WCC11: Turfgrass Research

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[09/24/2001] [08/15/2002] [06/06/2003]

Date of Annual Report: 09/24/2001

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/21/2001 - 07/21/2001
Period the Report Covers: 07/01/2000 - 06/01/2001

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

An UNOFFICIAL meeting of WCC-011 was held in Toronto, Canada at the International Turfgrass Society meetings. No official business was conducted. A brief (1/2 hour) meeting was held to inform members of the upcoming (2002) meeting in Dallas, TX. No motions were made, no elections were conducted.

Accomplishments

Since this was not an official meeting, there were no state reports given. There were no committee reports given. Accomplishments of this group will be reported at the 2002 Dallas, TX meeting.

Publications

Abernathy, S. D.; White, R. H.; Colbaugh, P. F.; Engelke, M. C.; Taylor, G. R. II; Hale, T. C. 2001. Dollar spot resistance among blends of creeping bentgrass cultivars. Crop Sci. 41:806-809. Backman, P. A.; Miltner, E. D.; Stahnke, G. K.; Cook, T. W. 2001. Effects of cultural practices on earthworm casting on golf course fairways. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:823-827. Brown, P. W.; Mancino, C. F.; Young, M. H.; Thompson, T. L.; Wierenga, P. J.; Kopec, D. M. 2001. Penman Monteith crop coefficints for use with desert turf systems. Crop Sci. 41:1197-1206. Carrow, R. N.; Duncan, R. R.; Shearman, R. C. 2001.Providing relevant information to turfgrass managers: Challenges and implications. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:53-60. Carrow, R. N.; Duncan, R. R.; Worley, J. E.; Shearman, R. C. 2001. Turfgrass traffic (soil compaction plus wear) simulator: Response of paspalum tum and cynodon spp. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:253-258. Ervin, E. H. and Koski, A. J. 2001. Trinexapac-ethyl effects of Kentucky bluegrass evapotranspiration. Crop Sci. 41:247-250. Ervin, E. H. and Koski, A. J. 2001. Kentucky bluegrass growth responses to trinexapac-ethyl, traffic, and nitrogen. Crop Sci. 41:1871-1877. Ervin, E. H. and Koski, A. J. 2001. Trinexapac-ethyl increases Kentucky bluegrass leaf cell density and chlorophyll concentration. HortSci. 36:787-789. Fei, S.; Bishnoi, U. S.; Riordan, T.; Read, P. 2001. Embryogentic callus induction and plant regeneration of buffalograss through leaf base and seedling segment culture. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:162-164. Fei, S.; Yu, T.; Clemente, T.; Riordan, T. 2001. Nodal segment explant as a potential target for the genetic engineering of buffalograss. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:165-168. Frank, K. W.; Gaussoin, R. E.; Riordan, T. P.; Stroup, W. W.; Bloom, M. H. 2001. Nitrogen allocation of turfgrasses: I. Recovery of 15 N-labeled ammonium nitrate applied to buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Englem]. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:268-276. Frank, K. W.; Gaussoin, R. E.; Riordan, T. P.; Stroup, W. W.; Bloom, M. H. 2001. Nitrogen allocation of turfgrasses: II. Recovery of 15N-labeled ammonium nitrate applied to Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Fescue arundinacea Schreb.). International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:277-286. Green, R. L., Wu, L., Klein, G. J. 2001. Summer cultivation increases field infiltration rates of water and reduces soil electrical conductivity on annual bluegrass golf greens. HortSci. 36:776-779. Harivandi, M. A., Hagan, W. L., Elmore, C. L. 2001.Recycling mower effects on biomass, nitrogen recycling, weed invasion, turf quality, and thatch. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:882-885. Johnson, P. G. and Riordan T. P. 2001.Unbalanced chromosome number and inbreeding effects on fertility and plant vigor in buffalograss. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:176-179. Johnson, P. G., Kenworthy, K. E., Auld, D. L., Riordan, T. P. 2001.Distribution of buffalograss polyploid variation in the southern Great Plains. Crop Sci. 41:909-913. Johnston, W. J., Golob, C. T., Kleene, C. M., Pan, W. L., Miltner, E. D. 2001. Nitrogen leaching through a floating sand-based golf green under golf course play and management. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:19-24. Keeley, S. J. and Koski, A. J. 2001. Dehydration avoidance of diverse Poa pratensis cultivars and cultivar groups in a semi-arid climate. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:311-316. Miltner, E. D.; Stahnke, G. K.; Backman, P. A. 2001. Leaf tissue N content and soil N status following monthly applications of nitrogen fertilizer to fairway turf. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:409-415. Qian, Y. L.; Ball, S.; Tan, Z.; Koski, A. J.; Wilhelm, S. J. 2001. Freezing tolerance of six cultivars of buffalograss. Crop Sci. 41:1174-1178. Qian, Y. L.; Koski, A. J.; Welton, R. 2001. Amending sand with isolite and zeolite under saline conditions: Leachate composition and salt deposition. HortSci. 36:717-720. Reinert, J. A.; Engelke, M. C. 2001. Resistance in zoysiagrass, Zoysia spp., to the tropical sod webworm, Herpetogramma phaeopteralis Guenee. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:798-801. Richie, W. E.; Green, R. L.; Merino, F. 2001. Trinexapac-ethyl does not increase total nonstructural carbohydrate content in leaves, crowns, and roots of tall fescue. HortSci. 36:772-775. Ruemmele, B. A.; Engelke, M. C.; White, R. H.; Lehman, V. 2001. Alternate sod production method for zoysiagrass. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:910-916. Shearman, R. C.; Carrow, R. N.; Wit, L. A.; Duncan, R. R.; Trenholm, L. E.; Worley, J. E. 2001. Turfgrass traffic simulators: A description of two self-propelled devices simulating wear and compaction stress injury. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:347-352. Shearman, R. C.; Turner, T. R.; Morris, K. N.; Gaussoin, R. E.; Vaitkus, M. R.; Wit, L. A. 2001. Sod strength and lateral spread of Poa pratensis cultivars and experimental lines. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:928-933. Stahnke, G. K.; Miltner, E. D.; Johnston, W. J. 2001. Specialty instructional modules on the internet for students and turfgrass professionals.International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:95-97. Watkins, J. E.; Shearman, R. C.; Gaussoin, R. E.; Cecil, W. K.; Vaitkus, M.; Wit, L. A. 2001. An integrated approach to dollar spot management on a bentgrass fairway. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 9:729-735. White, R. H.; Engelke, M. C.; Anderson, S. J.; Ruemmele, B. A.; Marcum, K. B.; Taylor, G. R. 2001. Zoysiagrass water relations. Crop Sci. 41:133-138.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 08/15/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/19/2002 - 05/21/2002
Period the Report Covers: 07/01/2001 - 06/01/2002

Participants

Cockerham, Stephen (slee@ucrac1.ucr.edu)-University of California-Riverside;
Engelke, Milton (mengelke@aol.com)-Texas A&M University;
Gaussoin, Roch (rgaussoin1@unl.edu)-University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
Gibeault, Vic (gibeault@ucrac1.ucr.edu)-University of California-Riverside;
Harivandi, Ali (maharivandi@ucdavis.edu)-University of California-Davis;
Johnson, Paul (paul.johnson@usu.edu)-Utah State University;
Kopec, David (dkopec@ag.arizona.edu)-University of Arizona;
Kopp, Kelly (kellyk@ext.usu.edu)-Utah State University;
Koski, Tony (tony.koski@colostate.edu)-Colorado State University;
Leinauer, Bernd (leinauer@nmsu.edu)-New Mexico State University;
Miltner, Eric (miltner@puyallup.wsu.edu)-Washington State University;
Pessarakli, Mohammad (pessarak@u.arizona.edu)-University of Arizona;
Qian, Yaling (yaqian@lamar.colostate.edu)-Colorado State University;
Reinert, James (j-reinert@tamu.edu)-Texas A&M University;
Riordan, Terry (triordan@unlnotes.unl.edu)-University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
Shearman, Robert (rshearman1@unl.edu)-University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
Stahnke, Gwen (stahnke@wsu.edu)-Washington State University;
Wiecko, Greg (gwiecko@uog9.uog.edu)-University of Guam;
Wallner, Stephen (stephen.wallner@colostate.edu)-Colorado State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

The meeting was held at Texas A&M University (Dallas) Agricultural Research and Extension Center. The following reports were given:

Historian‘s Report

NTEP Report

The following state reports were given:

Arizona (Kopec and Pessarakli);

California (Gibeault and Cockerham);

Colorado (Qian and Koski);

Guam (Wiecko);

Nebraska (Gaussoin, Shearman, Riordan);

New Mexico (Leinauer);

Texas (Engelke, Reid, Reinert);

Utah (Johnson and Kopp);

Washington (Stahnke and Miltner);

The meeting was held in conjunction with the first Urban Agriculture Symposium. Those attending WCC-011 were invited to participate in this symposium.

P. Johnson volunteered to host the 2003 WCC-011 meeting at Utah State University, Logan, UT. The meeting would likely be during the first weekend in June (1-3). Washington State was suggested for the 2004 meeting; Nebraska was also suggested, as the NCR-192 may meet in NE in 2004. A final decision on the 2004 site would be made in Logan in 2003.

Accomplishments

WCC-011 member institutions continue work towards the development of alternative or novel turf species for use in extreme environments. TX researchers have released a hybrid bluegrass (cross of Texas bluegrass and Kentucky bluegrass) that is extremely heat and drought tolerant. TX also has released improved zoysiagrass cultivars with better sod production potential, low mowing tolerance, traffic tolerance and shade tolerance. Work at CO and AZ is hoping to produce commercially available saltgrass cultivars, both in seed and vegetative forms. NE continues to develop buffalograss cultivars for specific regions of the US; more cold-hardy cultivars will be released for use in the more northern areas of the Midwest and Western US. AZ, CO, UT , NM and CA researchers continue to work in the area of turfgrass water use, with the hope of better defining species water use and refining the use of ET estimating techniques. A better understanding of turfgrass water use and irrigation requirements might allow substantial savings in urban water use. Workers at WA have increased our knowledge of pesticide fate in composted landscape waste, as well as the fate of pesticides applied to turfgrass systems in the Pacific Northwest.

Publications

Impact Statements

AZ and CO researchers continue to gain a better understanding of salinity tolerance mechanisms in turfgrasses
AZ, CO, UT, NM and CA research continues to refine irrigation management practices for cool- and warm-season turfgrasses
WA and OR researchers have gained a better understanding of the biology of earthworms on golf courses, including possible control strategies
NE, AZ, TX, NM, UT, CO and CA have continuing research on the development and management of salt- and drought-tolerant alternative turfgrass species

Date of Annual Report: 06/06/2003

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/01/2003 - 06/03/2003
Period the Report Covers: 07/01/2002 - 06/01/2003

Participants

Cockerham, Stephen (slee@ucrac1.ucr.edu)-University of California-Riverside; Gibeault, Vic (gibeault@ucrac1.ucr.edu)-University of California-Riverside; Johnson, Paul (Paul.Johnson@usu.edu)-Utah State University; Kopec, David (dkopec@ag.arizona.edu)-University of Arizona; Kopp, Kelly (kellyk@ext.usu.edu)-Utah State University; Koski, Tony (tony.koski@colostate.edu)-Colorado State University; Miltner, Eric (miltner@puyallup.wsu.edu)-Washington State University; Pessarakli, Mohammad (pessarak@u.arizona.edu)-University of Arizona; Riordan, Terry (triordan@unlnotes.unl.edu)-University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Wiecko, Greg (gwiecko@uog9.uog.edu)-University of Guam; Wallner, Stephen (Stephen.Wallner@ColoState.EDU)-Colorado State University

Participants Attachment:

Attachment

Brief Summary of Minutes

Petition Renewal

Process has begun, under the guidance of Yaling Qian (CSU) and Greg Wiecko (U. Guam). Information is now being collected. There is a new process in place (web-based) for submission of information and forms. Signature pages, as in the past, are no longer required. Approval is made on-line by the appropriate administrator(s) at each institution. Participants should forward accomplishments to Y. Qian. The material from all states will be compiled into a single document, put on-line for their review

Important to document efforts that are coordinated via the committee and WCC11 member institutions. For example, coordinated saltgrass research among WCC11 institutions.

NTEP Report

Gwen Stahnke, current WCC11 representative to NTEP, was not present due to conflict with the spring NTEP meeting. Her report was given by E. Miltner (attached). Gwen recommended that future WCC11 meetings not be scheduled during the first week of June, as this is traditional time for NTEP to meet every spring. Gwen believes that her term is up, but is not sure. There was discussion on selecting someone to fill her position. In the event that Gwen Stahnkes term is finished this year, V. Gibeault made a MOTION that nominations be solicited via email (with a vote via email by official WCC11 representatives from each institution), seconded by D. Kopec. Motion passed.

Meeting for site 2004

NCR192 is scheduled for Lincoln in 2004 (formal meetings on June 15-16; arrive 13th for tours on 13th and 14th). After some discussion on having a joint meeting with NCR192. E. Miltner moved that the 2004 meeting to be held in conjunction with the NCR192 group in NE (June 13-16); D. Kopec seconded. Motion approved. If a joint meeting with NCR192 will not be possible for some reason, Washington State will be the backup site for the 2004 meeting.The 2005 WCC11 meeting will likely be held in conjunction with ITS in Wales. The format of that meeting (official, pending approval by administrators OR unofficial) will be discussed at the 2004 meeting.

There was discussion on appointing a chair and secretary (for a 5-year period). Tony Koski and Yaling Qian were designated to record minutes and prepare the annual report (beginning 2003) for a 5-year trial period. T. Koski also volunteered to develop a WCC11 web site where minutes, annual report, and other pertinent information could be posted.

Accomplishments

A number of member institutions are addressing the production and maintenance of turf on saline sites, or where saline irrigation water (including effluent) is used. Researchers in CO, AZ, CA and UT are developing and/or evaluating species and cultivars for tolerance to saline growing conditions. Saltgrass, seashore paspalum, some wheatgrass species, and even some cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass have been found to tolerate much higher than expected levels of salinity. Another research focus is development and management of species and cultivars for drought resistance. Research programs in UT, AZ, CO, CA, NE and NM emphasize the development and management of drought resistant species (buffalograss, wheatgrass, saltgrass). These programs are examining irrigation management (sub-surface irrigation in NM, and irrigation timing/interval in UT) techniques. Low input management of buffalograss (NE, CO, UT, NM and CA) and saltgrass (CO, AZ, CA and UT), to include irrigation, fertilization and mowing requirements, is being conducted in a coordinated fashion. Further, reduced maintenance to minimize impacts on ground and surface water is a focus of the turf program in WA. The tolerance of turfgrass species and cultivars to environmental stress (heat, drought, cold and salinity) is being conducted on saltgrass, in a coordinated program between AZ and CO. The development of efficient cultural and maintenance programs is being conducted in CA on bentgrass and Poa annua, in NE, CO, UT and NM on buffalograss, and in WA on ryegrass, bentgrass, and Poa annua. Discussions at WCC011 prevent unwanted/unnecessary duplication of efforts, as well as encouraging efforts where gaps in knowledge are discovered. Further, these discussions have resulted in coordinated efforts between a number of member institutions. IMPACTS: 1. Improved knowledge of maintenance requirements (particularly nitrogen levels, irrigation requirements, and mowing) of the newer buffalograss cultivars. 2. Increased and growing awareness of the potential for use of saltgrass as a turfgrass in the Western US, including growing knowledge of production (seed and sod) and management requirements (water and nitrogen, as well as adapted mowing heights). 3. Increased understanding of the dynamics of organic matter production under turfgrass and how it affects annual nitrogen fertilization requirements, with potential effects on groundwater quality. 4. Growing awareness of potential for turfgrass to serve as a significant carbon sink (carbon sequestration), via its ability to produce large amounts of organic matter in a stable form. 5. Work in Guam has demonstrated the novel use of seawater (used for temporary irrigation) for weed control. PLANS FOR 2003-2004: 1. AZ and CO will continue a working relationship to develop turf-type cultivars of saltgrass. Stress tolerance (cold and salinity) of developing lines will be addressed. Management (mowing tolerance, N requirements, and herbicide tolerance) will be examined. Water use/irrigation requirement will also be examined. 2. NM and CA will conduct a low-maintenance turf trial, to include non-traditional (as well as traditional) turf species. 3. NE, CO and UT propose to begin a genotype X location study to examine cultivar performance in diverse environments. 4. Effort will be made to develop a WCC011 web site to provide a convenient way of posting minutes, accomplishments, publications and other news relative to WCC011 efforts.

Publications

Asay, Kay H.; Johnson, Douglas A.; Waldron, Blair L.; Jensen, Kevin B. 2002. Carbon isotope discrimination in orchardgrass and ryegrasses at four irrigation levels. Crop Science. 42:1498-1503. Ball, S., Qian, Y.L., and Stushnoff, C. 2002. Soluble carbohydrates in two buffalograss cultivars with contrasting freezing tolerance. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127:45-49. Braman, S. K.; Duncan, R. R.; Engelke, M. C.; Hanna, W. W.; Hignight, K.; Rush, D. 2002. Grass species and endophyte effects on survival and development of fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 95:487-492. Erusha, K. S. and R. C. Shearman. 2002. Kentucky bluegrass cultivar rooting responses measured in hydroponics. Crop Sci. 42:848-852. Frank, Kevin W.; Gaussoin, Roch E.; Fry, Jack D.; Frost, Michael D.; Baird, James H. 2002. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium effects on seeded buffalograss establishment. HortScience. 37:371-373. Heckman, N.L., G.L. Horst, and R.E. Gaussoin. 2002. Planting depth effect on emergence and morphology of buffalograss seedlings. HortScience. 37(3):506-507. Heckman, Neil L.; Horst, Garald L.; Gaussoin, Roch E. 2002. Planting depth effect on emergence and morphology of buffalograss seedlings. HortScience. 37:506-507. Heckman, N.L., G.L. Horst, R.E. Gaussoin, and B.T. Tavener. 2002. Trinexapac-ethyl influence on cell membrane thermostability of Kentucky bluegrass leaf tissue. Scientia Horticulturae 92:183-186. Heckman, N.L., T.E. Elthon, G.L. Horst, and R.E. Gaussoin. 2002. Influence of trinexapac-ethyl on respiration of isolated wheat mitochondria. Crop Sci. 42:423-427. Heng-Moss, Tiffany M.; Baxendale, Frederick P.; Riordan, Terrance P.; Foster, John E. 2002. Evaluation of buffalograss germplasm for resistance to Blissus occiduus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 95:1054-1058. Kerek, M., R. A. Drijber, W. L. Powers, R. C. Shearman, R. E. Gaussoin, and A. M. Streich. 2002. Accumulation of microbial biomass within particulate organic matter of aging golf greens. Agron. J. 94:455-461. Klein, Grant J.; Green, Robert L. 2002. A survey of professional turfgrass managers in southern California concerning their use of turfgrass best management practices. HortTechnology. 12:498-504. Qian, Y. and Follett, R.F. 2002. Assessing soil carbon sequestration in turfgrass systems using long-term soil testing data. Agron. J. 94:930-935. Shearman, R. C. and Beard, J.B. 2002. Potassium nutrition effects on Agrostis palustris Huds. wear tolerance. World Congress of Golf Journal. 4:667-675. Shortman, S. L.; Braman, S. K.; Duncan, R. R.; Hanna, W. W.; Engelke, M. C. 2002. Evaluation of turfgrass species and cultivars for potential resistance to twolined spittlebug (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 95:478-486. Suplick-Ploense, M. R., Qian, Y. L., Read, J. C. 2002. Relative NaCl tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass, Texas bluegrass, and their hybrids. Crop Sci. 42:2025-2030. Wu, L.; Green, R. L.; Liu, G.; Yates, M. V.; Pacheco, P.; Gan, J.; Yates, S. R. 2002. Partitioning and persistence of trichlorfon and chlorpyrifos in a creeping bentgrass putting green. J. Env. Qual. 31:889-895. Wu, L.; Liu, G.; Yates, M. V.; Green, R. L.; Pacheco, P.; Gan, J.; Yates, S. R. 2002. Environmental fate of metalaxyl and chlorothalonil applied to a bentgrass putting green under southern California climatic conditions. Pest Management Science. 58:335-342. Yuen, G. Y.; Jochum, C. C.; Giesler, L. J.; Shulski, M. D.; Walter-Shea, E. A.; Hubbard, K. G.; Horst, G. L. 2002. UV-B biodosimetry in turfgrass canopies. Crop Science. 42:859-868.

Impact Statements

Improved understanding of maintenance requirements of new buffalograss cultivars
Identification of saltgrass and some wheatgrass species for potential turf use in the Western US
Turfgrass systems have been shown to be a potentially significant source of carbon sequestration
Saline water (including seawater), temporarily used in irrigation, can provide excellent weed control in warm-season turf
Increased understanding of mechanisms of salinity tolerance, as well as species/cultivars tolerances to high salt levels in soil and irrigation water