Turfgrass Research – a deep dive into how its done

Research in turfgrass management is critical for several reasons. It fosters sustainability by promoting eco‑friendly practices that conserve essential resources like water and chemicals. Furthermore, it improves performance by identifying turfgrass varieties that thrive in specific environments, enhancing both resilience and visual appeal. Insights into effective pest and disease management help reduce dependence on chemical treatments, while optimised management strategies can significantly lower maintenance costs for golf courses and sports fields. Research also supports the development of drought‑resistant grass varieties and innovative irrigation techniques, which are vital in areas with limited water resources. Additionally, a better understanding of soil management enhances microbial activity and nutrient availability, resulting in healthier turfgrass. 

In this class we delve into the necessary procedures for conducting robust scientific research, including how to identify research objectives, establish projects, and conduct trials and laboratory experiments. We will discuss proper data collection methods and the essential ways to ensure accurate statistical analysis of the data. Finally, we will explore effective means of presenting research findings in a truthful and precise manner. 

Learning outcomes 

• Be familiar with the procedures necessary to initiate and conduct a scientific research project 
• Understand how to collect various types of data relevant to turfgrass management 
• Gain insights into statistical data analysis to ensure the reliability of the gathered information 
• Learn to utilise and interpret tables, graphs, and charts for effectively organizing and presenting data 
• Understand the methods of presenting research findings in a clear and organised format  

Presented by:

Dr John Dempsey

Chief Scientist Independent Turfgrass Research

Dr John Dempsey is a turfgrass scientist specialising in plant pathology. His career began in the 1980s with greenkeeping, culminating in his role as Superintendent of The Royal Curragh, Ireland’s oldest golf course, from 1993 to 2019. John's educational journey spans from basic greenkeeping courses at the botanic gardens in Dublin to a 1st Class Honours Degree in Turfgrass Science from Myerscough College in the UK, and a PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of the West of England, Bristol, completed in 2016. For the past 15 years, John has conducted independent research on turfgrass disease management, nutrition, and surfactants, publishing numerous articles on infection processes and turf health. He has presented the results of his research at numerous conferences and seminars in Ireland, UK, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, USA, Canada, Iceland, Japan and at the GCSAA Conference and BTME in the UK.