MTC Turf News allows you to narrow the focus and get your message directly in the hands of your customers across the state of Maryland . The magazine is a key benefit of membership – providing valuable research, education, and industry information to each member. Readers can also access the Digital Edition through The Turf Zone website. Archived issues will ensure that your advertising will continue to be seen indefinitely, for long-ranging impact. MTC Members Include:
Lawn Care Operators Golf Course Superintendents
Parks & Recreation Supervisors Landscape Contractors
Contact us today to learn about effective and unique advertising strategies that target turf industry professionals.
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The Fellow Professionals and Friends of the MTC,
50th Anniversary Maryland Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show, being held at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City on December 16 is approaching quickly. The Education Committee had been working diligently to prepare a quality program of current advancements in Turfgrass Management which can only help make your job easier.
Additionally, we are striving to provide you with opportunities to get your needed CEU’s and other credits for MD Pesticide, MD Fertilizer, DC Pesticide, DE Pesticide, VA Pesticide, VA Fertilizer, WV Pesticide and PA Pesticide Applicators Licenses. Plus, we are applying for Golf Course Superintendents Education Credits, Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council CEU’s, MD Tree Expect License credits and more. If there are additional credits you wish us to apply for, please contact either myself or Ben Ellis as soon as possible and we will do our very best.
You can find a schedule for the conference in this issue. If you would like to register, become a conference sponsor or pay your membership dues, please visit our website.
As many of you know, this is my last message to you. I have had the pleasure of serving on this Board for over 50 years, the last 13 as its Executive Director, but it’s time to pass the baton to someone younger and breathe some new blood and ideas into the organization. Please join with me to welcome Ben Ellis as the New Executive Director, effective January 2026. Ben and I have been working together closely to provide a smooth and uniform transition, and we will continue to talk and work together anytime the needs arise. I feel very confident turning over the ropes to Ben. Please give him the same support you have always provided me and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
I thank you all for your support and friendship and memories you have all provided over the last 50 years. If I can ever help you, I am always just a phone call or e-mail away.
As Closing Reflections and a Look Ahead
the leaves begin to turn and the growing season winds down, I find myself reflecting on what an incredible journey this has been. Serving as President of the Maryland Turfgrass Council has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career. Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most passionate, innovative, and dedicated individuals in our industry. Together, we’ve strengthened connections, shared knowledge, and continued to advance the science and stewardship of turfgrass across our region.
This year brought exciting challenges and opportunities from adapting to changing weather patterns, changes in the laws that govern our industry, to embracing new technologies and practices that keep our fields, courses, and landscapes thriving. Through it all, our members have shown creativity and resilience that make this organization so special. Whether you manage a golf course, sports field, park, or research plot, your commitment to excellence has inspired me every step of the way.
As I step aside and welcome our new leadership team, I am filled with optimism for what lies ahead. The future of the Maryland Turfgrass Council is bright, and I am confident that the next chapter will bring even greater growth and innovation. I encourage each of you to stay involved, share your expertise, and support the initiatives that keep our industry strong.
Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me, the friendships we’ve built, and the shared dedication to advancing turfgrass management. Though my term as President is ending, my passion for this industry remains as strong as ever. I look forward to continuing to serve as a member and cheering on all that we will accomplish together in the years to come. I look forward to seeing you at our Annual Conference and Re-Certification event. This will be held on December 16th at Turf Valley once again. It is the 50th anniversary for our conference, so it will be bigger and better than ever.
Wishing you all a restful winter season and a successful year ahead.
Let’s keep growing together!
Vernon Cooper Executive Director
Brandon Sands President, Maryland Turfgrass Council
Dr. Kevin Mathias Turfgrass Entomology 66 Eddins Lane • Ruckersville, VA 22968
Cell: 301-233-2211 jkm@umd.edu
Dr. Peter Dernoeden
Turfgrass Pathology
18086 White Oak Dr. • Milton, DE 19968
Home: 302-329-9281
Cell: 302-359-9943 pd@umd.edu
2025 Maryland Turfgrass Conference
The
Maryland Turfgrass Council Annual Conference returns to Turf Valley Resort on December 16th for another year of education, recertification, networking and celebrating the members who make our organization strong. We are proud, as always, to welcome top researchers and educators to share the latest innovations in turf maintenance and also to offer credits for recertification. We are also excited to welcome Keynote speaker, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. Our sponsors and trade show vendors are always a highlight of the event, and you’ll certainly enjoy learning about the products and equipment they have to offer. Don’t miss it — make your professional development a priority and make plans to attend!
Conference Speakers
PICTURED AT LEFT, TOP TO BOTTOM:
Kevin Atticks (Maryland Secretary of Agriculture)
Dr. Kevin Mathias (University of Maryland / MASFMA)
Dr. Dave Clement (University of Maryland)
Chuck Schuster (University of Maryland Extension)
Geoff Rinehart (University of Maryland)
Jack Higgins (Earth Works)
PICTURED AT RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM:
Dr. Chase Straw (Penn State)
Brian Gietka (USGA)
Uday Thera (University of Maryland)
Ryan Severindt (Woodmont Country Club)
Steve McDonald (Turf Disease Solutions)
Dr. David McCall (Virginia Tech)
Credits are being requested for Maryland Pesticides and Nutrient Management and Pesticide Credits for VA, DE, WV, PA, DC.
Better Built. Quality Results. Period.
Schedule of Events
6:30 am
6:30 am – 8:30 am
Doors Open for Registration (Main Lobby)
Sign up for Professional License Credits (In Hallway prior to Registration) i.e. Pesticides, Fertilizer, Golf Sup, Tree Trimmer, and others.
Continental Breakfast with the vendors (In the Trade Show)
Vendor Set-Up (In the Trade Show)
Note: All vendors must be set up no later than 8:15am
Keynote
10:20
Brian Gietka USGA Year In
McDonald (2nd) Renovation Difficulties: Why Young Grass Struggles on Golf Courses
What’s New with Wetting Agents
By Michael Fidanza, Ph.D., Stan Kostka, Ph.D., and Tom Malehorn
Soil surfactants are commonly called “wetting agents” in the turfgrass industry, and there are many, many wetting agent products in today’s turf market. In 2012, the USGA Green Section article — Understanding the different wetting agent chemistries — advanced our understanding of these products in a logical manner. Another good article on wetting agents also appeared in the USGA Green Section — Factors to consider when developing a wetting agent program. Both of those articles and more can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/4f2v8m8r Recently, wetting agent categories were proposed in a further attempt help the end user understand their chemical properties: https://tinyurl.com/ywyexm4x
Overall, in golf course and sports turf management, wetting agents are employed to improve infiltration, mitigate water repellency (i.e., hydrophobic conditions), and enhance hydration in soils and rootzones. Wetting agents also are useful for enhancing certain soil directed pesticides, improving flushing of excess salts, indirectly helping turf survive the winter, and improving spring green-up and recovery.
Retainers versus Penetrants?
The marketing of some wetting agent products can lead one to believe there is precise knowledge of clearly definable modes-of-action, that specific desired outcomes under diverse environmental conditions can prescribe how and when they should be applied, that soil responses can be turned on and off simply by changing what product is applied, or that product “X” can dramatically influence a specific turfgrass surface condition or expectation.
These sorts of questions have only been researched on a handful of products. Researchers at the University of Arkansas, University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University, and the University of Wageningen (Netherlands) have demonstrated that certain wetting agents can increase soil water content under droughty conditions, and lower soil water content during periods of excessive rainfall. Keep in mind, most of these results come from turf growing on sand or sandy loam rootzones. Does this mean those wetting agents tested are physically “holding onto” (retaining) water in the rootzone, or “pushing” (penetrating) water through the rootzone? Our soil physics colleagues would question that statement. The terms retainer and penetrant are not listed in the soil science terminology, but these terms are used to market wetting agents.
Data remain lacking on the nature and differentiation of products sold as “wetters”, “water retainers”, and “penetrants”. There are many claims based on reports-from-the-field or on misperceptions or misinterpretations of visual observations.
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facebook.com/theturfzone
When considering a wetting agent ask for thorough, documented, replicated field research (either from university or industry researchers). A recent article in the USGA Green Section provides further insight into this topic:
O’Brien, D., Fidanza, M., Kostka, S., and Richardson, M. 2023. Penetrants vs. Retainers: Understanding Wetting Agent Clamins and the Science Behind them USGA Green Section Record.
Over the past two decades, wetting agents have moved from products applied to correct localized dry spots to broader applications in water management, however, marketing claims often outpace the science. Research continues to build upon our understanding of what wetting agents can and cannot do. Understanding the mode-of-action, effects on soil physical phenomena, and effects on soil biology and rhizosphere dynamics are the future. A foundation is being built to support science-based uses of these unique soil amendment compounds.
Conclusion
• Soil surfactants or “wetting agents” lead the way for sustainable water use and water conservation practices on U.S. golf courses.
• Recent research has quantified beneficial effects of using wetting agents, with more work in progress.
• The marketing terms “retainer” and “penetrant” are not soil science terms.
• Ask to see research-based information when considering a wetting agent product.
• Research efforts are underway in the U.S. and Europe that will increase our understanding of how wetting agents affect turf rootzone physical, chemical, and biological properties.
•
Example of a wetting agent field evaluation study on a creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera ‘L-93’) practice putting green at Mountain Branch Golf Club (Joppatowne, MD). Wetting agent treatments were applied from April through October, 2023. ‘Other’ was applied at 1.5 fl oz/1000 ft 2 every 14 days starting in April; Excalibur® was first applied at 4 fl oz/1000 ft 2 in April, followed-by 3 fl oz/1000 ft 2 every 28 days. From soil evaluations in August, water infiltration into the rootzone profile is indicated by the blue dye. Source: iGin Research.
Dr. Mike Fidanza ( maf100@psu.edu ) is a Professor of Plant and Soil Science at the Berks Campus, Pennsylvania State University, Reading, PA; Dr. Stan Kostka ( stan.kostka@gmail.com ) is a Visiting Scholar at Penn State Berks Campus; Tom Malehorn ( intlturf@gmail.com ) is a Penn State turf alum and principal scientist with iGin Research, in Westminster, MD.
