Dennis Martin

Dennis Martin is a Professor and Turfgrass Extension/Research Specialist at Oklahoma State University (OSU), where he holds the Huffine Endowed Professorship. He joined OSU in 1990, progressing from Assistant Professor (1990-1995) to Associate Professor (1995-2004) before achieving his current rank. He earned his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Horticulture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, specializing in Turfgrass Management.

His research focuses on developing cold-hardy bermudagrass varieties (e.g., Yukon, Riviera) and improving their resistance to diseases like spring dead spot and drought. He leads the OSU Roadside Vegetation Management (RVM) team, which investigates herbicide programs, mowing strategies, and native landscape preservation for roadways. Extension activities include pesticide applicator training and diagnostic consultations, with over 100,000 turf-related interactions.

Dr. Martin has received awards for technology development in bermudagrass breeding and patenting. His work integrates genetics, physiology, and economics to enhance turfgrass sustainability. Current grants focus on roadside vegetation management and drought-resistant turfgrass research.

Labs/Teams: Roadside Vegetation Management Team at OSU, Turfgrass Research Center. Collaborates widely on multi-state initiatives to advance warm-season turfgrass resilience.