Vital role of engagement in turfgrass research

Golf course management is facing an increasingly complex set of challenges, whether from labor shortages, environmental changes or increased pest pressures that can threaten the quality of putting green surfaces. Historically, turfgrass managers have sought the expertise of university researchers to solve these complex issues. Recently, however, there seems to be a perception of disconnect between academic research and the practical needs of the industry. But engaging with industry members in the research process can help bridge this gap, ensuring that university studies address real-world problems and yield actionable results.

This article will explore the importance of research that directly aligns with superintendents’ needs, highlighting an example of when involvement in a university-funded survey led to a rapid diagnosis of damage on a golf course putting green. By examining this collaboration, we can see how targeted research can drive meaningful improvements in turf management and overall course health. As the pressures on turfgrass managers continue, these partnerships will be essential for developing effective management solutions.

To understand the significance of industry involvement, it’s essential to recognize the diverse roles that superintendents play in golf course management. A superintendent is not just an agronomist and team leader, they’re also accountants, human resources, on-call facilities maintenance and even trained counselors! Superintendents spend more time on the golf course than any other person and observe firsthand the challenges posed by pests, diseases, and environmental stressors. Their day-to-day experiences and observations can provide invaluable context that shapes the direction of research. By prioritizing direct engagement with industry members, university researchers can ensure that studies not only advance scientific knowledge but also translate into effective management strategies.

A prime example of this collaborative approach can be shown through research efforts evaluating plant-parasitic nematode (PPN) damage in the Pacific Northwest. Nematodes are microscopic worms capable of parasitizing all parts of a plant. Feeding and damage to the root system causes physiological disruption of nutrient and water uptake. This leads to symptoms that are often mistaken for abiotic stresses, making accurate diagnosis quite difficult. For many years, PPN felt like a last-ditch effort to explain away some otherwise inexplicable symptoms on putting greens. Not responding to a fungicide or fertilizer application? Well, it’s probably nematodes then. More recently, researchers at Oregon State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service have been finding that PPN might actually be the culprits for damage caused on golf course putting greens.

The journey into PPN research began after the OSU Turfgrass Diagnostic Clinic received putting green samples from a coastal Oregon golf facility, which had symptoms that appeared fungal in nature, yet no pathogens could be isolated. We started extracting soil samples to check for nematodes and, to our surprise, we discovered high populations of spiral and root-knot nematode on the Poa annua putting greens. Recognizing the extent of the damage at this facility, and the lack of information available for the PNW, we felt compelled to lay the groundwork for a broader understanding of these pests.

With funding secured through the USGA, we launched a survey in 2023 of more than 300 putting greens across Oregon, Washington and California, sampling at four time points throughout the year to identify nematode community populations and densities that are present and contributing to damage symptoms. At least 15 unique genera of PPN have been identified across the more than 300 surveyed greens, with several occurring at extremely high densities.

The two most concerning nematodes were root-knot nematode and spiral nematode, being found in all three states and on Poa annua, Festuca rubra ssp., and Agrostis stolonifera greens. Peaks in populations in western Oregon were observed in the late fall and winter, with damage symptoms following a few weeks after that.

Fast forward a year, when a Washington superintendent who was involved in our nematode survey encountered an unexpected issue just as he was boarding the plane for the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in February 2024. After approximately eight months of surveying his greens, which had shown low nematode densities, he received alarming photos from his assistants depicting distinct damage across multiple putting greens. The symptoms were puzzling — an unusual thinning of the canopy in distinct patches, particularly pronounced in low-lying areas where water collects. Both he and his regional agronomist, having ruled out other potential pathogen causes and abiotic stresses, started thinking about nematodes.

Up until being in our survey, the idea of nematodes causing damage on this golf course hadn’t crossed his mind. In fact, he had never even previously made applications to target them. Because of his participation in the ongoing research, he was able to quickly reach out to OSU to arrange for samples to be analyzed.

The results were startling: incredibly high populations of root-knot nematodes were identified, averaging more than 16,000 infective stage juveniles per 100cc of soil — well above available actionable thresholds of 500 juveniles per 100cc recommended by University of Massachusetts researchers. This finding indicated that nematodes were a significant contributor to the damage observed, allowing the superintendent to take informed and immediate action to manage the problem effectively.

This case serves as a reminder of the potential that lies in fostering partnerships between researchers and practitioners. When research is conducted with a clear focus on industry needs, it can lead to actionable insights that directly enhance the management and quality of golf courses. By prioritizing these collaborations, the industry can better equip itself to tackle emerging challenges, particularly in the current climate.

Beyond the immediate benefits seen at the golf course in Washington, this case study underscores a broader shift in how research can be conducted and applied in turf management. As more superintendents recognize the value of participating in research initiatives, a feedback loop is created that improves both practical knowledge and scientific inquiry. This ongoing dialogue allows researchers to refine their methodologies and focus on the most pressing issues faced by turf managers, thereby encouraging more extensive participation across the industry.

In future studies at OSU, we will continue to seek practical management strategies for this emerging pest in our region. This winter, we plan to initiate trials to evaluate effective cultural and chemical management programs for nematodes, with the intention of developing a viable solution for those original turfgrass superintendents that reached out.

Emily Braithwaite is a graduate research assistant at Oregon State University. Dr. Hannah Rivedal, Ph.D., is a research plant pathologist for the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Dr. Chas Schmid, Ph.D., is assistant professor, senior research, at Oregon State. Dr. Alec Kowalewski, Ph.D., is a professor at Oregon State.