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K-State Turf and Landscape Blog

Author: Brooke Garcia

LAST DAY TO REGISTER….70th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference

By Brooke Garcia

 

The 70th Kansas Turfgrass Conference is just 2 weeks away. The LAST DAY  TO REGISTER is this Friday, November 27th.

Pesticide recertification credits are available!  Attached is a copy of the program.  You can register online at: https://2020turfconference.eventbrite.com

Your attendance and participation in the annual conference are critical for ongoing support of turfgrass research, and this year your participation is even more critical. Funds raised through the conference are used to help support research centers, pay research associates who manage the centers, and allow for ongoing research projects that improve turf management strategies and help reduce operating budgets.

One advantage to this year’s conference is you can attend from a distance, and not pay for the cost of travel or lodging!  The lineup of speakers is impressive, and includes specialists from other state universities.

Join us, support K-State turfgrass research, and learn new information!  We look forward to having you at this year’s conference!

70th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Sponsor Spotlight: Van Diest Supply Company

By Brooke Garcia

In honor of Veteran’s Day recently, we wanted to share this Eagle sponsor with you. Van Diest Supply Company is a proud veteran, family-owned business founded in 1956. Van Diest is a distributor and manufacturer of Agriculture and Specialty Chemicals, representing all of the major manufacturers, as well as their own private labeled, adjuvants product line. They currently serve the following markets: Turf an Ornamental (Fertilizer and Chemical), Vegetative Management, Aquatics, Vector Control, and Ice Melt industries.

They have a seasoned sales force, competitive pricing, excellent delivery options, and exceptional customer service support. The Specialty Division of Van Diest Supply Company consists of 18 area managers throughout 17 states, with 19 distribution centers located throughout the serviced area. Three of the distribution centers are located in Kansas, as you can see outlined in the graphic above.

We are so thankful to have their support and sponsorship during the 70th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference. Thank you, Van Deist Supply Company!

Visit their website for more information: www.vdsc.com

You can also reach out directly to your Specialty Area Manager in Kansas:

  • Ryan Bourne, Western Kansas
    • Phone: (712) 790-3372, Email: Ryan.bourne@vdsc.com
  • Scott Benfer, Central Kansas
    • Phone: (785) 643-4436, Email: scott.benfer@vdsc.com
  • Mike Kipper, Eastern Kansas & Western Missouri 
    • Phone: (913) 208-5268, Email: mike.kipper@vdsc.com

 

70th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Sponsor Spotlight: Gard’N-Wise

By Brooke Garcia

In conjunction with the 70th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference, the K-State Turf and Landscape Blog will be highlighting our top-tier, Albatross sponsors over the next several weeks. Our Albatross sponsors generously contributed $750 or more in support of our conference this year. This additional funding helps to support K-State Turfgrass research and education.

Our second sponsor spotlight goes out to Gard’N-Wise, based in Wichita, KS. Gard’N-Wise is a leading supplier of quality lawn & garden products and professional turf. They are known for souring reliable products, as well as their product expertise and convenient warehouse delivery.

In addition to the lawn and garden industry, Gard’N-Wise caters to professional markets with a selection of greenhouse and turf products. Our signature product is our Gard’N-Wise Premium Fescue Blend.

With over 60 years in the industry, Gard’N- Wise is a proud supporter of the Kansas Turfgrass Foundation. They have generously supported the Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference for over three decades. We are so grateful for their support in this year’s conference!

 

Visit their website to learn more: https://www.gardnwise.com

Contact their office today at:

Phone: (316) 838-1474.

 

To contact your representative directly:

Britt Elving- Northern Kansas

Phone: (316) 250-9021, Email: britte@gardnwise.com

Troy Simmons- Southern Kansas

Phone: (316) 250-4293, Email: troys@gardnwise.com

70th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Sponsor Spotlight: Innovation™ Zoysia

By Brooke Garcia

In conjunction with the 70th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference, the K-State Turf and Landscape Blog will be highlighting our top-tier, Albatross sponsors over the next several weeks. Our Albatross sponsors generously contributed $750 or more in support of our conference this year. This additional funding helps to support K-State Turfgrass research and education.

Our first sponsor highlight goes out to “Innovation™ Zoysia.” Innovation™ Zoysia is a grass that was developed over the course of 15 years by two turfgrass breeding universities, Kansas State and Texas A&M. This new turfgrass is suitable for both lawns and golf courses

Innovation has a high level of turf quality and was bred to be a superior replacement for the long-standing turfgrass, Meyer Zoysia. In fact, Innovation is the first hybrid zoysiagrass that has a finer texture and higher density than Meyer, but with a tolerance to cold weather that is equivalent. 

Here is a chart that compares Innovation™ Zoysia to Meyer Zoysia (see below):

Have Questions? We encourage you to reach out to the Innovation™ Zoysia team at Sod Solutions Professionals. Here is the direct link to the Innovation™ Zoysia webpage: Innovation™ Zoysia

Turfgrass Field Day Series

By Dr. Dale Bremer and Wes Dyer

Turfgrass Field Day would have been on August 6th, 2020, had we been able to have an in-person event this summer. For that reason, we have been offering a few short video summaries of research projects being conducted by K-State faculty and researchers. Videos don’t exceed 5 minuets, and this video in the series is by Wes Dyer, current Ph.D. student in Turfgrass. Wes discusses Water Conservation Approaches in Turfgrass Systems Using an Irrigation Decision Tree. His research team includes: Wes Dyer, Dale Bremer, Andres Patrignani, Cathie Lavis, Jack Fry and Josh Friell

2020 Field Day Video Series – Video 7 by Wes Dyer (Link Here)

For more details on related research, click on the link below to see the 2020 K-State Turfgrass Research Report:  https://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr/vol6/iss7/2/

Turfgrass Field Day Series

By Dr. Dale Bremer

Turfgrass Field Day would have been on August 6th, 2020, had we been able to have an in-person event this summer. We are continuing our Turfgrass Field Day Video Series in light of missing our in-person event. We have been offering a few short video summaries of research projects being conducted by K-State faculty and researchers.  In this video by Dr. Dale Bremer, Professor of Turfgrass Science, drone research and remote sensing is highlighted.

Turfgrass Field Day Video Series – Video 6 by Dr. Dale Bremer

Dr. Megan Kennelly is Department Head of Plant Pathology

By Brooke Garcia

We had to share this exciting news that our fellow colleague and co-founder of the K-State Turf and Landscape Blog has been named the head of the Department of Plant Pathology. 

Here is the most recent press release that was released on August 6, 2020.

Kennelly named department head for plant pathology at K-State

New leader described as ‘tremendous faculty advocate’

August 14, 2020

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Megan Kennelly, the interim leader of K-State’s Department of Plant Pathology for nearly two years, has been appointed to the position permanently.

Ernie Minton, dean of K-State’s College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension, said Kennelly has been instrumental in expanding the depth and breadth of plant pathology and genetics at K-State.

“Over the past two years, Megan has demonstrated the skills and instincts required to be a successful leader as department head,” Minton said. “She is very thoughtful and thorough, and always asks the right questions to inform her communications and decision-making. I look forward to working with Megan as she leads plant pathology in the coming years.”

Since joining the department in 2006, Kennelly has earned several professional awards, served on the editorial board of five professional journals, given more than 350 extension presentations to horticulture professionals and developed innovative online educational resources for state, regional, and national growers.

She identifies plant diseases and provides management information for producers of fruit, vegetables, trees, ornamentals and turfgrass. Kennelly has served as major professor or co-major professor for eight graduate students and on advisory committees for ten others. She has authored or co-authored 36 journal articles and five book chapters and been a presenter or co-presenter for more than 60 scientific presentations.

Kennelly has been the lead or co-principal investigator on more than $4 million in external funding to support research, extension and education projects. Currently, she is the lead principal investigator of a $400,000 USDA-funded interdisciplinary project to provide research and extension experiences for undergraduates to train summer cohorts.

Barbara Valent, University Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology, called Kennelly a “tremendous faculty advocate.” Valent, who was named to the National Academies of Sciences in April based on her research at K-State, said she appreciates Kennelly’s tremendous support for research.

Two years ago, Valent won a major national research award that she believes was instrumental in her being named to NAS. Together with Marty Draper, associate dean of Research and Graduate Studies and director for Research, Kennelly wrote and submitted Valent’s application for the 2018 award.

“When I learned I had been elected to NAS, Megan was the very first person I called,” Valent said. “Megan couldn’t have been more excited for me.”

“I look forward to continuing to work with everyone in the department,” Kennelly said. “Every day I’m inspired by the creativity, commitment and enthusiasm of our faculty, students and staff. Even though I am not seeing everyone regularly now because of COVID-19, I am still energized by the high-impact work they are all doing in research, extension and teaching.”

Kennelly earned a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a doctorate in plant pathology from Cornell University and served as a postdoctoral researcher at Michigan State University.

Story by: 

Susan Schiff

864-723-3273

susanschiff@ksu.edu

Kansas Forest Service recommends diverse plantings

By Brooke Garcia

It is important to remember that disease resistance goes hand-in-hand with diversity. Monoculture can lead to catastrophic losses and increase the prevalence of disease in our communities. The Kansas Forest Service recently released an article regarding the important of planting a diversity of tree varieties in efforts to improve disease resilience. To view the article, click on the following link here.

Fall is a great time to plant trees in the landscape. There is an upcoming webinar on September 23rd from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., hosted through the #KStateGardenHour series, called “Fall Tree Planting: How to do it right!” Dr. Charlie Barden, K-State Forestry Specialist, will share his tips and techniques for selecting, planting, staking and mulching trees. In addition, learn about the trees for great fall color, and the differences when planting evergreen vs deciduous trees in the fall. To register for this webinar, visit the website: bit.ly/KStateGardenHour

Turfgrass Field Day Series

By Dr. Jack Fry and Alex Bach

Turfgrass Field Day would have been on August 6th, 2020, had we been able to have an in-person event this summer. This is certainly a first! For that reason, we’re offering a few short video summaries of research projects being conducted by K-State faculty and researchers.  In this video by Alex Bach, M.S. student in Horticulture, he discusses subsurface irrigation and how it impacts establishment of turfgrass from seed.

2020 Turfgrass Field Day Series Video 5 – Subsurface Irrigation by Alex Bach (Link Here)

Turfgrass Field Day Series

By Dr. Jack Fry, featuring video by Mu Hong

Turfgrass Field Day would have been on August 6th, 2020, had we been able to have an in-person event this summer. This is certainly a first! For that reason, we’re offering a few short video summaries of research projects being conducted by K-State faculty and researchers. Videos don’t exceed 5 minuets, and the forth video in the series, by Mu Hong, current Ph.D. student in Horticulture, is featured below. Mu discusses minimum water requires that are required for Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue to survive long drought periods.

2020 Field Day Video Series Video 4 Part 1 – Mu Hong (Link Here)

2020 Field Day Video Series Video 4 Part 2 – Mu Hong (Link Here)

For more details on related research conducted on zoysiagrass by Mu and Dr. Dale Bremer, click on the link below to see an article in the 2020 K-State Turfgrass Research Report:  https://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr/vol6/iss7/2/