New app takes the guesswork out of yardwork

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Just like a doctor, homeowners and professionals can now identify, diagnose and find the prescribed solution for lawn problems, according to their preferred choice of cultural, biological, or chemical options.

Purdue University researchers recently released the Turf Doctor app - the latest addition to the Purdue Plant Doctor App suite, which also includes Purdue Tree, Perennial Flower, Annual Flower and Tomato Doctors apps.

The convenient, easy-to-use mobile apps feature plain-language text and plenty of photos to help users take care of their lawns, trees and gardens as if they had hired a professional to give them advice.

“We’ve designed the apps to be useful to people of all knowledge levels, from beginners to landscape professionals,” said Cliff Sadof, Purdue professor of entomology and one of the Plant Doctor developers. “All of the apps are intuitive, fast and visually-driven so you can quickly identify a problem and learn possible solutions.”

Each app has a flexible interface that allows users to begin diagnosing problems by responding to a series of basic questions, including the season and species of plant as it narrows down the potential causes of the problem.

“What I like best about the apps is that they have become an excellent teaching tool,” said Doug Richmond, Purdue associate professor in turfgrass entomology and co-developer of Purdue Turf Doctor. “Those interested in biology can gain the perspective of what to look for and where, and how to find a solution backed by science-based facts users can hold in the palm of their hand.”

The cost-effective apps allow consumers to shop for the correct active ingredient required to successfully treat the problem upon the initial purchase, saving time and money, Richmond said.

The Purdue Plant Doctor apps suite is available at https://www.purdueplantdoctor.com.       

Writer: Cheri Frederick, 765-494-2406, cdfreder@purdue.edu 

Source: Doug Richmond, 765-494-4554, drichmond@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Shari Finnell, Manager/Media Relations and Public Information, sfinnell@purdue.edu  
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