THE LAWN INSTITUTE TURFGRASS RESEARCH UPDATE By Casey Reynolds, PhD The Lawn Institute (TLI) has a long-standing history of funding natural grass research at nationally and globally recognized universities. Each year, TLI sends out a call for proposals to university researchers throughout the world to be compiled and reviewed by the TLI Research Committee with funding decisions made during the TPI International Education Conference. The 2021 TLI Research Committee members listed in Table 1 are comprised of TPI members, staff, university educators, and industry personnel in order to ensure that TPI members and their interests are fully represented in the process while also leaning on university, United States Golf Association (USGA), and National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) personnel for input on current research at other institutions. Table 1. 2021 TLI Research Committee Members Committee Member
Position
Company
Duane Klundt Jim Keevan Larry Lemay Steve Griffen Spencer Mendenhall Sarah Nolte Jack Karlin Casey Reynolds, PhD Jay McCurdy, PhD Aaron Patton, PhD John Sorochan, PhD Kevin Morris
Chair TPI Board Liaison TPI Board Liaison Member Member Member Member Advisor Advisor Advisor Advisor Advisor
Mountain View Seeds SelecTurf, Inc. A-G Sod Farms, Inc. Saratoga Sod Farm, Inc. Raft River Sod Blue Grass Enterprises, Inc. TWCA TPI Mississippi State University Purdue University University of Tennessee NTEP
*Advisors to the committee do not vote on projects but are present to provide technical input on the quality and potential impact of proposals.
Applications for research funds can be requested on any topic, but the TLI Research Committee places priority on specific research areas that serve natural turfgrass producers and the turfgrass industry. With the help of the TLI research committee, these areas are updated each year and are listed below. Other basic guidelines of the proposals include: applicants are encouraged to adhere to all TLI forms, formats, and deadlines for full consideration of proposals; proposals for single or multiple-year projects will be considered as long as the years and funding amounts are clearly stated; funds cannot be used for faculty salaries; proposals seeking funds for capital expenditures will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis; and overhead or administrative costs shall be held to an absolute minimum, but will not exceed 16 percent.
TLI Research Focus Areas • • • • • •
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Cultural Impacts of Natural Grass - Research that includes, but is not limited to, societal health and well-being, fitness, athletic field safety, socioeconomics, consumer attitudes, etc. Environmental Awareness of Natural Grass - Research that includes, but is not limited to, carbon sequestration, heat abatement, pollution entrapment, soil remediation, run-off reductions, etc. Natural Grass Input Reductions - Research that includes, but is not limited to, drought tolerance, reduced water use, nutrient requirements, traffic tolerance, integrated pest management, etc. Extending Harvested Shelf-Life of Natural Grass Reducing Production Costs of Natural Grass Natural Grass Research Communication & Education - Information that can be used to develop content on The Lawn Institute website for educating policymakers, homeowners, and the general public on turfgrass science, management, impacts, etc. This can include literature reviews on environmental impacts, natural grass benefits, region-specific natural grass selection and management, weed/insect/disease control, and more. TPI Turf News September/October 2021
