Travis Roberson

Digital Platforms Field Technical Manager for Syngenta Turf and Landscape. Interested in #running #golf

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

The @VTTurfgrass Field Day reports transition to precision spray weed control with the Alba, updates on in-ground sensors & winter kill management, and undergraduate research w/ presentations by @VTTurfweeds @samTURFkreinbrg @ecakitchin and @VTTurfTeaching #vaturf @TheVTF

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

ABW update from SW Va from @TomKuhar: As of April 4, 2026, we’ve acumulated about 207 GDD in Blacksburg, VA – the beautiful redbud trees are in bloom and most of the Bradford pear trees are post bloom. For the entire month of March, we hardly saw a single ABW adult at either of our golf courses, the Blacksburg Country Club (BCC) and Virginia Tech Golf Course (VTGC). This is unusual especially because degree day accumulations are higher this year than last year. However, our first sample in April, showed a little bit of ABW activity at the Virginia Tech course although numbers are still very low (<3 adults per ft2). The past few years, we’ve observed a peak in overwintering ABW adults occurring around the last week of March into the 1st week of April in the mountain and valleys of western Virginia. So far, we’ve not seen it yet this year in Blacksburg, VA, so I’d suggest holding back on the adulticide spray. This coming week’s sample will be critical to determine the need for an adulticide spray. So far, in Virginia, we have not detected any noticeable pyrethroid resistance in our ABW populations and thus, a pyrethroid may still be the most economical adulticide option. The new Syngenta insecticide Atexzo will control both adults and larvae of ABW and has a broad pest spectrum. Ben McGraw wrote a great blog summarizing his experience with this insecticide and how he believes that it fits in ABW spray programs, particularly as a mix with Acelepryn targeting early larvae. https://t.co/AHynh23nzu
Atexzo / Acelepryn mix (see WeevilTrak Plus program)

[Elisabeth Kitchin @ecakitchin]

So unbelievably grateful to receive such an honor! I consider myself extremely fortunate to have received such incredible support from my mentors and colleagues over the years🤠

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

Great advice from @bloom_golf in @GCImagazine that applies to all segments of green industry. In particular I noted this statement: "You can’t be the long-term leader if you’re always the short-term hero." https://t.co/gXfGnjrtmW

[Elisabeth Kitchin @ecakitchin]

Last week myself and the @VTTurfPath Lab installed 90 @spiio_official in-ground soil moisture sensors across fairway #15 at @IndependenceGC.

The sensors will be used to evaluate the optimal sensor quantity and distribution for soil moisture mapping on golf course fairways, as well as a variety of studies on winter desiccation, compaction, timing of covers, etc.

Huge shoutout to @TravisLRoberson and @Syngenta for generously working to get these sensors donated for this project!
And to my incredible colleagues at Virginia Tech for working through the dark and the pouring rain to get everything done. I am SO grateful to have such a remarkable team to work alongside me and support my graduate research!!

Looking forward to data analysis and sharing the results from this exciting project!

[Syngenta Turf US @SyngentaTurf]

Use soil data to your advantage! 🌱

With tools like GreenCast Connect + #Spiio soil sensors, you can receive real-time insights to help you manage turf quality and performance.

Learn more about these tools from @TravisLRoberson: https://t.co/KaTtS8RIQP

#GCConnect

[Virginia Turfgrass Foundation @TheVTF]

Registration is open and the Monday night Hokie Turf Summit is FREE to all! https://t.co/xo0I6NsG5Y Join @VTTurfgrass for two days of turfgrass innovation, community, and research excellence! #VaTurf #KeepingItReal

[Elisabeth Kitchin @ecakitchin]

I’m so thrilled to have won 1st place in the graduate student research competition at the International Turfgrass Research Conference in Japan!
It was an absolute privilege to attend this conference and meet so many amazing people from the international turfgrass industry!🤩🤓🌾

[Syngenta Turf US @SyngentaTurf]

Stay ahead of turf diseases this summer! 🛡️

@TravisLRoberson shares how GreenCast Connect helps optimize application timing to prevent diseases like #Anthracnose, #FairyRing and #SummerPatch.

More on #GCConnect: https://t.co/vXdbhaBSOY

[Shawn Askew, Ph.D. @VTTurfweeds]

Demo of Ecorobotix prototype machine-vision sprayer at the Independence Golf Course Turfgrass Research Classic and Field Day hosted by Virginia Tech and the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association. Our research shows 75 to over 90% reductions in herbicide use with this machine. Enhanced turf safety allows for more aggressive treatments and better weed resistance management. More to come!

[Travis Roberson @TravisLRoberson]

Really enjoyed my visit to @RU_Turf_Program to assist with Spiio Soil Sensors for some upcoming chemistry and water use efficiency research. It was a pleasure to work along side Dr. Bingru Huang and her lab and look forward to the progression of this trial work. #spiiodata

[Brentsville Turf Toro Grounds Academy @TurfgrassTiger]

Be sure to catch up on our latest episode of Tiger Turf with Doctor @TravisLRoberson of @SyngentaTurf! Awesome episode with my fellow @VTTurfgrass graduate, currently work on digital platforms more specifically the Spiio soil sensors! Game changing Technology with an incredible organization. Excited to be working alongside them here at Brentsville here in the near future! Can't thank you enough Travis!

https://t.co/SpOA4xVdBq

[Travis Roberson @TravisLRoberson]

@GilTurf @VTTurfgrass @VTTurfPath @VirginiaGCSA @TheVTF @VTCals @vtspes @GilTurf thank you very much! Appreciate the support.

[Travis Roberson @TravisLRoberson]

@godara_nav @VTTurfgrass @VTTurfPath @VirginiaGCSA @TheVTF @VTCals @vtspes Thank you Navdeep!

[Travis Roberson @TravisLRoberson]

@Adam_Russell5 @VTTurfgrass @VTTurfPath @VirginiaGCSA @TheVTF @VTCals @vtspes Thanks Adam! Hope things are well.

[Travis Roberson @TravisLRoberson]

@GreauxGrass @VTTurfgrass @VTTurfPath @VirginiaGCSA @TheVTF @VTCals @vtspes Thank you @GreauxGrass that means a lot. Need to catch up soon!

[Travis Roberson @TravisLRoberson]

@KooTurf @VTTurfgrass @VTTurfPath @VirginiaGCSA @TheVTF @VTCals @vtspes Thanks @KooTurf I appreciate that a lot!

[Virginia Tech Turfgrass Science @VTTurfgrass]

CONGRATULATIONS to @TravisLRoberson for successfully defending his dissertation: ‘Optimizing Bermudagrass Management Strategies Using Aerial Imagery and Wireless Capacitive Soil Sensors’ under the guidance of Dr. David McCall (@VTTurfPath). We are so proud of Dr. Roberson!

[Syngenta Turf US @SyngentaTurf]

We are excited to announce the new GreenCast® Connect mobile app that is now available to turf professionals to provide real-time data and insights! #GCConnect

Discover more about GreenCast Connect: https://t.co/myOilKfW5C

[Elisabeth Kitchin @ecakitchin]

It's been a privilege to travel up the East Coast this week and present my research and the latest turfgrass disease management strategies! Grateful for each and every opportunity to engage with the incredible people in the Mid-Atlantic turfgrass industry. ⛳️🌱🥳