AGCSATech Research

AGCSATech is a self-funding division of the AGCSA that enables the association to embark on research programmes directed at providing independent data and solutions to some of the most important problems confronting superintendents. With funding assistance from Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL), AGCSATech has been able to undertake a variety of projects for the benefit of the industry and the final reports from past projects can now be viewed in PDF format by clicking on the links below.

AGCSATech Research

Bentgrass Variety Trials
HAL Project TU08002
The initial AGCSA bentgrass cultivar trials that started in 2000 were completed in 2005 and since that time there have been several new bentgrass cultivars bred in the USA. As part of its research activities, in 2009 the AGCSA established a new bentgrass trial in Victoria, NSW and South Australia to objectively assess the growth and performance characteristics of these new grasses under local conditions. Over a three year time frame the project will evaluate the performance and maintenance requirements of the new strains compared to the established industry standards.

Working with the Australian Seed Federation (lawn and turf seed group), the AGCSA contacted a number of seed companies and gave them the opportunity to submit cultivars for the trial. The companies involved and varieties submitted were: Advanced Seed (varieties Tyee, 007, Dominant Xtreme, SR1150 and SRP1RH93); Simplot (T-1); Heritage (Penn G2, Authority and Penn A1); DLF Seeds (Cobra 2 and CY 2); Seed Force (Shark); and PGG Wrightson (Declaration, Mackenzie, SRP1GMC and Mariner). A vegetative selection, called AGCSA1, has also been included as part of the trial.

TU08002 Trial Updates

Trial Update - August 2011 (from AGCSATech Update, ATM Journal Vol 13.5, Jan-Feb 2011)
First Year Results (from AGCSATech Update, ATM Journal Vol 13.1, Jan-Feb 2011)
Trial Update – May 2010 (from AGCSATech Update, ATM Journal Vol 12.3, May-Jun 2010)
Establishment results - November 2009 (from AGCSATech Update, ATM Journal Vol 11.6, Nov-Dec 2009)
Project outline - May 2009 (from AGCSATech Update, Australian Turfgrass Management Volume 11.3 – May-June 2009)

TU08002 Field Day Presentations
Throughout 2010 field days were conducted at the three trial sites – Cromer Golf Club (NSW), Keysborough Golf Club (VIC) and Royal Adelaide Golf Club (SA). Click on the links to view the presentations from each field day.

Environmental and health benefits of golf courses: A Literature Review
HAL Project TU07034 - Golf Extension
Following the literature review undertaken by Dr Ross Higginson and Peter McMaugh (The Environmental, Social, Economic and Health Benefits of Turfgrass: A Literature Review, 2008), the AGCSA requested an expansion of the review focussed principally on the environmental aspects (benefits or otherwise) of golf courses, and to identify any knowledge gaps for the industry. The key factors to be included were as follows:

Water quality
Water use compared to other industries
Bio-diversity value
Creating or recreating indigenous flora areas
Wetlands and their benefits
Carbon sequestration
Carbon foot print of golf courses
Nutrient and soil movement associated with golf courses
Golf course construction – managing the environmental impacts
Golf course construction – rejuvenation of degraded sites.

Click here to view the full 35-page report.

Evaluation of selected bentgrass ecotypes for sailinity tolerance and sod production
HAL Project TU06001
The purpose of this report was to explore the potential of the bentgrass (Agrostis sp.) ecotypes that were collected under the research program, project TU01001. With over 450 ecotypes collected from around Australia, several were identified as having superior salinity tolerance. Several of the ecotypes that provided a superior playing surface provided very few seedheads and propagation by seed is not an option. In this project vegetative propagation through sod production techniques were explored as an option compared to traditional seed production methods. The best performing ecotypes have been subjected to further salinity tolerance testing in both a greenhouse and field situation and their ability to form a playing surface from vegetative means has also been investigated.
Click here to view the full 35-page final report - May 2009 (295KB)

Effects of the use of effluent water on turf: Barwon Heads Golf Club
HAL Project TU 1003
The AGCSA in conjunction with The Barwon Heads Golf Club in Victoria undertook a research project between 2000 and 2005 to monitor the effects of using reclaimed water on soils, water and turfgrasses. The project involved assessing the effects of reclaimed water on the growth and maintenance of bentgrass and Poa annua grown on a sand profile typical of a golf green construction.
Click here to view the full 62-page final report (2.7MB)

Survey of Australian golf courses using reclaimed wastewater
Supplementary report for HAL Project TU 1003
To supplement the initial Barwon Heads Golf Club project (above), the AGCSA conducted a survey of Australian golf clubs using reclaimed wastewater. The aims of the project were to compile a data base of courses using reclaimed wastewater, identify the benefits, problems and remedial measures associated with the use of reclaimed wastewater and to provide an information resource for golf clubs and the turf industry on reclaimed wastewater reuse.
Click here to view the full 55-page final report (435KB)

The collection and evaluation of bentgrass and couchgrass ecotypes in old putting greens
HAL Project TU 1001
Between 2000 and 2004 AGCSATech undertook an extensive HAL-funded project to collect and evaluate bentgrass and couchgrass ecotypes from golf courses around Australia. The key objectives were:

To select and evaluate off-types from old bentgrass putting greens that have exhibited segregation, with the long-term aim of developing a bentgrass variety that is suited to growing in Australia.
To select and evaluate off-types from well-established greens on Queensland golf courses that have exhibited segregation, with the long-term aim of developing a couchgrass variety, that is suited to growing in sub-tropical and tropical Australia.
To evaluate existing bentgrass and couchgrass cultivars.

Click here to view the full 87-page final report (2.1MB)

Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI)

Management guidelines for new warm-season grasses in Australia
HAL Project TU05001
The AGCSA, in conjunction with the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and with funding assistance of Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL), undertook an extensive project to assess the establishment, maintenance and performance of four new hybrid Cynodons as well as three seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) varieties. Trial plots were established at DEEDI's Redlands Research Station as well as seven regional sites around Australia. Click on the links below to view the final report and updates from the various stages of the project which was completed in early 2010.

Click here to view the full 167-page final report (4.6MB)

Warm-Season Grass Trials – Newsletter #1 (Aug 2006) (475KB)
Warm-Season Grass Trials – Newsletter #2 (Dec 2006) (505KB)
Warm-Season Grass Trials – Newsletter #3 (Oct 2007) (813KB)
Warm-Season Grass Trials – Newsletter #4 (Sept 2008) (580KB)
Warm-Season Grass Trials - Newsletter #5 (Feb 2009) (388KB)

Contract Research

ANTEP Ryegrass and Tall Fescue Trials
AGCSATech was commissioned by the Australian Seed Federation to conduct a two-year turfgrass evaluation programme (ANTEP) of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue varieties. The trial was established in September 2006 with 38 perennial ryegrass (plus Victorian perennial ryegrass) and 18 tall fescue varieties being evaluated.
Click here to view the full 31-page final report (250KB)