2026 NTRF-Funded Research

NTRF Announces the 2026 Research Grant Recipients

2026 NTRF Research Grant Recipients

Through the generous support from our sponsors, partners, personal donors and fundraising events, the NTRF Board of Directors has approved funding of the following research projects:

Dr. Katerina Jordan, University of Guelph
PROJECT 1: 
Further investigation into the causal agents of take-all patch and their management in Canada and the Northern United States

PROJECT 2:
 Continued Investigation into Take-all Patch of Creeping Bentgrass and its Two Causal Agents, Gaeumannomyces avenae and Slopeiomyces cylindrosporus

Jason Pick, Olds College
Assessment of environmental conditions under impermeable and permeable turf covers, influencing the survivability of poa annua in mixed creeping bentgrass golf greens subjected to forced/reduced hardening periods

Dr. Eric Patterson, Michigan State University
Discovery of Maple Leaf Allelopathic Chemicals for Organic Weed Control in Turf

 

Congratulations to all! Stay tuned for exciting project updates.

2026 Research Priority Areas

Following a recent industry survey, NTRF has identified the following top research needs for 2026:

Turfgrass variety performance and breeding innovations
Sustainable turfgrass management practices
Soil health and nutrient management
Biologically natural turf management
New instrumentation, robotics, and software technologies
Disease and pest resistance strategies
Climate resilience and adaptation to extreme weather
Control of ants and worm castings

Your input helps guide where research dollars go — and how results are shared back with the industry.

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