Dr. Jason Kruse
Associate Professor / Turfgrass Management
Dr. Jason Kruse is an Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science in the Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, Gainesville. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Idaho, his M.S. degree from the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. His work has focused on nutrient and water management in both warm- and cool-season grasses including the evaluation and use of site-specific management practices as a means of improving turfgrass health while reducing inputs. Jason has published in the Journal of Environmental Quality, Crop Science, Agronomy Journal, HortScience, and the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal.
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RESEARCH
Turfgrass Management
My research focuses on how nutrient and water management strategies affect the health and environmental impact of turfgrass systems. Emphasis is placed on improving our understanding of stress physiology in warm-season grasses, safety and management of athletic fields, evaluation and development of new technologies in the areas of remote sensing, and soil moisture sensors as tools for improved management of turfgrass systems. The goal of my research program is to increase the knowledge related to the inputs (water, nutrients, etc.) required to maintain a healthy turfgrass system under a variety of conditions including traffic stress, drought stress, and nutrient deficiency. My program also emphasizes the construction of a knowledge base as it relates to the relationship between management of turfgrass systems and the resulting impact on water quality.
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TEACHING
My teaching responsibilities include teaching core courses for the Plant Science degree program. I serve as the Undergraduate Coordinator for the Environmental Horticulture Department and act as a liaison professor for students transferring into the program from the Florida community colleges. I serve as an academic advisor for undergraduate students, advisor for the UF Turf Club, and I am actively involved in mentoring of graduate students through my teaching and research programs.
Course Taught
- ORH3222C Turfgrass Culture
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EDUCATION
- Ph.D. Horticulture/Turfgrass Science – Iowa State University 2004
- M.S. Soil and Water Science – University of Florida 2001
- B.S. Crop Science – University of Idaho - 1999
- PUBLICATIONS
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RECENT SERVICES AND HONORS
SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Thesis Selection Committee Member, 2008
- Facility Director – Turfgrass Envirotron College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Spring Commencement Marshal, 2008
SERVICE TO COMMUNITY
- Volunteer judge for Lincoln Middle School 2007-2008 Science Fair
SERVICE TO PROFESSION
- North Florida STMA Board Member 2007 – PRESENT
- Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Member 2007 – PRESENT
- Florida Golf Course Superintendants Association 2007 – PRESENT
- Florida Turfgrass Association Member 1999 – PRESENT
- Wisconsin Green Industry Federation Member 2005 – 2007
- Wisconsin Turfgrass Association Member 2005 – 2007
- Dettman-Kruse, page 6
- Epsilon Sigma Phi Member 2005 – PRESENT
- Crop Science Society Of America Member 2001 – PRESENT
- American Society Of Agronomy Member 2001 – PRESENT
- Golf Course Superintendents Assn. of America Member 2003 – PRESENT
- Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association Member 2001 – 2004
- Iowa Turfgrass Institute Member 2001 – 2004
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society 2002 – PRESENT
- Treasurer - Graduate Student Horticultural Society 2001 – 2003
- Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society 2001 – PRESENT
- G.C. Horn Turfgrass Research Fellowship 2000 - 2001
- Alpha Zeta Outstanding Senior, University of Idaho 1999
- American Society of Agronomy Outstanding Senior 1999
- Alpha Zeta Honor Fraternity 1997 – PRESENT