Home field advantage: Beneficial bacteria could protect turfgrass from damaging disease

Aug 7, 2023

1 min

Harsh Bais


Sports leagues from the pros on down use turfgrass because it's a hearty grass that can be mowed to exceedingly short heights and tolerates trampling foot traffic with ease. 


But it does have a shortcoming: Turfgrass is vulnerable to a pathogen called dollar spot.


UD researchers Harsh Bais and Erik Ervin and doctoral student Charanpreet Kaur are part of a team studying the beneficial properties of UD1022, a UD-patented beneficial bacteria, to see whether it can be effective in protecting turfgrass. 


Left unchecked, dollar spot can result in huge economic losses for golf courses and other places where turfgrass must be managed and protected.


Known as a growth promoter that can help plants flourish, the hope is that UD1022 can be a green alternative to complement existing turf-management processes already in use.


Bais, a professor of plant and soil sciences, is available for interviews and can be contacted by clicking on his profile below this photo or via his ExpertFile profile.



Connect with:
Harsh Bais

Harsh Bais

Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences

Prof. Bais conducts research in plant signaling – how plants recognize and communicate with one another.

Plant-Microbe InteractionsPlant BiologyPlant SignalingRoot ExudationPlant and Soil Sciences and Horticulture
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from University of Delaware

Concussions in soccer featured featured image

1 min

Concussions in soccer featured

University of Delaware professor Tom Kaminski leads FIFA’s research on header safety and avoiding concussions. NBC10 Delaware Bureau reporter Tim Furlong tells us more about his findings.

The Business of Youth Soccer and Youth Sports Participation featured image

1 min

The Business of Youth Soccer and Youth Sports Participation

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less starting this week, the University of Delaware's John Allgood is available to discuss the business of soccer, youth sports participation and the tournament's impact on communities and the economy. A former United Soccer League top executive and instructor of sport management, Allgood has firsthand experience in both the business and development sides of the sport. Through his experience as a USL franchise owner, Allgood can discuss the World Cup’s economic impact and why the sport is a unifying force. He can discuss how the World Cup will boost participation and fan interest in soccer, especially among youth players. Allgood can address the tiered structure of soccer in the U.S., including the pay-to-play system in youth soccer that is different from development models in other countries. To arrange an interview with Allgood, send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.

World Cup 2026: Former soccer executive analyzes tournament economics and youth soccer structure featured image

1 min

World Cup 2026: Former soccer executive analyzes tournament economics and youth soccer structure

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup days away, the University of Delaware's John Allgood is available to discuss the business of soccer, youth sports participation and the tournament's impact on communities and the economy. As a former United Soccer League (USL) top executive, Allgood brings firsthand experience and knowledge of the commercial operations and development sides of the sport. He also currently serves as an instructor of sport management at UD. Areas of expertise relevant to the World Cup include: • Economic impact: How the tournament will drive local revenue. • The business of soccer: Sports marketing and the commercialization of global sports entertainment. • U.S. youth soccer: The tiered structure of soccer in the U.S., including the pay-to-play system in youth soccer that is different from development models in other countries. • Participation and interest: How the World Cup will boost participation and fan interest in soccer, especially among youth players. • Soccer as a unifying force: The sports' social impact and how it brings people together. To reach Allgood directly and arrange an interview, click the "contact" button on his profile. Interested journalists can also send an email to mediarelations@udel.edu.

View all posts