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MTC TURF NEWS: Geoffrey Rinehart Did you know that the University of Maryland turfgrass research program conducts ongoing experiments to evaluate varieties from several different turfgrass species? Using data from these trials and in coordination with data collected by turfgrass researchers at Virginia Tech, and the professionals from the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Virginia Department of Agriculture Seed Laboratories, the “Maryland-Virginia Recommended Varieties List” is updated on annual basis to summarize the top varieties from several of the major turfgrass species used in the Mid-Atlantic provided the varieties are available as certified seed and has been tested by either or both the MD or VA Seed Labs. Typically, these trials are conducted as part of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program’s (NTEP) research efforts. Previously high-performing varieties which are not included in the most current NTEP trials are planted and evaluated in supplemental trials so that researchers can continue to evaluate these cultivars as one of the criteria for them to remain on the recommended list. NTEP conducts variety trial testing for all major cool- and warm-season turfgrass species in over 35 states throughout the country to identify top-performing varieties both on a national and regional level. The University of Maryland’s NTEP trials, as well as the Annual MD/VA Recommended Varieties List, are an important part of evaluating varieties both locally/regionally and nationally and providing you, the Maryland Turfgrass Professional, with the varieties which will grow well and produce the best turfgrass for your customers. In fact, one of the requirements sod farmers in Maryland must meet is to utilize only varieties found on the MD/VA Recommended Varieties list. This summary of information can be found in University of Maryland Extension publication TT-77. This and other UMD Extension publications are available to all members and industry professionals on the Maryland Turfgrass Council website. Currently, the UMD turfgrass program has trials evaluating bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, tall fescue, “fine” fescue (includes Red, Chewings, and Sheep Fescues), and Kentucky bluegrass (the newest trial of which was planted in early October 2023). For more information on the University of Maryland’s turfgrass variety trials, please contact Geoffrey Rinehart (E-mail: [email protected]) • Fungicide Trials Update – Turfgrass Pathology Program By Fereshteh Shahoveisi In 2023, our team conducted several fungicide and nematicide trials at the UMD Paint Branch Research Facility to evaluate their efficacy against various turfgrass diseases and nematodes. The trials were mainly focused on: • Brown patch and dollar spot affecting fairway and green height creeping bentgrass. • Brown patch on home lawn tall fescue. • Gray leaf spot on perennial ryegrass. • Nematicide trials on bermudagrass and perennial ryegrass. Preliminary findings from these experiments were presented at our Field Day in July. Currently, we are concluding the studies and analyzing the data. For the trials with registered fungicides, reports detailing our observations and results will be made available on our program’s website (https://sites.google.com/view/umdturfgrasspathology). In terms of disease progress in the season, May and early June were relatively drier and cooler than the usual averages for the season. This led to a delayed onset of diseases at the farm. However, as summer progressed, the typical weather patterns prevailed, leading to elevated disease pressure. Most diseases, including the brown patch and dollar spot, peaked during this period. By mid to late September, we observed a significant reduction in the prevalence of most diseases. •

NEW ENGLAND BLADE: Pam Serratt Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is the predominant cool-season sports turf grass. It was originally introduced to the United States as an amenity grass, forage grass, and for soil erosion control, and we’ve been successfully using turf-types since their introduction in the 1960s. Although perennial ryegrass is revered in Europe, it is somewhat suffered in the United States, with some cool-season turf managers preferring to seed only Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), even if the chance of success is minimal. The distaste for perennial ryegrass as a sports turf grass has always perplexed me, since I know that most fields are already comprised of ryegrass, and I know just how great it can perform as a sports surface. It does have its challenges, but I believe its pros outweigh its cons. Let’s delve deeper in a point-counterpoint format: Point: It is a bunch-type grass, and therefore does not have the capability to spread laterally. Counterpoint: Ryegrass is a prolific producer of tillers and provides great sward density – particularly if mowed at the lower end of the preferred height of cut (1 – 2″). In studies conducted at Ohio State over many years, ryegrass has had recuperative potential as good as Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue under traffic. In addition to its recuperative ability, it is very wear tolerant, and persists during heavy traffic. Point: Because it is a bunch-type grass, fields must be constantly overseeded. Counterpoint: There is no such thing as an athletic field that doesn’t need to be constantly overseeded, regardless of turf type. On native soils, where traffic and compaction are commonplace, all cool-season turfgrasses need regular overseeding to keep fields playable and safe. Point: It is slippery. Counterpoint: It is shiny on the underside of the leaf, which makes it look wet from a distance. Point: It has poor heat, drought and cold tolerance. Counterpoint: Like bluegrass and tall fescue, it is a cool-season grass, and so prefers air temperatures of 60 – 75° (15 – 24°C) and soil temps of 50 – 65°F (10 – 18°C). In extreme conditions, it may not be as heat and drought tolerant as tall fescue, or as cold tolerant as bluegrass, but it will survive in most areas. Point: It is susceptible to grubs. Counterpoint: Like many other turfgrasses, it is susceptible to grubs. However, many perennial ryegrass cultivars contain endophytes (microscopic fungi in the plant cells) that prevent attack from surface-feeding pests such as bluegrass billbugs, chinch bugs and sod webworms. Point: It is difficult to mow in spring when flower stems are forming. This can result in poor mowing quality. Counterpoint: Modern cultivars and sharp mower blades greatly reduce or eliminate this problem. Point: In fall and spring, ryegrass does not mix well with other grasses. The color is different, and the clumps of ryegrass stand out. Counterpoint: Ryegrass staying green longer into the fall/early winter and greening up quickly in spring is a major advantage for sports turf managers with fall or spring sports. Masking color differences can be achieved by applications of PGRs, iron or nitrogen fertilizers, choosing bluegrass cultivars with short winter dormancy, or spraying the field with a green dye in early spring. Some turf managers may also cover the field with a growth blanket, to promote uniform spring growth of all the grasses. In Europe, ryegrass cultivars are much lighter green, to mask the Poa annua that invariably encroaches on sports fields. Point: Ryegrass takes over the field like a weed. Counterpoint: The number-one reason it does so well is its ability to germinate and establish quickly. The ability to grow quickly means it can shade out the bluegrass and prevent seed germination and establishment.

VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL: Mike Goatley, Jr., Ph.D., Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Virginia Tech The 2023 50th Anniversary of the Turfgrass Research Center provided the opportunity for one of the largest Field Day crowds in many years to return to Blacksburg for the two days of festivities on August 28th and 29th. The formal part of the two-day program kicked off at 3 p.m. on August 28th at the Virginia Tech Golf Course with the second annual Goatley Rules Golf tournament. This format is designed to make the players both curse and smile as they tackle the unique shot challenges presented by Goatley and the VT Turf Team at each of the VT GC’s nine holes in what is Goatley’s own version of a ‘superintendent’s revenge’ tournament. The tournament is also a great way for the golfers to meet and greet essentially every single member of the VT Turf Team that serve as the hosts at every hole. Many thanks to the Virginia Tech Recreational Sports program for giving VT Turf the golf course from 3-6 p.m. on the 28th, and especially to golf superintendent Jason Ratcliff and golf professional Christine Lovrine for not only putting up with the shenanigans on the course, but for supporting them wholeheartedly! The winning team in this year’s Goatley Rules Golf challenge was Dr. Cale Bigelow, Dr. David Chalmers, Sam Green, and Adam Nichols. And what is often overlooked but is so very important for our program, the fees for the tournament generates an additional $2000 of support to be used by the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Center. After the tournament, the focus shifted to the Virginia Tech Holtzman Alumni Center where, due to the generosity of our sponsors, the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation and the VT Turfgrass Team were able to provide a happy hour and banquet for all of our out-of-town guests. Due to the generosity of our sponsors, approximately 165 people drank and dined, filling the alumni center to capacity. There were many familiar faces in the crowd from recent field days, but best of all was seeing some older faces that had not been able to make it to Blacksburg in some time, and a major reason why they were there was to visit with three very special guests: Dr. Dick Schmidt, Dr. Jack Hall, and the aforementioned Dr. David Chalmers. We also had two of our technicians that warranted quite a bit of attention since everyone knew how important they were in getting things done: Dickie Shepherd and George Stanger. As a group we enjoyed a walk down memory lane with a video featuring photographs from the VT turfgrass program from its inception in the 1950s to present day, but with special emphasis on the field days and activities at the Turfgrass Research Center since its founding in the early 70s. We celebrated those that are no longer with us (of the VT faculty and staff, there were numerous images displayed and personal tributes that I overheard of men such as John Shoulders, Houston Couch, Wayne Bingham, A.J. Powell Jr., Linc Taylor, Tommy Davis, Rod Youngman, and Charlie McCoy), as well as many of our graduate students (several of which returned to Blacksburg for the event) and a few others whose schedules did not allow them to make it to campus at this time (Erik Ervin and David McKissack). But most of all, it really was great to have the alums of all ages from our undergraduate program return to campus to visit with Dick, Jack, and Dave, and then stick around to see the exciting research programs of the current VT faculty, staff, and graduate students. Turfgrass alum Mike Johnson closed the evening by honoring Schmidt, Hall, and Chalmers by presenting each of them with a framed print of Smyth Hall. The Research Field Day events of August 29th kicked off at 7 a.m. with the arrival of our vendors setting up just outside of the Schmidt Pavilion at the TRC. It was the first time we have actively solicited and promoted a ven...

PENNSYLVANIA TURFGRASS: Everyone wants better employees and today, that usually requires growing them internally. By starting with a high-potential worker and developing them intentionally, companies are able to build a near-ideal employee ready to tackle their specific issues. But employee development only occurs in the right environment. Employee growth is not unlike plant growth in that the result is dependent primarily on environmental factors rather than genetic make-up. Unfortunately, managers rarely audit their environment for employee growth potential and even fewer have clear ideas about the factors that would make a strong growth environment. Here are the seven environmental factors that should be considered when cultivating a culture of development: Advanced Expertise – Employee growth can only occur when there is guidance from an experienced mentor who is setting the pace for production and sharing knowledge. Everyone should have a committed coach or mentor. Continually Challenged – Advancing to the next professional level never happens by accident, so an environment where everyone is challenged to reach higher levels of performance creates the tension needed to advance intentionally. Future-Oriented – A team which is focused on past mistakes doesn’t have the right outlook to grow their team. Growth is always the result of forward thinking where a better reality is a goal and positive intent around its achievement is embraced. Affirming Atmosphere – Development takes a lot of extra work beyond simply the status quo so teams that encourage each other to the next level of their skills are the ones that usually stick it out to see the results. It is the consistency of effort over long periods of time that is enabled through encouragement and brings true results. Mission Driven – When team members understand what their company does to enhance the lives of their customers and how their role contributes to making a difference, they are more likely to wake up excited and be driven to be the best version of themselves. This energy is essential to growth. Failure is Embraced – When we learn new skills and put them into practice, failing is a large part of the learning journey. In fact, learned experience is the quickest way to actually know anything. But a negative reaction to mistakes will deplete growth momentum, so wise team leaders expect failures and embrace the opportunities they provide. Mutual Advancement – People always work best when they’re working together, so teams where every member is growing are far more likely to see positive results. The best environments for growth have individualized and continuous development happening for every person and the culture is one of learning. • If your team needs more help growing itself to the next level, or your want help building a better growth environment, check out the industry-specific resources available at www.GrowTheBench.com. NESTMA members are invited to connect with Neal at [email protected].

NORTH CAROLINA TURFGRASS: TCNC Member Since 2016 Why did you join TCNC? Simple answer; I joined TCNC because I’m in the turfgrass industry and it’s a professional organization that supports what I do. If turfgrass is what I do then I’d be crazy not to join it. What drew you to volunteer on the Board of Directors? I was drawn to volunteer as a board member because it was an opportunity to give back to the industry that has provided a nice livelihood for my family. As a secondary benefit I get to work directly with some of the best people in our industry from around the state. People that outsiders would consider competitors to what I do. I look at it similarly to a US Olympic Gold medal basketball team. Those teams are made up of competitors from different teams that have come together to win a gold medal for our country. The board of TCNC is a group of business competitors that have come together for the common good of the industry. What do you love most about TCNC? There aren’t truly a lot of professionals that do what we do. So, to be part of an organization that truly understands what we do is awesome. How has your career benefited from being a member? My career has benefited in many areas because of being a member of TCNC. Probably the biggest way is through education and networking. Another way is that being part of TCNC adds an extra stamp of credibility to my business. What is your favorite TCNC Event and why? My favorite TCNC event so far has been our annual retreat. It was awesome getting into a well-run meeting that truly charted our organizations path for the future. Seeing a strong group of business leaders come together to collaborate, express concerns and work through issues was truly awesome. How do you define success in the Turf business? I define success in the turf industry by asking if you are learning, growing, adapting, having fun, building relationships and making some money along the way.

MTC TURF NEWS: Brad Jakubowski, Assistant Teaching Professor, Center for Turfgrass Science, Penn State University Keeping an eye on the weather is something professional turfgrass managers have ingrained into our systems. Can I mow today? We check our phones for the most recent forecast. Should I spray today? We monitor dewpoints, humidity and temperatures. Will I pull the tarp prior to today’s game? We study the weather radar. There is a tremendous amount of weather information out there and nearly all of us have some form of a weather app on our phones, or a link to our favorite weather website, to help us make day-to-day management decisions. Let’s take a journey, to see what is out there and what information will help us make the best weather-based decisions possible. Which app is the best? Honestly, there is no one best app. It is important to find an app or a number of apps that provide you the most reliable and quickly available information. Basic Information that is important to have available with the least number of clicks would be: High and Low Temperatures (including overnight lows), Dewpoint, Relative Humidity, and Short-Term Weather forecasts. Intermediate information includes: Radar (Base and Composite Reflectivity), Satellite Imagery, and Severe Weather (especially lightning). Advanced information would be: Echo Tops, Vertically Integrated Liquid, Digital Storm Accumulation and Forecast Discussion. Basic Information When looking for basic information, it is best to have most or all important data on the first screen, or within one or two clicks from the first screen. That is often a good way to judge how well your app will benefit you over time. As an example, The National Weather Service includes much of the basic data (Figure 1). At a glance, you can get a good idea of what is happening now and what will happen in the immediate future. High and low temperatures provide a quick mental image of how the day (and night) may influence your maintenance plans. Winds, dewpoint and relative humidity provide a quick insight on irrigation requirements, disease potential, and infield skin management requirements. It is beneficial to see both relative humidity and dewpoint together. Viewing only either limits your view of the big picture. For example, a relative humidity of 95% with dewpoints near 70 degrees indicate that less time may be spent scouting for wilt and instead used scouting for diseases. The same relative humidity with dewpoints under 30 may indicate a majority of the day may be dedicated for scouting wilt or watering an infield skin. The Hourly Forecast – The Turf Manager’s Secret Weapon! The Hourly Forecast on Weather.gov (Figure 2) is the turf manager’s secret weapon. In one image, a turf manager can make plans for multiple issues and tasks. For Example, The Heat Index: potential high heat indexes aids in planning for employee safety; Temperature and Dewpoint: Matched high overnight dewpoints and temperatures means extended leaf wetness and high disease potential. They also indicate heavy dew until at least 8am, which may require a syringe cycle to limit mower clumping, or to make sure greens are whipped post-cut; Wind Speed and Direction (Surface Wind): predicted light southerly winds meaning even higher probability for disease potential and dew, as well as for good spraying conditions in the early morning, but gusts in the teens starting around 11am; Relative Humidity: indicates conditions will be wet early, but dry quickly throughout the day; Sky Cover: indicates it will be partly cloudy throughout the day providing some relief, while Precipitation Potential indicate a 50% chance of rain throughout the day. Intermediate Information When making game-time decisions such as tarp pulls, or field evacuations, due to severe weather, radar becomes an important tool.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS: Jared Marshall It is no secret that job opportunities abound in the turfgrass management industry. Students in the University of Tennessee Turfgrass Science program have the immense benefit of a strong group of professors to advise them on training, internships and job opportunities. Here, Dr. Horvath’s student, Jared Marshall shares his exciting internship experience and future plans. Our pipeline of future turfgrass professionals looks strong at UT! I am Jared Marshall and am currently a student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I was born and raised in Nashville, TN. I originally got into golf course maintenance as a summer covid job. I was frantically looking for a job after the restaurant I worked at did not offer me a job back in the summer due to Covid restrictions, so I started to apply for all different kinds of jobs. One of those jobs was a golf course maintenance job at Temple Hills Country Club in Franklin, TN. They reached out to me within two hours of me applying and had me working in the next few days when all the paperwork cleared. Since day one, I have absolutely loved what I do. Being able to see the sunrise every morning and to be working outside is the best job out there. I started college at UTC majoring in Kinesiology. I ended up transferring after a year to UTK and was set on becoming an athletic trainer, but after going back home every winter and summer to work on the golf course I decided that is what I wanted to do. So, I decided to change my major to turfgrass management at the beginning of my senior year and dove straight into it. I ended up getting offered an internship at Hyde Park Country Club, which is where I got the opportunity to volunteer at TPC Twin Cities for the 3M open. I had the privilege over the summer to volunteer on the maintenance crew at the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The course is a championship level 18-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer. Since its opening in 2000 it has hosted the 3M championship, later changed to the 3M Open, every year. I got to spend six days volunteering and learning about how a tournament is run, as well as learning about the challenges faced on a daily basis. Each day I worked two shifts, one at 4:30am and the next at 4:30pm. The morning shifts consisted of hand raking bunkers, walk mowing, rolling, and watering greens, mowing fairways, tee boxes and the collars (step-cut). The afternoon shifts consisted generally of the same tasks but instead of raking bunkers we would fill numerous divots in the fairways with divot mix, and also data collection which I got the privilege to help out with. The data we would collect were using a stimp meter to measure the speed of the greens, which we were shooting for around 12-13, and testing the firmness of the greens. Data collection is very important during a tournament. It helps the maintenance crew determine how much we need to mow, roll, or water the greens to keep them consistent throughout the week. Learning about the maintenance side of things was not the only thing I took away from my time there. I made numerous connections that will benefit me in the future. I got to talk with the superintendent and assistants, and they were extremely good at their jobs and would happily answer any questions I had regarding the course. I also got to meet the lead PGA Agronomist for the region, Alex Stuedemann. The most notable people I met were two TPC assistants from Sawgrass and San Antonio. I got to know them very well throughout the week as I carpooled with them from our hotel. I got to talk with them about what challenges they have at their golf courses and how they manage their courses in different climates. I was very surprised how well they can grow grass in Texas with how hot it is. I also got the opportunity to tour the par-aid manufacturing facility ...

ARKANSAS TURFGRASS: Everyone wants better employees and today, that usually requires growing them internally. By starting with a high-potential worker and developing them intentionally, companies are able to build a near-ideal employee ready to tackle their specific issues. But employee development only occurs in the right environment. Employee growth is not unlike plant growth in that the result is dependent primarily on environmental factors rather than genetic make-up. Unfortunately, managers rarely audit their environment for employee growth potential and even fewer have clear ideas about the factors that would make a strong growth environment. Here are the seven environmental factors that should be considered when cultivating a culture of development: Advanced Expertise – Employee growth can only occur when there is guidance from an experienced mentor who is setting the pace for production and sharing knowledge. Everyone should have a committed coach or mentor. Continually Challenged – Advancing to the next professional level never happens by accident, so an environment where everyone is challenged to reach higher levels of performance creates the tension needed to advance intentionally. Future-Oriented – A team which is focused on past mistakes doesn’t have the right outlook to grow their team. Growth is always the result of forward thinking where a better reality is a goal and positive intent around its achievement is embraced. Affirming Atmosphere – Development takes a lot of extra work beyond simply the status quo so teams that encourage each other to the next level of their skills are the ones that usually stick it out to see the results. It is the consistency of effort over long periods of time that is enabled through encouragement and brings true results. Mission Driven – When team members understand what their company does to enhance the lives of their customers and how their role contributes to making a difference, they are more likely to wake up excited and be driven to be the best version of themselves. This energy is essential to growth. Failure is Embraced – When we learn new skills and put them into practice, failing is a large part of the learning journey. In fact, learned experience is the quickest way to actually know anything. But a negative reaction to mistakes will deplete growth momentum, so wise team leaders expect failures and embrace the opportunities they provide. Mutual Advancement – People always work best when they’re working together, so teams where every member is growing are far more likely to see positive results. The best environments for growth have individualized and continuous development happening for every person and the culture is one of learning. • If your team needs more help growing itself to the next level, or your want help building a better growth environment, check out the industry-specific resources available at www.GrowTheBench.com. NESTMA members are invited to connect with Neal at [email protected].

NEW ENGLAND BLADE: Where did you go to school? I began my turf career at Wachusett Country Club in West Boylston, MA during high school working under Donald and Matt Marrone. This is where my passion for turf began. After high school, I attended UMass Amherst, Stockbridge School of Agriculture majoring in Turfgrass Management. A few years later, I attended Worcester State College majoring in Business. Where did you go from there? After my first year at UMass, I completed my internship program at The International Golf Course in Bolton, MA under the guidance of Ron Melenski and Jim Whitley. During my short three years there, I learned a great deal about turf management and becoming a crew leader. After graduating from Stockbridge, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be the Superintendent of Twin Springs, The Internationals’ nine-hole public course in Bolton, MA. At the end of my third year, I decided to go back to school for my business degree at Worcester State College. Who have been your sports turf mentors? I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the best turf managers in the business and building a large network of colleagues. After my time at Wachusett Country Club and The International, I went to Wellesley Country Club as Assistant Superintendent under Bill Sansone. Bill taught me about the importance of proper cultural practices and the extreme importance of paying attention to detail. Scott MacIntosh is another mentor I look up to for support with different challenges we may face from sports events, and of course, Mother Nature. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? One of the most useful pieces of advice I’ve received is not to be afraid to reach out and ask questions. Sometimes I feel like I don’t want to bother others during a busy workday so I may hesitate to reach out. NESTMA has been a great asset in expanding my network of friends and colleagues and this helps me feel more comfortable asking others their opinion on certain topics or experiences they may have dealt with in the past. Over the years, other colleagues have reached out to me on my thoughts, opinions, or experiences. I love trying to help others get better and solve problems. It makes our industry and friendships that much more valuable. Is there a recent project that you have been able to complete / implement? It’s been a few years, but we renovated the playing surface, soil profile and irrigation on our football stadium, Fitton Field. This project allowed us to enhance the profile making the field more of a sand-based field and convert it to a low mow bluegrass playing surface which has been an outstanding and safe field for our football team. What is the next “game changer” you see on the horizon for the sports turf industry? I’m sure it’s no surprise but autonomous mowers and paint machines are changing the way we do things. We are going into our third fall with our Turf Tank paint machine. Although we can’t completely walk away from it, the Turf Tank saves us a tremendous amount of time in man-hours with measuring and laying out fields. The precision and time savings are very beneficial to our overall operations. While the Turf Tank is operating, we can complete small tasks while it is running. What is your favorite / most useful: Equipment: Reel mower. Being able to keep turf cut with a sharp reel mower on our game fields makes our turf quality and density much better, reducing the need for chemical applications and helping our IPM program. Product: Pac-Low Growth Regulator improves the quality, density, and health as well as suppressing Poa annua. Pac-Low also reduces clipping yield which reduces overall mowing time and fuel consumption. Technology: Turf Tank saves time and improves quality and versatility between crew members.

VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL: Jordan Thompson, Thomas Kuhar, Ph.D. and Alejandro Del Pozo, Ph.D. – Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech In the world of turf grass management, earthworms have often been considered our underground allies, contributing to nutrient cycling and soil aeration. Unfortunately, a new earthworm has arrived with the potential to turn our current beliefs upside down. The Asian jumping worm (Amynthas spp.) presents a new challenge within the realm of turfgrass management as it disrupts delicate soil ecosystems, depletes nutrients and organic matter, and populates uncontrollably. As stewards of thriving turf landscapes, understanding the nuances of this invasion is important, especially as we strive to strike a balance between ecosystem health and the demands of various turfgrass settings, including golf greens (Figure 1). The Asian Jumping Worm Invasion Originating in East Asia, this invader is recognized for its distinctive “jumping” behavior, a clever adaptation for predator evasion. Its ability to reshape soil ecosystems quickly sets it apart, but not in a positive way. Unlike its earthworm counterparts, the Asian jumping worm has the ability to transform soil into an environment that provides minimal benefits for turfgrass and other terrestrial life. The depletion of organic matter leads to compromised plant health, permanently altering the landscape and inadvertently opening the door to further invasive species. Origins and Challenges The Asian jumping worm’s journey to new regions is closely tied to pathways like horticultural trade, plant transport, and soil contamination. A key factor behind its rapid proliferation is its ability to reproduce via parthenogenesis, allowing a single worm to generate multiple generations in a single year. This adaptability and ability to thrive across diverse soil types, from organic-rich to sandy or clayey, contribute to its invasive success. Unlike its earthworm relatives that often remain within specific soil layers, Asian Jumping Worms reside closer to the surface, enabling them to swiftly colonize new areas. Asian Jumping Worm Impact Within the realm of turfgrass management, the Asian jumping worm’s voracious appetite for organic matter is a cause for concern. Rapid leaf litter and mulch consumption disrupts soil structure, elevating the risk of runoff and impeding plant growth. In large turf areas such as golf courses, where worm castings already present an issue with aesthetics and maintenance, worms that altogether destroy the soil could spell disaster for quality fairways and greens. There is some research suggesting these worms alter soil chemistry including the pH and carbon/nitrogen ratios. A shift in soil pH can disrupt the delicate balance required for optimal turf growth, leading to diminished nutrient availability and potential nutrient imbalances (Figure 2). Current Research and Potential Solutions At Virginia Tech’s Department of Entomology, we are working on understanding the implications of the Asian jumping worm invasion on turfgrass environments. Through bioassays and field tests, we aim to develop a better understanding of the worm’s specific ecology as well as its effects on other soil dwelling organisms and plant life. Any solutions to managing or eliminating the worm may encompass the investigation of biological controls, the evaluation of tailored cultural practices, and chemical interventions. About the Author Jordan Thompson [email protected] BS in Environmental Horticulture VT ‘23 MSLFS in Entomology VT ‘25 Jordan is a graduate student at Virginia Tech studying the Asian jumping worm in Virginia and hoping to find possible control methods.