AgBioResearch

Michigan Turfgrass Industry Research Priorities

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.