this makes the data more useful to growers within their geographical region or under their specific management level. NTEP recommends that growers first review data collected in their state or region, also under the management regime most suited to their needs. To find data for a specific state, go to
www.ntep.org/states/states.htm.
NTEP Implemented Improved Data
Reporting Procedure NTEP is committed to improving its data
collection, analysis, and reporting. To that end, NTEP spent ten years researching new statistical methods and is now implementing a new reporting procedure, the ‘Location Performance Index’ or ‘LPI,’ on its newest trials. Te LPI is based on ‘AMMI,’ a more complete, accurate statistical analysis program for predicting cultivar performance across many locations. Te LPI is only used on turfgrass quality data, but
in reading the turfgrass quality tables, you will notice that locations may not be grouped by any apparent geographical orientation. For instance, in the 2012 data from our 2011 Kentucky bluegrass trial, ‘LPI Group 1' included Amherst, MA, West Lafayette, IN, Urbana, IL, St. Paul, MN, Manhattan, KS, and Pullman, WA. It seems that these locations have nothing in common, geographically, or climatically. However, what they do have in common is a very important similar ‘interaction pattern,’ i.e., the varieties performed in a similar manner, relative to each other, at each of these locations in that year. For that reason and most appropriately, the LPI groups them together for analysis. And that ‘interaction pattern’ can, and very often will, vary from year to year. Terefore, investigate the LPI Group data containing locations that are closest to you, or your market. Te LPI is used on new trials as they are initiated.
Go to the website,
www.ntep.org, to read more about the LPI and the reasons for utilizing this new procedure.
Focus On Specific Traits NTEP is designing its trial programs such that
more data on specific traits are collected. For instance, standard trial locations, conducted at university sites using prescribed management schemes, collect traditional data, such as turfgrass quality, color, density, any diseases present, etc. NTEP also sponsors ancillary trial locations that collect data on specific traits, such as shade tolerance, traffic tolerance and sod strength. Tese ancillary trials must often be conducted in unique locations (i.e., under shade trees) or using specialized equipment (i.e., a traffic simulator). Because ancillary trials are applying unique stress to the entries, the data from these locations are often summarized and reported in separate tables. NTEP plans on conducting more of these ancillary
trials in the future and is in fact, co-sponsoring with USGA, an entire trial just to evaluate cool-season and warm-season grasses for drought resistance and water use. Te cool-season water use trial was established in fall 2016,
TPI Turf News July/August 2021
Tis Kentucky bluegrass cultivar is making an excellent showing as a trial entry in Blacksburg, Virginia.
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with ten locations conducting drought evaluations through 2019 or 2020. Te warm-season version of this trial was established in summer 2018, so the first data from warm- season grasses is included in this report. In addition, NTEP sponsored a low input trial for cool-season grasses and mixtures in fall 2015, while also establishing a warm-season low input trial in summer 2018. It is our hope that this type of data will provide much needed information to consumers on these important traits.
Update On Cultivars Covid-19 presented some challenges for NTEP
data collection in 2020. Several universities limited employees in how often they visited research facilities and in staff available to maintain trials. Tis situation tended to loosen over the growing season, with data collection at many sites only restricted early, and possibly into mid- growing season. Terefore, we were fortunate to receive most required data from NTEP trial sites. 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; this report focuses on its third annual report (2020 data). Typically, first year data strongly reflects 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, particularly from Kentucky bluegrass, often contains responses to stresses such as disease, shade, drought. In this summary, we look at locations in the different regions and identify top performers.
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