Jason J. Henderson , Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Turfgrass and Soil Sciences

University of Connecticut
Department of Plant Science
1376 Storrs Road, U-4067
Storrs, CT 06269

Office Location: 112 W.B. Young Building
Telephone: (860) 486-0189
Fax: (860) 486-0682
e-mail: jason.henderson@uconn.edu

B.S. in Agricultural Systems Management: Pennsylvania State University, 1997
M.S. in Crop and Soil Sciences: Michigan State University, 2000
Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences: Michigan State University, 2003

PLSC 298, Urban and Sports Turf Soils
SAPL 022, Introduction to Soil Science

Nathaniel Miller , Master of Science

My research program focuses on four main areas. 1) improving turfgrass establishment techniques for athletic fields to minimize establishment periods and maximize traffic tolerance, 2)  investigating soil modification techniques utilizing cost effective materials to optimize the root zones ability to support turfgrass growth and provide a traffic tolerant surface, 3) developing new laboratory methods to accurately assess suitability of root zone constituents prior to constructing or modifying high quality turfgrass areas, and 4) examining alternative construction and management methods for high quality turfgrass areas to minimize cost and optimize performance, sustainability, and safety. Current research projects include; i) the effect of sod establishment timing on rooting strength; ii) the effect of particle size distribution and sand depth on soil moisture and temperature; iii) the impact of fairway topdressing on soil physical properties, turfgrass quality, and disease severity; and iv) correlating quantitative values of sand particle shape to root zone strength properties.

Henderson, J.J., J.R. Crum, T. F. Wolff, J.N. Rogers, III. 2005. Effects of particle size distribution and water content at compaction on saturated hydraulic conductivity and strength of high sand content root zone materials. Soil Science. 170(5): p.315-324.

Henderson, J.J., J.L. Lanovaz, J.N. Rogers, III, J.C. Sorochan, J.T. Vanini. 2005. A new apparatus to simulate athletic field traffic: The Cady Traffic Simulator. Agron. J 97: 1153-1157.

Vanini, J.T., J.J. Henderson, J.C. Sorochan, J.N. Rogers, III. Evaluating turfgrass wear by the Brinkman traffic simulator and Cady traffic simulator on a Kentucky bluegrass stand. Crop Science 47(2):780-784.

Henderson, J.J. 2007. Right Root Zone Recipe Maximizes Performance. SportsTurf. 23(1): P. 14, 16-18. pdf

Henderson, J.J., J.N. Rogers, III, J.R. Crum. The effects of natural and artificial root zone inclusions on the playing surface characteristics of trafficked Kentucky bluegrass. In Preparation.