Research – Turfgrass Science at Purdue University

Research

Species and cultivar studies

  • NTEP Kentucky bluegrass test 
  • NTEP Tall fescue test 
  • NTEP Zoysiagrass test 
  • NTEP Bermudagrass test 
  • NTEP fine fescue test 
  • NTEP creeping bentgrass test 
  • Low input species and cultivars 
  • Evaluation of zoysiagrass experimental germplasm for use in the Midwest

Turfgrass nutrition and management studies

  • Evaluation of various nitrogen fertilizer products on lawn turf
  • Evaluation of various high and low phosphorus lawn fertilizers on cool-season lawn turf
  • Fertilizer and plant growth regulator programs for putting green turf 
  • Wetting agent evaluations for sand-based root zones
  • Evaluation of various biostimulants products for summer bentgrass putting green quality 
  • Varying the percentages of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass in seed lots affects long-term Kentucky bluegrass cover Selective removal of perennial ryegrass from Kentucky bluegrass
  • Dreeping bentgrass cultivar response to light-weight rolling
  • Winter overseeding of bermudagrass with perenial ryegrass and turf type tall fescue using various seeding rates and timing
  • Evaluation of management practices to improve carbon sequesration

Weed biology and control

  • Postemergence broadleaf weed control (multiple trials)
  • Pre- and postemergence crabgrass control (multiple trials)
  • Non-selective control of dandelion, creeping bentgrass, white clover, or tall fescue (multiple studies)
  • Annual bluegrass seedhead suppression using plant growth regulators
  • Annual bluegrass suppression with plant growth regulators
  • Yellow nutsedge control in multiple experiments
  • Controlling weeds with biopesticides
  • Understanding the influence of mowing practices on weed control
  • Postemergence weed control with granular herbicides
  • Annual bluegrass control research (multiple studies)

Disease biology and control

  • Evaluation of fungicides and application schedules for brown patch control
  • Evaluation of fungicides and application schedules for control of dollar spot on creeping bentgrass
  • Integrating fungicides and genetic resistance for control of dollar spot on creeping bentgrass
  • Evaluation of fungicide sensitivity in populations of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa
  • Evaluation of unconventional treatments for dollar spot control 
  • Understanding factors that influence fungicide performance: application rates and intervals
  • Weather-based decision support for scheduling fungicides for brown patch control
  • Spring dead spot suppression in Patriot bermudagrass as affected by Nitrogen source or fungicide timing

Turfgrass physiology

  • Gene expression of perennial ryegrass under drought stress 
  • Association mapping of genes and traits for drought tolerance in natural populations of perennial ryegrass
  • Physiological characteristics of cool-season turfgrasses to flooding stress  
  • Identification of Molecular maker for submergence tolerance of perennial ryegrass.

Insect biology and Management

  • Working towards novel endophytic turfgrasses that provide insect resistance while maintaining wildlife safety
  • Understanding trade-offs between growth and defense in endophytic tall fescue
  • Integrating fertility, endophyte-mediated resistance, and biological controls for turfgrass insect management
  • Studying white grub spatial biology to simplify scouting and develop alternative management programs (with Univ. of Wisconsin)
  • Determining the billbug species complex associated with turfgrass in Indiana and Ohio (with Ohio State Univ.)
  • Developing DNA-based tools to identify billbug larvae and study billbug seasonal ecology (with Univ. of Idaho and Ohio State Univ.)
  • Influence of cultural practices on the persistence of insect-parasitic nematodes
  • Assessing new chemical controls and usage strategies for insect management

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