Final answer:
Michigan State University was indeed the first known place for turf research in the U.S., and the Southeastern United States was an independent center for plant domestication. Michigan State's agricultural college legacy is interconnected with land-grant colleges' focus on agriculture, business, law, and medicine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Michigan State University was the first known place where turf research was done in the United States is true. Indeed, Michigan State has played a pioneering role in the field of turfgrass research. Specifically, it's the Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) where such research started, and it has continued to be a leader in this field ever since. Conversely, the present-day Southeastern United States was one of the world's independent centers for plant domestication, a fact which speaks to the rich history of agriculture and educational institutions dedicated to agricultural science like land-grant colleges created by the Morrill Act. This heritage continues with institutions that emphasize not only agriculture but also law, business, and medicine.