The 2010 NCSU Turfgrass Field Day is being held at the Sandhills Research Station in Jackson Springs, North Carolina on Wednesday August 11th. The Turfgrass Field Day at the Sandhills Research Station is only offered EVERY OTHER YEAR and offers the industry and general public a chance to view the NCSU Turfgrass Program’s ongoing research trials at this unique site.

Attendees will see research plots and speak directly with NCSU’s faculty and staff. Each session offers the researcher’s insight and findings for current turfgrass demands and on-going studies. Topics are inclusive of the NCSU research program covering IPM, cultural practices, irrigation technologies, disease, insect, and weed control, and more.

LOCATION
The NCSU Turfgrass program maintains two turfgrass research field labs, Lake Wheeler Turf Field Lab (Raleigh) and The Sandhills Research Station (Jackson Springs). The geographic separation between these two sites permits a better understanding of maintaining turf in the transition zone. Cool-season grasses-such as tall fescue- thrive during cooler temperatures, so are best adapted in the North and western portions of the state. Warm-season grasses benefit from warmer temperatures and sandy soils found in the coastal and southern piedmont regions of the State.

While many portions of North Carolina enable BOTH cool-season and warm-season turf cultivars to grow, it is beneficial to see growth under more ideal conditions. This year’s location in Jackson Springs allows you the chance to see warm-season grasses (bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, and St. Augustinegrass) in their adapted area of NC. Conversely, you can also see cool-season grasses under the stresses of the Southern summer’s heat.

TURFGRASS BREEDER PLOTS
Open for the first year, are the NCSU turfgrass breeding program’s plots. Current research includes evaluation of advanced Zoysiagrass materials for adaptability to North Carolina, evaluation of Bermudagrass germplasm collected from South Africa for their ability to grow under shade, and selection for drought tolerance in tall fescue. Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis will provide a tour of the plots, and also give a general overview of the program while detailing what has been initiated during year one.

ACCOMODATIONS
The NCSU Turfgrass Field Day registration includes water and drinks sponsored by STI (Smith Turf & Irrigation), an onsite catered luncheon, complete with home-made ice-cream. The annual putting contest will provide prizes, fun, and a chance to “out putt” dignitaries like Dean Johnny Wynne and Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler. The bragging rights from winning the putting contest are good for a life-time!

SHOULD YOU COME IF YOU’RE NOT A TURFGRASS PROFESSIONAL?
Yes. Extension events such as Turfgrass Field Day are designed to welcome AND inform the public of important topics and research that affect them directly. Coming to a turf field day event allows YOU the opportunity to speak directly with the top research scientists in the nation AND see, touch and feel the types of grass available to North Carolina.

Even if YOU don’t maintain your own lawn, coming to turfgrass field day enables you to better understand the inputs and maintenance demands your lawn needs….making you an informed buyer. It also offers you the chance to meet PROFESSIONALS in the industry that care enough to enhance their turfgrass education and better serve you!

*This article adapted from the 2010 Turfgrass Field Day website.  Please visit this site for further information.