2024 Turfgrass Research Summary Report
2024 Turfgrass Research Summary Report
By WCTA Staff
Working with many of our allied groups, one of the primary mandates of the Western Canada Turfgrass Association is to foster turfgrass research for the betterment of the entire sports turf and golf course management industry.
The scientific process has been a critical component in the evolution of our industry and continues to drive us forward, operating in the background, advancing the field and providing solutions to everyday challenges. As the industry finds itself increasingly engaged in advocacy efforts, there is great need to detail and quantify all the good things that turf does for us.
In the past 15 years, the WCTA has directed over $315,000 toward turf research projects! Within that period, the highest dollar figure in any one year was $32,762. Project funding dollars come from 10% of all member dues, 30% of any net operating profit at year end, but mostly, from the contributions made by those in the industry and the hard work of many individuals over the years directed at fund-raising initiatives.
For the 2023/2024 fiscal year, our Silent Auction raised $4,560, not our best performance but every bit helps and thank-you to all contributors and bid winners for your support! When the dust settled, $16,678 is available for 2025 turf research projects (funding decisions currently in progress).
Note that many research projects are jointly funded which helps reduce the overall burden on one particular group. For example, the Canadian Turf Research Foundation (CTRF) collects funds from several provincial groups like the WCTA, rolls it all together and distributes it on a national scale.
Current priorities for WCTA turfgrass research funding:
• A systems approach to sustainable turfgrass management.
• Turf management best practices.
• Effects of climate change on turfgrass and pests.
• Improved turfgrass species and varieties.
• Societal benefits of turfgrass.
• Economic impact of turf management decisions.
• New instrumentation, robotics and software technologies.
• Basic research (economics, environment, playability) of synthetic turf & comparison to natural turf.
• Development and evaluation of effective alternatives to conventional pesticides.
• Nutrient management and nutrient sources.
• Water conservation and water quality.
• Emerging Pests – Improved diagnostics for new pests and turf diseases in northern climates.
• Wear tolerance, management and recovery.
2024 Turf Research Funding Summary
Based on funds raised in 2023, cash available to the Research Committee for 2024 projects was approximately $23,377 with funding of about $33,000 approved (approximation due to estimated US currency conversion). The following projects were put forward by the Research Committee and approved by the WCTA Board for 2024 funding:
Project Title: Canadian Turfgrass Research Foundation Cooperative Funding
The CTRF collects and distributes research monies much like the WCTA but on a National Scale. We have contributed to this collaborative approach to research funding annually since 1992.
PROJECT LENGTH: multiple projects / varies
WCTA COMMITMENT: $8,000
See http://www.turfresearchcanada.ca/current-research for list of current research projects.
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Project Title: Alberta Turfgrass Research Foundation Cooperative Funding
Similar to the CTRF, ATRF collects research monies from multiple sources for projects taking place at the Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre. In the past, WCTA would consider PTRC project funding on a case-by-case basis - 2024 marked the first time for a collaborative funding approach.
PROJECT LENGTH: multiple projects / varies
WCTA COMMITMENT: $5,000
See https://www.oldscollege.ca/smart-farm-research/areas-of-focus/faculty-led/alberta-turfgrass-research-foundation.html for list of current research projects.
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Project Title: Effects of Equipment Traffic on Turfgrass During Frost Conditions, Alec Kowalewksi, Oregon State University
Frost is a concern on northern golf courses in the fall, winter and spring. This concern has become more of an issue recently with the surge in golf over the past couple years, and the high demand for tee times. The United States Golf Association (USGA) currently has conservative recommendations with respect to frost delays, suggesting significant delays on mornings with frost due to the fact that it is not well understood what causes turfgrass injury, and the environmental conditions necessary for damage. Current recommendations are to delay the start of golf until after the frost has melted. However, there has been significant pushback from golfers who are skeptical as to whether these delays are truly necessary. It is also poorly understood how turfgrass species, mowing height and source of traffic (foot traffic, cart traffic or maintenance equipment) affect injury during frost. Frost delays translate to significant reductions in revenue and valuable maintenance time which is often early in the morning prior to golfer arrival.
In response to these questions a series of preliminary studies were conducted at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR in February of 2022 at the request of USGA Agronomy and Research staff. Results from these initial explorations determined that foot traffic, equivalent to 16 golfers on an annual bluegrass putting green, applied during eight frost events in February did not produce visual annual bluegrass damage, or reductions in turf health. Findings from this initial work determined that as little as one cart pass on a creeping bentgrass fairway during a frost event produced noticeable damage. Considering these initial results, further exploration into the effects of golf cart, and golf maintenance equipment traffic, during frost is warranted.
PROJECT LENGTH: 3 years
WCTA COMMITMENT: $11,500 USD for year one. Payment 2 of 2 for $8006 paid in 2023/2024 fiscal year
STATUS: project continuing, WCTA funding commitment complete
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Project Title: Pure Urea Granular (46-0-0) as a Fungicide Alternative for Dollar Spot Control, Dr. Geunhwa Jung, UMass Amherst / Stockbridge School of Agriculture
This project aims to determine the optimal timing and concentration for pure nitrogen fertilizer 46-0-0 granular application, potentially achieving a level of longer residual effectiveness comparable to commonly used fungicides in the control of dollar spot disease while avoiding foliar burn. The outcomes of this research will offer valuable insights, benefiting not only golf course superintendents facing multiple fungicide resistance but also homeowners with lawns. Many homeowners lack fungicide application licenses and must rely on lawn care services, making these findings especially relevant to them. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness and environmentally friendly nature of nitrogen fertilizer make it an ideal choice for sustainable turfgrass management.
PROJECT LENGTH: 2 years
WCTA COMMITMENT: $10,000 USD for year one.
STATUS: Project funding was rescinded because some terms in our standard funding agreement were not acceptable to the University, ie. publication rights. Altering this template, used by the CTRF and us successfully for many years with various institutions, would have required a high level of scrutiny by our Board and legal counsel, a lengthy and expensive process the WCTA Board decided was not worth further efforts at this time.
Acknowledgements
The WCTA would like to thank and recognize those individuals, groups, companies and institutions who have contributed generously to turf research project funding this year, without whom our Turf Research funding program simply would not exist.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank those who serve tirelessly on our Research Committee:
Peter Sorokovsky - City of Burnaby (Chair)
David Duncan - THP Co. (WCTA Past President)
Ladd Legeyt - Agrium Advanced Technologies (Industry Representative)
Jim Ross - Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre (retired)
Curtis Zanussi - City of Castlegar
Arran Marlow - Blue Ocean Golf Club
Josh Carlsen - Township of Langley
Finally, on behalf of the entire WCTA membership, we must recognize the efforts of Turfgrass Researchers and Educators who continually drive the turf management industry forward, largely behind the scenes, with their vision, dedication and accomplishments.
If you wish to contribute to turf research through the WCTA, please contact Committee Chair, Peter Sorokovsky.
Please note that the Western Canada Turfgrass Association accepts no responsibility in respect to the opinions and data expressed in the editorial material or outcome of the research projects. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the Association.