Irrigation is withheld until the last plot(s) have reached 25 percent green cover; then the trials are re-watered. In the Western US, plots are maintained at 60 percent evapotranspiration (ET) during the summer months.
A-LIST evaluation of trials includes the following:
• Turf Quality: Monthly visual rating throughout the year on a scale of 1 to 9, where 9 represents the most desirable turf quality.
• Density: Recorded digitally every month after turf is established.
• Percent Green Cover: Recorded digitally every month after turf is established. During dry-down period, percentage of green cover will be recorded a minimum of once per week. Withhold irrigation until the last plot(s) have reached 25 percent green cover then re- water with an initial two-inches of water followed by one inch per week watering.
• Recovery Time: Time to 100 percent green-up recorded digitally a minimum of once per week.
• Additional Data Collection: Other data like disease ratings, etc. was collected at the discretion of the cooperator.
To become an “A-LIST Approved Variety,” a variety must have demonstrated superior performance in A-LIST trials as defined by:
• Te top LSD (Least Significant Difference) group for drought tolerance as measured by percent green cover for each of two years in at least two locations.
• Acceptable or better turf quality for each of the two years in at least two locations.
• Have been entered in an NTEP trial for the species. For new cultivars that have met the approval standards for performance in A-LIST trials, final approval will be withheld until the cultivar(s) have been entered in an NTEP trial.
Varieties denoted as ‘promising’ are grasses that did well for both drought tolerance and turf quality in the first year of the trial(s) by meeting all the standards for approval (except they lack two years of field data) in at least two locations as required for full approval. Status as a ‘promising variety’ does not guarantee final approval. Promising varieties are reevaluated after the second season of field data and must meet all the standards for approval.
Products that contain A-LIST approved varieties also must meet strict standards. All blends that carry the A-LIST approval must be comprised of a minimum of 65 percent approved varieties. Te remainder must be bonafide turf varieties (no forage varieties, no ‘variety not stated’ material, no uncertified common varieties).
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A side-by-side comparison of an approved A-LIST variety (right) and a standard entry at the UC Riverside trial location showing response to 40 percent deficit irrigation.
Outreach As well as promoting the approved varieties, the A-LIST helps to help bring national attention to the need for the use of sustainable turf products, serving as ambassadors for turfgrass. Turfgrass is under attack. It seems to be an easy target for politicians attempting to show their support for better stewardship, with some municipalities paying home owners for the removal of their lawns. However, it’s their lack of understanding the benefits of turfgrass that has them pursuing a bad solution.
TPI and Te Lawn Institute (TLI) often are the best places to find information to combat the misconceptions about turfgrass. Te A-List joins them in this battle. As I’ve talked to groups across the country, I’ve found they are surprised to hear of the numerous benefits of turfgrass beyond the aesthetic ones. Te cooling, erosion control, and filtering effects of turfgrass and its ability to sequester carbon and store rain water are benefits seldom mentioned when talking about removing a lawn. Most importantly, I explain to these groups that planting the right species, choosing varieties that require less inputs, and managing them correctly, show better stewardship than replacing grass with rocks.
Te sod industry has long been known as the “early- adopters” in the turf industry. At the outset, the A-LIST determined that a partnership with TPI and its members would lead to a coordinated effort to bring awareness to the program and its benefits. As the A-LIST has grown, so has its support for TPI. Tis year, the A-LIST was a major sponsor for TPI’s International Education Conference & Field Day in Tucson, Arizona, and is committed to supporting TPI in the future. Te A-LIST also supports other industry associations including the Sports Turf Mangers Association (STMA) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). We know that our voice is small, but if we all work together we can promote turfgrass as a sustainable part of any landscape whether it be a football stadium,
commercial facility or yes, even a home lawn. Jeremy Husen is the executive director for the A-LIST. He concurrently serves as the director of marketing for MSH Associates, an agricultural-based marketing agency headquartered in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
All photos courtesy of A-LIST. TPI Turf News July/August 2018
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