What’s Happening at the Braun Turfgrass Lab at K-State: Current and Upcoming Research

By Teresa Roberts

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

By Ross Braun, Ph.D., Kansas State University

As turfgrass managers, you are constantly navigating unpredictable weather, evolving regulations, and the relentless demand for high-quality turf and landscapes. At the Braun Turfgrass Lab at Kansas State University, my goal is to deliver insightful solutions that empower you to confront challenges with confidence and determination.

Thanks to major grants from the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and USGA (United States Golf Association), along with incredible ongoing support from HAGCSA (Heart of America Golf Course Superintendents Association), KGCSA (Kansas Golf Course Superintendents Association), and the KTF (Kansas Turfgrass Foundation), my research program is running at full speed. At the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center in Manhattan, KS, our full-time staff, Wes Howe, and three graduate students—including Ammar Rafique, Usman Tanveer, and Ph.D. Candidate Parul Mandal—are managing over 22 active experiments spanning 2024 through 2028.

Here is a look at the current and upcoming research we are conducting to support the turfgrass industry.

Cultivar Evaluations and Long-Term Species Dynamics

  • Warm-Season Species Trials: We are entering the third and final year of evaluating zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and buffalograss cultivars to measure differences in mowing, fertilizer, and pesticide inputs. (USDA-funded collaboration with Purdue Univ. and Texas A&M Univ.)
  • Multiple NTEP Trials: We are currently hosting four National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trials at Rocky Ford, evaluating Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, tall fescue-sod, and zoysiagrass. We have more trials planned to be hosted in 2026, focusing on fine fescues and creeping bentgrass.
  • Long-Term Species Dynamics: We are investigating the long-term species population changes and competition between tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass when maintained at home lawn/golf course rough heights.

Sod Production & Turfgrass Establishment Innovations

  • Cool-Season Sod Production: In the fall of 2025, we planted two field experiments investigating mixtures and harvest intervals across KS, IN, MN, and NJ. Plots in these experiments are being harvested to measure sod strength and turfgrass performance. We will be expanding these efforts with on-farm sod production trials in all four states to be planted in the fall of 2026. (USDA-funded collaboration with Univ. of Minn., Purdue Univ., and Rutgers Univ.)
  • Dormant Seeding & Establishment: We are currently investigating optimal dormant seeding timings for various cool-season turfgrasses in KS and IN (KSU & Purdue collaboration)

Golf Course Management & Playability

  • Divot Recovery: We are investigating seasonal golf divot recovery timing in warm-season fairways, along with a specific experiment on how different nitrogen fertilizer rates influence divot recovery in both zoysiagrass and bermudagrass. (HAGCSA supported)
  • Traffic Tolerance: We are actively tracking seasonal traffic stress responses and recovery in zoysiagrass fairways of multiple cultivars. (HAGCSA & USGA supported)

Sustainability, Water, & Climate Resilience

  • Low-Input Systems: We are researching buffalograss and cool-season mixtures for low-input turfgrass systems. (USGA-funded collaboration between KSU & Purdue)
  • Cold Hardiness Advancements: We have multiple experiments underway testing new, cold-hardy zoysiagrass hybrids across KS, IN, and TX (USGA-funded). Additionally, we are working to improve bermudagrass cold hardiness and future cultivar options for Kansas through advanced genomic selection. (USDA-funded collaboration with Oklahoma State Univ.)
  • Irrigation Optimization and Water Conservation: Planting in 2026 with data collection in 2027 and 2028, we will be exploring water requirements and optimizing irrigation scheduling for lawn and golf rough heights across multiple species.

Seed Technology & Storage

  • Seed Survival & Vigor: We are currently investigating the impact of various storage conditions and durations on the survival and germination vigor of both non-coated and coated cool-season seed.
  • Dissertation Spotlight: Ph.D. Candidate Parul Mandal will finish her dissertation in 2026, capping off 3.5 years of running 8 different field, greenhouse, and growth chamber experiments. Her working title, “Investigation of turfgrass seed-coating: Effects on storage, germination, and establishment,” promises to deliver highly practical insights for the industry.

Let’s Work Together

I am always eager to hear about the real-world challenges you encounter in the field. Feel free to reach out with any questions, ideas, or observations. We often have the opportunity to possibly adjust our focus and conduct research on specific topics or issues. I aim to ensure the K-State Turfgrass Science program remains relevant to the immediate needs of the turfgrass industry in Kansas and our surrounding states.

 

Dr. Ross Braun
Assistant Professor of Turfgrass and Landscape Management
Director of Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center
Kansas State University
785-532-3011
rossbraun@ksu.edu
www.braunturfgrass.com