Dr. Kevin Frank, Turfgrass Extension
Turfgrass Extension
Crop & Soil Sciences 517.355.0271 ext. 1147
Research Summary 2012 and Plans for 2013
Kevin W. Frank
Management Strategies to Alleviate Winterkill on Golf Courses
Project Duration: 2010-2013, Funding: Project GREEEN 2010-2013
Winterkill research focused on two projects. The first project is to assess management strategies to alleviate winterkill on golf courses and the second project is determining the fate of late autumn nitrogen applications in creeping bentgrass and Poa annua. The research to assess management strategies to alleviate winterkill was conducted in the 2011-2012 winter and will be repeated in 2012-2013. The project to determine the fate of late autumn nitrogen applications was conducted from the autumn of 2010 through the spring of 2012. A ‘Penncross’ creeping bentgrass and Poa annua fairway were treated with 15N double-labeled urea (10 atom % excess) in solution at 1 lb. N/1000 ft.2 on Nov. 11, 2010 and Nov. 8, 2011. Nitrogen allocation that will determine the ability of the turf to use late autumn nitrogen applications will be determined.
Nitrogen Carrier Effects on Creeping Bentgrass Grown on Three Rootzones
Project Duration: 2009-2013, Funding: Partial funding by Grigg Bros.
Research on the multi-year effects of foliar and granular nitrogen fertilizers alone or in combination on turfgrass tissue and soil nutrient concentrations is limited. The research objective was to determine the effect of different foliar and granular nitrogen fertilizers on creeping bentgrass grown on three putting green rootzones. This research project was the Masters thesis project for Miyuan Xiao (2009-2012). Research will continue in 2013.
Long-Term Nutrient Fate Research
Project Duration: 1998-present, Funding: USGA 2011-2013, $28,623
Nitrogen fate research was initially conducted at Michigan State University in 1991. Subsequent years of research on the same lysimeters indicate the risk of nitrogen leaching changes as the turf ages. Since the summer of 1998 percolate samples have been collected from the same monolith lysimeters and analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen. As of 2012, the turfgrass area has now been under continual fertilization practices for 22 years with percolate collection for the last 14 years consecutively. This research indicates that leaching potential from continually fertilized turfgrass sites changes due to the age of turfgrass and nitrogen rate. Research will continue in 2013.
Soil Moisture Sensors for Irrigation Management on a USGA Putting Green
Project Duration: 2012-2014, Funding: Submitted grant to GCSAA (Oct. 2012), will submit grant to Project GREEEN 2013
In 2012, Rain Bird donated the equipment necessary to use the Rain Bird Integrated Sensor System. A total of eighteen soil moisture sensors were installed in the green, one sensor for each irrigation block. The sensors measure volumetric water content, salinity, and temperature. Although had a limited period of data collection in 2012, the amount of irrigation applied by using the soil sensors to schedule irrigation was significantly less for creeping bentgrass than for Poa annua. With the equipment installed in this green we will be able to easily measure soil moisture, and quantify water leaching from the greens in 2013. I am collaborating with Dr. Merewitz on a research project for this green in 2013. We submitted a grant to GCSAA titled “Effects of Drought and Traffic Stresses on Physiological Responses and Water Use Characteristics of Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and Annual bluegrass (Poa annua)”. We also plan on submitting a grant to Project GREEEN in 2013. Kevin Laskowski will begin a Masters program with this project as his research focus in May, 2013.
Regional Fall Fertilizer Application Trial
Project Duration: 2011-2013
In the fall of 2011 a regional fall fertilizer trial was initiated at several universities in the north central region. The objective of the trial is to assess the effectiveness of fall fertilizer applications to lawns using a combination of turfgrass quality, color, and soil testing parameters. At MSU, we are applying the treatments to a Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue lawn. Fertilizers were applied in the fall of 2011 and 2012. The trial will conclude in 2013.
Slow Release Fertilizer Trials
Project Duration: 2012-2013
We conducted several slow release fertilizer trials in 2012. In the summer we conducted single application slow release fertilizer trials on perennial ryegrass, Poa annua, and creeping bentgrass fairways. We also conducted a trial on Kentucky bluegrass at lawn height. In the fall we conducted a slow release fertilizer trial on perennial ryegrass and creeping bentgrass with single applications in Sept. and Nov. The fall trial will be assessed in the spring of 2013.
National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP)
Project Duration: 2010-2014
We are currently conducting the 2010 National Perennial Ryegrass Test. This test is maintained as a high maintenance golf course fairway. The test will conclude in 2014. We are also conducting the 2011 National Kentucky bluegrass ancillary trial – traffic tolerance. This test is maintained as an athletic field and traffic is being applied in the fall to assess wear tolerance. The test will conclude in 2014.
2009 MTF Turfgrass Research Update
Irrigation and Nutritional Effects on Creeping Bentgrass and Poa annua Putting Green Performance
Project Duration: 2008-2012
Green construction funded in part by MAES and Project GREEEN.
Collaborators: Steinke, Nikolai, Crum
A set of eighteen, 36 ft. by 36 ft., putting greens was constructed in 2008 according to the USGA specifications for putting green construction. Nine of the putting greens were planted to creeping bentgrass, A-4, and nine were planted to Penncross at ½ the normal seeding rate. The Penncross greens were topdressed with clippings and seedheads from surrounding Poa annua putting greens at the turf center in the autumn of 2008, and the spring and fall of 2009 in order to facilitate conversion to Poa annua. In 2010, irrigation and fertilizer treatments will be initiated.
Long Term Nutrient Fate
Project Duration: 1998-as long as possible
Funded in part by grants from the USGA since 1998.
Since the summer of 1998 leachate samples have been collected from the lysimeters and analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen. As of 2009, the turfgrass area has now been under continual fertilization practices for 19 years with leachate collection for the last eleven years consecutively. Our research will continue to monitor nitrate-nitrogen leaching from the lysimeters and determine the impact of fertilizer applications to a mature turfgrass on nutrient leaching for as long as the lysimeters and chambers are functional. We are currently cooperating with Dr. David Gardner from Ohio State University on a USGA funded research project “Correlation and Calibration of the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test for Use as a Nitrogen Fertility Management Tool” by supplying soil samples from the lysimeter area to determine if nitrate leaching events can be correlated to changes in the amino nitrogen level in the soil.
Fertilizer carrier/rate/ putting green root zone study
Project Duration: 2009-2013
Funded in part by Grigg Brothers
Collaborator: Nikolai
The study utilizes several differ nitrogen carriers, several different nitrogen rates, and different P and K rates on three putting green root zone mixes. Data collection includes biweekly green speed measurements, color ratings, disease counts, soil chemical tests, percentage nutrient content in the leaf tissue, water infiltration, and percent organic matter. This study will run through 2013 and it’s currently the master’s study for Miyuan Xiao (Nancy).
Functional Qualities of Turf in an Urban Environment
Project Duration: 2009-2011
Funded in part by Scotts Company
Collaborators: Nikolai, Steinke, Gasteyer (Sociology).
Dr. Nikolai has been the lead in organizing and securing funding from Scotts Co. for this project in the last year. This project will quantify the environmental, economic, and social qualities of managing turfgrass on abandoned properties in Flint. In addition to funding the project for three years, Scotts Co. is providing all the fertilizer and pesticides for applications and John Deere has agreed to donate mowers for the project.
The effect of preventative dollar spot management programs on creeping bentgrass cultivars maintained at putting green and fairway height
Project Duration 2008-2011
Collaborator: Calhoun
This research is part of a regional research project being conducted by the NCERA-192 (Regional Turfgrass Research Group, includes 11 universities). Plots were seeded in the fall of 2008 to assess the effects of two different dollar spot programs on different creeping bentgrass cultivars. Twenty five different cultivars are being evaluated.
Turfgrass Extension
Crop & Soil Sciences 517.355.0271 ext. 1147
Research Summary 2012 and Plans for 2013
Kevin W. Frank
Management Strategies to Alleviate Winterkill on Golf Courses
Project Duration: 2010-2013, Funding: Project GREEEN 2010-2013
Winterkill research focused on two projects. The first project is to assess management strategies to alleviate winterkill on golf courses and the second project is determining the fate of late autumn nitrogen applications in creeping bentgrass and Poa annua. The research to assess management strategies to alleviate winterkill was conducted in the 2011-2012 winter and will be repeated in 2012-2013. The project to determine the fate of late autumn nitrogen applications was conducted from the autumn of 2010 through the spring of 2012. A ‘Penncross’ creeping bentgrass and Poa annua fairway were treated with 15N double-labeled urea (10 atom % excess) in solution at 1 lb. N/1000 ft.2 on Nov. 11, 2010 and Nov. 8, 2011. Nitrogen allocation that will determine the ability of the turf to use late autumn nitrogen applications will be determined.
Nitrogen Carrier Effects on Creeping Bentgrass Grown on Three Rootzones
Project Duration: 2009-2013, Funding: Partial funding by Grigg Bros.
Research on the multi-year effects of foliar and granular nitrogen fertilizers alone or in combination on turfgrass tissue and soil nutrient concentrations is limited. The research objective was to determine the effect of different foliar and granular nitrogen fertilizers on creeping bentgrass grown on three putting green rootzones. This research project was the Masters thesis project for Miyuan Xiao (2009-2012). Research will continue in 2013.
Long-Term Nutrient Fate Research
Project Duration: 1998-present, Funding: USGA 2011-2013, $28,623
Nitrogen fate research was initially conducted at Michigan State University in 1991. Subsequent years of research on the same lysimeters indicate the risk of nitrogen leaching changes as the turf ages. Since the summer of 1998 percolate samples have been collected from the same monolith lysimeters and analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen. As of 2012, the turfgrass area has now been under continual fertilization practices for 22 years with percolate collection for the last 14 years consecutively. This research indicates that leaching potential from continually fertilized turfgrass sites changes due to the age of turfgrass and nitrogen rate. Research will continue in 2013.
Soil Moisture Sensors for Irrigation Management on a USGA Putting Green
Project Duration: 2012-2014, Funding: Submitted grant to GCSAA (Oct. 2012), will submit grant to Project GREEEN 2013
In 2012, Rain Bird donated the equipment necessary to use the Rain Bird Integrated Sensor System. A total of eighteen soil moisture sensors were installed in the green, one sensor for each irrigation block. The sensors measure volumetric water content, salinity, and temperature. Although had a limited period of data collection in 2012, the amount of irrigation applied by using the soil sensors to schedule irrigation was significantly less for creeping bentgrass than for Poa annua. With the equipment installed in this green we will be able to easily measure soil moisture, and quantify water leaching from the greens in 2013. I am collaborating with Dr. Merewitz on a research project for this green in 2013. We submitted a grant to GCSAA titled “Effects of Drought and Traffic Stresses on Physiological Responses and Water Use Characteristics of Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and Annual bluegrass (Poa annua)”. We also plan on submitting a grant to Project GREEEN in 2013. Kevin Laskowski will begin a Masters program with this project as his research focus in May, 2013.
Regional Fall Fertilizer Application Trial
Project Duration: 2011-2013
In the fall of 2011 a regional fall fertilizer trial was initiated at several universities in the north central region. The objective of the trial is to assess the effectiveness of fall fertilizer applications to lawns using a combination of turfgrass quality, color, and soil testing parameters. At MSU, we are applying the treatments to a Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue lawn. Fertilizers were applied in the fall of 2011 and 2012. The trial will conclude in 2013.
Slow Release Fertilizer Trials
Project Duration: 2012-2013
We conducted several slow release fertilizer trials in 2012. In the summer we conducted single application slow release fertilizer trials on perennial ryegrass, Poa annua, and creeping bentgrass fairways. We also conducted a trial on Kentucky bluegrass at lawn height. In the fall we conducted a slow release fertilizer trial on perennial ryegrass and creeping bentgrass with single applications in Sept. and Nov. The fall trial will be assessed in the spring of 2013.
National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP)
Project Duration: 2010-2014
We are currently conducting the 2010 National Perennial Ryegrass Test. This test is maintained as a high maintenance golf course fairway. The test will conclude in 2014. We are also conducting the 2011 National Kentucky bluegrass ancillary trial – traffic tolerance. This test is maintained as an athletic field and traffic is being applied in the fall to assess wear tolerance. The test will conclude in 2014.
2009 MTF Turfgrass Research Update
Irrigation and Nutritional Effects on Creeping Bentgrass and Poa annua Putting Green Performance
Project Duration: 2008-2012
Green construction funded in part by MAES and Project GREEEN.
Collaborators: Steinke, Nikolai, Crum
A set of eighteen, 36 ft. by 36 ft., putting greens was constructed in 2008 according to the USGA specifications for putting green construction. Nine of the putting greens were planted to creeping bentgrass, A-4, and nine were planted to Penncross at ½ the normal seeding rate. The Penncross greens were topdressed with clippings and seedheads from surrounding Poa annua putting greens at the turf center in the autumn of 2008, and the spring and fall of 2009 in order to facilitate conversion to Poa annua. In 2010, irrigation and fertilizer treatments will be initiated.
Long Term Nutrient Fate
Project Duration: 1998-as long as possible
Funded in part by grants from the USGA since 1998.
Since the summer of 1998 leachate samples have been collected from the lysimeters and analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen. As of 2009, the turfgrass area has now been under continual fertilization practices for 19 years with leachate collection for the last eleven years consecutively. Our research will continue to monitor nitrate-nitrogen leaching from the lysimeters and determine the impact of fertilizer applications to a mature turfgrass on nutrient leaching for as long as the lysimeters and chambers are functional. We are currently cooperating with Dr. David Gardner from Ohio State University on a USGA funded research project “Correlation and Calibration of the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test for Use as a Nitrogen Fertility Management Tool” by supplying soil samples from the lysimeter area to determine if nitrate leaching events can be correlated to changes in the amino nitrogen level in the soil.
Fertilizer carrier/rate/ putting green root zone study
Project Duration: 2009-2013
Funded in part by Grigg Brothers
Collaborator: Nikolai
The study utilizes several differ nitrogen carriers, several different nitrogen rates, and different P and K rates on three putting green root zone mixes. Data collection includes biweekly green speed measurements, color ratings, disease counts, soil chemical tests, percentage nutrient content in the leaf tissue, water infiltration, and percent organic matter. This study will run through 2013 and it’s currently the master’s study for Miyuan Xiao (Nancy).
Functional Qualities of Turf in an Urban Environment
Project Duration: 2009-2011
Funded in part by Scotts Company
Collaborators: Nikolai, Steinke, Gasteyer (Sociology).
Dr. Nikolai has been the lead in organizing and securing funding from Scotts Co. for this project in the last year. This project will quantify the environmental, economic, and social qualities of managing turfgrass on abandoned properties in Flint. In addition to funding the project for three years, Scotts Co. is providing all the fertilizer and pesticides for applications and John Deere has agreed to donate mowers for the project.
The effect of preventative dollar spot management programs on creeping bentgrass cultivars maintained at putting green and fairway height
Project Duration 2008-2011
Collaborator: Calhoun
This research is part of a regional research project being conducted by the NCERA-192 (Regional Turfgrass Research Group, includes 11 universities). Plots were seeded in the fall of 2008 to assess the effects of two different dollar spot programs on different creeping bentgrass cultivars. Twenty five different cultivars are being evaluated.