Research and Teaching Philosophy

To learn about the grasses by studying their biology and ecology. The turfgrass environment, while being somewhat two dimensional, is a very diverse and dynamic system. It is unique because of the intense demands of our use and that of the urban climate.

Current Research Topics

Improvement of turfgrass germplasm for use in low water use and saline environments. Species we are currently working with include buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides), the bluegrasses (Poa spp.), and wheatgrasses (Agropyron spp.).

Use of grass mixtures in urban landscapes for reduced irrigation requirements.

Study of gene flow from Poa pratensis to other Poa species with respect to biotechnology risk assessment.

Variety evaluation through the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program.

Education:

Ph.D.  Horticulture, 1995, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. Related field: Plant breeding. Thesis title: Genetics and Physiology of Flowering in Selected Poa annua L.

M.S.    Horticulture, 1991, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. Thesis title: Factors affecting seed set of Poa annua  L. using an excised stem technique.

B.S.    Horticulture, 1986, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Options: Turfgrass Management; Science

Employment:

Associate Professor, Graduate Studies Coordinator, Dept. of Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology, Utah State University. Appointment: 70% Research, 20% Teaching, 10% Service.

Current Teaching Activities

Turfgrass Management, Plant Science 3800,. Utah State University, On and off campus sections, Fall semesters.

Advanced Turfgrass Management, Plant Science 4800, Utah State University, On and off campus sections, Alternate spring semesters.

Readings in Landscape Water Conservation, Plant Science 6230. Utah State University, Spring 2006.

Current Graduate Student Advising:

Amy Anderton, M.S., Thesis: Reproductive fitness of transgenic Poa hybrids.

Landon Bunderson, M.S., Thesis: Mixtures of native and adapted grasses for turfgras use.

Alicia Kelley, M.S., Thesis: Apomixis in Poa.

Beth Poulson, M.S., Thesis: Use of cover crops for weed control in seed establishment of native grasses.

Adam Van Dyke, M.S., Thesis: Evaluation of humic and other organic acids for reducing irrigation and fertilizer needs on sand putting greens.

John Walker, M.S., Thesis: Sod production of native and adapted grasses.

Selected  Recent Publications:

Johnson, P.G., S.R. Larson, A.L. Anderton, J.T. Patterson, D.J. Cattani, and E.K. Nelson. 2006. Pollen-mediated gene flow from Kentucky bluegrass under cultivated field conditions. Crop Science 46:1990-1997.

Hanks, J.D., P.G. Johnson, and B.L. Waldron. 2006. Recommended seeding rates for reduced maintenance turf-type wheatgrasses. Online. Applied Turfgrass Science [doi:10.1094/ats-2006-0808-01-rs]. http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/ats/element/sum2.asp?id=5421

Chang, S.W., E. Scheef, R.A.B. Abler, S. Thomson, P. Johnson, and G. Jung. 2006. Distribution of Typhula spp. and Typhula ishkariensis varieties in Wisconsin, Utah, Michigan, and Minnesota. Phytopathology 96:926-933.

J.D. Hanks, B.L. Waldron, P.G. Johnson, K.B. Jensen, and K.H. Asay. 2005. Breeding CWG-R crested wheatgrass for reduced-maintenance turf. Crop Science 45:524-528.

Patterson, J.T., S.R. Larson, and P.G. Johnson. 2005. Genome relationships in polyploid Poa pratensis and other Poa species inferred from phylogenetic analysis of nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences. Genome 48:76-87.

J.R. Stewart, R. Kjelgren, and P.G. Johnson. 2005. Growth and water relations of littleleaf linden trees established in irrigated buffalograss and Kentucky bluegrass. HortScience 40:1529-1533.

Stewart, J. R., Kjelgren, R., Johnson, P. G., and Kuhns, M. R. 2004. Soil-water-use characteristics of precision-irrigated buffalograss and Kentucky bluegrass. Online. Applied Turfgrass Science doi:10.1094/ATS-2004-1118-01-RS. http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/ats/element/sum2.asp?id=4454

Brewer, H., J. Vinsonhaler, and P. Johnson. 2004. A study of two methods of delivery computer aided diagnostic assistance for turfgrass problems on the web. Issues in Information Systems. 5:43-48.

Dewey, D.W., P.G. Johnson, and R.K. Kjelgren. 2004. Species composition changes in a rooftop grass and wildflower meadow: Implications for designing successful mixtures. Native Plants Journal. 5:57-65.

Shearman, R.C., T.P. Riordan, and P.G. Johnson. 2004. ‘Buffalograss’ in Warm-season grasses. pg 1003-1026. ASA/CSSA/SSSA Monograph No. 45. Madison, Wisconsin.

Johnson, P.G. and M.B. Winger. 2003. The Carbon County Ball Fields. J. Nat. Res. Life Sci. Edu. 32:80-84.

Recent Extension Publications:

Water-wise Landscaping: Practical Turf Areas. 2006. Kelly Kopp, Paul Johnson, and Loralie Cox. USU Extension

Turfgrass Cultivation (Aerification). 2006. Kelly Kopp and Paul Johnson. USU Extension

Turfgrass Cultivars for Utah, 2003. Kelly Kopp and Paul Johnson, USU Extension

Less Thirsty Lawns, 2003. USU Quick Fact (www.usu.edu/quickfacts/)

Landscape Water Use Workbook. 2002. Kelly Kopp, Teresa Cerny, Roger Kjelgren, Paul Johnson, and Larry Rupp. USU Extension

Growing Turf on Salt-Affected Sites. USU Extension Publication (HG 519) - April 2002. Michael Pace and Paul G. Johnson. USU Extension

Basic Turfgrass Care. USU Extension Publication (HG 517) - April 2002. Kelly L. Kopp and Paul Johnson. USU Extension

Landscape Water Use Workbook. 2002. K. Kopp, T. Cerny, R. Kjelgren, P. Johnson, L. Rupp. USU Extension.

Professional Societies:

American Association for the Advancement of Science

American Society of Agronomy

Crop Science Society of America

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

Intermountain Golf Course Superintendents Association

International Turfgrass Society

United States Golf Association