Turfgrass Science team at the 2025 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings

December 5, 2025

Our team was well-represented at this year’s CANVAS meeting (formerly ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting) held on November 9-12, 2025 in Salt Lake City, UT. 

Congratulations to Jillian Turbeville for receiving first place in the Turfgrass Ecology Graduate Student Oral Competition for her presentation, Intercropping Strategies for Increasing Hard Fescue (Festuca brevipila) Seed Production in Northern Minnesota.

Congratulations as well to Maicy Vossen for receiving third place in the Turfgrass Breeding, Genomics, Physiology, and Molecular Biology Student Oral Competition for her presentation, Melting the Mysteries of Freeze Tolerance in Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.).

Below is a listing of all the posters and oral presentations along with the abstracts and the poster PDF files. Presenting author is highlighted in bold. 

Posters

Adapting stable carbon isotope labeling methods to quantify photosynthetic traits in Festuca brevipila exposed to foliar-shade stress

Authors: Jillian Turbeville, Dominic Petrella, Xin Xin, and Eric Watkins

Abstract

Understanding carbon assimilation under abiotic stress is key to improving hard fescue (Festuca brevipila) performance in variable environments. This is commonly done using infrared gas analysis (IRGA), but this method has many disadvantages. Instead, we have evaluated methods utilizing carbon-13 (¹³CO₂) stable isotope pulse labeling to quantify carbon fixation during stress from foliar-shade, low light intensity and a low red to far-red (R:FR) ratio. The experiment was conducted in two phases. In phase (1) we vetted labeling methods in hard fescue genotype ‘HFP 114’ by first performing a time-course trial with ¹³CO₂ exposure intervals of 10, 15, and 20 to optimize labeling time. Next, we performed a photosynthetic light response curve study in which we labeled plants for 15 minutes at light intensities from 50 - 900 µmol m-2 s-1. Following exposure to ¹³CO₂ enriched atmosphere in sealed glove bags, leaves were harvested, oven dried, weighed, and analyzed for ¹³C/¹²C ratios using elemental analysis - isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS) to provide a quantitative assessment of the plant’s carbon allocation. In phase (2) we performed a comparative labeling of selected genotypes previously identified through genome-wide marker analysis and phenotypic shade screening as either shade-tolerant shade-sensitive. Plants were subjected to low light intensity and a R:FR ratio in a growth chamber while simultaneously labeled using the methods described above. Comparing ¹³C enrichment between genotypes will help link physiological carbon dynamics to genetic shade stress response.

The effect of germination stimulants on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) seeds

Authors: Beverly Morgan, Jillian Turbeville, Xin Xin, and Dominic Petrella

Abstract

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is a consistently difficult to establish cool-season turfgrass species due to slow germination and low seedling vigor. The phytohormones abscisic acid and gibberellins are well known to be the key regulators of seed dormancy and germination stimulation, but to our knowledge there has been little research how well they stimulate Kentucky bluegrass germination. Germination stimulants have also been discovered in plant derived smoke, in which the primary stimulants are karrikins. Liquid smoke products, karrikins, and smoke enhanced biochar have been gaining interest as they may stimulate turfgrasses to establish faster. We performed a series of experiments to examine if liquid smoke, karrikin-1, gibberellin A1, gibberellin A3, gibberellin A4, and gibberellin A7 increased germination of Kentucky bluegrass cultivar 'Tirem' in a controlled environment. Results showed that liquid smoke decreased germination at increasing percentages relative to both water (control) and 0.20% potassium nitrate (a positive control). In our experiments, karrikins did not stimulate germination compared to our controls, and gibberellin A4 stimulated germination the fastest compared to the other gibberellins tested at 1 µM. A dose response experiment with gibberellin A4/A7 showed that concentrations greater than 100 µM stimulated germination more than 0.20% potassium nitrate, both in time to germinate and final germination. Overall, our results show that not all stimulants and phytohormones improve Kentucky bluegrass germination, but treatments with gibberellin A4/A7 could enhance establishment by speeding up and increasing overall germination.

UMN Digital Conservancy Poster

Diffusing best lawn care practices through Twin Cities neighborhoods

Authors: Gary Deters, Jon Trappe, Michael Barnes, Kristine Moncada, and Eric Watkins

Abstract

There is great interest from communities in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area in reducing outdoor water use, specifically on lawns. Educating millions of residents about lawn water conservation is a great challenge, especially at a time when public resources for Extension and outreach are limited. At the same time, we know that one’s neighbors are often an important influence on yard maintenance practices, serving as a trusted source of information. Could neighbors be a way to diffuse best practices for lawn care? To investigate this, we targeted Master Gardeners for the role of “Lawn Leader” due to their strong public engagement, as well as their existing interest and training in horticulture, plant science, and soil management. We developed a series of online modules specifically for Lawn Leaders, focusing on lawn water conservation and general lawn maintenance. These modules served as a foundation for an in-person training that followed, which centered on hands-on demonstration activities designed to prepare Lawn Leaders to educate their neighbors. The final step involved each Lawn Leader hosting their neighbors to teach them best practices and water-saving strategies. We hope that through these neighbor-to-neighbor interactions, residents will adopt more sustainable lawn care behaviors, particularly reducing unnecessary water use, based on what they learn from the Lawn Leader. To assess the effectiveness of this approach, we sent pre-event surveys to the neighborhoods in which Lawn Leaders hosted events; we will send a similar survey a year later to determine how lawn water conservation information diffused throughout these communities.

UMN Digital Conservancy Poster

Oral presentations

Intercropping strategies for increasing Festuca brevipila seed production in northern Minnesota

Authors: Jillian Turbeville, Eric Watkins, Donn Vellekson, Dave Grafstrom, Dominic Petrella, and Florence Sessoms

Abstract

As demand for low-input turfgrasses increases, expanding hard fescue (Festuca brevipila) seed availability within key production ecoregions is essential. Farmers in northern Minnesota typically grow perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and commonly do so grown under spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) in year 1. This intercropping strategy presents a viable approach to generate income during the turfgrass seed crop establishment year, since plants require a first year growing season to establish prior to a required vernalization period. Because hard fescue establishes much slower than perennial ryegrass, it can struggle to compete with the spring wheat crop during the establishment year. Approaches to overcome this challenge include alternative intercropped species, such as cereal rye (Secale cereale) and adjusting the seeding date for the hard fescue. The objective of this experiment is to evaluate the effects of seeding time and companion crop selection on hard fescue establishment and seed yield.

Ten treatment combinations were established across two locations in 2023 and 2024, varying by seeding method (dormant seeding in November; row planting in September, May, June, or July) and presence of companion crops (spring wheat, cereal rye, or none). Data collected from 2023 to 2025 include seedling emergence, tiller number, plant height, crown width, vegetative cover, seed yield, seed quality, and companion crop performance. Results will provide recommendations for integrating hard fescue into small grain production systems, supporting seed supply chains and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in northern climates.

Melting the mysteries of freeze tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Authors: Maicy Vossen, Walid Sadok, and Eric Watkins

Abstract

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a turfgrass with quick germination and establishment, which is desirable for golf courses, athletic fields, and home lawns, but it is one of the least winter hardy turfgrass species, limiting its use and increasing economic inputs for multi-year stands. Winter damage can happen through many factors including low temperature kill. This research aims to uncover mechanisms behind winter injury in perennial ryegrass through a variety of methods. The findings from this research will aid in the prediction of winter hardiness and expedite breeding of more winter hardy perennial ryegrass.

Driving consumer adoption of new turfgrass cultivars

Author: Eric Watkins

Abstract

Turfgrass breeders, both public and private, have made tremendous progress on several important turfgrass traits. New cultivars have many benefits including disease resistance, better water use efficiency, tolerance of poor soils, ability to withstand wear and traffic, and slow vertical growth rate, among others. Unfortunately, the potential positive impacts of these cultivars has been dampened by a lack of consumer adoption of these genetic improvements. While calls for more outreach and better data might draw us closer to an ever elusive goal, there is a need to rethink how these well-adapted and resilient cultivars can become more widely known and used. Public entities, ranging from departments of transportation to city park districts, plant vast acreages of landscapes with grass seed or sod. These public agencies have processes for selecting contractors and products for new projects. To date, few examples exist where these agencies demand the use of proven turfgrasses that are suitable for the environments under the jurisdiction of these agencies. The turfgrass seed industry, including those groups that regularly test turfgrasses for performance, should seek to influence these public agencies by creating data-informed processes for determining acceptable cultivars. This would then drive the use of better turfgrasses for public agencies, but also general consumers who might be influenced by the actions of local decision makers.

Long-term ecological research: Bee lawn update

Authors: Paige Boyle, Dominic Christensen, Eric Watkins, Adam Kay, and Susannah Lerman

Abstract

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Long Term Ecological Research program brings together dozens of researchers to study how urban stressors affect the ecological structure and functioning of urban nature. To study the effectiveness of pollinator habitat, a multi-year study looking at lawn vegetation and flowering in 79 residential lawns in the Twin Cities is underway. Lawns span geographic area, neighborhood income levels, modeled pollinator abundance, and self-reported bee lawn or traditional lawn status. In 2023 and 2024, lawns in the Twin Cities were largely turfgrass-dominant, with Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), fine fescue (Festuca spp.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as the most abundant species observed. The most abundant broadleaf plants in lawns were white clover (Trifolium repens), ground ivy (Glechoma hederaceae), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). There was no difference observed in species diversity or percent cover based on lawn area visibility.

Count your many grass seeds, count them one by one

Authors: Eric Watkins and Andrew Hollman

Abstract

When establishing research studies, whether in the field or a controlled environment, turfgrass scientists often use total seed weight when measuring seed amounts. For example, national turfgrass cultivar performance trials recommend rates in grams of seed per unit area. Similarly, seed companies seed sales professionals distribute turfgrass seeds to consumers and give recommendations for use based on generally accepted rates, often given in “pounds per thousand square feet”. In both of these cases, the end user, whether a researcher or a consumer planting a lawn, are likely missing an opportunity for better accuracy. Within species, there are often significant differences in the size and therefore weight of a seed; this means that one cultivar of a species will have more seeds per unit weight than another, leading to a difference in potential turfgrass plants when seeded at the same rate. To address this, researchers and turfgrass seed industry professionals should take into account thousand seed weights along with germination test results when reporting on seed applications or when giving seeding recommendations. Seed weights can easily be determined with the aid of a seed counter. This approach, which results in a more accurate estimate of pure live seed in a given sample, should lead to better outcomes and more accurate, and repeatable, methods.

Turfgrass as a social-ecological-technological system: Why it matters

Author: Michael Barnes

Abstract

Turfgrass is one of the most ubiquitous and highly interacted with forms of greenspace globally. The past two decades have seen an increase in the visibility and understanding of turfgrass as a unique part of urban ecosystems and subsequently an interest in studying turfgrass systems from multiple disciplinary perspectives. However, these efforts have largely been of an ad-hoc nature, and rarely have included the interdisciplinarity necessary to address complex questions in turfgrass systems holistically. One consequence of this fragmentation has been the creation of information across academic, decision maker, and practitioner audiences that often lacks relevant insights from other disciplines that have direct implications for those recommendations. This talk advocates for adopting a social-ecological-technological systems (SETS) approach to better understand where turfgrass systems are situated now and identify the gaps in research, outreach and education. This additional context will help to stimulate novel approaches to the complex problems facing turfgrass systems as well as to broaden the opportunities for funding such work that might lie outside traditional sources.

Assessing golf course superintendent stress in winter to inform timely outreach strategies

Author: Michael Barnes

Abstract

Golf course superintendents in cold climates can experience stress during the winter season as they contend with shifting weather conditions and utilize various and often untested management strategies to overcome the turfgrass injury on their courses. Stress can have a significant impact on an individual's short-term and long-term health, increasing anxiety, depression, high-blood pressure and impacting sleep. The current study assessed superintendents' stress along with ongoing environmental conditions (e.g. precipitation, snow depth, ice cover, and soil temperature) on golf greens on their courses via a weekly survey during the winter season from 2021-2024. Results indicated that superintendent stress was low and generally stable except in situations where there was persistent ice, increased snow depth, and higher precipitation affecting golf greens. Conversely, stress was lower when soil temperatures were lower. These findings have implications for timing outreach materials for superintendents and other turfgrass professionals that align with environmental conditions that are both stress inducing and put turfgrass at risk of winter injury.
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