CTRF Funds Two Additional Projects
Media Release: November 4, 2013
The Canadian Turfgrass Research Foundation (CTRF) has announced two new projects that it will fund over the next three years. The announcement follows an earlier 2013 release which identified three new projects that were approved for funding beginning in 2013.
This brings the total active CTRF programs to nine, involving total direct CTRF expenditures of over $400,000 and total research expenditures expected to be in excess of $800,000 for the period 2010 - 2016.
The two new projects include:
• Lakehead University – Dr. Chris Murray - The impact of golf courses on nutrient loss and overall pollutant export from developed areas, and;
• University of Guelph / GTI / GTI Solutions Group – John Bladon – Benefits of Healthy Turfgrass Poster.
In total, the two new projects selected will result in research being conducted with a value in excess of $75,000. This research is focussed on generating results to assist the turf industry in Canada and to provide public education tools for the sector.
The other active projects include:
• The Nova Scotia Agricultural College – B. Prithiviraj, Ph.D. - Compost tea for the management of dollar spot and snow mold of turf grass
• University of Guelph – K. Jordan, Ph.D. - Management, host pathogenicity, and rapid identification of Magnaporthe poae, causal agent of summer patch on annual bluegrass and Kentucky bluegrass turf
• University of Guelph - T. Hsiang, Ph.D. and Paul Goodwin, Ph.D – Defense activators as an alternative to pesticides for controlling turfgrass diseases
• Olds College - Darrell K. Tompkins, Ph.D. et al – Evaluation of ventilation systems under winter covers to prevent injury from anoxia on annual bluegrass putting greens
• University of Guelph – Dr. Eric Lyons - Increasing winter hardiness of golf greens and fairways by fall fertilization regime & manipulation of plant hormones
• University of Guelph / Olds College – Dr. Eric Lyons / Jim Ross - Identification of drought resistant turfgrass cultivars for water conservation
• Olds College – Jim Ross - Fall applications of nitrogen and potassium & effect on winter hardiness on annual bluegrass.
The CTRF is a registered charity with a mandate to raise monies and sponsor research projects that advance the environmental and economic benefits applicable to turfgrass. The CTRF is funded by contributions received from the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, Golf Canada and regional golf and turfgrass research organizations from across Canada including the Western Canada Turfgrass Association, the Alberta Turfgrass Research Foundation, the Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association, the Manitoba Golf Superintendents Association, the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation, The Quebec Turfgrass Research Foundation and the Atlantic Turfgrass Research Foundation.
On June 17th the CTRF Board of Directors was asked to vote on two more proposals deemed eligible for funding by a trust held separately from CTRF reserves, money left over from the dissolution of Audubon Canada.
The two proposals were:
• A poster denoting the environmental benefits of healthy turfgrass, and;
• Research on the impact of golf courses on nutrient loss and overall pollutant export from developed areas.
The Audubon endowment stipulates the following specific environmental criteria before a project can be considered for funding:
• The development of educational materials about the environmental impact of golf courses aimed at golfers
• Golf course research related to wildlife or biological components of the golf course
• Environmental research that is conducted on a golf course or courses
• Investigation of the environmental benefits of implementing specific cultural and management practices on golf courses;
Six of the eleven CTRF directors indicated both projects should be supported by the fund however information regarding project commencement has yet to be released. The poster was applied for as a one year commitment while the research project will take place over three years.