SERA48: Turf

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Active

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[09/26/2025] [08/13/2026]

Date of Annual Report: 09/26/2025

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/13/2025 - 07/13/2025
Period the Report Covers: 07/01/2025 - 07/01/2025

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

1. Water Conservation and Drought Tolerance Dr. Jespersen and Ph.D. Student (Seelam), work on understanding the mechanisms in drought tolerant breeding lines through a multi-omics approach that combines profiling of metabolites and gene expression in important warm-season turfgrasses. Dr. Jespersen continued working on precision irrigation management (Singh and Vaibhav), as well as improved salinity tolerance (Mondal). Dr. Mingying Xiang advised two MS students on their research projects. Miss. Prabha Adhikari investigated the physiological response of four bermudagrass varieties to drought stress, while Mr. Binod Pokhrel explored the impact of a horticultural mineral oil on bermudagrass performance under salinity stress and examined the salinity tolerance mechanisms of bermudagrass. Dr. Shuhao Yu co-advised Miss. Prabha Adhikari conducted a QTL mapping study to understand the genetic mechanisms associated with drought response from a common bermudagrass population. Information derived from this study will be used to improve the accuracy and efficiency of bermudagrass breeding. In addition, Miss. Prabha Adhikari also conducted a QTL study to investigate the salinity tolerance genetic mechanisms from an African bermudagrass population. A Ph. D. student/Research Associate, Jason Eberhard is working on the biological nature of soil hydrophobicity in golf putting greens.  Some progress has been made in identifying soil microbiome composition that favor hydrophobicity.  This has also led us into an examination of soil health in putting greens and we have found that many have higher soil health metrics than we thought they would have.  Dr. Boeri at Texas A&M AgriLife- Dallas, is working on the preliminary results of the WaterMyYard trial that will provide updated Kc values for Cobalt, Raleigh, Tiftuf, Tifway, and Palisades (Fipps, G., Chandra, A. Boeri, P.A. 2022-2024) Dr. Chavarria and his PhD student are working on the effect of soil-applied and top-dressed organic amendments on turfgrass quality and soil physical properties     2. Ecosystem Services Eric DeBoer is advising master’s student Yaohui Liu working on machine learning models for increasing efficiency of nitrogen-based fertilizer products on golf course fairways. Fontanier led an SCRI planning workshop to discuss proposal development and research needs relevant to biodiverse lawn concepts. Over 30 faculty and industry stakeholders met in person and virtually in Stillwater in fall 2024. A proposal was subsequently developed and submitted to the SCRI call later that year. The Refuge Lawn project seeks to include pollinator habitat within low-maintenance lawns and greenspace through the inclusion of flowering forbs. Graduate student projects at MSU include study of agronomic traits and characteristics of spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), a candidate native forb species, and characterization of insect visitors to biodiverse turf habitats. Dr. Boeri at Texas A&M AgriLife- Dallas, started a trial to revise the N fertilizer recommendations and cultural practices for St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass in north Texas (Boeri, P.A. 2024-2026     3. Pest Management Eric DeBoer is advising master’s student Yaohui Liu evaluating soil amendments for the ability to increase rooting and health of centipedegrass sod in SE Louisiana. Dr. Dennis Martin and the roadside vegetation management team (staff members Dr. Andrea Connally, and Mr. David Gerken) received a 1-year grand starting Oct 1, 2023 for evaluation of herbicidal treatments of johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) in roadside right-of-way and control of winter-annual ryegrass (Lolium)/brome (Bromus) species complex in roadside. Work is being conducted on tank-mix compatibility of herbicides with drift reduction additives. Johnsongrass accessions are also being collected for future testing for increased levels of herbicide resistance. Other projects at MSU seek to integrate autonomous identification of weeds, precision mapping, and hyper-precise application technologies into commercially viable workflows and platforms for professional turfgrass stakeholders.     4. Development of Improved Turfgrass Varieties for the Southern Region Dr. Jespersen continues to work with turfgrass breeders (Drs. Schwartz and Raymer) to help screen and characterize improved lines. Dr. Jespersen advising a graduate student (Fan) that is working on improved heat tolerance in bentgrass  MSU turfgrass breeding program focuses on warm-season turfgrasses, their performance under environmental and biotic stresses, and sustainability. Two species are currently in the breeding pipelines – bermudagrass and carpetgrass. Carpetgrass collection was initiated by Dr. Jay McCurdy and is being expanded by Drs. Pudzianowska and McCurdy. The turfgrass improvement team at Oklahoma State University released two drought resistant turf bermudagrass cultivars, OSU2081 and OSU2082 in 2024. Commercialization of OSU2081 is planned for 2025. Dr. Dennis Martin collected 109 frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) and 15 white clover (Trifolium repens) accessions from around Oklahoma during 2022-2024. The accessions are being evaluated for tolerance to standard turf-type performance conditions. Next steps include development of sod production systems and seed trait testing. The turf bermudagrass development team continues its work to developed clonally propagated bermudagrasses for lawns, grounds, golf courses (fairways, teebox, putting greens) and sports fields that have improved water-use efficiency, drought resistance, improved winter-hardiness, and high quality. Multiple lines remain under test for at this time in comparison with industry standard cultivars. The development team is lead by Dr. Yanqi Wu with participating faculty members being Dr. Charles Fontanier, Dr. Mingying Xiang, Dr. Shuhao Yu, Dr. Dennis Martin, and Dr. Nathan Walker.     5. Developing and Conduction Educational, Extension, and Outreach Programs Summarizing and Promoting Transfer of the previous 4 areas. Dr. Chavarria and TAMU Turf team held the Turfgrass Short Course with English and Spanish sessions. Turfgrass Field Days were hosted at MSU, OSU, Clemson, NC State, UF, TAMU-Dallas, Auburn, UGA-Griffin, plus the Deep South Turfgrass Expo.

Publications

Arikilla, S., Cevallos, F., Moss, J. Q., Yu, S., Fontanier, C. H., Martin, D. L., ... & Xiang, M. (2025). Responses of turf‐type hybrid bermudagrasses to drought stress. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. Battaglia, M. V., Anders, J. K., Hensler, K. L., Kerns, J. P., McCall, D. S., Richardson, M. D., ... & Hutchens, W. J. (2025). Fungicidal control options for silvery thread moss on creeping bentgrass putting greens. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. Birnbaum, A. L., Howe, J., Earp, R., Burke, J., Wherley, B., & Dhingra, A. (2025). Mineralization potential of spent coffee grounds and other nutrient sources. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 89(1), e70007. Boeri, P. A., Unruh, J. B., Kenworthy, K. E., Blount, A. R., Schiavon, M., Reisinger, A. J., & Iannone III, B. V. (2025). Nitrogen leaching and groundwater recharge of alternative lawn conversions in subtropical climates. Crop Science, 65(1), e21381. Bowling, R. G., McCurdy, J. D., de Castro, E., Patton, A. J., Brosnan, J. T., Askew, S. D., ... & Bagavathiannan, M. V. (2024). Multi‐state survey to identify suspected resistance to four herbicides and one plant growth regulator in Poa annua. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management, 10(2), e20300. Boyle, P. E., Richardson, M. D., Karcher, D. E., Hignight, K. W., Hignight, D., & Secks, M. E. (2024). Endophyte effects on drought tolerance of turf‐type tall fescue. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management, 10(2), e20310. Carr, T. Q., Karcher, D. E., & Richardson, M. D. (2025). Water use and performance of Kentucky bluegrass influenced by cultivar, irrigation practices, and soil texture. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. Cox, K. D., Kenworthy, K. E., Rios, E. F., Unruh, J. B., Chandra, A., & Erickson, J. (2025). The suitability of polyethylene glycol for inducing drought symptoms in zoysiagrass. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. Dhal, S., Alvarado, J., Braga-Neto, U., & Wherley, B. (2024). Machine learning-based smart irrigation controller for runoff minimization in turfgrass irrigation. Smart Agricultural Technology, 9, 100569. Doherty, J. R., Hutchens, W. J., Booth, J. C., McCall, D. S., Battaglia, M. V., DeBoer, E. J., & Roberts, J. A. (2024). Improving winter survival of interspecific hybrid bermudagrass in the Mid‐Atlantic region through cultural practices. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management, 10(2), e20303. Flores, G., Wherley, B., McInnes, K., Feagley, S., & Hejl, R. (2024). Evaluation of spent coffee grounds as a nutrient source for turfgrass systems. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 47(19), 3526-3541. Gouveia, B. T., Kenworthy, K. E., Chandra, A., Schwartz, B. M., Zhang, J., Raymer, P. L., ... & Milla‐Lewis, S. (2025). Enhancing drought resistance in warm‐season turfgrasses: Fourteen years of progress through a multistate collaborative project across the southern United States. Crop Science, 65(1), e221393. Green, W. T., Kreinberg, S. T., McCalla Jr, J. H., Hutchens, W. J., Hignight, K., Hignight, D., & Richardson, M. D. (2025). Alternative cool‐season turfgrass species for overseeding dormant bermudagrass. Hutchens, W. J., Anders, J. K., Butler, E. L., Kerns, J. P., McCall, D. S., Miller, G. L., & Walker, N. R. (2025). Fifteen years of findings: Advancements in spring dead spot research from 2009 to 2024. Crop Science, 65(1), e21367. Hutchens, W. J., Booth, J. C., Goatley, J. M., Roberson, T. L., & McCall, D. S. (2025). Optimizing fungicide application timing for spring dead spot based on soil temperature and season. Crop Science, 65(1), e21411. Hutchens, W. J., Carr, T. Q., Patton, A. J., Bigelow, C. A., DeBoer, E. J., Goatley, J. M., ... & Xiang, M. (2024). Management strategies for preventing and recovering from bermudagrass winterkill. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management, 10(2), e20302. Jespersen, D., & Rowe, S. (2025). Chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of turfgrasses grown under shade trees. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. Jespersen, D., Saab, J. A., & Draughn, M. (2025). Ion specificity of salt glands in zoysiagrass under different exposures to sodium and potassium. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. Kreinberg, S. T., Kerns, J. P., Miller, G. L., Richardson, M. D., Spurlock, T. N., & Hutchens, W. J. (2025). Review of the biology and management of large patch of warm‐season turfgrasses. Crop Science, 65(2), e70055. McCurdy, J. D., Bowling, R. G., de Castro, E. B., Patton, A. J., Kowalewski, A. R., Mattox, C. M., ... & Bagavathiannan, M. V. (2025). Poa annua ecology, biology, and integrated weed management practices in turfgrass. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management, 11(1), e70019. McElroy, J. S., Strickland, M., Nunes, L. R. T., Magni, S., Fontani, M., Fontanelli, M., & Volterrani, M. (2025). Robotic mowing technology in turfgrass management: Past, present, and future. Crop Science, 65(3), e70081. McLoughlin, P. H., Sierra Augustinus, I. A., Arevalo Alvarenga, A. F., & Schiavon, M. (2025). Risk of nutrient leaching following over‐irrigation of two warm‐season turfgrasses with recycled water. Crop Science, 65(1), e21341. McNally, B. C., Chhetri, M., Patton, A. J., Liu, W., Hoyle, J. A., Brosnan, J. T., ... & Fry, J. D. (2025). Optimizing ethephon application timing for ‘Meyer’zoysiagrass seedhead suppression. Crop Science, 65(1), e21350. Milla‐Lewis, S. R., Gouveia, B. T., Kenworthy, K., Zhang, J., Chandra, A., Miller, G. L., ... & Unruh, J. B. (2025). Maximizing genetic gains across agronomic and consumer preference traits in St. Augustinegrass breeding. Crop Science, 65(1), e21374. Montgomery, J., Morran, S., MacGregor, D. R., McElroy, J. S., Neve, P., Neto, C., ... & Gaines, T. A. (2024). Current status of community resources and priorities for weed genomics research. Genome biology, 25(1), 139. Osburn, A. W., Bowling, R. G., Unruh, J. B., McKeithen, C., Hathcoat, D., & Bagavathiannan, M. (2024). Annual bluegrass cross resistance to prodiamine and pronamide in the southern United States. Weed Technology, 38, e76. Pokhrel, B., Yu, S., Fontanier, C., Martin, D., Wu, Y., & Xiang, M. (2024). Impact of a horticultural mineral oil on bermudagrass performance under salinity stress. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. Reed, C., Harriman, R., Koch, M., Baldwin, C., Gardner, D., Chang, B., & Wherley, B. (2024). Minimal light requirements and performance under reduced photosynthetic photon flux of GA2ox‐transformed and conventional Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Science, 64(2), 1027-1038. Seelam, R. T., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveal differentially expressed genes and metabolic pathways in bermudagrass under drought stress. Crop Science, 65(1), e21412. Singh, A., Smith, B., Russell, D., Price, A. J., McElroy, J. S., & Maity, A. (2025). Endozoochorous seed dispersal potential of five major southern US weeds. Weed Science, 73(1), e54. Taylor, J. W., Amgain, N. R., Patton, A. J., Bowling, R. G., Bagavathiannan, M., & McCarty, L. B. (2025). Allelopathic potential of warm‐season turfgrass species as an alternative management strategies for weed control. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. van der Laat, R., Leon, R. G., Dale, A. G., Gouveia, B., Carbajal, E. M., Schiavon, M., ... & Milla‐Lewis, S. R. (2025). Molecular analysis of St. Augustinegrass cultivar mixtures composition over time and latitude. Crop Science, 65(1), e21370. Vines, P. L., Gouveia, B. T., Chandra, A., Chavarria, M. R., Fontanier, C. H., Kenworthy, K. E., ... & Milla‐Lewis, S. R. (2025). Performance of advanced breeding lines of bermudagrasses, seashore paspalum, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrasses in response to shade. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. Vukovic, V., Mattox, C. M., Kowalewski, A. R., McNally, B. C., McElroy, J. S., & Patton, A. J. (2024). A survey of ethofumesate resistant annual bluegrass (Poa annua) on US golf courses. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management, 10(1), e20282. Walton, T. E., McCalla, J. H., Karcher, D. E., Hutchens, W. J., Chandra, A., & Richardson, M. D. (2025). Shade, height of cut, and plant growth regulator effects on bermudagrass and zoysiagrass putting greens. Crop Science, 65(1), e21394. Yu, S., Fontanier, C. H., Yan, L., Martin, D. L., Moss, J. Q., & Wu, Y. (2024). Genetic variability and QTL mapping of morphological traits and inflorescence prolificacy in African bermudagrass. Crop Science, 64(3), 1910-1927. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21227">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21227</a> Yu, S., Wu, Y., Fang, T., Xiang, M., Fontanier, C. H., Moss, J. Q., & Martin, D. L. (2025). Detection of QTL associated with morphological, adaptive, and reproductive traits in common bermudagrass. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 08/13/2026

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/07/2026 - 06/10/2026
Period the Report Covers: 03/01/2025 - 02/28/2026

Participants

Oklahoma State University: Charles Fontanier, Mingying Xiang, Shuhao Yu, Nathan Walker
Texas A&M: P. Agustin Boeri
Texas Tech: Joey Young
LSU: Eric DeBoer
Mississippi State: Barry Stewart, Jason Eberhard, Marta Pudzianowska
Auburn: Dave Han
Florida: Adam Dale, Pawel Petelewicz, Marco Schiavon
Georgia: David Jespersen, Gerald Henry, Ben Pritchard, Clint Waltz, Philip Vines
Clemson: Joe Roberts
Tennessee: Jose Vargas

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Water Conservation and Drought Tolerance Dr. Mingying Xiang (OSU) mentored Ph.D. student Binod Pokhrel in conducting research to quantify the annual supplemental water requirements of newly developed bermudagrass genotypes under Oklahoma growing conditions. Dr. Yanqi Wu (OSU) advised an MS student Anit Poudel to develop an early selection protocol for improving drought resistance in bermudagrass. Dr. Shuhao Yu (OSU) advised an MS student Prabha Adhikari to understand genomic mechanisms associated with drought resistance in common bermudagrass and salt tolerance in African bermudagrass. Dr. McCauley (NC State) began assessing irrigation water quality of eastern NC turfgrass establishments including sod farms, golf courses, and athletic fields. Dr. Milla-Lewis (NC State) continued to investigate the genetic control of drought tolerance in St. Augustinegrass. Two publications were published on identification of QTL and candidate genes associated with drought tolerance. Additionally, Dr. Zhang (NC State) continued development of high throughput evaluation techniques for drought tolerance breeding applications. Dr. Henry (UGA) advised an MS student (Audrey Young) who investigated Spatial comparison of electromagnetic induction with traditional soil moisture measurements on athletic fields (Young A, Henry G, Gaur N. 2025.) Dr. Jespersen (UGA) advised three graduate students involved in water conservation and drought  tolerance (Ravi Teja Seelam, Manveer Singh, and Kumar Vaibhav) that work on molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance and remote sensing of drought responses in plants.   Ecosystem Services Dr. Zhou (NC State) continued to develop precision fertilization management for bermudagrass, and our program is planning to apply similar strategies to other warm-season grasses for optimizing nitrogen fertilizer use. Dr. Gannon (NC State) investigated the environmental fate and behavior of pesticides in turfgrass systems to improve chemical efficacy and environmental safety. This research supports the development of sustainable best management practices by elucidating the transport mechanisms of pesticides, providing land managers with data-driven strategies for responsible resource management. Dr. Miller (NC State) evaluated new turfgrass germplasm across multiple species for use in North Carolina. Evaluated new and novel techniques for measuring and managing soil organic matter in golf and sports turfgrass systems to support sustainable turfgrass management practices. Dr. Henry advised a PhD student (Julie Wang) who investigated the impact of turfgrass management and homeowner influences on common lawn weeds as pollinator habitat (Wang J, Henry G, McCurdy J, Held D. 2025.) Dr. Henry advised a PhD student (Alberto Novello) who investigated the impact of turfgrass management and environmental stress on the turfgrass microbiome (Novello A, Henry G, Cabrera M, Habteselassie M, Cassidy K. 2025.)   Pest Management Forty pesticide applicator continuing education workshops were conducted by the collective team of Dennis Martin, Andrea Connally, and David Gerken (OSU). Over 105 pest applicator presentations were made to audiences totaling approximately 1,500 participants in 2025. During the 2025 season, a widespread epidemic of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) occurred on most all turfgrasses in the state.  Several multimedia products about the epidemic were generated by A, Ferris, N. Walker and resulted in “Fall armyworms are on the rise in Oklahoma, Here’s what you should do” <a href="https://extension.okstate.edu/articles/2025/fall-armyworms-are-on-the-rise-in-oklahoma">https://extension.okstate.edu/articles/2025/fall-armyworms-are-on-the-rise-in-oklahoma</a>. This was the most viewed news story produced in 2025 in the College.  An additional outbreak of shorttail crickets (Anurogryllus arboreus) also occurred and was often confused with other turfgrass pests requiring additional outreach efforts.  An isolate of dollar spot (Clarireedia jacksonii) was identified in the state having significant resistance to DMI (FRAC 3) and benzimidazole (FRAC 1) and was likely introduced as the tolerance was very similar to isolates found in the Northern U.S.  Dr. Kerns (NC State) continued to develop best management practices for root diseases of turf. From the work funded by the Center, we have not observed a Pythium root rot sample from NC in two years. Our program continues to develop management practices for nematodes and take-all root rot on bermudagrass putting greens. Take-all root rot incidence has declined dramatically likely due to the work conducted in our program. We have observed a strong association between nematode feeding and TARR incidence which has allowed for us to refine management strategies. The Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab continues to thrive as we received 435 samples in 2025 from numerous states and represented 60 of the top 100 golf courses in the US. Dr. Billeisen (NC State) filed invention disclosure (NCSU Ref. No. 2026-127) for computer vision model that quantifies nocturnal annual bluegrass weevil distribution in turfgrass canopy using drone fairway scanning. Dr. Godara (NC State) continued research on emerging weed management challenges in warm-season turfgrass systems, with emphasis on Bosc’s mille graines control in sod production. Research outcomes identified effective herbicide programs and improved understanding of weed biology and ecology, providing sod producers with practical recommendations to support sustainable turfgrass management practices. Dr. Henry advised a PhD student (Erick Begitschke) who investigated the impact of turfgrass weeds on athletic field performance and player safety (Begitschke E, Henry G, Brosnan J, Gaur N, Waltz C, Lynell R. 2025.) Disease Diagnosis and Surveillance (Dr. Martinez, UGA) What was accomplished: A statewide disease survey was conducted in 2025, including on-site visits to 12 clients (golf courses, sports fields, and sod farms) across Georgia, along with virtual diagnostic support for nine international clients. Additionally, 195 physical plant disease samples were processed through the University of Georgia Plant Disease Clinic, and 181 nematode samples (turf, small grains, and forage grasses) were analyzed via the Nematode Clinic. Results/Impacts: Dollar spot (DS) and Rhizoctonia large patch (RLP) remained the most damaging diseases of warm-season turfgrasses, while gray leaf spot (GLS) and rusts (stem rust and crown rust) were most impactful in cool-season turfgrasses. Continued surveillance will support early outbreak detection and pathogen monitoring. Dollar Spot (Dr. Bahri) What was accomplished: A total of 79 isolates were screened in vitro for resistance to four fungicide classes (DMIs, DCFs, SDHIs, and MBCs), with 47% showing resistance to at least two classes. Targeted sequencing of resistance-associated genes was performed on selected isolates. Results/Impacts: Mutations R61K and E63A in SdhD were associated with reduced sensitivity to boscalid, while E198A in β-tubulin conferred high resistance to thiophanate-methyl. Additional synonymous mutations and intronic indels were detected in Sdh genes of highly resistant isolates. No Cyp51 mutations were linked to propiconazole resistance. These findings highlight increasing multi-fungicide resistance and the need for ongoing monitoring. Future work will include protein structural analyses to validate mutation effects. Rhizoctonia Large Patch (Dr. Bahri) What was accomplished: A QTL study was conducted using 228 F1 progeny from a Zoysia japonica × Z. matrella cross, evaluated under field conditions with artificial and natural inoculation. Disease severity and turf quality were assessed, and data analysis was completed in 2025. Results/Impacts: Disease severity was consistent across seasons and negatively correlated with turf quality. QTL analysis identified 12 loci in both male and female maps, including several major QTL explaining >10% of phenotypic variance and stable across environments. This represents the first field-based identification of genetic regions associated with RLP resistance in zoysiagrass. Future work will focus on candidate gene identification and development of KASP markers for breeding. Gray Leaf Spot and Crown Rust (Dr. Bahri and Vines) What was accomplished: A GWAS was re-conducted on 283 tall fescue accessions using an improved reference genome to identify resistance-associated loci for GLS and CR. Phylogenetic analyses of Magnaporthe oryzae isolates were performed using multilocus sequencing, complemented by Nanopore sequencing. A potential new host-pathogen interaction was also investigated in creeping bentgrass. Results/Impacts: Three MTAs were identified for GLS and seven for CR across multiple chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed host-associated lineages, indicating genetic differentiation among isolates. Evidence suggests a possible host expansion of Magnaporthe spp. to creeping bentgrass, with confirmation studies ongoing. Whole-genome analyses will further resolve pathogen diversity. Blue Light as an Alternative Disease Management Tool (Dr. Bahri) What was accomplished: The antifungal effects of blue light were evaluated in vitro and in planta against key turfgrass pathogens. Results/Impacts: Short and medium daily exposures had no effect on fungal growth, while long exposure (16 h) reduced growth in Rhizoctonia solani and Clarireedia monteithiana, but not Magnaporthe oryzae. No negative effects were observed on turfgrass species, indicating safety. Ongoing in planta trials will support extension recommendations. These findings suggest blue light as a promising non-chemical tool, particularly for managing fungicide-resistant pathogens.     Development of Improved Turfgrass Varieties for the Southern Region A drought resistant cultivar, Endarra 81™ (‘OSU2081’) developed by the OSU turfgrass improvement team with Dr. Yanqi Wu as lead has been licensed exclusively to Sod Production Services for commercial production. Another cold hardy and drought resistant cultivar High PointTM (‘OSU1337’) developed by the same team has been licensed exclusively to Sod Solutions for commercial production. The Milla-Lewis program has a zoysiagrass breeding line and a centipede synthetic currently under expansion for expected commercial release 2026-2027. Additionally, four each zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass advanced breeding lines have been entered into the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program as a last step in determining their suitability for commercial release. Gage began development of a high throughput, low cost genotyping assay for St Augustinegrass that can be applied at scale to evaluate genetic merit of breeding populations. We also continue to learn about the population structure and phenotypic variability of a broad collection of St. Augustinegrass accessions. This knowledge will help inform breeding decisions by identifying individuals with desirable traits and helping find associations between regions of the genome and beneficial characteristics. Dr. Schwartz, Vines, and Raymer have active breeding programs looking at vegetatively propagated warm-season turfgrasses, seeded turfgrasses, and seashore paspalum respectively. Dr. Shuhao Yu advised an MS students Zahin Anzum and Prajjwal Koirala to develop native nimblewill as low input and shade tolerant turfgrass species in the transition zone of the US.   Developing and Conducting Educational, Extension, and Outreach Programs Summarizing and Promoting Transfer of the previous 4 areas. Dr. Mingying Xiang collaborated with Agricultural Economist Dr. Bir on turfgrass production risk management. Together, they are developing a turfgrass production budget, which is likely to be one of the first comprehensive budgets of its kind for the turfgrass industry. They have also developed and delivered multiple workshops and online educational presentations focused on turfgrass production risk management, helping producers make informed management and business decisions. Dr. Dennis Martin in cooperation with staff members Dr. Andrea Connally and Mr. David Gerken conducted 26 roadside vegetation management workshops and 103 total roadside vegetation management presentations by Mr. David Gerken and Dr. Andrea Connally. Total attendees at these roadside vegetation management events were 1,003 attendees. These events were principally sponsored by two grants by the Oklahoma Dept of Transportation using pass-through US Federal Highway Administration funding. Dr. Dennis Martin provided 44 extension presentations to a total of 1,011 participants across the professional turfgrass management (golf course, sod production, seed production, sports field, and cemetery management sectors) and consumer lawn care audiences. Phone consultations by Dr. Martin included three turfgrass career consultations, seven research design consultations and 203 problem solving phone consultations. Dennis assisted with 36 diagnostic plan case consultations to the turfgrass management industry through the Oklahoma State University Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostics Laboratory (PDIDL), the second largest case load at OSU by division state specialists in 2025. By email response Dr. Martin conducted 10 research design consultations and 1,704 extension consultations to the green industry, right of way, various city/state/government agencies (OCES educators, as well as commercial, professional and consumer lawns). The NC State extension portal TurfFiles <a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu">www.turfFiles.ncsu.edu</a> obtained approximately 319,000 page views in 2025. 2025 Turfgrass Field Days: Lake Wheeler Turf Field lab 720 attendees and Sandhills Field Day 100 attendees In 2025, Drs. Bahri and Martinez-Espinoza research programs supported the training and professional development of a diverse group of trainees, including two PhD students (2), two postdoctoral associates (2), one undergraduate student (1), and several high school and young scholar participants (6). Notably, Harshita Saxena successfully completed her PhD (1), and Dr. Bikash Ghimire transitioned to a faculty position in the Department of Plant Pathology (1). The program also hosted two international visiting scholars (2) through collaborative efforts. In addition to direct mentorship, we contributed to graduate education by serving on student committees and reviewing multiple manuscripts for leading scientific journals (8), while also providing editorial services for two journals (2). Over the past year, trainees and team members received numerous awards and grants (13), reflecting strong academic and research excellence. The team was actively engaged in outreach and professional activities, including invited talks, extension programs, symposium participation, and teaching contributions (11). Service efforts included leadership roles, mentorship programs, grant participation (3), event organization, and judging at science fairs, totaling sixteen service activities (16), demonstrating a strong commitment to education, research, and community engagement.

Publications

Refereed publications <ol> <li>Yu, S., Shi, Z., Aoun, M., Wu, Y.Q., Fang, T., Fontanier, C., Xiang, M. 2026. Development of KASP markers and genomic prediction for winter hardiness in African bermudagrass. Grass Research 6: e010 doi: 10.48130/grares-0026-0007</li> <li>Thapa B., Yu, S., Xiang, M., Tadege, M., and Wu, Y.Q. 2026. Unveiling the genetic determinants of germination efficiency in common bermudagrass: A Genome-Wide Association Study. The Plant Genome. 19(1), e70219. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.70219">https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.70219</a></li> <li>Arikilla, S., Cevallos, F. N., Moss, J. Q., Yu, S., Fontanier, C. H., Martin, D. L., ... & Xiang, M. 2025. Responses of turf‐type hybrid bermudagrasses to drought stress. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.17">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.17</a></li> <li>Yu, S., 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. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70184">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70184</a></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. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/app15169151">https://doi.org/10.3390/app15169151</a></li> <li>Mengistu, M., D.D. Serba, M.R. Conley, R. Hejl, Y.Q. Wu and C.F. Williams. 2025. <a href="https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/161409">Response of turf bermudagrass hybrids to induced drought stress under controlled environment</a>. Grasses. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/grasses4020023">https://doi.org/10.3390/grasses4020023</a></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. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/its2.70091">http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/its2.70091</a></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. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18169-24">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18169-24</a></li> <li>Cevallos, F., M. Xiang, X. Zhang, Y.Q. Wu, J.Q. Moss, C. Fontanier, D. Martin, and S. Yu. 2025. Gene expression profiling of African bermudagrass under cold acclimation. HortScience 60(5):645-646. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18443-25">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18443-25</a></li> <li>Pokhrel, B., S. Yu, C. Fontanier, D. Martin, Y.Q. Wu, and M. Xiang. Impact of a horticultural mineral oil on bermudagrass performance under salinity stress. 2025. International Turfgrass Research Journal. https://doi.org/<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/its2.70033">1002/its2.70033</a></li> <li>Cevallos, F., S. Yu, J.Q. Moss, Y.Q. Wu, B. Schwartz, M. Xiang. 2025. Assessing drought resistance in bermudagrass using dual methodologies. Grass Research. <a href="https://doi.org/10.48130/grares-0025-0008">https://doi.org/10.48130/grares-0025-0008</a></li> <li>Yu, S., Y.Q. Wu, Fang, M. Xiang, C.H. Fontanier, J.Q. Moss, and D.L. Martin. 2025. Detection of QTL associated with morphological, adaptive, and reproductive traits in common bermudagrass. International Turfgrass Research Journal. https://doi.org/<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/its2.70007">10.1002/its2.70007</a></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/<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/its2.70000">1002/its2.70000</a></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. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20430">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20430</a></li> <li>Segars, C.A., J.Q. Moss, D.L. Martin, and Y.Q. Wu. 2025. Traffic tolerance of the 2007 NTEP bermudagrass trial. International Turfgrass Research Journal. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70001">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70001</a></li> <li>Kenworthy, K., K. Quesenberry, J. Unruh, P. Harmon, N. Flor, P. Reith, E. Rios, W. Crow, J. Zhang, B. Schwartz, S. Milla-Lewis, G. Miller, P. Raymer, A. Chandra, Y.Q. Wu, and D. Martin. 2025. Registration of FAES 1307 and FAES 1319 zoysiagrass. Journal of Plant Registrations. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20428">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20428</a></li> <li>Arikilla, S., F. Cevallos, J. Moss, C. Fontanier, D. Martin, Y.Q. Wu, and M. Xiang. 2025. Responses of turf-type hybrid bermudagrasses to drought stress. International Turfgrass Research Journal. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.178">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.178</a></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. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21393">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21393</a></li> <li>Walker, N. R. 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. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70013">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70013</a></li> <li>Battaglia, M. V., Anders, J. K., Hensler, K. L., Kerns, J. P., McCall, D. S., Richardson, M. D., Wright-Smith, H. E., & Hutchens, W. J. (2025). Fungicidal control options for silvery thread moss on creeping bentgrass putting greens. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, 15, 914-922.</li> <li>Carbajal, E. M., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2026). Influence of auxin and cytokinin concentrations on callus induction, subculture growth, and somatic embryogenesis for plant regeneration in Zoysiagrass (Zoysia). Grass Research, 6, e001. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.48130/grares-0025-0034">https://doi.org/10.48130/grares-0025-0034</a></li> <li>Carbajal, E. M., Chen, H., Shih, R., Gouveia, B. T., van der Laat, R., Cardoso, A. A., Schwartz, B. M., and Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2026). Increasing morphological variation in centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack] through colchicine-induced polyploidy. HortScience, 61(3), 601-607. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI19172-25">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI19172-25</a></li> <li>Carbajal, E. M., Gouveia, B. T., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Evaluation of centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack] lines in multi-environment trials in North Carolina. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.169">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.169</a></li> <li>Carbajal, E. M., Gouveia, B. T., van der Laat, R., Miller, G. L., Dunne, J. C., Schwartz, B. M., Brandenburg, R., Schoeman, A., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Evaluation of bermudagrass germplasm newly introduced from Africa for shade tolerance and simple sequence repeat (SSR) allelic diversity. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 72, 9709–9725. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-025-02518-5">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-025-02518-5</a></li> <li>Cardoso, A. A., Taggart, M., Oliveira, D., Alcantara Enguidanos, O., Gouveia, B. T., Suchoff, D., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2026). Similar drought avoidance and contrasting tolerance and recovery capacity across zoysiagrass cultivars: insights from controlled and field droughts. Grass Research, 6, e003. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.48130/grares-0025-0031">https://doi.org/10.48130/grares-0025-0031</a></li> <li>de Sanctis, J. H. S., Cahoon, C. W., Everman, W. J., Gannon, T. W., Jennings, K. M., & Taylor, Z. R. (2025). Confirmation and distribution of paraquat-resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) in North Carolina. Weed Technology, 39, e83. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2025.10025">https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2025.10025</a></li> <li>de Sanctis, J. H. S., Cahoon, C. W., Everman, W. J., Jennings, K. M., Taylor, Z. R., & Gannon, T. W. (2025). Cover crops and fall residual herbicides for managing Italian ryegrass. Weed Technology, 39, e27. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2024.107">https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2024.107</a></li> <li>Ervin, D. E., Frisvold, G. B., Allen, J. H., Patton, A. J., Brosnan, J. T., Bowling, R. G., Elmore, M. T., Bagavathiannan, M. V., McCurdy, J. D., Gannon, T. W., Kaminski, J. E., Kowalewski, A. R., McElroy, J. S., McCullough, P., Unruh, B., Askew, S., & McCarty, L. (2025). Motivations and barriers to integrated management of annual bluegrass in sports fields: U.S. survey findings. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 112, 128877. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2025.128877">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2025.128877</a></li> <li>Freund, D. R., Butler, E. L., Ahmed, K. A., Gannon, T. W., & Kerns, J. P. (2025). Effect of mowing timing and clipping collection practices on azoxystrobin distribution, persistence, and efficacy. Crop Science, 65, e21365. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21365">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21365</a></li> <li>Freund, D., Fraser, M., Stephens, C., Dean, D., Butler, E. L., & Kerns, J. P. (2025). First report of gray leaf spot caused by Pyricularia oryzae on Zoysia japonica in the United States of America. Plant Disease, 109, 1990.</li> <li>Godara, N., Brewer, J. R., & Askew, S. D. (2025). Assessing herbicides for Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) control in cool-season turfgrass. Weed Technology. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2025.27">https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2025.27</a></li> <li>Godara, N., Craft, J. M., Gonçalves, C. G., & Askew, S. D. (2025). Persistence and relocation of dislodgable herbicide residue from simulated rainfall following glyphosate treatment to dormant zoysiagrass turf. Crop Science. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21235">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21235</a></li> <li>Godara, N., Koo, D., Cubas, J. R. R., & Askew, S. D. (2025). Effect of optical brightener, pigmented fungicide, and turf colorant on ultraviolet floral features of weeds and pollinator visitation. Weed Science. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2025.10053">https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2025.10053</a></li> <li>Gouveia, B. T., Kenworthy, K. E., Chandra, A., Schwartz, B. M., Zhang, J., Raymer, P. L., Wu, Y., Pudzianowska, M., Baird, J. H., Miller, G. L., Unruh, J. B., Wherley, B. G., Martin, D. L., Moss, J. Q., Khanal, S., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Enhancing drought resistance in warm-season turfgrasses: Fourteen years of progress through a multistate collaborative project across the southern United States. Crop Science, 65(1), e21393. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21393">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21393</a></li> <li>Gouveia, B. T., Kenworthy, K. E., Schwartz, B. M., Zhang, J., Austin, R. E., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Multilocation testing increases genetic gains for drought tolerance in zoysiagrass. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal (in press). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70110">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70110</a></li> <li>Hinson, J., Askew, S., Godara, N., Munshaw, G., & Goatley, M. (2025). Low-impact conversion of cool-season golf fairways. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70021">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70021</a></li> <li>Houting, K. P., Yu, X., Pradhan, S., Gouveia, B. T., Kerns, J. P., Schwartz, B. M., Conner, J., Patton, A. J., Devos, K. M., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Identification of quantitative trait loci controlling large patch (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn AG 2-2LP) resistance in zoysiagrass. Phytopathology, 115, 841-849. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-10-24-0311-R">https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-10-24-0311-R</a></li> <li>Hutchens, W., Anders, J., Butler, E. L., Kerns, J. P., McCall, D. S., Miller, G. L., & Walker, N. R. (2025). Fifteen years of findings: Advancements in spring dead spot research from 2009 to 2024. Crop Science, 65, e21367.</li> <li>Kenworthy, K. E., Quesenberry, K., Unruh, J. B., Harmon, P., Flor, N., Rios, E., Reith, P., Crow, W., Zhang, J., Schwartz, B. M., Milla-Lewis, S. R., Miller, G. L., Raymer, P., Chandra, A., Wu, Y., & Martin, D. (2025). Registration of ‘FAES 1307’ and ‘FAES 1319’ zoysiagrasses. Journal of Plant Registrations, 19(2), e20428. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20428">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20428</a></li> <li>Kajla, A., Fontanier, C., Zhang, L., Wu, Y., Schwartz, B., Milla-Lewis, S. R., & Singh, S. (2025). Morphological response of bermudagrass genotypes to neutral-density shade. HortScience, 60(5), 794-800. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18169-24">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18169-24</a></li> <li>Koo, D., Godara, N., Cubas, J. R. R., & Askew, S. D. (2025). A method to spatially assess multipass spray deposition patterns via UV fluorescence and weed population shifts. Crop Science. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21377">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21377</a></li> <li>Kreinberg, S. T., Kerns, J. P., Miller, G. L., Richardson, M. D., Spurlock, T. N., & Hutchens, W. J. (2025). Review of the biology and management of large patch of warm-season turfgrasses. Crop Science, 65, e70055.</li> <li>Mascarenhas, J. M., Collins, H. C., Ahmed, K. A., Gannon, T. W., Almeyda, C. A., Thiessen, L. D., Huseth, A. S., & Quesada-Ocampo, L. M. (2025). Assessing pesticide residue levels in sweetpotato roots and slips treated with fungicides for management of southern blight and circular spot disease caused by Agroathelia rolfsii. Plant Disease, 109(4), 834–841. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-24-0849-RE">https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-24-0849-RE</a></li> <li>Mascarenhas, J. M., Collins, H., Ahmed, K., Gannon, T. W., Almeyda, C. V., Thiessen, L., Huseth, A., & Quesada-Ocampo, L. (2025). Impact of fungicide applications on sweetpotato roots and slips for managing black rot disease (Ceratocystis fimbriata) and their effect on pesticide residue levels. Plant Disease (Advance online publication). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-25-1003-RE">https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-25-1003-RE</a></li> <li>McCauley, R. K., Pinnix, G. D., Miller, G. L., & Heitman, J. L. (2025). Fraise mowing and hollow-tine aerification impact bermudagrass surfaces. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.70023">https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.70023</a></li> <li>McCurdy, J. D., Bowling, R. G., de Castro, E. B., Patton, A. J., Kowalewski, A. R., Mattox, C. M., Brosnan, J. T., Ervin, D. E., Askew, S. D., Goncalves, C. G., Elmore, M. T., McElroy, J. S., McNally, B. C., Pritchard, B. D., Kaminski, J. E., Gannon, T. W., Unruh, J. B., & Bagavathiannan, M. V. (2025). Poa annua ecology, biology, and integrated weed management practices in turfgrass. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management, 11, e70019. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.70019">https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.70019</a></li> <li>Milla-Lewis, S. R., Gouveia, B. T., Carbajal, E. M., Miller, G. L., Patton, A. J., Schwartz, B. M., Kenworthy, K. E., Braun, R. C., van der Laat, R., Yu, X., Zhang, Y., Chandra, A., Wu, Y., Raymer, P., Pudzianowska, M., Baird, J., Fontanier, C. H., & Unruh, J. B. (2025). Registration of ‘XZ 14069’ zoysiagrass. Journal of Plant Registrations, 19(2), e20430. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20430">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20430</a></li> <li>Milla-Lewis, S. R., Gouveia, B. T., Kenworthy, K. E., Zhang, J., Chandra, A., Miller, G. L., Carbajal, E. M., Schwartz, B. M., Raymer, P., Pudzianowska, M., Beard, J. H., & Unruh, J. B. (2025). Maximizing genetic gains across agronomic and consumer preference traits in St. Augustinegrass breeding. Crop Science, 65(1), e21374. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21374">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21374</a></li> <li>Pinkney IV, J. L., Iannone III, B. V., Milla-Lewis, S. R., van der Laat, R., Unruh, J. B., Schiavon, M., & Dale, A. G. (2025). Investigating multi-trophic effects of St. Augustinegrass cultivar blends in the southeastern United States. Crop Science, 65(1), e21399. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21399">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21399</a></li> <li>Polli, E. G., Gannon, T. W., Rogers, R. R., LeCompte, M. C., & Ahmed, K. (2025). Investigating triclopyr vapor and particle drift in roadside settings. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 8, e70052. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70052">https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70052</a></li> <li>Polli, E. G., Gannon, T. W., Rogers, R. R., LeCompte, M. C., & Silcox, C. (2025). Methyl isothiocyanate concentration, distribution, and persistence in sandy soil as influenced by dazomet post-application practices. HortTechnology, 35(2), 153–159. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05520-24">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05520-24</a></li> <li>Polli, E. G., Gannon, T. W., Rogers, R. R., LeCompte, M. C., Cahoon, C. W., Jennings, K. M., & Vann, M. C. (2025). Soybean and tobacco response to simulated drift of herbicides used along roadsides. Authorea Preprints. <a href="https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174077653.37573727/v1">https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174077653.37573727/v1</a></li> <li>Pradhan, S., Zhao, J., Spiekerman, J. J., Bennetzen, E. M., Khanal, S., Yu, X., Milla-Lewis, S. R., Conner, J., Schwartz, B. M., & Devos, K. M. (2025). Two mutations in the same MYC-bHLH transcription factor cause segregation of purple coloration of stolons and seedheads in interspecific zoysiagrass F2 and F1 populations. Horticulture Research (in press). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhaf235">https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhaf235</a></li> <li>Pritchard, B. D., Breeden, G. K., Bowling, R. G., Gannon, T. W., Hutto, K. C., & Brosnan, J. T. (2025). Turfgrass tolerance to tetflupyrolimet applications for preemergence grassy weed control. Weed Science, 73, e17. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2024.97">https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2024.97</a></li> <li>Pritchard, B. D., Gannon, T. W., Butler, D. M., Bowling, R. G., Puri, A., & Brosnan, J. T. (2025). Soil texture effects on tetflupyrolimet efficacy in turfgrass. Weed Science, 74(1), e1. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2025.10043">https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2025.10043</a></li> <li>Pritchard, B. D., Gannon, T. W., Rogers, R. R., Carr, T. Q., Puri, A., & Brosnan, J. T. (2025). Downslope lateral movement of tetflupyrolimet and pronamide in turfgrass. Weed Technology, 39, e91. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2025.10043">https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2025.10043</a></li> <li>Ramanathan, S. S., Gannon, T. W., Everman, W. J., & Locke, A. M. (2025). Atrazine sensitivity varies among soybean cultivars. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 8, e70032. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70032">https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70032</a></li> <li>Rockstad, G. B., Yu, X., de Siqueira Gesteira, G., Gaire, S., Dickey, A., Gouveia, B. T., Schoonmaker, A. N., Hulse-Kemp, A. M., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Integration of QTL and transcriptome studies reveals candidate genes for water stress response in St. Augustinegrass. BMC Plant Biology, 25, 662. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06692-7">https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06692-7</a></li> <li>Rogers, R. R., Gannon, T. W., Ahmed, K. A., Polli, E. G., LeCompte, M. C., Bowling, R. G., McElroy, S. J., & Bagavathiannan, M. V. (accepted). Influence of reduced absorption and translocation of trifloxysulfuron in ALS-resistant Poa annua. Weed Science.</li> <li>Schoonmaker, A., Yow, A., Yu, X., Van der Laat, R., Glaubitz, J., Thorsted, K., Robbins, M., Bushman, S., Simpson, S., Scheffler, B., Lynch, N., Ranney, T., Milla-Lewis, S. R., & Hulse-Kemp, A. (2025). A whole genome assembly of St. Augustinegrass and visualizing diversity within the species. The Plant Genome, 19(1), e70144.</li> <li>Timilsina, N., Zhou, Q., & Simpson, E. (2025). Root characteristics response to N, P, and K fertilization in creeping bentgrass. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.177">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.177</a></li> <li>van der Laat, R., Leon, R. G., Dale, A. G., Gouveia, B., Carbajal, E. M., Schiavon, M., Unruh, J. B., Iannone III, B. V., & Milla‐Lewis, S. R. (2025). Molecular analysis of St. Augustinegrass cultivar mixtures composition over time and latitude. Crop Science, 65(1), e21370. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1002/antz.21370">https://doi.org/10.1002/antz.21370</a></li> <li>Vines, P. L., Gouveia, B. T., Chandra, A., Chavarria, M. R., Fontanier, C. H., Kenworthy, K. E., Raymer, P., Schwartz, B. M., Wherley, B., Wu, Y., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Performance of bermudagrass, seashore paspalum, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass advanced breeding lines in response to shade. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal (in press). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70091">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70091</a></li> <li>Vines, P. L., Khanal, S., Zhang, J., Conner, J., Milla-Lewis, S. R., Brown, N., Jespersen, D., Johnson-Maynard, J., & Schwartz, B. M. (2026). UAV-based RGB and multispectral vegetation indices as alternatives to light box-derived dark green color index for turfgrass color assessment. The Plant Phenome Journal, 9, e70077. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ppj2.70077">https://doi.org/10.1002/ppj2.70077</a></li> <li>Weldt, C. E., Rockstad, G. B., de Siqueira Gesteira, G., Gouveia, B. T., Austin, R. E., Yu, X., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Integration of multi-omics approaches reveals candidate genes for drought stress in St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum). Crop Science, 65(1), e21450. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21450">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21450</a></li> <li>Yu, S., Gouveia, B. T., Zhang, Y., Wu, Y., Schwartz, B. M., Milla-Lewis, S. R., Kenworthy, K. E., Unruh, J. B., Chandra, A., Raymer, P., Pudzianowska, M., Baird, J., Carbajal, E. M., Xiang, M., Moss, J. P., & Earp, R. (2025). Genetic gain and GEI in turf bermudagrass drought resistance improvement in the southern U.S. Crop Science, 65(6), e70184. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70184">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70184</a></li> <li>Zhang, J., Maleski, J., Khanal, S., Webb, A., Schwartz, B. M., Conner, J., Gouveia, B. T., Milla-Lewis, S. R., Patton, A. J., & Huang, B. (2025). Phenomics-driven insights into zoysiagrass drought resistance using small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS)-based hyperspectral images. The Plant Phenome Journal, 8(1), e70027. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ppj2.70027">https://doi.org/10.1002/ppj2.70027</a></li> <li>Zhou, Q., Li, J., Enguídanos, Ó. A., Melgar, E. M. C., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). The effects of NPK rates and planting rates on Lobo™ zoysiagrass establishment in the transition zone. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70075">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70075</a></li> <li>Zhou, Q., Merrick, B., & Kerns, J. P. (2025). Influence of Edaphic Factors and Water Sources on Take-all Root Rot Incidence on Bermudagrass Putting Greens. Plant Health Progress. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-05-25-0155-RS">https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-05-25-0155-RS</a></li> <li>Zhou, Q., Merrick, B., & Kerns, J. P. (2025). Take-all root rot response to nitrogen rate and source in ultradwarf bermudagrass. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1002%2Fits2.70073">https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.70073</a></li> </ol>       Extension articles <ul> <li>Shehbaz S, M. Xiang, C. Fontanier, D.L. Martin, Y.Q. Wu. 2025. Comparison of bermudagrass cultivars for athletic field use in Oklahoma. OSU Extension Publications. https://matrix.okstate.edu/extension/fact-sheets/comparison-of-bermudagrass-cultivars-for-athletic-field-use-in-oklahoma</li> <li>Xiang, M. and D. Martin. 2025. Assessing winterkill on bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. OSU Extension Publications (accepted)</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-and-harvest-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/fact-sheets/preparing-your-lawn-for-drought.html</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Billeisen, T., Butler, L., Gannon, T., Kerns, J. P., Leon, R., McCauley, R., Miller, G., & Richardson, R. (2025). Pest control for professional turfgrass managers. NC Cooperative Extension Service Publication AG-408, 85 pp.</li> <li>Butler, E. L., & Kerns, J. P. (2025). Pythium species management recommendations. Golfdom, 81, 27-32.</li> <li>Butler, E. L., & Kerns, J. P. (2025). Turfgrass Disease Control and Nematicides for Turf. In 2024 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, NC State University, pp. 511-533.</li> <li>Godara, N., Gannon, T. W., & McCauley, R. (2026). Chemical weed control in lawns and turf. 2026 Pest Control for Professional Turfgrass Managers, NC State Extension Publication AG-408.</li> <li>Godara, N., Yelverton, F. H., & Gannon, T. W. (2026). Chemical Weed Control in Lawns and Turf. Chapter VII, 2026 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual.</li> <li>Kerns, J. P., & Butler, E. L. (2026). Pest Control for Turfgrass Managers: Turfgrass Disease Control and Nematicides for Turf. NC State Extension. <a href="https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/pest-control-for-professional-turfgrass-managers">https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/pest-control-for-professional-turfgrass-managers</a></li> <li>Leon, R. G., Yelverton, F. H., & Gannon, T. W. (2025). Chemical Weed Control in Hay Crops and Pastures. 2025 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual, NC State Extension, Raleigh, NC. <a href="https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual">https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual</a></li> <li>Miller, G. L. (2025). Baseball Field Layout and Construction. NC State Extension Publication.</li> <li>Miller, G. L. (2025). Sod Producers’ Report for North Carolina. NC State Extension Publication AG-809, 11 pp.</li> <li>Miller, G. L. (2025). Zoysiagrass Lawn Maintenance Calendar. NC State Extension Publication.</li> <li>Miller, G., & McCauley, R. (2025). Lime and Fertilizer Suggestions for Lawns. 2025 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual, AG-1, pp. 50-52.</li> <li>Miller, G. L., McCauley, R., & Godara, N. (2026). Bermudagrass Athletic Field Maintenance. NC State Extension Publication AG-429.</li> <li>Miller, G., Kerns, J., & Billeisen, T. (2026). Organic Lawn Care: Composting and Spreaders. NC State Extension, AG-562 Collection.</li> <li>Miller, G., Kerns, J., & Billeisen, T. (2026). Organic Lawn Care: Establishing a New Lawn. NC State Extension, AG-562 Collection.</li> <li>Miller, G., Kerns, J., & Billeisen, T. (2026). Organic Lawn Care: Integrated Pest Management and Organic Lawn Care. NC State Extension, AG-562 Collection.</li> <li>Miller, G., Kerns, J., & Billeisen, T. (2026). Organic Lawn Care: Maintaining an Established Lawn. NC State Extension, AG-562 Collection.</li> <li>Miller, G., Kerns, J., & Billeisen, T. (2026). Organic Lawn Care: Renovating an Established Lawn. NC State Extension, AG-562 Collection.</li> <li>Richardson, R. J., Yelverton, F. H., & Gannon, T. W. (2025). Chemical Control of Woody Plants. 2025 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual, NC State Extension, Raleigh, NC. <a href="https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual">https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual</a></li> <li>Richardson, R. J., Yelverton, F. H., & Gannon, T. W. (2025). Total Vegetation Control in Noncropland. 2025 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual, NC State Extension, Raleigh, NC. <a href="https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual">https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual</a></li> <li>Yelverton, F. H., & Gannon, T. W. (2025). Chemical Weed Control in Lawns and Turf. 2025 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual, NC State Extension, Raleigh, NC. <a href="https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual">https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual</a></li> <li>Yelverton, F. H., Gannon, T. W., & D. W. Monks. (2025). Chemical Control of Specific Weeds. 2025 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual, NC State Extension, Raleigh, NC. <a href="https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual">https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li>Turffiles (https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/) is an extension website the turf team created in 2006. It averages ~42,000 visits a month. We authored and update 28 disease profiles annually. These profiles detail the causal agent, symptoms, conditions that favor disease development, and cultural and chemical controls. Each year we update fungicide tables based on when new products are labeled, and we also provide growers with an efficacy rating.</li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Algae. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/algae-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/algae-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Anthracnose. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-inturf/anthracnose-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-inturf/anthracnose-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Brown patch. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/brownpatch-in-turf/brown-patch-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/brownpatch-in-turf/brown-patch-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Copper spot. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/copperspot-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/copperspot-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Cream leaf blight. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/creamleaf-blight-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/creamleaf-blight-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Damping off. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/dampingoff-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/dampingoff-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Dollar spot. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/dollar-spotin-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/dollar-spotin-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Fairy ring. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/fairy-ring-inturf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/fairy-ring-inturf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Gray leaf spot. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/gray-leafspot-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/gray-leafspot-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Gray snow mold. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/graysnow-mold-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/graysnow-mold-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Large patch. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/large-patchin-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/large-patchin-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Leaf and sheath spot (mini-ring). <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/leafand-sheath-blight-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/leafand-sheath-blight-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Leaf spot. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/leaf-spot-inturf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/leaf-spot-inturf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Microdochium patch. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-inturf/microdochium-patch-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-inturf/microdochium-patch-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Nematodes. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/nematodesin-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/nematodesin-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Powdery Mildew. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-inturf/powdery-mildew-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-inturf/powdery-mildew-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Pythium blight. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/pythiumblight-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/pythiumblight-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Pythium root dysfunction. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-inturf/pythium-root-dysfunction-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-inturf/pythium-root-dysfunction-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Pythium root rot. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-inturf/pythium-root-rot-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-inturf/pythium-root-rot-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Red leaf spot. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/red-leafspot-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/red-leafspot-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Red thread. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/red-threadin-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/red-threadin-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Rust. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/rust-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/rust-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Slime mold. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/slime-moldin-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/slime-moldin-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Spring dead spot. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/springdead-spot-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/springdead-spot-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Summer patch. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/summerpatch-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/summerpatch-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Take-all root rot. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/take-all-root-rot-inturf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/take-all-root-rot-inturf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. White patch. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/whitepatch-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/whitepatch-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Yellow patch. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/yellowpatch-in-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/yellowpatch-in-turf/</a></li> <li>Kerns, J.P., and Butler, E.L. Yellow tuft. <a href="https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/yellow-tuftin-turf/">https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/yellow-tuftin-turf/</a></li> </ul> Abstracts <ul> <li>Bir, C., and M. Xiang. 2026. Mitigating Risk for Turfgrass Producers in Uncertain Conditions. 2026 ERME National Conference in Salt Lake City, UT. April 14-16, 2026.</li> <li>Pokhrel, B., S. Yu, C. Fontanier, Y. Wu, D. Martin, and M. Xiang. 2026. Supplemental Irrigation Requirements to Maintain Acceptable Turf Quality of Bermudagrass Genotypes in Oklahoma. ASHS Annual Conference, Dallas, TX. August 3-7, 2026.</li> <li>Adhikari, P., S. Yu, C. Fontanier, J. Moss, Y. Wu, and M. Xiang. 2025. Detection of QTL associated with salinity tolerance in African bermudagrass. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meetings; Nov. 9-12, Salt Lake City, Utah.</li> <li>Poudel, A., Y., Wu, S, Yu, M. Xiang, et al. 2025. Root Morphological Traits and Their Association with Field Drought Performance in Bermudagrass. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meetings; Nov. 9-12, Salt Lake City, Utah.</li> <li>Yu, S., Z. Shi, M. Aoun, T. Fang, Y. Wu, M. Xiang, and C. Fontanier. 2025. Developing Kasp Makers and Integrating Genomic Prediction for Winter Hardiness in African Bermudagrass. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meetings; Nov. 9-12, Salt Lake City, Utah.</li> <li>Adhikari, P., S. Yu, C. Fontanier, J. Moss, Y. Wu, and M. Xiang. 2025. Mapping Common Bermudagrass Winter Hardiness and Drought Tolerance Traits Using High-Throughput Phenotyping. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meetings; Nov. 9-12, Salt Lake City, Utah.</li> <li>Poudel, A., Y., Wu, S, Yu, M. Xiang, et al. 2025. Enhancing Common Bermudagrass Germplasm for Improved Drought Resistance, Cold Hardiness, and Turf Quality. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meetings; Nov. 9-12, Salt Lake City, Utah.</li> <li>Xiang, M., S. Yu, D. Martin, and L. Zhang. 2025. Carbohydrate Synthesis and Freeze Tolerance of Vegetative-Type Bermudagrasses during Cold Acclimation and Deacclimation Process. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meetings; Nov. 9-12, Salt Lake City, Utah.</li> <li>Pokhrel, B., S. Yu, C. Fontanier, Y. Wu, D. Martin, and M. Xiang. 2025. Supplemental water usage for maintaining acceptable quality of bermudagrass selections in Oklahoma. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meetings; Nov. 9-12, Salt Lake City, Utah.</li> <li>Pokhrel, B., S. Yu, C. Fontanier, Y. Wu, D. Martin, and M. Xiang. 2025. Impact of plant growth regulators on seedhead suppression and spring greenup of bermudagrass putting greens. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meetings; Nov. 9-12, Salt Lake City, Utah.</li> <li>Pokhrel, B., S. Yu, C. Fontanier, Y. Wu, D. Martin, and M. Xiang. 2025. Effects of nitrogen rate and rolling on bermudagrass putting green performance during the growing season. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meetings; Nov. 9-12, Salt Lake City, Utah.</li> <li>Snigdha, A., F. Cevallos, J. Moss, C. Fontanier, D. Martin, Y. Wu, and M. Xiang. 2025. Responses of turf-type bermudagrasses to drought stress. 15th International Turfgrass Research Conference. July 12-16. Nagano, Japan.</li> <li>Pokhrel, B., S. Yu, C. Fontanier, Y. Wu, D. Martin, and M. Xiang. 2025. Salinity tolerance, leaf anatomical adaptions and salt gland excretion efficiency in bermudagrasses. 15th International Turfgrass Research Conference. July 12-16. Nagano, Japan.</li> <li>Yu, S., Y. Wu, T. Fang, M. Xiang, C. Fontanier, J. Moss, D. Martin. 2025. Detection of QTL associated with morphological, adaptive, and reproductive traits in common bermudagrass. 15th International Turfgrass Research Conference. July 12-16. Nagano, Japan.</li> </ul> <ol> <li>Akther, S. M., & Shi, W. (2025). Metabolomic and Microbiome Responses to Progressive Drought Stress in Drought-Tolerant and Drought-Sensitive Bermudagrass Cultivars. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting (p. 165741), Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Carbajal, E., & Milla-Lewis, S. (2025). Development of Efficient In Vitro Systems for Callus Induction, Callus Culture, Somatic Embryogenesis, and Plant Regeneration in Zoysia ssp. Amer. Soc. Agron. Intl. Ann. Mtg., Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Carbajal, E., Milla-Lewis, S., Gouveia, B., van der Laat, R., & Miller, G. (2025). Evaluation of seeding versus sprigging as establishment methods for centipedegrass in North Carolina. 15th International Turfgrass Research Conference, Karuizawa, Japan.</li> <li>Carbajal, E., Patton, A., Schwartz, B., & Milla-Lewis, S. (2025). Developing Stress-Tolerant Zoysiagrasses as Low-Input Turf for Golf Course Roughs. Amer. Soc. Agron. Intl. Ann. Mtg., Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Cotter, G., Gannon, T. W., Smitherman, D., & McElroy, J. S. (2025). Identification of ALS-resistant Kyllinga species and possible mitigation strategies with PPO-inhibiting herbicides. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Crawford, S., Askew, S., Corbett, B., Romero, J., & Godara, N. (2026). Improving the performance of sublime herbicide on difficult-to-control turfgrass weeds. 2026 Northeastern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Hershey, PA.</li> <li>Crawford, S., Corbett, B., Godara, N., & Askew, S. D. (2025). Ethoxylated lecithin and methylated seed oil adjuvants improve smooth crabgrass control and rainfastness from quinclorac. 2025 ASA-CCSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Fratton, S., Kaur, B., Carbajal, E. M., Gouveia, B. T., Zhang, J., Shah, J., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). AI Meets Zoysiagrass: Advancing Seed Trait Selection Through HTP. Presented at the National Association of Plant Breeders Annual Meeting, Kona, HI, and the Amer. Soc. Agron. Intl. Ann. Mtg., Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Godara, N. (2025). Targeted weed control in turfgrass using precision spot spraying technology. Fifth Biennial Research Symposium, Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research and Education, Raleigh, NC.</li> <li>Gouveia, B. T., Kenworthy, K. E., Schwartz, B. M., Zhang, J., Austin, R. E., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Multilocation testing increases genetic gains for drought tolerance in zoysiagrass. 15th International Turfgrass Research Conference, Karuizawa, Japan.</li> <li>Gouveia, B. T., Khanal, S., Schwartz, B. M., Kenworthy, K. E., Carbajal, E. M., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Enhancing turfgrass sustainability in the southeastern US through commercialization of low-input centipedegrasses. Amer. Soc. Agron. Intl. Ann. Mtg., Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Hale, S., Godara, N., Askew, S. (2026). Optimizing weed management practices for pollinator protection and understanding foraging behavior. 2026 Weed Science Society of America Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC.</li> <li>Hale, S., Godara, N., Del-Pozo, A., Romero, J., & Askew, S. (2026). Fluorescent pigment tracing uncovers native bee diversity and visitation patterns in turfgrass systems. 2026 Southern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.</li> <li>Hale, S., Romero, J., Godara, N., & Askew, S. (2026). Influence of application equipment on topramezone efficacy for smooth crabgrass control. 2026 Weed Science Society of America Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC.</li> <li>Heikkila, B., Godara, N., Yelkur, V. R., Romero, J., & Carlson, M. (2026). Evaluating herbicide tank mixtures for false-green kyllinga (Kyllinga gracillima) control in bermudagrass using machine-vision-guided targeted spraying. 2026 Weed Science Society of America Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC.</li> <li>Jakhar, A., Askew, S. D., Romero, J., Crawford, S. E., & Godara, N. (2025). Economics, pesticide load, and turfgrass quality following organic or synthetic herbicides applied via machine-vision sprayer. 2025 ASA-CCSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Jakhar, A., Corbett, B., Godara, N., Peppers, J., & Askew, S. (2026). Response of seven turfgrass species to pyridate and sulfentrazone. 2026 Southern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.</li> <li>Jakhar, A., Godara, N., Romero, J., Crawford, S., & Askew, S. (2026). Precision spraying technology influences weed control, economics and pesticide load in turfgrass systems. 2026 Southern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.</li> <li>Kaur, B., Fratton, S., Gouveia, B. T., Carbajal Melgar, E. M., Chandra, A., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Evaluating Ranges of Genetic Diversity for Seed Dormancy in Zoysiagrass. Amer. Soc. Agron. Intl. Ann. Mtg., Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Kaur, J., Weldt, C. E., Thomas, T., Elorriaga, S., Rumley, K., Schoonmaker, A., Hulse-Kemp, A., Milla-Lewis, S., & Gage, J. (2025). Genome-wide Characterization of Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in St. Augustinegrass. Amer. Soc. Agron. Intl. Ann. Mtg., Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Kaur, J., Weldt, C. E., Thomas, T., Elorriaga, S., Rumley, K., Schoonmaker, A., Hulse-Kemp, A., Milla-Lewis, S., & Gage, J. (2025). Genomic Prediction in St. Augustinegrass Highlights Opportunities for Faster Breeding Cycles. National Association of Plant Breeders Annual Meeting, Kona, HI.</li> <li>McCauley, R. K., Perkinson, P. C., Miller, G., & Cundiff, J. (2025). Longevity of fraise mowing effects on soil physical properties. Canvas: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting (p. 166562).</li> <li>Milla‐Lewis, S. R., Gouveia, B. T., Kenworthy, K., Zhang, J., Chandra, A., Miller, G. L., Carbajal, E. M., Schwartz, B. M., Raymer, P., Pudzianowska, M., Beard, J. H., & Unruh, J. B. (2025). Maximizing genetic gains across agronomic and consumer preference traits in St. Augustinegrass breeding. 15th International Turfgrass Research Conference, Karuizawa, Japan.</li> <li>Parkash, V., Vines, P. L., Khanal, S., Zhang, J., Milla-Lewis, S. R., Conner, J. A., Jespersen, D., Johnson-Maynard, J. L., Brown, N., & Schwartz, B. M. (2025). High-throughput phenotyping of turfgrass color: a comparison of lightbox-derived DGCI and UAV-based vegetation indices. Amer. Soc. Agron. Intl. Ann. Mtg., Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Perkinson, P. C., Miller, G. L., & Castillo, M. S. (2025). Rapid and portable surface organic matter testing using near-infrared spectroscopy for sand-based root zones. Canvas: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting (p. 165377).</li> <li>Pritchard, B. D., Gannon, T. W., Butler, D. M., Bowling, R. G., & Brosnan, J. T. (2025). Impacts of the relationship between soil type and moisture on tetflupyrolimet efficacy. Weed Science Society of America/Canadian Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada.</li> <li>Pritchard, B. D., Gannon, T. W., Rogers, R. R., Carr, T. Q., & Brosnan, J. T. (2025). Downslope lateral movement of tetflupyrolimet and pronamide in turfgrass. Presented at the Southern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Charleston, SC, and the Weed Science Society of America/Canadian Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada.</li> <li>Schoonmaker, A. N., Yow, A. G., Yu, X., Laat, R. V. D., Glaubitz, J. C., Thorsted, K., Robbins, M., Bushman, S., Simpson, S. A., Scheffler, B. E., Lynch, N., Ranney, T. G., Milla-Lewis, S. R., & Hulse-Kemp, A. M. (2025). A whole-genome assembly of St. Augustinegrass and visualizing diversity within the species. Amer. Soc. Agron. Intl. Ann. Mtg., Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Suero Mirabal, A., Maleski, J., Kudenov, M., & Zhang, J. (2025). Integrating polarization imaging into turfgrass phenotyping for enhanced drought stress assessment. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.</li> <li>Taylor, A., Kaur, J., Hammett, C., Rumley, K., Milla-Lewis, S., & Gage, J. (2025). Identifying Genomic Regions for Drought Tolerance in St. Augustinegrass Through UAV-Driven GWAS Analysis. Genetics & Genomics Academy (GGA) 4th Annual Retreat, Raleigh, NC.</li> <li>Timilsina, N., & Zhou, Q. (2025). Bermudagrass Growth Prediction Model: Building a Machine Learning Framework for Accurately Estimating Short-Term Clipping Yield of Golf Course Putting Greens. CANVAS 2025.</li> <li>Timilsina, N., Zhou, Q., & Castillo, M. S. (2025). Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy for Real-Time and on-Site Analysis of Tissue Nitrogen in Fresh Bermudagrass Turfgrass. CANVAS 2025.</li> <li>van der Laat, R., Leon, R. G., Dale, A. G., Gouveia, B., Carbajal, E. M., Schiavon, M., Unruh, J. B., Iannone III, B. V., & Milla‐Lewis, S. R. (2025). Molecular analysis of St. Augustinegrass cultivar mixtures composition over time and latitude. 15th International Turfgrass Research Conference, Karuizawa, Japan.</li> <li>Veverka, A. D., Gannon, T. W., & Andrews, R. W. (2025). Effect of application history and edaphic factors on pesticide persistence. Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association Conference, Raleigh, NC.</li> <li>Weldt, C. E., Rockstad, G., Gesteira, G. S., Gouveia, B. T., Austin, R. E., Yu, X., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Integration of multi-omics approaches reveals candidate genes for drought stress in St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum). International Turfgrass Research Conference 2025 (ITRC2025), Karuizawa, Japan.</li> <li>Yelkur, V. R., Godara, N., & McCauley, R. (2026). Postemergence control of Bosc’s Mille Graines (Oldenlandia boscii) in St. Augustinegrass and Zoysiagrass sod production. 2026 Southern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.</li> <li>Yelkur, V. R., Godara, N., & McCauley, R. (2026). Tolerance of ‘Sola’ and ‘Raleigh’ St. Augustinegrass cultivars to postemergence herbicides. 2026 Southern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.</li> <li>Yelkur, V. R., McCauley, R., & Godara, N. (2026). Evaluating postemergence herbicides to control Bosc's mille graines (Oldenlandia boscii) in warm-season sod production. 2026 Weed Science Society of America Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC.</li> <li>Yu, X., Yow, A. G., Schoonmaker, A. N., Hulse-Kemp, A. M., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). A whole-genome assembly of St. Augustinegrass and visualizing diversity within the species. Amer. Soc. Agron. Intl. Ann. Mtg., Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Zheng, C., Fraher, S., Zhang, J., & Milla-Lewis, S. (2025). Exploring spectral responses of turfgrass seedheads using UAV-based hyperspectral imaging. NC State’s Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research and Education Fifth Biennial Research Symposium, Raleigh, NC.</li> <li>Henry G, Novello A, Tucker K, Jespersen D, Chavez D. (2025). Cold tolerance of ‘MVP-CSS-68E’ St. Augustinegrass. Crop Sci. Soc. Am. Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Henry G, Begitschke E, Young A, Wang J, Novello A, Lynall R. (2025). Ryegrass overseeding impacts field longevity and athlete biomechanics of bermudagrass sports fields. Crop Sci. Soc. Am. Salt Lake City, UT.</li> <li>Novello A, Tucker K, Henry G. (2025). Purple nutsedge growth regulation in response to postemergence herbicides. Southern Weed Science Society. Charleston, SC.</li> <li>Young A, Begitschke E, Wang CJ, Henry G, Lynall R. (2025). Common turfgrass weeds affect sports field performance and athlete biomechanics. Southern Weed Science Society. Charleston, SC.</li> <li>Begitschke E, Young A, Wang CJ, Novello A, Henry G, Lynall R. (2025). Simulated foot traffic affects athlete biomechanics on weedy hybrid bermudagrass sports fields. Southern Weed Science Society. Charleston, SC.</li> <li>Wang CJ, Novello A, Young A, Henry G, McCurdy J, Held D. (2025). Microclimate influence on home lawn weed species distribution. Southern Weed Science Society. Charleston, SC.</li> <li>Saxena, H., Ghimire, B., Vines, P., Talamantes, D., Robbins, M., Wallace, J., . . . Bahri, B. (2025). Identifying Candidate Genes associated with Gray Leaf Spot and Crown Rust Resistance in Tall Fescue using GWAS. In Plant Health 2025. Honolulu, Hawaii</li> <li>Ghimire, B., Saxena, H., Rijal, S., Khanal, S., Schwartz, B., Martinez-Espinoza, A., . . . Bahri, B. (2025). P-281: Genetic Dissection of Rhizoctonia Large Patch Resistance in Zoysiagrass Through Biparental QTL Mapping. In Plant Health 2025. Honolulu, Hawaii</li> <li>Bahri, B., Ghimire, B., Aktaruzzaman, M., Saxena, H., Oliver, J., Buck, J., & Martinez-Espinoza, A. (2025). P43: Fungicide resistance levels of Clarireedia spp. and efficacy of biofungicides on dollar spot of turfgrass in Georgia, USA. In Phytopathology 2025. Gainesville, FL</li> <li>Ghimire, B., Saxena, H., Rijal, S., Khanal, S., Schwartz, B., Martinez-Espinoza, A., . . . Bahri, B. (2025). Genetic dissection of Rhizoctonia large patch resistance in Zoysiagrass through biparental QTL mapping. Poster session presented at the meeting of Plant Health 2025, American Phytopathological Society (APS), Aug. 2-5, 2025, Honolulu, Hawaii</li> <li>Bahri, B., Saxena, H., Ghimire, B., Vines, P., Farman, M., Martinez-Espinoza, A., & Raymer, P. (2025). Host range and genomic characterization of Magnaporthe oryzae isolates from turfgrass and oats in the U.S. Poster session presented at the meeting of ASPB (American Society of Plant Biologists) Plant Biology 2025 Conference, July 26-30, 2025, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</li> <li>Bahri, B., Ghimire, B., Aktaruzzaman, M., Saxena, H., Oliver, J., Buck, J., & Martinez-Espinoza, A. (2025). Fungicide resistance levels of Clarireedia spp. and efficacy of biofungicides on dollar spot of turfgrass in Georgia, USA. Poster session presented at the meeting of American Phytopathological Society (APS) Southern and Caribbean Divisions Meeting, March 9–13, 2025, Gainesville, FL</li> <li>Sigdel, S., Ghimire, B., Martinez-Espinoza, A., Buck, J., & Bahri, B. (2025). Comparative Genomics of Clarireedia Species Associated with Dollar Spot of Turfgrass. Poster session presented at the meeting of University of Georgia Plant Center Retreat, Atlanta, Georgia</li> </ol>   Technical Reports Martin, Dennis, Andrea Payne, David Gerken. 2025. A Suggested 2025 Revision to the ODOT Approved Herbicide and Adjuvant List. Annual Project Status Report for FFY 2024 Under ODOT SPR Item Number 2156 Task 4. January 2025. 29 pages. Martin, D.L., A. F. Payne, and David A. Gerken. 2025. 2024 Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation Herbicide Program Report. Annual Project Status Report for FFY 2024. ODOT SP&R Item Number 2156 - Task 7. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. Martin, Dennis, Andrea Payne, David Gerken. 2025. Evaluation of Herbicide and Adjuvant Tank Mix Compatibility. Annual Project Status Report For FFY 2024 Under ODOT SPR Item Number 2157 Task 2. Oklahoma State University. Stillwater. 30 pages. Martin, D.L., A. F. Payne, and David A. Gerken. 2025. Implementation of Pesticide Applicator Certification Schools and Continuing Education Workshops. Annual Project Status Report for FFY 2025. ODOT SP&R Item Number 2156 - Task 1. Oklahoma State University. Stillwater.   Trade articles <ol> <li>Godara, N., Askew, S., Goatley, M., & Del Pozo-Valdivia, A. (2025). Swinging for sustainability: protecting pollinators in golf course management practices. Virginia Golfer Magazine, May-June 2025, p. 16. <a href="https://viewer.joomag.com/virginia-golfer-may-june-2025/0896734001747830161/p16">https://viewer.joomag.com/virginia-golfer-may-june-2025/0896734001747830161/p16</a></li> <li>Gouveia, B. T., Milla-Lewis, S. R., & Miller, G. L. (2025). Your Tax Dollars at Work: How USDA Investments in Breeding Resulted in Drought-Resistant Lawns. North Carolina Turfgrass, May/June, p. 18, 20-23.</li> <li>Miller, G. (2025). Justifying our management practices. SportsField Management, January, 41(1):50.</li> <li>Bruxellas, B., Austin, R., & Milla-Lewis, S. R. (2025). Grass, Camera, Action! How Drones and AI are Upgrading Turfgrass Evaluations. NC Turfgrass Magazine, July/August.</li> <li>Miller, G. (2025). Back to natural grass. SportsField Management, March, 41(3):50.</li> <li>Miller, G. (2025). Is this the right time? SportsField Management, May, 41(5):50.</li> <li>Miller, G. (2025). Where do we go from here? SportsField Management, July, 41(7):50.</li> <li>Miller, G. (2025). Mow, Mow, Mow. SportsField Management, September, 41(9):50.</li> <li>Miller, G. (2025). Why bermudagrass mows poorly in the fall. Tennessee Turfgrass, October/November, p. 24-26, 28-29.</li> <li>Miller, G., & McCauley, R. (2025). Why zoysiagrass? North Carolina Turfgrass, January/February, p. 14, 16, 18-21.</li> <li>Romero, J. R., Godara, N., Koo, D., & Peppers, J. (2025). Revolutionizing weed control in turf: thermal energy and organic alternatives to synthetic herbicides. Virginia Turfgrass Journal, 2025: 18-19. <a href="https://issuu.com/leadingedgepubs/docs/va-turfgrass-journal-2025-jan-feb/s/65602272">https://issuu.com/leadingedgepubs/docs/va-turfgrass-journal-2025-jan-feb/s/65602272</a>?</li> <li>Suero Mirabal, A., & Zhang, J. (2025). Leveraging polarization camera to detect leaf wilting in turfgrass. North Carolina Turfgrass Magazine, November/December.</li> <li>Timilsina, N., Zhou, Q., & Simpson, E. (2025). Digging deeper: How NPK fertilization shapes creeping bentgrass roots. Golf Course Management Magazine.</li> </ol> <ol start="2"> <li>Martinez-Espinoza A. 2026. Turfgrass Disease Issues During winter. https://site.caes.uga.edu/entomologyresearch/2026/01/turfgrass-disease-issues-during-winter/</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza A. 2026. Turfgrass Disease Issues During Winter. https://ipm.uga.edu (repost)</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza A., and S. Spiridion. 2025. How to Get Rid off Dollar Spot. https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/get-rid-of-dollar-spot/</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza A., and S. Spiridion. 2025. What is Dollar spot. https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/what-is-dollar-spot/</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza A., and B. Bahri. 2025. Stay ahead Fall activities for turfgrass disease prevention. Page 52-53. Georgia Urban Ag Council Magazine 4 quarter Fall edition. October</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza A., and Escobedo C. 2025. What is Lawn Rust. Lawn Love. https://lawnlove.com/blog/what-is-rust-in-lawn/</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza A., 2025. Staying Ahead: Preventing and Managing Spring Turfgrass Diseases This 2025 UGA Plant Pathology Department-Griffin Campus. April 10, 2025. https://site.caes.uga.edu/entomologyresearch/2025/04/staying-ahead-preventing-and-managing-spring-turfgrass-diseases-this-2025/</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza A. 2025. Cream Leaf Blight: To Treat or Not to Treat, That is the Question. https://site.caes.uga.edu/entomologyresearch/2025/01/cream-leaf-blight-to-treat-or-not-to-treat-that-is-the-question/</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza A., Ruchika Kashyap and Garrett Hibbs. 2025. Spring dead spot diagnosis and management: Fall is the time to act https://site.caes.uga.edu/entomologyresearch /2024/10/spring-dead-spot-diagnosis-and-management-fall-is-the-tine-to-act/</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza, A., & Bahri, B. (2025). Stay ahead Fall activities for turfgrass disease prevention. Georgia Urban Ag Council Magazine-4 quarter Fall edition. October 2025. Page 52-53</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza, A., & Bahri, B. (2025). Identification and Control of Microdochium (Fusarium) Patch in Turfgrass in Georgia: UGA Extension_ Field Report (https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1265/identification-and-control-of-microdochium-fusarium-patch-in-turfgrass-in-georgia/)</li> <li>Martinez, A. Mancha Gris en Céspedes de Georgia: Identificación y Gestion. C 1116-SP. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1116-SP&title=mancha-gris-en-cespedes-de-georgia-identificacion-y-manejo</li> <li>Ghimire, B., Sosa, S. and Martinez, A. 2025. Identification and Control of Fairy Ring of Turfgrass in Georgia. (Publication No. C 1346).  University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1346</li> <li>Martinez-Espinoza, A., & Bahri, B. (2025). Identificación y Control de la Mancha por Microdochium (Fusarium). C 1265-SP. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1265&title=identification-and-control-of-microdochium-fusarium-patch-in-turfgrass-in-georgia.</li> <li>Mondal, S., Parkash, V., Schwartz, B. M., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Identification of candidate genes associated with salt tolerance in zoysiagrass through bulk segregant RNA sequencing. CANVAS</li> <li>Mondal, S., Parkash, V., Schwartz, B. M., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Understanding salinity tolerance mechanisms in zoysiagrass through bulk segregant metabolomics. CANVAS.</li> <li>Seelam, R. T., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Transcriptome to trait: Candidate gene identification and alternative splicing signatures of drought tolerance in zoysiagrass. CANVAS.</li> <li>Vaibhav, K., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Bermudagrass irrigation management using UAVs and sensors: Insights from RGB, thermal, multispectral, and hyperspectral imaging. CANVAS.</li> <li>Parkash, V., Vines, P. L., Khanal, S., Zhang, J., Milla Lewis, S. R., Conner, J. A., Jespersen, D., Johnson Maynard, J. L., Brown, N., & Schwartz, B. M. (2025). High throughput phenotyping of turfgrass color: A comparison of lightbox derived DGCI and UAV based vegetation indices. CANVAS.</li> <li>Seelam, R. T., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveal differentially expressed genes and metabolic pathways in bermudagrass under drought stress. International Turfgrass Society Meeting. July 2025.</li> <li>Jespersen, D., & Rowe, S. (2025). Chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of turfgrasses grown under shade trees. International Turfgrass Society Meeting. July 2025.</li> <li>Pennisi, S., Rich, C., Ye, D., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Generative AI in the online classroom: Lessons from a plant physiology course. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference.</li> <li>Seelam, R. T., & Jespersen, D. (2025). When water runs low: How St. Augustinegrass survives drought. Plant Center Retreat.</li> <li>Mondal, S., Parkash, V., Schwartz, B. M., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Identification of candidate genes associated with salt tolerance in zoysiagrass through bulk segregant RNA sequencing. Plant Center Retreat.</li> <li>Seelam, R. T., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Unraveling drought tolerance in water conserving genotypes of St. Augustinegrass. CANVAS.</li> <li>Seelam, R. T., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Transcriptome to trait: Candidate gene identification and alternative splicing signatures of drought tolerance in zoysiagrass. NAPB Annual Meeting.</li> <li>Mondal, S., Pradhan, S., Devos, K., Schwartz, B. M., Raymer, P. L., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Identification of QTL associated with salt tolerance in a zoysiagrass mapping population. NAPB Annual Meeting.</li> <li>Bahri, B., Martinez Espinoza, A., Spratling, T., & Jespersen, D. (2025). Effectiveness of ozonated and oxygenated nanobubbles in controlling dollar spot on turfgrass. Poster session presented at the International Turfgrass Society Meeting. July 2025.</li> <li>Jespersen, D., Abi Saab, J., & Draughn, M. (2025). Ion specificity of salt glands in zoysiagrass under different exposures to sodium and potassium. International Turfgrass Society Meeting. July 2025.</li> </ol>   Videos “Endarra 81 pushes OSU’s turfgrass program into a new era”. Mar. 2026. <a href="https://news.okstate.edu/articles/agriculture/2026/endarra-81-pushes-osus-turfgrass-program-into-a-new-era">https://news.okstate.edu/articles/agriculture/2026/endarra-81-pushes-osus-turfgrass-program-into-a-new-era</a>

Impact Statements

In the 16 stadiums prepared for the 2026 FIFA World Soccer Cup matches, two Oklahoma State University turf bermudagrass cultivars Tahoma 31® (‘OKC1131’) and NorthBridge® (‘OKC1134’) are used in five stadiums (MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO; Levi’s Stadium in San Franscisco, CA; Estadio BBVA Bancomer in Monterrey, Mexico; and Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico).
OSU extension team members provided over fifty workshops which included integrated pest management (IPM) and Best Management Practices (BMP) to commercial/professional and consumer turfgrass management audiences. Information included new laws/rules/regulations concerning record keeping, new/generic product registrations, and newly available improved turfgrass cultivars better adapted to Oklahoma. With the information available, we expect that 85% of participants will be able to successfully manage turfgrass weed and disease problems in the most cost effective manner.