Address: 338 Alderman Hall 1970 Folwell Avenue St. Paul, MN 55108
Eric Watkins, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Rutgers University, 2004. Dr. Watkins' research focuses on the development of new low-input turfgrass cultivars for use in Minnesota. Currently, the majority of turfgrass breeding occurs in either New Jersey or Oregon; turfgrass cultivars developed in Minnesota should be better able to survive and thrive in this climate. Research activities involve germplasm improvement of several cool-season turfgrass species including Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass. A major focus of his research is breeding native grasses such as prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha) for use as low-input turf. He is also involved with turfgrass cultivar evaluation and other turfgrass science research. Dr. Watkins teaches three undergraduate turfgrass science courses.
Reference:
Watkins, E., T.J. Gianfagna, R. Sun, and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Volatile compounds of tufted hairgrass. Crop Science. In press.
Watkins, E., and W. A. Meyer. 2005. Evaluation of tufted hairgrass germplasm as low-maintenance turf. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 10:666-673.
Watkins, E., and W.A. Meyer. 2004. Morphological characterization of turf-type tall fescue genotypes. HortScience 39(3):615-619.
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