ARS & NTF Launch Research Program

The National Turfgrass Federation and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), chief research arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced a long-term research program aimed at improving the nation?EUR??,,????'???s turfgrass. Working in conjunction with a dozen ARS locations and scientists from Maryland to California, six areas have been identified as top priority: improvement of water management, genetic enhancement of germplasm, collection and enhancement, pest management, improving turfgrass?EUR??,,????'??? role in the environment, soil enhancement and integrated turf management. Turfgrass is a major agricultural crop with 50-million acres planted nationally accounting for $40-billion annually, it is not only a large business, but it touches the lives of all Americans with school grounds, municipal parks and athletic fields. The aim is to develop turfgrass with added resistance to pests and pathogens, and create inter-generic hybrids with superior turfgrass characteristics.