WCTA Announces 2013 Research Project Funding

Current priorities for WCTA turfgrass research funding are as follows:

 Nutrient and fertility management, best management practices
 Soil and root-zone management, best management practices
 Evaluation of alternatives to pesticides
 Irrigation and water use issues (water quality and reducing water usage)
 Investigations into the biology, ecology and management of current and emerging pests
 Alternative cultivar and species for new turf construction, integration and conversion into existing turf areas
 Species/cultivar evaluation and improved management practices for areas of heavy traffic and wear tolerance

As recommended by the Research Committee, the WCTA Board is pleased to announce approved 2013 Turf Research project funding as follows:

Project Title: Canadian Turf 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:   $4,000
Note that at time of writing, CTRF project funding details had not been released
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Project Title: Evaluation of Alternative Management Strategies to Reduce or Eliminate the Use of Fungicides for Control of Microdochium Patch, Oregon State University

More money is spent on fungicides to control Microdochium patch than any other turfgrass disease in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest United States. Turfgrass managers continue to be scrutinized when it comes to pesticide use for the control of problematic turf pests. This project will evaluate cultural practices as well as new alternative products that have shown potential to control Microdochium patch. Each component will be evaluated individually and upon completion of the two year research project be integrated into a complete management program for the control of Microdochium patch with the intent of greatly reducing or eliminating fungicide use.

PROJECT LENGTH:   2 years
WCTA COMMITMENT:   $15,000 USD
TOTAL PROJECT VALUE: $70,000
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Thanks to all those who have supported the Turf Research and through it,  betterment of the Turf Industry from ongoing continued investigation and research.  And of course, best of luck to the Researchers with this year’s projects!