ITRC 2025 Spotlights Turfgrass Climate Adaptation
As climate change reshapes the landscape of turf management, the 2025 International Turfgrass Research Conference (ITRC) in Karuizawa, Japan, emerged as a vital hub for innovation and collaboration. Over five days, the global turfgrass community gathered to explore how robotics, genetics, and sustainable practices are transforming the industry. From autonomous mowing and precision spraying to disease resistance, carbon sequestration, and climate-smart breeding, the conference highlighted the urgent need — and exciting potential — for a more resilient and sustainable turf future.
Autonomy and Precision
A central focus of ITRC 2025 was the accelerating integration of robotic and autonomous technologies in turfgrass management. Throughout the conference, experts showcased how innovations like self-operating mowers, targeted sprayers, and advanced digital sensors are delivering both environmental and operational benefits. These tools are not only minimizing labor demands and cutting emissions, but also enabling highly precise practices that align with global sustainability goals.
Sessions highlighted technologies such as real-time pest detection and ultra-accurate chemical application systems. These innovations are helping turf professionals reduce pesticide usage and optimize nutrient delivery — crucial steps in navigating evolving regulations and growing ecological expectations.
Turf Diseases in a Shifting Climate
As climate patterns shift, so do disease pressures — a key concern raised by turfgrass pathologists at the event. Research presented pointed to increasing intensity and persistence of diseases like Dollar spot, Pink snow mold, and Spring dead spot. The spotlight was on breeding disease-resistant cultivars, refining predictive modeling, and deploying alternative treatments including UV-C light, biological controls, and adaptive fungicide scheduling.
Integrated pest management (IPM) and responsible fungicide use were central themes, especially in the European context where chemical restrictions are becoming stricter and fungicide resistance remains a looming threat.
Turf’s Role in Climate Mitigation
A dedicated stream on soil and water management emphasized the essential role of turfgrass systems in tackling climate-related challenges. Presenters shared findings on drought resilience, evapotranspiration behavior, irrigation optimization, and the development of water-efficient grass varieties. Research underscored how even modest tweaks in rootzone construction and irrigation planning can significantly enhance turf performance in water-scarce conditions.
Also gaining attention was turf’s contribution to carbon storage. Studies evaluated golf courses and urban green spaces not just for their aesthetic and recreational value, but for their ability to sequester carbon, moderate soil temperatures, and support diverse microbial ecosystems — functions that are increasingly vital in a warming climate.
Genetic Advances and Future Directions
Turfgrass breeding was another major topic, with presentations focusing on enhancing drought and salinity tolerance, as well as overall stress resilience. Advances in molecular breeding tools and digital phenotyping are fast-tracking cultivar development, offering exciting possibilities for seed companies and turf managers looking to future-proof their landscapes.
Seeing Turf in Its Element
The conference’s field tours provided a unique opportunity to observe Zoysia and cool-season species growing in their natural habitats. From world-class Olympic venues to tranquil highland golf courses, the range of species and maintenance approaches on display was impressive. The widespread challenge posed by Poa annua remained a recurring theme — highlighting the ongoing tension between aesthetic goals, functional performance, and ecological realities.