factors that merit consideration include shade tolerance, traffic tolerance and sod tensile strength.”
Te turf world is applying the molecular marker technology not just to basic genetic studies, but also in other research applications, such as accurately identifying clonal bermudagrass varieties, which traditional morphology (identification by form and structure) can’t always do. Wu points to an example from 2015 when a sod producer in south Florida found some scattered areas within his Latitude 36 foundation plot that were sporting. “We went to the field and collected samples of the sports which were a little coarser, very dark colored and larger than the rest of the plants,” says Wu. “We isolated the DNA and found they were genetically Latitude 36. Because of the molecular marker identification, the sod producer and the local crop certification agency representatives had confidence that the field was Latitude 36. Further analysis of the situation revealed the sporting was due to uneven nitrogen availability related to the previous use of that field.”
Other uses of molecular marker identification are more recent, according to Wu. “Last year we used the molecular markers to identify the seeded varieties to accurately place the plant into a source variety. Te result has not yet been published, but that capability will prove useful and valuable in further research.”
Picture Guy,” pages 48-51.) Dr. Jeff Anderson, a professor of Stress Physiology, who retired in 2015, dealt with plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, with his team focus evaluating the genetic improvement of cold hardiness in bermudagrass. Dr. Justin Moss, associate professor of Turfgrass Science, focuses on drought resistance, quantifying the water requirements and rooting capacity for each grass. Dr. Greg Bell, professor of Turfgrass Science, retired in 2015. His team focus on shade resistance is being continued by new faculty member, Dr. Charles Fontanier, assistant professor of Turfgrass Science. Dr. Kemin Su, research assistant professor, has performed molecular research in turfgrass physiology.
Dr. Nathan Walker, professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, is the team plant pathologist focusing on turfgrass disease resistance. Wu says, “Dr. Walker’s work in identifying molecular markers for spring dead spot disease resistance is a significant advancement for the entire turfgrass industry.” Dr. Eric Rebek, associate professor and extension specialist in ornamentals and turfgrass entomology is the team entomologist.
Dr. Wu and these team members conduct their studies at multiple Field and Research Station sites including: the Controlled Environmental Research Lab, the Turf Center at the Botanic Gardens, the Agronomy Research Station, and the Entomology & Plant Pathology Farm—all in Stillwater, and the Cimarron Valley Research Station at Perkins, OK.
Dr. Wu checks these NorthBridge bermudagrass sod rolls produced on a licensed sod farm.
Collaborative Team Dr. Wu notes that OSU has a collaborative turfgrass breeding and research program with many members on the team. “Te contributions of each team member build on those of the others.”
Many team members are in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. Dr. Dennis Martin, a professor and extension/research turf specialist, conducts comprehensive, replicated evaluations looking at turf quality, disease resistance, drought resistance, adaptation and other issues related to the variety. (For more information on Dr. Martin’s research program, see “Dr. Dennis Martin—Te OSU Turf Research Program’s Big
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Te team also includes scientist colleagues with the OSU Department of Agricultural Economics, Associate Professor Dr. Tracy Boyer and Professor Dr. Chanjin Chung. “Tey develop the knowledge of needs across the wide spectrum of green industry categories, from golf, sports turf and sod production to home lawns. Tat information, along with feedback from our turfgrass extension colleagues, helps guide us in developing new varieties, allowing us to analyze potential variety performance for those traits that target the needs of specific consumer markets,” states Dr. Wu. “If we reduced mowing frequency that would not only cut gas and energy requirements, but all those homeowners that do their own mowing would throw a party for us.”
He stresses the importance of using the cutting edge technologies to develop varieties that incorporate the broad spectrum of traits that impact the environmental footprint of using turfgrass. Wu says, “Te goal is to make significant improvement with grasses that are cold and heat tolerant; wear resistant; and require fewer inputs in all areas from water to fertilizer, fungicides, pesticides and energy for this new era of environmental awareness. Building on the work of industry pioneers like Dr. Taliaferro, I believe we can accomplish that.”
Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News. All photos courtesy of Oklahoma State University and Dr. Yanqi Wu.
TPI Turf News September/October 2016
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