PARTNER INFO:

Name:

UMASS TURF GRASS RESEARCH

LOCATION:

MASSACHUETS

INDUSTRY:

AGRICULTURE

The principal focus of the research here is really targeted at reduced maintenance, especially for fine turf, high maintenance turf such as golf, horse grass, and also applications to lawn grass. We let weeds grow. We let diseases develop. We’re really researching hundreds of different varieties of each specific species of grass that grows up here in the temperate zone. We are investigating how it can still maintain high quality with less. Less water, fertilizer, and also pesticide. Several years ago we had a new USGA green put in. When you’re building a USGA green, there are specifications for particle size, and that’s why, for instance, we used Holliston because they provide a good product, very uniform.

We’ve been able to see significant improvements in overall performing properties of our grasses. Holliston enjoys being able to provide us samples. We have some of the best soil in the country, Hadley silt loam, and it’s very uniform so it doesn’t confound the research. And this particular facility is not just used for research, but also it’s an important part of the education of the students. Holliston Sand and Gravel can furnish us with a uniform product that meets the specifications that we need.