Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Direct and indirect targets intended by my research project include turf industry professionals such as sports turf managers, golf course superintendents, lawn care personals, as well as students and researchers in colleges. The results also intended for home and business owners to take care home lawns and landscapes. Finally, some of the results also are useful for public and private sectors involved in soil erosion control, soil remediation and reclamation after contamination by gas and oil production and mining. My research results reached above targets through field demonstrations at the research station at North Dakota State University, as well as through seminars, presentations given at conferences, tradeshows, and regional meetings. Other efforts include visiting business and professionals, and answering phone calls from turf professionals and home owners. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Advised graduate students, Nolan Berg (MS) and Yang Gao (PhD), and served on graduate student committee of Buddhika Madurapperuma (PhD). Mentored undergraduate student research and three governor school students on the research related to the project; Served as the advisor of turf club undergraduate student organization; Served as mentor of Pavek Hall for undergraduate students; Conducted student learning assessment for Sports and Urban Turfgrass Management Major. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The oil and gas industry is vital to the economy of North Dakota. More than 8,000 oil wells have been completed in western North Dakota's rugged prairie, which brought in $4 billion tax revenue since 2010 for the state. Eighty-nine percent of the shale formations in the west that hold either oil or a mixture of oil and gas are on private lands that are normally owned by farmers or ranchers for agricultural production. According to the statistics by U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 2,024 leases covering 1,028,533 acres of land in ND are signed for oil and gas production. Soil contamination at oil and gas drilling and production sites is caused primarily by the intentional, accidental and incidental discharge of drilling fluids, crude petroleum and refined petroleum products (i.e. fuels and lubricants used in machinery and equipment). During an oil drilling process, drill cuttings are brought above ground and disposed after recycling the separated drill bit lubricating materials (drill mud). The composition of drill cuttings is complex and varies from site to site. The well size, drilling material, and muds used, environmental conditions, the mineralogy of the strata overlying the target reservoir, and the drilling techniques determine the composition of the drill cutting collectively. In addition to petroleum hydrocarbons, drill cuttings usually are high in salts (KCl and NaCl). The pH of most drilling muds is maintained between 9.5 and 10.5 to suppress corrosion and control the solubility of calcium and magnesium components. Corrosion control additives typically include calcium carbonate (CaCO3), caustic soda, white lime, and sodium acid pyrophosphate (Na2(HPO4)2). The heavy metals found in drilling muds are known toxicants that persist in the environment and tend to accumulate in food chains. Remediation of contaminated soils on or near the site of contamination is most economical and desirable. Phytoremedation is a process that uses plants tolerant to contaminants, combined with different cultural practices, such as soil amendment (biochar, compost, liquid organic matter, fertilizer) to remedy the contaminated sites, and improve the soil and environmental conditions. North Dakota is quickly urbanizing which brings business and employment opportunities as well as challenges, such as water resource limitations and environmental problems. There is an urgent need to strike a balance between improving the standard of living and conserving resources so that future generations can also enjoy a high standard of living. North Dakota has the highest number of golf courses per capita. Soil salinity and sodicity affect 34 of the 52 counties in North Dakota accounting for 0.76 million hectares of sodium and 0.28 million hectares of salinity affected areas (Seelig, 2000). North Dakota shares the same challenges in the turf industry as the nation, along with its regional and local issues. Besides of salinity problems caused by spill and inappropriate handling of drilling fluid, using recycled water for turfgrass irrigation as a means of water conservation also requires for salt tolerant grass species and management practices. Water conservation through drought tolerant species and irrigation schedule based on turfgrass behavior. Tall fescue is a cool-season turfgrass with moderate to high tolerance to salinity. Twenty five tall fescue cultivars have been tested and seven have been selected for use in North Dakota. Drought and salinity tolerance were found affected not only by cultivars but also by nitrogen form of the fertilizers. Results also showed that salinity stress in tall fescue may be detected from a single leaf using near infrared and infrared spectroscopy and the parameters are sensitive enough to be used in breeding. The commonly existed salts in soil such as sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride cause different levels of injuries, such as leaf firing, and physiological stress in tall fescue at same molar concentrations. Leaf firing was mainly caused by an alkaline condition with pH greater than 9 as in sodium carbonate, or moderately high pH (8 to 9) combined with high salinity (high EC) as in calcium chloride. Each of the saltscaused significant leaf firing at concentrations above 50 milimole. The information is not only important for breeders to select relevant traits for a particular problem, but also important for practitioners to select correct management plans for turfgrass and home lawns. Soil erosion control using salt tolerant and low maintenance turfgrass species or species mixtures. New species and cultivars are tested for use in salt affected areas such as a boulevard where ice melting salts applied on sidewalks usually add more salinity in the cold regions. Optimum ratios of Kentucky bluegrass, creeping red fescue, and alkali grass in a seed premix weredeveloped based on turf quality and stress index (Normalized vegetation index). Foliar application of fertilizers on turfgrass via overhead fertigation or spray can improve nutrient absorption efficiency and uniformity. Foliar fertilizers can also be combined with other chemical applications to save labor and energy. However, foliar application of nitrogen (N) may result in root growth reduction. Our study showed that tank mixing organic amendments resulted in better or same turfgrass visual quality, and lower clipping yield compared to foliar fertilization alone. The results showed tank mixing organic amendment with right liquid fertilizer can reduce mowing frequency without reducing the turf quality. Sixty five grass species were screened for their tolerance to crude oil and drill cuttings at the germination stage. Two species were grouped as tolerant, 18 species as moderately tolerant, 27 species as moderately sensitive, and 18 species as sensitive to drill cuttings. In the test with crude oil, 28 species were classified as tolerant, 29 species as moderately tolerant, 6 species as moderately sensitive, and 2 species as sensitive. Nine species were further tested at different contamination levels. Seed germination and seedling biomass of all species werereduced. Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.), showed the least reduction of germination and biomass when grown in contaminated soil. Thus, it is a potential species to be used in remediation of oil contaminated with hydrocarbons. Seventy two grass species also were screened at 5-leaf stage for their tolerance to crude oil and drill cuttings. Thirteen species, among which seven are cereal crops, showed visual injury index less than 20 in a 0 to 100 scale, when grown in soil contaminated with drill cuttings. Of the grass species screened, grassy weeds ranked in the top one-third of biomass reduction with only yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.) and foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum L.) as exceptions. Nine species were chosen to further test the growth and phytotoxicity at different levels of contamination. The responses of those species at mature stages were affected by growing conditions. Nevertheless, barley and yellow foxtail showed lower biomass reduction and phytotoxicity compared with the other species. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to test the soil samples, it was found that concentrations of hydrocarbons in soil were reduced differently by different species. Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) showed the highest reduction of hydrocarbons from drill cuttings, while yellow foxtail and annual ryegrass showed the highest reduction of hydrocarbons from crude oil contamination.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Gao, Y., and D. Li. 2015. Assessing leaf senescence in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) under salinity stress using leaf spectrum. Europ. J. Hort. Sci. 80:170-176.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Yuan, L., Y. Gao, and D. Li. 2015. Reestablishment of perennial ryegrass in lawn damaged by diesel and hydraulic fluid spills. HortTechnology. (Under review).
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Yang Gao. 2015. Phytoremediation of soils contaminated by oil and gas drilling and production operations using grass species. A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Li, D. Low maintenance Lawn Mixes. Invited presentation at the Dakota Garden Expo 2015. Bismarck, ND. April 18, 2015.
Li, D. Low maintenance and salt tolerance in lawn care. Presentation at the NDSU Yard and Garden Field Day. Fargo, ND. July 21, 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Li, D. Salt tolerance in lawn. Presentation at the NDSU Yard and Garden Field Day. Fargo, ND. July 22, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Yang, G., and D. Li. 2012. Differentiating the Physiological Responses of Creeping Bentgrass to Carbonate, Chloride, and Sulfate Salinity. 2012 North Dakota Water Commission. 24 February 2012. Best Western RmKota Hotel. Bismarck, ND.
Li, D. What is managed? Invited presentation at Soil Organic Matter Summit. 15 November 2012. Kansas City, MO.
Li, D. NDSU turfgrass research update. Invited presentation to turfgrass managers and businesses owners. 21 July 2012. Ramada Hotel. Fargo, ND.
|
Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Direct and indirect targets intended by my research project include turf industry professionals such as sports turf managers, golf course superintendents, lawn care personals, as well as students and researchers in colleges. The results also will be useful for public and private sectors involved in soil erosion control, soil remediation and reclamation after contamination by gas and oil production and mining. My research results reached above targets through field demonstrations at the research station at North Dakota State University, as well as through seminars, presentations given at conferences, tradeshows, and regional meetings. Other efforts include visiting business and professionals, and answering phone calls from turf professionals. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? One PhD graduate student and 4 undergraduate students participated on this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Currently, the results are disseminated through journal publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The oil and gas industry is vital to the economy of North Dakota. More than 8,000 oil wells have been completed in western North Dakota's rugged prairie, which brought in $4 billion tax revenue since 2010 for the state. Eighty-nine percent of the shale formations in the west that hold either oil or a mixture of oil and gas are on private lands that are normally owned by farmers or ranchers for agricultural production. According to the statistics by U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 2,024 leases covering 1,028,533 acres of land in ND are signed for oil and gas production. Soil contamination at oil and gas drilling and production sites is caused primarily by the intentional, accidental and incidental discharge of drilling fluids, crude petroleum and refined petroleum products (i.e. fuels and lubricants used in machinery and equipment). During an oil drilling process, drill cuttings are brought above ground and disposed after recycling the separated drill bit lubricating materials (drill mud). The composition of drill cuttings is complex and varies from site to site. The well size, drilling material, and muds used, environmental conditions, the mineralogy of the strata overlying the target reservoir, and the drilling techniques determine the composition of the drill cutting collectively. In addition to petroleum hydrocarbons, drill cuttings usually are high in salts (KCl and NaCl). The pH of most drilling muds is maintained between 9.5 and 10.5 to suppress corrosion and control the solubility of calcium and magnesium components. Corrosion control additives typically include calcium carbonate (CaCO3), caustic soda, white lime, and sodium acid pyrophosphate (Na2(HPO4)2). The heavy metals found in drilling muds are known toxicants that persist in the environment and tend to accumulate in food chains. Hydrocarbon is chemically and biologically stable and has a long residence time of up to 40 years in soil. Biodegradation was believed to be the primary decontamination mechanisms. The fate rate is depending on the physico-chemical properties, molecular structure, and concentration of the hydrocarbon, and also is affected by soil types, soil physic-chemical properties (pH, water content, organic matter content, microorganisms), and environmental factors (temperature, precipitation, light). Remediation of contaminated soils on or near the site of contamination is most economical and desirable. One of the means is engineering method, such as thermal processes. Bioremediation, which is economical and environment-friendly, is another option which involves the using of microbes that can degrade hydrocarbons. However, most of the microbes capable of degradation of hydrocarbons in soils are not tolerant to cold temperatures and require long time to take effect. Phytoremedation is a process that uses plants tolerant to contaminants, combined with different cultural practices, such as soil amendment (biochar, compost, liquid organic matter, fertilizer) to remedy the contaminated sites, and improve the soil and environmental conditions. Sixty five grass species were screened for their tolerance to crude oil and drill cuttings at the germination stage. Two species were grouped as tolerant, 18 species as moderately tolerant, 27 species as moderately sensitive, and 18 species as sensitive to drill cuttings. In the test with crude oil, 28 species were classified as tolerant, 29 species as moderately tolerant, 6 species as moderately sensitive, and 2 species as sensitive. Nine species were further tested at different contamination levels. Seed germination and seedling biomass of all species was reduced. Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.), showed the least reduction of germination and biomass when grown in contaminated soil. Thus, it is a potential species to be used in remediation of oil contaminated with hydrocarbons. Seventy two grass species also were screened at 5-leaf stage for their tolerance to crude oil and drill cuttings. Thirteen species, among which seven are cereal crops, showed visual injury index less than 20 in a 0 to 100 scale, when grown in soil contaminated with drill cuttings. Of the grass species screened, grassy weeds ranked in the top one-third of biomass reduction with only yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.) and foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum L.) as exceptions. Nine species were chosen to further test the growth and phytotoxicity at different levels of contamination. The responses of those species at mature stages were affected by growing conditions. Nevertheless, barley and yellow foxtail showed lower biomass reduction and phytotoxicity compared with the other species. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to test the soil samples, it was found that concentrations of hydrocarbons in soil were reduced differently by different species. Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) showed the highest reduction of hydrocarbons from drill cuttings, while yellow foxtail and annual ryegrass showed the highest reduction of hydrocarbons from crude oil contamination.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Yuan, L., D. Li, Y. Gao, and W. Xiao. 2014. Seed ratios for optimum turf quality of mixtures of Kentucky bluegrass, creeping red fescue, and alkaligrass subjected to deicing salts. HortTechnology 24:712-716.
Chang, Z., X. Jin, and D. Li. 2014. Phosphorus responses vary among cool-season turfgrasses during establishment from seed. Agron. J. 106:1975-1980. Doi:10.2134/agronj14.0225.
Gao, Y., and D. Li. 2014. Growth responses of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) to salinity stress. Europ. J. Hort. Sci. 79:123-128.
Han L., Y. Gao, and D. Li. 2014. Ion uptake in tall fescue as affected by carbonate, chloride, and sulfate salinity. PLoS ONE 9(3): e91908. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0091908
Yin, S., Q. Li, W. Liu, and D. Li. 2014. Managing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L.) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) mixtures as turfgrass in transition zone. Agron. J. 106:1-6. doi:10.2134/agronj2013.0148.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Gao, Y. and D. Li. 2014. Influence of Nitrogen forms of fertilizer on tall fescue salinity tolerance. Nov. 2-5, 2014. ASA, CSSA and SSSA Annual Meetings. Long Beach, Ca.
|
Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: My research results reached turfgrass management professionals include sports turf managers, golf course superintendents, lawn care personals, students in the green industry, researchers in turgrass and environmental protection using grass species. My research results reached above targets through classroom instruction, laboratories, field demonstrations at North Dakota State University, as well as through seminars, presentations given at conferences, tradeshows, and regional meetings. Other efforts include visiting local lawn care firms, golf courses, sports fields to reach practitioners directly. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training one graduate student - Yang Gao. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Currently, the results are disseminated through journal publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? My research in the next reporting period will focus on the salinity and toxicity issues associated with gas and oil drilling fluid/water disposal in grassland or farm land. Grass species for, forage, grain crops, and landscape will be evaluated and establishment strategies and practices will be developed for phytoremediation using grass species.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Oil and gas industry is very important to the economy of North Dakota. The in-state gross business volume (direct and secondary impacts) of exploration activities was estimated at $7.531 billion in 2009 for ND. Currently, North Dakota has 10,023 wells and produces 900,000 barrels of oil daily. Eighty-nine percent of the shale formations in the west that hold either oil or a mixture of oil and gas are on private lands that are normally owned by farmers or ranchers for agricultural production. According to the statistics by U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 2,024 leases covering 1,028,533 acres of land in ND are signed for oil and gas production. Soil contamination at oil and gas drilling and production sites is caused primarily by the intentional, accidental and incidental discharge of drilling fluids, crude petroleum and refined petroleum products (i.e. fuels and lubricants used in machinery and equipment). Hydraulic fracturing is a practice that may involve the injection of toxic chemicals into or close to drink water supplies. Storm water runoff during construction or from established well pad also may contribute water pollution. Soil pollution may happen from oil and gas industry wastes which contain petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, radioactive materials, salts and toxic chemicals. Despite the low probability, major spills happen occasionally, and result in great damage to oil industry, as well as agricultural industry and the life of local residents. There are over 300 oil spills in the last two years in North Dakota. Hydrocarbon is chemically and biologically stable and has a long residence time of up to 40 years in soil. Biodegradation was believed to be the primary decontamination mechanisms. The fate rate is depending on the physico-chemical properties, molecular structure, and concentration of the hydrocarbon, and also is affected by soil types, soil physic-chemical properties (pH, water content, organic matter content, microorganisms), and environmental factors (temperature, precipitation, light). Remediation of contaminated soils on or near the site of contamination is most economical and desirable. One of the means is engineering method, such as thermal processes. Bioremediation, which is economical and environment-friendly, is another option which involves the using of microbes that can degrade hydrocarbons. However, most of the microbes capable of degradation of hydrocarbons in soils are not tolerant to cold temperatures and require long time to take effect. Phytoremedation is a process that uses plants tolerant to contaminants, combined with different cultural practices, such as soil amendment (biochar, compost, liquid organic matter, fertilizer) to remedy the contaminated sites, and improve the soil and environmental conditions. Over 80 grass species have been evaluated for tolerance to crude oil and drilling fluid both at germination and seedling stage. Our results showed that different species responded to the contaminants differently, some are more sensitive than others, and some showed higher tolerance than others. As a result, a list of species could be used as indicators for the levels of soil contamination. Also, a list of species was selected for use in phytoremediation. A model remediation procedure was developed using perennial ryegrass as an example, in which mulching with peat pellet in conjunction with soil organic amendment, nitrate fertilizers has shown successful re-establishment of perennial ryegrass within two months of heavy diesel spill. Further research is under way to develop cultural methods of phytoremediation for crude oil spills and drilling fluid spills.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Chang, Z., Z. Jia, J.Liu, and D. Li. 2013. Influence of gypsum and wettig agent on sand-based putting greens irrigated with recycled wastewater. Agron. J. 105:1676-1682.
Yin, S., Q. Li, W. Liu, and D. Li. 2013. Managing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L.) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) mixtures as turfgrass in transition zone. Agron. J.
Yu, Q., Z. Chang, and D. Li. 2013. Physiological responses of creeping bentgrass cultivars to carbonate, chloride, and sulfate salinity. Crop Sci. 53:1-9. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2012.09.0555
Bai, R., and D. Li. 2013. Establishment of perennial ryegrass in soil with simulated petroleum-based spills and remediation. HortTechnology 23:334-338.
Wang, Y., W.Fang, D. Li, and R. Gaussoin. 2013. Soil chemical properties of golf greens affected by age initial construction and establishment. Intern. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 12:539-544.
Klingenberg, M.T., D. Li, N.E. Christians, and C.J. Blume. 2013. Core aeration programs and sand topdressing improve creeping bentgrass fairways. Intern. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 12:151-156.
Wang, Y., and D. Li. 2013. Estimating water conductivity of sand-based root zone materials from particle size distribution: effects of peat amendments. Grassland and Turf 33:66-71.
Zhang H., Y. Wang, and D. Li. 2013. Hydraulic conductivity of golf course putting green root zones affected by sodium adsorption ratio of leaching water. Grassland and Turf 33:72-80.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Gao, Y., and D. Li. 2012. Detecting salinity stress in tall fescue based on single leaf spectrum. Scientia Horticulturae 138:159-164.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bigelow, Cale A.; Frank, Kevin W.; Li, Deying; Gardner, David S.; Xiong, Xi; Diesburg, Kenneth; Settle, Derek M.; Horgan, Brian P. 2013. ASA, CSSA and SSSA Annual Meetings [2013]. p. 80460.
Li, Deying. 2013. Improve the efficacy of Tenacity for creeping bentgrass control. Golfdom. May. 69(5): p. 34-37.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Li, D., J. Henderson, J.T. Vanini, andJ.N. Rogers, III. 2013. Research tools and technologies for turfgrass establishment. Pp.1189-1239. In: J. C. Stier, B.P. Horgan, and S.A. Bonos (eds). Turfgrass; Biology, Use, and Management. Agronomy Monograph NO. 56. ASA-CSSSA-SSSA. Madison, WI, USA.
|
Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Water conservation through drought tolerant species and irrigation schedule based on turfgrass behavior. Tall fescue is a cool-season turfgrass with moderate to high tolerance to salinity. Twenty five tall fescue cultivars have been tested and seven have been selected for use in North Dakota. Drought and salinity tolerance were found affected not only by cultivars but also by nitrogen form of the fertilizers. Results also showed that salinity stress in tall fescue may be detected from a single leaf using near infrared and infrared spectroscopy and the parameters are sensitive enough to be used in breeding. The commonly existed salts in soil such as sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride cause different levels of injuries, such as leaf firing, and physiological stress in tall fescue at same molar concentrations. Leaf firing was mainly caused by an alkaline condition with pH greater than 9 as in sodium carbonate, or moderately high pH (8 to 9) combined with high salinity (high EC) as in calcium chloride. All those salts caused significant leaf firing at concentration above 50 milimole. Soil erosion control using salt tolerant and low maintenance turfgrass species or species mixtures. New species and cultivars are tested for use in salt affected areas such as a boulevard where ice melting salts applied on sidewalks usually add more salinity in the cold regions. Optimum ratios of Kentucky bluegrass, creeping red fescue, and alkali grass in a seed premix was developed based on turf quality and stress index (Normalized vegetation index). Foliar application of fertilizers on turfgrass via overhead fertigation or spray can improve nutrient absorption efficiency and uniformity. Foliar fertilizers can also be combined with other chemical applications to save labor and energy. However, foliar application of nitrogen (N) may result in root growth reduction. Our study showed that tank mixing organic amendment resulted in better or same turfgrass visual quality, and lower clipping yield compared to foliar fertilization alone. The results showed tank mixing organic amendment with right liquid fertilizer can reduce mowing frequency without reducing the turf quality. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Turfgrass Researchers, Golf and sport turf managers, Lawn care specialists, Landscape and management Business, Home owners. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
North Dakota has the highest number of golf courses per capita while the lowest percentage of superintendents holding a college diploma. Many of the lawn care business are without professional training and are not associated with their national organizations. North Dakota green industry is estimated $5.8 million in sales. Nationally, turfgrass sod/sprigs as a commodity group ranked fifth behind nursery plants, annual bedding plants, potted flowers, and mushrooms and accounted for 7% of the total sales. This suggests that there is a big potential of development for the horticulture sector in North Dakota, especially for turf which has higher values and similar cultural procedures to the traditional crops. North Dakota is quickly urbanizing. Along with it are new housing developments, landscaping, and public facilities which open a new horizon of business and employment opportunities and new challenges as well, such as water resource limitations and environmental problems. 9% of 34 counties in ND are salt affected soils. There is an urgent need to strike a balance between improving the standard of living and conserving our environment and resources so that future generations can also enjoy a high standard of living. The results from our research demonstrated that tall fescue, fine fescue and other low maintenance species could be managed to high quality turf. Also, cultural practices developed for existing species will address the above issues by reducing maintenance costs. Our research also help to reduce environmental impacts, such as using recycled water, reducing contamination of ground water, reduction in noise and air pollution. The outcomes also help to increase property values and commercial appeal, in addition to many recreation functions such as sports, parks, and play grounds.
Publications
- Gao, Y., and D. Li. 2012. Detecting salinity stress in tall fescue based on single leaf spectrum. Scientia Horticulturae 138:159-164.
- Gao, Y., D. Li, and Yajun Chen. 2012. Differentiation of carbonate, chloride, and sulfate salinity response in tall fescue. Scientia Horticultrae 139:1-7.
- Gao, Y., and D. Li. 2012. Foliar fertilization by tank-mixing with organic amendment on creeping bentgrass. HortTechnology 22:157-163.
|
Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Numerous research projects were conducted at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Fargo, ND that focused on turfgrass management with reduced inputs to conserve energy and resources. The overall goal of these experiments was to explore the beneficial properties in turfgrass for improvement of urban and rural life, while minimize negative environmental impacts. Low maintenance grass species, including tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), hard fescue (Festuca brevipila Tracey), colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris L.), sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P. Beauv.), prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult.), and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths) were evaluated with only fertilization at the seeding and mowing heights set as high as to eliminate flowering. Stress physiology of buffalograss was investigated to determine the resource integration between connected ramets of this colonial species. Nitrogen fertilization programs of cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), tall fescue, creeping bentgrass (Agostis stolonefera L.)were tested to maintain acceptable quality of the turf with minimum nitrogen applications. Additional research was conducted to minimize chemical use to control weeds and other turfgrass pests. These best management approaches have resulted in turfgrass cultural practices that can be adopted in the local region. PARTICIPANTS: Deying Li (PI): Design, coordinate, and conduct research experiments, as well as being responsible for the final report. Yang Gao, Ph D. candidate, conducted field sampling, data entry and analysis, preliminary writing and presentation of results. Nolan Berg, M.S. candidate, conducted field sampling. TARGET AUDIENCES: Results from the project will be directly used by sports turf managers, golf course superintendents, park and district managers, home owners, and business in the green industry, as well as references by local extension experts and governmental administrators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
In the region of the present project, creeping bentgrass is recognized as a high input grass. A fast N-analytical method using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform (DRIFT) in near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) regions in conjunction with partial least square regression analysis for sand-based turfgrass soils has been developed. Kentucky bluegrass is the next high maintenance grass for quality sports field and home lawns in this region. The findings of the effect of N rate and N-application timing, seeding rate, and mowing height on sod shear strength of Kentucky bluegrass produced on a clayey soil under the climate conditions of the upper Midwest in the United States directed local sod farmers to achieve the Highest sod shear strength (1.18-1.36 kg m-2 x 104) with acceptable visual quality through an N program of 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 kg ha-1 in May, June, July, August, and September, respectively. Based on a 23-mo production time line, a seeding rate at 50 kg ha-1 and a 7.5-cm mowing height is recommended for economic reasons. Applying more than 40 kg ha-1 of N in June and July is not recommended. Tall fescue, sheep fescue, and hard fescue were recognized as the best low maintenance species in all 9 locations in the North Central Regions.
Publications
- Han, L., D. Li, W. Fang, Y. Wang, and R. Gaussoin. 2012. Analysis of soil chemical properties of sand-based turfgrass rootzone using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. Accepted Sept-6-2011.
- Han, L., D. Luo, D. Li, Y. Qian, and Z. Sun. 2011. A male- and female-sterile mutant of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) induced by space radiation. Scientia Horticulturae 131:67-73.
- Lijuan Xie, Deying Li, Wenjuan Fang, and Kirk Howatt. 2011. Urea ammonium nitrate additive and raking improved mesotrione efficacy on creeping bentgrass. HortTechnology 21(1):41-45.
- Yongqiang Qian, Deying Li, Lei Han, and Zhenyuan Sun. 2010. Inter-ramet photosynthate translocation in buffalograss under differential water deficit stress. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 135:310-316.
- Li, Deying, Wenjuan Fang, and Liebao Han. 2011. Nitrogen fertilization influences shear strength and quality of Kentucky bluegrass sod gown on clay. Agron. J. 103:751-755.
- Watkins, E., S.Fei, D. Gardner, J. Stier, S. Bughrara, D. Li, C. Bigelow, L. Schleicher, B. Horgan, and K.Diesburg. 2011. Low-input turfgrass species for the north central United States. Online. Applied Turfgrass Science doi:10.1094/ATS-2011-0126-02-RS.
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