Research

Going wild with bentgrass

October 3, 2017 By Keenan Amundsen, Ph.D.

I recently drove by a billboard promoting nutrition education and it asked if I could name seven kinds of berries. I failed miserably, even being married to a dietitian. I started thinking of other categories, including different turfgrass species. Bermudagrass, ...

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Using heat vision to aid water-use predictions

September 11, 2017 By Joe Foral and Bill Kreuser, Ph.D.

Thermal, or infrared, camera systems being developed to measure water status in turf have the potential to become an essential tool for precision turfgrass management. As these systems become more accessible, models need to be created to provide clear management ...

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Clark Talks Turf: Yellowjackets and garbage cans

September 1, 2017 By Clark Throssell, Ph.D.

Timothy Gibb, Ph.D., is an entomologist at Purdue University. Tim has worked on numerous insect problems throughout his career, including turfgrass pests and insects that can impact human health. You may reach Tim at gibbs@purdue.edu for more information. Q: Is ...

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One shot to succeed for snow mold control

August 24, 2017 By Paul Koch, Ph.D

One of the most important aspects of a superintendent’s job is effectively controlling disease. However, not all turf diseases are created equal. We sometimes observe certain diseases that are not necessarily destructive. Examples include many leaf spots and rusts. Other ...

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How low can ultradwarf bermudagrasses go?

August 18, 2017 By Eric DeBoer, Ph.D., Mike Richardson, Ph.D. and Doug Karcher, Ph.D.

As ultradwarf bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis) use moves farther north, there is increased risk of winter injury from low temperatures and desiccation. The use of protective covers during winter is an expensive but obligatory practice for ultradwarf bermudagrass ...

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Nematodes on northern turfgrasses

July 24, 2017 By Nathaniel A. Mitkowski, Ph.D.

Nematodes are everywhere. They’re found in all but the most extreme environmental conditions, in soils, oceans, rivers, streams, on plants, in plants and even in animals and humans. Fortunately, most nematodes are innocuous, eating bacteria and occasionally each other. Of ...

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