NTA Donates $46,000 Toward Research

The Northwest Turfgrass Association will be donating $46,160 to worthy turfgrass research and education programs in 2018 as it continues to be a leading benefactor for the golf industry in the Pacific Northwest. Over the past four years, the NTA has donated almost $200,000 to various programs.

There will be three separate research studies at Oregon State University that the NTA will be funding, totaling $31,160. All three studies pertain to Microdochium Patch, which is a consistent disease problem for turfgrass managers in the Northwest. The largest financial contribution will be $11,141 for a study that will compare iron sulfate versus chelated iron for the suppression of Microdochium Patch on annual bluegrass putting greens in the absence and presence of phosphorous acid.

In all for 2018, four different entities in the Northwest will be supported through the grants, which were decided by the NTA Board of Directors after recommendations from the Research Committee.

The grants from the NTA are made possible through the numerous and generous contributions from clubs and individuals throughout the Northwest.

For 2018, after extensive consideration and recommendations from the NTA Research Committee, the Board of Directors awarded the following research and education grants:

Comparing iron sulfate versus chelated iron for the suppression of Microdochium Patch on annual bluegrass putting greens in the absence and presence of phosphorous acid --

     Oregon State University                 $11,141.00

Effects of winter nitrogen, phosphate and potassium rates on Microdochium Patch –

     Oregon State University                 $10,020.00

Quantifying the long-term effects of alternative Microdochium Patch management techniques on sand-based annual bluegrass putting green performance over multiple seasons – 

     Oregon State University                 $9,999.00

Applied research putting green – 

     Walla Walla Community College       $5,000.00

Reducing turf stress by increasing root growth and density with endophytic bacteria –

     AGPW, LLC                                 $5,000.00

First Green Links as Labs

     First Green Foundation                  $2,500.00

Bill Griffith Turfgrass Management Scholarship

     Walla Walla Community College        $2,500.00

For more information on how to apply for grants for 2019, or to contribute directly to the NTA, contact Paul Ramsdell, executive director of the NTA, at mpsparks90@aol.com or 253-219-8360.