Web site provides information about turfgrass research

Golf Course News, Jun 2004

Beltsville, Md. - Details and updates about the National Turfgrass Research Initiative can be found at www.turf initiative.org or www. turfresearch.org. The $32.4-million initiative is an effort among the USDA, Agricultural Research Service and the turfgrass industry. The document contains the justification for, goals and components of a national turfgrass research strategy. The initiative is to educate legislators, administrators and others of the value of the turfgrass industry and the critical needs it faces.

Six research areas have been identified and incorporated into the Turfgrass Initiative: 1) improvement of water management strategies and practices, 2) collection, enhancement and preservation of turfgrass germplasm, 3) improvement of pest management practices, 4) understanding and improvement of turfgrass' role in the environment, 5) enhancement of soil and soil management practices and 6) development of integrated turf management systems.