Hallett), at two experimental sites in Quebec, Canada. A variety of treatments, including synthetic fungicides, reduced‐risk fungicides, biofungicides, and fertilizers, were assessed in 2021 and 2022. For dollar spot, the reduced‐risk fungicide isofetamid achieved similar disease control comparable to the synthetic standard (chlorothalonil/propiconazole); however, biofungicides and fertilizers did not provide significant disease reduction. For snow mold, a reduced‐risk treatment (fluoxastrobin + mefentrifluconazole) was effective but less so than the synthetic standard. Overall, reduced‐risk fungicides demonstrated potential for controlling these diseases while significantly reducing human health and environmental risks, although efficacy varied among those fungicides. This study supports the viability of integrating reduced‐risk or lower‐toxicity pesticides into golf course pest management strategies and programs, contributing to more sustainable turfgrass management practices.