Center for Turf, Irrigation, and Landscape Technology (CTILT)
Overview
The Institute of Irrigation Research and Evaluation was created at Cal Poly Pomona in 1986 to provide a more formal mechanism for the agricultural engineering faculty to work with the irrigation industry on the testing and evaluation of irrigation equipment and systems.
Since then, it has expanded to include expertise in turf and landscaping and was renamed the Center for Turf, Irrigation, and Landscape Technology (CTILT). CTILT provides a focal point for research and community outreach in the areas of turfgrass, ornamental plant materials, and landscape irrigation technology, landscape operations, sports turf and golf course management, and the preservation of natural resources.
Mission
- To provide solutions that address the scientific, environmental, and human resource challenges confronting the golf, sports turf, landscaping, and parks and recreation sectors in California.
Vision
- A leader in cost-effective practical research solutions to industry needs and a critical source of qualified graduates and trained professionals.
Values
- The advancement of human knowledge and capabilities in our professional field.
- The preservation and enhancement of California’s natural resources.
- Embracing the communities we serve with openness and friendship.
- Celebrating our state’s unique cultural heritage and diversity.
Research Projects
- Soil Moisture Sensor Irrigation Scheduling in Bermudagrass Fairways (Funded by USGA)
- Estimation of Bermuda Grass Quality Using Remote Sensing Data with the Irrigation Level Based on Soil Moisture Sensor Data (Funded by the )
Student Activities
- Learn about the best irrigation and turf management practices.
- Join the Cal Poly Pomona teams for the annual and . Cal Poly Pomona students made history in 2020 by becoming the first West Coast university to win the Turf Bowl and the first winning team to have female students. In addition, a second Cal Poly Pomona team finished in seventh place in the competition, which had teams from 30 other universities, including Penn State, Auburn, and Purdue.
- Participate in research trials for companies and other institutions.
Internships & Employment
In addition to finding internships and work at the center, our students are able to find jobs in the golf course, sports, and landscaping industries. Our students have worked at Dodger Stadium, Angels Stadium, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Super Bowl, and Disneyland.
Support CTILT
Donations will support students' experiential learning and their professional development. In addition, the amount will be used for the repair of equipment, facility, and purchases of supplies, tools, and equipment (if required), along with the maintenance of turfgrass plots.
The donations for the Turf Bowl team also can be made here!
We welcome additional ideas or questions. Please contact Associate Professor Anna Soper, the plant science department chair, at alsoper@cpp.edu or Professor Priti Saxena at psaxena@cpp.edu.
See What Our Alumni are Doing!
Owen Hemming ('18, plant science)
Owen is a district conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). He helps farmers and ranchers conserve natural resources for future generations and sustainability.
Brendy Orozco ('19, plant science)
Strawberry Production Ranch Manager at Reiter Brothers Inc. As a ranch manager, Brendy oversees 70 acres of strawberry production.
Luellen Swayzer ('15, plant science)
As a horticulture professor at Fullerton College. Luellen provides a quality education to students at one of the leading community college horticulture programs in California.
Aaron Thormodsen ('21, plant science)
Urban farm manager at Central Iowa Shelter and Services. He works with unhoused individuals to grow food for the shelter and community using hydroponics and raised beds.
Fabiola Perez ('17, agribusiness and food industry management; plant science)
As a global product planner for planters at John Deere, Fabiola is responsible for bringing deep knowledge of the customer, market, and industry to ensure the global planter portfolio is set up to deliver the maximum customer value and deliver on the planting vision.
Sean McLaughlin ('18, plant science; '21, M.S. agriculture)
As the assistant golf course superintendent at Brightview Golf Course Maintenance, Inc.. Sean manages two championship golf courses with over 650 acres of turf and 400 acres of surrounding landscape at Pacific Palms Resort in Industry, Calif.
Faculty & Staff
Priti Saxena
Priti Saxena is the CTILT director. She is also an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Science and leads the Organic Plant Breeding Program. She earned her doctorate from Rutgers University in turfgrass breeding; her master's degree in genetics and plant breeding; and a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Pantnagar University, India. Saxena’s expertise is in turfgrass science and management, turfgrass breeding, and genetic improvement of organic tomatoes. Her research encompasses soil-water conservation in turfgrasses, organic tomato breeding, genetic improvement of plants, and the application of modern technologies for estimating soil water content and plant health.
Robert Green
Robert Green joined Cal Poly Pomona in 2005 as a lecturer and subsequently as faculty in the graduate program. His 40-year career as an agronomy specialist has included stints at Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and 20 years at UC Riverside. He has published more than 250 technical papers and received more than $2.9 million in grants and gifts to support his research at UCR. He has been involved in a variety of grant-funded projects at ÁùÉ«Íø, primarily in water conservation and irrigation technology. Green’s areas of expertise include turfgrass science and management, irrigation and water conservation science, and the impact of turf management on groundwater quality.
Alan Moss
Alan Moss is a lecturer and industry professional in the landscape irrigation industry. He earned his bachelor's degree in plant science and his master's degree in agriculture – irrigation science option from Cal Poly Pomona. Alan teaches irrigation science, AutoCAD, and plant science technology courses at Cal Poly Pomona. He provides support for research and daily operations and maintenance at CTILT and mentors student workers on industry best management practices.