New ‘Tif3D’ turfgrass promises superior putting-green performance
After nearly a decade of research trials, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) turfgrass breeder Brian Schwartz and a dedicated team of colleagues and industry partners released a cutting-edge bermudagrass variety called ‘Tif3D’ earlier this year. ‘Tif3D’ is a specialty grass developed specifically for putting greens and boasts the unparalleled performance and playability putting greens require, said Schwartz, a professor in the CAES Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. The turf’s name is derived from its development on the UGA Tifton campus and the variety’s unique dark, dense and durable characteristics.
Tif3d In Greenhouse
No matter a drought or flooding rain, here are tips to keep the lawn green this summer
Everyone enjoys a green lawn, but did you know that different species of grass grow here in Metro Atlanta? I talked with UGA Professor and Turfgrass Specialist Clint Waltz about what is growing in our lawns, and how to care for warm season grasses given the highly variable conditions we experience during the summer.

Turfgrass Blog #1: 2024 Edition

Clint Waltz, Ph.D.

University of Georgia Turfgrass Specialist

January 10, 2024

 

As this new year begins, weather continues to be weather with impending cold conditions in January – imagine!  Within the 7-day forecast the prediction is for air temperatures to range from the low-twenties to low-teens from middle Georgia to the piedmont.  With spring 2023 still fresh on the minds of turfgrass professionals where warm-season grasses were slow to grow, questions have arisen as the possible impact of the upcoming “cold snap”.  Within biological systems there are few “absolutes” but considering the recent environmental conditions, I foresee a minimal likelihood of damage to turfgrass from this system alone.  The warm-season grasses have been dormant for over two months (first frost event for this season in Griffin was November 2, 2023) and frost has been observed 6 of the first 10 days this year (i.e. January), with several being “heavy” frosts.  Corresponding, 4-inch soil temperatures have ranged in the mid-40’s.  These have been ideal conditions for dormancy – the cessation of growth due to internal and external factors.  Cold injury to turfgrass is generally associated with cold and dry conditions.  While the late fall and early winter were dry”ish”, recent rainfall has been plentiful for keeping the growth points of the grass plant hydrated.  So, do turfgrass managers and homeowners need to do anything to prepare lawns for a January cold snap?  Simply stated “No”.  There are things not to do, however.  Do not “freeze”, or irrigate, your lawn.  For some crops (e.g. strawberries) short-term freeze events can be mitigated by encapsulating the plant in ice.  That may sound counterintuitive, but water freezing is an exothermic (gives off heat) process.  For it to work, irrigation must be continuous until air temperatures rise above freezing.  This time of year, warm-season grasses do not have green tissue, or fruit, to preserve with this technique.  Additionally, the excess water can do more harm to the turfgrass root system by saturating the soil.  This applies to cool-season grasses, like tall fescue, as well.  Lastly, there is no need to fertilize for the forecast conditions.  Currently, there is minimal biological activity in warm- and cool-season grasses with low nutrient uptake.  Applying any fertilizer now has a greater likelihood of leaching beyond the root system than being taken up by the plant.  Why spend money on nutrients the plant will not use?  Unlike last year, the air and 4-inch soil temperatures this January have been cool and not stimulated a premature green-up.  Grasses are fully dormant and resilient enough to handle some cold weather.

 

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Turfgrass Research Field Day
August 7th, 2024
UGA Griffin Campus


A new herbicide-resistant seeded paspalum is set to hit the market.

Pure Dynasty with ACCe, is a new herbicide-resistant paspalum that was developed by g, which markets the product along with Atlas Turf International. It will be introduced June 20 at Pure Seed's field day at the company's Rolesville, North Carolina research facility.

Pure Dynasty with ACCe was bred with ACCe technology developed by University of Georgia plant breeder Paul Raymer, Ph.D. It was tested on multiple sites over several years to incorporate UGA's ACCe technology.

For Information visit TurfNet.com

 

Green & Growing with Ashley Frasca

Need lawn tips for the spring? Watch this quick video with Ashley Frasca and Dr. Clint Waltz to figure out how to make your lawn happy and healthy as we head into spring.

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has selected five University of Georgia researchers as 2024 NAI Senior Members, the largest single induction for the university in its history. UGA now has 16 Senior Members overall.

NAI Senior Members recognize faculty, scientists, and administrators for their ability to innovate and commercialize new technologies. UGA’s 2024 inductees are Elizabeth Brisbois, David Crich, Qingguo “Jack” Huang, Paul Raymer, and Ralph Tripp.

Read More here: @UGAResearch



Turfgrass News

"Palmetto bug" is a regional term used to describe several species of cockroaches, including the smokybrown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa). CAES News
Is that a roach or a palmetto bug?
"Palmetto bug" is a regional term for several winged species of cockroach that are common in the Southeast.
Brian Schwartz at UGA-Tifton CAES News
New ‘Tif3D’ turfgrass promises superior putting-green performance
After nearly a decade of research trials, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) turfgrass breeder Brian Schwartz and a dedicated team of colleagues and industry partners released a cutting-edge bermudagrass variety called ‘Tif3D’ earlier this year.

Turf Team Events