Browsing by Author "Bauer, Sam"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Determining optimal nitrogen fertility rates for reduced-input fine fescue putting greens
    (2018-11) Petrella, Dominic; Bauer, Sam; Horgan, Brian; Watkins, Eric
    The use of nitrogen fertilizers on golf courses is scrutinized worldwide. Identifying alternatives to creeping bentgrass Agrostis stolonifera L for putting greens may help decrease nitrogen use while maintaining turfgrass quality. Fine fescue turfgrasses are known for lower nitrogen requirements and reduced input management. Fine fescues are used for putting greens in northern Europe, Ireland, the UK, and other European countries, but have received limited attention in the U.S. Our objective was to determine the optimum annual nitrogen fertilizer rate for maintaining a reduced input fine fescue putting green in Minnesota.
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    Developing Online Education and Training for Installation and Management of Roadside Turfgrasses
    (2019-11) Moncada, Kristine; Trappe, Jon; Bauer, Sam; Watkins, Eric
    Roadside turfgrass establishments often fail due to poor establishment, leading to losses of money and time for departments of transportation in the northern U.S. One of the reasons for this failure is a lack of training given to installers. To address some of the concerns turf installers have regarding roadside turfgrass establishment, we worked with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to create an online training course for contractors and other stakeholders called Installation and Management of Roadside Turfgrasses. The goal of this course is to teach students the importance of species selection for roadsides, what the proper establishment procedures are for seed and sod, and how to implement fundamental cultural practices for maintaining turfgrasses on roadsides in the northern U.S.
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    Drought tolerance of consumer turfgrass seed mixtures and blends
    (2018-11) Sessoms, Florence; Sandor, Dan; Horgan, Brian; Bauer, Sam
    Increased use of water for irrigation has become a concern in the Twin Cities especially during seasonal drought when demand for fresh water is highest. Homeowners could improve water conservation by choosing the right type of turfgrass species to meet their expectations. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the drought tolerance characteristics of consumer-available turfgrass seed mixtures and blends and to examine the effect of mowing height on drought tolerance and recovery from drought.
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    Expanding the Success of Salt-Tolerant Roadside Turfgrasses through Innovation and Education
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2020-02) Watkins, Eric; Trappe, Jon; Moncada, Kristine; Bauer, Sam; Reyes, Jonah
    Our project was based on the need to water new roadside installations more efficiently to ensure that the turfgrasses, especially the new salt-tolerant mixes, establish more successfully with a predictable and uniform amount of water during the establishment period. The first objective of this project was to do a preliminary investigation of alternative means of irrigating new installations of salt-tolerant seed and sod mixtures. We completed the testing of four drip-tape-style irrigation systems placed both above and below sod, two above-ground sprinkler system configurations, and eight water truck nozzles. We then evaluated these new irrigation methods compared to current practices. We also developed an online voluntary training and education program for installers of roadside turf. And finally, we developed online maintenance training for homeowners to maintain new roadside turf installations. Based on our research, we recommend the use of 18-inch (45.7-cm) irrigation tape laid above the germination blanket (when seeding), or above sod when using a hydrant adapter with a programmable irrigation system as this system is easier and cheaper to install, can be removed and possibly reused after establishment, and results in reduced water use.
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    Optimum Seeding Rate and Biomass Removal Timing for No-Mow Fine Fescue Golf Course Roughs
    (2019-11) Schwab, Ryan; Watkins, Eric; Hollman, Andrew; Horgan, Brian; Bauer, Sam
    The objective of this research project was to determine the optimum seeding rate and biomass removal timing for maximum weed suppression, golf ball visibility, and aesthetics.
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    Water Wisely: Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet
    (University of Minnesota Extension, 2016-10) Weisenhorn, Julie; Zuzek, Kathy; Bauer, Sam; Grabowski, Michelle; Froemming, Jackie; Berlin, Beth; Haugen-Brown, Tana; Nelson, Randy; Trott, Robin; Meyer, Mary; Yetka, Leslie; Hahn, Jeff; Foord, Karl; Kenny, Tim; Rice, Andrea
    Wise watering practices in the home landscape save money, help protect Minnesota’s water supply and optimize plant health. Nearly one-third of residential water is used to irrigate home landscapes. Improper watering practices impact the availability and/or quality of groundwater, lakes and streams. Some landscape plants, such as lawns, generally need less water than we think, while trees sometimes need more.