March 22, 2012

Turf Student Matt Elmore Awarded USGA Grant

Doctoral student Matt Elmore has been awarded a grant from the United States Golf Association (USGA) for his proposal entitled "Developing Weed Management Programs for Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) Fairways Using Low Environmental Impact Herbicides".

Project Summary:

Creeping bentgrass is the most widely used cool-season grass on golf course fairways, but is intolerant of newer low environmental impact herbicides. Herbicide safeners are compounds that up-regulate plant synthesis of enzymes required to metabolize herbicides, thereby increasing herbicide tolerance. Our goal is to identify safener-herbicide combinations that increase creeping bentgrass tolerance to herbicides without sacrificing weed control.  This information will be used to develop low environmental impact weed management programs for creeping bentgrass fairways.

Matt will be co-advised by Dr. Jim Brosnan and Dr.Greg Armel. Jim also served as Matt's major professor for his masters degree.

Since joining UT, Matt has authored 13 abstracts and co-authored 16 others.

Matt's refereed publications to date:

Elmore, M.T.*, J.T. Brosnan, D.A. Kopsell, and G.K. Breeden. 2012. Nitrogen enhanced efficacy of mesotrione and topramezone for smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum [Schreb] Schreb. ex Muhl.) control. Weed Science. (In press)

Elmore, M.T., J. T. Brosnan, D. A. Kopsell, G. K. Breeden, and T. C. Mueller. 2011. Response of Hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactlyon x C. transvaalensis) to three HPPD-inhibitors. Weed Science 59:458-463.

Elmore, M.T., J. T. Brosnan, D. A. Kopsell, and G. K. Breeden. 2011. Methods of Assessing Bermudagrass Responses to HPPD inhibiting herbicides. Crop Science 51:2840-2845.

Brosnan, J. T., G. K. Breeden, M.T. Elmore, and J.M. Zidek. 2011. Application timing affects bermudagrass suppression with mixtures of fluazifop and triclopyr. Weed Technol. 25:591-597.

Brosnan, J. T., D. A. Kopsell, M.T. Elmore, G. K. Breeden, and G. R. Armel. 2011. Changes in 'Riviera' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) tissues pigments following treatment with three HPPD inhibiting herbicides. HortScience 46:493-498.

Brosnan, J. T., B. J. Horvath, M.T. Elmore**, G. K. Breeden*, and J. C. Sorochan. 2010. Greenhouse Investigation of Strobilurin Fungicide Applications on Creeping Bentgrass Root Characteristics under Two Irrigation Regimes. Crop Science.50:2605-2012.

Brosnan, J. T., G. K. Breeden*, M.T. Elmore**, and J.M. Zidek. 2010. Early and late postemergence control of dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) in tall fescue. Applied Turfgrass Science. Online. Applied Turfgrass Science doi: 10.1094/ ATS-2010-0312-02-RS