Research
WTSC has a wealth of information made fully available to the public for research purposes.
Research
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2021 Research Proposals
Neff – Characterization of vernalization genes and flowering in Kentucky Bluegrass (WSU)
Burke – Weed Management in Turfgrass for Seed (WSU)
Kraszewska – Stormwater suitability factors of turf and native grasses in urban and rural landscapes (WSU)
Kraszewska – Turfgrass design and water maintenance perceptions and preferences of homeowners (WSU)
Dung – Integrated Disease Management of Ergot in Kentucky Bluegrass (OSU)
Watkins – Investigating Social Benefits of Natural Turfgrass in Urban Areas (UM)
Genetics
Advances in genetic research help Washington turfgrass seed producers grow the latest varietals coupled with the ability to fight disease, stress, and perform to the highest standards.
Weed Control
Weed-free fields deliver weed-free seed at harvest. Research on controlling weeds during production helps Washington turfgrass seed producers deliver clean, genetically pure seed.
Disease Control
Disease control during production is imperative to ensure high-quality seed with maximum germination rates. Research helps Washington turfgrass seed producers develop best management practices to grow the finest product possible.
Research on drought tolerance and water use allows Washington turfgrass seed producers to grow seed that produces sustainable lawns and green spaces that stand up to drought and use less water.
Washington turfgrass seed commission
Research Publication Search
Use the tool below to search research publications from the past decade, or scroll to discover reports by category.
Genetics
New advances in genetic research help Washington turfgrass seed producers grow the latest varietals with the ability to fight disease, stress, and perform to the highest standards.
Characterization of vernalization genes and flowering in Kentucky Bluegrass (2018)
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In the first year of this project, John Hadish, a rotating Molecular Plant Sciences (MPS) graduate student cloned fragments of two flowering time genes, VRN1 and VRN3, from the KBG genome…
Characterization of vernalization genes and flowering in Kentucky Bluegrass (2017)
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Floral induction is a genetically control event mediated by environmental cues. Kentucky Bluegrass (KBG) requires vernalization and short-day (SD) induction followed by long days (LD) in order to flower and produce seeds….
Weed Control
Weed-free fields deliver weed-free seed at harvest. Research on controlling weeds during production helps Washington turfgrass seed producers deliver clean, genetically pure seed.
Integrating New Tools for Grass Weed Control in Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass (2018)
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In August and September of 2017, multiple field trials were established to examine the effects of field applications of GA on grass weed seed germination and seedbank depletion during establishment and to identify….
Integrating New Tools for Grass Weed Control in Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass (2017)
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Two field trials evaluating herbicide options for annual grass weed control in Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass (Columbia River Seed) were planted in August; one at the WSU research station in Central Ferry, WA and the WSU research station…
Weed Research in Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass Seed Production (2015)
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A field trial evaluating herbicide options for annual grass control in Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass new seedings was planted Aug. 19, 2014. Perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass were seeded with a cone seeder in six inch rows at 6 lbs seed/acre…
Disease Control
Disease control during production is imperative to ensure high-quality seed with maximum germination rates. Research helps Washington turfgrass seed producers develop best management practices to grow the finest product possible.
Integrated Disease Management of Ergot in Kentucky Bluegrass (2018)
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Ergot can be a serious disease in Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass seed crops. Currently only two fungicide chemistries are labeled for ergot and can be applied multiple times in a season for ergot and other diseases. New fungicides would provide grass…
Integrated Disease Management of Ergot in Kentucky Bluegrass (2017)
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Data collected from field trials over three years suggest Priaxor® is effective at reducing ergot control in grass seed crops; several other fungicides also have the potential to reduce ergot. A large amount of variability was observed among plots treated…
Integrated Disease Management of Ergot in Kentucky Bluegrass (2016)
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Our research focus is to develop a comprehensive, multi-tactic IPM program for ergot in grass seed crops that incorporates chemical controls, biological controls, host plant resistance, and disease modeling. Soil-applied fluopyram + prothioconazole consistently reduced…
Controlling Ergot in Kentucky Bluegrass (2015)
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Ergot, caused by the fungal pathogen Claviceps purpurea, is a floral disease of grasses and a persistent problem in many Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) and perennial ryegrass (PRG) seed production systems (Alderman et al. 1996, Alderman et al. 1998)….
Controlling Ergot in Kentucky Bluegrass (2014)
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Ergot is a major seed replacement disease of perennial ryegrass (PRG) and Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) grown for seed in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The disease causes yield loss, reduced seed vigor, and difficulties during harvest, cleaning, and seed lot certification…
Controlling Ergot in Kentucky Blue Grass (2013)
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Ergot is a major seed replacement disease of perennial ryegrass (PRG) and Kentucky Bluegrass (KBG) grown for seed in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The disease causes yield loss, reduced seed vigor, and difficulties during harvest, cleaning, and seed lot certification…
Water Use & Drought Tolerance
Research on drought tolerance and water use allows Washington turfgrass seed producers to grow seed to produce sustainable lawns and green spaces that stand up to drought and use less water.
National Evaluation of Cool-Season Turfgrass Water Use and Drought Resistance (2018)
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National Evaluation of Cool-Season Turfgrass Water Use and Drought Resistance (2017)
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As discussed at previous WTSC meetings, the United States Golf Association (USGA) budgeted considerable funding to conduct a national water use and drought tolerance trial, utilizing the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) as its evaluation organization…
National Evaluation of Cool-Season Turfgrass Water Use and Drought Resistance (2016)
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This is an exciting new project that will evaluate, through a nationwide trial, Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue for their water use and drought resistance…
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