Update On Cultivars
Te following is an overview of the latest information on commercially available and experimental cultivars.
COOL-SEASON
Kentucky Bluegrass Our latest trial of Kentucky bluegrass was established in 2017 with this article reporting on the five- year final summary of data from 2018-2023. Typically, first- year data strongly reflects the rate of establishment, as well as the performance without significant thatch development. Second-year data is the first indication of longer-term performance. Year three data and beyond, particularly from Kentucky bluegrass, often contains responses to stresses such as disease, shade, and drought. In addition, significant thatch may have developed in Kentucky bluegrass by years three to five, which can affect drought tolerance, encourage disease development, and contribute to other problems. In this summary, we look at locations in the different regions and identify top performers. Performance in the various LPI groups varied
considerably, depending on the year and the trial locations within the groups. However, analysis by management level yielded nice entry separation. Schedule A Maintenance (1.5 in. [38.1 mm] – 2.5 in. [63.5 mm] mowing height, 3-4 lbs./N/1000 sq. ft. [1.36-1.81 kg/N/92,903 sq. m] per year, irrigation to prevent stress or dormancy) data resulted in eleven entries in the top statistical group led by Starr, Barserati, Bombay, Barvette HGT®
, and Cloud.
Data from the Schedule B maintenance level (2.5 in. [63.5 mm] - 3.5 in. [88.9 mm] mowing height, 1 lb./N/1000 sq. ft. [0.45 kg/N/92,903 sq. m] per year, no irrigation after establishment, in Utah, 50-60 percent of ETo
) showed less
statistical separation with Bombay, Cloud, and Starr again at the top of turf quality ratings. Data was also analyzed by region: Northeast,
Transition, North Central, and Upper West/Mountain. Even though regional performance significantly varied, finishing in the top statistical group in each of the four regions were Starr, Cloud, Bombay, Blue Gem, and Skye. As with past trials, the 2017 Kentucky bluegrass
trial consists of several ancillary locations testing for tolerance to various stresses. Shade tolerance was evaluated at Ames, IA, in 2018-2023 with about 60 percent of entries finishing in the top statistical group. Some of the best entries for shade tolerance at Ames include BAR PP 7309V, DLFPS-340/3494, A06-8, and DLFPS-340-3455. Traffic tolerance was evaluated at North
Brunswick, NJ, Amherst, MA, Fayetteville, AR, and Blacksburg, VA. No statistical differences were noted in
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the one year of Fayetteville data, but in contrast, data from Amherst showed only Finish Line and BAR PP 7309V in the top group. Te North Brunswick, NJ, site evaluated traffic tolerance in spring, summer, and fall over the trial period. Consistent top performers in each season at North Brunswick include Barvette HGT®
, PST-K15-172,
DLFPS-340/3550, DLFPS-340/3494, and BAR PP 7309V. Traffic data from Blacksburg showed less statistical significance but Bombay, Pivot, and Syrah delivered the highest overall turf quality. Other significant data collected include drought
tolerance, of which PPG-KB 1304, Blue Magic, A16- 17, and Bombay performed the best. Data on summer patch (Magnaporthe poae) was reported by three locations over the trial period as Barserati, DLFPS-340/3550, DLFPS-340/3551, PPG-KB 1304, and Bombay finished with the best tolerance.
NTEP trials of specific grass species, like this tall fescue trial in Corvallis, Oregon, gather data on descriptive and performance characteristics.
Tall Fescue Te fifth and final year of data from our latest tall
fescue trial, established in the fall of 2018, is now available. Tis new trial contains 132 entries, of which almost all are experimental, or recently commercialized. Year one data typically reflects the establishment rate, with year two data and beyond being a better reflection of future performance. Similar to 2022, turfgrass quality ratings from 2023
can be considered from five broad U.S. geographical regions— Northeast, Transition, Southeast, Midwest, and West. In four northeast U.S. locations (including Canada), entries such as Daybreak, Serenade, and Clash performed well and produced statistically significant turf quality ratings. In the southeast (Griffin, GA, Knoxville, TN, and Mississippi State, MS), very small statistical performance differences were noted. Like 2022, small statistical differences among
entries were noted in the three Midwest U.S. locations that submitted 2023 data, i.e., 75-plus percent of entries finished in the top turf quality group at any one location. Te fourth location in the Midwest, West Lafayette, IN, separated the entries nicely with 5LSS, Bullseye LTZ, Capitan, RHL2, and Firecracker G-LS alone in the top statistical group for turf quality.
TPI Turf News July/August 2024
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