THE LAWN INSTITUTE TURFGRASS RESEARCH UPDATE
Compiled by Steve Trusty
Te Lawn Institute was established in 1955 to assist in and encourage the improvement of lawns and recreational turf through research, education and scholarships. Among its many activities, Te Lawn Institute funds research conducted by some of the world’s most respected turfgrass scientists and institutions. Te Lawn Institute is the Foundation of Turfgrass Producers International.
Background Te structure of Te Lawn Institute’s research funding process was refined in the 1990s, resulting in a clearly defined protocol for the three steps of the process: call for research proposals, evaluation, and project selection.
Te Lawn Institute established a Research Committee which soon was structured to bring together members from different segments of the turfgrass industry, including turfgrass sod producers and university turfgrass specialists and researchers—who jointly contribute broad- based industry knowledge to the process.
Te Lawn Institute’s current (2016-2017) Research Committee is chaired by Duane Klundt, Grassland Oregon, Salem, OR, a supplier representative and a turfgrass consultant. Vice- chair is Mike Pope, Harmony Outdoor Brands, Lakewood Ranch, FL, a supplier representative. Steve Griffen, Sarasota Sod Farm, Stillwater, NY, a turfgrass sod producer and a member of Te Lawn Institute Board, serves as Board Liaison. Tree committee members are university turfgrass specialists and researchers: Dr. Brian Horgan, University of Minnesota; Dr. John Sorochan, University of Tennessee; and Dr. Mike Richardson, University of Arkansas. Two of the current committee members head the development and coordination of major research programs, Dr. Mike Kenna, director of green section research for the United States Golf Association (USGA); and Kevin Morris, executive director of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). Morris also is president of the National Turfgrass Federation (NTF), a consortium of associations and companies focused on public relations, outreach and lobbying efforts to advance programs important to the turfgrass industry.
A major change in research grew from the inclusion of turfgrass in the Specialty Crops Research Initiative added to the 2007 Farm Bill. Te turfgrass sod producers were part of the efforts to insert language into that legislation to designate turfgrass as a specialty crop. Tat has qualified turfgrass researchers to apply for funding. Te USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) coordinates the
14
national research programs for turfgrass through the National Turfgrass Research Initiative (NTRI). A separate USDA department, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), primarily focuses its research funding support to state and regional programs.
Kenna and Morris are continually tracking research, including that funded through this initiative, so they are aware of what has been done in specific areas and what research is ongoing. Tat knowledge helps in Te Lawn Institute Research Committee’s decision-making process. Tey’re also sensitive to the costs involved in research and whether a funding request is in line with industry standards.
Te committee reviews proposals with regard to their importance to sod producers and to issues faced by the entire turfgrass industry. Good, solid science must be at the core of any project considered. Te committee’s recommendations are submitted to Te Lawn Institute Board for their decision on approval.
Te Lawn Institute Research Committee meeting was held on February 21, 2017, in Tampa, Florida, in conjunction with TPI’s International Education Conference & Field Day. Attendees, pictured from left to right are: Te Lawn Institute Board Liaison, Steve Griffen; Committee members: Kevin Morris, Duane Klundt, Mike Kenna, and John Sorochan; TPI staff mem- bers: Jim Novak, Suz Trusty and Sandy Reynolds. TPI members are wel- come to sit in on Te Lawn Institute Research Committee meeting. Hugh Dampney, Hank Kerfoot and Gary Wilber took advantage of that option.
The Lawn Institute’s Current
Research Grants Te following research grants received Te Lawn Institute funding during 2016-2017.
“Soil Temperature Reduction and Sensing Methods for Extending Harvested Turf ‘Shelf Life’ and Improving Sod Quality,” is scheduled for completion at the end of 2017. Te principal investigator is Dr. Bingru Huang of Rutgers University.
“Documenting Water Use in Turfgrass in the United States” is ongoing, with the principal investigator Dr. John Stier of the University of Tennessee. Tis research project began in 2015-2016 and is scheduled for completion in
TPI Turf News September/October 2017
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
