Location: Forage and Range Research
Project Number: 2080-21500-002-035-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2026
End Date: Oct 31, 2027
Objective:
Funds will be used to develop and coordinate uniform evaluation trials of turfgrass varieties and centralize data for use by companies and plant breeders to determine cultivar adaptation and select varieties for their specific uses. Funds will also support expansion of a turf variety search tool for the user to efficiently locate the information needed to make smart and timely decisions on turfgrass cultivars and experimental selections.
Approach:
A multidisciplinary team—including agronomists, soil scientists, microbiologists, water quality researchers, and other specialists—will evaluate innovative fertilizer use strategies. Long-term field sites will be established and maintained to measure changes in soil properties (such as microbial ecology, function, and carbon sequestration), crop and forage productivity, and environmental indicators (including greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses). This work supports ongoing efforts to advance nutrient management strategies aligned with national program 215 objectives.