On Thursday, Oct 13, the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture had the privilege of hosting Dr. Jim Kerns from North Carolina State University. Dr. Kerns presented a seminar outlining his work as an Extension Specialist and Turfgrass Pathologist. Prior to his work at NC State, Dr. Kerns worked as an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Kerns received a Masters at Texas A&M University and subsequently, a Ph.D. at NC State. During his spare time he enjoys spending time with his son, drinking beer, watching the Chicago Cubs, and golfing.
During the seminar, Dr. Kerns described his past and current research on fungicide efficacy, plant parasitic nematodes, and the fungal disease, dollar spot. Each year the Kerns Lab runs forty-five spring/summer research trials and thirteen fall/winter trials (a total of 471 treatments)! These trials cover a wide variety of products available in the turfgrass industry. Efficacy trials give valuable information about the ability for various fungicides to control diseases of interest. Dr. Kerns’ program also researches the biology of parasitic nematodes like Trichodorusobtusus. Specifically, turf nematode samples were characterized morphologically and phylogentically by the Kerns Lab. This research can potentially give rise to more effective application of preventative nematicides. For example, weather and seasonality can affect the success of pesticides. A study performed in 2015 showed mild winters with irregular snowfall can affect the persistence of fungicides (Koch et al.). The Kerns Lab also researches the biology of the dollar spot fungus (Sclerotiniahomoeocarpa). Dr. Kerns’ program has discovered that S. homoeocarpa overwinters on turfgrass and the source of primary inoculum is contaminated grass seed. This research has helped decrease the spread of dollar spot, as it has become common practice to sterilize seeds.
Conducting efficacy trials and studying the biology of disease systems can help develop more successful and sustainable management practices. Alternative management strategies may decrease the use of chemical controls and increase effectiveness during application. Turf pathologists provide us healthy grass for our athletes, playgrounds for our children, and green space for recreation.
https://turfpathology.plantpath.ncsu.edu/jim-kerns/
Koch, P.L., Stier, J.C., and Kerns, J.P. 2015. Snow cover has variable effects on persistence of fungicides and their suppression of microdochium patch on amenity turfgrass. Plant Pathology 64:1417-1428.
