Japan this week played host to the International Turfgrass Society’s quadrennial International Turfgrass Research Conference (ITRC), with a healthy contingent of Australian superintendents and industry experts making the journey north to attend. The ITRC brings together researchers, agronomists, extension specialists and turf managers from around the world to present and hear about the latest in turfgrass science and research. Held in Karuizawa, about one-and-a-half hours northwest of Tokyo, this week’s conference, presented in conjunction with the Japanese Society of Turfgrass Science, was the 15th in the 56-year history of the ITS. It was the second time that Japan has hosted the conference, with Tokyo last holding the event in 1989.

Among the more than 420 registered delegates from 27 countries were a number of Australians, including a strong representation from Victoria. They included course superintendents Michael Freeman (Huntingdale GC), Steve Hewitt (13th Beach), Barry Proctor (Riversdale GC), Nic Douglas (Cranbourne GC) and Shane Greenhill (Sorrento GC), as well as Metropolitan Golf Club duo John Mann (superintendent) and Hamish Buckingham (assistant). Also making the trip were SportENG agronomist John Neylan, Doug Agnew (Melbourne Polytechnic), Craig Burleigh (Envu), Matthew Steven (Oasis Turf), Scott Egan (Green by Nature), Saxon Rohrlach (Agrobest) and Colin Campbell Chemical representatives Nadeem Zreikat and Geoff Derrick. 

Across the five-day conference, which concluded Wednesday, the program featured concurrent sessions on turfgrass diseases, turfgrass rootzone design, turfgrass science, insect and nematode issues and sustainable turfgrass management. Former ITS president Marie Stranberg, of the Scandinavian Turfgrass and Environment Research Foundation (STERF), opened the conference last Saturday with a keynote presentation on the importance of international research collaboration. As part of that it was announced that there have been three research projects approved and funded by STERF, the USGA and The R&A on water conservation, integrated turf management and climate change. Other opening day keynote presentations included a look back on the history of turfgrass culture in Japan and the genetic characteristics of zoysiagrass.

Sunday and Monday featured a full program of research and commercial presentations and posters, including an overview of the research by Scott McElroy (Auburn University) into autonomous mowing. There was also a detailed paper presented on managing soil carbon with the focus on sand dusting and the relationship with organic matter content, surface firmness and green speed. Precision spraying and the use of AI technology was another key area explored as a means of improving weed control. There were about 15 papers presented on turfgrass diseases, with dollar spot the pathogen of most interest.  

The program included presentations from Queensland’s Don Loch, who spoke on the topic of branding with marketing trademarks which is adding complexity to traditional botanical taxonomy and nomenclature. New Zealander Bill Walmsley also gave presentations on soil testing and herbicide mixtures to help slow resistance in three turfgrasses.

The education sessions were broken up by field trips on the Tuesday, with delegates getting the opportunity to visit a number of different local sports turf venues. These included Saitama Stadium, Nagano U Stadium, JRA Tokyo Racecourse, Kumagaya Sports Culture Park Rugby Stadium, Sania Park Sugadaira, Hidaka Country Club and Asama Kogen Country Club.

For Cranbourne superintendent and current VGCSA Board member Nic Douglas, his first ITRC was “one of the best professional experiences” of his career: “For a course superintendent, the ability to speak to so many of the world’s leading researchers in the agronomic space about some of our challenges was invaluable. The content delivered each day throughout the sessions was first class. I am going to be going through my notes and slides from these sessions for a long time. A large contingent of Australians made the trip over – many of them turf managers – which is really pleasing to see how invested our industry professionals are in their development.”

At the conclusion of the conference, the ITS announced the appointment of its officers and directors for the 2025-2029 cycle. The 2029 ITRC will be held in Canada, with University of Guelph Turfgrass Institute director Katerina Jordan elected as new ITS president. Also confirmed were the appointments of Nadeem Zreikat and Dr Brett Morris (Syngenta) as ITS directors. They replace Dr Chris Lambrides (University of Queensland) who was Australia’s representative in the last director cycle and part of the Scientific Program Planning Committee for this week’s ITRC. Will Bowden. from PGG Wrightson Turf, was also elected as New Zealand's representative.

On his appointment, Morris, who next month takes up a new role with The R&A, posted on LinkedIn: “I’m very appreciative to the leaders who nominated and supported me for this position who have provided so much to the Australian turf industry over the years such as Peter McMaugh, Chris Lambrides and Don Loch to name a few. My goal is to continue to build on their efforts and achievements to advance turf research and knowledge in Australia in the years to come.” 

Zreikat was nominated by Penn State University’s John Kaminski who himself was a recent ITS director and will assume an officer role during the 2025-2029 cycle. Posting on the Turf Management Australia Facebook page Zreikat noted: “It’s such a great honour to be nominated and accepted onto the (ITS) board. I will aim to promote the society throughout Australia and communicate information that can help turf managers.” The ASTMA congratulates both Brett and Nadeem on their appointments.

By Brett Robinson with John Neylan. Photos: John Neylan and Nic Douglas