Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab
The Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab provides assistance to professional and non-professional (i.e. homeowner) turfgrass managers to produce high-quality turf that requires minimal inputs. A healthy stand of turfgrass has positive environmental, economic and aesthetic impacts on the urban environments of Wisconsin. Using microscopic and other laboratory analysis, it is the primary mission of the lab to keep these stands of turfgrass healthy and provide proper recommendations for when the health of the turf declines. Proper diagnoses and recommendations by the lab have the potential to prevent the misapplication of pesticides, saving turf managers money and protecting the environment from unnecessary pesticide applications.
Outcomes
The turfgrass industry in Wisconsin is worth over $1 billion dollars, and the Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab provides a critical service to the thousands of golf course superintendents, lawn care managers and sod farmers whose occupation depends on a healthy stand of turfgrass. In addition to providing this service to the industry, assistance is provided to homeowners interested in maintaining a healthy lawn, which can increase property values by 15 percent and reduce nutrient runoff into Wisconsin's lakes and streams.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Paul Koch
Assistant Professor
- Department/Unit
- Plant Pathology
- School or College
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences