Industry News

Climate change may be fueling more aggressive weeds

Is global warming fueling a new generation of more aggressive weeds?  According to recent research, the answer may be yes.

One of the major characteristics of a warming planet is an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  Rising carbon dioxide has been shown to help vegetable and grain crops grow more quickly, become more drought-resistant and produce potentially higher yields.  Unfortunately, though, the impact of rising carbon dioxide seems to be far more pronounced in the weeds that compete with crops than in the crops themselves.

"Weeds are survivors," said Lee Van Wychen, director of science policy for the Weed Science Society of America. "They can fill various niches and thrive under a wide range of conditions. While we have about 45 major crops in the U.S., there are more than 400 species of different weeds associated with those crops.  There is always another weed species ready to become a major competitor with a crop if growing conditions change, such as an increase in carbon dioxide levels."
 
The impact of rising carbon dioxide levels on weeds can be striking.  In a study conducted by Lewis Ziska, PhD., of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, weeds grown under urban conditions of warmer temperatures and more carbon dioxide – conditions anticipated for the rest of the world in 50 years – grew to four times the height of those in a country plot 40 miles outside the city, where carbon dioxide and temperature reflected background conditions.

So what if there are a few more weeds?  Well, Ziska’s research shows that common ragweed plants exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide dramatically increased the amount of pollen they produced.  A doubling in carbon dioxide led to a quadrupling of pollen.  Some people are allergic to ragweed pollen, resulting in the "hay fever" response, including sneezing and watery eyes.  Additional work by Ziska also suggests that even recent increases in carbon dioxide during the last 50 years may have led to bigger poison ivy plants with a more virulent form of the oil that causes people to break out in a rash.

"As the climate and carbon dioxide levels change, we can no longer assume the weed control strategies we used in the past will continue to work," Ziska said.  "Not only are some of the nation’s most invasive weeds spreading, but they are becoming more difficult and costly to control.  Understanding the impact of increasing carbon dioxide on weed control is still in its infancy.  While researchers explore new approaches, we will need to mix and match the strategies currently available."  Visit http://www.wssa.net.

NGCOA donates $25K to The Institute

The National Golf Course Owners Association has pledged its support to The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA, with a $25,000 donation over the next five years toward research and education to enhance golf’s relationship with the environment.

"This gift represents NGCOA’s continued commitment to advancing environmental stewardship on the golf course," said Teri Harris, GCSAA managing director of development. "The Institute, GCSAA and its members are fortunate for the support of NGCOA and its members. We all recognize the importance of stewardship when it comes to the long-term viability of the game and the environment."

With this donation, the NGCOA is recognized at the Governor's Club level through The Institute's cumulative giving program of organizations that have contributed between $50,000 and $99,999 since 1987. The NGCOA is also a member of the Platinum Tee Club, which is the giving club for organizations that contribute a minimum of $5,000 annually to The Institute. The NGCOA is a presenting partner of the Golf Industry Show along with the GCSAA and the Club Managers Association of America. The NGCOA Foundation is also a partner of the annual Golf Industry Show Silent Auction.

"This is an investment in our future," said NGCOA CEO Mike Hughes. "Our members recognize the increasing importance of cooperation with the environmental community that exists in golf. The Environmental Institute for Golf is delivering the research and education to enhance golf’s relationship with the environment and we want to be a part of that."

Signature Control systems aligns with ESI

Signature Control Systems Inc. has entered into a strategic alliance with Environmental Sensors Inc. of Canada to develop various proprietary sensor probe technologies for the global golf, sports turf and commercial turf markets.

"The strategic alliance enhances an important part of our global business strategy. Our technology platform was always compatible with third party sensors, but with our own proprietary device, our presence in existing markets will be greatly enhanced," said Brian J. Smith, CEO.

The company says the alliance creates solutions for a wider set of customer needs and provides Signature a significantly greater opportunity to grow into new markets, particularly in the golf, sports turf and commercial turf management segments.

"By combining our intelligent controllers, desktop and web-based software – with sensors for monitoring soil moisture, salinity, soil temperature and wetted front – we now has the opportunity to provide our customers with an industry-defining technology platform," Smith said. Contact http://www.SignatureControlSystems.com.

RIGCSA awards scholarships

The Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Association has awarded $18,000 in scholarships for the year 2008 to the following students:

• Cathryn Arruda, Rhode Island College
• Ryan Chalifour, Bishops University
• Craig F. Devaney, Assumption College
• Peter Fish, University of Rhode Island
• Katherine Kennedy, Northeastern University
• Thomas Lund, Quinnipiac University
• Christa Piquette, Florida Gulf Coast University
• Craig Richard, University of Rhode Island
• Ross E. Smith, University of Vermont
• Leslie Maureen Sykes, University of Rhode Island

The Ryan Reynolds Legacy Scholarship was awarded to Kevin Medeiros, Community College of Rhode Island. 

The C. Richard Skogley Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Bart van Luling, University of Rhode Island. 

Each year the RIGCSA hosts a golf tournament in which all proceeds go into providing scholarships to deserving students and funding research at the University of Rhode Island.  This year they will host their 26th Annual Scholarship and Research Tournament at Shelter Harbor Golf Club in Charlestown, R.I.