Dr. Braun has a research background in turfgrass science focusing on fine fescues, zoysiagrass, buffalograss and other low-input turfgrass systems, cultural weed and disease management, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, deficit irrigation, and drought and traffic stress. Dr. Braun is a lead research scholar for Dr. Aaron Patton. His research focuses on investigating solutions to management barriers in low-input turfgrass systems, delivering research based information using new and innovate outreach methods, and evaluating coarse zoysiagrass phenotypes as a low-input turf.

Ph.D. Horticulture, Kansas State University, 2017; M.S. Horticulture, Kansas State University, 2014; B.S. Sports an Urban Turfgrass Management, North Dakota State University, 2011

Selected Publications

Alderman, E.J., J.A. Hoyle, R.C. Braun, and J.A. Reeves. 2020. Winter golf cart traffic, colorants, and overseeding influences winter green cover and spring recovery of buffalograss. Crop Forage Turfgrass Manage. doi:10.1002/cft2.20077

Braun, R.C., D.J. Bremer, and J.A. Hoyle. 2020. Simulated traffic on turfgrasses during drought stress: I. Performance and recovery of turf canopies. Crop Sci. doi:10.1002/csc.20324

Patton, A.J., and R.C. Braun. 2020. Measurement of turf height and growth using a laser distance device. Crop Sci. doi:10.1002/csc2.20295

Braun, R.C., A.J. Patton, E.T. Braithwaite, and A.R. Kowalewski. 2020. Establishment of low-input turfgrass from seed using patch and repair mixtures: Mulch and starter fertilizer effects. Crop Sci. doi:10.1002/csc2.20266

Patton, A.J., R.C. Braun, G.P. Schortgen, J.A. Hoyle, and Z.J. Reicher. 2020. Irrigation following a fall proxy (ethephon) application affects spring seedhead suppression of 'Meyer' zoysiagrass. Crop Forge Turfgrass Manage. 6:e20023.

Braun, R.C., A.J. Patton, E. Watkins, P. Koch, N.P. Anderson, S.A. Bonos, and L.A. Brilman. 2020. Fine fescues: A review of the species, their improvement, production, establishment, and management. Crop Sci. 60:1142-1187.  

Patton, A.J., R.C. Braun, and D.V. Weisenberger. 2019. Single applications of natural postemergence weed control options do not provide effective ground ivy control. Crop Forage Turfgrass Manage. 5:180101.

Thompson, C.S., J.A. Hoyle, and R.C. Braun. 2019. Scalping tall fescue as soon as one day after treatment does not reduce glyphosate efficacy. Crop Forage Turfgrass Manage. 5:180098.

Braun, R.C., and D.J. Bremer. 2019. Carbon sequestration in zoysiagrass turf under different irrigation and fertilization management regimes. Agrosyst. Geosci. Environ. 2:180060.

Alderman, E.J., J.A. Hoyle, J.A. Reeves, and R.C. Braun. 2019. Evaluating the effects of nitrogen rate and simulated golf cart traffic on 'Cody' buffalograss roughs. Crop Forage Turfgrass Manage. 5:180079.

Patton, A.J., R.C. Braun, G.P. Shortgen, D.V. Weisenberger, B.E. Branham, B. Sharp, M.D. Sousek, R.E. Gaussoin, and Z.J. Reicher. 2019. Long-term efficacy of Poa annua control strategies on golf course putting greens. Crop Forage Turfgrass Manage. 5:180068

Braun, R.C., J.A. Hoyle, B. Van Ryzin, M.D. Sousek, and C.S. Thompson 2019. Postemergence herbicide tolerance of buffalograss entering winter dormancy. Crop Forage Turfgrass Manage. 4:180064

Braun, R.C., and D.J. Bremer. 2018. Nitrous oxide emissions in turfgrass systems: A review. Agron. J.110:1-11. 

Braun, R.C. and D.J. Bremer. 2018. Nitrous oxide emissions in turfgrass receiving different irrigation amounts and nitrogen fertilizer forms. Crop Sci. 58:1762-1775.

Braun, R.C., J.A. Hoyle, J.A. Reeves, M.L. Flessner, and J.S. McElroy. 2018. Design and construction of mowing track for turfgrass experimentation in greenhouses. Agron J. 110:1180-1183.

Complete list of publications (research, extension, teaching)