Current Research

2022 Research Program Update

We are conducting research at the new G.M. Frost Centre on College Ave E. Some of the projects in progress are:

• NTEP National Tall Fescue Test   
• Comparing different formulations of Fiesta for suppression of dandelion establishment – Sponsored by Neudorff North America 
• Long-term surfactant study conducted on greens height creeping bentgrass and on an annual bluegrass-creeping bentgrass mixed-stand 
• Incorporating the Use of Machine Learning in the Turf Canopy Scanner by grad student Arthur Rosenfield 
• Ongoing data collection and performance assessment of annual and perennial flowers through GTI Trial Gardens
• Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) Tall Fescue drought trial
• Field testing of a DMI-resistance screening kit for the dollar spot pathogen by grad student Ed McNab
• Fungicide evaluation trials for dollar spot and snow mould by Dr. Tom Hsiang
• Milk by-product by-product as fertilizer with University of Ottawa grad student Jessica Gaudet
• Sportsfield overseeding, wear resistance, and iron-based herbicide split-field trial to improve turf quality - Sponsored by the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation (OTRF)

2021 Research program included:

• NTEP National Tall Fescue Test  
• Assessing the effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Winter Hardiness of Creeping Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass on Golf Greens 
• Comparing plant growth regulators on a USGA putting green – Sponsored by Nufarm 
• Comparing different formulations of Fiesta to determine application safety for turfgrass – Sponsored by Neudorff North America 
• Bio-solids as potential turfgrass fertilizer - Sponsored by OTRF 
• Long-term surfactant study conducted on greens height creeping bentgrass ‘V8’ and on an annual bluegrass-creeping bentgrass mixed-stand that has been overseeded with ‘T1’ bentgrass by grad student Ellen Westelaken 
• Biology and management take-all patch in Canada caused by the fungus Slopeiomyces cylindrosporus by grad student Karen Francisco – Sponsored by OTRF 
• Incorporating the Use of Machine Learning in the Turf Canopy Scanner by grad student Arthur Rosenfield 
• Ongoing data collection and performance assessment of annual and perennial flowers through GTI Trial Gardens
• TWCA Kentucky Bluegrass drought trial

2020 Research program included:

• Turf type tall fescue NTEP trial
• Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance Kentucky bluegrass drought trial
• Low maintenance ground cover assessment trials funded by the City of Guelph
• Take-all patch research project funded through the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation
• Ongoing data collection and performance assessment of annual and perennial flowers through GTI Trial Gardens

2019 Research program included:

• Alternative controls for dollarspot disease
  • Exploring rates and efficacy of ferric and ferrous sulphate
  • Exploring bio-control products and their efficacy compared to traditional synthetic control products
  • Looking into uses for bio-solids as potential control
• Data collection and usage recommendation for a new plant growth regulator for use on turf in Ontario
• Developing a successful and reliable method for successful inoculation of take-all patch in the field
• Conducting trials for a new product formulation for a class 11 weed control product
  • Collecting efficacy data on control when compared with traditional formulation and industry competitors
  • Testing potential for phytotoxicity of new formulation in turf systems
  • Exploring potential for control of crabgrass at various high rates
• Exploring efficacy of new moss control product compared with traditional market competitors
• Ongoing product efficacy trials for Microdochium nivale
• Turf type tall fescue NTEP trial
• Ongoing pigment trials for use in turf systems
• Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) Kentucky bluegrass drought trial
• Low maintenance ground cover assessment trials funded by the City of Guelph
• Take-all patch research project funded through the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation

2018 research projects included:

• Best practices for establishment of prairie turfgrass systems
• Continued assessment and development of biosolid fertilizers for turfgrass
• Best management practices and alternative controls for take-all patch
• Exploring cold tolerance and winter hardiness levels of bentgrass and poa annua
• Alternatives options for controlling turfgrass diseases such as Sclerotinia homeocarpa 

2018 Service Research or Grant-In-Aid work included:

• Broadleaf weed control product assessment and development
• Comparison of liquid foliar fertilizers at various rates on turfgrass growth, density and overall quality rating
• Data collection and reporting for new and emerging growth regulators
• Data collection and reporting of alternative control products for white grubs

2016 research projects:

• Efficacy of experimental herbicide products to control Bryum argenteum (silvery thread moss) on putting greens
• Efficacy of experimental low-risk herbicide products – 2016 spring trial
• Turf Response to Single and Dual Inhibitor Stabilized Nitrogen Fertilizers
• Assessing the use of biosolids for establishment of turfgrass stands in sod production
• Herbicidal activity of Fiesta formulations applied to turfgrass infested with broadleaf weeds
• Best management practices for summer patch on annual bluegrass - 2016 trial
• Tolerance of new seedings of different grass species to application of a low-risk herbicide – late summer/early fall trial
• Ornamental trial gardens: All-America Selections trial, small scale vegetable trial, containers trial and more!