Keith J. Karnok
Dr. Keith Karnok, Professor of Agronomy at the University of Georgia, is the author of more than 250 publications related to turfgrass science. He received his BS and MS degrees in Agronomy from the University of Arizona and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in turfgrass Physiology.
Dr. Karnok began his teaching and research career at Ohio State University where he taught both introductory and advanced courses in turfgrass management. In 1983, he joined the faculty in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at The University of Georgia. Currently, he teaches three courses in turfgrass management as well as advises both undergraduate and graduate students specializing in turfgrass science. Dr. Karnok also advises the UGA Turf Club.
In addition to his on-campus teaching, Dr. Karnok serves as an instructor and coordinator of two distance education programs administered by the University of Georgia. The most recent is recognized by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America as a one-year certificate program, consisting of 10 college credit courses. Prior to the development of the college credit program, Dr. Karnok, in cooperation with the Professional Lawn Care Association of America and the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, developed a continuing education (CEU) correspondence turfgrass management course. This basic course in turfgrass management has had more than 3,000 students enrolled from all 50 states and 29 countries
Dr. Karnok has more than 30 years of experience with both cool and warm-season turfgrasses. His research interests include those factors affecting turfgrass root growth, the cause and control of localized dry spots caused by water repellent soils, and the understanding and use of biostimulants.
Dr. Karnok is a member of the International Turfgrass Society, Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), American Society of Agronomy (ASA), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA). He also is a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Professional Lawn Care Association of America, and the Sports Turf Managers Association. Dr. Karnok has chaired or served on numerous committees associated with these organizations.
Recently he was named Editor of the scientific journal Crop Science. Crop Science is one of the most respected scientific journals in agriculture. It was recently ranked fourth in terms of scientific impact out of 111 journals.
Dr. Karnok is the recipient of many awards including the status of "Fellow" in CSSA, ASA, AAAS, and NACTA. The designation of Fellow is the highest honor bestowed by a scientific society. He also has received the "Fred V. Grau Science Award" from the Crop Science Society of America in recognition of significant career contributions in science. Dr. Karnok has received 16 teaching awards at the department, college, university, regional and national levels. Perhaps the most noteworthy is the "Josiah Meigs Award for Excellence in Teaching," which is the University of Georgia's highest teaching honor.
Dr. Karnok serves as an advisor to Honda Power Equipment in the area of turfgrass management.
