Clemson turfgrass graduate student wins presentation award at international conference

Published: November 13, 2012

Nickel Toxicity and Nitrogen Metabolism of Two Warm-Season Turfgrass Species image by: Nick Menchyk

CLEMSON — Clemson University turfgrass science doctoral student Nick Menchyk was honored for excellence in research poster and oral presentation during the 2012 Crop Science Society of America’s International Annual Meetings in Cincinnati.

Menchyk won in the turfgrass category for his presentation titled, “Nickel Toxicity and Nitrogen Metabolism of Two Warm-Season Turfgrass Species.”

Menchyk’s research on nickel toxicity levels, nickel toxicity symptoms and urea metabolism in Diamond zoysiagrass and TifEagle Bermudagrass is believed to be the first of its kind since nickel was found to be essential for plant metabolism in the 1970s.

“It was totally unexpected, but I was very honored to be recognized in front of hundreds of turfgrass industry leaders and researchers," Menchyk said.

Menchyk’s oral presentation and poster were related to his doctoral dissertation, which he successfully defended in September.

“We are very proud of Nick’s work and his award," said Haibo Liu, a Clemson professor and turfgrass nutrition researcher. "We believe this is the first time a Clemson graduate student has won an award at this prestigious international conference." 

Nearly 4,000 people attended the Oct. 21-24 meetings and more than 3,000 papers were presented in the research areas of agronomy, crop science and soil science.

Menchyk received his undergraduate degree in turfgrass management from Clemson in 2007. He is teaching an introductory turfgrass science and will complete his doctoral work under Liu in December.

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Clemson University turfgrass program
The Clemson University turfgrass program is one of eight undergraduate majors and five graduate majors offered in the School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences (SAFES).