The Turf Zone Podcast

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. Trinity Turf, Inc. is proud to announce the opening of its newest wholesale distribution location in Mt. Jackson, Virginia, at the longtime home of Valley Fertilizer. For nearly 100 years, Valley Fertilizer served farmers, landscapers, businesses, and retailers throughout the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding region with quality products, knowledgeable service, and lasting customer relationships. While Valley Fertilizer has closed its doors, Trinity Turf is honored to continue serving the community from this historic location. Founded in 2004, Trinity Turf has grown into a trusted wholesale supplier of fertilizer, grass seed, agricultural seed, erosion control products, ice melter, and plant protection products throughout Virginia and the surrounding region. The company views this transition as an opportunity to build upon the legacy established by Valley Fertilizer while remaining committed to exceptional service and dependable products. “No one can replace what Valley Fertilizer meant to this community,” said Kurt Fellenstein, President of Trinity Turf, Inc. “Our goal isn’t to fill those shoes, but to honor that legacy by earning the trust of customers through the same values of integrity, service, and strong relationships.” As part of that commitment, Trinity Turf is pleased to announce that longtime Valley Fertilizer employees Tracy Meadows and Jason Burkett have joined the company as Customer Service Specialists. “Tracy and Jason have been a trusted resource for customers for many years,” Fellenstein said. “Their experience, product knowledge, and dedication make them an invaluable part of our team, and we’re excited they will continue serving the customers who have relied on them for so long.” From its Mt. Jackson location, Trinity Turf will offer a full line of wholesale fertilizer, turf and agricultural seed, erosion control products, ice melting products, and plant protection solutions while maintaining the responsive, personalized service customers have come to expect. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve this community,” Fellenstein added. “We look forward to building on the strong foundation that Valley Fertilizer created and earning our place as a trusted partner for years to come.” Trinity Turf, Inc. is a wholesale distributor serving agricultural, turf, landscape, and erosion control professionals throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast region. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. The post Trinity Turf Begins New Chapter at Valley Fertilizer Location in Mt. Jackson appeared first on The Turf Zone.

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode spotlights New England Sports Field Management Association member James Lappetito – Head Sports Turf Manager at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. Read from New England Blade magazine. How did you get your start in the sports field industry? I went to Michigan State University for a BS in crop and soil science specializing in Turfgrass management. While in school I did an Internship with the Colorado Rapids MLS team. This was a 25-field mostly soccer facility. Including two synthetic fields, one sand-based practice field and the main stadium field. Where did you go from there? Denver Broncos Training facility (CO) – two natural grass field and one 70 yard plastic field: Game Day Inc (VA) – Mostly field construction and sprigging but managed our George Mason University account caring for all athletic fields; Dominion Valley CC (VA) – Two 18 hole courses; Maryland Soccerplex (MD) – 24 field soccer complex with cool season warm season and plastic fields; PPL Park (PA) – One high end stadium field; Pratt and Whitney Stadium(CT) – One High end stadium field and 110 acres of property. Who were your mentors when you were first starting out in the industry, and why? Bret Baird (Dicks Sporting Goods Park) – He was my first boss/trainer in the industry. Great teacher. He was my main driver early on to continue down the sport turf path and assisted in my employment with the Broncos. Jerad Minnick (Maryland Soccer Plex) – One of the most innovative turf minds I’ve ever met. He’s always pushed me to be the best turf manager I can be. Amazing teacher and friend. Has been one of my closest turf peers over the years. What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received? Sometimes the best but hardest thing you can do for turf is nothing. You need to let the plant just do what it does and grow. Once you have your plan in place you need to give time for the turf to react before you know if it’s working. Consistency is key. What is the next “game-changer” you see on the horizon for the sports turf industry? Testing improvements. The better we get at quality and useful data collection, the better we can do our jobs. I love data! Takes away the guessing when needing to make decisions. Robotics will also become more involved in our lives, but they aren’t quite ready for the high-end fields yet. What’s your favorite/most useful: Equipment? Anything related to surface hygiene, Sweepers, Turf rakes, Verticutters, Aerifiers, Spring Tine harrows Product? Any product that helps manage Organic Matter and water movement Technology? SGL Pods or any tool that helps monitor soil conditions What advice would you share with people starting out in sports field management today? When starting out, prioritize experience over status. Some of the best jobs experience I got early on were at places with small crews and budgets. Can you share a bit about your family life and/or what you enjoy doing in your free time? Kristin and I have been married since 2017. We have one daughter and two cats (currently dogless but that never lasts with us). We are both avid gardeners and scuba divers. I use my plant and soil science skills to push our extensive garden to new levels. I absolutely love cave diving, but any time spent underwater blowing bubbles brings me peace. Turf is my profession, Surf is my passion! Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fellow NE-SFMA members? Sports turf management is fun and rewarding, don’t forget that when you’re in the grind. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. The post NE-SFMA Member Spotlight on James Lappetito appeared first on The Turf Zone.

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode is investigating effects of Antisalt and CalPlus on creeping bentgrass quality and physiological fitness under salt stress. Written by Xunzhong Zhang, Mike Goatley, Maude Focke, Taylor Motsinger, Berit Smith, and Graham Sherman. Introduction and Objective Salt stress is one of the major limiting factors in turfgrass management in many areas. Various agronomic and chemical approaches have been used to alleviate salt-induced injury to turfgrass. Antisalt and CalPlus are two products which have been documented to improve plant tolerance to salt stress. The objective of this study was to investigate if foliar application of Antisalt and CalPlus at two different rates affects physiological fitness and quality of creeping bentgrass under salt stress conditions. Research Procedure Mature ‘A4’ creeping bentgrass plugs (4-inch diameter) were collected from field plots and transplanted into 6-inch pots filled with fine sand with 10% calcined clay in mid-September 2024. The bentgrass was maintained at 0.6 inch and fertilized biweekly. After about four weeks of non-stressed growth under optimum temperature, water, fertilizer, and light conditions, the grass was treated with the two products at two rates of the products each on October 8, 2024. There were 6 treatments with 4 replications. The product solution (rates listed below) was applied to the canopy, and the same amount of water was applied to the controls (treatments #1 and 6). The treated grass was grown in a controlled environment growth chamber at 71.6 ºF day (12 h)/64.4 ºF night, light intensity at 400 µmol m-2 s-1, 12 h photoperiod, and 65% relative humidity. After 12 h of the initial treatment, we initiated salt stress treatment. Sodium chloride (NaCl) solution at 2 ds/m concentration was added first, and then 4 ds/m concentration, and 6 ds/m concentration, and finally 8 ds/m concentration at 48 h after initiation of salt stress treatment. The salt concentration in the growth media was maintained at about 8 ds/m level during the trial by monitoring the salt concentration with a portable TDR-300 meter. The grass was irrigated with salt water and fresh water alternatively in order to maintain water content near field capacity and EC level at about 8 ds/m during the trial. The treatments include Fertilized control (0.15 lb N/1000 ft² biweekly) + salt stress; Antisalt at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² biweekly + salt stress; Antisalt at 9 fl oz/1000 ft² biweekly + salt stress; CalPlus at 3 oz/1000 ft² biweekly + salt stress; CalPlus at 9 oz/1000 ft² biweekly + salt stress; and Fertilized control, non-salt stress. Flobond LX50 Antisalt was provided by SNF Inc. (Riceboro, GA) and CalPlus was from Harrell’s (Lakeland, FL). The rate of N fertilization (from 28-8-18) for treatments #2, 3, 4, and 5 was the same as control treatments #1 and 6. Measurements The stress period of the trial lasted for 8 weeks with a total of 4 treatment applications. Bentgrass growth and physiological responses were measured biweekly. Root growth characteristics and viability were measured at the end of the trial. In addition, leaf tissue nutrient levels (N, P, K, Na, Ca, S, Mg) were determined with the ICP method. The data were subjected to an analysis of variance and where appropriate, mean separations were performed with a protected Fisher’s least significance difference test at a 5% probability level. Results and Discussion Leaf color and green leaf percentage (GL) Salt stress reduced leaf color ratings. CalPlus application at the two rates improved leaf color ratings relative to the control as measured from day 14 through day 56. Application of Antisalt also improved leaf color rating at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² at day 14, 28, and 56 when compared to the control. The GL declined in response to salt stress. CalPlus application at the two rates improved GL as measured at day 28, day 42, and day 56. Antisalt at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² also improved GL when compared to the control as measured at day 42 and 56. Clipping production and relative clipping weight Salt stress reduced plant growth and clipping production. Application of Antisalt and CalPlus at the two rates alleviated clipping reduction as measured at day 56. Salt stress reduced relative clipping weight, and Antisalt and CalPlus treatments has greater relative clipping weight than the salt control as measured at day 56. Leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids Salt stress reduced chlorophyll and carotenoids content. Application of CalPlus at the two rates increased chlorophyll content relative to the salt control at day 42 and 56. Antisalt treatment at the two rates also increased chlorophyll content relative to the salt control at day 42. Similarly, application of CalPlus at the two rates increased carotenoids content relative to the salt control at day 42 and 56. Antisalt treatment at the two rates also increased carotenoids content relative to the salt control at day 42. Leaf photochemical efficiency (PE) and antioxidant SOD activity Salt stress reduced PE. CalPlus treatments improved PE relative to salt control as measured from day 14 through day 56. Antisalt treatments also improved PE as measured at day 28, 42, and 56. Application of Antisalt and CalPlus at the two rates improved antioxidant enzyme SOD activity when compared to the salt control measured at day 42 and 56. Leaf nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg) Application of Antisalt at 3 fl/1000 ft² and CalPlus at 9 fl oz/1000 ft² improved leaf N and S content relative to the control. Antisalt increased P content and CalPlus at both rates increased leaf Ca, S, and Mg content relative to the control. Root growth characteristics, relative root weight (RRWT) and viability Antisalt and CalPlus at 9 fl oz/1000 ft² increased root biomass, length, surface area, volume, viability, and relative root weight when compared to the salt control. Antisalt and Calplus at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² also improved root viability relative to the salt control. Summary. Applications of CalPlus at 3 and 9 fl oz/1000 ft² and Antisalt at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² improved leaf color, clipping production, photosynthetic pigments, photochemical efficiency, antioxidant SOD activity, and root growth and viability. Antisalt at 9 fl oz/1000 ft² also increased clipping production, photochemical efficiency, leaf chlorophyll, carotenoids, SOD activity, root biomass, and viability relative to the salt control at selected sampling dates. Antisalt at the low rate increased leaf N, P, and S content relative to the control, and CalPlus at both rates increased leaf Ca, S, and Mg content and also leaf N content at the high rate. In general, no consistent differences were observed between the two rates of CalPlus. Antisalt at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² tended to have better effects on leaf color and physiological fitness, and Antisalt at 9 fl zo/1000 ft² tended to have greater effects on root growth. Overall, the results of this study indicated foliar application of Antisalt and CalPlus at the two rates may improve salt stress tolerance by enhancing physiological fitness, leaf color, and root growth in creeping bentgrass. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. 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Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode covers how potassium acetate improves shade tolerance associated with carbohydrate metabolism in creeping bentgrass. Written by Taylor Flanary, Mike Goatley, and Xunzhong Zhang – School of Plant and Environmental Sciences – Virginia Tech – Blacksburg, VA Introduction and Objectives Potassium is one of the major essential nutrients in turfgrass management. Potassium acetate is a unique form of potassium available to plants because the acetate may provide a direct carbon source for plant metabolism, especially under stressful environments such as low light or shade. This study evaluated effects of potassium acetate on shade tolerance of creeping bentgrass as measured by plant growth, visual quality, biomass production, non-structural carbohydrates (TNC), and root growth. Materials and methods Greenhouse pot trial. We harvested mature ‘A4’ creeping bentgrass plugs (4″ diameter) from field plots and transplanted into 6 inch pots filled with fine sand and 10% calcined clay on February 15, 2023. The bentgrass was maintained at 0.6 inch and fertilized at 0.2 lb/1000 ft² at transplanting and then 0.15 lb N/1000 ft² biweekly thereafter. After about 8 weeks of non-stressed growth with optimum temperature, water, fertilizer, and light in greenhouse conditions. We initiated treatments as listed below, with all other management variables kept identical for the treatments. The product “Stress Relefe” containing 25% potassium derived from potassium acetate obtained from Harrell’s in April 2023 was used for this trial. We tested 4 treatments with 4 replications. The treatment solutions (listed below) were applied to the canopy with the same amount of water applied to the control (treatment #1). Immediately after treatment, the grass was subjected to artificial shade conditions. A frame was installed on the bench of the greenhouse and covered with black knit high-density polyethylene shade cloth, placed on the top of the frame and the cloth was placed about 20 inches above the grass canopy. This allowed 70% photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) to reach the canopy. The grass was kept well irrigated and light intensity, air temperature, and relative humidity were monitored hourly in the greenhouse. Treatments (applied biweekly): Fertilized control biweekly (0.10 lb N/1000 ft² from fertilizer 28-8-18 biweekly) K acetate 3 fl oz/1000 ft²/week + fertilized control biweekly K Acetate 3 fl oz/1000 ft²/biweekly + fertilized control K Acetate 6 fl oz/1000 ft²/biweekly + fertilized control The stress period of the trial lasted for 8 weeks and a total of 4 treatment applications were made to the plugs. Turf quality, physiological responses, clipping production, leaf protein content, and non-structural carbohydrates were measured biweekly. At the end of the trial, root biomass was measured. Results and Discussion Turf quality Foliar application of the potassium acetate product at 3 and 6 fl oz/1000 ft² biweekly improved turf quality relative to the control as measured on Day 14 and day 28, and all three potassium acetate rates improved turf quality relative to the control as measured at Day 42 and 56). The best turf quality was achieved when potassium acetate was applied at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² biweekly as measured at the end of the trial. Photochemical efficiency The potassium acetate at all rates improved PE relative to the control as measured from day 14 through day 56. Leaf chlorophyll content The potassium acetate at all rates improved chlorophyll content relative to the control as measured from day 14 through day 56. Among the treatments, potassium acetate at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² every 14 days tended to have better effects on chlorophyll content. Clipping production. There was no significant difference in clipping production among the treatments. Clipping weight tended to increase as the potassium acetate rate increased. Total soluble protein content. We found the protein measurement is more stable relative to amino acid content, so we measured leaf total soluble protein content in replacement of amino acid content. The potassium acetate significantly increased protein content in the leaf tissues as measured from day 28 through day 56. The total soluble content tended to increase as the potassium acetate rate increased. Leaf non-structural carbohydrate content The potassium acetate at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² weekly improved leaf glucose content when compared to the control as measured at day 56. The potassium acetate at all rates improved leaf fructose content as measured at day 14. The potassium acetate at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² biweekly improved fructose content as measured at day 28 and 42. At the end of the trial, potassium acetate at 6 fl oz/1000 ft² biweekly improved fructose content relative to the control. The potassium acetate at all rates improved leaf sucrose content when compared to the control as measured at day 56, with the treatment at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² weekly having better effects. The potassium acetate at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² weekly also improved sucrose content when compared to the control as measured at day 14 and 42. The potassium acetate at all rates improved leaf total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC, glucose + Fructose + sucrose) content when compared to the control as measured at day 56, with the treatment at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² weekly having better effects. The potassium acetate at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² weekly also improved TNC content when compared to the control as measured at day 14 and 42. Root biomass Foliar application of the potassium acetate product at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² weekly or biweekly and 6 fl oz/1000 ft² biweekly improved root biomass relative to the control. The greatest root biomass was found in the grass treated with potassium acetate at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² biweekly. Summary. Foliar application of potassium acetate improved turf quality, photochemical efficiency, leaf chlorophyll content, leaf protein and nonstructural carbohydrate content when compared to a non-treated control in creeping bentgrass managed under shade stress conditions. The potassium acetate treatments also improved root biomass relative to the control. No consistent differences in turf quality and physiological responses among the three potassium acetate treatments were found in this study. The potassium acetate applied at 3 fl oz/1000 ft² weekly tended to have larger effects on leaf sucrose and TNC. The results of this study suggest that foliar application of potassium acetate may improve creeping bentgrass performance under shade environments. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. The post Potassium Acetate improves shade tolerance associated with carbohydrate metabolism in creeping bentgrass appeared first on The Turf Zone.

Welcome to The Turf Zone Podcast. A $1.1 million endowment established by the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation is creating lasting opportunities for graduate students in Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, strengthening cutting-edge turfgrass research while advancing sustainable solutions for the turfgrass industry. Decades in the making, the endowment represents a milestone in the longstanding partnership between Virginia Tech and the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation. Established in 1988, the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation promotes the benefits of natural grass and works exclusively with the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Team in funding research that provides homeowners and industry professionals with strategies and tools to achieve the highest possible quality turfgrass with the fewest required management inputs. While the foundation has supported turfgrass research at the university for nearly 30 years, leaders from both organizations came together in 2017 with a renewed vision: to build a permanent, impactful funding model that could meaningfully support graduate education. “While we always appreciate the support on smaller, short-term projects that meet immediate industry needs, our goal was to move the needle — to truly support graduate students, their research, and the future of the turfgrass industry,” said David McCall, associate professor and Extension turfgrass pathologist. From vision to endowment That vision led the foundation’s leaders and Virginia Tech faculty members to explore how to maximize donor dollars for long-term impact. With guidance from alumni and industry partners, the foundation focused on building a true endowment — a permanent fund designed to generate annual support rather than provide short-term funding. A significant portion of this funding came from the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Classic Golf Tournament, which has raised more than $500,000 for the foundation. Additional contributions from industry partners and supporters also helped grow the fund, which is held in an endowment and brokerage account and drawn from annually. “This wasn’t about a one-time gift,” said Brandyn Baty, executive director of the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation. “We wanted something sustainable that would support students year after year, long after any one event or campaign.” Key foundation leaders involved in re-envisioning how the endowment supported Virginia Tech research included alumni Eric Frazier ‘00 and Dean Whitehead ‘99, along with Jim Wilson and Jeff Everhart, two honorary Hokies whose longstanding support has helped strengthen the partnership. Full support for graduate students Unlike many funding sources that support a portion of a student’s education through sponsoring specific projects, the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation endowment is designed to fully fund a graduate research assistantship. The foundation has committed to supporting at least one new graduate student annually, with the potential to support multiple students as the endowment continues to grow. “Giving students the opportunity to pursue graduate education without financial uncertainty changes everything,” McCall said. “It allows them to focus on innovation, discovery, and impact.” The first student supported by the foundation was Elisabeth Kitchin M.S. ‘25, whose master’s degree research set the standard for what the endowment could accomplish. Now a doctoral student, Kitchin also manages the university’s turfgrass research facility at Independence Golf Club in Midlothian. “Beyond just the financial support, the foundation and the broader Virginia turfgrass industry have provided me with an abundance of mentorship, encouragement, and guidance throughout my time as a graduate student,” Kitchin said. “As a young professional entering the turfgrass industry, I have felt genuinely supported by the researchers, educators, superintendents, and industry professionals around me.” Precision, technology, and sustainability Kitchin’s research focuses on precision turfgrass management, including the use of machine learning models to identify turfgrass diseases such as dollar spot, a common fungal disease that plagues the turfgrass industry. By improving the accuracy of disease identification and treatment, her work helps reduce unnecessary pesticide applications, saving costs and minimizing environmental impacts. She and endowment-supported student Sam Kreinberg, the first official graduate research assistant funded under the new long-term endowment structure, both focus on precision irrigation management — studying when, where, and how much water is needed across golf courses, sod farms, and home lawns. Kreinberg joined the turfgrass program in fall 2025 after completing his master’s degree at the University of Arkansas. His research integrates advanced technology and data-driven tools to help turfgrass managers make more informed decisions, improving water efficiency while maintaining high-quality playing surfaces. “These students are using technology to solve real-world problems,” said Mike Goatley, professor and Extension turfgrass specialist. “Their work directly benefits the turfgrass industry while supporting sustainability and environmental stewardship.” The endowment also enhances Virginia Tech’s close collaboration with the Independence Golf Club, where both Kitchin and Kreinberg conduct extensive research. This on-course research opens the doors for additional collaborations with the United States Golf Association, Syngenta Professional Solutions, and numerous other industry partners. Lasting Impact For the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation, the endowment reflects not just financial support, but a long-term commitment to students and the land-grant mission of Virginia Tech. “This is about investing in people,” McCall said. “When you invest in graduate students, you invest in research, sustainability, and the future of an entire industry.” As the endowment continues to grow, foundation leaders hope to expand the number of students supported — ensuring that the partnership between Virginia Tech and the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation continues to thrive for generations of students to come. “The endowment allows us to attract great young women and men equipped with the knowledge, work ethic, and personality to succeed,” Goatley said. “The students serve as our program’s bridge to the future of turfgrass science.” This article was written by Tyler Baugrass and was featured in Virginia Turfgrass Journal. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. The post $1.1 million Virginia Turfgrass Foundation endowment expands graduate education and research appeared first on The Turf Zone.