Hjort adds, “I hope the research results will prompt other sod growers to see the value of becoming a member of TPF, which will benefit them individually and the association overall.”
Marketable varieties bring licensing fees back to the University, with a portion channeled into additional funding for Dr. Kenworthy’s turfgrass breeding and research program.
Looking Forward Nugent says, “We have a great relationship with Dr. Kenworthy; whatever he needs, we’re in. He does his due diligence; he’s cognizant of the practical, real world issues; and he has great integrity—he tells it like it is, whether it’s good or bad, even if that’s not beneficial to his program.”
With the strong relationships already in place, some of the sod producers are growing other grasses, too. Nugent reports Bethel Farms is growing centipede. Te number of plots varies by the number of promising varieties per species, but the total with all the species combined comes to over 200 3-by-3-foot plots. Kenworthy adds, “We’re also testing some of the turf-type bahiagrass varieties at Bethel Farms. We’ve sprigged eleven 15-by-30-foot blocks to see if we can vegetatively propagate it successfully.”
Of course, Dr. Kenworthy works with other turfgrass groups as well as TPF. Te Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSA) has provided funding for research on fine-textured zoysia and bermudagrass. “We recently planted several zoysiagrasses at Indian Creek Country Club in Miami, an upscale
course on an island,” he says. “A few other courses are interested in looking at the zoysia. We also have a few bermudagrasses for fairways and for greens that we’d like to get into real world situations on golf courses. I hope to ramp up that program over the next year.”
In the part of the state that gets no killing frost, researchers have been monitoring how well the different varieties respond to nearly year-round pest pressure and working to determine the best management practices (BMP) for those grasses. In the colder regions, winter color in zoysia is an issue, especially for the lawn care operators. St. Augustinegrass doesn’t lose color, though it may slow growth in some regions. As a result, homeowners with zoysia lawns may complain when their lawn turns brown and their neighbor’s lawn is green.
“Many of the zoysia varieties we selected for further research have much better winter color than the industry standards. But we have to be realistic—it’s better color than dormant brown, but not equal to St. Augustinegrass. Still, that could be a selling point for the sod producers.”
UF has several zoysia entries in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trials that started in 2013. Kenworthy says, “Te 2014 report gave me a lot of positive feedback. A few entries were doing well in certain parts of the country. Te preliminary 2015 report had a couple that were the best overall performing grasses, with some others still ranked very high as compared to the overall list. We’re looking for consistency and I’ll need to review the complete report to fully understand their performance.”
Te new St. Augustine NTEP trial was established this year and Dr. Kenworthy is looking forward to that program. With plugs, the first year reports primarily on establishment, so it will be 2018 before there will be significant information available.
As TPI looks forward to celebrating 50 fabulous years, there’s no better way to support this milestone than by contributing to the Farm Challenge!
The Brookings of Brookmeade Sod Farm have pledged to donate $100 for every year of their 45 year membership and they challenge other farms to do the same. Match their pledge and donate $100 for each year you have been a member. Donations of any size are welcome!
Farm Challenge donations will fund 50th Anniversary Celebration activities and TLI research, education and scholarship initiatives. Make checks payable to The Lawn Institute.
Questions may be directed to the
76 TPI Turf News November/December 2016
“We’re really close to a variety release with zoysia and St. Augustine,” Kenworthy says. “Tat will happen within the next two years for sure and maybe sooner.” When that new grass hits the market, sod producers can be assured it will be ready and able to perform in real world conditions.
Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News.
50th
Anniversary FARM CHALLENGE!
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