13th International Turfgrass Research Conference: Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Environment

crop science, vol. 57, july–august 2017 www.crops.org vii environment has on our personal and professional lives. A changing climate and availability of water are critical environmental issues that affect the selection and management of turfgrass species now and in the future. Turfgrass science plays an essential role in developing new and improved pest control strategies as well as the efficient use of water and fertilizers, all of which is essential to sustain and enhance the environmental services provided by turfgrasses. Rapid technological changes in molecular biology and information processing and sharing continues to affect the way we live, conduct research, and maintain turfgrass. Thus, the theme—Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Environment—encompasses these and other subject matter presented and discussed at the 2017 ITRC. Papers at the 2017 ITRC include keynote presentations on climate change, sustainable water management, breeding for enhanced stress tolerance, and phytobiomes; symposium papers on the recent work to advance Zoysia spp. for use in turfgrass systems around the globe; and volunteered papers addressing ecology, conservation, physiology, genetics, breeding, management, and pests of turfgrasses. And ITS encourages the next generation of leaders in academics and industry through participation in the graduate student oral and poster paper competitions. The ITS greatly appreciates the cooperation and hard work of reviewers and associate editors as well as 13th International Turfgrass Research Conference: Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Environment