Research Summaries

The following research summaries highlight some of the current and on-going studies being conducted by UMass Turf Program researchers.

NTEP Fine Turf Trials:

• NTEP 2014 Bentgrass Fairway/Tee Variety Trial - Entries and Sponsors
• NTEP 2014 Bentgrass Green Variety Trial - Entries and Sponsors
• NTEP 2014 Fine Leaf Fescue Variety Trial - Entries and Sponsors
• NTEP 2011 Kentucky Bluegrass Variety Trial - Entries and Sponsors
• NTEP 2010 Perennial Ryegrass Variety Trial - 2013 Progress Report
  The 2010 perennial ryegrass test was seeded from October 12 to 18, 2010. There are 88 varieties represented in the test including 3 replications for each entry (cultivar) for a grand total of 264 plots.  This test includes wear treatment and subsequent observation of varietal tolerance.
• NTEP 2010 Perennial Ryegrass Variety Trial - 2012 Progress Report
  The 2010 perennial ryegrass test was seeded from October 12 to 18, 2010. There are 88 varieties represented in the test including 3 replications for each entry (cultivar) for a grand total of 264 plots.  This test includes wear treatment and subsequent observation of varietal tolerance.
• NTEP 2010 Perennial Ryegrass Variety Trial - 2011 Progress Report
  The 2010 perennial ryegrass test was seeded from October 12 to 18, 2010. There are 88 varieties represented in the test including 3 replications for each entry (cultivar) for a grand total of 264 plots.
• NTEP 2008 Bentgrass Green Variety Trial - 2011 Progress Report
  19 bentgrass varieties are represented including 17 creeping and 2 velvet bentgrass entries with each entry replicated three times. All plots were seeded on November 12, 2008.
• NTEP 2008 Bentgrass Fairway Variety Trial - 2011 Progress Report
  23 varieties bentgrass represented including 17 creeping and 6 colonial bentgrass entries with each entry replicated three times. The plots were seeded on November 5, 2008.
• NTEP 2005 Kentucky Bluegrass Variety Trial - 2011 Final Report
  The 2005 Kentucky bluegrass variety trial plots were seeded from September 28 to October 3, 2005. There are 110 varieties represented in the test including 3 replications for each entry(variety).
• NTEP 2004 Perennial Ryegrass Variety Trial - Poa annua Ingress 2010 Final Progress Report
  120 perennial ryegrass varieties are represented in the test. Poa annua encroachment means averaged over a 4-year period are reported
• NTEP 2000 Kentucky Bluegrass Variety Trial - Poa annua Ingress to Differential HOC 2010 Final Progress Report
  173 Kentucky bluegrass varieties are represented in the test. The ingress of Poa annua percent encroachment ratings (0 to 100%) were taken at differential height of cut (1.25 versus 0.5 inch) from 2007 through 2010

Turf Agronomy & Physiology Research:

• Recovery from Winter Injuries Using Seed Priming and Protective Covers
  Low soil temperature is a major limiting factor affecting seed germination, which can significantly delay turfgrass establishment and cover in spring months. This study examines specific management practices that may enhance establishment under sub-optimal environmental conditions.
• Efficient Irrigation for Recreational Turf: Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficients
  Scheduling irrigation according to actual turfgrass evapotranspiration rates (ETa) reduces waste and increases irrigation efficiency. This on-going study seeks to develop monthly crop coefficient (Kc) values derived from weather station predicted ET (ET₀) and actual turfgrass ET (ETa) measured using weighing lysimeters to assist turf practitioners in implementing ET-based irrigation.
• The Use of Constructed Wetlands for Reclamation of Wash Water for the Turfgrass Industry
  Constructed wetlands have the capacity to remove significant amounts of organic matter, nutrients, heavy metals, and pesticides from equipment wash water. This technology is capable of removing fertilizer, pesticide and hydrocarbon residues, thus allowing water to be reused or safely released back into the environment.
• Agrostis Low Temperature Germination Study
  Three Agrostis species were planted to evaluate the establishment rate under early spring planting conditions. Soil temperatures, initial emergence and percent cover along with weed encroachment were recorded to assess Agrostis vigor under low temperature.
• Examination of Cold Deacclimation Sensitivity of Annual Bluegrass and Creeping Bentgrass
  Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) frequently exhibits increased susceptibility to winter injury compared to other cool-season turfgrass species such as creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). However, there is limited understanding of the factors associated with cold deacclimation among these two species.
• Changes in Photosynthetic and Respiration Responses During Cold Acclimation and Deacclimation of Annual Bluegrass and Creeping B
  Premature losses in freezing tolerance and winter injury of some cool-season turfgrasses can be a problem in northern climates. In order to reduce the
  economic losses and maintenance costs associated with premature deacclimation, a better understanding of the underlying factors that contribute to turfgrass freezing tolerance is needed.
• Examining Metabolism of Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolites During Deacclimation of Annual Bluegrass and Creeping Bentgrass
  Previous research has shown that annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) can exhibit greater sensitivity to freezing injury during cold deacclimation compared to creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.); however, the physiological mechanisms associated with interspecific differences in deacclimation capacities are unknown.
• Organic Land Care Practices in Maintaining Sustainability of Athletic Field Turf
  There is increased interest in organic land care practices for athletic and recreational fields.  The objective of this study is to examine the long term effect on turfgrass sustainability, playing quality characteristics and soil quality using an organic land care system for athletic fields compared to a conventional maintenance system using IPM.
• Evaluating Drought Resistance and Recovery of Cool-Season Fairway Grasses
  One of the most important challenges facing the golf-turf industry is dealing with drought stress and water conservation. However, greater information is required to examine cultural practices that may reduce irrigation requirements and improve turf quality of fairway grasses under reduced irrigation.

Turf Pathology Research:

• Preventative Control of Brown Patch with SDHI fungicides on a Colonial Bentgrass Fairway
  This trial is being conducted to evaluate fungicide treatments for control of brown patch under natural disease conditions.
• Evaluation of Fairway Rolling Frequency and Fungicide Programs for Dollar Spot Control
  Previous studies have shown that reductions in dollar spot can be as great as 50‐60% from rolling in the morning or afternoon.  This study seeks to comprehensively look at fairway rolling and to provide an overview of
  how superintendents can practically implement this practice.
• Preventative Dollar Spot Control on a Creeping Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass Fairway
  This trial is being conducted to evaluate SDHI fungicide application rates and intervals along with industry standard fungicides for control of dollar spot under natural disease conditions.
• Curative Dollar Spot Control on a Creeping Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass Putting Green, 2012
  The main objective of this study is to evaluate fungicides and mixtures for curative control of dollar spot on a mixed creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass putting green.
• Evaluation of New Products for Curative Dollar Spot Control on a Creeping Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass Putting Green, 2012
  The main objective of this study is to evaluate new fungicides and turf pigments for disease control and turf quality on a mixed creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass putting green.
• Preventative Control of Dollar Spot Caused by a Population of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa Isolates Exhibiting Dual Fungicide Resista
  This field trial was conducted at Hickory Ridge Golf Club, in Amherst MA to evaluate fungicide treatments for control of dollar spot under natural disease conditions.
• 2011 Summary Report: Field Efficacy Testing of Off-Patent Products for Turf Diseases
  Our central objective was to conduct a comprehensive field efficacy test of generic products containing three active ingredients: one contact fungicide (chlorothalonil), and two site-specific fungicides (iprodione and propiconazole) for dollar spot and brown patch control on fairways.
• 2010-2011 UMass Snow Mold Golf Course Fungicide Trial Results
  Snow mold trials were conducted on fairway-height turf (0.5 in) in winter 2010-2011 at two sites: Glens Falls CC in Queensbury, NY and Berkshire Hills CC in Pittsfield, MA.  Tables report experimental results from treatments ranging from single mode of action to two-way and three-way combinations.
• 2011 Snow Mold Recovery Observations
  A summary and picture gallery of snow mold recovery observations from spring 2011. Observations from Glens Falls CC in Queensbury, NY and Berkshire Hills CC in Pittsfield, MA.
• Polyploid Breeding Method for Improvement of Bentgrass
  Of the 200 Agrostis spp., three bentgrass species (allotetraploid creeping, allotetraploid colonial, and diploid velvet) have been used on golf courses. Breeding for improvement of disease resistance is an essential part of integrated pest management.
• 2011 Fungicide Application for Dollar Spot Control on Creeping Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass Putting Green
  The objective of this study is to evaluate fungicides for preventative control of dollar spot (caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) on a mixed stand of creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass golf course putting green.
• Managing Dollar Spot with Resistance to DMI Fungicides
  Dollar spot caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa is one of the most economically important diseases on golf courses in the New England region as well as other regions of the United States. How can a golf course save money and improve their turf quality if it has a fungicide resistant dollar spot population?
• Fungicide Resistance Management of Turfgrass Diseases
  Fungicides have been used to control turf diseases for many years and as a result fungicide resistance has developed to various fungicide classes in several diseases with
  dollar spot being the poster child of fungicide resistance. Understanding fungicide properties and their resistance mechanisms is necessary for effective disease management and delaying the development of resistance.
• Fungicide Application for Brown Patch Control on a Colonial Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass Fairway, Summer 2010
  This trial was conducted at the Joseph Troll Turf Research Center in South Deerfield, MA to evaluate fungicide treatments and other products for control of brown patch under natural disease conditions.
• Fungicide Efficacy on a Demethylation Inhibitor (DMI) and Benzimidazole (BM) Resistant Dollar Spot Population, Summer 2010
  The objective of this trial was to test fungicide treatments and other products for field efficacy at a location with resistance to BM and DMI fungicides and to provide data on resistance management of dollar spot.
• Fungicide Evaluation on a Fungicide Sensitive Dollar Spot Population in a Creeping Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass Putting Green,
  The objective of this study is to evaluate fungicides for control of dollar spot (caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) on a putting green consisting of creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass with no prior fungicide resistance.
• Snow Mold Incidence Evaluation
  This report details the differential response of turfgrass species and varieties to snow mold pressure. Features pertinent data for NTEP bentgrasses, perennial ryegrasses, and Kentucky bluegrasses at two heights-of-cut (0.5" and 1.25")

Turf Weed Management Research:

• 2015 Weed Research Projects - Turfgrass
• 2010 Turfgrass Weed Science Research Results
  Highlights: What’s new in broadleaf weed control, 1-4; Postemergence control of annual grass weeds, 5-12; Broadleaf weed control, 13-22; Management of Kyllinga-a sedge species, 29-48; NTEP Perennial ryegrass cultivars tolerance to Certainty^TM, 49-54.
• 2009 Turfgrass Weed Science Research Results
  Growth regulators in turfgrass management, 1-4; Primo MAXX^TM and bentgrass quality, 5-8; Maintenance of Kentucky bluegrass stands with Certainty^TM, 22; Management of Kyllinga, 23-40; Management of garden moss, 41-44; Yellow nutsedge control, 49-52; NTEP Kentucky bluegrass cultivars tolerance to sulfosulfuron, 53-62.
• 2008 Turfgrass Weed Science Research Results
  Tenacity^TM: An alternative tool for weed management, 1-2; Perennial ryegrass safety of various Tenacity^TM formulations, 7-14; Garden moss control, 23-30 and 43-54; Performance of Proshot^TM (methiozolin) in crabgrass control, 39-42; NTEP Kentucky bluegrass cultivars tolerance to sulfosulfuron, pp. 55-58.
• 2007 Turfgrass Weed Science Research Results
  Tracking growing degree days for crabgrass phenology, 1-5; Carbohydrate partitioning for creeping bentgrass as influenced by nitrogen fertilization and growth retardant, 7-10;  Glyphosate formulations for white clover control, 11-20; Tolerance of perennial ryegrass to various treatments, 27-37; Comparison of various formulations of Roundup Pro^TM, 39-44.
• 2006 Turfgrass Weed Science Research Results
  Broadleaf weed control with Certainty^TM, 1-5;  Fall application of Ronstar^TM treatments on bentgrass greens, 7-10;  Evaluation of mesotrione products alone and in combination with others, 11-17; Kentucky bluegrass tolerance to Certainty^TM, 33-36; Glyphosate formulations tall fescue, 37-40; Tall fescue control with Certainty^TM, 41-48, Yellow nutsedge control with Certainty^TM, 49-52.
• 2005 Turfgrass Weed Science Research Results
  Yellow nutsedge control, 21-27; Broadleaf weed control, 29-34; Timing of Certainty^TM application to control tall fescue in Kentucky bluegrass, 35-40; Tolerance of Kentucky  bluegrass to MON 44951, 43-45; Tolerance of creeping bentgrass to MON 44951.

Turf Entomology Research:

• Optimizing Control of Annual Bluegrass Weevils Using Conserve, 2010
  In the spring of 2010, we conducted a field trial to determine the optimum timing of application for spinosad (Conserve™) against annual bluegrass weevil (Listronotus maculicollis) larvae.
• Field Efficacy of Spring or Summer Applications of Acelepryn™ and Merit™ Against Oriental Beetle Larvae on a Golf Course Rough
  Two turf insecticides were applied to golf course rough turf (maintained at 2 to 3 inches) on 29 May or 3 August 2009 and sampled 22 September to determine the efficacy of the compounds against oriental beetle (OB) larvae.
• Field Efficacy of Acelepryn™ Provaunt™ and Talstar™ Against First-Generation Annual Bluegrass Weevil on a Golf Course Fairway
  Several insecticides and combinations were tested for field efficacy against the annual bluegrass weevil on golf course fairway turf in spring 2009.

Pesticide Fate Research:

• Utilizing Reduced Risk Pesticides and IPM Strategies to Mitigate Golfer Exposure and Hazard
  This ongoing study seeks best management practices for reduced golfer exposure to “reduced risk” turfgrass pesticides. We have previously evaluated exposure in over 150 rounds of golf following the application of standard turfgrass insecticides.
• Optimization of Vegetative Filter Strips for Mitigation of Runoff from Golf Course Turf
  Joint greenhouse and field studies have been implemented to evaluate selected plants for their effectiveness in removing pesticides and nutrients from turfgrass runoff waters that enter vegetative filter strips (VFS).