Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for this project included other scientists and turfgrass industry professionals. These audiences were reached through refereed journal articles, scientific meeting participation, industry meeting presentations, and trade journal publications. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this reporting period, I and my graduate students have presented 25seminars to various University, state, national, and international industry groups. I was also invited to bethe Keynote speaker at both the British International Greenkeepers Association in Harrogate, England and the Sustainable Turfgrass Management Symposium in Thailand. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The primary means have been through presentations at various industry association meetings and through the publication of eleven trade articles during this reporting period. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2019, I was the author or co-author on 10 refereed publications and one other is currently in review. I was also an author or co-author on 4 abstracts published at the Crop Science Society of America Meeting in San Antonio and was also an author or co-author on 11 trade industry articles in 2019.The most significant accomplishment from all of this work is the practical research findings that are now being implemented by turfgrass managers around the world.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Richardson, M.D., G. Mattina, M. Sarno, J.H., McCalla, and D.E. Karcher. 2019. Shade effects on overseeded bermudagrass athletic fields: I. Turfgrass quality, coverage, and growth rate. Crop Sci. 59:28452855, doi: 10.2135/cropsci2019.05.0310
Richardson, M.D., G. Mattina, M. Sarno, J.H., McCalla, D.E. Karcher, A.W. Thoms, K.H. Dickson, and J.C. Sorochan. 2019. Shade effects on overseeded bermudagrass athletic fields: II. Rooting, botanical composition, and traction. Crop Science 59:28562865, doi: 10.2135/cropsci2019.05.0311
Wisdom, M.M., M.D. Richardson, D.E. Karcher, D.C. Steinkraus, and G.V. McDonald. 2019. Flowering persistence and pollinator attraction of early-spring bulbs in warm-season lawns. HortScience 54:18531859.
DeBoer, E.J., M.D. Richardson, J.H. McCalla, and D.E. Karcher. 2019. Reducing ultradwarf bermudagrass putting green winter injury with covers and wetting agents. Crop, Forage, and Turfgrass Management 5:190019. doi:10.2134/cftm2019.03.0019.
Rossini, F., R. Ruggeri, T. Celli, F.M. Rogai, L. Kuzmanovi?, and M.D. Richardson. 2019. Cool-season grasses for overseeding sport turfs: germination and performance under limiting environmental conditions. HortScience 54:555563.
Pornaro C., S. Macolino, and M.D. Richardson. 2019. Rhizome and stolon development of bermudagrass cultivars in a transition-zone environment, Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B Soil & Plant Science, DOI: 10.1080/09064710.2019.1639805
Sandor, Dan, D. Karcher, M. Richardson, D. Hignight and K. Hignight. 2019. Kentucky bluegrass performance under chronic drought stress. Crop Forage and Turfgrass Management 5:180089, doi: 10.2134/cftm2018.10.0089.
Russell, T.W., D.E. Karcher, and M.D. Richardson. 2019. Daily light integral requirement of a creeping bentgrass putting green as affected by shade, trinexepac-ethyl, and a plant colorant. Crop Science 59:17681778. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2018.08.0501
Pornaro, C., S. Macolino, and M.D. Richardson. 2019. Measuring stolons and rhizomes of turfgrasses using a digital image analysis system. Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE), (144), e58042, doi:10.3791/58042. (https://www.jove.com/video/58042/measuring-stolons-rhizomes-turfgrasses-using-digital-image-analysis?status=a60048k).
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Turfgrass scientists and turfgrass managers Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This work has been communicated at turfgrass conferences in Arkansas, around the United States and several international meetings where turfgrass managers receive continuing education. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes - see previous What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are in the process of writing a number of publications that will be generated in the next reporting period.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A multi-year study investigating covers for winter protection of bermudagrass greens was completed. A new proposal was funded to continue work in this area. Several studies investigating shade tolerance of bermudagrass under various situations are ongoing.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Pornaro, C., S. Macolino, and M.D. Richardson. 2018. Measuring stolons and rhizomes of turfgrasses using a digital image analysis system. Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE), e58042 (https://www.jove.com/video/58042/measuring-stolons-rhizomes-turfgrasses-using-digital-image-analysis?status=a60048k).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Rossini, F., R. Ruggeri, T. Celli, F.M. Rogai, L. Kuzmanovi?, and M.D. Richardson. 2018. Cool-season grasses for overseeding sport turfs: germination and performance under limiting environmental conditions. HortScience
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Sandor, Dan, D. Karcher, M. Richardson, D. Hignight and K. Hignight. 2019. Kentucky bluegrass performance under chronic drought stress. Crop Forage and Turfgrass Management
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Turfgrass managers and turfgrass scientists Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
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?
Bermudagrass remains the major turfgrass species in the transition zone for a range of turfgrass applications. However, it continues to suffer from periodic winter injury (low-temperature) and the selection of appropriate cultivars with proven cold tolerance is an important objective for turfgrass researchers. In addition, bermudagrass putting greens continue to be expanded farther north into the transition zone, which requires a more rigorous schedule of covering greens to prevent winter desiccation and low-temperature winterkill. The positive effects of covers for winter protection have been well-documented, but there is a significant labor cost associated with the covering and uncovering of greens during the winter in that the golf course superintendent needs to both prevent injury and then allow play when weather is favorable. The overall goal of this project is to examine several predicted temperature thresholds for covering and uncovering greens so that covers can be used in the most efficient manner. As many golf courses in the transition zone continue to convert creeping bentgrass greens to ultradwarf bermudagrass greens, there is a need to understand best management practices to streamline the conversion. Recent work in soil-based systems suggests that warm-season grasses can be sprigged during the late winter period with excellent success. Early planting of ultradwarf greens may allow the conversion to be completed in late spring and allow the golf course to more effectively use those greens throughout the first season of conversion. This project will compare sprigging of ultradwarf greens in late winter (February) with more traditional spring (April) and summer (June) planting dates to determine how quickly pl Another serious limitation to bermudagrass performance across all regions of use is the lack of shade tolerance that the species exhibits, making it difficult to use and on golf courses or in landscapes that have mature trees or in many larger stadiums that have significant shade associated with the physical structure of the stadium. Although there have been numerous studies that have investigated cultivar variability of bermudagrass shade tolerance, there is still a gap in knowledge on exactly how much light bermudagrass needs to perform at an adequate level in various turf applications. Researchers are beginning to investigate the concept of a required daily light load, a metric that is commonly called a daily light integral but this has only been applied in a few studies and further research is needed to determine daily light integrals for various cultivars and specific applications. We have recently developed a shade simulation method that allows reduced light to be imposed on field plots while still allowing routine maintenance and data collection in the plots. This methodology has recently been modified to allow multiple levels of shade to be imposed using various greenhouse shade cloths. In addition, the system is fitted with light sensors measuring photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) under each light treatment such that daily light integral for each treatment can be accurately measured. ?Goal 1. Determine the range of bermudagrass cultivar tolerance to low temperature injury Two large cultivar trials are currently underway to examine winter injury across both bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. Several cultivars experienced significant winter injury in the spring of 2017 and data have been reported to the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program. Goal 2. Investigate new methods to establish bermudagrass greens in transition-zone environments The objective of this study was to determine if vegetative sprigs of bermudagrass and zoysiagrass could be established earlier in the year, during the dormancy phase, to hasten establishment. The results from this study suggest that sprigging rate had no effect on bermudagrass and zoysiagrass establishment. For both species, excellent results were obtained with dormant sprigging, suggesting that early planting can result in earlier sod harvest or use of the turf compared to spring or summer plantings. For zoysiagrass, it appears that full coverage can be reached in the first season if dormant planting dates are used. A journal article is currently under review for this work Goal 3. Reducing ultradwarf bermudagrass putting green winter injury with covers and wetting agents As ultradwarf bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis) putting greens move further north in the transition zone, there is an increased risk of sustaining winter injury from low temperature exposure and crown desiccation. The benefits of utilizing covers for winter protection are well documented but there are significant labor costs associated with covering and uncovering greens during the winter to allow for play during favorable weather. While the current recommendation is to cover bermudagrass greens when the low temperature is forecasted to drop to -4 °C (O'Brien and Hartwiger, 2013), it may be possible to lower this forecasted temperature, resulting in fewer covering events, reduced labor costs and more days open for play. Localized dry spot (LDS) is a common problem on sand-based putting greens and can lead to desiccation of the turfgrass crown and even death of the plant. Symptoms of LDS are easily recognized when turf is actively growing but may not be apparent while the turf is dormant. Wetting agents are commonly applied during the growing season to combat effects of LDS but little information exists on the effects of a late-fall/early-winter wetting agent application on winter survival and spring green-up of ultradwarf bermudagrass. This trial was repeated during the winter of 2016-17 at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville, AR. The treatments included three ultradwarf bermudagrass cultivars ('Champion', 'Mini-Verde', and 'Tifeagle'), five cover treatments based on forecasted low temperatures (-9.4, -7.8, -5.6 or -4.0 °C and an uncovered control), and two wetting agent treatments (Revolution applied at 1.9 ml m-2 on Dec. 6, 2016 and an untreated control). 'Tifeagle' and 'Mini-Verde' experienced less winter injury and better spring greenup than 'Champion'. The use of protective covers enhanced spring green-up and recovery for all cultivars. A late season wetting agent application improved spring green-up of ultradwarf greens. This project is being repeated during the winter of 2017-18 and 1-2 journal articles will be submitted after all data is collected. Goal 4. Determine the light requirements for bermudagrass sport surfaces Shade from athletic stadium structures can be a significant deterrent to turfgrass performance. The objective of this study was to determine the daily light requirements of an overseeded or non-overseeded bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) turf maintained to simulate an athletic field. An experiment was established in 2013 on a mature bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. cv. Riviera] turf that was either overseeded with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) or non-overseeded. Shade structures were installed to create four light level treatments including a full-sun control (0% shade) and 30%, 60%, or 90% light-reducing shade cloth. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) sensors were mounted under each shade treatment and PAR light was continuously measured and a daily light integral (DLI) calculated as mol PAR m-2 day-1. A range of growth and performance data was collected, including turfgrass quality, turfgrass coverage, clipping yields and leaf elongation rates. This work has been completed and two journal articles have been accepted summarizing the work.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kreuser, W., J.R. Young, and M.D. Richardson. 2017. Modeling performance of plant growth regulators. Agricultural & Environmental Letters 2:170001. doi:10.2134/ael2017.01.0001
Pornaro, C., S. Macolino, and M.D. Richardson. 2017. WinRHIZO technology for measuring morphological traits of bermudagrass stolons. Agronomy Journal Agron. J. 109:3007-3010.
Pan, X., M. D. Richardson, S. Deng, R. J. Kremer, J. T. English, J. D. Mihail, C. E. Sams, P. C. Scharf, K. S. Veum, and X. Xiong. 2017. Effect of organic amendment and cultural practice on large patch occurrence and soil microbial community. Crop Sci. 57:2263-2272.
Young, J.R., M.D. Richardson, and D.E. Karcher. 2017. Golf ball mark severity and recovery as affected by mowing height, rolling frequency, and foot traffic. Agron. J. 109:1758-1764. (article featured on cover of Journal)
Menegon, A., S. Macolino, J. H. McCalla, F. Rimi, and M. D. Richardson. 2017. Turf quality and species dynamics in bermudagrass and Kentucky bluegrass mixtures. Agron. J. 109:1502-1509.
Pornaro, C., S. Fiorio, S. Macolino, and M. D. Richardson. 2017. Growth and quality responses of low-maintenance turfgrasses to trinexapac-ethyl. Crop Protection 98:236-242.
Richardson, M.D., G. Mattina, M. Sarno, J.H., McCalla, and D.E. Karcher. 2017. Shade effects on overseeded bermudagrass athletic fields: I. Turfgrass quality, coverage, and growth rate. Crop Science (in press)
Richardson, M.D., G. Mattina, M. Sarno, J.H., McCalla, D.E. Karcher, A.W. Thoms, K.H. Dickson, and J.C. Sorochan. 2017. Shade effects on overseeded bermudagrass athletic fields: II. Rooting, botanical composition, and traction. Crop Science (in press)
Pornaro, C., M.D. Richardson, and S. Macolino. 2017. Rhizome and stolon development of vegetative and seeded bermudagrasses. Crop Science (submitted)
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The scientific community and the entire spectrum of turfgrass growers and managers, including sod producers, golf course superintendents, athletic field managers, landscape companies, and homeowners were reached during the reporting period through publications, scientific abstracts, conference seminars, field day activities and other activities. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate students are currently working in various aspects of this project and the results of this work have already been incorporated into undergraduate education at the university. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Several presentations have been made to local, state, regional,national and international audiences on various aspects of this project. The outcomes from these projects are providing practical solutions for turfgrass managers around the world. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Several of these studies will be repeated or added to in the coming season. At least 2 graduate student's research projects will be directly related to the goals of this project
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1. Determine the range of bermudagrass cultivar tolerance to low temperature injury Two large cultivar trials are currently underway to examine winter injury across both bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. As the past winter was very mild, no data was collected. Goal 2. Investigate new methods to establish bermudagrass greens in transition-zone environments Dr. Juming Zhang was a visiting scholar in my laboratory in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Arkansas from Dec 15, 2013 to Dec 7, 2014. During this period, Dr. Zhangworked on methods to establish warm-season turfgrasses for sod production, athletic fields and golf courses. In 2016, one of his major field studies was repeated. Dr. Zhang is currently writing a refereed publication from this work. The objective of this study was to determine if vegetative sprigs of bermudagrass and zoysiagrass could be established earlier in the year, during the dormancy phase, to hasten establishment. The results from this study suggest that sprigging rate had no effect on bermudagrass and zoysiagrass establishment. For both species, excellent results were obtained with dormant sprigging, suggesting that early planting can result in earlier sod harvest or use of the turf compared to spring or summer plantings. For zoysiagrass, it appears that full coverage can be reached in the first season if dormant planting dates are used. Goal 3. Reducing ultradwarf bermudagrass putting green winter injury with covers and wetting agents As ultradwarf bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis) putting greens move further north in the transition zone, there is an increased risk of sustaining winter injury from low temperature exposure and crown desiccation. The benefits of utilizing covers for winter protection are well documented but there are significant labor costs associated with covering and uncovering greens during the winter to allow for play during favorable weather. While the current recommendation is to cover bermudagrass greens when the low temperature is forecasted to drop to -4 °C (O'Brien and Hartwiger, 2013), it may be possible to lower this forecasted temperature, resulting in fewer covering events, reduced labor costs and more days open for play. Localized dry spot (LDS) is a common problem on sand-based putting greens and can lead to desiccation of the turfgrass crown and even death of the plant. Symptoms of LDS are easily recognized when turf is actively growing but may not be apparent while the turf is dormant. Wetting agents are commonly applied during the growing season to combat effects of LDS but little information exists on the effects of a late-fall/early-winter wetting agent application on winter survival and spring green-up of ultradwarf bermudagrass. Objectives: Examine predicted low-temperature thresholds for covering Tifeagle, Champion, and Mini-Verde ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens Investigate the effects of a late-fall wetting agent application on soil moisture and winter survival of ultradwarf bermudagrass Materials and Methods: This trial was conducted at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville, AR. The treatments included three ultradwarf bermudagrass cultivars ('Champion', 'Mini-Verde', and 'Tifeagle'), five cover treatments based on forecasted low temperatures (-9.4, -7.8, -5.6 or -4.0 °C and an uncovered control), and two wetting agent treatments (Revolution applied at 1.9 ml m-2 on Dec. 7, 2015 and an untreated control). Results: It should be noted that Fayetteville, AR experienced an unseasonably warm winter for 2015-2016, so the extent of winter injury was atypical for this location. 'Tifeagle' and 'Mini-Verde' experienced less winter injury and better spring greenup than 'Champion'. The use of protective covers enhanced spring green-up and recovery for all cultivars. A late season wetting agent application improved spring green-up of ultradwarf greens. Goal 4. Determine the light requirements for bermudagrass sport surfaces Shade from athletic stadium structures can be a significant deterrent to turfgrass performance. The objective of this study was to determine the daily light requirements of an overseeded or non-overseeded bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) turf maintained to simulate an athletic field. An experiment was established in 2013 on a mature bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. cv. Riviera] turf that was either overseeded with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) or non-overseeded. Shade structures were installed to create four light level treatments including a full-sun control (0% shade) and 30%, 60%, or 90% light-reducing shade cloth. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) sensors were mounted under each shade treatment and PAR light was continuously measured and a daily light integral (DLI) calculated as mol PAR m-2 day-1. A range of growth and performance data was collected, including turfgrass quality, turfgrass coverage, clipping yields and leaf elongation rates. Overseeded and non-overseeded bermudagrass failed to persist when 90% shade (DLI = 3.0 mol m-2 day-1) was imposed. Non-overseeded bermudagrass required a higher DLI (26 mol m-2 day-1) to persist and perform compared to overseeded bermudagrass (DLI = 15.0 mol m-2 day-1), primarily due to the enhanced shade tolerance of perennial ryegrass. However, the long-term effects of shade also began to decrease the quality of the overseeded turf by the end of the second year of the study. These data provide sports field managers with threshold light requirements for both overseeded and non-overseeded bermudagrass turf.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Richardson, M.D., G. Mattina, M. Sarno, J.H., McCalla, and D.E. Karcher. 2016. Shade effects on overseeded bermudagrass athletic fields: I. Turfgrass quality, coverage, and growth rate. Crop Science XX:XXX
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Richardson, M.D., G. Mattina, M. Sarno, J.H., McCalla, D.E. Karcher, A.W. Thoms, K.H. Dickson, and J.C. Sorochan. 2016. Shade effects on overseeded bermudagrass athletic fields: II. Rooting, botanical composition, and traction. Crop Science XX:XXX
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The targeted audiences for the research from this project are golf course superintendents, sports field managers, sod growers and lawn care operators. Theresearch being conducted under this project has the potential to impact all of these audiences as the project progresses. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Several graduate students are currently working in this area and will have projects that focus on these objectives. Undergraduate students have and will also be hired to assist with research How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?no publications have resulted directly from this new project What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Trials have been initiated that will seek to addresseach of the objectives in this project
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1) nothing to report on this research as it was initiated in 2015 2) attempts to establish greens with alterative methods of sprigging had modest success in 2015 and will be repeated in 2016 3)nothing to report on this research as it was initiated in 2015 4) A project investigating light requirements of bermudagrass athletic fields was completed in 2015 and will be submitted for publication in early 2016
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Richardson, M.D., J.H. McCalla, C. Buxton, and F. Lulli. 2015. Incorporating early-spring bulbs into dormant warm-season turfgrasses. HortTechnology 25:228-232. (publication featured on the cover of HortTechnology)
Young, J.R., M.D. Richardson, and D.E. Karcher. 2015. Creeping bentgrass putting green response to combined mowing, rolling, and foot traffic under environmental stress. Agronomy Journal 107:1959-1966. (major advisor of senior author)
Strunk, W.D., D.E. Karcher, J.R. Young, A.J. Patton and M.D. Richardson. 2015. Golf shot performance characteristics influenced by ball lie. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management doi:10.2134/cftm2015.0136
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