Cover Story
Kicking it Up a Notch
Don’t miss the Deep South Turf Expo! October 1 – 3, 2019 at the Gulf Coast Convention Center in Biloxi, Mississippi
at the
By Melanie Bonds, Executive Director, Alabama Turfgrass Association
T
he Deep South Turf Expo claims “Braggin Rights” about our Keynote Speakers this year. In addition to an outstanding line-up of education for the conference, we will present three keynote speakers. Two are stalwarts in the industry and one a young man who wants to “make a difference, one yard at a time.” We are indebted to BASF for sponsoring our speakers this year. Dr. Bruce Clarke of Rutgers, Center for Turfgrass Science and an Extension Specialist in Turfgrass Pathology, is an icon in the industry. His research has focused on the identification and control of biotic and abiotic diseases of cool-season turfgrasses. This has involved the use of field studies to assess pathogen dynamics, as well as controlled environment and greenhouse studies to ascertain the relationship between environmental stress, cultural management, and disease development. He has also conducted research on disease forecasting and detection systems, and the identification of disease resistance in turfgrass germplasm. Dr. Clarke says, “The principal goal of my outreach program has been the development of best management practices for the control of turfgrass diseases such as anthracnose, dollar spot, gray leaf spot, and patch diseases caused by root- and crown-infecting fungi. My research findings have been utilized by turf managers in North America, Europe and Austral-Asia to improve disease control and turfgrass quality, while reducing chemical inputs through the use of improved disease management strategies. As Director of the Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science, I am also responsible for providing leadership to foster internationally recognized research, undergraduate, graduate and continuing
10 • Mississippi Turfgrass • Fall 2019
professional education, and outreach programs in support of the turfgrass industry.” A native of Cresskill, New Jersey, Clarke earned his undergraduate degree in forest management and his Ph.D. in plant pathology from Rutgers. In 1982, Clarke joined the faculty as an assistant extension specialist in the plant pathology department. He was named director of the Center for Turfgrass Research in 1994, after one year as interim director. Under Clarke’s guidance, the Rutgers program has become a center of scientific and educational excellence. “Dr. Clarke has that uncanny ability to relate to and connect with whomever he meets,” said James A. Murphy, Rutgers University extension specialist in turfgrass management. “His communication skills are outstanding in all situations: one-on-one, small groups or large audiences. He can communicate with persons of any background, and he is just as effective listening as he is speaking.” On the podium with Dr. Clarke is Dr. Beth Guertal. Dr. Guertal is professor of turfgrass and nutrient management in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, and was named the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s first Rowe Endowed Professor. Dr. Guertal has taught various turfgrass and educational subjects in Cuba, Argentina, Spain, England, Mauritius, China, New Zealand and Canada. More importantly she has worked extensively with turf managers in the southeast and knows her audience. Beth is the current President of the Crop Science Society of America, and as such she helps to lead all turfgrass scientists in the nation. In her 25 years at Auburn she has taught turfgrass management to many undergraduates, and
