794-025 Sports Turf Management

The objective of this subject is to extend participants' ability to:

• describe the range of cool and warm season grasses and cultivars suitable for turf and amenity grasslands;

• compare the physiology and ecological characteristics of turfgrass growth and development;

• describe the techniques and conditions by which turfgrasses can be established, manipulated and maintained in the landscape;

• recommend techniques for the control of weeds, insect and diseases of turfgrass; and

• identify best practice strategies that effectively and efficiently manage the turfgrass surface.

The content includes turfgrass botany and species selection for specific purposes, physiology of growth and development, establishment of turfgrass surface from seed and by vegetative means, soils and root zone modification, soil irrigation and drainage, mowing principles and practices, turfgrass machinery and equipment, turfgrass diseases, insects, nematodes and their control, introduction to the commercial sod production (instant lawn) industry, best practice programming for selected fine and coarse turfgrass sports facilities.

1-hour examination (50%); assignment of 2000 words (50%).