Overview of Chemical Screening Trials
SETRC conducts comprehensive screening trials for herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators, and fertilizers to identify products that optimize turfgrass health, performance, and sustainability. These trials ensure that chemical treatments control pests and diseases effectively, without harming desirable turfgrass or ornamental species.
Turf species including creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, roughstalk bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, sheeps fescue, chewings fescue, creeping red fescue, hard fescue, tall fescue, zoysia, and bermudagrass are maintained on-site at appropriate heights of cut. Weed populations including dandelion, wild violet, ground ivy, nutsedge, goosegrass, dallisgrass, crabgrass, plantains, and clover are also managed on the premises.
Fungicide Screening
Our fungicide screening trials focus on preventing and managing turfgrass diseases such as dollar spot, brown patch, and leaf spot. The center tests both traditional and emerging fungicides for efficacy, turf safety, and environmental compatibility.
Trial Screening Processes Include:
Areas of fine turf, including creeping bentgrass greens and fairways, are managed to promote diseases including brown patch, anthracnose, and dollar spot specifically for evaluation of plant protectants. Additional turfgrass species are maintained for evaluation of other diseases, such as summer patch, red thread, and rust. Diseases of southern grasses, including those of ultradwarf putting greens, are available through our network of subcontractors.
Large creeping bentgass greens with multiple varieties are maintained to promote diseases such as Sclerotinia homoeocarpa.
Insecticide Screening
Insecticide screening trials are designed to evaluate control of turfgrass pests including grubs, billbugs, cutworms, and ants, while minimizing impact on beneficial organisms and the surrounding environment. We offer insecticide screening services for southern insects such as chinch bugs, mole crickets, and armyworms through our network of subcontractors.
Trial Screening Processes Include:
Measuring efficacy against target pests.
Evaluating impact on non-target organisms.
Determining residual activity and turf safety.
Supporting integrated pest management (IPM) programs.
Looking to Advance Turf Performance?
Collaborate with Southeastern Turfgrass Research Center to participate in trials, schedule site visits, or access research results. Our trials provide actionable insights for turf managers, landscape professionals, and the turfgrass industry.