2021 Turfgrass Research Summary Report
One of the primary mandates of the Western Canada Turfgrass Association, along with many of our allied groups, is to foster turfgrass research for the betterment of the entire sports turf and golf course management industry.
The scientific process has been a critical component in the evolution of our industry and continues to drive us forward, operating in the background, advancing the field and providing solutions to everyday challenges. As the industry finds itself increasingly engaged in advocacy efforts, there is great need to detail and quantify all the good things that turf does for us.
The experimental green at Apelsvoll on 25 Nov. 2020, ready for the winter. The plots going to be covered by ice were surrounded by frames to keep the freezing water in place. The white poles extended 50 cm into the rootzone and contained tubes filled with the methyleneblue, a pigment that turns white at freezing temperatures and can be used to measure freezing depth in the soil. The black bags on wooden poles contained senders for the temperature and gas sensors than were deployed in the thatch/mat layer in treatments 1, 3 and 4. Photo: Trygve S. Aamlid
In the past decade, the WCTA has directed close to $210,000 toward turf research projects. Within that period, the highest dollar figure in any one year was $32,762. Project funding dollars come from 10% of all member dues, 30% of any net operating profit at year end, but mostly, from the contributions made by those in the industry and the hard work of many individuals over the years directed at fund-raising initiatives.
As of end August, $21,183 has been raised in 2021! That's almost exactly the same at this time last year however we ended up raising over $30k in 2020 mostly due to $7,500 of accumulated funds received from the Pat Dooley Memorial Golf Tournament. While it's been a tougher year, we sincerely appreciate all the help in achieving our goals!
Money raised in 2021 will be put toward 2022 projects. Note that many research projects are jointly funded which helps reduce the overall burden on one particular group. For example, the Canadian Turf Research Foundation (CTRF) collects funds from several provincial groups like the WCTA, rolls it all together and distributes it on a national scale.
Current priorities for WCTA turfgrass research funding:
• A systems approach to sustainable turfgrass management.
• Turf management best practices.
• Effects of climate change on turfgrass and pests.
• Improved turfgrass species and varieties.
• Societal benefits of turfgrass.
• Economic impact of turf management decisions.
• New instrumentation, robotics and software technologies.
• Basic research (economics, environment, playability) of synthetic turf & comparison to natural turf.
• Development and evaluation of effective alternatives to conventional pesticides.
• Nutrient management and nutrient sources.
• Water conservation and water quality.
• Emerging Pests – Improved diagnostics for new pests and turf diseases in northern climates.
• Wear tolerance, management and recovery.
2021 Turf Research Funding Summary
Based on funds raised in 2020, cash available to the Research Committee for 2021 projects was $23,891 with actual approved disbursements totalling about $40,000 (the shortfall is made up from reserve funds). The following projects were put forward by the Research Committee and approved by the WCTA Board for 2021 funding:
Project Title: Canadian Turf Research Foundation Cooperative Funding
The CTRF collects and distributes research monies much like the WCTA but on a National Scale. We have contributed to this collaborative approach to research funding annually since 1992.
PROJECT LENGTH: multiple projects / varies
WCTA COMMITMENT: $4,000
See http://www.turfresearchcanada.ca/current-research for list of current research projects.
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Project Title: Efficacy of Trichoderma Fungal Biocontrol Agents for the Control of Snow Mold Disease in Turfgrass, Michelle Franklin and Deborah Henderson, Institute of Sustainable Horticulture at Kwantlen Polytechnic University
The cost of chemical controls for snow mold disease in Western Canada is greater than that for all other diseases of turfgrass. Demand for alternatives to chemical controls are mounting due to concerns of the environmental impact of chemical pesticide use coupled with cosmetic pesticide bans. Research has shown that fungal biological control agents such as Trichoderma can suppress the growth of several of the pathogens responsible for snow mold disease. Here we propose to identify the pathogens responsible for snow mold on golf courses in British Columbia using genetic tools and test the efficacy of local Trichoderma isolates in laboratory and field trials for the control of pink snow mold. Trichoderma isolates that show pathogen suppression in research trials will be considered for registration in Canada as the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture moves forward with their first Trichoderma product registration.
PROJECT LENGTH: 1.5 years
WCTA COMMITMENT: $12,000 ($6000 posted in 2021, project complete and fully paid out)
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Project Title: Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Putting Green Aerification Recovery, Alec Kowalewksi, Oregon State University
On golf courses, core cultivation is one of the most damaging events to occur, but no research currently exists that demonstrates the effect of PGRs on recovery from core cultivation or if plant hormones such as gibberellic acid can be used to reduce recovery time. It may be possible to use post-inhibition growth enhancement to decrease recovery time. The first objective of this project is to determine the effect of trinexapac-ethyl (Primo) application timing on core cultivation recovery. The second objective is to determine if ethephon (Proxy) treatments applied in the spring for annual bluegrass seedhead control influence cultivation recovery time. The final objective is to evaluate the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) on core cultivation recovery.
PROJECT LENGTH: 2 years
WCTA COMMITMENT: $15,000 USD for first year
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Project Title: Enhancing Turfgrass Carbon Sequestration to Improve Sustainability and Market Access, Alec Kowalewksi, Oregon State University
Oregon State University will evaluate the impacts of turfgrass maintenance practices (nitrogen fertilization, irrigation, mowing height, and mowing frequency) on turfgrass carbon balance and soil carbon accumulation. This project will investigate how to enhance accumulation of soil organic carbon in order to reduce the climate footprint of turfgrass, which can provide ways of addressing regulatory burden imposed by greenhouse gas reduction programs and improve market acceptance of natural turfgrass. Results of this research will be disseminated to turfgrass seed producers, turfgrass managers (golf course superintendents, commercial turf managers, school and park employees), and other users (home owners and master gardener programs) through extension activities including field days, presentations, and written materials.
PROJECT LENGTH: 2 years
WCTA COMMITMENT: We are partnering 50/50 on this project with QTRF, total value $15,000 USD (our share is $7500)
An interim report has been received ahead of schedule and is posted at the following link:
https://www.wcta-online.com/turfgrass-research/3013-enhancing-turfgrass-carbon-sequestration-to-improve-sustainability-and-market-access
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Acknowledgements
The WCTA would like to thank and recognize those individuals, groups, companies and institutions who have contributed generously to turf research project funding this year, without whom our Turf Research funding program simply would not exist.
Portion of member dues: $12,507
Transfer from previous year surplus: $3,289
2021 Silent Auction contributors: $5,387
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank those who tireslessly serve on our Research Committee:
Peter Sorokovsky - City of Burnaby (Chair)
David Duncan - THP Co. (WCTA Past President)
Ladd Legeyt - Agrium Advanced Technologies (Industry Representative)
Jim Ross - Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre (retired)
Finally, on behalf of the entire WCTA membership, we'd like to recognize the efforts of Turfgrass Researchers and Educators who continually drive the turf management industry forward, largely behind the scenes, with their vision, dedication and accomplishments.
If you wish to contribute to turf research through the WCTA, please contact Committee Chair Peter Sorokovsky at peter.sorokovsky@burnaby.ca.
Please note that the Western Canada Turfgrass Association accepts no responsibility in respect to the opinions and data expressed in the editorial material or outcome of the research projects. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the Association.