Page 16 - GreenMaster Fall 2022

uFEATUREuDR. SARA STRICKER, GUELPH TURFGRASS INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Excitement
Turfgrass
Aerial view of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute.
The foundation of the game of golf
is healthy, resilient grass. We all want to follow best management practices to maintain the turf in playable condition within our time, budget, and labour constraints. Scientific research can help golf superin- tendents make informed decisions about management practices.
As one of the few Canadian research stations specializing in turfgrass, the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) represents a partner- ship between the University of Guelph, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, and the turfgrass industry. The GTI is situated on the University of Guelph campus in Guelph, Ontario, approxi- mately 100 km west of Toronto. The research grounds cover approximately
7 hectares, which includes turfgrass research plots and a horticultural flower display garden.
In September of 2022, the GTI will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to officially open the new G. M. Frost Research and Information Centre, which is an innovative research facility that includes a laboratory, lecture hall, classroom, and meeting space. The new research plots feature a variety of turfgrass species and several rootzone specifi- cations so that researchers can conduct studies which benefit golf course superintendents, sod farmers, sport field managers, and lawncare providers.
Research conducted at the GTI can test or develop new technologies
for use in the turf industry. For example, Dr. Eric Lyons has been developing a new device called the Turf Canopy Scanner which uses lasers to detect height changes in a turf stand. Arthur Rosenfield, a School of Engineering graduate student, is using machine learning and real-time kinematic GPS so that this device can detect gaps and measure fill-in over time.
Research findings can also be used to provide effective and realis- tic management recommendations. Every year, Dr. Tom Hsiang assesses the efficacy of fungicides and non-chemical alternatives to suppress diseases like dollar spot and snow mould. Recently, a toolkit was developed by School of
16 • CGSA • GreenMaster