Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Prior to the annual meeting, members of NCR-192 and WRCC-11 met jointly on Sunday, June 13, to discuss topics of mutual concern in the turf industry. Among those topics were water quality and quantity, turfgrass as an invasive species, GMOs, and Roundup-Ready turfgrasses. The 2004 NCR-192 meeting was called to order on Monday, June 14. The full 2004 minutes are available at http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/NCR-192/ . Dr. Mark Ascerno, Advisor, stated that the final review of the groups mid-term report is scheduled for July. Although overall positive, the lack of joint publications remains an area of concern. Following the advisors comments, reports were presented by the respective chairpersons on the following: National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, NCR-192 website, Historians Report, Regional Project Update, and the Poa annua seedhead control project. State Reports were presented by official state representatives as well as brief reports on current research projects by PIs and graduate students. Following lunch, the entire group discussed the preparation of the NCR-192 Project Renewal proposal in 2005. Members approved the formation of three committees, each charged with preparation of a major objective. Objective #1 is to review and potentially investigate environmental impacts of turfgrass; Objective #2 is to reduce the inputs currently required in the management of turfgrass; and, Objective #3 is to develop Best Management Practices (BMP) through research and transfer results via NCR-192-developed technology, such as the NCR-192 website and the Problem Solver. The meeting concluded for the day; however, state representatives interested in participating in the next phase of the Low Input Sustainable Turf (LIST) project remained to discuss protocol for the study. In the evening, NCR-192 attendees were treated to a group night outing for a picnic and baseball at the new Haymarket Park Stadium. After the game, the group met on the playing field to inspect the turfgrass and interact with the grounds manager and crew. On Tuesday, NCR-192 attendees were invited to attend the Annual Turfgrass Science Team Field Day in Mead, NE. Group tours were available to view the University of Nebraska-Lincoln turfgrass research plots and turfgrass-related demonstrations.

A joint meeting was held with WCC-011,Western Regional Turfgrass Research, to discuss and develop potential inter-regional projects for both the short-term (1 year) and long-term (3-5 years). Four possible topics were identified: turfgrass as an invasive species; water quaility and qunatity; carbon balance; and resource-sharing. Each state provided a 10 minute report describing outcomes relevant to the groups three major objectives, which are 1) Identifying grasses that perform well under reduced level of pesticides, fertilizers and water, 2) Facilitate research and extension programs among turf scientists within the region, and 3) Communicate research and extension information to other scientists, professional turf managers, and consumers in the North Central Region.. See Minutes at http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/NCR-192/ for details. NCR-192 members published five refereed articles and six abstracts in 2003. Protocol for a new regional cooperative study based on previous NCR-192 low-input sustainable turf (LIST) research was developed. Nine states are participating and have seeded 13 alternative turfgrasses in the project titled Reducing inputs to maximize environmental gains while maintaining acceptable turf quality. This study is based on outcomes from previous NCR-192 research and will provide new information about the potential of alternative grasses. Discussion and planning for the 2006 renewal of NCR-192 took place. The group approved the following general objectives and team leaders. It was agreed that the group leaders for each of the three objectives will work with Dr. Ascerno and Dr. Schleicher this fall to produce a draft of the proposal for full consideration at the 2005 meeting in South Dakota. Objective #1: Environmental Impacts, Leader: Brian Horgan. Four major concerns were identified: water quality, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), invasive species, and pesticide fate. Objective #2: Reduced Input, Leader: Shui-Zhang Fei. Areas to be addressed include: water quantity, alternative pest control, low-maintenance turf, and remote sensing development. Objective #3: Best Management Practices (BMPs), Leader: Tom Voigt. Research will address: developing BMPs, biosafety, and pesticide application timing. Outreach activities will include the NCR-192 website, and the Turfgrass Problem Solver. Access to regional turfgrass information by the public sector and educators was improved through expansion of the NCR-192 website and bringing the turfgrass Problem Solver to operational status.

Dant, L.A. and N.E. Christians. 2003. Timing of roundup applications is critical when converting golf course greens and fairways to roundup ready creeping bentgrass. Agron. Abst. Frank, K.W., R.E. Gaussoin, T.P. Riordan, R.C. Shearman, J.D. Fry, E.D. Miltner, and P.G. Johnson. 2004. Nitrogen rate and mowing height effects on turf-type buffalograss. Crop Sci. 44:1615-1621. Howieson, M.J. and N.E. Christians. 2003. Carbohydrate metabolism of creeping bentgrass in response to deloliation. Agron. Abst. Kruse, J.K., N.E. Christians. and M.H. Chaplin. 2003. Remote sensing of turfgrass moisture and nutrition stress for site-specific management. Agron. Abst. Lee, S.K., D.D. Minner, and N.E. Christians. 2003. Evaluation of slow-release nitrogen rate and mixing depth for growth and establishment of Kentucky bluegrass. Agron. Abst. Li, D., D.D.Minner, and N.E.Christians. 2003. Quantitative evaluation of sand shape and roundness and their potential effect on stability of sand-based athletic fields. Acta Horticulturae. (in press) Li, D., D.D.Minner, and N.E. Christians. 2003. Evaluation of the effectiveness of core aerification and/or topdressing by computer simulation. Acta Horticulturae (in press) Li, D., M. Volterrani, S.M. Scalzi, N.E. Christians, and D.D. Minner. 2003. Thermal properties of sand-based rootzone media modified with inorganic soil amendments. Acta Horticulturae. (in press) Minner, D.D., F. Valverdi, N.E. Christians, and D. Li. 2003. Field assessment of winter injury on creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass putting greens. Agron. Abst. St. John, R.A., N.E. Christians, and H.G. Taber. 2003. Cation ratios and soil testing methods for sand-based golf course greens. Agron. Abst. St. John, R.A., N.E. Christians, and H.G. Taber. 2003. Supplemental calcium applications to creeping bentgrass establishment on calcareous sand. Crop Sci. 43:962-967.