Browsing by Author "Horgan, Brian"
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Item Determining optimal nitrogen fertility rates for reduced-input fine fescue putting greens(2018-11) Petrella, Dominic; Bauer, Sam; Horgan, Brian; Watkins, EricThe 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.Item Developing Salt-Tolerant Sod Mixtures for Use as Roadside Turf in Minnesota(Center for Transportation Studies University of Minnesota, 2014-12) Friell, Joshua; Watkins, Eric; Horgan, BrianFailure of roadside grass installations due to high levels of road salt is a common occurrence in Minnesota. Several species that are not currently included in the MnDOT recommendations for these sites have performed well in low-input turfgrass evaluations in Minnesota and warranted evaluation for salt tolerance and suitability for roadside environments. The goal of this project was to develop a recommended mixture or a set of mixtures that provide salt-tolerant sod for roadsides. In the first part of this research, cultivars of cool-season turfgrass were assessed for their ability to establish and survive on roadsides in Minnesota. Concurrently, these grasses were evaluated in a hydroponic system in the greenhouse for salinity tolerance. Together, these studies identified several species and cultivars that were promising for use on Minnesota roadsides. These top-performing grasses were then evaluated in a series of mixtures in three research trials: (1) a roadside evaluation at two locations in Minnesota; (2) a sod strength trial planted at two locations in Minnesota; and (3) an acute drought evaluation utilizing an automated rainout shelter. From these results, we identified species that should be components of a salt-tolerant turfgrass mixture for use on roadsides in Minnesota. Mixtures that included high proportions of fine fescues, especially hard fescue and slender creeping red fescue, performed the best in our trials indicating that these species should be utilized in MnDOT recommendations for turf grown on roadsides.Item Drought tolerance of consumer turfgrass seed mixtures and blends(2018-11) Sessoms, Florence; Sandor, Dan; Horgan, Brian; Bauer, SamIncreased 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.Item Environmental Impacts of Smart Irrigation and Mowing Height in Kentucky Bluegrass Lawns(2019-11) Sandor, Dan; Horgan, Brian; Davis, BrianKentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.; KBG) is the most widely used turfgrass species in Minnesota lawns, requiring routine cultural management inputs such as mowing and irrigation to maintain acceptable turfgrass quality. Previous research has suggested raising mowing heights and using improved irrigation technology to reduce inputs without sacrificing lawn quality. Limited information exists regarding the combined aesthetic impacts of mowing height + smart irrigation on lawn mowing requirements and their affects also their potential combined environmental impacts using improved irrigation and mowing practices.Item Golf Course Superintendents’ Knowledge of Variability within Fairways(2018-11) Straw, Chase; Horgan, BrianPrecision turfgrass management (PTM) relies heavily on mapping technologies (e.g. drones, GPS-equipped sensor devices) for identifying variability within turfgrass systems to implement variable rate or site-specific applications that can reduce management inputs. Despite recent advancements of mapping technologies in turfgrass, a number of factors have inhibited widespread adoption amongst managers; for example, cost and training associated with obtaining, analyzing, and interpreting spatial data. While focus continues towards improving mapping technologies, turfgrass managers’ knowledge of variability may be an overlooked and underutilized tool for PTM. Demonstrating the extent of knowledge that turfgrass managers encompass regarding variability, and how they can apply this knowledge to management practices, could offer a practical, low cost starting point for PTM implementation.Item 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, SamThe 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.Item Precision Irrigation for Golf Courses Using Sensor and Mapping Technologies(2019-11) Straw, Chase; Friell, Joshua; Horgan, BrianThe golf course industry is under increasing public pressure to improve environmental impacts by reducing management inputs, particularly irrigation. Precision irrigation is a viable strategy; however, in practice, adoption of soil moisture sensors (SMS) and mapping technologies necessary for implementation has been slow. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate that adoption of currently available SMS and mapping technologies can provide golf course superintendents with appropriate, actionable information that can result in significant water and cost savings relative to evapotranspiration (ET)-based and traditional irrigation scheduling methods.