Research Farm: Turfgrass field day focuses on fire ants
The latest turfgrass research from controlling fire ants to conversion of bermudagrass to buffalograss, and weed control options in wildflowers highlighted the 2009 Turfgrass Field Day on Aug. 11 at Texas Tech University's Quaker Research Farm.
"It's an exciting educational opportunity for turfgrass professionals," said Gerald Henry, field day director and an assistant professor with Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science.
Registration began at 8 a.m. and the program begins an hour later, he said. The field day was sponsored by Texas Tech, Texas Turfgrass Association, Anderson's, Luber Brothers, NuFarm, Jacobsen, Monsanto, Signet, Bayer Cropscience and Estes Chemical.
Among the morning highlights were presentations featuring:
" High pH tolerant centipedegrass
" Seashore paspalum as a West Texas turfgrass
" Weed control options in wildflowers
" Controlling fire ants in turfgrass
" Effect of DNA pre-emergence herbicides on recovery of bermudagrass from stress
" New chemistries for white grub control in turfgrass
" Response of several tree species to mulching practices
" New herbicides for post emergence control of purple and yellow nutsedge
" Conversion of bermudagrass to buffalograss
Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science speakers include Henry, Thayne Montague and Cynthia McKenney. Located at 200 N. Quaker St., the research farm has 120 acres of irrigated crop land used for evaluating characteristics and performance of various crops.
In addition to turfgrass research, Tech scientists conduct research on cotton and an assortment of other crops such as tomatoes, onions, guar, corn, peanuts, and wildflowers. Caster, canola, soybean, mustard, and safflower are also researched on the farm because of their biodiesel capabilities.
Officials indicated that Texas Pesticide Certification and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America credits were available for field day participation. For more information, contact Gerald Henry, Texas Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science, at (806)742-2871 or gerald.henry@ttu.edu
Written by Norman Martin
CONTACT: Gerald Henry, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806)742-2871 or gerald.henry@ttu.edu
Editor's Note: There will be a $25 onsite registration fee for turfgrass professionals. There is no cost to Tech faculty and students, as well as AgriLife Extension personnel
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Davis College NewsCenter
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