entries than past years with about 50 percent of the entries in the top turf quality grouping. Data from Logan, UT, on a trial where irrigation is reduced, showed some higher significances than in past years, with MET 1, Bullseye, Hover, IS-TF 269 SEL and Raptor III earning the highest overall quality scores. Also at Logan, UT, in the third year of data collected on rhizome counts and rate of spread from rhiozomes or tillering, little to no statistical differences were evident among the entries. Again this year, brown patch was the most

prevalent disease noted, rated by researchers at eight locations. And again, as in previous years, brown patch ratings were not very consistent from location to location. Tese entries finished in the top five of all entries in at least two of the reporting locations: Avenger II, Hot Rod, GTO, 4th Millennium SRP and Traverse 2 SRP.

Perennial Ryegrass Perennial ryegrasses are occasionally used in

sod mixtures because of positive attributes such as fast germination, better establishment under low and high temperatures and traffic tolerance. Te most recent data we have on perennial ryegrass is a final summary of four years of data summarized from our 2010 trial. Tis data from 2011-14 shows many new grasses with excellent quality and possible improvement in specific traits. Data from 2012 and 2013 did not show

large entry differences when averaged over Location Performance Index groups. In contrast, data from 2013 and 2014 showed larger entry separations. Entries such as Benchmark, Aspire, Wicked, Grand Slam GLD, Stellar SGL, Uno, Evolve, Trive and Pangea GLR finished in the top statistical group for turf quality in several LPI groups. When analyzed by geographic region (2011-14 data), many of the same entries had turf ratings in the top statistical groupings for almost all regions. Other entries that also performed well within various regions include Bandalore, Rinovo, Green Supreme, SR 4650, Evolution and Diligent. Te exception to this was the Riverside, CA location where the only entries in the top statistical group include Vintage, Excellence, Prominent, GO-G37 and Seductive. Te Amherst, MA location experienced historic

injury as a result of the 2013-14 winter. Winter damage ranged as high as 97 percent, however, a few entries such as PST-2NKM and Bandalore showed less than 25 percent damage. In addition, counts of poa annua plants per plot were lowest with Sienna (14), Provost and Allante (both at 15.7), while some entries contained over 140 poa annua plants per plot. Evaluations of specific performance traits

(called Trait Specific Testing) are now emphasized by NTEP, starting with this trial. An example of this is traffic tolerance testing at four locations, drought tolerance testing at two locations and a salt tolerance greenhouse trial. Traffic tolerance evaluations ended

TPI Turf News July/August 2017 39

with about 60-70 percent of entries finishing in the top statistical group. And drought testing yielded even smaller entry separation. On the other hand, salt tolerance screening showed large differences among entries. At 12,500 PPM salt levels, many entries performed well and ended in the top statistical grouping. However, with salt levels increased to 15,000 PPM (sea water is 35,000 PPM), only three entries, Manhattan 6 GLR, Rinovo and Green Supreme maintained 50 percent or greater ground cover. Several diseases were rated over the four years

of the perennial ryegrass trial and this four-year report allows us to summarize all the disease data. Grey leaf spot (Magnaporthe oryzae) is one of the most destructive pathogens to attack perennial ryegrass. At two locations, grey leaf spot was noted and some of the best entries included SR 4650, Karma, Vision, Apple 5GL and Expedite. Stem rust (Puccinia graminis) was rated at three

locations with Evolution, Stellar 3GL, Octane, Pangea GLR, Banfield and Bonneville among the highest scoring entries. Brown patch ratings at two locations showed Bandalore, Stamina and Karma at the top and Pythium blight (Pythium sp.) ratings at Blacksburg, VA had GO-DHS as the best and only entry in the top statistical group.