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Conventional golf course fairway irrigation relies on visual observation of the turfgrass, followed by secondary considerations of short‐term weather forecasts, which oftentimes lead to 'blanket' applications to an entire area. Precision irrigation may achieve water use reductions by irrigating only where, when, and in the amount needed. Technology can further enhance its application; for example, using global navigation satellite system (GNSS)‐equipped soil moisture sensors for creating fairway soil moisture maps to identify variability. However, research regarding soil moisture variability on fairways at golf courses that differ by climatic region and course characteristics is limited. The objective of this case study was to report fairway soil moisture variability findings from nine golf courses in eight states in the United States that completed a soil moisture mapping protocol during 2019–2022. Each course used a handheld GNSS‐equipped soil moisture device to collect georeferenced soil moisture (percentage volumetric water content [VWC]) data from seven to 14 of their fairways. Soil moisture variability was assessed through summary statistics, box and whisker plots, and spatial maps. The mean soil moisture on fairways across courses was 22.4–48.8% VWC, the range was 27.6–43.7% VWC, and the CV was 7.5–39.4%. Box and whisker plots and spatial maps of soil moisture aided in visualizing variability within and between fairways at all courses. Results suggest that golf course fairway soil moisture variability is inevitable regardless of climatic region and course characteristics, which further reiterates the need for advanced irrigation practices and technologies for water conservation via precision irrigation. Core Ideas: GNSS‐equipped soil moisture sensors allow for mapping fairway soil moisture variability.Soil moisture variability on fairways at nine U.S. golf courses was evaluated.Soil moisture variability is inevitable between and within fairways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need to reduce inputs on golf course putting greens. In the north‐central United States, the use of alternative species, like fine fescues (Festuca spp.), could be part of a solution, but information is needed on management and cultivar choices. Our objectives were twofold: (a) to compare performance of fine fescues (strong creeping red [Festuca rubra L. ssp. rubra Gaudin, STF], slender creeping red [Festuca rubra L. ssp. littoralis (G. Mey.) Auquier, SLF], Chewings [Festuca rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaudin, CHF], and hard fescue [Festuca brevipila Tracey, HDF]) to bentgrasses (creeping bentgrass [Agrostis stolonifera L., CRB], and colonial bentgrass [Agrostis capillaris L., CLB]) managed as low‐input greens treated with 0, 48.9, 97.7, or 195.3 kg N ha−1 yr−1 during 2017–2018; and (b) to evaluate multiple fine fescue cultivars for multiyear performance when maintained as low‐input greens in St. Paul, MN. In 2017, CHF and SLF maintained the highest quality of the fine fescues and maintained higher quality at low N compared with both bentgrasses, primarily due to less dollar spot (Clarireedia spp.). During 2018, fine fescue responses to N were similar to those in 2017, but summer patch (Magnaporthe spp.) disease resulted in decline of some taxa. In the cultivar study, top‐performing cultivars were CHF, most of which performed similarly. However, SLF and STF cultivars performed more variably. Chewings fescue and SLF maintained with 48.9–97.7 kg N ha−1 yr−1 may be alternatives to CRB for low‐input greens in the north‐central United States, primarily due to reduced dollar spot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research is lacking on best establishment practices of fine fescues (Festuca spp.), such as optimal seeding timings, which are well known for other cool-season turfgrasses. Our objective was to document establishment and determine optimal seeding timings for mixed stand of fine fescue in multiple cool-season climate zones in the United States. From 2019 to 2020, an experiment was replicated across four locations in the northern United States to investigate nine monthly fine fescue mixture seeding timings from March through November. Fine fescue seedling emergence typically hastened as temperatures increased during the growing season, and emergence required 6.1-9.4 d when soil temperatures were within a range of 15-25 °C. Final grid count data across multiple sites indicated that seeding fine fescues in August, September, and at times, July, will likely produce the best establishment with the lowest weed infestation pressure, and there may be more flexibility in seeding timings in a Mediterranean climate, such as Oregon. Seeding fine fescues in the early-spring or late-autumn can be more unreliable because of greater likelihood of weed infestation, suboptimal growing conditions, and potential of a late-autumn seeding to act as an unintended dormant seeding. Results indicate the weed invasion pressure of specific weeds will vary depending life cycle of weed and seeding time of year. Overall, seeding a fine fescue mixture in August or September will increase likelihood of success in cool-season climate zones in the United States with a wider seeding window when planting in Mediterranean climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on alternative management options for multiyear perennial ryegrass seed production in Northern Minnesota. Topics include the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and fall residue management, such as open burning, baling, and mowing, to achieve multiyear seed production in northern climates.

Prairie junegrass [Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Shultes] is a perennial, shortgrass prairie species distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere that is being evaluated for use as a low-input turf. In June 2007, 300 genotypes representing collection locations derived from Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota germplasm were grown and evaluated 3 years for turfgrass performance characteristics in a randomized complete block design with five clonal replications at two locations (St. Paul, MN, and Becker, MN). After establishment, plots received no supplemental irrigation or fertility and were mowed weekly to a height of 6.4 cm. Broad-sense heritability estimates were calculated on a clonal mean (Hc) and single-plant (Hsp) basis for turf quality (Hc = 0.62, Hsp = 0.13), crown density (Hc = 0.55, Hsp = 0.09), mowing quality (Hc = 0.59, Hsp = 0.09), and genetic color (Hc = 0.45, Hsp = 0.06). The heritability estimates indicate that selection for these traits should result in significant gains in germplasm improvement. Differences were observed in the means and variances among clones, collection locations, and/or collection regions for many of the traits evaluated including rust severity (Puccinia spp.), spring green-up, plant height, lateral spread, vertical regrowth, and flowering traits. The positive correlations among some of these traits and those with moderate heritability estimates should allow for multi-trait selection in cultivar development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prairie junegrass [Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Shultes] is a perennial, short-grass prairie species distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This species demonstrates tolerance to many environmental stresses in Minnesota. Forty-eight K. macrantha accessions from the United States National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) were grown under low-input conditions to evaluate turfgrass quality characteristics for use in a breeding program. A second objective was to identify key geographical locations for germplasm collection. The experiment was conducted at Becker and St. Paul, MN. Nineteen accessions at Becker and 30 accessions at St. Paul performed with an adequate turf quality rating of 5.0 or higher when averaged over the 3-yr study, suggesting the potential for use in low-input areas. Prairie junegrass from northern collection regions displayed the highest spring green-up ratings, an important turf trait in northern climates. There was a negative correlation between this trait and mowing quality at Becker (r = -0.44) and at St. Paul (r = -0.34). Several accessions had acceptable mowing quality and would be candidates for integration into a native prairie junegrass turfgrass breeding program. There was no correlation between inflorescence emergence and turf quality, or between inflorescence emergence and persistent straw suggesting that flowering does not necessarily affect turf quality ratings. Rust (unknown Puccinia species) was present at both locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As restrictions on water use, fertilization, and pesticide applications continue to increase, golf course superintendents will need to use grass species that require reduced inputs. The objective of this study was to evaluate alternative turfgrass species under low-input fairways conditions. In 2005, 17 species were established on native soil in St. Paul, MN. Each species was evaluated at three levels of traffic (zero, three, or six passes per week using a drum-type traffic simulator) and two mowing heights (1.90 and 2.54 cm). Data collected included turfgrass quality and percent living stand density. In 2006, velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina L.), colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris L.), and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) maintained acceptable quality in all treatment combinations. In 2007, Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L. ssp.fallax) and sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.) were the top-performing species regardless of treatment. Hard fescue (Festuca brevipila Tracey) performed poorly in Year 1 and well in Year 2. All other species did not perform at an acceptable level during the study. The results of this study indicate that sheep fescue, Chewings fescue, colonial bentgrass, and velvet bentgrass should be studied further for use on low-input golf course fairways in the northern United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many winter stresses affect the ability of a perennial grass to overwinter in cold, temperate climates. Freezing tolerance is one of the major component traits affecting winterhardiness. Although effective freezing tolerance assessment procedures have long been available for perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.), no work has been done to characterize plant collections in the United States that may possess novel variation for freezing tolerance and winterhardiness. In this study, 21 accessions sampled from a larger set of 300 accessions with known winterhardiness and 3 check varieties were subjected to environmentally-controlled, low temperature acclimation, followed by controlled freezing using a programmable laboratory freezer. Eight freezing treatments from −2 to −16°C were used to determine survival across the known spectrum of freezing tolerance in perennial ryegrass. LT50 values were estimated based on whole plant survival, as well as tiller survival at each of the temperature treatments in the evaluation. LT50 values for the accessions and checks ranged from −10.31 to −13.95°C, with 3 accessions possessing significantly greater freezing tolerance than the most freeze-tolerant check, ‘NK200’. LT50 values were well correlated with winterhardiness in St. Paul during the winters of 2004–2005 and 2005–2006. Lower LT50 values in this experiment were associated with greater spring growth following the stressful winter of 2004–2005 and upright growth habit. The lack of negative biological association between freezing tolerance and turf quality components indicates that freezing tolerance testing could be a useful tool in breeding and selection with landrace germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information concerning the main duties of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to Michael Chertoff, secretary of DHS, the DHS's highest priority and greatest sense of urgency has to be directed at preventing a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb attack against the homeland.

Focuses on the United States' policy in the Middle East which is characterized by an increasing bias for Israel and open hostility to `uncooperative' regimes like Iraq. Main goals of American Middle East policy; United States' strained relations with its allies in the region; Negative implications for United States' policy goal of secure oil supply; United States' neglect of public opinion in the region.