Turfgrass Science and Management, 3rd edition

NACTA Journal, Dec 2002 by Loehrlein, Marietta

Turfgrass Science and

Management, 3rd edition,

by Robert Emmons, Thomson Delmar

Learning, 2000, 528 pages, hardcover

$89.95

The third edition of this textbook has a few obvious improvements over the second edition. Some of the figures have been updated. The eight pages of color photographs of pests and pathogens that have been inserted into the center of the book are a nice addition.

This book is very accessible for both college students and instructors alike. It includes chapters on everything from soils and turf species, cultural practices, pests, and diseases. Special chapters cover additional information on golf course management, lawns and other turf areas, including cemeteries and sod farms, business management practices, and turfgrass calculations. For easy reference, four appendices are included on conversion tables, sprayer calibration, spreader calibration, identification of grasses by vegetative characteristics, and seed identification.

Graphs provide quick, easy to read access to information. Line drawings are ample, including pictures of basic botanical features and line drawings of turf species.

The chapters are sensibly arranged. The introductory information sufficiently lays the groundwork for information covered in subsequent chapters. The subject matter is covered in breadth and depth appropriate for students of varying backgrounds. Topics are covered in ample detail, yet are not overly extensive.

As a college textbook, this turf book is very useful. The text has a place in any general horticulture program.

Marietta Loehrlein

Associate Professor of Horticulture

Western Illinois University