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Course Status: Not Currently Scheduled
The next offering of this course is tentatively planned for Fall 2022. Please join our email list to be notified when registration opens!
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Course Overview
This class focuses exclusively on the major turf diseases you will battle in the field. Rich Buckley, Director of the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Lab, will teach you how to identify and control turf diseases from Dollar Spot to Pythium Blight. Rich emphasizes an integrated pest management approach to identify and alleviate the cause of the problem, rather than repeatedly treating its symptoms. Rich makes it fun yet informative!
This insight from Rich Buckley provides a glimpse into the type of knowledge you’ll gain from attending this class: “Poor turf is not the result of disease; disease is a result of poor turf. Be a good turf disease manager by becoming a competent agronomist. Then you can grow turf that tolerates, resists, or quickly recovers from pathogen attack.”
Featured Topics
- Selection and Use of Fungicides
- Integrated Control Strategies for Turf Diseases
- Diseases Caused by the Fungus Rhizoctonia
- Root-infecting Patch Diseases
- Diseases Caused by the Fungus Pythium
- Spots in the Grass: Dollar Spot, Copper Spot, Dead Spot, Red Thread
- Rusts, Molds, and Mildew
- Fairy Rings
- Anthracnose
Who Should Attend?
This class is well-suited to individuals who handle turf management in a variety of settings including home lawns, parks, public grounds, school grounds, and more. Past participants have included:
- Commercial Pesticide Applicators
- Department of Public Works Employees
- Fertilizer Technicians
- Golf Course Superintendents
- Grounds Management Professionals
- Landscapers
- Lawn Care Professionals
- Park Maintenance Workers
- School Grounds Maintenance Workers
Meet Your Instructor
Rich Buckley, Rutgers University

Rich Buckley runs the Plant Diagnostic Lab and Nematode Detection Service at the Ralph Geiger Turfgrass Education Center at Rutgers. With decades of experience working in one of the leading diagnostic labs in the country, he is highly regarded as a leader in the field of turfgrass problem solving. After earning his BS in Entomology and Plant Pathology from the University of Delaware, Richard Buckley received an MS in Turfgrass Pathology from Rutgers University. In 2006, he received the Rutgers Turfgrass Alumni Association Achievement Award. In 2012, he was awarded the New Jersey Turfgrass Association Recognition Award.
Student Reviews
“Rich Buckley is a terrific instructor and amazingly knowledgeable. Enjoy his commentary along the way to break up the dryness of the subject.”
– Past Participant
“Really enjoyed all of it, each individual disease was covered well.”
– Past Participant
“I learned about the different diseases for this area and the conditions that favor them.”
– Past Participant
Continuing Education Credits
The most recent offering of Turfgrass Disease Management was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.
Maryland
MD Pesticide Applicators: Pending
New Jersey
NJ / CT Pesticide Applicators: Pending
NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 10 Technical Contact Hours
Pennsylvania
PA Pesticide Applicators: Pending
DE, NY, and MA Pesticide Applicators: If you need pesticide credits in these states, you must register and notify Joe Canzano at least 45 days before the course start date. Call 848-932-7317 or send an email to joe.canzano@rutgers.edu.
Attention U.S. Veterans

This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about Turfgrass Disease Management, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

Administrative Assistant: Beth Perez
848-932-7483
beth.perez@rutgers.edu
For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.