The University of Georgia Turfgrass Research Field Day, held Aug. 9 on the UGA Griffin campus, attracted 800 attendees from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The field day provided research-based information about the production and management of turfgrass from UGA entomologists, plant pathologists, soil microbiologists, plant breeders, geneticists, genomics specialists and environmental turfgrass scientists.

“The University of Georgia, the Griffin campus and the turf program try to do things that have never been done,” said Sam Pardue, dean and director of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, during the field day welcome. “It is our commitment to you and the future to continue to provide the research, outreach and education that will benefit you, your organizations and your companies.”

The field day began with guided tours and pest-identification presentations about insects, weeds and diseases and how to control them using herbicides, fungicides and management practices. There were also presentations on new technology and research, like the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) digital analysis and the use of automatic rain shelters for drought studies.

Vendors were also on site to share information through displays and demonstrations of the latest turfgrass equipment. Participants received individualized tips and information specific to their needs through afternoon self-guided presentations.

All attendees received Georgia pesticide credits: six credits for Category 24, two credits for Category 10, and six credits for Categories 21, 27 and 32. Pesticide recertification credits were also offered for Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The Turfgrass Research Field Day is offered biennially and will occur again in 2020. For more information on upcoming turfgrass events, please visit www.GeorgiaTurf.com.