There is limited information regarding specific irrigation volumes required for establishing turfgrasses from seed, potentially leading many to overwater during establishment. The objectives of the following studies were to evaluate the impacts of irrigation volume and genetic drought resistance on the establishment of seeded tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb.) and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) cultivars in the transition zone. Two separate studies were conducted at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville, AR. Tall fescue cultivars Penn RK4, a drought-resistant cultivar, and Rebel Exeda were seeded and irrigated daily at 50, 75, 100, or 125% reference evapotranspiration (ET o ) for 28 days in replicate trials. A second study evaluated seeded bermudagrass cultivars Princess 77, a drought-resistant cultivar, and Sahara II, using the same irrigation regime for 28 days, in replicate trials. Daily irrigation replacing 50% ET o exhibited slower establishment compared to 100% ET o by an average of 11 and 2 days for tall fescue and bermudagrass, respectively. Irrigating at 75 and 100% ET o exhibited similar establishment for tall fescue and in 1 of 2 years for bermudagrass. In both studies, establishment rates did not differ when irrigating ≥100% ET o . Cultivars with known genetic drought resistance at maturity did not exhibit enhanced establishment rates under reduced irrigation regimes. These findings suggest daily irrigation replacing 100% ET o is favorable for establishing seeded cultivars of tall fescue and bermudagrass in the transition zone, and is a practical strategy for water-conservation efforts. INTRODUCTIONSeeding is the most widely used practice for establishing many turfgrass species (Christians et al., 2017). At the present time, there is limited information regarding specific irrigation requirements for establishing turfgrasses from seed. Homeowners and turfgrass professionals often utilize irrigation recommendations from local university Extension publications.

Zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp. Willd.) have been predominately used as turfgrass for residential and commercial lawns in addition to golf course fairways and tees due to reduced input requirements compared with bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). The recent development of fine‐textured zoysiagrass cultivars has sparked interest in using zoysiagrass on putting greens. A complete‐factorial field experiment was conducted over replicate trials in Knoxville, TN to evaluate the putting green performance and quality of four zoysiagrass cultivars under two nitrogen (N) rates in the transition zone. Four zoysiagrass cultivars (Lazer, M85, Prizm, and Trinity) were treated with either 0.93 or 1.9 g N m−2 every 2 wk over a 16‐wk period from June to September in 2020 and 2021. Ball roll distance, surface firmness, and turfgrass color were evaluated weekly. Lazer and M85 consistently provided the greatest ball roll distance and turfgrass color over both seasons, whereas Prizm occasionally exhibited similar performance and color. Lazer produced the firmest greens, whereas Prizm exhibited the softest surface. Trinity had reduced turfgrass color over both years, implying that it should not be used on putting surfaces. The 1.9 g N m−2 rate reduced ball roll distance and increased turfgrass color but had limited effect on surface firmness. Applying 0.93 g N m−2 increased ball roll distance, reduced turfgrass color, and maintained surface firmness similar to 1.9 g N m−2. Additionally, cultivar selection will likely affect putting green performance, playability, and quality.

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The digitization of higher education is evolving academic misconduct, posing both new challenges to and opportunities for academic integrity and its research. The digital evidence inherent to online-based academic misconduct produces new avenues of replicable, aggregate, and data-driven (RAD) research not previously available. In a digital mutation of the misuse of unoriginal material, students are increasingly leveraging online learning platforms like CourseHero.com to exchange completed coursework. This study leverages a novel dataset recorded by the upload of academic materials on CourseHero.com to measure how at-risk sample courses are to potential academic misconduct. This study’s survey of exchanged coursework reveals that students are sharing a significant amount of academic material online that poses a direct danger to their courses’ academic integrity. This study’s approach to observing what academic material students are sharing online demonstrates a novel means of leveraging digitized academic misconduct to develop valuable insights for planning the mitigation of academic dishonesty and maintaining course academic integrity.

Zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp. Willd.) are commonly used on golf course fairways and tees in addition to residential and commercial lawns due to lower input requirements relative to bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). This has led to increased interest in using zoysiagrass for golf course putting greens; however, zoysiagrass establishment from sprigs is prolonged compared to bermudagrass. Research was conducted in Knoxville, TN to determine the effect of soil temperature on ‘Prizm’ zoysiagrass establishment from sprigs. The study was conducted over replicate experimental runs in separate glasshouses in 2022. Prizm zoysiagrass was exposed to high, medium, and low 5 cm soil temperature treatments, which were imposed via water bath. Over the 49-day study period, the high, medium, and low treatments averaged ~36 °C, ~32 °C, and ~28 °C, respectively. The medium and low treatments averaged 92% turfgrass coverage 49 days after planting (DAP) in run A, which was significantly greater than the high-soil-temperature treatment (70%). In run B, the medium soil temperature achieved 92% turfgrass coverage 44 DAP, which was significantly greater than the low (78%) and high (74%) treatments. Independent of other environmental variables, results from this study imply that an average daily 5 cm soil temperature of approximately 32 °C would likely result in the most rapid establishment of Prizm zoysiagrass from sprigs.