LN 222 ‑ TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT
Sample syllabus submitted by Professor Dubik, Spring 20005    

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Management of turfgrass with respect to residential, commercial, and athletic field lawn care.  Turfgrass establishment procedures, lawn maintenance schedules, renovation procedures, pest control methods, and weed control options will be covered.  Emphasis on the use of the newest and more adaptable turfgrass varieties for minimum insect and disease problems.  Lab assignments will include identification of grass species, weeds and turf insects.  (Three semester hours)

 Laboratory requires off site field trip(s)  - see Grading and Field Trips for information.  

Course Outcomes:  Students will learn:

Ø   To identify the morphological parts of the turfgrass plant.

Ø   To distinguish between the major turfgrass species.

Ø   To list turfgrass species best adapted for specific cultural conditions.

Ø   To be able to evaluate soil type, choose correct soil testing procedure, and properly modify soil maximum turfgrass growth.

Ø   To recount suitable fertilizer schedules for various turfgrass species.

Ø   To understand how to improve undesirable soil conditions.

Ø   To review the methods of turfgrass renovation including machinery needed, herbicides used, and timing renovation. 

Ø   To calculate fertilizer rates and cost.

Ø   To identify major turfgrass weeds and understand cultural and chemical management methods for their control.

Ø   To perform calculations in the use of herbicides and insecticides.

Ø   To understand the life cycle of major turfgrass insects and know their stages susceptible to control measures.

Ø   To identify the symptoms of the major turfgrass diseases active in Maryland.

 

Required texts:

Turfgrass Science and Management by Robert Emmons, published Delmar Publishers, 2000.

Additional References:

Turfgrass Management by A. J. Turgeon, Fifth Edition, 1999.

Weeds of the Northeast, by Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal and Joseph M. Di Tomaso 1997. Published by Cornell University Press, 1997.

Scotts Guide to the Identification of Grasses published by O. M. Scott and Sons Co., Marysville, OH, 43041 1987. 1-800-543-0006.

Scotts Guide to the Identification of Dicot Turf Weeds, published by O. M. Scott and Sons Co., Marysville, OH, 43041 1987. 1-800-543-0006.

Weeds of Arkansas, A Guide to Identification by Ford L. Baldwin and Edwin B. Smith, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, 10 South College Street, Rm. 207, Fayettsville, AR, 72701, (501) 444‑1755.

Nebraska Weeds Published by Nebraska Department of Agriculture, State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE 68509, 1979.

All About Lawns by Alice E. Mace, 1985. Chevron Chemical Company, Consumer Products Division, San Francisco, CA, 94105 

Turfgrass Insects of the United States and Canada by Haruo Tashiro, 1987. published by Cornell University Press.

Insect and Other Pests Associated With Turf published by Department of Agricultural Communications, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27650

Controlling Turfgrass Pests by Thomas W. Fermanian et al., published by Prentice Hall, 1997.

Scotts Guide to the Identification of Turfgrass Diseases and Insects published by O. M. Scott and Sons Co., 1987. Marysville, OH, 43041

1-800-543-0006

Herbaceous Plants of Maryland by Brown and Brown, distributed by The Book Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742.

Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases, Second Edition by R. W. Smiley, P. H. Dernoeden, B.B. Clarke, 1993. Available from: APS Press, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121 Phone: 1-800-328-7560(continental U.S.) or 612-454-7250 Fax: 612-454-0766. This item is also available in an expanded form for your computer.

Turfgrass Diseases: Diagnosis and Management CD-ROM by G. L. Schumann and J. D. MacDonald. Available from APS Press (see above).

Diseases of Turfgrasses by H. B. Couch, 1995. Available from: Krieger Publishing Co., P.O. Box 9542, Melbourne, FL 32902-9542 Phone: 407-724-9542

Management of Turfgrass Diseases by J. Vargas, 1994. Available from: Lewis Publishers, 2000 Corporate Blvd. NW, Boca Raton, FL 33431 Phone: 1-800-272-7737

Color Atlas of Turfgrass Diseases by T. Tani and J. B. Beard, 1997. Available from: Ann Arbor Press, Inc. 121 South Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118 Phone: 313-475-8787

GRADING

 

LECTURE EXAMS                                           Tuesday               Point Value

#1                                                                 Oct.     5                       200

#2                                                                 Nov.    2                        200

#3                                                                 Dec.   14                      200

 

I. D. PRACTICAL                                               Oct.    26                      150

 

    CALCULATIONS PRACTICAL                        Nov.   30                      100

 

PROJECT                                                           Dec.     7                      100

 

FIELD TRIPS:     

Saturday Field Trip

Chevy Chase Club                                     Oct.     2                         50

          @ 9:00 a.m.                                 (Alt. date Oct. 23)

                                                                                   Total Points              1000    

 

A = 90% of 1000

B = 80% of 1000

C = 70% of 1000

D = 60% of 1000

F = 59% of 1000 or less

^* Approximately

MAKEUP TESTS:

Illness:  Arrangements for a makeup of a lecture test must be made within 24 hours of missed exam.  A signature of the attending physician or nurse is required.  Time for the makeup will be at the mutual convenience of instructor and student.  Tests not taken earn 0 points. 

Other:  If absence from a scheduled exam is necessary for religious observance or for participation in Montgomery College activities at the request of Montgomery College authorities, notification must be received by the instructor one week prior to the schedule exam or the right to a makeup is forfeited.

 MAKEUP FIELD TRIP(S):

You will be allowed to makeup for the field trip(s).  If you are not able to attend a field trip on the assigned day, you have the option of making up the field trip by submitting a special project. Possible options include:

1) Handing in either three additional plant pressings;

2) Three hours of service in Landscape Technology Demonstration Gardens/Greenhouse.  

Classroom Policies

Attendance:

Attendance is expected for each of the classes and required field trips.

Academic honesty:

Students cheating on lecture or lab exams will receive a failing grade for that exam.

 

Classroom conduct:

The use of cell phones during lectures or exams is not allowed.  Use of portable recording devices is not allowed in class unless students receive approval from the professor.

Support services:

Any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please make an

appointment to see me during my office hours. A letter from Disability Support Services (R-CB122; G-SA175; or TP-ST120) authorizing your accommodations will be needed.  The DSS office on the Germantown campus located in room 201, of the SA building. They can be contacted at 240-567-7770 or at http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/dispsvc/contact.htm.

Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation must identify to the Disability Support Services Office. Guidelines for emergency evacuations for individuals with disabilities are found at: www.montgomerycollege.edu/dss/evacprocedures.htm..

 Other resources:

Additional student resources can be found at the Science Learning Center (SLC) on the Germantown campus.  The SLC is located in the SA building, room 202. For hours of operation call 240-567-1987.

 Cancellation of classes:

Class cancellation due to extreme weather conditions will be announced on local radio stations like WTOP and WMAL.