John E. Kaminski , Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Turfgrass Pathology

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

Office Location: 115 W.B. Young Building
Telephone: (860) 486-0162
Fax: (860) 486-0682
e-mail: john.kaminski@uconn.edu

Ph.D. in Natural Resource Sciences: University of Maryland, 2004
M.S. in Agronomy: University of Maryland, 2001
B.S. in Turfgrass Science: Pennsylvania State University, 1998
B.S. in Landscape Contracting: Pennsylvania State University, 1998

Alexander I. Putman, Master of Science

My research efforts focus on the biology, epidemiology and management of chronic and economically important pathogens and diseases of intensively managed turfgrass in the Northeastern United States.  Current research projects include: i) the influence of application techniques and nozzle types on dollar spot control and Sclerotinia homoeocarpa resistance to commonly applied fungicides; ii) improving our understanding of and ability to manage anthracnose basal rot on annual bluegrass putting greens; and iii) determining the ability of various phosphite products to control algae on golf course putting greens.

In conjunction with research efforts, extension activities within the Turfgrass Pathology Program at UConn involve identifying improved turfgrass disease management strategies. To facilitate these activies, I serve as the Director of the University of Connecticut's Turfgrass Disease Diagnostic Center. The Center's primary goal is to provide accurate and rapid diagnosis so that the appropriate management strategies can be quickly implemented.

Kaminski, J.E., P.H. Dernoeden, and M.A. Fidanza. 2007.  Environmental monitoring and exploratory development of a predictive model for dead spot of creeping bentgrass.  Plant Disease 91:565-573. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., and P.H. Dernoeden.  2007.  Seasonal emergence patterns of Poa annua in Maryland.  Crop Sci. 47:773-779. pdf

Fidanza, M.A., B.B. Clarke, M.L. Agnew, J.E. Kaminski, and T. Reed.  2007.  Pesticide application research demonstrated at a field day event.  J. of Extension.  45:1IAW7. pdf

McDonald, S.J., P.H. Dernoeden, and J.E. Kaminski.  2006.  Creeping bentgrass tolerance and annual bluegrass control with Bispyribac-sodium tank-mixed with iron and nitrogen.  Online.  Applied Turfgrass Science doi:10.1094/ATS-2006-0811-01-RS. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., and T. Hsiang.  2006.  First report of Ophiosphaerella agrostis infecting creeping bentgrass in Canada.  Plant Disease 90:1114. link

Fidanza, M.A., H.C. Wetzel III, M.L. Agnew, and J.E. Kaminski.  2006.  Evaluation of fungicide and plant growth regulator tank-mix programmes on dollar spot severity of creeping bentgrass.  Crop Protection 25:1032-1038. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., and P.H. Dernoeden.  2006.  Dead spot severity, pseudothecia development, and overwintering of Ophiosphaerella agrostis in creeping bentgrass.  Phytopathology 96:248-254. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., P.H. Dernoeden, S. Mischke, and N.R. O’Neill. 2006.  Genetic diversity among Ophiosphaerella agrostis strains causing dead spot in creeping bentgrass.  Plant Disease 90:146-154. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., P.H. Dernoeden, and N.R. O’Neill.  2005.  Environmental influences on the release of Ophiosphaerella agrostis ascospores under controlled and field conditions.  Phytopathology 95:1356-1362. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., P.H. Dernoeden, N.R. O’Neill, and H.C. Wetzel III.  2005.  A PCR-based method for the detection of Ophiosphaerella agrostis in creeping bentgrass.  Plant Disease 89:980-985. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., and P.H. Dernoeden.  2005.  Nitrogen source impact on dead spot (Ophiosphaerella agrostis) incidence and severity in creeping bentgrass.  Int. Turfgrass Res. Soc. J. 10:214-223. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., and Dernoeden, P.H. 2005.  Dead spot of creeping bentgrass and hybrid bermudagrass.  Online.  Applied Turfgrass Science doi:10.1094/ATS-2005-0419-01-DG. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., P.H. Dernoeden, and C.A. Bigelow.  2004.  Creeping bentgrass seedling tolerance to herbicides and paclobutrazol.  HortScience 39:1126-1129. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., C.A. Bigelow, and P.H. Dernoeden.  2004.  Soil amendments and fertilizer effects on creeping bentgrass establishment, soil microbial activity, thatch and disease.  HortScience 39:620-626. pdf

Dernoeden, P.H., C.A. Bigelow, J.E. Kaminski, and J.M. Krouse.  2003.  Smooth crabgrass control in perennial ryegrass and creeping bentgrass tolerance to quinclorac.  HortScience 38:607-612. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., P.H. Dernoeden, N.R. O’Neill, and B. Momen.  2002.  Reactivation of bentgrass dead spot and growth, pseudothecia production and ascospore germination of Ophiosphaerella agrostis.  Plant Disease 86:1290-1296. pdf

Kaminski, J.E., and P.H. Dernoeden.  2002.  Geographic distribution, cultivar susceptibility, and field observations on bentgrass dead spot.  Plant Disease 86:1253-1259. pdf