WERA_OLD11: Western Regional Turfgrass Research

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Active

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[02/15/2022] [10/27/2022] [04/29/2024] [01/06/2025] [09/12/2025] [07/16/2026]

Date of Annual Report: 02/15/2022

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 11/06/2021 - 11/06/2021
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2021 - 12/31/2021

Participants

In person:
Paul Johnson (USU), Kai Umeda (UA), Kelly Kopp (USU), Pawel Orlinski (UCR), Marta Pudzianowska (UCR), Clint Mattox (OSU), Keenan Amundsen (UNB), Nicholas Boerman (USDA), Matteo Serena (UCR), Elena Sevostianova (NMSU), Bernd Leinauer (NMSU)

Via Zoom:
Vance Owens (NIFA), Navneet Kaur (OSU), Michael Neff (WSU), Des Serba (USDA), Zhiqiang Cheng (UHI), Shui Zhang Fei (IAS), Ricardo Ramirez (USU)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

WERA 2021 minues v1.docx

Accomplishments

Accomplishments for 2021 are outlined in the meeting minutes

Publications

Impact Statements

WERA-11 scientists are conducting research on emerging irrigation technologies in cooperation with local water providers and entities as they determine which products to rebate for their customers.

Date of Annual Report: 10/27/2022

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/09/2022 - 07/11/2022
Period the Report Covers: 12/01/2021 - 11/30/2022

Participants

K. Amundsen (chair; NW; Nebraska)
N. Christians (Iowa)
T. Nikolai (Michigan)
D. Li (North Dakota)
P. Johnson (AA; Utah)
C.M. Mattox (Oregon)
Z. Cheng (Hawaii)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Brief minutes for the joint WERA11 and NCERA221 multi-state coordinating committee meeting, 2022

Chair Keenan Amundsen (Host State Nebraska) called meeting to order at 8:15 am.

Amundsen provided a brief introduction and discussed the motivation, timing, and location for the meeting. The purpose and importance of the multi-state coordinating committees was also discussed by the committee. Amundsen noted that several members planning to attend the meeting were unable due to travel and other delays. The planned Scandinavian Airlines System strike for that week negatively impacted attendance.

Attendees introduced themselves and described their role at their respective locations.

Nick Christians (Iowa State) presented the historian report, appended to the bottom of these minutes. Christians discussed the importance of maintaining the historian records and briefly discussed recent past meeting locations and planned locations for 2023. Meeting locations for the next calendar year were discussed separately for WERA11 and NCERA221. Alec Kowalewski (Oregon) will host WERA11 and Deying Li (North Dakota) will host NCERA221 in 2023; Kowalewski and Li will serve as chairs in 2023 for their respective multi-state coordinating committees. Locations for 2024 have not yet been determined.

Incoming chairs serve as secretaries in the current year, and Li took minutes for the meeting.

Dr. Aaron Patton (Indiana), prior to the meeting shared that his term as NCERA221 representative to the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Policy Committee was coming to an end and requested that a new representative be selected to serve. Amundsen solicited nominations for the position prior to and during the meeting; Deying Li (North Dakota) and Doug Soldat (Wisconsin) were nominated. Since there was not quorum of NCERA221 members at the meeting, it was determined that the election will be handled virtually, coordinated by Amundsen following the meeting.

State representatives were asked to use a consistent format for reporting their multi-state activities. David Gardner (Ohio State) shared a report format template prior to the meeting that was used for individual annual state reporting by NCERA221 and Amundsen shared a report template for WERA11.

Representatives introduced their programs, summarized their undergraduate and graduate programs, and discussed regional and collaborative research projects. More details are available in the 2022 WERA11 and NCERA221 annual reports.

Prior to the meeting Gardner requested to share information on an ongoing organic crabgrass control trial with a plan to receive research data at the end of this season followed by analysis and preparation for journal article submission, planned for Crop, Forage, and Turfgrass Management. He will send cooperators information in September requesting their data. This led to further discussion on failures in pre-emergence crabgrass control, and subsequent discussion on developing growing degree day models or other prediction tools to optimize herbicide application timing in the region.

Another study that received attention was the use of biocontrols for pest control in turf. Dave Smitley (Michigan State) electronically shared research on the use of biocontrols for Japanese beetle with the committee. Zhiqiang Cheng (Hawaii) described his research on the use of biocontrols and potential applications in the region.

Adjourned at 11 am.

Accomplishments

Collaborative projects initiated to optimize best management practices, establishment, and cultivar selection for growing turfgrasses subjected to winter stress. Regional research supported by more than $16 million, contributing to enhanced turfgrass management. Turfgrass breeding lines were advanced with a goal to develop regionally adapted germplasm and cultivars Use of biological and chemical control of turfgrass pests were tested throughout the region informing turfgrass managers about pest control strategies Several water deficit and salt stress studies were done to identify new germplasm sources or management practices to optimize turfgrass systems water management in arid parts of the western region Multi-year carbon sequestration project was continued to test the ability of turfgrasses to sequester soil carbon

Publications

Amundsen, Keenan; Warnke, Scott E.; Bushman, Bradley S.; Robbins, Matthew D.; Martin, Ruth; Harris-Shultz, Karen. 2021. Colonial bentgrass transcript-expression differences compared with creeping bentgrass in response to water-deficit stress. Crop Science. May. 61(3): p. 2135-2147. Bartel, C.A., K.J. Moore, S.Z. Fei, A.W. Lenssen, R.L. Hintz, and S.M. Kling. 2022. Evaluating Strip and No-Till Maintenance of Perennial Groundcovers for Annual Grain Production. Crops, 2(3), pp.268-286. Bartel, C.A., K.J. Moore, S.Z. Fei, A.W. Lenssen, R.L. Hintz, and S.M. Kling. 2022. Evaluating Chemical Suppression Treatments to Alter the Red: Far-Red Ratio in Perennial Groundcovers for Maize Production. Agronomy, 12(8), p.1854. Bell, N., C. Hollingsworth, G. Stahnke and A. Kowalewski. 2021. Insects: Section F: Turfgrass. Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks. November 1, 2021. F1-F12. Berndt, WL, RE Gaussoin. 2022. Predicting Munsell color for turfgrass leaves. Crop Science. In press Braithwaite, E., B. McDonald, C. Schmid and A. Kowalewski. 2021. Evaluation of selected fungicides for preventative control of Rhizoctonia cerealis on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2020. Plant Disease Management Report. Report No. 15:T036. Retrieved September 9, 2021. <a href="https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/pdmr/volume15/abstracts/t036.asp">https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/pdmr/volume15/abstracts/t036.asp</a> Braithwaite, E., B. McDonald, C. Schmid and A. Kowalewski. 2021. Evaluation of single fungicide applications for curative control of Rhizoctonia cerealis on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2020. Plant Disease Management Report. Report No. 15:T035. Retrieved September 9, 2021. <a href="https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/pdmr/volume15/abstracts/t035.asp">https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/pdmr/volume15/abstracts/t035.asp</a> Braithwaite, E., C. Schmid, and A. Kowalewski. 2022. Evaluation of fungicides for control of Microdochium nivale on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2021-2022. Plant Disease Management Report. Accepted July 1, 2022. Braithwaite, E., T. Stock and A. Kowalewski. 2021. Integrated Pest Management Effects on Weed Populations Managed Without Herbicides in the Pacific Northwest. Int Turfgrass Soc Res J. 2021; 1-4. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.51">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.51</a> Braithwaite, E., C. Stover, C. Schmid, and A. Kowalewski. 2022. Evaluation of fungicide programs for control of Colletotrichum cereale on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2021. Plant Disease Management Report. Accepted July 1, 2022. Braun, R.C., E.T. Braithwaite, A.R. Kowalewski, E. Watkins, A.B. Hollman, and A.J. Patton. 2022. Nitrogen Fertilizer and Clover Inclusion Effects on the Establishment of Fine Fescue Taxa. Crop Science. 62:947-957. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20704">http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20704</a> $, M, R, M, V, G, W2 Braun, R.C., A.J. Patton, E. Watkins, A.B. Hollman, J.A. Murphy, B.S. Park, A.R. Kowalewski, and E.T. Braithwaite. 2021. Optimal Fine Fescue Mixture Seeding Dates in the Northern United States. Agronomy Journal.  2021; 1-16. <a href="http://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20859">http://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20859</a> Burayu, W. and K. Umeda. 2021. Versatile Native Grasses and a Turf-Alternative Groundcover for the Arid Southwest United States. J. Environ. Hort. 39(4):160–167. <a href="https://turf.arizona.edu/Umeda%20Dec%202021%20JEH%20nativegrasses.pdf">https://turf.arizona.edu/Umeda%20Dec%202021%20JEH%20nativegrasses.pdf</a> Burayu, W. and K. Umeda. 2021. Performance of Two Varieties of Kurapia Under Drip Irrigation [Abstract]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. <a href="https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2021am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/132815">https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2021am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/132815</a> Bushman BS, MD Robbins, SE Warnke, R Martin, K Harris-Shultz, K Amundsen. 2021. Gene expression differences for drought stress response in cool-season turfgrasses.  Int. Turfgrass Soc. Research Journal DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.25 Cain, A., E. Braithwaite, B. McDonald, A. Kowalewski and M. Elmore. 2021. Irrigation Frequencies and Reference Evapotranspiration Replacement Effecting Annual Bluegrass Populations in Western Oregon. Int Turfgrass Soc Res J. 2021; 1-5. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70</a> Cain, A., A. Kowalewski, B. McDonald and C. Mattox. 2021. Irrigation Rates and Frequencies for Western and Eastern Oregon Turfgrass. OSU Extension Service. EM 9311. <a href="https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9311">https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9311</a> Carlson, M. G., Gaussoin, R. E., & Puntel, L. A. (2022). A review of precision management for golf course turfgrass. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management, 8, e20183. https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20183 Chen, A.A., S.Z. Fei, A.W. Lenssen, and K.J. Moore, 2022. Photothermal controls of vegetative dormancy in Poa secunda. Grassland Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.12008 Chen A, S. Fei, A. Lenssen, and K.J. Moore. 2022. Evaluating cool-season grass species as potential perennial groundcover for maize production. Agronomy J. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21087. Christians, N., B. Pease, and A. Thoms. 2021. The mathematics of tank mixing. SportsField Mgmt. April:26-28. Dreves, A. J., Kaur, N., DeFrancesco, J. T., Van Slambrook, L. G., Fisher, G. C., Rondon, S., Anderson, N. P. 2021. Pocket Guide to Grass Seed Pests and Beneficials: Identification, Monitoring, Management. EM 9318 <a href="https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9318">https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9318</a> Dung, J. K. S., Duringer, J. M., Kaur, N., Scott, J., Frost, K. E., Walenta, D. L., Alderman, S. C., Craig, A. M., Hamm, P. B. 2021. Molecular and Alkaloid Characterization of Claviceps purpurea Sensu Lato From Grass Seed Production Areas of the US Pacific Northwest. Phytopathology 111: 831-841. Ervin, D.E., L. Mitchell Dixon, A. Montry, A.J. Patton, B. Bowling, M.T. Elmore, T.W. Gannon, J.E. Kaminski, A.R. Kowalewski, J.D. McCurdy, J.S. McElroy, J.B. Unruhl, and M.V. Bagavathiannan. 2022. Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities for Improved Lawn Weed Management: insights from U.S. Lawn Care Operators. Outlooks on Pest Management. 33(3): 95–100. Ham, J., Aksland, I., Casey, D., Koski, T., Qian, Y. (2021). Wireless Soil Moisture Measurement in Turfgrass with Internet-of-Things (IoT) Technology and Low-Cost Sensors. 6th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium. (Published: December 2021) Hao J, Y. Yin, and S Fei. 2021. A Novel Method of Generating RNAi Library for High Throughput Gene Function Analysis in Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Intl Turfgrass Res J. Isweiri, H., Qian, Y.L., Davis, J. D. 2021.  Comparison of fresh versus effluent water irrigation on soil chemical properties of golf course greens and fairways. International Turfgrass Society Res. J. 14: 182-193. Isweiri, H., Qian, Y.L, Davis, J. (2021). Interactive effects of waterlogging and salinity on perennial ryegrass and alkaligrass. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, 14: 266-275.  <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/its2.60">http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/its2.60</a>. Kaur, N., editor. 2021. Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook [online]. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University. <a href="https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect">https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect</a> Kowalewski, A. 2022. Weed Management: Section U: Turfgrass. Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks. Dec 2021. U1-U24. Kowalewski, A. 2021. Weed Management: Section U: Turfgrass. Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks. March 2021. U1-U24. Li, L., Sousek, M., Reicher, Z., & Gaussoin, R. (2021). Strategies for increased yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) control in turfgrass with halosulfuron, sulfentrazone, and physical removal. Weed Technology, 35(6), 894-900. doi:10.1017/wet.2021.43 Lindsey, A.J., A.W. Thoms, M.D. McDaniel, and N.E. Christians. 2021. Plant-available soil nitrogen fluxes and turfgrass quality of Kentucky bluegrass fertilized with humic substances. Crop Sci. doi:10.1002/csc2.20592 Lindsey, A.J., A.W. Thoms, M.D. McDaniel, and N.E. Christians. 2021. Evaluation of humic fertilizers on a sand-based creeping bentgrass putting green. Crop Sci. doi:10.1002/csc2.20577 Lindsey, A.J., A.W. Thoms, J. Dancer, and M. Gross. 2021. Evaluation of algae-based fertilizers produced from revolving algal biofilms on Kentucky bluegrass. Agron. 11(7):1288. doi:10.3390/agronomy11071288 Lindsey, A.J. and A. Thoms. 2021. Soil health solutions. Turf Magazine. Winter. 34(4):16-17, 35. Lindsey, A., and A. Thoms. 2021. Impact of humic fertilizers on putting green turfgrass and soil health. Golf Course Manage. Nov. 89(11):70-74. Lindsey, A.J., A. Thoms, N. Christians, and R. Adams. 2021. Natural (organic) fertilization for turf. Iowa State University Extension Publication. HORT 3031. p. 7. Lindsey, A., A. Thoms, and N. Christians. 2021. Turfgrass calendar: warm-season grasses for lawns. Iowa State University Extension Publications. HORT 3105. p. 3. Lindsey, A., A. Thoms, and N. Christians. 2021. Turfgrass biological soil health. Iowa State University Extension Publication. HORT 3111. p. 3. Marshall, Collin; Warnke, Scott; Amundsen, Keenan. 2022. Simple sequence repeat marker development and diversity analysis in buffalograss. Crop Science. May/June. 62(3): p. 1373-1382. Mertz, I., A. Thoms, and N. Christians. 2021. Glycerin-based nitrogen applications for turfgrass growth. Intl. Turf. Soc. Res. J. doi:10.1002/its2.83 Moore, V.M., B. Schlautman, S.Z. Fei, L.M. Roberts, M. Wolfe, M.R. Ryan, S. Wells, and A.J. Lorenz. 2022. Plant Breeding for Intercropping in Temperate Field Crop Systems: A Review. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21087. Kaur, N., Van Slambrook, L. G., Koppel, A. L., Anderson, N. P. 2021. Efficacy of Selected Insecticides for Aphid Management in Grass Grown for Seed Crops, 2020. Arthropod Management Tests 46: tsab110. Kaur, N., Van Slambrook, L. G., Anderson, N. P., Whitener, A. B., Verhoeven, E. C. 2021. Efficacy of Selected Insecticides for Sod Webworm Management in Fine Fescue for Seed Crops, 2020., Arthropod Management Tests 46: tsab128. Kowalewski, A., A. Cain, E. Braithwaite, B. McDonald, and C. Schmid. 2022. Nitrogen Fertility Rates Affecting Weed Population Dynamics in a Perennial Ryegrass Stand in Western Oregon. International Turfgrass Research Journal. 2022; 1-6. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.106">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.106</a> Mattox, C., B. McDonald and A. Kowalewski. 2021. Managing Microdochium Patch in Pacific Northwest Turfgrass. OSU Extension Service. EM 9321. <a href="https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9321">https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9321</a> McDonald, B., E. Braithwaite, C. Mattox, C. Schmid, R. Wang, and A. Kowalewski. 2021. Evaluation of selected fungicides for control of Microdochium patch on annual bluegrass in western Oregon, 2020-2021. Plant Disease Management Report. Report No. 15:T037. Retrieved September 9, 2021. <a href="https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/pdmr/volume15/abstracts/t037.asp">https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/pdmr/volume15/abstracts/t037.asp</a> McDonald, B., A. Kowalewski, C. Mattox, E. Braithwaite, C. Schmid. 2021. Effects of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Rates on Microdochium Patch. Turfgrass Soc Res J. 2021;1-4. <a href="http://doi.org/10.1002/its2.28">http://doi.org/10.1002/its2.28</a> McNally, B.C., M.T. Elmore, A.R. Kowalewski, and A.B. Cain. 2022. Phosphorus influences annual bluegrass competitiveness at seeding in perennial ryegrass and creeping bentgrass. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. Accepted July 26, 2022. Obear, Glen R. 2021. Ph.D. Dissertation: Formation of B Horizons in Engineered Putting Green SoilsThe University of Nebraska. xi, 110 pp. Patton, A.J., M. Elmore, J. Kao-Kniffin, B. Branham, N. Christians, A. Thoms, S. Keeley, T. Shaddox, T.A. Nikolai, M. Reiter, L. Miller, X. Xiong, B. Kreuser, R. Gaussoin, M. Carroll, D. Li, D. Gardner, Z. Raudenbush, P. Landschoot, D. Soldat, and P. Koch. 2021 Turfgrass weed control for professionals. Purdue University Extension Publication. HORT 3066. p. 132. Patton, A., R. Braun, M. Reiter, E. Watkins, A. Kowalewski, P. Koch, J. Murphy. 2021. Fine Fescues in Minimal-to-no Mow Areas. Purdue Extension TURF-67. Accepted October 1, 2021. Patton, A., R. Braun, M. Reiter, E. Watkins, A. Kowalewski, P. Koch, J. Murphy. 2021 Fine Fescues: Understanding the Differences. Purdue Extension. TURF-63. Accepted October 1, 2021. Pease, B., N. Christians, and A. Thoms. 2021. Tank mixing procedures. SportsField Mgmt. May:18-20. Qian, Y. (2021). Slow/controlled-release fertilizer applications and nitrous oxide emissions from fairways and roughs. The Reporter (Rocky Mountain Chapter GCSAA), 56(4), 16-18.. (Published: July (3rd Quarter/Summer) 2021) Schlautman, B., C. Bartel, L. Diaz-Garcia, S. Fei, S. Flynn, E. Haramoto, K. Moore, and D.R. Raman, 2021. Perennial groundcovers: an emerging technology for soil conservation and the sustainable intensification of agriculture. Emerging Topics in Life Sciences, 5(2):337-347. Stahnke, Gwen K.; Rieke, Paul E.; Cookingham, Pete O.; Shearman, Robert C.; Gaussoin, Roch E.; Kopec, David M. 2022. James B Beard: The father of contemporary turfgrass science. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. June. 14(1): p. 1-11 Thoms, A.W., R. Bearss, J.N. Rogers, and J.C. Sorochan. 2021. An evaluation of mat hybrid turfgrass systems under simulated traffic. Short Comm. Intl Turf. Soc. Res. J. 1-5. doi:10.1002/its2.58 Thoms, A., S. Lord, and W. Appelfeller. 2021. Selecting and making the most of an internship. SportsField Mgmt. May:14-16. Thoms, A., and N. Christians. 2021. Turfgrass renovation. Iowa State University Extension Publication. HORT 3113. p. 5. Thoms, A., N. Christians, and M. Agnew. 2021. Purchasing seed. Iowa State University Extension Publication. HORT 3112. p. 2. Umeda, K., S. Nair, and M. Chamberland. 2021. Clear up the confusion: Know how to select the appropriate herbicide to control weeds. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension publication AZ1914-2021. <a href="https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1914-2021.pdf">https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1914-2021.pdf</a>  June 2021. Umeda, K., D. Kopec, and S. Nair. 2021. Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) control in non-overseeded bermudagrass and winter overseeded turfgrasses in low desert Arizona. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension publication AZ1885-2021. <a href="https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1885-2021.pdf">https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1885-2021.pdf</a> May 2021. Waisen, P., Z. Cheng, B.S. Sipes, and K.-H. Wang. 2022. Biofumigation effects of Brassicaceous cover crops on soil health in cucurbit agroecosystems in Hawaii, USA. Pedosphere, 32(4): 521–531. Williams, Dallas M. 2021. M.S. Thesis: A Method for Visualizing Water Flow Through Modified Root Zones. University of Nebraska. [2], v, 54 pp Xu N, J. Zobrist, K. Wang, and S. Fei. 2021. Genetic transformation of recalcitrant upland switchgrass using morphogenic genes. Frontiers in Plant Science.  doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.781565. Yaling Qian and Sarah Wilhelm.  2021.  Compost topdressing to suppress necrotic ringspot and improve overall health of Kentucky bluegrass lawns. Int Turfgrass Soc Res J. 14: 967-971.

Impact Statements

Genome sequencing of turfgrass species in support of genetics and genomics research.

Date of Annual Report: 04/29/2024

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/19/2023 - 06/22/2023
Period the Report Covers: 07/01/2022 - 06/30/2023

Participants

Alec Kowewski, Oregon State University
Navneet Kaur, Oregon State University
Pear Intasin, Oregon State University
Shuizhang Fei, Iowa State University
Keenan Amundsen, University of Nebraska
Pawel Orlinski, UC-Riverside
Marta Pudzianowska, UC-Riverside
Sandra Glegola, UC-Riverside
Jonathan Schnore, Washington State University
Elena Seostianova, New Mexico State University
Chrissie Segars, PBI Gordon
Shaun Bushman, USDA, Logan Utah
Clint Mattox, USDA, Corvallis Oregon
Paul Johnson (AA), Utah State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Summary of Minutes Provided by Marta Pudzianowska (Page 2-7)

Meeting Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, June 19, 2023

General:

Project ends in September 2026.

New proposal by Fall 2025.

Submit report to Alec Kowalewski and Paul Johnson, keep it brief.

They prefer to see impacts than activities (impacts on every person in the region).

OSU projects and activities:

Clint Mattox (USDA-ARS): collaborated with NMSU on a project focused on alternative herbicides for schools (IPM, glyphosate alternatives, in Oregon only products with caution labels can be used) cornmeal and application methods and timing were also discussed among the group. A journal club among WERA members ran for about 2 years during the Covid pandemic.

IPM projects:

o Alec Kowalewski mentioned Fall timing as undesirable because children are in school,

o need for incorporating social science aspects in the projects was discussed.

o perception of turf management (common believes, fears, opportunities for communities)

Chrissie Segars: around $75K for collaborative projects from PBI Gordon, IDC depend on $$ for proposal – Chrissie will email Paul Johnson

New project ideas:

Water management:

o Evaluating possibility to expand use of warm-season grasses in Northwest.

o Paul Johnson brought up the need for invasiveness assessment in such evaluations – problems with ban of bermudagrass in Utah.

o Alec Kowalewski proposed combining water use and carbon sequestration studies (how reducing water use affects carbon sequestration).

o Pawel Orlinski suggested different approaches in water management studies e.g., deficit irrigation vs complete restriction of watering.

o Effluent water use at golf courses and severe water restrictions for golf courses and homeowners, as well as turfgrass removals in Utah and California.

o Discussion about how long different turf species can stay without water (KBG, bermudagrass, buffalograss).

o Paul Johnson spoke about irrigation every 4 or 8 weeks and KBG survival and recovery in Utah (Logan area).

o Pear brought up the question about interaction between drought and other stresses, Paul Johnson mentioned that carbohydrates storage can impact reaction to drought, Shaun Bushman mentioned they are starting measuring carbohydrates levels in insect tolerance.

o Chrissie Segars brought up lack of scientific studies for how much water we need to put down for the grass for it to come back.

o Goal:

writing multi-state SCRI for water management project. That would require seed/sod production aspect; private partnerships. The need for including social scientists was expressed, as well as economic returns evaluation (Yaling Qian).

Chrissie Segars mentioned SCRI proposal on site preparation for turfgrass, including builders, superintends, etc., considering unique soils in Texas and Florida.

Clint mentioned land owners options in choosing the landscape – limited choices presented by investors were discussed; top soil issues, grass is cheap to install and maintain (Paul Johnson) – “why people choose what they choose?”.

Eco-dormant grasses in Oregon (Agrostis castellana).

Breeding component – producing cheap seed and sod (Nicholas Boerman) – opportunity for collaboration in breeding and seed production.

Alec Kowalewski mentioned that targeting both turfgrass management and seed production could be good because of importance of breeding/seed/sod industry in the region.

Keenan Amundsen and Leah Brilman did some work on bentgrass.

Fei Shuizhang talked about breeding grass as a cover crop in corn and soybean –breeding for grass going dormant in the summer, to avoid competition with the crop.

Options for USDA participants involvement was discussed by Clint Mattox and Paul Johnson (for USDA in Oregon, Utah and Arizona).

Need for a leader to coordinate writing

Combining efforts in breeding, water management, extension and social sciences was discussed (for evaluation why warm-season grasses are not used in NW yet). Chrissie Segars mentioned growers in Oregon interested in zoysiagrasses):

forming a group focused on developing lines of one warm-season species, the other group on one cool-season species, another group on management.

Breeding for the region vs. sod producers’ needs.

Clint Mattox proposed starting a shared folder for SCRI proposal.

After break groups split into breeders and management to discuss further.

Breeding group:

Longer timeline for breeding than for management part – focusing on species already in the breeding pipelines of participating institutions.

What species are the most useful:

o Drought tolerance as the most important factor.

o For superintendents (David Phipps): it is hard to have mono stands; expectations regarding color – issue for social science?

o Color vs heat tolerance?

Species: buffalograss, bluegrass, bermudagrass

o Warm-season:

Buffalograss?

Keenan Amundsen – seeded diploids (shorter dormancy, might not survive harsh winter, but could survive in the summer)

Problems with bermudagrass contamination

Dormancy as an issue but also opportunity (drought survival)

Bluemuda? Other mixed systems?

o Cool-season: Kentucky Bluegrass

Vernalization is a problem in Washington.

How SCRI program can contribute to each program:

o Water use reduction and affordability – general issue

o Nebraska (Keenan Amundsen) - adoption, acceptation, fertilization & watering programs

o Oklahoma – heat and freeze survival issues, seed production.

Mowing aspects – “how low can you go?” – testing for different mowing heights.

Real cases for establishing lawns – give seeds to homeowners and observe the process.

Focus on locally adapted systems with large cooperative trials (with MTAs).

Both homeowners and golf industry?

Locally adapted systems/species for both homeowners and golf with focus on mowing heights.

o Branching out into:

Species that breeding programs already work with + collaboration with management part (mowing, fertilization…);

Test how far species can go across regions/climates.

Management Group

Notes from sub-group:

Endophytes & Insect Resistance

o Pear working on Endophyte viability in NTEP trials

o E+ vs E- on drought in TF

o Some work @ Rutgers on bacterial endophytes - could potentially be applied to the grass after it was established…

o E+ vs E- and alkaloids on herbicide

o E+ & ARG - work with ARF - on herbicide resistance ARG

o Endophytes & Water Use (even association with salt / gray water)

o NTEP data in August (to simulate drought)

o Endophytes grass seed production & fungicide use in grass seed production systems (to sustain populations in seed production)

o What happens to E+ when turf is under drought stress?

Will we lose E+ if grass goes dormant
- Further, when soil & air temperatures go very high in CA…

Age of lawn - 1, 3, & 5 years age

Tolerance vs avoidance in water stress settings

Carbon Sequestration Component

Eco-lawn mixes & Pollinator Work

o Frog-fruit (breeding in FL) + Trefoil

Social Sciences

o Pollinator lawns

o Why do we have lawns?

o Potential in TX Tech (Ag communications) / AZ (George)

o What is irrigated / why is it irrigated

o ArcGIS - C-sequestration -

o Jason Peak - aerial imagery @ GA

Perhaps mimic that work

o Effluent water irrigation (+ & - perception)

Warm Season Grasses & Drought SCRI Grant

o Breeding for drought tolerance (UGA)

Soil Science Component

o Relationship between soil components & turf type

Species List to consider:

o Bermudagrass (invasive in UT)

o Zoysiagrass

o Kikuyugrass (Invasive in most states)

o TF

o PRG

o FF

o Eco-lawns

o Highland Bentgrass

Effluent water & use in landscapes

Precision Ag

o ArcGIS - C-sequestration -

o Historic temperature of urban areas

Relationship to lawns

The remainder of the meeting on Monday was at the OSU Turfgrass Research Facility and a tour of botanical resources on the OSU campus.

Tuesday’s activity was at the Mountain Valley Seed field day near Albany, OR.

Wednesday’s activity was at the DLF turfgrass field day near Philomath, OR

Thursday’s activity was at the Pure Seed turfgrass field day near Canby, OR.

Accomplishments

Outreach Activities: Colorado State University: The 69th Annual Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show, December 13-15, 2022. Attendance 750. Oregon State University: Winter Field Day and Summer Field Day, February 2023 and August 2023. Attendees 250. University of Nebraska: Nebraska State Turf Conference, January 4-6, 2023, Attendees 475. Online Extension Samples:  <a href="https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/">https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/</a> <a href="https://csuhort.blogspot.com/">https://csuhort.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/turfgrass-cultivars-for-utah">https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/turfgrass-cultivars-for-utah</a> <a href="https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/beaverturf">https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/beaverturf</a> <a href="https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H508/index.html">https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H508/index.html</a> <a href="http://turfgrass.ctahr.hawaii.edu/">http://turfgrass.ctahr.hawaii.edu/</a> <a href="https://turfgrass.ucr.edu/">https://turfgrass.ucr.edu/</a> <a href="https://turf.arizona.edu/">https://turf.arizona.edu/</a> <a href="https://turf.unl.edu">https://turf.unl.edu</a> <a href="https://turf.wsu.edu/">https://turf.wsu.edu/</a> <a href="https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/wptrc/turf_series4.pdf">https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/wptrc/turf_series4.pdf</a> Undergraduate Enrollment: Colorado State University: 8 Oregon State University: 6 University of Nebraska: 19   Current Graduate Students: Bai, Fanxiao (MS), Colorado State University Li, Zhou (MS), Colorado State University Shikhar Hatwal (MS), Oregon State University Zac Hamilton (MS), Oregon State University Emily Braithwaite (MS), Oregon State University Cole Stover (MS), Oregon State University Pear Intasin (MS), Oregon State University Grace Tiwari (MS), Oregon State University Elizabeth Niebaum (MS), University of Nebraska Michael Morikone (PhD) University of Nebraska       Key Research Outcomes: Iowa: Tall fescue intercellular void space is as important to traffic tolerance as it is in Kentucky bluegrass. Traffic tolerant tall fescue had wider leaves and lower plant density than traffic intolerant tall fescue.  Summer dormant bluegrass species show great promise as perennial groundcover for maize production to provide ecosystem services with minimal grain yield reduction.  Nebraska: Advanced 17 separate buffalograss populations with enhanced tolerance to chinch bugs and resistance to leaf spot disease. Evaluated 24 vegetative buffalograss lines for sod strength in comparison to Prestige and Legacy, industry standard entries; 19 performed as good as the checks for sod strength, 15 lines performed as good as the checks for quality, and 14 performed as good as the checks for spring green up. In each rating category, there were advanced breeding lines that outperformed the industry checks. Oregon: The typical Oregon golf course uses an average of 180-acre ft of water annually, which costs an average of $57,786. Therefore, if golf course managers started planting tall fescue in rough areas and did not irrigate the grass to prevent weeds like annual bluegrass from establishing (core innovation produced by key project 1) they would save half of the water applied to the average golf course. As a result of this core innovation, OSU was asked to provide a webinar to the members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America on tall fescue. For this webinar OSU highlighted golf courses in Oregon (Oswego Lake Country Club, and Oregon Golf Club) that have made the switch to tall fescue to reduce water use.  Furthermore, homeowners and municipality managers that use tall fescue in place of other turfgrass species, and do not water the turf, would generate significant water savings.  Research findings and extension material produced by my program have helped propel the public popularity of tall fescue, which has gone from being a minor component of the Oregon grass seed production system to having more production acres than any other grass seed crop in just 5 years (2017 to 2022).  Utah: The Water Check program has continued since our last meeting and has now been under my administration for 18 years and operating in the state for a total of 24 years. At this point, we’ve conducted more than 20,000 residential audits and several hundred commercial, industrial, and institutional audits.

Publications

Sample publications: Berndt, W. L., & Gaussoin, R. E. 2023. Predicting Munsell color for turfgrass leaves. Crop Science, 63, 1566– 1580. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20843">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20843</a> Bateman, C., Willette, A. R., Kaur, N., Dorman, S., Buckland, K., & Anderson, N. P. (2023). Symphylan Control in Grass Grown for Seed, 2022. In Arthropod Management Tests. Oxford Academic. Kowalewski, A.R. C.J Schmid, E.T. Braithwaite*, B.C. McNally, M.T. Elmore, C.M. Mattox, B.W. McDonald, R. Wang, J.G. Lambrinos, G.S. Fitzpatrick, and H.M. Rivedal. 2023. Comparing Methods to Quantify Cover in Turfgrass Research. Crop Science. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20908">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20908</a> Lindsey, A.J., A.W. Thoms, N.E. Christians, and B.W. Pease. 2022. Evaluation of hollow-tine core aerification recycling on a sand-based putting green soil properties and playability. HortTech 32(6):529-533. doi:10.21273/HORTTECH05116-22  Stahnke, Gwen K.; Rieke, Paul E.; Cookingham, Pete O.; Shearman, Robert C.; Gaussoin, Roch E.; Kopec, David M. 2022. James B Beard: The father of contemporary turfgrass science. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. June. 14(1): p. 1-11 Sukor, A., Qian, Y.L, Davis, J. G. 2023.  Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer Selection Influences Water Use Efficiency. Agriculture 2023, 13, 923-927.  <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13050923">https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13050923</a> Thoms, A.W., and A.J. Lindsey. 2023. Advances in maintenance practices of turfgrass in Achieving sustainable turfgrass management. Fidanza, M. ed. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. Chapter 6. ISBN-13: 9781801460194 Yuhung Lin, Fanxiao Bai, Jizhou Li , & Yaling Qian.  2023. Comparison of Soil Nitrate and Phosphorus Concentrations Prior to and Five to Eleven Years after Recycled Water Irrigation. Sustainability in Environment. Vol. 8. No. 2. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/se.v8n2p12">http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/se.v8n2p12</a>

Impact Statements

Addressed regional issues of pest problems and water conservation through shared information.
Communicated WERA related outcomes through website housed at OSU (https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/beaverturf/wera-11-western-regional-turfgrass-research-group)
Conducted continuing education on low input turf to practitioners in Colorado, Oregon, and Nebraska.
Conducted and cooperated on National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trials throughout the region.

Date of Annual Report: 01/06/2025

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 11/09/2024 - 11/11/2024
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2024 - 12/31/2024

Participants

Nick Boerman (USDA-ARS; Oklahoma; chair), Jonathan Schnore (Washington State University); Michael Neff (Washington State University); Mingying Xiang (Oklahoma State University); Kelly Kopp (Utah State University); Paul Johnson (Utah State University); Keenan Amundsen (University of Nebraska); Shuizhang Fei (Iowa State University)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Meeting called to order at 1 pm in Salon del Ray A Hilton Hotel San Antonio, TX Sunday 10 Nov 2024.

Discussion of future meeting locations:

2025: Meeting combined with the ITS meeting in Japan. Day to be determined. Kelly Kopp president, Michael Neff, Secretary.

2026: Location will be Pullman, WA; date next to their annual field day. Michael Neff president.

2027: Joint meeting with SERA in Frisco Texas. After the PGA Championship (May 20-23).

General discussion:

Paul Johnson- Make state reports focus on collaborative projects, especially those in the multi-state group. Concise reports for both readability and to help out the person combining the reports. Importance of collaborative projects since that is the main goal of these groups.

Attendance is a concern given only a few at the meeting this year. Stand-alone meetings are best and meetings combined with other multi-state groups. There is a lot of commonality with other regions involved with turf research—similar problems that we can learn from. Combining with a field day will be useful. Scheduling with those in mind increases value.

Attendees described their support for attending the meeting. Iowa State is good support. Nebraska, Utah State also. Others mixed. Let’s explore why and encourage others to participate. Need to recruit people and involvement. More private industry. For example Chrissy Segars with PBI Gordon, TWCA, other affiliated organizations especially those in the West. GCSAA, USGA reps. Ogallala conservation district organization (private conservation group). Other groups, stakeholder groups, etc. to involve.

SCRI project discussion:

No funding for a Western region project in the past, new opportunities now.

Possible topic: broader take on turf/outdoor water conservation including ground cover, ornamentals. Going more broadly may increase chance of getting funded. Any project needs to serve to change behavior and perceptions. Needs to be unique and different than the warm-season SCRI project.

Start smaller with a planning grant to bring stakeholders together (include seed industry stakeholders). Focus on smaller project overall, instead of the really big proposals done before, plan on pre-proposal submission Fall 2025.

A good topic would be turf in the SW. Currently the focus of cities and other entities is on turf removal. Not a good approach if the intention is to save water. But the water industry has misguidedly taken this on as a silver bullet. If there was a way to demonstrate without question the positive benefits. Removal of turf has unintended consequences and equity issues.

Another topic that will get people excited is urban heat. Moderating of urban heat and can demonstrate how much turf is related or impacts it. This can address what is an increasing problem in the urban west. May get the attention of the review panel. One way to cool is to increase ET. What is the acceptable and necessary amount of irrigation or ET to achieve a desired amount of cooling? Is there a compromise or balance there?

Warm-season grass use in the north—survival in winter? What management or conditions lead to rhizome development and storage to assist in winter survival?

Bluemuda and other warm/cool season mixes: Bermuda, bluegrass, tall fescue, buffalograss combos? Michael is planting blumuda now and will be evaluating.

Cool season grasses, social implications and threshold for not watering and brown. Consumer behavior is always relevant.

Like mentioned before, a project needs to focus on social science decision making. Combine with groundwater recharge.

effect of irrigating artificial turf? Pollution problems? Soil health impacts? Start small with a social, choice, environmental impact type of project then broadening to physiology later. 50% on social science in the initial proposal.

Artificial turf companies are releasing a plastic that has less environmental impact.

Accomplishments

State Reports: Washington: Michael Neff <ul> <li>WSU is building a new research farm in Skagit Valley, WA.</li> <li>Collecting common bermudagrass in Washington that follows a Texas cattle trail and have survived cold winters (-15 to -20 below). Handing this project over to post-doc.</li> <li>$695,000 (two year) from state for high traffic and high wear research to not take out turf for artificial. Precedent in WA to address this issue. Michael suggested a person in their Landscape Architecture department who is involved in public perception of turf and design. Should invite to be part of the project. Low input vs no input is a goal.</li> <li>Matchless KBG variety (no burn) is now PVP protected and is in production.</li> </ul> Nebraska: Keenan Amundsen <ul> <li>Roch Gaussion (UNL) retired and moved.</li> <li>W1: From advanced evaluation trials of buffalograss derived from chinch bug and leaf spot resistant germplasm, identified top five populations with highest seed yields over two years. From multi-year evaluations of sod-strength plots, advanced vegetative buffalograss lines were selected. Top performing lines from each study were planted together for PVP data collection and to compare under both turf and production field settings. Top performing lines will be advanced in regional trials.</li> <li>W1: Genomic studies of bentgrasses and buffalograss are in progress in collaboration with US Golf Association, USDA-ARS, and Penn State University. Sequencing is complete and we are assembling data into contigs and scaffolds. The data will support future genomic-based breeding and molecular genetics research. We are already leveraging the data to identify genes within QTL regions.</li> <li>W2: Continued research on aerification tines and practices, to better understand impact to organic matter management and incorporation of topdressing sand into the soil profile.</li> <li>W2/W3: We are managing the perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass NTEP evaluation trials and recently established the new 2024 Tall Fescue test. The tall fescue study will be managed under deficit irrigation to determine the impacts of reduced irrigation on the tall fescue lines. The data is useful to turfgrass managers, providing regional performance data on current and emerging cultivars.</li> <li>W3: We are actively evaluating 500 experimental buffalograss lines for turf quality traits important for turfgrass managers and production traits important to our producers. Research will support further adoption of buffalograss in turf systems, which will contribute to reduced water use given buffalograss relative lower water demand compared to other turfgrass species.</li> <li>W5: We publish research and educational information to our website (<a href="https://turf.unl.edu">https://turf.unl.edu</a>) and through social media. The information provides useful and timely information to professional and non-professional turfgrass managers. We share research at conferences and at extension outreach events throughout Nebraska, supporting the needs of turfgrass managers.</li> </ul> Iowa: Shui-zhang Fei <ul> <li>cool-season grasses in corn production as a cover crop. Temporal and spatial separation reduces competition. Looking at summer dormancy. Poa pratensis, Poa bulbosa (obligate daylength), Poa secunda (obligate temperature and daylength). Always a tradeoff in balancing the summer dormancy and survival. Social implications and threshold for not watering and brown. Consumer behavior is always relevant.</li> <li>Quincy Law is now at Iowa State University, replacing Nick Christians (retired). Primary teaching and some research.</li> </ul> Oklahoma: Nick Boerman <ul> <li>Mingying Xiang will lead the effort in drafting an SCRI project for the Western region USA.</li> </ul>

Publications

Publications: <ol> <li>S Browning, J Fech, A Folck, & R Gaussoin (2023) Cool Season Lawn Calendar-Western Nebraska. Pages 1-2 in NebGuide (G2359). Lincoln, NE: Nebraska Extension.  <a href="https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/g2359.pdf">https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/g2359.pdf</a> </li> </ol> <ol> <li>S Browning, J Fech, A Folck, & R Gaussoin (2023) Cool Season Lawn Calendar-Eastern Nebraska. Pages 1-2 in NebGuide (G2356). Lincoln, NE: Nebraska Extension.  <a href="https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/g2356.pdf">https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/g2356.pdf</a> </li> </ol>   Research (just published/in press pubs in the last 2 years, 2023-24). <ol> <li>Amundsen, K., C. Thompson, W. Kreuser, R. Gaussoin. 2024. Management costs influence golfer perceptions of turfgrass quality and playability. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal (in press).</li> <li>Berndt, W. L., & Gaussoin, R. E. 2023. Predicting Munsell color for turfgrass leaves. Crop Science, 63, 1566– 1580. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20843">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20843</a></li> <li>Fidanza, M., Bigelow C, Kostka S, Ervin E, Gaussoin R., Rossi F, Cisar J, Dinelli D, Pope J, and Steffel J. 2023. Considerations with biostimulants in turfgrass. Chapter 15 in:  Fidanza, M. (ed.), Achieving sustainable turfgrass management, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2023 (ISBN: 978 1 80146 019 4; <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.bdspublishing.com/__;!!PvXuogZ4sRB2p-tU!AIWIO2ncu-KhL0ErWE4pl_eRAOmzSf4KOAkwOWkJifHAUjGhbJARCi_FgbEGDFF3BcrXKsfQ0N79nWs3kTJnkPBIDDkIm4DbOYo$">bdspublishing.com</a>) </li> <li>Folck, A. J., Bigelow, C. A., Jiang, Y., & Patton, A. J. 2023. Genotypic variation in germination rate, seedling vigor, and seed phenotype of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars. Crop Science, 63, 3065–3078. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21045">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21045</a></li> <li>Folck, A. J., Bigelow, C. A., Jiang, Y., & Patton, A. J. 2023. Growth analysis of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars from six classification groups. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 6, e20444. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20444">https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20444</a></li> <li>Raudenbush, Z., Sousek, M., Thompson, C. S., & Gaussoin, R. E. 2024. Safety of carfentrazone-ethyl following application of bensulide to creeping bentgrass putting greens. Crop, Forage, and Turfgrass Management, 10, e20285. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20285">https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20285</a></li> </ol>

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 09/12/2025

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/13/2025 - 07/13/2025
Period the Report Covers: 11/04/2024 - 07/13/2026

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 07/16/2026

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/03/2026 - 06/05/2026
Period the Report Covers: 05/31/2025 - 06/01/2026

Participants

Neff, Michael – Washington State University (WSU); Hadish, John – WSU, Hulbert, Anna – WSU; Weaver, Katie – WSU; Fei, Shui-zhang – Iowa State University (ISU), Amundsen, Keenan – University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Brief introductions and thank you to Neff for hosting the annual meeting.

Status of WERA11 renewal:
Amundsen reported that the revised WERA11 proposal for 2026-2031 had been submitted with the following objectives:

Coordinate multi-state research and Extension activities to improve understanding and communication of turfgrass and landscape water-use efficiency (AZ, NM, TX, UT), drought and heat stress management (AZ, CA, CO, NM, TX, UT), turfgrass breeding (CA, IA, NE, WA) and evaluation (ALL), and integrated pest management (HI, OR, UT) across western and Great Plains states.

Facilitate exchange of information, data, and protocols on drought resistance, irrigation scheduling, soil and salinity management, and pest management strategies among researchers and educators.

Unify outreach resources for Extension personnel and industry professionals to support water-conserving management practices.

Host annual WERA11 meetings to identify emerging issues, share results, develop collaborative research efforts, and foster collaborations in turf and landscape management.

Engage industry and public partners to ensure that educational materials address pressing water and regional challenges and are accessible to diverse audiences

Upcoming meetings:
2027 – joint meeting with SERA48 to be held in Frisco, TX following the Professional Golf Association Championship
2028 – joint meeting with NCERA221 in Ames, IA at Iowa State University

Collaborative projects:
Fei and Neff discussed a project in collaboration with Shaun Bushman (USDA-ARS, Logan, UT) to improve yield stability in Kentucky Bluegrass with intentions to submit a proposal to the Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
Amundsen discussed creating a network of cooperators to grow and evaluate turf in arid parts of the south and western United States. He is piloting a project with Bernd Leinauer and Elena Sevostianova (New Mexico State Univ.), Ross Braun (Kansas State Univ.), Paul Johnson (Utah State Univ.), and Charles Fontanier (Oklahoma State Univ.). The project will involve a multi-year evaluation of elite buffalograss lines developed by Univ. Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). The data will support broader adoption of buffalograss throughout the region, identify current management recommendations that need to be updated to support broader adoption of buffalograss, and establish a network of cooperators to support future projects designed to optimize turf success in the region.

Enrollment trends
Univ. Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and Iowa State Univ. (ISU) report consistent enrollment in their undergraduate turf management programs.

Other issues
Amundsen encouraged members to submit their annual state reports.
National Turfgrass Evaluation Program remains the primary program for evaluating turf selections across the United States. ISU has six active NTEP trials and UNL has two. Washington State University (WSU) reported that the cost of managing NTEP trials exceeds available funding and, with limited space and labor, it is not practical for hosting NTEP trials at their location.
Budget constraints impacting turf research were acknowledged by all. Members recognized the importance of working collaboratively and leveraging each other’s expertise to address research, teaching, and outreach needs.

Future collaborations
The group has several key experts in managing turf in arid environments and is well positioned to advance collaborative efforts that support water conservation and sustainable turf management practices.

Accomplishments

Short-term Outcomes <ul> <li>WERA11 strengthened collaboration among turfgrass researchers across the western United States, with WERA11 member survey respondents consistently identifying networking, exchange of research ideas, and development of collaborative projects as the most valuable outcomes of committee participation.</li> <li>Committee activities increased awareness of ongoing research programs and facilitated identification of potential collaborators. Several members reported that participation in WERA11 directly contributed to new multistate research partnerships, co-authored publications, and coordinated research efforts.</li> <li>Members reached consensus on future committee priorities, identifying water-use efficiency, salinity management, drought and heat resilience, low-input turf systems, and turfgrass adaptation as the most important research and Extension challenges to be addressed during the next project cycle.</li> <li>The committee improved coordination among breeding, genetics, water management, pest management, and Extension programs across participating institutions. WERA11 member survey responses showed that 91% of members intend to participate in future collaborative research or synthesis activities and 73% plan to contribute research and Extension updates through the committee.</li> <li>Multi-state cultivar evaluation networks increased the availability of region-specific information supporting science-based recommendations for turfgrass selection and management throughout the western United States.</li> <li>Collaborative projects increased access to shared research methods, germplasm resources, evaluation sites, and datasets, enhancing efficiency and reducing duplication of efforts among participating institutions.</li> <li>Researchers expanded collaborative turfgrass evaluation networks across western and Great Plains states, including new partnerships involving Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Utah, and New Mexico to evaluate elite buffalograss germplasm across contrasting environments.</li> <li>Participation in WERA11 facilitated development of new multistate research collaborations, including planning efforts among Washington State University, Iowa State University, and USDA-ARS researchers to pursue a Specialty Crop Research Initiative proposal focused on improving Kentucky bluegrass yield stability.</li> <li>Committee efforts increased coordination of water conservation research and Extension programming, with members collectively addressing drought management, irrigation scheduling, low-input landscapes, and ecosystem services associated with turfgrass systems.</li> </ul> Outputs <ul> <li>Established a collaborative regional buffalograss evaluation network involving cooperators in Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Utah, and New Mexico. The trial includes five experimental seeded entries, seven vegetative breeding lines, and six commercial cultivars. The project is expected to identify regionally adapted germplasm and update management recommendations for newer buffalograss cultivars.</li> <li>Several states contributed to coordinated turfgrass evaluation efforts through the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and Colorado maintained regional cultivar trials that provide information on performance, drought tolerance, and adaptation of Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, creeping bentgrass, fine fescue, bermudagrass, and other turfgrass species throughout western and transition-zone environments. These evaluations provide data used by growers, industry representatives, and turfgrass managers to guide cultivar selection decisions.</li> <li>Iowa State University contributed data to the multi-state WinterTurf project examining winter topdressing practices and their impact on spring green-up of cool-season putting greens.</li> <li>Development of genomic resources and molecular markers for bermudagrass, buffalograss, creeping bentgrass, colonial bentgrass, and Poa species.</li> <li>Publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, extension bulletins, management guides, and educational resources.</li> <li>Development and dissemination of updated regional weed management recommendations through Turfgrass Weed Control for Professionals.</li> <li>Delivery of regional conferences, field days, webinars, workshops, websites, social media content, and industry outreach programs.</li> <li>Washington State University released the Kentucky bluegrass cultivar ‘Matchless’, a variety selected for high seed yield under production systems that do not require post-harvest field burning. The cultivar has been licensed for commercial seed production and supports sustainability goals in a region producing approximately 80% of the world's Kentucky bluegrass seed.</li> <li>Texas Tech University delivered five high-school teacher workshops in collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife to support incorporation of turfgrass science curriculum into secondary education programs and expand the future turfgrass workforce pipeline.</li> <li>Utah State University continued statewide implementation of Water Check and Growing Water Smart programs while initiating evaluation of ten sod seed mixtures for drought response and water-use efficiency.</li> <li>Completion of a WERA11 member survey used to evaluate committee effectiveness and guide future priorities. WERA11 member survey responses indicated that the most valuable outcomes of committee participation include: <ul> <li>Development of collaborative research partnerships.</li> <li>Access to regionally relevant expertise. </li> <li>Sharing of research methodologies and data.</li> <li>Identification of multistate funding opportunities.</li> <li>Enhanced extension programming and educational delivery.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Several members specifically noted that committee participation led directly to new research collaborations, coauthored publications, and expanded professional networks. Activities <ul> <li>Conducted coordinated turfgrass germplasm evaluations and breeding trials.</li> <li>Evaluated turfgrass responses to drought, deficit irrigation, salinity, winter stress, shade, and nutrient management practices.</li> <li>Developed genomic and transcriptomic resources supporting turfgrass improvement.</li> <li>Maintained NTEP evaluation sites across western environments.</li> <li>Conducted extension programming through conferences, field days, webinars, workshops, websites, and direct stakeholder consultations.</li> <li>Facilitated communication and collaboration among universities, USDA-ARS researchers, industry stakeholders, and national organizations.</li> <li>Surveyed WERA11 members to assess committee value, identify barriers to participation, and establish future research priorities.</li> <li>Nebraska continued evaluation of approximately 500 experimental buffalograss lines for turf quality, persistence, and production characteristics and maintained NTEP trials under deficit irrigation conditions to identify drought-adapted cultivars.</li> <li>Utah State University continued evaluation of cool-season and warm-season grasses under chronic deficit irrigation, including irrigating Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescues at approximately 60% of reference evapotranspiration and evaluating warm-season species at approximately 40% ET. Additional studies focused on no-irrigation turf performance, fertilizer timing, and low-input turf systems.</li> <li>Colorado State University collaborated with USDA-ARS scientists on rooting studies, methane flux measurements, recycled water irrigation impacts, and saltgrass establishment research.</li> <li>Iowa researchers contributed to perennial groundcover investigations using summer-dormant Poa species. Genomic sequencing and gene expression analyses are helping identify mechanisms associated with vegetative dormancy and drought avoidance.</li> <li>Oregon State University conducted research addressing irrigation management, cultivation practices, disease management, nematode management, and ecosystem services in turfgrass systems, while developing new collaborations with Utah State University on landscape water conservation.</li> <li>Washington State University continued breeding efforts in Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, creeping bentgrass, western wheatgrass, prairie junegrass, tufted hairgrass, teff, and timothy, supporting adaptation and seed production objectives for western environments.</li> <li>Arizona maintained collaborations with USDA-ARS researchers focused on turfgrass breeding and agronomic adaptation in arid environments and delivered annual pest management and pesticide safety training programs</li> <li>Texas Tech University expanded outreach focused on workforce development and water conservation through curriculum development, undergraduate training, and irrigation management research.</li> </ul> Extension activities included: <ul> <li>Arizona annual winter pest management and pesticide safety seminars (135 attendees).</li> <li>Hawaii Turfgrass and Landscape Pest Management Webinar Series (approximately 320 total participants).</li> <li>Nebraska Turfgrass Conference (325 attendees).</li> <li>Nebraska Turfgrass Research Field Day (100 attendees).</li> <li>Oklahoma Turfgrass Conference (250 attendees).</li> <li>Oklahoma Research Field Day (90 attendees).</li> <li>Oregon fall and winter turf research field days (225 total attendees).</li> <li>Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Conference (approximately 750 attendees).</li> <li>Texas held 5 high school teacher workshops (57 total attendees)</li> <li>Washington State University Grass Breeding and Ecology Farm field day (50 attendees)</li> <li>Weekly Backyard Farmer television programming reaching approximately 25,000 viewers per episode.</li> </ul> Milestones <ul> <li>Continued maintenance and reporting of NTEP trials that support regional cultivar recommendations.</li> <li>Development of new genomic resources, genetic markers, and prediction tools for bermudagrass winter hardiness and drought tolerance.</li> <li>Completion of genome sequencing efforts for Poa bulbosa and Poa secunda to facilitate research on dormancy and water-use efficiency.</li> <li>Publication of updated regional weed management recommendations through Turfgrass Weed Control for Professionals.</li> <li>Expansion of multistate collaborations involving universities, USDA-ARS, USGA-supported projects, and NTEP programs.</li> <li>The WERA11 membership survey further demonstrated committee success by documenting extensive collaboration among participating institutions and providing strategic direction for the next project cycle.</li> <li>Release and commercialization of the Kentucky bluegrass cultivar 'Matchless', supporting sustainable seed production without field burning.</li> <li>Establishment of a collaborative evaluation framework to expand buffalograss adaptation testing across five western and Great Plains states.</li> <li>Submission and development of collaborative grant initiatives focused on Kentucky bluegrass improvement, workforce development, and turfgrass education.</li> <li>Expansion of water-conservation Extension programming through Utah Growing Water Smart, Water Check, and related landscape water-efficiency initiatives.</li> <li>Continued development of collaborative research partnerships with USDA-ARS scientists focused on breeding, irrigation management, ecosystem services, and pest management.</li> <li>Achieved consensus on future committee priorities, with water conservation, salinity management, climate resilience, and low-input turf systems identified as primary focus areas for the renewal period.</li> </ul>

Publications

<ol> <li>Amgain, N.R., AJ. Patton, W. Liu, A. Cain*, A. Kowalewski, S.D. Askew, C. Gomes-Goncalves, M. Bagavathiannan, J.W. Taylor, L.B. McCarty. 2025. Allelopathic Potential of Cool-Season Turfgrass Species as an Alternative Management Strategy for Weed Control. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. http://doi.org/10.1002/its2.187.</li> <li>Amundsen, K., Thompson, C., Kreuser, W., & Gaussoin, R. 2025. Management Costs influence golfer perceptions of turfgrass quality and playability. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 15(1), 135-147 </li> <li>Anselmi, K. A., Hansen, N. C., Hopkins, B. G., & Hulet, A. 2025. Monitoring of soil fertility using in situ soil electrical conductivity sensor in sports turf field. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, 15, 1135–1138. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70080</li> <li>Arieli D. Da Fonseca, Nathaniel J. Hall, Joseph R. Young and Edgar O. Aviles-Rosa. Evaluating Dog Preference Between Artificial and Natural Turf Grasses. Animals 2026, 16(13), 2090; DOI: 10.3390/ani16132090</li> <li>Braithwaite, E., R.J. Starchvick, A.R. Kowalewski, T.N. Temple, I.A. Zasada, and H.M. Rivedal. 2025. Identification of Meloidogyne spp. of cool-season golf course putting greens in the Pacific Northwest. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.190</li> <li>Braithwaite, E., R.J. Starchvick, T. Temple, H.V. Baker, M. Kitner, A. Peetz, I Zasada, H.  Rivedal, A. Kowaleski. 2025. A community analysis of plant-parasitic nematodes on coastal Oregon golf course putting greens. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-25- Tate, T.M., R. Wang, S.A. Bonos, B.B. Clarke, A.R. Kowalewski, and W.A. Meyer. 2025. Epichlöe festucae Endophyte Mediated Maternal Inheritance of Dollar Spot Disease Resistance in Hard Fescue. Crop Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70012</li> <li>Braithwaite, E.T., Schmid, C.J., Kowalewski, A.R., Fleming, K., Peetz, A.B., Zasada, I.A., and Rivedal, H.M. 2025. First report of Anguina pacificae parasitizing turfgrass in Washington. Journal of Nematology, 57. doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2025-0053</li> <li>Burgin, H. R., Wear, G. A., Hansen, N. C., Seely, C. J., & Hopkins, B. G. 2025. Cold Tolerance of Hybrid Bermudagrass in a Cool-season, Semiarid Climate. HortScience, 60(9), 1447–1452. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18658-25</li> <li>Cevallos, F., M. Xiang1*, S. Yu1, J. Q. Moss, Y. Q. Wu, B. Schwartz. 2025. Assessing drought resistance in bermudagrass using dual methodologies. Grassresearch. 5:e012. doi: 10.48130/grares-0025-0008</li> <li>Cevallos, F., M. Xiang1, J. Q. Moss, D. Martin, C. Fontanier, Y. Q. Wu, S. Yu1. 2025. Gene expression profiling of African bermudagrass under cold acclimation. Hort Science. 60(5):645–656.</li> <li>Chen, E., J. Hempfling, C. Schmid, Z. Xu, H. Samaranayake, and J. Murphy. 2025. Finer Topdressing Sand Affects Creeping Bentgrass Performance. Agron. J. 117, e70039. doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70039</li> <li>Clark, C. M., Dolda, S., Singh, U., Delgado, J. A., Hopkins, B. G., Olk, D. C., Pavuluri, K., Roy, A., Venterea, R., Wilson, M. Fugice, J. 2026. Environmental sustainability of future fertilizers: tradeoffs between ammonia volatilization and nitrate leaching for 11 enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2025.2595092</li> <li>Ervin, D.E. G.B. Frisvold, J.H. Allen, A.J. Patton, J.T. Brosnan, R. Grubbs-Bowling, M.T. Elmore, M.V. Bagavathiananh, J.D. McCurdy, T.W. Gannon, J.E. Kaminski, A.R. Kowalewski, J.S. McElroy, P. McCulloughn, B. Unruh, S. Askew, and L. McCarty. 2025. Motivations and barriers to integrated management of annual bluegrass in sports fields: US survey findings. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2025.128877 </li> <li>Farzana, K., Coldren, C., Simpson, C., Young, J., Cleveland, T. 2025. Evaluating the Sensitivity of Hydrological Response to Changes in Vegetation Classification: A Case Study of St. Charles Bay, Texas, USA. International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJHST.2025.147980</li> <li>Folck, A., Amundsen, K., and Fech, J. 2026. Management for warm season grass lawns in Nebraska. Nebraska Turfgrass Science. https://turf.unl.edu/turf-advice/turf-fact-sheets-nebguides/WSG-lawns-nebraska/</li> <li>Folck, A., Fech, J., and Thoms, A. 2025. Management of grass athletic fields in Nebraska & north central states. Nebraska Turfgrass Science. https://turf.unl.edu/turf-advice/turf-fact-sheets-nebguides/management-grass-athletic-fields-nebraska-north-central/</li> <li>Folck, A., Proctor, C., and Fech, J. 2026. Crabgrass and summer annual grassy weeds control. Nebraska Turfgrass Science. https://turf.unl.edu/turf-advice/turf-fact-sheets-nebguides/crabgrass-and-summer-annual-grassy-weeds-control/</li> <li>Gallard P., Dutter C, Chen A, McDaniel M, Moore K, Thoms A, Fei S. 2026. A summer-dormant, perennial groundcover has minimal effect on plant-available nutrients and no effect on maize yield. Agronomy Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70333</li> <li>Geddes, C.M., Q.D. Law, B.M. Jenks, K.A. Howatt, J.T. Ikley, A. Jaster, M.M. Pittman, K. Biggers, I. Meiners, and A. Porri. 2025. PPO-inhibitor resistance in kochia (Bassia scoparia). Weed Science 73:1-12.</li> <li>Ghimire, K., Serba, D., Amundsen, K., Wu, Y., & Barnaby, J. 2026. Decoding Chilling Temperature Adaptation in Bermudagrass: Temporal Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Dynamics in Tolerant and Sensitive Genotypes. Crop Science. DOI: 10.1002/csc2.70317</li> <li>Gouveia, B., K.E. Kenworthy, A. Chandra, B.M. Schwartz, J. Zhang, P. Raymer, Y.Q. Wu, M. Pudzianowska, J., Baird, G. Miller, J. Unruh, B. Wherley, D.L. Martin, J. Moss, and S.R. Milla-Lewis. 2025. Enhancing drought resistance in warm-season turfgrasses: Fourteen years of progress through a multi-state collaborative project across the southern US. Crop Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21393</li> <li>Grover, K., J. L. Safanelli, J. Sanderman, B. G. Hopkins, and C. Brungard. 2025. The utility of laboratory measurement uncertainty: A case-study using the open soil spectral library service. European Journal of Soil Science 76, no. 4: e70166. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.70166.</li> <li>Jason S. Young, Louise H. Comas, and Yaling Qian. 2025. Salinity affects root growth of container grown saltgrass. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 15(1):930-939 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/its2.70055</li> <li>Jiazhen Wang, Sarah Wilhelm, Yaling Qian.  2025. Effects of sprigging date and sprigging rate on establishment of two saltgrass lines.  International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 15(1):103-108. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.156.</li> <li>Kajla, A., C. Fontanier, L. Zhang, Y.Q. Wu, B. Schwartz, S. Milla-Lewis, S. Singh. 2025. Morphological response of bermudagrass genotypes to neutral-density shade. HortScience 60(5):794-800. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18169-24</li> <li>Kerry, R., Hammari, E., Ingram, B., Sanders, K., Hansen, N., Hopkins, B. 2026. Investigation of sample numbers needed to map spatial changes in soil moisture using random forests and z-score calibration for precision irrigation of turfgrass. Agronomy 16(8), 794. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16080794</li> <li>Kerry, R., Ingram, B., Sanders, K., Hansen, N., Hopkins, B.G. 2025. Factors influencing random forest soil volumetric water content predictions within a turfgrass field. In Precision agriculture ’25. Leiden, The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004725232_114</li> <li>Kowalewski, A., B. McDonald, R. Wang, C. Schmid, E. Braithwaite*, and T. Stock. 2025. Irrigation Rates and Frequency Affect Tall Fescue Quality and Weed Encroachment. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.1840431-RE</li> <li>Lindsey, A. J., A. W. Thoms, C. Hatten, and R. Perry. 2025. Investigation of plant protein products on turfgrass putting greens quality, playability, and establishment. Intl. Turf. Soc. Res. J.1-7. https://doi:10.1002/its2.70010.</li> <li>McNally, B., M. Elmore, A.R., Kowalewski, E. Braithwaite*, C. Alyssa*, B. Leinauer, R. Leon, S. Pampana. 2025. Irrigation frequency and mowing height influence annual bluegrass in perennial ryegrass. Agronomy Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70232</li> <li>Mengistu, M., D.D. Serba, M.R. Conley, R. Hejl, Y.Q. Wu and C.F. Williams. 2025. Response of turf bermudagrass hybrids to induced drought stress under controlled environment. Grasses. https://doi.org/10.3390/grasses4020023</li> <li>Milla-Lewis, S., B. Gouveia, E., Carbajal, G. Miller, A. Patton, B. Schwartz, K. Kenworthy, R. Braun, R. Van der Laat, X. Yu, J. Zhang, A. Chandra, Y.Q. Wu, P. Raymer, M. Pudzianowska, J. Baird, C. Fontanier, & J. Unruh. Registration of ‘XZ 14069’ zoysiagrass. Journal of Plant Registrations. https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20430</li> <li>Moro, A., Goggi, A., Moore, K., Fei, S, Kaleita, A. 2026. Spatial Proximity to Perennial Groundcover Triggers Shade Avoidance Responses in Corn. Agronomy https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16070729</li> <li>O'Brien, D., Karcher, D., Young, J., Richardson, M., Kostka, S., Fidanza, M. 2025. Penetrants versus retainers: comparing soil surfactant terminology to performance on sand-based putting greens in Pesticide Formulation and Delivery Systems: 43rd Volume, Creating Certainty in an Uncertain World, ed. Danny Brown. ASTM International. http://doi.org/10.1520/STP165220240002</li> <li>Ojeokun, O., J. Fry, T. Todd, C. Martin, A. Chandra, M. Xiang, A. Patton, N. Amgain, A. Sierra, M. Schiavon, K. Kenworthy, J. Kruse, R. Braun, and M. Kennelly. 2025. Thatch accumulation in zoysiagrass genotypes across the U.S. transition zone and southern regions. HortTechnology. 35(4), 502-512. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05649-25</li> <li>Ortiz-Eriamiatoe J, Xin X, Hadish JA and Neff MM (2025, published online 2026) Genome-Wide Evolutionary Characterization and Expression Analysis of the AT-HOOK MOTIF CONTAINING NUCLEAR LOCALIZED Gene Family in Brachypodium distachyon G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics 16:3 https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkaf275</li> <li>Patton, A. 2025. Turfgrass Weed Control for Professionals: Turf-100. Purdue Extension Education Store</li> <li>Pokhrel, B., S. Yu, C. Fontanier, D. Martin, Y. Wu, and M. Xiang. 2025. Impact of a horticultural mineral oil on bermudagrass performance under salinity stress. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 10.1002/its2.70033</li> <li>Poudyal, Shital and Kelly Kopp. 2025. Irrigation and plant water needs. In Utah Master Gardener Handbook. USU Cooperative Extension. Logan, UT.</li> <li>Qian, Yaling, Y.H. Lin, and J.G. Davis.  2025. Soil heavy metal concentrations in public parks before and 11 years following conversion to recycled water irrigation. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 15(1):340-348.  https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.183</li> <li>Russo, M., N. Altman-Kurosaki, Z. Cheng, and T. Ticktin. 2025. Evaluating the Impacts of the Hala Scale, Thysanococcus pandani Stickney (Hemiptera: Halimococcidae) on Hala (Pandanus tectorius) Regeneration in the Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Science, 79(3): 421–434.</li> <li>Russo, M., P. Waisen, K. Choi, and Z. Cheng. 2026. Efficacies of systemic insecticides against the coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros, on O’ahu, Hawai’i. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-026-01801-x</li> <li>Schiavon, M., T. Pirtle, K. Cox, E. Rios, B. Unruh, J. Erickson, A.J. Lindsey, K. Kenworthy, B. Cardenas, M. Dukes, B. Schwartz, P. Raymer, A. Chandra, and Y.Q. Wu. Irrigation frequency requirements for sufficient warm-season species quality in Florida. International Turfgrass Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70000</li> <li>Serba, D.D., R.H. Hejl, Y.Q. Wu, K.R. Thorp, M.M. Conley, and C.F. Williams. 2025. Performance of turf bermudagrass hybrids with deficit irrigation in the Desert Southwest USA. Applied Sciences. 15: 9151-9166. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15169151</li> <li>Shehbaz S, M. Xiang, C. Fontanier, D.L. Martin, Y. Wu. 2025. Comparison of bermudagrass cultivars for athletic field use in Oklahoma. OSU Extension Publications. https://matrix.okstate.edu/extension/factsheets/comparison-of-bermudagrass-cultivars-for-athletic-field-use-in-oklahoma</li> <li>Stanton, A., S. J. Keeley, C. R. Boyer, J. C. Domenghini, A. J. Patton, M. R. Chavarria, T. Q. Carr, W. J. Hutchens, K. W. Frank, M. Xiang, A. J. Folck, R. E. Gaussoin, D. J. Soldat, P. L. Koch, A. W. Thoms, A. J. Koski, M. R. Barnes, J. M. Trappe, and R. C. Braun. 2025. Horticulture industry awareness and use of lawn and landscape Cooperative Extension education resources. Natural Sciences Education. 54(2), e70028. https://doi.org/10.1002/nse2.70028</li> <li>Starchvick, R.J., T. Temple, E. Braithwaite, C. Schmid, A. Kowalewski, and H. Rivedal. 2025. First report of dollar spot caused by Clarireedia Jacksonii on annual bluegrass in western Oregon and pathogenicity testing of multiple turfgrasses. Plant Health Prog. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-12-24-0166-BR</li> <li>Sun, L., Safanelli, J. L., Sanderman, J., Georgiou, K., Brungard, C., Grover, K., Hopkins, B. G., Liu, S., Bremer, P-T. 2026. Self-supervised and multi-fidelity learning for extended predictive soil spectroscopy. Geoderma, 468, 117764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117764</li> <li>Taghizadeh-Mehrjardi, R., R. Kerry, B. Ingram, Flint, E., Svedin, J., Hopkins, A., Hansen, N., Hopkins, B.G., Ryan Jensen 2025. Mapping Soil Volumetric Water Content at Multiple Depths for Variable Rate Irrigation Using UAV and Yield Monitor Data With Random Forests. Soil Use and Management 41, no. 4: e70156. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.70156</li> <li>Thapa B., S. Yu, M. Xiang, M. Tadege. Unveiling the Genetic Determinants of Germination Efficiency in Common Bermudagrass: A Genome-Wide Association Study. Plant Genome (in production)</li> <li>Thoms, A. W., K. H. Dickson, A. J. Lindsey, and Z. W. Messer. 2025. Evaluating athletic field cutting height and playability. Intl. Turf. Soc. Res. J. 1-7. https://doi:10.1002/its2.70004.</li> <li>Vines, P., B. Gouveia, A. Chandra, M. Chavarria, C. Fontanier, K. Kenworthy, P. Raymer, B. Schwartz, B. Wherley, Y.Q. Wu, S. Milla-Lewis. 2025. Performance of advanced breeding lines of bermudagrasses, seashore paspalum, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrasses in response to shade. International Turfgrass Research Journal. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/its2.70091</li> <li>Vuković, V., Q.D. Law, and A.J. Patton. 2025. Effects of turfgrass canopy shade levels and quantum spectrum on the germination and development of smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum). Crop Science 65:e21351. </li> <li>Walker, N. R. 2025. The Long-term Influence of Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilization on the severity of Spring Dead Spot of Bermudagrass caused by Ophiosphaerella herpotricha. Int. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70013</li> <li>Xiang, M., M. Schiavon, J. H. Baird, and P. Orlinski. 2025. A mineral oil plant protection product improves turfgrass quality on deficit irrigated bermudagrass. HortTechnology. 5(2), 145-152. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05568-24</li> <li>Xiang, M. 2025. How Storage Time and Harvest Season Impact the Success of Planting Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass Sod. OSU Extension Publications. https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/how-storage-time-andharvest-season-impact-the-success-of-planting-bermudagrass-and-zoysiagrass-sod.html</li> <li>Xiang, M. 2025. Preparing Your Lawn for Drought. OSU Extension Publications. https://extension.okstate.edu/factsheets/preparing-your-lawn-for-drought.html</li> <li>Xin X, Schnore JE, Hulbert AK, Ahmed S and Neff MM (2026) Gibberellic acid application enhances seed yield, biomass, and plant growth in Kentucky bluegrass production Crop Science 2026;66:e70333</li> <li>Yu, S., B.T. Gouveia, J. Zhang, Y.Q. Wu, B.R. Schwartz, S.R. Milla-Lewis, K.E. Kenworthy, B.J. Unruh, A. Chandra, P.L. Raymer, M.T. Pudzianowska, J.H. Baird, E.C. Melgar, M. Xiang, J.Q. Moss, & R. Earp. 2025. Genetic gains and GEI in turf bermudagrass drought resistance improvement in the southern U.S. Crop Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70184</li> <li>Yu, S., C. Fontanier, L. Singh, M. Fishbein, M. Singh, D. Martin, M. Xiang. 2025. Genetic diversity and variations among Oklahoma and Texas sedge germplasm. Crop Science. 65(2), e70045.</li> <li>Yu, S., Z. Shi, M. Aoun, Y. Wu, T. Fang, C. Fontanier, M. Xiang. 2025. Development of KASP markers and genomic prediction for winter hardiness in African bermudagrass. Grass Research. https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/grares-0026-0007.</li> <li>Yu, S., Tome Gouveia, B., Zhang, J., Wu, Y., Schwartz, B. R., Milla-Lewis, S. R., Kenworthy, K. E., Unruh, B. J., Chandra, A., Raymer, P. L., Pudzianowska, M. T., Baird, J. H., Carbajal, E. M., Xiang, M., Moss, J. Q., & Earp, R.. 2025. Genetic gains and genotype-by-environment interaction in turf bermudagrass drought resistance improvementin the southern United States. Crop Science. 65(6), e70184. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70184</li> <li>Zhang, Z., E. Buchholz-Meyer, N. Pejovic, and Z. Cheng. 2026. Post-Invasion Fungicide  Performance: Immediate Interventions Against Coffee Leaf Rust (Hemileia vastatrix) in Hawaiʻian Coffee Production Systems. Crop Protection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107732).</li> </ol>

Impact Statements

Turfgrass managers gained science-based guidance for implementing deficit irrigation practices that improve water conservation without substantially reducing turf performance.
Researchers identified new breeding targets and management approaches to improve drought resilience across multiple turfgrass species.
Research findings provided practical strategies for managing turfgrass under saline irrigation and alternative water sources.
Evaluation of low-input management systems demonstrated opportunities to reduce fertilizer, irrigation, and maintenance requirements while sustaining turf function.
New genomic and breeding resources enhanced the capacity of turfgrass improvement programs to develop cultivars adapted to future environmental stresses.
WERA11 extension and outreach programs reached more than 2,200 turfgrass professionals, stakeholders, and homeowners through conferences, field days, workshops, and webinars conducted across participating states.
Member participation remained strong, with 100% of survey respondents supporting continuation of WERA11 and 91% indicating plans to participate in future collaborative research and synthesis activities.
Release of the Kentucky bluegrass cultivar 'Matchless' provides seed producers with a commercially viable variety adapted to production systems without post-harvest burning, improving sustainability of Kentucky bluegrass seed production in the Pacific Northwest.
Water conservation programs led by Utah State University provided municipalities, state agencies, and landscape professionals with science-based approaches to balance landscape functionality and water savings in arid environments.
Coordinated turfgrass evaluation efforts across western states continue to provide managers with cultivar performance data under drought, salinity, traffic, and low-input conditions, helping reduce risk when selecting grasses for challenging environments.
Workforce development activities in Texas introduced turfgrass science concepts to secondary educators and students, increasing awareness of career opportunities in the turfgrass industry.