COVER STORY: An app for turf

Superintendents spend a significant amount of time in the field or away from the office; they rely on mobile technologies in their everyday management regimes. Mobile phones with e-mail, Internet and application programs help superintendents communicate and access information faster than ever before. Advanced smartphones, such as the Blackberry and iPhone, have become important tools for industry professionals and allow greater work flexibility while traveling or away from the office.

Downloadable applications are relatively new features to mobile devices that have grown in popularity over the last two years. Applications, or "apps," are programs compatible with phones that provide quick and easy access to information for end-users. For example, a medical application can be used to search for information about specific health problems, medicines or physical therapy recommendations. Applications are also available to assist end-users while working in the field. An example of such an application is the bird education program that can be used to identify and read about various species while bird watching outdoors. This new application technology allows end-users to have quick and easy access to information while in the field and has promising implications for use in turfgrass management.

An application for turfgrass science and management has been developed by the University of Georgia (UGA) and is now being introduced to the industry. Several UGA faculty members specializing in turfgrass science have created the first mobile program specifically for turf. The application, called Turfgrass Management, is a comprehensive program that contains pictures, information, and recommendations for managing turf weeds, diseases and insects. The application is designed to be user-friendly and easy to search for content on mobile devices with limited scientific jargon. Currently, the application is sold for download through the iTunes Application Store for iPhone users and is expected to be available for BlackBerry sometime this fall. Other mobile carriers will be added later as application technology expands to new phones and mobile devices.

The program was created by Decatur, Ga.-based ITAnyplace, a company that specializes in application development. Content and program setup were then designed by UGA turf faculty. Since the program is available for download from the Internet, the potential users for this technology are worldwide. Therefore, content is presented in a general, concise manner without regional emphasis.

The application combines information from numerous books in one complete program that can be used on selected cell phones, anywhere. For example, if superintendents are on the golf course and notice a new weed, the application can be used from their phones to search for information and pictures to help identify the species. Pictures of most species include files of the entire plant, ligule, seedhead, stems and leaf characteristics. Unlike textbooks, the potential volume of content is virtually unlimited and new information can be added at any time. Additionally, the transport and use of mobile devices is much easier in the field than carrying books, manuals or color atlases for plant identification.

Turfgrass Management also provides control recommendations for weeds, diseases and insects. Recommendations include listings of product common and trade names available specifically for controlling individual pests. When a weed, disease or insect is identified from the pictures and information, users can then view control recommendations for that particular species.

For more specific product information, a database is being added for turf managers to search for specific herbicides, fungicides, insecticides or plant growth regulators. This database will allow end-users to search by common and trade names of individual products with information about labeled rates, turfgrasses and pests controlled. Information found in this program should be used for reference and is not intended to replace application instructions or regulations found on product labels. Superintendents should always read and follow instructions of product labels before applying pesticides.

Another important aspect of this new application is the capability to add new content. Textbooks are often dated after publication as new grasses, products or issues are introduced to the industry. Turfgrass Management will constantly be updated with information, recommendations, and new content for turf managers. New products also will be added and updated to the pesticide database with application information and pests controlled.

Other features of this program include a publication and presentation section where members of the UGA turf team will post lectures, presentations and popular articles. Currently the application is sold for $19.99 for download on iTunes but a subscription service will probably replace the one-time fee as the content and program expands with new features and information. The application also likely will be made available for other mobile devices in the next year or two to help expand the potential user base for this technology. GCI