.gif) |
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has selected three new research projects to fund in 2014. The research funds are made available to GCSAA through a block grant from the Environmental Institute for Golf.
All three projects are part of GCSAA's Chapter Cooperative Research Program. Under this program, each participating GCSAA chapter identifies one or more research projects that address "a significant local issue" for superintendents. After a chapter has pledged financial support for a project, the researchers are eligible to apply for a grant from GCSAA's Chapter Cooperative Research Program. The new studies were funded based on recommendations by the GCSAA Research Committee and approved by the association's board of directors.
"GCSAA remains committed to to supporting research because of its invaluable benefit to our members," GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. "Through the generous support the EIFG receives, we can continue to make research a cornerstone of our programming."
The research projects chosen for funding in 2014 are:
•Insecticide resistant annual bluegrass weevil: Understanding, managing and preventing a superintendent's nightmare
Albrecht M. Koppenhöfer, Ph.D., and Olga Kostromytska, Ph.D., Rutgers University Co-funded by: Connecticut AGCS, GCSA of New Jersey, Hudson Valley GCSA, Long Island GCSA, Metropolitan GCSA, Mountain & Valley GCSA, New Jersey Turfgrass Association and Pocono Turfgrass Association
•Use of giberellin synthesis-inhibiting plant growth regulators for the prevention of Acidovorax avenae infection of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera)
T. Karl Danneberger, Ph.D., and David S. Gardner, Ph.D., Ohio State University Co-funded by: Miami Valley GCSA and Greater Cincinnati GCSA
•Effect of golf course turfgrass management on water quality of non-tidal streams in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Erik Ervin, Ph.D., and Stephen Schoenholtz, Ph.D., Virginia Tech Co-funded by: Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association and Old Dominion GCSA
GCSAA is continuing to support two projects that were selected for funding in 2013. Kevin Frank, Ph.D., and Emily Merewitz, Ph.D., at Michigan State University, are studying drought and traffic stresses on creeping bentgrass; and James Murphy, Ph.D., and Bruce Clarke, Ph.D., at Rutgers University, are examining the influence of best management practices on control of anthracnose disease in annual bluegrass turf. Four additional studies funded in 2012 are in various stages of completion. The results of all the GCSAA-funded research will be published in the research section of Golf Course Management magazine