Location: Floral and Nursery Plants Research
Project Number: 8020-21500-002-005-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Mar 31, 2025
End Date: Mar 30, 2030
Objective:
The objectives of this research are to establish a multi-site research network to evaluate the role of turfgrass in supporting ecosystem services; to develop novel high-throughput methodologies to evaluate turf for this capability; and to asses diverse turf species and cultivars for their capacity to enhance ecosystem services.
Approach:
ARS and the Cooperator will establish and maintain replicated turf plots at the ARS/UMD turf farm in Beltsville, MD. Approximately eight species or species combinations will be used, along with standard cultivars as controls. Plots will receive different mowing treatments. Plots will be evaluated for green cover period, density, uniformity, disease tolerance, seasonal growth pattern, soil carbon and nitrogen levels, soil microbial diversity, and insect activity and diversity.