Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The 2018 NCERA 221 meetings were held June 11-13, 2018 in Kansas City, Kansas at Cabela’s Conference Center. These meetings were successful in continuing collaboration between researchers in NCERA 221 working group. NCERA 221 meetings started with the History of Golf in the Kansas City area by Jack Garvin (Kansas City Golf Association). North Central Turfgrass Irrigation Implementation and Evaluation Research Overview was presented by D. Bremer (KSU), J. Fry (KSU), C. Straw (Unv. of Wisc.) and B. Kreuser (UNL) and information concerning this project was discussed as a group. A. Patton (Purdue) and J. Hoyle (KSU) presented information concerning new herbicides that are going to be introduced into the turfgrass market. A research update on SCRI/NTEP projects was presented by E. Watkins (Univ. of Minn.). J. Fry (KSU) and A. Patton (Purdue) updated research group on USGA sponsored research projects on zoysiagrass and large Patch. Following educational programs a tour of Children’s Mercy Soccer Park and the USA National Soccer Complex was hosted by Erick Landis, Director of Turf and Field Operations at Sporting Kansas City. The following day NCERA held a business meeting. Minutes and decisions made are listed in the meeting minutes. Complete annual meeting minutes are attached in final report.

See attached file for Historians Report.

Accomplishments:

The NCERA 221 multi-state research project on Turfgrass and the Environment has continued to make progress towards collaborative projects and the objective associated with the working group.

NCERA 221 Objectives:

1. A search of the CRIS database identified much turfgrass sustainability research being conducted by NCERA 221 members… In addition, these, and other NCERA 221 members conduct collaborative and institutionally based turfgrass sustainability research that will advance our understanding of how to maintain the millions of acres of turfgrass in the region in more sustainable approaches.
2. Members of NCERA 221 will deliver the findings of this research to academic, professional, and citizen stakeholders through a variety of approaches including academic publications, field days, printed media, and online information.

Collaborative Research Projects:

1. Regional Roadside Turfgrass Evaluation Program. Numerous projects have been initiated and completed investigating turfgrass varies on various roadside conditions. These projects have been conducted in conjunction with Department of Transportation and participating universities. Research projects have allowed universities to recommend varieties for DOT roadside blends in urban and rural areas. Evaluations included turfgrass varieties, salt tolerance, establishment and roadside stability for erosion control. Development of online educational tools for contractors that are installing roadside turfgrass is currently being explored.
2. Regional Weed Control Publication. A regional weed control publication for turfgrass professionals has been created to include 14 states. In 2017, 2,100 copies in total were printed. An overwhelming positive response to the publication was received for the 2^nd year of this group effort. The 2019 edition is currently being edited and will include; minor text/ratings, cover photo, addition of new herbicides, addition of approx. two weeds in the identification section and addition of Maryland to the publication. Other completed project efforts include a Weed ID poster and the creation of a Turf Management Mobile Pesticide Recommendation website (turfpests.wisc.edu) by P. Koch (Univ. of Wisconsin).
3. Organic Weed Control. 11-13 states including site outside of Maryland have been identified and research trials have been initiated to explore the weed control with organic products. The next treatment applications will be conducted mid-September. Data collection will continue through Spring 2019.
4. Growth Potential Model Validation Project. Field studies across multiple universities have been conducted over the past could years to collect baseline data. Several plant growth regulator (PGR) growing degree day (GDD) models for turfgrass with collaboration at the University of Wisconsin and four other universities in the Southeast US have been created. Currently research is being conducted on the greenhouse and growth chambers to create models that are to be cross-referenced with field research data. Fertilizers, temperatures as well as clipping volume are being evaluated.

Please attached file for NERCA221's full report for Accomplishments and Impacts.

Please see attached file for NCERA221's 2018 full report for Publications.