Update On Cultivars 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 2023 with fifty-two entries at twenty-two locations. Ancillary trials include shade and traffic tolerance, along with low-input and summer patch evaluations. Tis article reports on the first year of data where, typically, first- year ratings are affected by establishment rate as well as performance without significant thatch development. In this summary, we look at locations in the different regions and identify top performers. As expected, performance in the various
LPI groups varied considerably, however, the entries PST-K20-1, DLF-KB-3635, and DLF-KB-3636 were top performers in each of the four groups. Analysis by management level yielded nice entry separation with PST-K17-182, Barserati, and DLF-KB-3634 finishing in the top statistical group under both Schedule A Maintenance (1.5 in. [38.1 mm] - 2.5 in. [63.5 mm] mowing height, 3-4 lbs./N/1000 sq. ft. [1.36-1.81 kg/N/92,903 sq. m] per year, irrigation to prevent stress or dormancy) and Schedule B maintenance (2.5 in. [63.5 mm] - 3.5 in.[88.9 mm] mowing height, 1 lb. N/1000 sq. ft. [0.45 kg/N/92,903 sq. m] per year, no irrigation after establishment, in Utah, 50-60 percent of ETo
) levels. Data was also analyzed by region: Northeast,
Transition, North Central, Upper West/Mountain, and Pacific. Even though regional performance significantly varied, only DLF-KB-3635 finished in the top statistical group in each of the five regions, with DLF-KB-3636 in four regions’ top statistical groups. Shade tolerance was evaluated at Ames, IA, and
Wooster, OH, in 2024. Shade performance can often vary by site but Barserati, Resolution, Aries, and DLF- KB-3635 landed in the top statistical group at both locations.
Traffic tolerance was evaluated at East Lansing,
MI, with significant variation in data noted. Some of the top entries for traffic in year one include DLF-KB-3636, NAI-20-137, A21-3, and Jersey. As mentioned above, first-year data, especially with
slow-germinating Kentucky bluegrass, is often affected by the establishment rate. Both seedling vigor and percent establishment were evaluated at multiple locations. Barserati and DLF-KB-3635 had significantly higher seedling vigor scores than other entries, and DLF-KB-3635, Barserati, and DLF-KB-3633 delivered consistently higher percent
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establishment ratings than most other entries. Several diseases were noted and evaluated at multiple
locations in 2024. Stem rust (Puccinia graminis) ratings showed DLF-KB-3633 and NAI-21-136 with the highest ratings (7.3, scale is 1-9; 9=no disease). Crown rust (Puccinia coronata) was noted at three locations with RAD-3240, PST-K17-182, and DLF-KB-3633 along with three other entries showing the least disease. Finally, summer patch (Magnaporthe poae), rated at two sites, showed DLF-KB-3635, Barserati, and DLF-KB-3633 with the highest ratings.
Tall Fescue A new tall fescue trial was established in 2024 with the first data being available in 2026. A final report compiled on the 2018 tall fescue trial is now available. Tis trial contains 132 entries, of which almost all are experimental, or recently commercialized. Year one data typically reflects the establishment rate, with year two data and beyond being a better reflection of future performance. Te final report revealed turfgrass quality
performance in five broad U.S. geographical regions – Northeast, Transition, Southeast, Midwest, and West varied considerably, or was statistically insignificant. In four northeast U.S locations, entries such as Daybreak, Fierce, Expanse, Spyder 2LS, and Clash performed well and produced statistically significant turf quality ratings. In the southeast, very small statistical performance differences were noted, with Firenza II and Titan GLX at the top of the quality scores. Small statistical differences among entries were noted in the five Midwest U.S. locations, i.e., 75+ percent of entries finished in the top turf quality group. Similar to the Midwest region, with locations
square in the Transition Zone, data did not show large statistical significance. Entries that were consistently at, or toward the top, of turf quality ratings at the four trial sites include Daybreak, Titanium G-LS, Capitan, Providence, Titan GLX, TD2, and Spyder 2LS. At the two western U.S. locations—Corvallis, OR, and Logan, UT—about 40- 60 percent of entries finished in the top statistical group, including entries such as Clash, K18-NSE, Titanium GLS, Triad, and Avenger III. Tolerance to stresses such as traffic, shade, disease,
drought, and low mowing tolerance are being evaluated throughout the trial period. Shade data collected at Ames, IA, over the five-year trial yielded small statistical separation. Grande 3, PST-5TRN, Stealth, and Xanadu tied at the top of shade turf quality ratings (turf quality = 6.3). Data collected in 2019-23 from a low mowing height trial (1.5 in. [38.1 mm]) at Blacksburg, VA, did yield small statistical differences with about one-half of entries in the top turf quality statistical group, led by Bladerunner 3, TD2, Serenade, and Gallardo. Drought tolerance was evaluated at Logan, UT, with about 40 percent of entries in the top statistical group. Entries finishing at the top include PPG-TF 249, Rover, and K18-NSE.
TPI Turf News July/August 2025
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