Group 2 (south-central U.S. locations). 2018 showed a similar trend, but CitraBlue, a newly released Florida cultivar moved up and joined FSA 1601 as a top performer in the southeast U.S. In 2019, our statistical analysis led to LPI Groups with a mixing of southeast and south-central U.S. locations, which meant that the Florida and Dallas bred entries shifted positions somewhat. Finally, in 2020, with our statistical analysis resulting in regionalized groups, entries shifted again as FSA 1613 joined DALSA 1618, DALSA 1502, and DALSA 1501 with excellent turf quality in the south-central U.S. Also, DALSA 1501 moved up in the southeast U.S. with top performance, along with CitraBlue, FSA 1610, DALSA 1613, and FSA 1606. Various ancillary trials demonstrated the
improvements made in breeding. Four years of data from our drought tolerance ancillary trial in College Station, TX, showed DALSA 1618, DALSA 1501, DALSA 1502, DALSA 1623, and FSA 1613 with the highest overall turf quality. Other entries, including Palmetto, DALSA 1404, and UGA TX SA26 also performed well under the induced drought conditions. At Ft. Lauderdale, FL, we maintained our trial
using both reduced nitrogen (about one-half of standard recommendations), as well as standard nitrogen recommendations. Surprisingly, several entries, including CitraBlue, FSA 1606, and FSA 1610 performed equally well under the reduced and standard fertilizer rates. CitraBlue was the top statistical entry over the trial period under the reduced fertilizer scenario at Ft. Lauderdale. Chinch bug, a common pest on St. Augustinegrass
was evaluated at Gainesville, FL, both in the lab and in the field. Laboratory feeding and mortality studies indicated differences among some entries for chinch bug tolerance, but unfortunately, these results did not correlate to field performance as few statistical differences were noted among entries.
Disease resistance is a very important trait for an
improved St. Augustinegrass cultivar and these trials did yield some results. Brown patch is commonly seen on St. Augustinegrass, as it was with this trial, however statistical significance was negligible. Grey leaf spot (Pyricularia grisea), another important disease, was noted and rated at several locations during the trial period as CitraBlue, FSA 1610, XSA 11168, and DALSA 1404 demonstrated consistency in resistance. Other notable traits evaluated include winter kill
and fall color retention. Winter survival is important as St. Augustinegrass is utilized in Latitudes 32 degrees and above. A cold snap or prolonged lower-than-normal winter temperatures can either kill St. Augustinegrass stolons or damage them and delay spring green-up. In any case, cold temperature tolerance is an important trait for the utility of St. Augustinegrass in many locations. Winter kill was rated at three locations, and ratings were lowest (i.e. winter survival was best) for UGA/TX SA26, DALSA 1502, and Palmetto.
TPI Turf News July/August 2024
Fall color retention is also an important
characteristic, particularly in southern regions where turfgrasses are expected to provide green turf for eight months or more. CitraBlue and FSA 1606 showed consistently good fall color, even as the temperatures dropped in the fall. Other entries with good fall color retention include FSA 1605, FSA 1601, FSA 1610, and FSA 1604.
Seashore Paspalum Seashore paspalum is known for its salt tolerance,
however, turf managers are now considering paspalum for its unique turfgrass quality as well. NTEP initiated testing of seashore paspalum in 2007. Eight new entries plus two standards are included in the most recently completed seashore paspalum trial, planted at eight locations in 2016. Data from the five years of the trial is summarized
and available. Summarized turfgrass quality data from 2016-2020 showed that good progress has been made by breeders as several new experimental entries are performing well. In 2017, only UGP 73 finished in the top statistical turf quality category in each LPI Group. Data from 2018 had UGP 94, Salam, Sea Isle 1, and UGP 73 as overall top performers. Two of the three LPI groups in 2019 did not show large statistical significance, however, we can note that UGA 1743, UGP 94, and UGP 73 finished as top performers in all groups. For 2020, at most locations in the final year of the trial, small or little statistical significance of overall turf quality ratings was noted among entries. SeaStar did, however, finish at or near the top of turf quality average scores at four of the six locations. UGP 73 was consistently good at four locations as well. Te greatest performance difference was observed at Auburn, AL, with UGP 94, SeaStar, and UGA HYB2 alone in the top statistical group. Ancillary trial locations testing winter kill and
traffic tolerance were established and evaluated. Our northernmost location, Fayetteville, AR, rated winter kill as UGP 73 and UGA HYB2 exhibited the least kill (9.2 and 14.2 percent respectively; range is 9.2 – 65.8 percent; LSD=10.4). Traffic tolerance was evaluated at College Station, TX, in two growing seasons. UGA SR15-15, UGA SR15-14, UGP 73, SeaStar, UGA 1743, and UGP 74 delivered the highest quality ratings under traffic stress. Dollar spot was the disease rated on this trial in
2017-2019, however, no statistical difference among entries was noted. Fall color retention was rated by several locations but only small differences were noted among entries. And finally, the establishment rate was evaluated in the first year of the trial. Salam had the highest percentage of establishment at four of the five reporting locations.
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