From the President

The Turfgrass Council often does things behind the scenes that benefit our members and non-members alike in the turfgrass industry for NC. One of the most recent items was to facilitate funding from the NC Ag Fund in June. Three NC State University researchers were awarded funding.

The Turfgrass Council of North Carolina is a facilitator for the NC Ag Fund. TCNC’s role is to insure funds are used for support in agricultural research, extension, and teaching activities in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State. Funding is determined by the importance of proposals to our industry and the ability to actually fund the research.

Project Leaders Dr. Jim Kerns and Matt Martin were awarded funding for Biology and Management of Large Patch in Warm-Season Turfgrasses.

Their objectives are:

1. Investigate genetic differences among large patch isolates collected from centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrasses and bermudagrass.

2. Assess fungicide sensitivity of large patch isolates collected from the aforementioned turfgrasses.

3. Evaluate the influence of temperature on infection of the turfgrasses listed above.

4. Determine optimal timing of fungicide application to prevent large patch development.

Project leader Dr. Susana R. Milla-Lewis was awarded funding for Evaluating Bermudagrass Accessions for Shade Tolerance.

Her objective is:

1. To evaluate 24 bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) accessions collected from South Africa for their ability to persist under shade.

2. To evaluate this accessions for drought tolerance.

Project leader Dr. Travis Gannon was awarded funding for Effect of Application History and Edaphic Factors on Residual Herbicide Persistence and Efficacy.

1. Characterize annual bluegrass and crabgrass emergence time periods in unique locations in North Carolina.

2. Elucidate differences in oxadiazon and prodiamine degradation rates in soils with varying length of continuous use.

3. Investigate the influence of edaphic factors on oxadiazon and prodiamine degradation.

4. Disseminate results through outreach and scientific publication including development of appropriate Best Management Practices to optimize pre-emergent herbicide efficacy in turfgrass systems.

The above list was not in order of importance or dollar amount. TCNC Board of Directors agreed that all research projects and objectives aligned with what is important to our members and non-members in our industry.

Kevin Herrmann

2021 TCNC President