Author Archive

Headshot: Mike Kenna

About Mike Kenna, Ph.D.

Mike Kenna, Ph.D., is the retired director of research, USGA Green Section. Contact him at mpkenna@gmail.com.

Posts by Mike Kenna, Ph.D.

Off the record: An update on the USDA-funded dollar spot work group Posted on 17 Apr 2025 in the Columns & Current Issue & From the Magazine categories.

The USDA NC1208 project, involving numerous universities and research institutions, aims to enhance the management of dollar spot in turfgrass through a series of interconnected objectives focusing on the disease’s Read more»

Minimum mowing, fertilizer and irrigation cost estimates Posted on 21 Mar 2025 in the Research categories.

Nine turfgrass scientists roughly estimated the minimum costs required to fertilize, irrigate and mow turfgrasses using climate data, turfgrass physiology information and resource costs. Read more»

Off the Record: Cleaning out the storage unit Posted on 20 Mar 2025 in the Columns & Current Issue & From the Magazine categories.

Mike Kenna, Ph.D., walks through his storage unit jam-packed with course maintenance knowledge. Read more»

Examines nematodes as a form of pest control on the course Posted on 04 Mar 2025 in the Research & From the Magazine categories.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) can control several important turfgrass insect pests, including white grubs, weevils, cutworms and sod webworms. However, most biopesticide research has focused on releasing many EPN strains that Read more»

Off the Record: A closer look at Oklahoma State University’s turf program Posted on 25 Feb 2025 in the From the Magazine & Columns & Current Issue & Research categories.

Mike Kenna, Ph.D., gives a short history of the turfgrass program at his alma mater — Oklahoma State University. Read more»

Off the Record: The why behind water feature management Posted on 31 Jan 2025 in the Columns & Research categories.

Mike Kenna looks at management strategies for understanding pond ecology, design impacts and specific control measures for algae and aquatic plants. Read more»