Kansas State University

search

K-State Turf and Landscape Blog

Category: Research

2024 Turf and Ornamentals Field Day

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

Join us at the Kansas Turf & Ornamentals Field Day, held Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Rocky Ford Turf Research Center, 1700 Barnes Rd, Manhattan, KS.

The field day program is designed for all segments of the turf and ornamentals industry – lawn care, athletic fields, golf courses, landscape, nursery, and grounds maintenance. Included on the program are research presentations, problem diagnosis, commercial exhibits and equipment displays. There will be time to see current research, talk to experts, and get the answers to your questions.

One hour of pesticide recertification credit in both 3A and 3B are available, as well as GCSAA education points.

You can find more information and register online at:
https://www.k-state.edu/turf/events/index.html

Please register by July 26.

For questions, contact Christy Dipman at 785-532-6173 or cdipman@ksu.edu.

Pine Problems in Kansas

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Judy O’Mara, Diagnostician, K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab

It was pretty cold in mid-January 2024, the low temps in January sent me to the K-State Mesonet (https://mesonet.k-state.edu/weather/historical/) to take a closer look at the weather patterns during that time period. The Mesonet is a collection of weather stations across Kansas that can be used in a variety of ways but my favorite is to take a look BACK in TIME at the historical weather patterns. The temperature dropped pretty low on Jan 14th (-10.5F) and Jan 15th (-10.6F) in Manhattan, KS. Brrr.

In any given year, it is not uncommon to see extreme weather patterns impact plant growth and health. Winter damage to pine trees frequently shows up on the north or northwest side of the tree, although it can hit the top of the tree as well. Winter damage can hit multiple trees or can show up on scattered trees within a planting. The outer needles tend to be scorched with the inner needle growth remaining green. The more exposed foliage is more susceptible to desiccating winter winds. Winter damage on pine trees can be confused with some common Kansas pine diseases such as pine wilt, Diplodia pine tip blight and Dothistroma needle blight.  One tip that can help to differentiate between these problems is the TIMING of the damage. Pine trees generally enter the winter looking good and then get hit by low temperatures and/or desiccating winds sometime between December-February. A look at the K-State Mesonet can help pinpoint the weather event that caused the damage.

Winter damage can look pretty dramatic but it is best to wait until early to mid-May to assess recovery potential. Even though the pine needles are scorched, the dormant buds frequently escape damage and push out new growth in the spring. The damaged needles eventually shed and the overall appearance of the tree will gradually improve. Another quick way to check recovery potential is to pop off a few buds at the end of the branch and see if they are still green inside.

Winter damage can be confused with some common Kansas pine diseases. For help sorting out these problems reach out to your local county extension office. The K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab can also provide assistance.  https://www.plantpath.k-state.edu/extension/plant-disease-diagnostic-lab/

National Turfgrass Evaluation Program: Access Kansas Results and those from Many Other States

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Jack Fry, Professor and Commercial Turf Extension Specialist

The National Turfgrass Evaluation program is a cooperative effort between the non-profit National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, Inc., and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  NTEP is headquartered at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland.  NTEP started in 1980 with J.J. Murray.  For many years, Kevin Morris has been overseeing NTEP.

Zoysiagrass NTEP spring green up in 2023 at Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center.

NTEP trials are underway at three locations in Kansas.  At Olathe, trials are being done on fine fescue (planted in 2020), tall fescue (planted in 2020), and zoysiagrass (planted in 2019).  The fine fescue and tall fescue trials are low maintenance trials in Kansas, but not at all locations, which are mowed at 2.5 inches, receive no supplemental irrigation, and are fertilized with only 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. applied annually in autumn.

 

 

The zoysiagrass NTEP trial in Olathe is mowed at 0.75 inches 2 to 3 times weekly and receives 1 to 1.5 of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. applied annually in early summer.

At the John C. Pair Center, the NTEP bermudagrass trial (planted in 2019) is being done and you’ll also find a specific article in the 2023 Turfgrass Research Report regarding their performance:  https://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr/vol9/iss5.

Graduate student Dani McFadden evaluating creeping bentgrass NTEP trial at Milburn Country Club in Overland Park, KS.

In Overland Park, the NTEP creeping bentgrass putting green trial (planted in 2020) is being conducted at Milburn Country Club and maintained as they do other putting greens at the course.  Steve Wilson, golf course superintendent at Milburn CC, has been very courteous to allow use of their nursery green area for this trial to be conducted and he oversees management of the site.

 

 

 

 

You can view data Kansas and multiple other locations from 2021, 2022 and many other years for trials conducted.  The NTEP website allows access to data and results from all NTEP trials.  Find information here:  www.ntep.org

Entomology Department Insect Diagnostics

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Anthony Zukoff, Extension Associate, Entomology

The Entomology Department’s Insect Diagnostics service continues to accept digital identification requests.  Our extension specialists’ areas of expertise include home and structural pests, horticultural and garden pests, pests of medical and veterinary importance, agricultural pests as well as general “what’s this bug?” requests.  Members of the public seeking assistance identifying an insect or insect related problems can access the Insect Diagnostics ID Request Form online.

After providing observation information such as location and date of the sighting, followed by answering a set of questions intended to help with the identification process, one can then upload up to 3 photos and submit the form.  The inquiry is then forwarded on to one of the entomology extension specialists.  Within a few days, usually less than two, the identity of the insect along with appropriate life history information and/or control measures is then sent to the client by email or phone.

The online submission process takes only a few minutes and can be accessed with desktop computers and mobile devices. If you need insect identification assistance, submit a request at https://entomology.k-state.edu/extension/diagnostician/.  Any questions about the program can be submitted to Insect Diagnostics Program Coordinator, Anthony Zukoff at azukoff@ksu.edu.

U.S. Sod Industry Checkoff

Posted on by Jack Fry

Checkoffs are financial contributions created through sales and support from within industry operations, including beef, pork, lamb, cotton, sorghum, watermelon, mushrooms, and many others.  Discussion about U.S. Sod Industry Checkoff started with those in the sod industry in 2017.  Thoughts are that it can provide support by helping to expand markets; increase demand; support marketing and scientific research; and promote industry initiatives and activities.

As part of the checkoff, farms would contribute 1/10th of one penny per square foot of sod sold.  This contribution will be invested by a board of volunteer sod producers, nominated by fellow producers.  Potential programs could include consumer advertising, producer promotional support, agronomic and consumer research, and customer and regulator education and outreach.  Every checkoff dollar would be invested to support this goal:  increase the value of every square foot of sod in the U.S. Sod Industry.

Everyone will have an opportunity to provide comments online on the U.S. Sod Checkoff plan in the near future.  After comments, votes will take place only among sod producers.  It must be approved by at least 50% (plus 1) of national sod producers.

To access a list of resources regarding the Sod Checkoff, CLICK HERE

To view a recorded video (38 min) from Dr. Casey Reynolds, Executive Director of Turf Producers International, CLICK HERE

Two-Minute Turf Extension Video: Aerification Impacts

Posted on by Jack Fry

Dani McFadden, Ph.D. student in Horticulture and Natural Resources, is conducting research on the impact aerification on zoysia thatch reduction and root development. This research is presented in greater detail in the

K-State 2022 Turfgrass Research Report:  CLICK HERE TO READ

Dani summarizes results of the research in this two-minute extension video:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

2022 Turf Research Report

Posted on by Jack Fry

 

 

The 2022 K-State Turf Research Report came out in early August.  Some highlights of reports included this year:

  • Tall fescue establishment using covers and drip irrigation – CLICK HERE
  • Tall fescue performance under low maintenance conditions in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Trial (NTEP) – CLICK HERE
  • Creeping bentgrass performance in NTEP – CLICK HERE
  • Influence of herbicides on establishing zoysia from sprigs – CLICK HERE
  • Impact of aerification zoysia thatch and rooting – CLICK HERE
  • New zoysiagrass genotype performance compared to Meyer – CLICK HERE

To see all the research reports together, CLICK HERE

Water Saving Strategies

Posted on by Jack Fry

Wes Dyer, Ph.D. and Manoj Chhetri, Ph.D. both finished their doctoral degrees at K-State in 2021; each had focus on water savings as part of their research. Wes is employed with Irrometer Company, Inc. in Riverside, CA and Manoj is a horticulture extension agent for the University of Missouri.  Dr. Cathie Lavis joins them to present strategies for saving irrigation water on this video recorded at the 2021 Kansas Turfgrass Field Day.  Hear about the effectiveness of soil moisture sensors in contributing to water savings, and how irrigation heads differ in water delivery.  To view, click HERE (about 15 min.).

2021 K-State Turfgrass Research Report

Posted on by Jack Fry

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each year, K-State researchers post articles that summarize research that was done in the past year.  In 2021, you’ll see articles on newly developed cold- and large-patch tolerant zoysias; suppressing zoysia seedheads; reducing thatch with aerification; bermudagrass cultivar performance; and the influence of herbicides on emergence of tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass seedlings; and calibration of soil moisture sensors.

Access the 2021 K-State Turfgrass Research Report HERE!

SAVE THE DATE! K-State Turf and Oranamentals Field Day 2021

Posted on by Brooke Garcia

By Brooke Garcia

The 2021 K-State Turf and Ornamentals Field Day is scheduled for Thursday, August 5th at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center in Manhattan, Kansas.

Address: 1700 Barnes Road, Manhattan, KS 66502

Date: August 5th, 2021

Time: There will be no formal welcoming session this year.  Tours will leave from the registration area about every 15 minutes beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running until 10 a.m.

  • Vendors will be present from 8 a.m. until about 1 p.m.  If you’re a vendor with interest in attending or sponsoring lunch or a “recorded video,” check HERE
  • You can arrive anytime between about 8:15 am (or earlier) and 9:45 am to join one of the tours.

How to Register:

  • REGISTER ONLINE HERE
  • OR MAIL “fillable” registration form (if you don’t want to register “online”): Available HERE

Parking:

  • Faith E Free Church – 1921 Barnes Road, Manhattan, KS.

Learn more here: http://www.kansasturfgrassfoundation.com/uploads/8/9/7/3/8973595/2021turffielddayprogram.pdf