WCTA Online

The Long Game - Reducing Pesticide Use on Golf Courses

“The Long Game: Reducing Pesticides on Golf Courses” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_2S8Q0GzsQ

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Alec Kowalewski, Ph.D Turfgrass Specialist Oregon State University 4147 ALS Building Corvallis, OR 97331 (541)737-5449

Research Update: Effects of Alternatives to Traditional Fungicides and Winter Fertilization Practices on Microdochium Patch

Clint Mattox, Alec Kowalewski, and Brian McDonald Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University

Introduction:  Microdochium patch can be observed year-around in some cool, humid regions, and damages nearly all grass species in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.  Microdochium patch is a major disease on golf course putting greens from September through May, and under favorable conditions, can injure or kill significant amounts of turf which greatly disrupts the aesthetics and playability of the putting green surface.  Historically, more money has been spent on fungicides to combat this disease in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest than any other turfgrass disease.  Currently, fungicides applied every 3 to 4 weeks to putting greens throughout the 9 month period of disease activity are the primary means for providing control of this pathogen, which equates to roughly $20,000 annually per golf course. 

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Read more: Research Update: Effects of Alternatives to Traditional Fungicides and Winter Fertilization...

$2.3M Grant Announced for Turfgrass Research

By Jim Ross
Prairie Turgrass Research Centre

Recently, we received word that our grant application called, ‘Sustainable Turfgrass Management in the Canadian Prairie Provinces” was approved for funding.  The $2.3M grant is for five years and is an award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), a federal granting agency in Canada.

Read more: $2.3M Grant Announced for Turfgrass Research

2014 Turfgrass Research Contributors

The turgrass research funding year begins with our annual conference and trade show.  At that time, we typically see an influx of dollars through contributions from allied organizations like the BC Golf Superintendents Association and Kwantlen University Turf Club along with revenues generated from our Silent Auction and other fundraisers.

The good news is the WCTA Research fund receieved $1250 from the BCGSA this year and a record-setting, $5000 from the KPU Turf Club! 

Read more: 2014 Turfgrass Research Contributors