MTC Turf News - Spring 2015

Spring 2015

Highlights from the 2015 MTC Turfgrass Conference

Fertilizer and Compost Application Guidelines

for Turfgrass Establishment

10

14

contents • Spring 2015

4

7 Upcoming Event

10 Cover Story

14 Recent Event

Departments

Shields Memorial Golf Tournament, Friday, May 8

Fertilizer and Compost Application Guidelines for Turf Establishment

Highlights from the 2015 MTC Turfgrass Conference, January 5–6, 2015

06 President’s Message 08 From the MTC Executive Director 09 MTC Membership Application 15 News from MTC 16 News from UMD 17 University of MD Turf Team 17 Index of Advertisers 18 Calendar of Events

MTC Turf News

President’s Message

New

Beginnings

All Around!

To

start off, I would like to introduce myself as the new president of the Maryland Turfgrass Council. My name is Bill Warpinski. I, along with my brother Tom, own and operate Central Sod Farms in Maryland. We have provided premium Maryland certified turfgrass to our customers since 1985.

Even though it’s now springtime, I want you to know that your turf council has been busy since January 1. The year started off quickly, with another informative MTC Turfgrass Conference on January 5–6. Dr. Mark Carroll’s educational sessions were top notch, with a variety of pertinent speakers. Turfgrass 2015 was the first in which the MTC offered both fertilizer and pesticide recertification, and we saw a nice increase in registrations. The winter weather kept some members away on the second day, so the MTC board decided to host a March 2 makeup date for pesticide recertification.

Unfortunately, snow and ice again fell the day before, forcing a postponement, so we’re rescheduling the makeup day for sometime this spring.

At our February meeting, we welcomed Dr. Joseph Roberts, the University of Maryland’s new turfgrass pathologist. After a comprehensive search, Dr. Roberts was chosen from a large group of qualified applicants. I’m sure he’s ready to make his mark in this new era of turfgrass pathology at the University of Maryland. See page 16 for more information on Dr. Roberts.

Last fall, several board members of the MTC and the Virginia Turfgrass Council formed a steering committee to collaborate on plans for a new regional Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Conference. This event is tentatively set for January 2016 in Fredericksburg, VA. There will be more information in the months to follow.

The MTC will continue to raise awareness and funds for the Turfgrass Pathology Endowment at the University of Maryland. We will keep the membership up to date on current and proposed fertilizer and pesticide regulations from federal, state and local levels. As many of you may know, some jurisdictions across the state have passed or are proposing legislation to ban pesticide use on turfgrass. While some segments of Maryland’s turf industry may be exempt from these extreme measures, we must work collectively as one voice to promote scientific facts about turf pesticides, fertilizers and their safe use. Turf is not a dirty four-letter word. Maryland’s turf industry needs to be proactive in educating our elected officials, our staff and our customers about the environmental, aesthetic and safety benefits of a well-maintained turfgrass surface. With that in mind, we hope to offer more regional fertilizer/pesticide workshops and recertification events across the state. Check our website at www.mdturfcouncil.org for upcoming events.

In closing, I would like to thank our outgoing president, Lester Dubs, and outgoing board members for their commitment and hard work during their tenure at the MTC. We are a better turf industry because of them. I would like to welcome John Vickers, Ben Ellis, Kimberly Bohn, Geoffrey Rinehart, Chuck Wilkes and Darren Fischer as our new MTC board members. Feel free to contact Vernon Cooper (our executive director), any member of the board or me if you have questions, comments and ideas about your Maryland Turfgrass Council.

Bill Warpinski

2015 MTC President 6

MTC Turf News

MARYLAND TURFGRASS COUNCIL 12 Pressie Lane | Churchville, MD 21028 ExecDir@MDTurfCouncil.com www.mdturfcouncil.org MTC Turf News is published quarterly for the MTC by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge St. Franklin, TN 37064 615-790-3718 (phone) 615-794-4524 (fax) info@leadingedge communications.com

2015 Board of Directors PRESIDENT

Doug Lechlider Laytonsville Landscaping Laytonsville, MD Office: 301-253-1481 Cell: 240-372-2788 doug@laytonsville landscaping.com Les Phelps Phelps Lawn Care Pasadena, MD Office: 443-623-5472 phelpslawncare@ yahoo.com

TWO-YEAR DIRECTORS

Bill Warpinski Central Sod Farms Centreville, MD Office: 800-866-1387 Cell: 410-320-7791 bill@centralsodmd.com

Brian Gietka Fountain Head C.C. Hagerstown, MD Office: 301-739-4286 Cell: 410-218-0131 briangietka@gmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Geoffrey Rinehart National Arboretum Washington, D.C. Office: 202-245-5956 Cell: 253-592-3528 geoffrey.rhinehart@ ars.usda.gov

Jamie Roell Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks Millersville, MD Office: 410-222-6250 Cell: 443-370-2582 rproel09@aacounty.org

SECRETARY/ TREASURER Cheryl A. Gaultney Churchville, MD Home: 410-836-2876 Cell: 410-322-8275 sandqueen10@aol.com

PAST PRESIDENT Lester Dubs Larchwood Landscape Co. Pasadena, MD Cell: 443-623-1745 ldubs@verizon.net

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Vernon W. Cooper P.O. Box 389 St. Michaels, MD Cell: 443-742-6618 Office: 410-745-9643 Fax: 410-745-8867 ExecDir@ MDTurfCouncil.com

ONE-YEAR DIRECTORS Darren Fisher American Turf Davidsonville, MD Office: 410-721-1861 amturf2@gargener.com

Chuck Wilkes Pennington Seed Co. Laurel, MD Office: 800-732-3332 Cell: 240-319-0043 cwilkes@pennington seed.com

THREE-YEAR DIRECTORS Kimberly Bohn Newsom Seed Fulton, MO Office: 800-553-2719 kimberly@newsom seed.com Ben Ellis The Courses at Andrews Fort Washington, MD Cell: 571-340-0122 Office: 301-440-9882 benjamin.ellis@ aafbgc.com John Vickers Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks Annapolis, MD Cell: 443-360-7129 Office: 410-222-6250 rpvick00@aacounty.org

Friday, May 8, 2015

36th Annual

Shields Memorial

Golf Tournament Glenn Dale Golf Club

T

his year’s Shield’s Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at Glenn Dale Golf Club on Friday, May 8, and will recognize the many contributions of the Shields brothers and their families to the game of golf and to golf turf education in Maryland.

This memorial, now in its 36th year, has significantly increased financial support for student scholarships and continues to enhance turfgrass instruction at the University of Maryland.

Proceeds from previous Shields Memorial golf tournaments have allowed the Turfgrass Management Program at the Institute of Applied Agriculture to enhance instructional programs and establish an endowed fund for student scholarships. Since 1991, more than 100 scholarships, totaling over $100,000, have been awarded to deserving students.

Your involvement as a player or sponsor will continue to strengthen the teaching and scholarship programs at the University of Maryland and recognize three brothers and their families who have promoted the game of golf in Maryland for over 70 years.

To register and pay online, visit www.iaa.umd.edu/shields. •

Spring 2015

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from the mtc executive director

Looking Back,

Looking Forward Well,

Turfgrass 2015 (TG-2015) was a great success, “THANKS” to an excellent educational program provided by Dr. Mark Carroll and all the efforts and work of your MTC officers and board of directors.

This was my first conference as MTC’s executive director, and I survived as well, even with increased pre-registration and increased membership dues paid with your registration. So the BIGGEST THANK YOU for the success of TG 2015 has to go to YOU, the individual member and participant.

Unfortunately, more than 100 participants were unable to make it back to College Park for the Pesticide License Recertification on Tuesday, January 6, due to the freak snowstorm. Your MTC board jumped into action and, within a week, had arranged for a “makeup” Pesticide License Recertification session to be held at MDA on March 2 at no additional charge or fees to those who had registered for Tuesday of the TG-2015 conference or for both days of the conference. Winter weather in the form of ice and snow derailed those plans, however, so an alternate date and location are being considered even as this issue of the magazine goes to press. Our goal is to hold the Pesticide Recertification early in the spring growing season. Watch your email in-box for details!

We decided not to do a tradeshow this year, based on responses to a survey of the exhibitors last summer.

However, this left a hole in MTC’s funding for 2015 and, ultimately, for the funding of assistance for research for the Maryland turfgrass research team and programs. As an alternative, we tried an “Educational Sponsors” program where we asked for companies to step forward and help fill this gap. I am very happy to say we received $10,750 dollars in sponsorships.

Thanks to the six Platinum Sponsors, eight Gold Sponsors and three Silver Sponsors for your continued support. On page 14 of this issue of MTC Turf News, you will find a complete list of the companies who supported the Educational Sponsorships. Please support these companies as much as you possibly can.

Last fall, we began working with the Virginia Turfgrass Council Board to create a Mid-Atlantic “mega conference,” to be held in January 25–28, 2016 in Fredericksburg, VA. While the joint conference will be a “destination” conference for multiple days, we are not forgetting those members who cannot get away or travel out of state. We are also looking to have a mini one-day conference for the purpose of Pesticide License and/or Fertilizer Applicator License Recertification. Stay tuned for notices as things develop.

I was recently asked, “How do you become a member of the MTC board of directors?” This took me back a little. After working with the MTC in one form or another for the last for 40 years, I just assumed everyone knew how to become part of the MTC board, but let me take a few minutes and explained.

The MTC is an umbrella organization of all the turf-oriented green industries in Maryland (golf, sports, lawn/landscape, grounds, sod, etc.). It is represented by the MTC officers and board of directors that you elect each year at the Annual Meeting during our conference. The immediate past president heads up the “nominating committee,” trying to keep equal and fair representation on the board between golf, sod production, lawn care, sports turf and grounds management. Often, members will actually volunteer by contacting me or any member on the board.

Other times, the out-going board members will line up someone from their group, or a past president or board member will suggest a person who would make a great board member. Bottom line is, if you are willing to help with the operation of this organization, including being the contact between your association and the MTC, then don’t wait to be asked — step forward and volunteer!

Vernon W. Cooper MTC Executive Director

SAVE THE DATE! JULY 15 UMD Turfgrass Research Field Day 8

MTC Turf News

University Turf Farm at the University of Maryland • College Park, MD

MTC Membership Application _____________________________________________________________________ Name _____________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address (where you want MTC Turf News delivered) _____________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code _____________________________________________________________________ Company Name

___ Individual Member.......................................................$50 ___ Student/Educator/Retiree..............................................$15 ___ Master Gardener/ Non-Profit Volunteer Member........$25 ___ Public Agency (all employees

per county or location)...............................................*$75 ___ Business (circle one):

(1 to 5 employees)*..................................... $175 (Bronze)

(6 to 10 employees)*......................................$350 (Silver)

(11 to 15 employees)*.................................... $500 (Gold)

(15+ employees)*.................................... $1000 (Platinum)

_____________________________________________________________________ Company Address (if different from above)

* Submit employee names for membership cards to the MTC Executive Director.

_____________________________________________________________________ Company City, State, Zip Code

Amount Included $______________________________________ ___ Check made to MTC ___ Credit Card (MC or Visa)

_____________________________________________________________________ Email Address _____________________________________________________________________ Business Phone Cell Phone Additional Company Members: Please attach a listing of additional members.

Detach and Send to: Maryland Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 389 • St. Michaels, MD 21663

______________________________________________________ Name as it appears on credit card ______________________________________________________ Address where card is billed ______________________________________________________ Card Number ______________________________________________________ Exp. Date 3-Digit Security Code (on back)

Spring 2015

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Cover Story

Fertilizer and Compost Application

By Tom Turner, Ph.D., University of Maryland

Guidelines for Turfgrass Establishment

N

utrient-management laws passed by the Maryland legislature in 1998 require that the commercial establishment of turfgrass be fertilized according to University of Maryland Cooperative Extension guidelines. In 2011, additional regulations were enacted that further specify how nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) may be applied for establishing turfgrass areas from seed or laying of sod. These new laws regarding turfgrass fertilizer applications became effective in 2013.

When establishing a new site by seeding turfgrass, the proper fertilization at the time of establishment, particularly with P, is essential for obtaining a satisfactory stand of turfgrass for both the short and long term. Lack of sufficient soil P or extremes in soil pH can result in very poor establishment from seed, which in turn can lead to excessive water runoff, soil erosion and weed encroachment due to lack of turfgrass density.

Proper adjustment of soil P and pH are crucial, both from an agronomic and an environmental standpoint.

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MTC Turf News

The following are the specifics of the turfgrass fertilizer regulations as they are being interpreted and being applied to the establishment of a turfgrass stand from seed or from installation of sod.

1. Although highly recommended, a soil test for P application to the seedbed or prior to the laying of sod is not required if the following conditions are met: (a) the nutrient application is made for the purpose of establishing turf on bare ground, and (b) the application rate is made in accordance with the seeding recommendations of the University of Maryland Extension (see Table 1), and (c) the land has been disturbed, such as by construction or tillage, or (d) a lawn patch product is used.

It should be noted that although a soil test is not required under the aforementioned conditions, it is still highly advisable if time permits. Excessively low soil pH is a common problem affecting new seedlings, and proper liming recommendations can only be obtained with a proper soil test.

2. A soil test is required for P applications if an existing turfgrass area is being overseeded but the area is not being tilled. For example, over-seeding existing athletic fields, fairways, tees or lawns with a slicer-seeder would require a soil test before P could be applied.

3. Soil tests shall be associated with individual properties or management units. Areas with different soil types, soil conditions or different past uses or management histories must be sampled separately.

4. No N or P can be applied to a seedbed or an area to be sodded between December 1 and March 1. Between November 15 and November 30, 0.5 lb. N/1,000 ft2 (22 lb. N/acre), of a soluble N source can be applied to these areas, but no P can be applied during this period. Thus, any establishment efforts during the December– February blackout period must by done without the application of N or P fertilizer.

5. Nitrogen can be applied only at a maximum rate of 0.7 lb. N/1,000 ft2 (30 lb. N/acre) if a soluble N source is used. If a slow-release N source is used, a maximum of 0.9 lb. N/1,000 ft2 (39 lb. N/acre) can be used.

6. An enhanced-efficiency N fertilizer can be applied to a seedbed or area to be sodded at the rate of 2.5 lb. N/1,000 ft2 (109 lb. N/acre), but not to exceed 80% of the total annual N rate for maintenance of the turfgrass species used. In addition, the amount of N applied from the enhanced-efficiency fertilizer must be accounted for in the following year’s N maintenance applications. The enhanced-efficiency N fertilizer must have been formally classified and approved for use in Maryland by the Maryland State Chemist’s Office.

7. Compost or natural organic fertilizers used during the establishment of turf areas must take into account their N and P content. Compost materials must have had a nutrient content analysis within the last 12 months. Compost and natural organic fertilizers cannot be applied at a rate greater than the N and P allowed by the Maryland fertilizer regulations for establishment.

Turfgrass managers have expressed concern about several issues regarding the fertilizer regulations as they relate to turfgrass establishment. For example, it is not uncommon to install sod on new sites during the blackout period of December 1 to March 1. However, current regulations prohibit any applications of N or P to the soil during this period prior to laying sod despite potential agronomic benefits (getting P in direct contact with soil) and despite the lack of potential environmental problems (little chance for N and P runoff).

The greatest amount of feedback, though, has been concerns with the restrictions placed on compost use during establishment. A common and highly recommended practice in the past has been to incorporate 1" to 2" of compost (typically plant-based or biosolids) into 6" or more of existing soil. With the current restrictions imposed by the turfgrass

Photo 1. No phosphorus was added during establishment of the research plot on the left.

Phosphorus was added during establishment according to soil test recommendations to the research plot on the right. Photos were taken 8 weeks after seeding. The no phosphorus plot exhibits very poor density and substantial weed encroachment, and it is highly susceptible to soil erosion compared to the recommended P fertilization.

Table 1. Phosphorus Recommendations for Turfgrass Seeding or Sod Installation*

Phosphorus Application Depth

Phosphorus Soil Test Category Low

Medium Lbs. P2O5/1,000

Optimum** ft2

Excessive

(Lbs. P2O5/acre)

Broadcast

2–3 (90 – 130)

1–2 (45 – 90)

0–1 (0 – 45)

0

Incorporated to a depth greater than 2 inches

3–4 (130 – 175)

1–2 (45 – 90)

0–2 (0 – 90)

0

* When no soil test has been obtained (as allowed under the conditions described previously), the P recommendations for the medium P soil test category should be used. A soil test is required to determine if any additional P applications may be warranted after establishment. ** In cool weather, seedbed application of P may prove beneficial despite soil test results that indicate “optimum” levels of soil P.

fertilizer regulations, only a very small amount (in the 1/8" to 1/4" range) would be acceptable for turfgrass establishment. Greater amounts would provide N and P in amounts exceeding current Maryland regulations.

Substantial research has been conducted and is ongoing to investigate the effects of compost incorporation on soil physical characteristics, water runoff, water infiltration, the reduction in the need for future fertilizer applications and turfgrass performance. Both Dr. Mark Carroll (University of Maryland) and Dr. Stu Schwartz (University of Maryland – Baltimore County) currently have ongoing studies on compost applications for lawn and athletic field establishment.

There is no question that significant loads of N and P are added to soil when compost is used as an organic amendment for improving the physical and chemical characteristics of soils on which turfgrass will be established. There is also no question that significant long-term benefits can be achieved with compost incorporation during turfgrass establishment, including: 1. Improvement in water infiltration and reduction in water runoff, a major characteristic promoted by Bay groups to improve water quality.

2. Improvement in the water-holding capacity of soils, which can reduce the need for irrigation on home lawns and athletic field turf.

Spring 2015

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Cover STory • continued

Table 2. The effect of compost incorporation into the seedbed on turfgrass quality and weed encroachment four years after establishment.

Seeding Mix

Turfgrass Quality No Compost

No Compost

Compost

9 = highest quality

# weeds per 100 ft2

Turf-type tall fescue

3.0

6.5

58

14

Turf-type tall fescue + Ky. bluegrass

3.5

7.5

17

3

Contractor’s mix

2.5

3.0

59

41

3. Improvement in reducing the compaction of athletic field soils, which in turn reduces weed encroachment and improves the safety (reduced injuries) of athletic fields.

4. Reduction in the future need for N fertilization of turf due to the slowrelease nature of N in composts.

I have observed several lawn and athletic field sites that had not received N applications for three to four years after compost application during establishment, but still maintained good density, reduced weed encroachment

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Compost

Broadleaf Weeds

MTC Turf News

and excellent turfgrass quality. One such site is a test area established by David Clement and Mary Kay Malinoski at the Home Garden Information Center.

Several turfgrass species and seed mixtures were established on plots with typical compost incorporation into the seedbed or with no compost. After four years of no additional N fertilizer applications and no herbicide applications, very striking differences in turfgrass density, quality and weed encroachment were evident (see Table 2). The addition of compost had dramatic long-term effects

on improving turfgrass quality and reducing broadleaf weed encroachment.

It is also interesting to note that in some areas of the country, compost addition to sites to be established to turfgrass are considered a BMP (best management practice).

For example, in Washington state, stormwater manuals and local codes require 1.75" of compost tilled in 8" deep on areas to be established to turfgrass (alternatively, a calculated rate to achieve 5% soil organic matter level can be used). This effort is also part of the Soils for Salmon Initiative in Washington, with the goal to improve water quality by reducing runoff and soil erosion. In Fort Collins and several other municipalities in Colorado, ordinances require at least 3 cubic yards/1,000 ft2 of an organic amendment be incorporated into at least 6" of soil for turfgrass establishment. While it can be challenging to amend existing regulations, it may be a benefit from both an agronomic and environmental standpoint in Maryland if compost use regulations in the establishment of turfgrass sites can be changed. •

Photo 2. Incorporation of compost into soil during turfgrass establishment has long-term benefits on turfgrass density, reduced weed encroachment, reduction in future fertilizer requirements and reduction in water runoff. However, this practice is severely limited under the current Maryland fertilizer regulations.

Spring 2015

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recent event

Highlights from the 2015 MTC Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow! January 5–6 Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland • College Park, MD

Speakers for the special symposium on “Microclover to Minimize Fertilizer Use” included (left to right) Dr. Peter Landschoot (Penn State University), Dr. Les Vough (University of Maryland), Dr. David Gardner (Ohio State University), Dr. Jeff Derr (Virginia Tech) and Dr. Mark Carroll (University of Maryland).

Geoffrey Rinehart briefed attendees about the new “Grass Roots” National Arboretum Turfgrass Exhibit in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Kevin Mathias (University of Maryland) discussed “Twenty Tenacious Weeds” found throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Dr. Gary Felton (University of Maryland) conducted a review session for the Certified Maryland Fertilizer Applicator examination.

Thank You to Our Education Sponsors!

PLATINUM SPONSORS Chesapeake Valley Seed Collins Wharf Sod Farms Harrell’s John Deere Landscapes Newsom Seed Syngenta Lawn & Garden

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MTC Turf News

GOLD SPONSORS Bayer Crop Science Central Sod Farms Crop Production Services Fisher & Son, Inc. Jacobsen Oakwood Sod Farms Pennington Seed Turf Equipment & Supply

SILVER SPONSORS

MD Seed & Environmental Services Pro-Lawn Plus Trebro Manufacturing

News from MTC

Meet Your MTC Leaders for 2015 PRESIDENT Bill Warpinski Central Sod Farms Centreville, MD Office: 800-866-1387 Cell: 410-320-7791 bill@centralsodmd.com

VICE PRESIDENT Jamie Roell Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks Millersville, MD Office: 410-222-6250 Cell: 443-370-2582 rproel09@aacounty.org

SECRETARY/TREASURER Cheryl A. Gaultney Churchville, MD Home: 410-836-2876 Cell: 410-322-8275 sandqueen10@aol.com

PAST PRESIDENT Lester Dubs Larchwood Landscape Co. Pasadena, MD Cell: 443-623-1745 ldubs@verizon.net

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ONE-YEAR DIRECTORS

TWO-YEAR DIRECTORS Brian Gietka Fountain Head C.C. Hagerstown, MD Office: 301-739-4286 Cell: 410-218-0131 briangietka@gmail.com

Darren Fisher American Turf Davidsonville, MD Office: 410-721-1861 amturf2@gargener.com Doug Lechlider Laytonsville Landscaping Laytonsville, MD Office: 301-253-1481 Cell: 240-372-2788 doug@laytonsville landscaping.com

Geoffrey Rinehart National Arboretum Washington, D.C. Office: 202-245-5956 Cell: 253-592-3528 geoffrey.rhinehart@ ars.usda.gov

Les Phelps Anne Arundel County Public Schools Pasadena, MD Office: 443-623-5472 phelpslawncare@ yahoo.com

Chuck Wilkes Pennington Seed Laurel, MD Office: 800-732-3332 Cell: 240-319-0043 cwilkes@penningtonseed.com

THREE-YEAR DIRECTORS Kimberly Bohn Newsom Seed Fulton, MO Office: 800-553-2719 kimberly@newsomseed.com Ben Ellis The Courses at Andrews Fort Washington, MD Cell: 571-340-0122 Office: 301-440-9882 benjamin.ellis@aafbgc.com

John Vickers Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks Annapolis, MD Cell: 443-360-7129 Office: 410-222-6250 rpvick00@aacounty.org

Vernon W. Cooper P.O. Box 389 St. Michaels, MD Cell: 443-742-6618 Office: 410-745-9643 Fax: 410-745-8867 ExecDir@MDTurfCouncil.com

Spring 2015

15

News from UMD

Meet Joseph Roberts, Ph.D., Our New Turfgrass Pathologist

The

Maryland Turfgrass Council is pleased to welcome Dr. Joseph Roberts as the new turfgrass pathologist at the University of Maryland in the Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture. Joseph fills the position that became open upon the July 2013 retirement of Dr. Peter Dernoeden, who had been with the University since 1980. The position is 50% Extension, 40% research and 10% teaching.

A native of North Carolina, Joseph grew up in the small town of Stoneville, NC. He attended North Carolina State University as an undergraduate, receiving a degree in biological sciences and chemistry in 2007. Opportunities to study turfgrass pathology allowed Joseph to attend Rutgers University in New Jersey,

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MTC Turf News

where he received a master’s degree researching the impact of cultural management on anthracnose development in annual bluegrass putting greens.

Upon completing his master’s degree, Joseph decided to pursue a Ph.D. in plant pathology at North Carolina State University. For the last four years, he has been examining bacterial etiolation in creeping bentgrass. His projects included sampling and characterization of bacteria involved in etiolation and developing management options to control this growing issue. In addition to his research activities, Joseph taught a course in “Turf Weed and Disease Diagnosis.” He was also the recipient of several awards as a graduate student, including first place in oral presentations at the annual national meeting of the ASA-CSSA-SSSA in 2013, as well

as receiving the Dr. James Watson Fellowship in 2012. Recipients of the Watson Fellowship exhibit excellence through peer-reviewed publications, teaching experience and Extension activities.

In the future, Joseph plans to study microbial populations that encompass various turfgrass systems and how they change in both time and space. He is also dedicated to developing integrated pest management strategies to limit the occurrence of turfgrass diseases. As an Extension specialist, Joseph plans to develop applied research projects that provide practical options to limit turfgrass diseases.

The MTC especially thanks Dr. Angus Murphy (Chair of the Plant Science Department) for his persistent efforts in getting this position filled. •

Advertiser Index

All States Turfgrass Consultants, LLC................ 7 Alliance Material Handling, Inc........................... 7 www.alliancemat.com

BASF............................................................... 12 www.basf.com

Buy Sod................................... Inside Back Cover www.buysod.com

Central Sod Farms of Maryland, Inc................. 18 www.centralsodmd.com

Chesapeake Valley Seed.................................. 16 www.turfandnativeseed.com

Collins Wharf Sod Farm................................... 17 www.collinswharfsod.com

CoverSports USA............................................... 9 www.gerogroup.com

East Conservation Sod & Seed......................... 18 www.eastcoastsod.com

Fisher & Son Company, Inc...................................5 www.fisherandson.com

Leading Edge Communications........................ 17

Maryland Seed & Environmental Association..... 9 Mid Atlantic Association of Turf Equipment Managers (MAATEM)...................... 15 Progressive Turf Equipment, Inc...................... 13 www.progressiveturfequip.com

Smith Seed Services........................................ 18 www.smithseed.com

Summit Hall Turf Farm, Inc................ Back Cover

www.leadingedgecommunications.com

The Turfgrass Group.......................................... 3

Lebanon Turf.............................. Inside Front Cover

www.theturfgrassgroup.com

www.lebturf.com

University of Maryland Turfgrass Team

Pete Dernoeden, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-1337 pd@umd.edu

Tom Turner, Ph.D. Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-403-4431 tturner@umd.edu

Mark Carroll, Ph.D. Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-1339 mcarroll@umd.edu

Kevin Mathias, Ph.D. Institute of Applied Ag. University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-4692 jkm@umd.edu

Blogs

Increase your social media awareness and grow your business in all the right circles.

Leading Edge Communications info@LeadingEdgeCommunications.com | 615.790.3718 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

Joseph Roberts, Ph.D. Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture College Park, MD 301-405-4355 robertsj@umd.edu

Dave Funk Paint Branch Turfgrass Research Facility University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-403-8195 dfunk@umd.edu Spring 2015

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Calendar of Events

May 8

July 19–21

September 29

Shields Memorial Golf Tournament

PLANET Legislative Day on the Hill Washington, D.C.

MTC’s Angie Cammarota Golf Tournament for Turfgrass Research

July 9–11

Queenstown Golf Course Queenstown, MD

Glenn Dale Golf Club Glenn Dale, MD

June 17 MNLA Summer Field Day (MD Nursery & Landscape Assn.)

Clear Ridge Nursery Union Bridge, MD

July 15 UMD Turfgrass Field Day University Turf Farm at the University of Maryland College Park, MD

July 16

TPI Live Show & Tell (Turfgrass Producers International) Portland, OR

July 27 – August 1

October 22–24 GIE+Expo — Green Industry Equipment Expo and School of Grounds Management

Perennial Plant Symposium

Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

Hilton Baltimore Baltimore, MD

January 25–28, 2016

September 15–17

Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow

NRPA Congress and Expo (Nat. Rec. and Park Assn.)

Las Vegas, NV

GIP Field Day and Trade Show American University Washington, D.C.

(a joint conference between the Maryland Turfgrass Council and Virginia Turfgrass Council) Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center Fredericksburg, VA

Digital Marketplace

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MTC Turf News is the Maryland Turfgrass Council magazine. Subscriptions are complimentary to MTC members. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, its board of directors, MTC Turf News, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as MTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in any issue of MTC Turf News. Copyright © 2015 by the Maryland Turfgrass Council. MTC Turf News is published quarterly. Presorted standard postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: MTC allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to MTC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

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MTC Turf News