About

Dominic Petrella is an Assistant Professor of Managed Turfgrass Systems in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota. His research program aims to better understand turfgrass responses to environmental stress through developing improved screening and evaluation methods that also informs plant breeding. Dominic's goal is to design experiments that not only help us learn more about turfgrass biology, but also helps develop more resilient cultivars. His primary research interests revolve around turfgrass and plant response to environmental cues and stresses, with most attention paid to responses to light. He is interested in turfgrass perception and acclimation to altered spectral radiation due to foliar shade and using this information to select and breed for shade tolerant turfgrasses. He is also interested in the response of shaded turfgrasses to other co-occurring stresses such as the effects of ultraviolet light and high-intensity light on turfgrasses under shade.

Research topics

• Biology
• Botany
• Horticulture
• Agronomy
• Chemistry
• Genetics
• Optics
• Physics

Selected publications

• Soybean flour as an alternative plant-based fertilizer for high-cut lawns

  2025-11-10

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  Increasing environmental concerns surrounding synthetic fertilizers have prompted exploration of sustainable, plant-based, alternatives for turfgrass lawns. This study evaluated defatted soybean flour as a potential plant-based fertilizer option for high-cut turfgrass systems when applied as a powder, drench, or spray. The fertilizer response of soybean flour was compared to corn gluten meal (CGM) and untreated controls in greenhouse and field experiments in Wooster and Columbus Ohio, and West Lafayette Indiana. In controlled environment experiments, soybean flour applied as a powder resulted in positive dose-dependent turfgrass responses, with an optimal nitrogen rate between 19.5–29.3 kg N ha⁻¹. Field trials in which soybean flour was drenched on turfgrasses confirmed these findings, showing increased turfgrass quality, NDVI, and dark green color index at optimal application rates. Unlike CGM applied to field plots, soybean flour produced more rapid initial growth responses and a lower long-term response. When soybean flour was sprayed on turfgrass plots, turfgrass growth and other parameters also increased compared to untreated controls. The results suggest that soybean flour could be viable plant-based fertilizer for high-cut lawns, offering comparable performance to existing plant-based standards, such as CGM, with potential for broader adoption in environmentally conscious turfgrass management. Future work should focus on refining application methods and nutrient release profiles to improve practicality and consistency for industry and homeowner use.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Effect of cool season turfgrass mixtures and mycorrhizal inoculation at establishment to sequential acute droughts under field conditions

  Crop Science · 2025-11-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Turfgrass species mixtures are often recommended over the use of single species due to greater genetic diversity to meet broader landscape needs. However, the intended composition of the mixture can change over time due to rates, contrasting tolerance to environmental stresses, and management practices. Strategies used to increase tolerance to stresses, such as drought, include applications of beneficial microorganisms, which may favor some turfgrass species in a mixture. The application of mycorrhizal inoculant is popular, but mycorrhizae's impact on turfgrass mixture response to drought is unknown. To address both the need for more information about turfgrass mixtures and the use of microbial inoculants, field experiments were conducted in Minnesota using mixtures and monocultures of Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.), and hard fescue ( Festuca brevipila Tracey), each with and without inoculation with mycorrhizae. Plots were exposed to sequential drought and recovery periods lasting ∼30 days. Data were collected on turfgrass health and species cover. Results showed that the application of mycorrhizal inoculant during the establishment period did not impact species cover and had little effect on reducing symptoms of drought stress. Hard fescue performed the best during both drought and recovery even when mixed at a low proportion with the other species, especially when mixed with Kentucky bluegrass. Turfgrass species cover was consistent across drought and recovery periods, except for when species were replaced by bare soils or weeds.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Recovery of five cool‐season turfgrasses following long‐term ice encasement

  Crop Science · 2025-03-01 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Ice encasement is a major concern for turfgrass managers in cold climates; however, there is a lack of data about both which turfgrasses are best suited for survival under these conditions and the reasons behind the superior recovery of some grasses from long‐term ice encasement. In this study, we encased golf course putting greens‐height field plots of creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera L.), velvet bentgrass ( Agrostis canina L.), annual bluegrass ( Poa annua L. var. reptans Hausskn.), Chewings fescue ( Festuca . rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaudin), and slender creeping red fescue ( F . rubra L. ssp. littoralis (G. Mey.) Auquier) with ice for 90–120 days with the inclusion of CO 2 , O 2 , and temperature sensors at 2.5 and 12.5 cm depth to better understand environmental conditions under ice and factors related to winterkill. Velvet bentgrass had the best overall performance and recovery, while annual bluegrass did not survive. Differences in recovery among turfgrass taxa may have been affected by the length of the ice encasement period, higher CO 2 levels (>40,000 ppm), and lower O 2 values, particularly in the second experimental run. During the recovery period in both years, photochemical efficiency values began increasing 5–10 days before percent green cover, suggesting that visual performance of the turf surface is a lagging indicator of recovery. Overall, recovery from ice encasement was annual bluegrass < Chewings fescue < creeping bentgrass = slender creeping red fescue = velvet bentgrass. These results can guide turfgrass managers in making species selection decisions in areas where long‐duration ice encasement is a risk.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Effects of cultivar, synthetic cover, and plant health products on creeping bentgrass establishment in early spring

  International Turfgrass Society research journal · 2025-03-06

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Winter damage of golf turf in northern environments is a persistent challenge, and reseeding is often necessary to promote recovery and to maintain adequate density and uniformity for play. However, adverse conditions associated with spring seedings can negatively impact reestablishment of creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera L.) (CBG) on golf greens, tees, and fairways. The objectives of the research were to examine different strategies to promote rapid reestablishment of CBG in early spring, including cultivar selection, use of a synthetic cover, and application of plant health products. To assess the impacts of CBG cultivars and cover on reestablishment, 12 cultivars and two cover treatments (without or with a permeable synthetic cover) were established at two locations in 2021 (South Deerfield, A, and Saint Paul, MN). The effects of plant health products on CBG establishment were assessed in separate field trials at two locations in 2021 and 2022 (South Deerfield, MA, and Grimstad, Norway). Plant health product treatments were applied on a weekly basis following emergence and included: control (water), chitosan, silica, acibenzolar S‐methyl, glycine betaine, seaweed extracts (alone or together with humic substances), trinexapac‐ethyl, and gibberellic acid. Soil and air temperatures were monitored, and plots were visually assessed for changes in percent green turfgrass cover. The use of a permeable cover increased soil temperatures and decreased the time to achieve 50% turfgrass cover by 7–12 days, depending on location and regardless of cultivar. Compared to effect of covering treatment, most CBG did not significantly vary in spring establishment rates, except for Independence, which exhibited slower establishment. Among the various plant health products tested over 2 years and two locations, we did not identify any specific product that consistently enhanced early spring establishment of CBG.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Rolling after the application of a contact fungicide does not reduce efficacy on putting greens

  2025-11-24

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Golf course superintendents are often challenged by labor shortages and must find creative ways to complete maintenance tasks before golfers arrive, such as rolling putting greens directly after a fungicide application. However, there is concern that rolling immediately after fungicide has been applied could reduce its efficacy. The objective of this research was to determine if rolling directly after a contact fungicide application reduces disease suppression on putting greens. Field experiments were conducted in 2021 and 2022 in Saint Paul, MN, and in 2022 in Columbus, OH. The experimental design was a split-plot randomized complete block examining the interaction between rolling and fungicide application. The fungicide Secure® Action™ (fluazinam with acibenzolar-S-methyl) was applied approximately every 14 or 28 days and was or was not rolled after application. Data were collected for dollar spot ( Clarireedia jacksonii ) and Rhizoctonia disease, turfgrass quality, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). In 2021, fungicide application significantly reduced Rhizoctonia infection centers and improved turfgrass quality and NDVI, regardless of the rolling treatment in Saint Paul. In 2022, fungicide application significantly reduced the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) for dollar spot at both locations and for Rhizoctonia in Saint Paul. There was no significant effect of rolling or its interaction with fungicide on disease control in any experiment. These data show that rolling after applying Secure® Action™ (a contact fungicide plus a systemic chemical) did not reduce its efficacy.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Response of cool‐season turfgrass monocultures and two‐way mixtures to sequential acute drought periods

  Crop Science · 2024-10-08 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Turfgrass seeds are often sold as mixtures of several species to increase the probability of positive responses toward abiotic and biotic stresses, a response to drought being one of these. Several species of turfgrass are already thought to be better suited for drought, such as hard fescue ( Festuca brevipila Tracey) and tall fescue [ Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort]. However, little is known about the benefit of these species in mixtures with drought‐intolerant and/or drought‐avoiding species during drought. Understanding species mixture composition during establishment, before and after drought stress periods, could help develop more resilient mixtures for this stress condition. We compared monocultures and mixtures of hard fescue, Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.), and perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) during sequential short drought and recovery periods in controlled conditions. We observed that the composition of most mixtures remained similar during drought and recovery periods; however, perennial ryegrass was often less prevalent after drought stress. We found that hard fescue monocultures had better green leaf coverage than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass during drought stress. However, the presence of hard fescue in mixtures was not an indicator of greater drought tolerance, and variable fluorescence to maximal fluorescence data indicated that hard fescue was just as physiologically stressed as perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass during the drought periods. These results indicate that while hard fescue seems visually drought tolerant, it is still physiologically stressed and improved drought tolerance could be achieved through focusing on physiological indicators of stress in this species rather than visual indicators.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Spring wheat canopy effects on light dynamics and yield of intercropped fine fescues

  Crop Science · 2023-07-22 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Turfgrass stakeholder surveys have indicated fine fescue ( Festuca spp.) seed will become in higher demand, but fine fescue seed production in the United States, especially in Oregon, has not increased. Northern Minnesota is conducive for cool‐season turfgrass seed production and has existing infrastructure to produce turfgrass seed. There is an exciting opportunity for Northern Minnesotan farmers to increase revenue by producing fine fescue seed; however, fine fescues require a growing season for establishment prior to seed production, and an economic crop during the first growing season is needed. Most fine fescues are considered shade tolerant and should establish under spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), which is the current cropping system used for perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) seed production in Minnesota. Experiments were established in Roseau (2018 and 2019) and St. Paul (2018) in which several cultivars of Chewings, hard and strong creeping red fescue were interseeded with spring wheat. Our objectives were to examine stand and seed production of these three fine fescue taxa in comparison with perennial ryegrass. All three taxa were negatively affected by wheat, possibly from excessive shade from the wheat canopy. The fine fescue culm index (number of culms relative to whole‐plant biomass) grown in wheat was lower, indicating that vernalization was negatively impacted, resulting in seed yield reduction. Our results demonstrate that the currently used perennial ryegrass–spring wheat cropping system is not optimized for fine fescue seed production, especially hard fescue, and more research is needed to improve this cropping system in Northern Minnesota.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Association of hard fescue (<i>Festuca brevipila</i>) stress tolerances with genome mapped markers

  Crop Science · 2023-12-11 · 5 citations

  article

  Abstract Hard fescue is an allo‐hexaploid, caespitose, cool‐season grass that is part of the fine‐leaved ovina complex of the Lolium – Festuca clade in Poaceae. It is predominantly used as a low‐maintenance turfgrass and soil stabilization grass in situations with reduced inputs of nitrogen and water. While often recommended for use under tree canopies, prolonged foliar shade can thin turf stands and reduce their functionality; furthermore, gray snow mold caused by Typhula incarnata can further affect hard fescue turfgrass functionality. In this study, we gathered a diverse population of hard fescue collections and varieties, which fit into four genetic structures. Because no genomic reference sequences exist for this species, a contig‐level pseudohaploid genomic reference was assembled from a plant of the hard fescue variety Beacon. With 98% benchmarking universal single‐copy orthologs (BUSCO) coverage from 241 contigs, this reference assembly was used to conduct genome‐wide association analysis. Thirty‐eight single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were associated with foliar shade response phenotypes, including SNPs near molybdate transporter and cytochrome P450 genes. Three SNP markers were associated with gray snow mold responses, with one located near a Protein Kinase G11 gene and corresponding to a 20% improvement in gray snow mold resistance.

  PublisherDOI

• Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Creeping Bentgrass during Heat, Salt, and Combined Stress

  HortScience · 2023-02-28 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera L.) is a turfgrass species that is widely used on golf courses throughout the United States. In field settings, plants are often subjected to more than one stress at a time, and studying stresses independently is likely insufficient. Stresses, such as heat stress and salt stress, can affect plant hormone levels and, in turn, plant hormone levels can affect how well the plant tolerates stress. The objectives of the experiments were to determine if the levels of heat stress and salt stress used would be detrimental to creeping bentgrass health, and if applying plant growth regulators could improve plant health during stress. During the first experiment, creeping bentgrass was transplanted to hydroponics systems in two different growth chambers. One chamber was set to have day and night temperatures of 35 °C and 30 °C (heat stress), respectively, and the other had day and night temperatures of 25 °C and 20 °C, respectively. Within each chamber, one block received a 50 mM NaCl treatment (salt stress) and the other did not (control). The stress treatments were applied for 14 days. Results of the first experiment indicated that the treatments were sufficient to negatively affect creeping bentgrass growth and health as indicated by fresh shoot and root weights, tillering, electrolyte leakage, and total chlorophyll content (TCC). There were significant interactions of temperature × salt level detected for shoot and root weights and electrolyte leakage. Plants that were exposed to both heat stress and salt stress were more negatively affected than plants exposed to either heat stress or salt stress alone for all metrics except for tillering. The presence of salt reduced tillering regardless of the temperature regimen. During the second experiment, plants were treated the same, but the plant growth regulator (PGR) treatments were also applied. The PGR treatments consisted of two different gibberellic acid (GA) synthesis inhibitor products, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, two different rates of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), an ethylene synthesis suppressor, and plants that were not treated with the PGR. In addition to the measurements of plant health and growth, dry shoot and root weights were measured. For the TCC, there was a two-way interaction between temperature × PGR treatment. For electrolyte leakage, there was a three-way interaction between temperature × salt level × PGR treatment. Combined heat stress and salt stress negatively affected all plants regardless of PGR treatment, but there were differences between PGR treatments. Plants treated with AVG exhibited improved health and growth compared with the other PGR treatments. These plants had the highest shoot and root masses. Plants treated with GA synthesis inhibitors had the lowest shoot and root masses as well as the lowest TCC when subjected to stress.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Mapping Responsive Genomic Elements to Heat Stress in a Maize Diversity Panel

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2022-06-24 · 2 citations

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Many plant species exhibit genetic variation for tolerating environmental stress. A transcriptome investigation of over 100 maize inbreds revealed many cis - and trans -acting eQTLs that influence the expression response to heat stress. The cis -acting eQTL in response to heat stress are identified in genes with differential responses to heat stress between genotypes as well as genes that are only expressed under heat stress. The cis -acting variants for heat stress responsive expression likely result from distinct promoter activities and the differential heat responses of the alleles were confirmed for selected genes using transient expression assays. Global foot-printing of transcription factor binding was performed in control and heat stress conditions to document regions with heat-enriched transcription factor binding occupancies. Footprints enriched near proximal regions of characterized heat-responsive genes in a large association panel can be utilized for prioritizing functional genomic regions that regulate genotype-specific responses under heat stress.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Eric Watkins

  16 shared

• David S. Gardner

  University of Nottingham

  9 shared

• Edward J. Nangle

  College of Wooster

  8 shared

• Julia Engelhorn

  Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

  7 shared

• James D. Metzger

  The Ohio State University

  7 shared

• Thomas Hartwig

  Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

  7 shared

• Florence Breuillin‐Sessoms

  The Ohio State University

  7 shared

• Joshua J. Blakeslee

  6 shared

Labs

• Dominic Petrella's LabPI

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Education

• Ph.D., Horticulture and Crop Science

  The Ohio State University

  2017

• BSc Agriculture

  The Ohio State University

  2011

• BSc Biology

  Youngstown State University

  2008