MSU Turfgrass Field Day Recap

Recap

August 11, 2021

For the MSU Turf Team and the more than 400 participants who came out to learn, network and participate in the study of turfgrass, it turned out to be a great day.

One day later, and it would have been a completely different story, as MSU along with many other Michigan areas, received 4 inches of rain overnight.

Highlights from the day included Dr.

Vargas’s turf dust - IRS comparison, Dr.

Frank’s barefoot test and learning that

Poa Annua ranks only behind cockroaches on the toughness scale.

Golf 6. Turfgrass Weed Research Dr. Thom Nikolai, Dr. T.O Green, Eric Galbraith, Dr. Eric Patterson, and Ben Pritchard Attendees were encouraged to take ratings at two different studies.

Lawn & Athletic Fields 9. The Long-Term Effect of Irrigation and Fertilizer Programs on Different Turfgrass Species — Dr. Kevin Frank and Jesse Sholl The objective of the study is to demonstrate the interaction and performance of fertilization and irrigation on different turfgrass species and mixtures. Lawn & Athletic Fields 8. Disease Management in Lawns and Athletic Fields Nancy Dykema and Dr. J.M. Vargas Jr. Leaf Spot, Dollar Spot, Red Thread, Necrotic Ring Spot Congratulations to Peter Cookingham, Head of the Turfgrass Information Center, on his upcoming retirement.

Thank you to Jesse Sholl and the staff at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center for all they did to make this one of the most successful Field Days to date.

Golf 4. Racecourse Athletic Field Systems, and Golf Ball Reaction and Soil Strength Studies; Dr. J.N. Rogers, III, Dr. J.R. Crum, and Dr. T.O. Green The the golf ball reaction and soil strength study (2021-2022) will give insight to improving golf shots by allowing golfers the option of bouncing shots to gain distance while placing them nearer target putting green.

Lawn & Athletic Fields 10, Golf 5. Outbreaks of Japanese Beetle Decline in Southern Michigan Due to Biological Control While Populations Increase in Northern Michigan — Dr. David Smitley In 1999, with Japanese Beetle populations exploding in Michigan, a survey by Cappaert and Smitley (2002) revealed that the most promising biocontrol organisms were either absent or nearly absent in Southern Michigan. Golf 3. Abiotic Stress Physiology of Putting Green Species — Megan Gendjar and Dr. Emily Merewitz, Kailey Miller, Dr. Kevin Frank Soil water content and plant growth regulator effects on Poa Annua acclimation to and survival of winter. Mowing height effects on winterkill of Poa Annua putting greens. Golf 2. The Effects of Soil Test Philosophy Recommendations on Creeping — Jackie Guevara and Dr. Kevin W. Frank The study evaluated two soil testing philosophies and fertilizer recommendations, namely Sufficiency Level of Available Nutrients (SLAN) and Minimum Levels for Sustainable Nutrition (MLSN).

Lawn & Athletic Fields 7. Turfgrass Weed Research Dr. Thom Nikolai, Dr. T.O. Green, Eric Galbraith, Dr. Eric Patterson, and Ben Pritchard Discussing results of a 3-year lawn HOC study and a walk over to a GDD crabgrass application study. Golf 1. Disease Management for Golf Courses Nancy Dykema and Dr. J. M. Vargas, Jr. Anthracnose; Dollar Spot Management Summer Stress in Turfgrass

The 2021 Turfgrass Field Day was presented with the support of the following sponsors:

Lanyard sponsor:

MeritHall Inc., Rep. Travis Goeski

Corporate Lunch Sponsors:

NuFarm, FMC Professional Solutions, MTESP

Bottled Water Sponsor:

Green Point Consulting

Breakfast Sponsor:

Harrell's LLC