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 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 Research:

• Efficient Irrigation for Recreational Turf: Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficients
  Scheduling irrigation according to actual turfgrass evapotranspiration rates (ETa) reduces waste and increases irrigation efficiency. To that end, research based crop coefficients (Kc) for recreational turf (golf and sports) are needed to implement more efficient irrigation practices. We propose to develop monthly 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.

Turf Physiology Research:

• The Effects of Wetting Agents on Drought Resistance and Recovery of Cool-Season Fairway Grasses
  The objectives of this research are to: (i) quantify the effects of two wetting agents on the drought performance and irrigation requirements of annual bluegrass and three bentgrass species when water is completely withheld; and (ii) evaluate the effects of wetting agents on recovery of these species from drought stress when water is available through irrigation/rainfall.

Turf Pathology Research:

• 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.
   
• 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, June-October 2010
  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:

• 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).