John Watson

Email: 
watson01@uoguelph.ca
Office: 
GM Frost Information Centre
Lab: 
Guelph Turfgrass Institute

 

John R. Watson has close to two decades of experience in the turfgrass industry both as a researcher and employee of the golf sector. He currently holds the position of Research Technician in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph.

John works directly with Dr. Eric Lyons and Dr. Katerina Jordan’s research programs, both of which have an emphasis on turfgrass science. In addition to executing all turfgrass related service research contracts and national cultivar trials, John also assists graduate students with research project implementation, interpretation, and is the laboratory manager for both on campus and GTI research labs.

Prior to employment in his current role, John achieved both a B.Sc. in Agriculture and an M.Sc in Plant Agriculture from the University of Guelph. His M.Sc. research focused on establishing techniques for establishment and management of velvet bentgrass for application as a putting green turf in Ontario; his research involved both greenhouse and field trials, as well as laboratory work and nutrient analysis. John has also held the position of GTI Communications and Outreach Coordinator, sessional lecturer for the Turf Case Studies course in the DTM program, and Assistant Superintendent at Victoria Park West and Victoria Park Valley Golf Clubs here in Guelph.

Publications

J. Watson. 2009. The effect of nitrogen fertility on growth and quality of Agrostis canina L. and Agrostis stolonifera L. putting green turf. MSc Thesis, University of Guelph.