Goals and Objectives

The course will serve as an introduction to turfgrass science and management in Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. It will introduce students to the Hawaiian turfgrass industry through field trips, guest speakers, and an associated internship program, which will be developed in conjunction with this course.

TPSS 405 is an introduction to tropical turfgrasses and their management. Skills/knowledge gained will include the identification, growth characteristics, and uses of turfgrasses, environmental management and adaptation, establishment techniques, management practices of high, medium, and low input turfgrasses, and pest control.

Basic web skills

TPSS 200

Turfgrass Management, by A.J. Turgeon, Prentice Hall (pub.).

Two or more short videos will be shown during the semester.

Guest speakers will be invited to represent the various turfgrass industries in Hawaii.

Several field trips will be taken to various local turfgrass industry facilities representing distinct industry sectors.

The Turfgrass Industry

• History
  
• Importance
  
• Career opportunities
  
  

Turfgrass Benefits and Uses

• Environmental interactions
  
• Factors affectint turf quality
  
• Turfgrass uses/ management levels
  
  

Turfgrasses and Their Adaptation

Growth Characteristics, Morphology, Classification


Climatic adaptation


C4 vs. C3 turfgrasses

Factors Affecting Turfgrass Growth and Quality

Climate


Soils


Interacting organisms

Turfgrass Cultural Practices

Establishment (Site prep., seeding, sprigging, sodding)


Fertilization


Mowing


Irrigation


Cultivation (vertical mowing, aerification, etc.)


Topdressing


Other practices

Turfgrass Pest Control

Integrated pest management


Weeds


Insects


Diseases


Pesticide use and calibration

Turfgrass Business Management

Personnel management


Record keeping


Budgeting

Grading Scale

Percentage	Points	Grade
90 - 100	450 - 500	A
80 - 89	400 - 449	B
70 - 79	350 - 399	C
60 - 69	300 - 349	D
< 60	< 300	F

Points:

Midterms	250 points
Lecture Final	150 points
Lab Final	100 points
	500 points

Kenneth Marcum