Turfgrass Epistemology

Not all scientific journals are created equal. Some exist to advance knowledge — others exist to collect publishing fees. In this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, we explore how to tell the difference.

I’ll walk through the refereed process and explain how it differs from standard peer review, why that distinction matters, and how the structure of editorial oversight determines the credibility of the science that reaches the publ...

In this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, we take a close look at one of the most frequently cited studies in turfgrass pathology — Golembiewski and Danneberger’s 1998 Agronomy Journal paper exploring how trinexapac-ethyl (TE) and nitrogen fertility influence the severity of dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) in creeping bentgrass.

The researchers found that TE, a popular plant growth regulator, didn’t increase disease as many ...

In this episode, I sit down to talk about a topic that’s been at the heart of American higher education for more than a century — university extension. We’ll explore how extension began, why it was once the lifeblood of land-grant universities, and how the system that connected science to society is now quietly disappearing.

Extension was created so universities could serve the public — not just by publishing papers, but by helping...

Can something as simple as mowing time really stop a turfgrass disease? In this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, we look back at a landmark 1996 study by Williams, Powell, Vincelli, and Dougherty from the University of Kentucky — a paper that changed how superintendents think about dew, nitrogen, and dollar spot control.

Dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) thrives on leaf moisture. Williams et al. tested what happens when you s...

In this video, I explore the history and current state of university turfgrass programs—from their rise during the post-war boom in golf, parks, and sports fields to their decline in recent decades. I explain how turfgrass faculty positions are created and filled, what factors lead to the loss of those positions, and why many programs are now disappearing altogether. I connect the dots between enrollment trends, industry funding, a...

In this video, I examine the 2021 study by Beckley and Roberts published in the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal titled “Utilizing Organic Amendments for General Suppression of Dollar Spot on Creeping Bentgrass.” The discussion centers on one key question: Does biochar actually reduce dollar spot? I break down the experimental design—how researchers compared biochar, compost, vermicompost, and traditional fertilizer...

In this video, I explore the recent review article “Review of the Biology and Management of Large Patch of Warm-Season Turfgrasses” (Kreinberg et al., Crop Science, 2025). I walk you through what the authors tell us about Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2 LP — the fungal pathogen behind large patch disease in warm-season turfgrasses — how environmental conditions favor its development, and how it can persist in thatch through seasonal dorm...

In this video, I take you through the state of the science on dollar spot disease in turfgrass, framed by the recent review “New Approaches to an Old Problem: Dollar Spot of Turfgrass.” We explore how this ubiquitous fungal disease (caused by Clarireedia spp.) continues to challenge turf managers, why traditional fungicide programs are increasingly under pressure, and what new genomic tools and breeding strategies may offer as solu...

In this video, I dive into the article “Survey of Water Use and Management Practices on US Golf Courses from 2005 to 2024” published in HortTechnology (Shaddox et al., 2025). The study tracks nearly twenty years of changes in how golf courses across the United States use and manage water. I discuss how irrigation volumes and irrigated areas have shifted over time, highlight important regional differences, and explain why some water...

In this video, I discuss the YouTube episode “Struggling Turf? Calcium Could Be the Missing …” and examine it through the lens of the strawman fallacy. We’ll look at how someone can present information that is technically true, yet still mislead by reframing the issue or knocking down an argument no one actually made.

This breakdown shows how a conman can be both truthful and deceptive at the same time—a powerful reminder of why cr...

In this video, I review the scientific article “Irrigation Frequency Affects Zoysiagrass Rooting and Plant Water Status.” We’ll look at how different irrigation schedules influenced root development and water relations in zoysiagrass, and what these findings mean for turfgrass management. If you’ve ever wondered how often you should water to encourage deeper roots and better turf performance, this study offers valuable evidence-bas...

In this episode, I break down the claims made in “Check out These Roots, John Perry! | [LIVE PODCAST] Ep.8 of the Average Joe Lawn Care Show,” where the hosts argue that liquid aeration is an effective solution for lawn health. I dive into the science and present evidence that challenges their assertions. With years of turfgrass science experience, I explain why liquid aeration doesn’t deliver the promised results and why relying o...

In this video, I take a look at some of the recent comments and questions from TikTok and YouTube. Your feedback not only shapes the conversations we’re having here but also sparks deeper discussions about turfgrass science and management.

I’m also excited to introduce a new fundraiser supporting turfgrass research. Turfgrass plays a vital role in sports, recreation, and landscapes, yet research in this area often goes underfunded....

In this video, I explore the findings of the research article “Tall Fescue Rooting as Affected by Deficit Irrigation” (HortScience, Volume 42, Issue 3). The study, conducted by Jinmin Fu, Jack Fry, and Bingru Huang and published June 1, 2007, investigates how reduced irrigation impacts the rooting behavior of 'Falcon II' tall fescue grasses using minirhizotron imaging.

I’ll walk through:

The study’s experimental setup using varying...

In this video, I examine the research by Cain et al. (2022) that explores how varying irrigation schedules affect the encroachment of annual bluegrass (Poa annua) into perennial ryegrass turf systems in western Oregon. The study reveals that watering once per week significantly reduces annual bluegrass encroachment compared to irrigating four times a week, and that replacing irrigation volumes based on reference evapotranspiration ...

In this video, I discuss the scientific article "Irrigation Rates and Frequency Affect Tall Fescue Color and Weed Encroachment." We’ll examine how adjusting irrigation amounts and timing influences turfgrass aesthetics and weed pressure. From water conservation to maintaining turf quality, this study provides valuable guidance for anyone managing tall fescue under variable moisture conditions.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/fu...

In this video, I review the scientific article "Irrigation Frequency and Amount Effect on Root Extension during Sod Establishment of Warm-season Grasses." We’ll explore how different irrigation strategies influence root growth during establishment, what this means for practical turfgrass management, and how to strike the right balance between watering efficiency and sod performance. If you manage turf or are curious about water-wis...

In this video, I offer commentary on the scientific article titled "Water use and performance of Kentucky bluegrass influenced by cultivar, irrigation practices, and soil texture," published in the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal (DOI: 10.1002/its2.200).

The study evaluated two Kentucky bluegrass cultivars, Mallard and Geronimo, grown in lysimeters filled with either loamy sand or silt loam. Each setup was subjecte...

In this video, I dive into the 2002 study from Crop Science that evaluates how different irrigation schedules, tall fescue cultivars, and mowing heights interact to shape turf performance.

Article: https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.2135/cropsci2002.2011

✅ What you'll discover:

Study design highlights: 2‑year field trial in Riverside, CA, comparing 2–4 irrigation events per week at ~80 % ET₀, two cultivars (a dwarf ...