2/4/2020 - By Dr. Jeff Atkinson

On today's episode, we interview Dr. Jim Kerns, turfgrass pathologist at NC State University. I'm also joined by Dr. Raymond Snyder and Greg Nicoll of Harrell's.

Dr. Kerns' research focuses on the etiology, epidemiology and management of warm and cool season grass diseases.

Fungicides make up the largest segment of pesticide applications to fine turf today. Dr. Kerns and his team are helping lead the way in developing best management practices to maximize the efficacy and consistency of applied fungicides against today's most troublesome pathogens.

More about Dr. Kerns

Dr. Jim Kerns is an associate professor and extension specialist of turfgrass pathology at NC State University. Jim holds a B.S. in Agronomy from NC State, a M.S. in Soil and Crop Sciences from Texas A&M and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from NC State. In 2008 Jim started as an assistant professor and extension specialist of turf pathology at UW-Madison and moved back to NC State in 2012. Dr. Kerns’ program is responsible for developing management strategies for turfgrass diseases in NC. With NC sitting in the heart of the transition zone, they grow bothcool- and warm-season grasses. Therefore, Jim’s program is very diverse with the diseases they work on. Currently the program is focused on Pythium root rot of golf course putting greens, dollar spot fungicide resistance development and management, nematode biology and management, fungicide movement in rootzones following wetting agent or post application irrigation, and fungicide movement in field settings after irrigation and mowing. Dr. Kerns’ program houses the Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab that is managed by Lee Butler and receives 600 to 700 samples each year from around the US. Finally, Jim enjoys playing golf and spending time as much time as possible with his family.

More About TurPh.Dudes 

Thank you for joining us for this episode of the TurPh.Dudes podcast brought to you by Harrell’s. Our TurPh.Dudes are reaching out to industry leaders and game changers to discuss what they’re seeing out there. Topics focus on turf health, nutrition, control solutions and the latest in academic research. TurPh.Dudes episodes are released periodically. You can subscribe to us on iTunes and Google Play Music or tune-in directly right here at www.harrells.com. Send us your questions @turphdudes on Twitter or by email at turphdudes@harrells.com.