Figure 2. Visual estimation of land in the USA (Merrell, D., and L. Leatherby. 2018. Here’s How America Uses Its Land. https:www.bloomberg.com/ graphics/2018-us-land-us/ ).


So, how does the 339,451 acres (137.371 ha) of sod farms (~ let’s assume every acre or hectare is irrigated), or the 1.1 million acres (445,000 ha) of irrigated golf course turf, compare to the 12 million acres (4.8 million ha) of corn that actually is grown under irrigation, or a total of 58 million acres (23.4 million ha) for all irrigated crops in the USA (https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-practices- management/irrigation-water-use/)?


Although the Milesi article attempted to scientifically measure the total land area of turfgrass, there is not one comprehensive acreage and economic impact information source for the U.S. turfgrass industry. Terefore, a proposal has recently been submitted to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service for funding to conduct a “National Turfgrass Industry Survey.” Te overall objective is to determine the actual turfgrass land acreage and use, and to provide a better understanding of the size, scope, and economic impact of turfgrass in the USA. Tese data are critical in allocating federal and state funding, and for supporting basic and applied research, supporting industry marketing and promotion activities, supporting workforce and economic development, promoting the environmental benefits of turfgrass, and other supporting important functions of a vibrant and growing industry/commodity. Te noble intention of the Milesi article was to propose that turfgrass ecological communities represent a viable opportunity for carbon sequestration. Also, the article points to the use of fertilizer and other turfgrass management inputs that could possibly offset those carbon sequestration benefits. However, the article does not consider best turfgrass management practices


TPI Turf News July/August 2022


(https://www.gcsaa.org/environment/bmp-planning-guide/ best-management-practices/state-bmp-guides) nor does it recognize that many turfgrass areas receive little to no management inputs. Of course, the Milesi article did not intend to be utilized as a tool to support those with a negative opinion of turfgrass or the turfgrass industry.


So, let’s set-the-record-straight regarding information in the Milesi article that is often misused: (1) turfgrass IS NOT the single largest irrigated crop in the USA; (2) even if every square foot (or square meter) of turfgrass was irrigated, it would not be the single largest irrigated crop in the USA; and (3) turfgrass represents many positive benefits to the environment, society, and the human race (https://www.thelawninstitute.org/%20environmental- benefits/).


Source: Milesi, C. et al., 2005. Mapping and modeling the biogeochemical cycling of turf grasses in the United States. Environmental Management 36:426-438.


Source: Fidanza, M. 2022. Turfgrass is not the largest irrigated crop. Golf Course Management (https://www. gcmonline.com/research/news/turfgrass-crop-irrigation)


Mike Fidanza, PhD, is a professor of Plant and Soil Science at Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus. Cale Bigelow, PhD, is a professor of Turfgrass Science and Ecology in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University in Indiana. They are teaming to provide a Rooted in Research article for each issue of Turf News.


All graphics courtesy of Mike Fidanza, PhD. 69


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100