Lawrence, Kansas, United States: Research grants from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) are supporting seven new research projects this year at six universities across America (two projects are being carried out at Texas A&M).
The projects, which were selected by a committee comprising two members of the GCSAA Board of Directors, superintendents, university researchers and the research director of the USGA Green Section, will receive a total of US$115,680 from a block grant to GCSAA by the Environmental Institute for Golf, GCSAA’s philanthropic organisation.
An additional seven projects are continuing to receive support from funds allocated in 2016.
The new research projects are:

• Developing programmes for annual bluegrass control in creeping bentgrass fairways using annual bluegrass weevil, plant growth regulators, and interseeding; Matthew Elmore, PhD, Rutgers University. Co-funded by the New Jersey Turfgrass Association/New Jersey Turfgrass Foundation.
• Soil physical effects of using the DryJect or Air2G2 on creeping bentgrass putting greens; Charles Fontanier, PhD, Oklahoma State University. Funded through the EIFG’s Dr Michael J. Hurdzan Endowment, which supports environmental research on golf courses. Co-funded by the Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation.
• Fungicide alternative management practices for micro-dochium patch; Alexander Kowalewski, PhD, Oregon State University. Co-funded by the Oregon GCSA and the Oregon Turf Foundation.
• Tailoring water use to warm-season grasses in golf courses using low-cost drone technology mounted with a multi-spectral camera; Monique Leclerc, PhD, University of Georgia. Funded through the EIFG’s Aquatrols’ Robert A. Moore Endowment, which supports applied research for optimising the growing environment for golf course turf while minimising inputs of water, fertiliser and pesticides. Co-funded by the University of Georgia Research Foundation.
• Mapping spring dead spot using unmanned aerial vehicles for site-specific management; David McCall, PhD, Virginia Tech University. Co-funded by the Virginia GCSA.
• Turfgrass colourants: A look inside using scanning electron microscopy; Casey Reynolds, PhD, Texas A&M. Co-funded by the Lone Star Chapter of GCSAA.
• Influence of nitrogen source and water quality on foliar and root nitrogen uptake efficiency; Ben Wherley, PhD, Texas A&M University. Funded through the EIFG’s Mark Kizziar Research Grant, which supports work that will help produce well-conditioned golf courses while minimising consumption of water. Co-funded by the Texas A&M University Department of Soil and Crop Science.