Dennis Martin is a Professor & Turfgrass Extension/Research Specialist at Oklahoma State University. He joined the faculty of OSU in September of 1990. Dr. Martin currently holds the Huffine Endowed Professorship and has an 75% extension and 25% research assignment. Dr. Martin received his Bachelor of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture at the University of Illinois with specialization in Turfgrass Management. His MSci and PhD degrees were in Horticulture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Dr. Martin's research activities include: evaluation of a number of turfgrass species for general adaptation to Oklahoma. He assists in development of new seeded and vegetative propagated cold hardy bermudagrasses for sports turf, golf course fairways/tees and home lawns. He is a co-inventor of Yukon, Riviera, Patriot, Latitude 36, NorthBridge, and Tahoma 31 bermudagrasses. Specific turfgrass research areas have involved evaluation of bermudagrasses for spring dead spot disease resistance, and evaluation of drought resistance of various bermudagrasses. Dr. Martin leads the roadside vegetation management (RVM) team at OSU. The RVM team has evaluated a number of herbicide programs for weed control on roadsides, tested a number of herbicide/adjuvant tank mixes for compatibility, and tested roadside mowing timings/frequency for effect on presence of green antelopehorn milkweed.

Dr. Martin's extension activities include: Development of formal suggestions for turfgrass selection, establishment, maintenance and pest control practices on golf courses, sod farms, athletic fields and commercial grounds in Oklahoma. He and his team have conducted hundreds of pesticide applicator training workshops for turf and ornamental applicators and right-of-way managers over the decades. Extension outreach activities have included over 100 thousand turf extension consultations, several hundred pesticide applicator workshops and several thousand turfgrass diagnostic site visits over the decades.

His honors and awards include: Recognitions Awards for the Development of Proprietary Technologies and for assistance in the development of Licensing of Production Rights Associated with Latitude 36, NorthBridge, Patriot, Riviera and Yukon bermudagrasses. Dr. Martin and his team have been recognized with being awarded the Outstanding Extension Program Award in the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and Recognition Awards for Patenting of Latitude 36, NorthBridge and Patriot bermudagrasses.

Research Interests:

Development of turf-type bermudagrasses with improved fit for use on golf course fairways/tee boxes, sports fields, and lawns. Elucidation of adapted turfgrass varieties and increasing public adoption of turfgrasses with improved biotic and abiotic stress tolerance as well as tolerance to climate change. Methods and management programs allowing for preservation of native landscapes in the face of increasing urbanization. Development of integrated vegetation management (IVM) practices for right-of-way and utility site areas. Creation of vegetation management programs that meet the needs of motorist safety and aesthetics while preserving and improving native character, and wildlife habitat.