New Turf Facility Features Varied Research

Item Type Article

Authors McGinley, Susan

Publisher College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of (Tucson, AZ)

Journal 1993 Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report

Download date 24/09/2021 14:29:03

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/622352 New Turf Facility Features Varied Research

"We can use it to research turf, recreational sports turf, and low maintenance turf for the desert." "For example, we have a linear gradient area where we're looking for the minimum amount of inches of water needed to maintain bermudagrass, buffalograss and tall fescue under non-traffic conditions. We're comparing the different grasses against one another," Mancino said. In another irrigation study, researchers overseeded a Tifway o bermudagrass with perennial C C ryegrass to simulate a golf course or m other sports turf. Planted in a configu- C.> ration nicknamed the "24 Squares," the amount of water applied can be Growing turfgrass in the donated $500,000 to the project and measured separately for each of 24 desert poses special the University of Arizona matched 150 square -foot plots. challenges. Watering, the amount. Other principal donors to "We can irrigate each square with fertilizing and even the program included the Arizona a different amount of water, with mowing requirements differ; varieties Golf Association and the Cactus and different day -lengths between that do well in wetter areas of the Pine Golf Course Superintendents applications," said David Kopec, an country may fail in an arid climate. Association of Arizona. Industry associate extension specialist in Even in the desert, turf is preferred contributors included Rain Bird Sales, turfgrass management, and the other for golf courses, ballparks, schools Inc., Mesa Sprinkler, Horizon Turf, principal investigator at the facility. and cemeteries, and is widely used and numerous seed companies, "We'll measure both frequency and for home lawns, commercial areas equipment services and specialty application rates after splitting each and erosion control. fertilizer companies. plot in half and stressing one side At a new facility recently complet- Research efforts will focus on turf using a traffic simulator." ed at the University of Arizona irrigation requirements, wastewater The simulator consists of two rollers Campus Agriculture Center, research- recycling, fertilizer requirements and on a chain drive that spin at different ers have begun to address the special turf variety studies. "Our irrigation rates to imitate the spiking, scuffing and challenges and requirements that face system is one of the most modem treading motions common in golf, the turf industry in dry climates. available," said Charles Mancino, a football and other sports. Known as the Desert Turfgrass UA plant scientist and one of the two "This will assist in scheduling the Research Facility, it features a state -of- principle investigators at the facility. length and frequency of irrigations on the -art laboratory flanked by turf plots. The Karsten Laboratory, center- piece of the turfgrass facility, includes a spacious analytical laboratory, a growth chamber room, a conference center and a repair shop. The world's largest tank lysimeters, covered in a related story in this issue, and a weather station (developed by Paul Brown, UA soil and water specialist) are located adjacent to the turf plots. The Karsten Solheim family of Karsten Manufacturing in Phoenix, makers of the "" ,

10 The University of Arizona College of Agriculture turf used for sports or for aesthetics," "We're trying to develop a good Kopec said. partnership with the University of Variety trials include germplasm Arizona to do work that will provide experiments designed to test the credible data to governmental and performance of five different turf regulatory agencies, and to the public. species in a desert environment: Right now, the problem, quite bermudagrass, buffalograss, frankly, is that empirical evidence is bentgrass (golf greens), tall fescue, scant or non -existent," Rodie said. and zoysia. Jensen is confident that the exper- These trials, conducted at separate tise of the faculty and students in the locations around the country in turf research program, combined with addition to the University of Arizona, the finest equipment and resources will yield information for the National available, will meet the turf industry's Turfgrass Evaluation Program needs for hard data and practical (NTEP). (See related article in this knowledge. He is enthusiastic about issue on the buffalograss trial.) the interchange between industry and Additionally, both medium and the university and views the Desert long -range plans are underway to Turfgrass Research Facility as a way develop new grasses for the desert, to foster both research and education. according to Kopec. "Curly mesquite "We needed to have a first-rate grass, salt grass, and perhaps others way to extend the students' education are under consideration as alternative beyond the textbook so that the turfs," he said. student not only gains the knowledge, UA researchers are also interested but also the hands -on experience," in how turf filters wastewater. The Jensen said. entire facility is irrigated with re- "Eventually we want to offer short Th e d GUI,Jt weighing lysimeter in the claimed water. courses and seminars where practitio- world is lowered into its underground "We are using wastewater that no ners will come in and transfer the chamber. one wants, to grow the green grass latest technology from around the "Through these channels of that serves as a basis for many world to the students. Our faculty communication, it is the goal of our industries providing jobs in Arizona," and students will also present college to offer the most advanced said Merle Jensen, assistant dean for research results to industry personnel," programs possible in turfgrass sponsored research in the UA College he said. research and education." of Agriculture. "Golf, for example, is a 300 million dollar industry in Arizona, employing nearly 10,000 people. Our research is assisting an industry that services the economy of the state." William Rodie, chairman of Public Awareness and Research (PAR) of the Arizona Golf Association, agreed. "In effect, golf is one of the things that drives tourism in Arizona," he said. "We need to maintain our golf courses while being ecologically and environmentally-minded citizens. We need empirical evidence on the effect of waste -water, contaminants and Contact Dr. Merle Jensen at 314 Contact Dr. David Kopec at the other substances on the water table Forbes Bldg., University of Desert Turfgrass Research underneath turfgrass. Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, or Facility, 2102 E. Roger Rd., call (602) 621 -5242. Tucson, AZ 85719, or call (602) 321 -7785.

1993 Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report 11