Dr. Kenneth Diesburg - Turfgrass Management Training, Breeding and Research
Office:
Agriculture Bldg. 176 C
Phone:
(618) 453-1787
Email:
diesburg@siu.edu
Education:
| B.S. |
Iowa State
University |
Botany |
1973 |
| M.S. |
Iowa State
University |
Plant Breeding
and Cytogenetics |
1978 |
| Ph.D. |
Iowa State
University |
Horticulture |
1987 |
Courses:
PLSS
322 - Introduction to Turfgrass Management - The basics of turfgrass
identification, establishment and management are provided to students having
a basic background in plants. This information is essential to any program
of lawn care, landscape management, or landscape installation.
Research:
Zoysiagrass
Breeding - This underdeveloped set of species is being bred toward the
development of seeded cultivars containing the characteristics desired for
beauty, utility, and persistence in the transition zone and surrounding
regions.
Tall
Fescue Breeding - This species has been modified for use as a beautiful and
persistent turf. But there are still several characteristics that need
improvement. Breeding is being done to develope more uniform, disease
resistant cultivars that are adapted especially to the transition zone east
of the Mississippi River. 'Pyramid' tall fescue was developed here and
performs especially well in this region.
Growth
Regulation - The development of the ideal turfgrass (which implies one that
does not need to be mowed) must include the use of growth regulators in the
restriction of leaf elongation. Products being marketed are tested on all
the turfgrass species at various times of year, combinations of products,
and concentrations in the search for that ideal application that preserves
turfgrass beauty while maintaining the desired canopy height. More recently,
research has been devoted to the restriction of annual bluegrass in
high-management turf without sacrificing turf quality.
Cultivar
Evaluation - The National Turfgrass Federation develops cultivar trials for
the various turfgrass species. As a cooperative site, this program provides
data for the turfgrass industry in determining which cultivars perform by
region and nationally under various management regimes.
Recent Publications
Links
Turfgrass
Information File (TIF) at Michigan State University
NCR
192
Illinois
Turfgrass Foundation
