The Turf Zone Podcast

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.

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features an update on research projects funded by the New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation, written by Executive Director Gary Sykes. When the Foundation was created, it was the goal to fund substantial turfgrass research at our local universities. We had expected research proposals from UMass, URI and UNH since they had some ongoing activity already within their programs along with highly skilled personnel. The idea was that local research would be the most valuable to our local industry and that would be our focus. We were unaware that things were changing. In New Hampshire the program diminished due to some retirements, but in Connecticut their administrators were convinced that by dedicating funds and support to their Turfgrass Program would be beneficial to the school and the industry. It was a good hunch! New hires to grow the program immediately made a positive impact including the expansion of the turfgrass research facility. Since 1998, the Foundation has had its hand in distributing $3.4 M in research proposal funding to the universities, mostly UConn, UMass and URI. What is the Foundation up to today? Currently, the foundation has agreed to fund $180,195.77 for 2026 divided between 8 separate research projects. Here are the projects being funded in 2026: A Chemical Scent Lure to Attract Bumble Bee Queens to Nest in Irrigation Valve Boxes (Dr. Steve Alm, URI, 3 Years) Autonomous and Conventional Mowing Strategies Impact on Mowing Quality, Turfgrass Quality and Disease Incidence in Cool-Season Grasses (Dr. Jason Henderson, UConn, 2 Years) Evaluating Factors Impacting the Winter Survival and Spring Recovery in Cool-Season Turfgrasses (Dr. Michelle DaCosta, UMass, 2 Years) Management of Yellow Ring Symptoms Associated with an Emerging Turfgrass Pathogen (Dr. John Inguagiato, UConn, 2 Years) Pre- and Post-Emergence Application Timings for Goosegrass Management in New England. (Dr. Maureen Kahiu, UConn, 2 Years) Autonomous Mowing Impacts on Canada Geese Foraging Behavior and Cool-season Turfgrass Quality During Dormancy and Active Growth, (Dr. Jason Henderson, UConn, 2 Years) Evaluating Autonomous Mowing Schedule for Turf Quality and Dollar Spot Management (Dr. Geunhwa Jung, UMass, 1 Year) Optimizing the Growth Rate of Sports Turf by Integrating Plant Growth Regulators and Cultural Practices (Dr. Evan Mascitti, UMass, 3 Years) Just a word of appreciation to always remember that without the New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show (March 2 – 4, 2027), we would not have the funds for this capacity of research, and without the commitment of attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers, we would not have a show or a pot to you-know-what in! Our united focus has made this all work and continue to perform beyond expectations. What does the future hold? Let’s hope for fair seas and following winds, but let’s always prepare for future challenges! New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation President Ben Polimer and Director Mike Buras are the New England Sports Field Management Association’s representatives on the New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation Board of Directors. For additional details on grant awards, and the March Turfgrass Conference, visit NERTF.org. 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 Turfgrass Research appeared first on The Turf Zone.

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. The Alabama Turfgrass Association is excited to join the Georgia Sports Field Management Association for a special Sports Turf Field Day on Tuesday, October 6, at Birmingham Barons Stadium at Regions Field in Birmingham. This event will serve as ATA’s biannual Sports Turf Field Day, bringing sports turf professionals together for a day of education, networking and sharing ideas with fellow field managers. If you manage a sports field—whether at a minor league facility, municipal complex, public or private school, university or other athletic facility—this is an event you won’t want to miss. The day will feature breakout sessions, opportunities to visit with industry partners, and a general session addressing a topic that could have a significant impact on turf management this winter: “Preparing for a Super El Niño This Winter,” presented by Dr. Dave Han of Auburn University. This is a great opportunity to get out of the office, connect with your fellow sports turf professionals and gain practical knowledge you can take back to your fields. ATA sports turf managers—make plans to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to learn, network and connect with your peers across Alabama and Georgia. For additional details and registration, visit www.GeorgiaSTMA.org 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 Sports Turf Field Day – Join ATA & GSFMA at Regions Field appeared first on The Turf Zone.

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features the article “Dig into Ground Pearls: Investigating Thresholds and Distributions of a Spreading Pest Complex” written by Lily Deeter, Peter Hertl, and Terri Billeisen. Ground pearls (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) are severe insect pests of warm season turfgrass in North Carolina and much of the southern United States, spanning from Florida to California. These scale insects feed on grass roots fluids, causing distinctive circular dead patches turfgrass and frustration in homeowners, superintendents, and sod producers. No currently registered insecticides have shown consistent control for ground pearls (Chong, 2018; Thomson et al, 2021), likely due to their wax-protected cyst, the immature nymph stage that feeds on plant roots with piercing-sucking mouthparts. In addition, their subterranean habit and ability to remain encysted for years under adverse conditions make management of this insect challenging. As an insect family with over 100 species, ground pearls cause damage beyond managed turfgrass. Additional affected crops include grapevines in South Africa, wheat and barley in the Middle East, and sugarcane in Australia (García Morales et al., 2016). Two distinct ground pearl species infest North Carolina turfgrass: Eumargarodes laingi, known as the “pink ground pearl,” and Dimargarodes meridionalis, which is orange in the adult female life stage. While E. laingi cysts are typically a dull brown, beige, or pink, the cysts of D. meridionalis are shiny yellow, orange, or white. In North Carolina, these two species occur both separately and together in mixed infestations. As part of my dissertation research at NC State, I am investigating the ground pearl species complex and using distribution and life staging specifics to inform management. Understanding species abundance and impact may influence control approaches including product selection or timing. Greenhouse trials are ongoing to investigate and establish damage thresholds in centipedegrass, the most susceptible turfgrass species to ground pearl damage. Adult female ground pearls were introduced to potted grass containers at different densities and species combinations. Time to damage incidence is recorded as females lay eggs and establish a new generation of cysts. Damaged surface area will be estimated by individual container images using ImageJ software that quantifies green pixelation in each image. Containers are photographed every other week in a photo tent to maintain consistent lighting. Results from this study will inform not only damage potential of each ground pearl species, but also the damage and tolerance thresholds when managing infestations. I am also actively collecting distribution data for both species within and beyond the state. Once believed to be a localized issue, ground pearl infestations have now spread across most of the Coastal Plain and well into the Piedmont. Infestations of D. meridionalis are typically found in mixed infestations with E. laingi along the coast, while E. laingi infestations are spreading west as far as Wake County. Distribution data is growing through collaboration with extension agents, homeowners, and the NC State Turfgrass Diagnostics Lab. While I continue to characterize impact in North Carolina, my research on ground pearls will also investigate new pesticide formulations and emergence cycles to improve product application timing. I am also studying the evolution of this pest family using phylogenomics. Results from this research will help refine management procedures for ground pearls in North Carolina turfgrass and beyond. 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 Dig into Ground Pearls: Investigating Thresholds and Distributions of a Spreading Pest Complex appeared first on The Turf Zone.