Dr. Thom Nikolai, Turfgrass Academic Specialist

Research Proposal - 2006

Michigan Turfgrass Stewardship Initiative (interim) Coordinator
Considering the long term implications of obtaining sustainable funds for the Michigan Turfgrass Stewardship Initiative I believe it would be in the best interest of getting the position filled if one individual were able to devote the majority of their time to:

• identifying, creating, and maintaining contacts
• writing grants for obtaining funds and research grants
• working with public education.

Through Project GREEEN 6-monthes of my soft money funds will be covered next year.  If the MTF picked up the remaining portion of my soft money I could concentrate the majority of my time to help solidify the goals stated in the MTSI.

Mowing Height Timing Study
Year 1 of this study is underway and visual results are stunning so far.  We have obtained root samples in June and August.  Unfortunately, I taught Nancy Dykema the most efficient way to wash turfgrass roots and Dr. Vargas is keeping Nancy and her staff busy on my equipment.  In other words, I haven’t had a chance to wash the roots from this study as of yet to inform the MTF Committee about root weights at various depths during the season.   

Now, to refresh your memory regarding this study:  Turfgrass managers are in agreement that inaccurate irrigation techniques can waste water, money, and result in poor turfgrass performance resulting in increased management inputs.  However, there seems to be little agreement as to what proper irrigation techniques actually are and there exist several clichés that deserve scientific consideration. Examples of research underway at the HTRC addressing these concerns include: Dr. Kevin Franks research on several different methods of weekly irrigation programs on three different turfgrass species and Mr. Ron Calhoun addressing turfgrass quality without irrigation using different mowing heights and different nitrogen rates.  This study is investigating un-irrigated turfgrass plots and the effect(s) that mowing height adjustments can have on them during the growing season.

The treatments in the study include:

• Mowed at 2-inchs for the whole season.
• Mowed at 2-inchs until the heat of the summer and then raised to a 3” mowing height.
• Mowed at 3-inchs for the entire season.
• Mowed at 3-inches until the heat of the summer then lowered to a 2” mowing height.  
• Mowed at 4-inches until Mid-July 14 and incrementally lowered to 2inches into Mid-August.

Data collection includes:

• Color and Quality ratings
• Localized dry spot/wilt ratings when obvious.
• Root Growth in July prior to changing mowing heights and root growth samples in mid to late August.
• Pest observation counts if any pests (weeds, disease, etc) are present.

Surface observations from 2005 indicated that the turfgrass quality increased dramatically when the mowing height was raised on Treatment 3.  Additionally, even when following the 1/3rd mowing height reduction rule decreasing the mowing height during the heat of the summer initially resulted in scalping of the turf.  The root data should be very interesting as it will answer what effect takes place beneath the surface when the mowing heights were changed during this unusually hot summer. 

Bentgrass Variety Trial Ice Damage Study
It has come to my attention that Dr. Kevin Frank (and possibly Dr. Susan Lang) is also submitting a proposal regarding winter damage.  Dr. Frank and I have chatted about our proposals and are in agreement that MSU should be performing annual studies to address problems associated with cold injury and how to best maintain our turfgrasses pre and post winter in accordance with these problems.
 
This study proposes to use the NTEP bentgrass variety trial and flood strips across each plot creating ice cover for 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 days.  Each ice strip need only be one to two feet wide and would run the width of the individual turfgrass plot (I believe they are 4 feet wide).  Clearly it is a risky study as the success of the results will literally be at the mercy of the weather condition this fall/winter/spring. Therefore, attempts will be made to create ice cover for the proposed 5-treatments but success cannot be promised.  However, if conditions were favorable for all 5-treatments to have continuous ice cover the results would be nothing short of outstanding.  As are many things in life this study has a high risk and high reward possibility. 

If this study was funded step one would be to find the best and most economical method to divide the plots for water application for freezing on the individual strips.  Ideas to be considered would include, but are not limited to, using wood 2x4s, garden edging, and/or purchasing ice and putting it on the plots.  It is my assumption that a best method can be found with a little determination and thought. 

With the numerous verities of bentgrass in the NTEP trial each would be rated for damage, recovery time, etc.  If there are differences in bentgrass damage, recovery, etc. it should assist some superintendents and  will give them ammunition to explain why their greens were more (or less) effected than neighboring courses and may lead to a better choice of which bentgrasses to overseed greens with in the future for locations where this is a common problem. 

Again, it is my belief that MSU should always be performing some type of winter stress research and given time and reputation this should lead to funding sources from winter cover companies.  I have a student interested in performing the project so I would not have to find anyone to oversee the project.