Research

Current research projects:

The VT turfgrass program is a strong research program with a variety of interests crossing between warm and cool season grasses.
The following is a brief list of current and ongoing research projects.


Dr. Erik Ervin

Dr. Ervin

Cultural and Chemical Methods to Enhance Ryegrass Overseeding Establishment in Patriot Bermudagrass
Investigate the effects of vertical mowing, Primo, or both in combination, on perennial ryegrass overseeding success in a stand of Patriot bermudagrass that is either trafficked weekly or not.


NTEP Putting Green and Fairway Trials
Evaluate the overall performance of new and standard bentgrass cultivars over a five year period at putting green and fairway mowing heights in Blacksburg.


Wetting agent effects on soil moisture dynamics and creeping bentgrass responses to summer drought
Compare three summer wetting agent programs on soil moisture content and resistance to wilting.

    Additional Research Projects:

  • Role of seaweed extract source and cytokinin content on creeping bentgrass heat tolerance
  • Role of auxin-boosted biosolids on turfgrass and crop drought tolerance
  • Metabolic defense responses of bermudagrasses to freezing stress
  • Planning for Landscape Irrigation Water Conservation in Virginia
  • Budgeting organic matter into programs with fertilizers containing natural and organic ingredients for sustained functionality with reduced nitrogen inputs on cool and warm-season turfgrasses
  • Design and implementation of a drain line filter to capture nitrate and phosphorus from sand-based turf systems
  • Efficacy of covers and trinexapac-ethyl on spring greenup and performance of Kentucky bluegrass athletic fields



Dr. Mike Goatley, Jr.

Dr. Goatley

Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivar Blending Trial
Evaluate establishment, quality, uniformity and spring greening characteristics of various compositions of bermudagrass seed blends containing a top-performing cultivar (‘Riviera’ Cynodon dactylon L.) with significantly lower cost, lower quality cultivars (Wrangler (C. dactylon L.) or Arizona common bermudagrass (C. dactylon L.).

Low Impact Conversion of Cool-Season Turf to “Patriot” Bermudagrass
Evaluate pre-planting vegetation-management treatments as they affect the establishment of row-planted Patriot bermudagrass.

The VT Turfgrass Research Center Cemetery/Low Maintenance Input Turf Trial
Identify turfgrasses and weed control programs that provide the highest quality turf under minimal maintenance conditions.







Dr. Xunzhong Zhang

Dr. Zhang

Mechanisms of Bermudagrass Freezing Tolerance
Investigate hormone metabolism and protein expression associated with freezing tolerance of bermudagrass.

Auxin-Boosted Biosolids Impact on Turfgrass Drought Tolerance
Investigate auxin-boosted biosolids' impacts on antioxidant enzymes, osmoprotectants, and hormone metabolism associated with turfgrass drought tolerance.

Metabolically Regulating Turfgrass Stress Tolerance
Investigate impacts of plant growth regulators on turfgrass metabolic defenses against abiotic stresses (drought, heat, saline).

Ultraviolet B Radiation Resistance of Cool-Season Turfgrass Species Examine metabolisms of pigments, antioxidants, and proteins associated with UV-B resistance and identify best turfgrass species/varieties for sod production.