NCERA_OLD192: North Central Regional Turfgrass Research
Annual/Termination Reports (SAES-422): [07/31/2002] [11/04/2003] [11/19/2004] [08/14/2005] [06/14/2006]
Date of Annual Report: 07/31/2002
Report Information:
Participants:
URL: Copy of participant list
Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
URL: Copy of minutes
Accomplishments:
Impact Statements:
Date of Annual Report: 11/04/2003
Report Information:
Participants:
- See http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/NCR-192/ for a list of attendees. Official reps were present from all states except Missouri. In addition, a significant number of graduate students from most states participated.
Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
See http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/NCR-192/ for the full minutes.After introdutions and committee reports, the first morning was spent in breakout sessions around an evaluation of the turf industry within the North Central Region. Each group summarize their thoughts which led to a series of conclusions on how NCR192 can better interface with industry needs. The conclusions are found in the Accomplishment and Impact sections of this report. In the afternoon, the group interacted with a groundskeeper at a local sports stadium, visited a local country club where Toro demonstrated prototypes on turf maintainence equipment, and toured the new turf reseach facility at the University of Minnesota. An evening dinner, sponsored by the Minnesota Turf and Landscape Association, provided the opportuntiy to interact with industry leaders.
Day 2 was spent discussing the mid-term review, receiving updates on regional projects, and delivering state reports.
Accomplishments:
See Minutes at http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/NCR-192/. Half-day was devoted to self-evaluation of the turf industry and the role of NCR192. Obstacles to regional cooperation and how they could be overcome were discussed. Ways to develop mechanisms that encourage graduate students to become involved in collaborative work were explored.
Impact Statements:
- Self-evaluation will provide the basis for a strong renewal request in 2005.
- Format of the 2004 meeting will be modified to include more time to discuss 2-3 regional projects in depth, to develop more cohesive future plans, and to identify critical issues common to the north central region.
- It was decided that the NCR192 website needs to be enhanced to facilitate easier public access to turf information.
- Regional publications will be posted on the NCR192 website.
- The NCR192 website and the Lawn Problem Solver will be linked.
- A tentative format for the 2004 meeting was developed: half-day on current and future research; half-day on group projects; half-day of breakout sessions on regional projects; half-day on business issues, prepare for 2005 renewal of NCR192, and grant initiatives.
Date of Annual Report: 11/19/2004
Report Information:
Participants:
- See http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/NCR-192/ for the full minutes.
URL: Copy of participant list
Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
Prior to the annual meeting, members of NCR-192 and WRCC-11 met jointly on Sunday, June 13, to discuss topics of mutual concern in the turf industry. Among those topics were water quality and quantity, turfgrass as an invasive species, GMOs, and Roundup-Ready turfgrasses. The 2004 NCR-192 meeting was called to order on Monday, June 14. The full 2004 minutes are available at http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/NCR-192/ . Dr. Mark Ascerno, Advisor, stated that the final review of the groups mid-term report is scheduled for July. Although overall positive, the lack of joint publications remains an area of concern. Following the advisors comments, reports were presented by the respective chairpersons on the following: National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, NCR-192 website, Historians Report, Regional Project Update, and the Poa annua seedhead control project. State Reports were presented by official state representatives as well as brief reports on current research projects by PIs and graduate students. Following lunch, the entire group discussed the preparation of the NCR-192 Project Renewal proposal in 2005. Members approved the formation of three committees, each charged with preparation of a major objective. Objective #1 is to review and potentially investigate environmental impacts of turfgrass; Objective #2 is to reduce the inputs currently required in the management of turfgrass; and, Objective #3 is to develop Best Management Practices (BMP) through research and transfer results via NCR-192-developed technology, such as the NCR-192 website and the Problem Solver . The meeting concluded for the day; however, state representatives interested in participating in the next phase of the Low Input Sustainable Turf (LIST) project remained to discuss protocol for the study. In the evening, NCR-192 attendees were treated to a group night outing for a picnic and baseball at the new Haymarket Park Stadium. After the game, the group met on the playing field to inspect the turfgrass and interact with the grounds manager and crew. On Tuesday, NCR-192 attendees were invited to attend the Annual Turfgrass Science Team Field Day in Mead, NE. Group tours were available to view the University of Nebraska-Lincoln turfgrass research plots and turfgrass-related demonstrations.
URL: Copy of minutes
Accomplishments:
A joint meeting was held with WCC-011,Western Regional Turfgrass Research, to discuss and develop potential inter-regional projects for both the short-term (1 year) and long-term (3-5 years). Four possible topics were identified: turfgrass as an invasive species; water quaility and qunatity; carbon balance; and resource-sharing.Each state provided a 10 minute report describing outcomes relevant to the groups three major objectives, which are 1) Identifying grasses that perform well under reduced level of pesticides, fertilizers and water, 2) Facilitate research and extension programs among turf scientists within the region, and 3) Communicate research and extension information to other scientists, professional turf managers, and consumers in the North Central Region.. See Minutes at http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/NCR-192/ for details.
NCR-192 members published five refereed articles and six abstracts in 2003. Protocol for a new regional cooperative study based on previous NCR-192 low-input sustainable turf (LIST) research was developed. Nine states are participating and have seeded 13 alternative turfgrasses in the project titled Reducing inputs to maximize environmental gains while maintaining acceptable turf quality. This study is based on outcomes from previous NCR-192 research and will provide new information about the potential of alternative grasses.
Discussion and planning for the 2006 renewal of NCR-192 took place. The group approved the following general objectives and team leaders. It was agreed that the group leaders for each of the three objectives will work with Dr. Ascerno and Dr. Schleicher this fall to produce a draft of the proposal for full consideration at the 2005 meeting in South Dakota.
Objective #1: Environmental Impacts, Leader: Brian Horgan. Four major concerns were identified: water quality, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), invasive species, and pesticide fate.
Objective #2: Reduced Input, Leader: Shui-Zhang Fei. Areas to be addressed include: water quantity, alternative pest control, low-maintenance turf, and remote sensing development.
Objective #3: Best Management Practices (BMPs), Leader: Tom Voigt. Research will address: developing BMPs, biosafety, and pesticide application timing. Outreach activities will include the NCR-192 website, and the Turfgrass Problem Solver.
Access to regional turfgrass information by the public sector and educators was improved through expansion of the NCR-192 website and bringing the turfgrass Problem Solver to operational status.
Impact Statements:
- A joint meeting with WCC-011, Western Regional Turfgrass Research, resulted in possible topics for collaboration including turfgrass as an invasive species, water quality, carbon balance and resource sharing.
- NCR-192 met in conjunction with the 28th Annual Nebraska Turfgrass Field Day and Trade Show. This provided an opportunity to communicate research and extension results to professional turf managers on sports turf management, plant and pest diagnostics, ornamental grasses, developments in buffalo grass, turfgrass fertility, aging golf greens, bentgrass cultivars, and remote sensing.
- MI, IA, ND, IN, MO, WI, SD, MN, IL, and OH are participating in a regional cooperative research project that is evaluating low-input sustainable turfgrass to address dwindling resources and environmental concerns.
- NCR 192 members published five refereed articles and six abstracts.
- Nine states are involved in evaluating 13 alternative grass varieties that have the potential to reduce inputs.
- The Turfgrass Problem Solver is now operational.
Date of Annual Report: 08/14/2005
Report Information:
Participants:
- See http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/NCR-192/ for a full list of attendees. Present: Mark Ascerno+, ChunZhenZhang, Shane Andersen, Shui-Zhang Fei, Rodney St.. John, Leo Schleicher*, Zac Reicher*, Matt James, David Gardner*, Ken Diesburg*, Tom Voigt, Brian Horgan*, Geunhwa Jung, Terry Riordan, John Stier*, Nick Christians*, Jack Fry*, Deying Li, Ron Smith*. + Administrative Advisor, * Official Representative Guests: Luke Dant, Marcus Jones, Ryan Holl, Mark Howieson
URL: Copy of participant list
Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
See http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/NCR-192/ for the full minutes. NCR 192 North Central Regional Turfgrass 2005 Turfgrass Meeting Minutes South Dakota State University Deadwood, SD June 12-14, 2005 The meeting was called to order by Chair Leo Schleicher at 7:15 AM , June 13, 2005Introductions: Dr. Mark Ascerno: Project renewal:
Regional Project Updates:
Committee Reports: NTEP-Brian Horgan: Tom Voigt:
Nick Christians: Historian Report. State Reports: Wisconsin Geunhwa Jung & John Stier. Kansas Jack Fry Rodney St. Ohio David Gardner
Southern Illinois University Ken Diesburg Iowa Nick Christians Missouri No report
North Dakota Ron Smith & Deying Li Indiana Zac Reicher
University of Illinois - Tom Voigt Minnesota Brian Horgan Nebraska Terry Riordan South Dakota State University Leo Schleicher
The meeting for 2006 will be June 11 to 13th, in Fargo, held at the NDSU campus.
Meeting Adjourned at 12:00 noon, June 14, 2005
Accomplishments:
A key accomplishment was the development of guidelines for project renewal. John Stier led the discussion. Three objectives were identified.OBJECTIVES 1. Turf Environmental Impacts a. Water quality: WI and MN b. Genetically modified organisms: IA and IL c. Pesticide fate: MN, MD, MS, OK d. Invasive spp.: NE, WI, possibly all states
2. Reducing turfgrass inputs a. Water conservation 1) RRCB 2) Alternative turf spp. SD, ND, IA -Blue grama, buffalograss, Distichlis -NTEP low input (10 states)
b. Sustainable pest management 1) Efficient control of rough bluegrass and cb in golf course turf (IN, NE, IL, MSU)
c. Low input sustainable turf -LIST Study
3. Disseminate research-based information on best management practices for the North Central Region ---all states
PROCEDURES: Develop Web-based outreach (e.g., Lawn Problem Solver; Revised or incorporate Turfgrasses for the Midwest; Weed ID from IL and IN; Turf ID pages from IN, OH, IA; ND and IA developed web-based core on aerification). All these should be linked to NCR website). Assist with interstate winter turf conferences, field days; train Master Gardeners, Pesticide applicator training.
FIELD DAY, PAT, MASTER GARDENERS REACHED.
KS 350,nd, 1000
OH 250, nd, 3500
IL/SIU 300, 2000, 1200
IA 400,nd, 1400
MO 200, nd, 400
ND NA, nd, 250
IN 800, nd,1500
WI 400, 1500/yr,400
MN 150, 1500/yr, 7500
MI 750, nd, 1500
NE 100, nd, 400
SD NA, nd, 150
*Put PAT and MG into Educational planning to provide education to urban, rural, and inner-city populations
PROCEDURES & ACTIVITIES; Expected Impact by Objectives
1. Turf Environmental Impacts
Impact: WI will use MN and WI research info. to develop Tech. Stnds for turf fertilization with WI DNR. N fert. recommendations will be modified to reflect inherent N contribution from turf humus. Impact: Spread of GMO-KBG (WI and IA) Impact: Develop appropriate pesticide-models for turf situations across the U.S. Impacts Invasive spp.---determine survivability and spread of turfgrasses in natural environments to justify inclusion of various species on invasive species lists
2. Reducing turfgrass inputs Impact: (Water Conservation): Poa-annua free golf turf with RRCB; development of low water use turfgrasses; Outcome of NTEP=identify cultivars ; Poa triv & cb=reduce maint cost and labor
3. BMPSs-all states: Impact: End users will have access to current BMPs and recommendations for turf mgt and pest control
EDUCATIONAL PLAN - how will info. get out?
1. Master Gardener
2. Pesticide Applicator Plan
3. Cross-linking of web pages
4. Participation in each others turf conferences
5. Extension publications, joint
6. Short courses, incl. training manuals for them
NCERA-192 COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
OBJECTIVE 1: Environmental turf impacts (MI; OH; MN; WI) Development of Nitrogen-credit program to reduce Nitrogen leaching in turf 5/03-4/08
IA; WI Turf competitiveness of genetically-modified Kentucky bluegrass 9/03-9/05
NE; WI; SD Invasiveness of Kentucky bluegrass into Natural Areas 10/06-9/09 (proposed)
OBJECTIVE 2: Reduced turf inputs IL; IA; KS; OH; MN; ND; IN; SD; WI; IL Low Input Sustainable Turf 9/04-8/09
IA; IN; IL Benefits of Roundup Ready Creeping Bentgrass 9/03-9/07
MN; WI Low input fine fescue-colonial bentgrass fairways 8/03-7/07
ND, IA Sustainable pest control 2004-2006
MI; WI; IL Breeding disease-resistant creeping bentgrass (USGA sponsored) 2003 to present
IL; WI Development of gray leaf spot resistance in perennial ryegrass 2004-2005
IL; WI Crown rust resistance in perennial ryegrass 2004-2005
OR; IA; WI; VA Mapping genes for cold hardiness 2003-2005
IA; SD Collection and evaluation of native grasses for turf
OBJECTIVE 3: Best Management Practices
IW; IN Creeping bentgrass control in bluegrass 9/04-9/05 IL; MI; NE; IN Rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis) control 2005-2006
MN; WI; IL Sensitivity of Kentucky bluegrass to bispyribac-sodium 2005
EDUCATIONAL
MN, WI Regional School of Turfgrass Management Ongoing since 2003
WI, MN Water quality and nutrient fate extension publications Ongoing since 2004
IN, IL IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course Ongoing since 1994
All states (coordinated by IL) Turfgrasses for the Midwest website (www.turf.uiuc.edu) 2002 to present
All states (coordinated by IL) The Lawn Problem Solver website (www.turf.uiuc.edu) 2003-present
IN; IL Weed ID & Control website (www.turf.uiuc.edu) 2003 to present
ND; IA Core aerification/topdressing computer model website http://turfgrass.hort.iastate.edu 2001 to present
Impact Statements:
- NCERA 192 members provided research-based information to 3700 people at Field Days, 5000 people at Pesticide Applicator Training, and 19200 Master Gardeners.
- NCERA 192 provided education to practioners. NCERA-supported websites had 5 million visitors in 2 years. There were 930 visits per day with each visit lasting an average of 10 minutes.
- http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/tool/
Date of Annual Report: 06/14/2006
Report Information:
Participants:
- See attached meeting minutes.
URL: Copy of participant list
Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
See attached meeting minutes.
URL: Copy of minutes
Accomplishments:
Objective 1:a. MI (K. Frank), MN (B. Horgan), IL (B. Branham), and WI (J. Stier) have collected data on nutrient and/or pesticide movement from field plots in each state. Each state focuses on a different aspect of nutrient/pesticide movement. Three papers were presented at a special American Chemical Symposium/Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment symposium in Washington, D.C. in October 2005 and are being edited for publication. Two presentations were given, and abstracts published, at the American Society of Agronomy conference in Salt Lake City in October 2005. One manuscript from the Michigan study was published in Crop Science on nitrogen leaching from lawn turf. An additional manuscript from Wisconsin was submitted for publication in J. Environmental Quality on prairie and turf buffer strips ability to reduce urban runoff. b. NE (R. Gaussoin), WI (J. Stier), and CO (T. Koski) submitted a multi-state Hatch grant (Invasiveness of Amenity Turfgrasses in Natural Areas) in 2005 to investigate the invasiveness of creeping bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass. The listings of some turfgrasses as invasive species and the development of a grant proposal were a major focus of the 2005 NCERA-192 meeting in South Dakota. Representatives from numerous states assisted with the development of the proposal; some also offered to help collect/analyze data (T. Voigt-Illinois, B. Branham-Illinois; Z. Reicher-Indiana; D. Gardner-Ohio). c. Ohio (D. Gardner) and Minnesota (B. Horgan) obtained a national competitive grant from the United States Golf Association to test the efficacy of an amino nitrate soil test for determining nitrogen requirements in turf. Other states will participate by collecting soil samples and correlating with turf growth. The study will start late 2006/early 2007.
Objective 2:
a. State representatives from MI, OH, IA, IN, WI, and NE collected data on genetically modified creeping bentgrass for resistance to glyphosate herbicide. Data were also collected for genetically modified Kentucky bluegrass in anticipation of future request for deregulation which will reduce mowing requirements for lawns. A manuscript is being prepared by Shui-zhang Fei (Iowa State Univ.) and John Stier (Univ. Wisconsin) on competitive spread of Roundup Resistant and gibberellic acid-limited Kentucky bluegrass b. Wisconsin (J. Stier), Minnesota (B. Horgan), and Illinois (T. Voigt) collected data on fine fescue/colonial bentgrass mixtures with a view to replacing the currently used creeping bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass species with these lower maintenance grasses. A presentation was made, and abstract published, at the American Society of Agronomy in Salt Lake City during October 2005. c. All NCERA 192 members collected the first full years data from the Low Input Sustainable Turf (LIST) project planted in autumn 2004. The purpose of the study is to identify novel grasses that can be sustained as a lawn with no fertilization or irrigation and little if any mowing.
Objective 3:
a. IN (Z. Reicher), IL (B. Branham), NE (R. Gaussoin), and WI (J. Stier) are collecting data in 2006 on control of rough bluegrass using new turf herbicides (bispyribac-sodium and sulfosulfuron). b. MN (B. Horgan), IL (T. Voigt/B. Branham), and WI (J. Stier) collected data on tolerance of over 170 Kentucky bluegrass varieties used in the 2000 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program test to bispyribac-sodium herbicide. Plots were shown at field days in 2005 and information published in at least one trade journal.
Plans for 2006/2007:
States will begin assisting with the Ohio/Minnesota-led soil nitrate test project. A revised grant proposal on the invasiveness of turfgrasses into natural areas will be submitted for federal funding. Additional data from the pesticide/nutrient loss field projects will be presented at conferences and field days and submitted for publication in refereed and trade journals. Manuscripts will be submitted on the competitiveness of genetically modified Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue/colonial bentgrass mixtures for golf course fairways, the Low Input Sustainable Turf study, and tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass varieties to bispyribac-sodium herbicide.
Impact Statements:
- Wisconsin Dept. Natural Resources used information from runoff and leaching studies in development of turf fertilization guidelines. The draft guidelines are posted at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/nps/stormwater/techstds.htm. The guidelines will be reviewed in 2007 prior to being officially adopted. The guidelines are meant to guide fertilization of all turf in Wisconsin (approximately 1.2 million acres). The guidelines may potentially be used by surrounding states in the region.
- Data on field performance of Roundup resistant, genetically modified (GM) creeping bentgrass are being used by USDA-APHIS for review of deregulation of the material. Use of the GM grass is expected to decrease water and fungicide inputs on golf courses.
- Seed production of a special variety of Chewings fescue, Longfellow II, was sold out in 2005 for the next two years as demands for this variety from golf course architects and superintendents for low input fairways have exceeded supply due to data from the study. The ASA abstract resulted in a phone call from a low input golf course being built in Russia with the architect requesting information on turf varieties to plant for the fairways.
- The NCERA-192 LIST project stimulated a special USDA proposal Sustainable Turf Management and Water Use from Univ. Wisconsin as part of a larger Urban Horticulture proposal. The proposal was funded ($26,600) for 1 year, September 2005 to September 2006. Conventional and novel turf plots were installed in public areas in 3 Wisconsin locations for public viewing and surveying consumers preferences for lawn grasses.
- Valent and Monsanto companies are using data for labeling and marketing the new turf herbicides Velocity and Certainty for annual and rough bluegrass control. Users will be primarily golf courses and sod growers.
- Sod growers from the Midwest and Long Island, NY have contacted the investigators to determine if Velocity herbicide (bispyribac-sodium) can be used on their farms to control annual bluegrass (Poa annua). One acre of sod has a gross value of approximately $4,000; over 40,000 acres of sod are sold in Wisconsin alone each year and annual bluegrass infestation is one of the most important and rapidly developing problems in sod production.