Max Schlossberg, Ph.D.

Max Schlossberg, Ph.D.

  • Associate Professor of Turfgrass Nutrition/Soil Fertility
403 Ag Sciences and Industries Bldg.
University Park, PA 16802

Areas of Expertise

  • Soil Chemistry
  • Nutrient Fate / Management
  • Fertilizer / Amendment Evaluation
  • Water Quality
  • Data Analysis

Education

  • Ph.D., Agronomy, University of Georgia
  • M.S., Agronomy, University of Georgia
  • B.S., Agronomy, Texas A&M University

Professional Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant, 1996-2002, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Assistant Superintendent, 1994-1996, Bob O'Link G.C., Highland Park, IL

Student Intern, 1993, Olympia Fields C.C., Olympia Fields, IL

Irrigation Technician, 1991-1992, Briar Ridge C.C., Merrillville, IN

Refereed Publications

  1. Leiby, N.L., and M.J. Schlossberg. 2023. Volatilization or recovery of fairway foliar nitrogen fertilizer via time and spray oil inclusion. Environments 10:176. doi:10.3390/environments10100176
  2. Pruyne, D.T., and M.J. Schlossberg. 2023. Creeping bentgrass nutritional, morphological, and putting green performance response to Ca/Mg-silicate slag liming agent. Horticulturae 9(9):958. doi:10.3390/horticulturae9090958
  3. Leiby, N.L., and M.J. Schlossberg. 2022. Putting green canopy reflectance by time from colourant and spray oil combination product application. Intl. J. Remote Sensing 43(19-24):7024. doi:10.1080/01431161.2022.2152757
  4. Schlossberg, M. J. 2022. Temporal recovery of polymer-coated urea-N by Kentucky bluegrass in the field. Horticulturae 8:207. doi:10.3390/horticulturae8030207
  5. Leiby, N.L., and M.J. Schlossberg. 2022. Reduced creeping bentgrass fairway reflectance following synthetic colorant application. Agric. Environ. Lett. 7:e220064. doi:10.1002/ael2.20064
  6. Leiby, N.L., and M.J. Schlossberg. 2021. Field quantification of ammonia emission following fertilization of golf course turfgrass in sub/urban areas. Appl. Sci. 11:24. doi:10.3390/app112411644
  7. Pruyne, D.T., M.J. Schlossberg, and W. Uddin. 2020. Creeping bentgrass fairway wear resistance by granular topdressing of Ca/Mg-rich liming agents. Agriculture 10:43. doi:10.3390/agriculture10020043
  8. Pruyne, D.T., M.J. Schlossberg, and W. Uddin. 2019. Perennial ryegrass wear resistance and soil amendment by Ca- and Mg-silicates. Agronomy 9:578. doi:10.3390/agronomy9100578
  9. Schlossberg, M.J., B.A. McGraw, and K.R. Hivner. 2018. Comparing closed chamber measures of ammonia volatilization from Kentucky bluegrass fertilized by granular urea. J. Environ. Hort. 36:85–91. doi:10.24266/0738-2898-36.3.85
  10. Schlossberg, M.J., B.A. McGraw, and R.L. Sebring. 2018. Ammonia volatilization from putting greens foliarly-fertilized by conventional or stabilized urea. Agric. Environ. Lett. 3:180019. doi:10.2134/ael2018.04.0019
  11. Schlossberg, M.J., B.A. McGraw, R.L. Sebring, and K.R. Hivner. 2018. Nitrogen recovery and loss from Kentucky bluegrass fertilized by conventional or enhanced-efficiency urea granules. Agronomy 8:144. doi:10.3390/agronomy8080144
  12. Schlossberg, M.J., B.A. McGraw, K.R. Hivner, and D.T. Pruyne. 2017. Method for flux-chamber measurement of ammonia volatilization from putting greens foliarly-fertilized by urea. Clean-Soil Air Water 45:1700085. doi:10.1002/clen.201700085
  13. McGraw, B.A. and M.J. Schlossberg. 2017. Fine-scale spatial analysis of soil moisture and entomopathogenic nematode distribution following release in wetting agent-treated turf. Applied Soil Ecology 114:52-61. doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.02.016
  14. Zhu, Q., M.J. Schlossberg, and R.B. Bryant. 2016. Foliar fertilization-induced injury and recovery of a creeping bentgrass putting green. J. Plant Nutr. 39(11):1589–1596. doi:10.1080/01904167.2016.1161778
  15. Rogan, C.M., and M.J. Schlossberg. 2013. Complimenting late-season nitrogen fertilization of cool-season turfgrass putting greens with trinexapac-ethyl. Agron. J. 105:1507–1514
  16. Zhu, Q., M.J. Schlossberg, R.B. Bryant, and J.P. Schmidt. 2012. Creeping bentgrass putting green response to foliar nitrogen fertilization. Agron. J. 104:1589–1594. doi:10.2134/agronj2012.0157
  17. Moody, D.R., and M.J. Schlossberg. 2010. Soil water repellency index prediction using the molarity of ethanol droplet test. Vadose Zone J. 9:1046–1051. doi:10.2136/vzj2009.0119
  18. Kruse, J.S., W.P. Miller, M.J. Schlossberg, D. Yanosky, and D.B. Hall. 2009. Predicting tall fescue root growth response to calcium/aluminum solution concentrations. Comm. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 40(7&8):1227–1239. doi:10.1080/00103620902754564
  19. Dai, J., D.R. Huff, and M.J. Schlossberg. 2009. Salinity effects on seed germination and vegetative growth of greens-type Poa annua relative to other cool-season turfgrass species. Crop Sci. 49:696–703
  20. Moody, D.R., M.J. Schlossberg, D.D. Archibald, A.S. McNitt, and M.A. Fidanza. 2009. Soil water repellency development in amended sand rootzones. Crop Sci. 49:1885–1892 doi:10.2135/cropsci2008.08.0463
  21. Cook, P.J., P.J. Landschoot, and M.J. Schlossberg. 2009. Inhibition of Pythium spp. and suppression of Pythium blight of turfgrasses with phosphonate fungicides. Plant Dis. 93:809–814
  22. Cook, P.J., P.J. Landschoot, and M.J. Schlossberg. 2009. Suppression of anthracnose basal rot symptoms and improved putting green quality with phosphonate fungicides. Intl. Turf. Soc. Res. J. 11:181–194
  23. Dai, J., M.J. Schlossberg, and D.R. Huff. 2008. Salinity tolerance of 33 greens-type Poa annua experimental lines. Crop Sci. 48:1187–1192
  24. Schlossberg, M.J., F.C. Waltz, Jr., P.J. Landschoot, and B. Park. 2008. Recent mechanical cultivation of lawns enhances lime application efficacy. Agron. J. 100:855–861 doi:10.2134/agronj2007.0256
  25. Schlossberg, M.J., and J.P. Schmidt. 2007. Influence of nitrogen rate and form on quality of putting greens cohabited by creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass. Agron. J. 99:99–106 doi:10.2134/agronj2006.0136
  26. Fidanza, M.A., J.L. Cisar, S.J. Kostka, J.E. Gregos, M.J. Schlossberg, and M. Franklin. 2007. Preliminary investigation of soil chemical and physical properties associated with type-I fairy ring symptoms in turfgrass. Hydrol. Process. 21:2285–2290
  27. Brosnan, J.T., A.S. McNitt, and M.J. Schlossberg. 2007. An apparatus to evaluate the pace of baseball field playing surfaces. J. Testing and Eval. 35(6):676–681
  28. Schlossberg, M.J. 2007. Trace elements in turfgrass clippings collected from coal combustion product-amended putting greens. Appl. Turfgrass Sci. doi:10.1094/ATS-2007-0323-01-RS
  29. Schlossberg, M.J., A.S. McNitt, and M.A. Fidanza. 2005. Development of water repellency in sand-based root zones. Intl. Turf. Soc. Res. J. 10:1123–1130
  30. Schlossberg, M.J. 2005. Review of 'Soils and Soil Fertility (6th ed.)' by F.R. Troeh and L.M. Thompson. J. Environ. Qual. 34(6):2337–2338.
  31. Schlossberg, M.J., C.P. Vanags, and W.P. Miller. 2004. Bermudagrass sod growth and metal uptake in coal combustion by-product-amended media. J. Environ. Qual. 33:740–748 doi:10.2134/jeq2004.7400
  32. Schlossberg, M.J., and W.P. Miller. 2004. Coal combustion by-product (CCB) utilization in turfgrass sod production. HortScience 39:408–414
  33. Schlossberg, M.J., W. Greene, and K.J. Karnok. 2004. Assistant superintendent hiring criteria used by golf course superintendents. J. Nat. Resour. Life Sci. Educ. 33:35–39
  34. Schlossberg, M.J. 2003. Review of 'Lab Manual for Soil Science: Agricultural & Environmental Principles (8th ed.)' by S.J. Thien and J.G. Graveel. NACTA J. 47(3):66–68.
  35. Schlossberg, M.J. and K.J. Karnok. 2002. Use of transparent columns for demonstrating water movement in golf green root zones. J. Nat. Resour. Life Sci. Educ. 31:1–4
  36. Schlossberg, M.J., K.J. Karnok, and G. Landry, Jr. 2002. Estimation of viable root length density of heat-tolerant creeping bentgrass cultivars, 'Crenshaw' and 'L93', by an accumulative degree day model. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127:224–229
  37. Landry, G. and M.J. Schlossberg. 2001. Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis spp.) cultivar trial on a golf course putting green. Intl. Turf. Soc. Res. J. 9:886–891
  38. Schlossberg, M.J. and K.J. Karnok. 2001. Root and shoot performance of three creeping bentgrass cultivars as affected by nitrogen fertility. J. Plant Nutr. 24:535–548
  39. Trenholm, L.E., M.J. Schlossberg, G. Lee, S.A. Geer, and W. Parks. 2000. An evaluation of multispectral responses on selected turfgrass species. Intl. J. Rem. Sens. 21:709–721
  40. Trenholm, L.E., M.J. Schlossberg, and K.J. Karnok. 1999. Two approaches for teaching agricultural equipment calibration. NACTA J. 43(3):40–45

Book Chapters

1. Schlossberg, M.J., and W.P. Miller. 2006. Trace element transport in putting green root mixes amended by coal combustion products (CCP). p. 124–133 In K.S. Sajwan et al. (eds.) Coal Combustion Byproducts and Environmental Issues. Springer, NY.

2. Schlossberg, M.J., F.C. Waltz, Jr., and W.P. Miller. 2006. Amelioration of soil acidity with class-C fly ash: A field study. p. 190–194 In K.S. Sajwan et al. (eds.) Coal Combustion Byproducts and Environmental Issues. Springer, NY.

3. Schlossberg, M.J., W.P. Miller, and S. Dudka. 2003. Use of coal combustion by-products in horticultural and turfgrass industries. p. 275–289 In K.S. Sajwan et al. (ed.) Chemistry of Trace Elements in Fly Ash. Kluwer Acad./Plenum Publ., NY.

Honors and Awards

Crop Science Excellence in Manuscript Review Award 2012, Crop Science Society of America

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award 1999, University of Georgia

2nd place 1999 Student Essay Competition, Golf Course Superintendents Assn. of America (GCSAA)

Graduate Student Teaching Award 1998, National Assn. Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)

Student of the Year Award 1998, Georgia Turfgrass Association

3rd place 1998 Student Essay Competition, GCSAA

Teaching

SOILS 901a Introduction to Soils & Soil Properties (1.5 credits, Certificate Program) enlightens students to the wide range of soil characteristics and furthers their relationship to function, plant growth, and environmental quality. Students are introduced to physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes of soils that influence the performance of turfgrass systems. Students acquire a working knowledge of the technical terminology of soil science and develop field skills needed to assess sites for various applications. This course is taught annually (Fall) in residence (283 students since 2010).

SOILS 922a Turfgrass Nutrition (1.5 credits, Certificate Program) facilitates students’ ability to: distinguish the function and requirements of nutrients in the turfgrasses; understand how soil physical and soil chemical properties/conditions affect nutrient availability; select soil amendments to remedy soil chemical limitations; identify the best fertilizers and application methods to satisfy site-specific nutritional requirements; prepare nutrient management plans by appraising edaphic and environmental conditions and current cultural management and use; and discover how best to sample soil, tissue, and water; submit samples, choose appropriate specialty tests, and interpret reports. This course is taught annually (Spring) in residence (465 students since 2002).

TURF 230 Turfgrass Pesticides (1 credit, UNDERGRAD) covers chemical toxicity, formulations, environmental fate, labels, SDS, calibration, IPM, safety, handling, storage, and Pennsylvania certification and regulations. This course is taught annually (Spring) in residence and on the World Campus in Spring & Summer (912 students since 2016).

TURF 435 Turfgrass Nutrition (4 credits, UNDERGRAD) facilitates students’ ability to: distinguish the function and requirements of nutrients in the turfgrasses; understand how soil physical and soil chemical properties/conditions affect nutrient availability; select soil amendments to remedy soil chemical limitations; identify the best fertilizers and application methods to satisfy site-specific nutritional requirements; prepare nutrient management plans by appraising edaphic and environmental conditions and current cultural management and use; and discover how best to sample soil, tissue, and water; submit samples, choose appropriate specialty tests, and interpret reports. TURF 435 examines soil chemical properties as turfgrass growth parameters and addresses ameliorative measures in concept and operation. Students are introduced to the many classes of specialty fertilizers used in turfgrass management and their specific attributes are revealed through laboratory and field exercises. This course is taught annually (Spring) in residence and the World Campus (1,213 students since 2004).

TURF 489 Supervised Experience in College Teaching (1-3 credits, UNDERGRAD).  Students participate with instructors weekly to prepare and execute one or more laboratory sections of an undergraduate turfgrass course. Students assist with development of instructional materials, laboratory preparation, instruction, and grading. This course is taught annually (Spring) in residence (21 students since 2004).

AEPS 555 Effective Scientific Communication (3 credits, GRADUATE) instructs students to effectively present their research to scientific and non-scientific audiences. The overall course goal is to develop student skills in spoken and written communication of scientific concepts, methods, and data, and to provide effective evidence-based recommendations for practical application of such knowledge. In addition, students will develop skills in writing testable hypotheses, evaluating experimental approaches, considering alternative approaches, and envisioning expected outcomes of a research plan. This course is taught annually (Fall) in residence (201 students since 2010).

AEPS 808 Applied Computational Analysis (3 credits, GRADUATE) appraises designs for field, greenhouse, and growth-chamber experiments; and techniques for data collection, analysis, inference, and presentation. This course provides practical guidance in effective design, management, and interpretation of parametric experimentation by agricultural, environmental, and/or horticultural researchers. Upon completion, students will be able to: define and specify appropriate experimental designs for field, greenhouse, and growth chamber research with consideration of the planned hypotheses, methodologies, and available resources; interpret/classify types of response data, describe components of experimental error and develop sampling/data collection strategies for control of error, bias, and confounding. Students will demonstrate proficiency in data organization and pre-processing for computational analysis; distinguish the required assumptions of analysis of variance (ANOVA), describe procedures to assess and resolve initially noncompliant data sets; implement software code for data analysis by experimental design; invoke appropriate mean separations, contrast statements, covariate structures, and linear estimators as necessary to optimize inference; employ software output to construct tables/figures that clearly depict sources/parameters/statistics; and construct line-, bar-, or scatter-plot graphs to describe mean response and/or significant trends/differences. The objective of Applied Computational Analysis is to expand the student's ability to conduct research through proficient experimental design, methodology, data analysis, and results inference. AEPS 808 is taught bi-annually (Fall of even years) in residence (182 students since 2011).