This study was conducted to determine rooting characteristics, root carbohydrate content, and performance of 10 bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] genotypes exposed to drought. A greenhouse study was conducted twice to determine root distribution and carbohydrate content throughout the soil profile during simulated drought stress. Root distribution among genotypes and accumulation of total nonstructural carbohydrate within roots differed with depths. Root mass at 30, 60, 90, and 150 cm was significantly correlated with turf quality during drought stress (r = 0.72, 0.86, 0.80, and 0.81, respectively) only for one of the two tests. Root carbohydrate distribution was not significantly correlated with turf quality for the selected bermudagrass genotypes.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has invested more than US$45 million in turfgrass and environmental research since 1983. This effort has developed research-based management practices that have contributed to the efficient use of water, fertilizer, and pesticides on U.S. golf courses. Still, there is insufficient evidence of the economic benefits. Therefore, our objective was to estimate the golf industry's resource and economic benefits from the USGA's investment in water, fertilizer, and pesticide management research. Data were collected from an online survey focused on the benefits associated with golf facilities' adoption of research-based management practices in six primary areas of interest: (a) evapotranspiration-based irrigation scheduling (water budgeting), (b) soil moisture sensing, (c) best management practices that reduce nonpoint source pollution by fertilizers and pesticides, (d) putting green construction techniques, (e) naturalized roughs, and (f) improved turfgrass cultivars. Only the first three areas are discussed in this study. Based on data from the survey, multiple econometric models were developed for each of the management practices. All three research-based management practices have been widely adopted throughout the U.S. golf industry. Across the three management practices studied, modeling indicated a total annual financial benefit of US$1.03 billion to the golf industry. This compares with an estimated yearly Green Section budget of roughly US$10 million, of which US$2 million is for turfgrass and environmental research. Research investment by governments and industry leaders is critical to the sustainability of the golf industry.
Researchers at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York compared populations of small mammals found on the 18-hole campus golf course and the nearby Kip Tract, a research and recreational woodland area. This project was part of a effort to understand the effects that habitat fragmentation can have on small mammal populations. PURPOSE The purpose of USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online is to effectively communicate the results of research projects funded under USGA's Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program to all who can benefit from such knowledge. Since 1983, the USGA has funded more than 290 projects at a cost of $25 million. The private , non-profit research program provides funding opportunities to university faculty interested in working on environmental and turf management problems affecting golf courses. The outstanding playing conditions of today's golf courses are a direct result of using science to benefit golf.
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