Turfgrass
Michigan Turfgrass Industry Research Priorities
Submitted by:
Michigan Turfgrass Foundation
Michigan Turfgrass Foundation
Water Movement and Nutrient and Pesticide Fate
Surface water quality:
- Phosphorus loading in surface waters.
- Phosphorus movement off established turf areas.
- Nitrate movement in established turf.
- Assessment and tracking tools for nutrients and pesticides.
- Nutrient and pesticide BMP’s.
Water Quantity, Land Use, and Climate Change
- Storm water retention systems suitable for irrigation of turf.
- Integrating turfgrass areas into land-use planning.
- Assessing and maximizing carbon sequestration in turfgrass systems.
- Cool season turfgrass adaptation to potential climate change in Michigan.
Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics
Biotic Stresses:
- Disease resistance, especially dollar spot and snow mold.
- Insect resistance, especially for white grubs.
Abiotic Stresses:
- Heat and cold tolerance.
- Shade tolerance.
- Wear tolerance.
- General low-input turfgrasses.
- Establishing seed production in Michigan.
Integrated Pest Management
- European chafer and Japanese beetle management.
- Weather-based IPM systems.
- Tools & templates to implement IPM programs.
- Management of Fairy Ring.
- Granular pesticide alternatives to liquid (spray application) of pesticides (efficacy and environmental impact and fate).
Bio-based Products, Alternative Fuels and Energy Conservation
- Bio-diesel and bio-lubricants and fluids.
- Ethanol production from turfgrass clippings, pelletizing clippings and fuel cell technology for turf management equipment.
Education, Job Training and Career Development
- Curriculum development to teach turf in K-12 & Agri-science programs.
- Turf as a model to teach math & science.
Develop strategies to meet current labor shortages & supply labor for future growth:
- Migrant issues.
- Recruitment of women and minorities.
- Workforce training.