Speaker: Dr. Ben Wherley, Associate Professor Soil & Crop Sciences

My Educational Programs / Sessions @ Nursery/Landscape EXPO

TCEQ CEU Session: Evapotranspiration
Wednesday, August 9 -- 7:45 AM - 8:45 AM
Gain knowledge on the availability and utilization of reference evapotranspiration (ETo), in estimating real-time or historical-based turf irrigation scheduling requirements. Research-based data will be provided highlighting both use of ETo for meeting turf species/cultivar consumptive water requirements during good times as well as meeting minimal irrigation requirements during water conservation periods. Soil, plant, and site factors affecting determination of appropriate irrigation frequency will also be discussed. Current data By the end of the presentation you will know more about: -Open-access reference ET (ETo) data are widely available throughout Texas -ETo can be helpful in developing a data-driven irrigation management program -Knowledge of consumptive and minimal ETo-based irrigation requirements for warm-season turf species and cultivars can promote more efficient irrigation management -Determination of appropriate irrigation frequency for a given site is a function of plant, soil, and site characteristics. from an ongoing study to determine turfgrass crop coefficients for central Texas will also be provided.Dr. Ben Wherley is Professor of Turfgrass Science & Ecology in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Although he wasn’t born in Texas, but he got here as fast as he could! He earned his PhD in Crop Science from N.C. State University, and holds both MS and BS degrees in Agronomy from The Ohio State University. Wherley oversees an active research and teaching program focused on environmental stress physiology and sustainable turfgrass management. He collaborates with faculty across a range of disciplines to solve problems facing the Texas Turf Industry. Since 2011, Wherley’s program has garnered nearly 20 million dollars in support as PI or co-PI through numerous federal, state, and industry supported projects. He’s published 55 peer-reviewed articles, has co-developed three turfgrass cultivars, and also has received one U.S. Patent. Dr. Wherley is recipient of numerous awards including the Texas A&M Veterans Association Faculty Recognition Award, GCSAA Watson Fellowship (2005), and the Turf Council of North Carolina’s Eagle Award (2007). He and his wife of 25 years Amy, and their two boys reside in College Station.