GCM - May 2006 - FEATURE articles

May 2006

Seed update 2006

Teresa Carson

It’s spring and it’s time for GCM’s list of the latest offerings from those hard-working and innovative turfgrass breeders who supply golf courses with seed bred to tolerate heat and drought stress, resist myriad diseases and endure the lowest of mowing heights.

Each year GCM compiles a listing of new, named turfgrass cultivars suitable for golf course use. These cultivars have been released since the publication of last year’s seed update in GCM or they will be released later in 2006. GCM includes only named cultivars and makes every effort not to include cultivars featured in previous years.

The new varieties are arranged alphabetically by species. In some cases, the experimental name used in the NTEP trials is included in parentheses following the variety name. The description of each cultivar is provided by the company that markets it. GCM does not publish National Turfgrass Evaluation Program results, other trial results, numerical data or comparisons. NTEP data are available at www.ntep.org. For additional information, contact the contributing companies.

BERMUDAGRASS

Contessa (SWI-1045), Turf Merchants

seed available October 2006
a seeded "Princess"-type bermudagrass
four-clone synthetic cultivar
improved color, texture and drought
tolerance
current NTEP

CHEWINGS FESCUE

Compass, Mountain View Seeds

seed available fall 2006
dark green color
red thread and dollar spot resistance
summer stress tolerance
tolerates lower mowing height
NTEP

J-5, Jacklin Seed by Simplot

readily available certified seed
excellent mowing quality
very good quality in shade
very good ranking for fall color
good spring green-up
good summer density
2003 NTEP, 2004 results

Musica, Burlingham Seeds

limited seed fall 2006
one of top-10 fine fescues in 2004
NTEP data
fine leaf texture
improved disease resistance
tolerates -inch mowing height
excellent for northern cool-season
fairways and tree-lined green surrounds
mix with perennial ryegrass in dormant
southern overseeding
use in no-mow mixes and organic gardening
2003 NTEP, 2004 data

Zodiac, Burlingham Seeds

very limited seed fall 2006
fine leaf texture
improved disease resistance
tolerates -inch mowing height
excellent for northern cool-season fairways and tree-lined green surrounds
2003 NTEP, 2004 data

COLONIAL BENTGRASS

Heriot, Barenbrug USA

limited seed available
top-rated colonial bentgrass in Europe
new introduction to U.S. market
STRI (UK), Oregon State University

CREEPING BENTGRASS

007 (DSB), Seed Research of Oregon

seed available now
high-performing variety
very high resistance to dollar spot
excellent for greens, tees and fairways on
new or renovated projects
great performance under stress
bright dark green, good winter color
well suited for low-fungicide input tees and fairways
high density at greens mowing height
developed by Rich Hurley, Ph.D., with Rutgers University
NTEP Putting Green, Rutgers University

Authority (235050), Lesco Inc.

limited seed spring 2006; more available fall 2006
very good genetic color, leaf texture
good resistance to brown patch, pink snow
mold, copper spot, dollar spot
good resistance to Poa annua invasion
winter overseeding of dormant
bermudagrass greens
new establishment and renovation of greens, tees and fairways
interseed to improve existing creeping
bentgrass
2003 NTEP Putting Green, Fairway/Tee, 2004 results

MacKenzie (SRX 1GPD), Seed Research of Oregon Royal Brand and Pickseed

seed available now
high-quality turf for greens, tees and fairways
bright medium-green color
fine leaf texture
excellent summer performance
reduced fertilizer requirement
winter-active growth
high resistance to dollar spot, brown patch
and fusarium patch
uniform putting surface
excellent wear tolerance
high density at low mowing height in all seasons
NTEP Putting Green, Fairway/Tee, Rutgers University

SR 1150 (SRX 1PDH), Seed Research of Oregon

seed available fall 2006
for greens, tees and fairways
excellent turf quality
excellent dollar spot and brown
patch resistance
leaf texture and density selected to match Dominant blends
vigorous, moderately dense growth
bright, dark green color
lower maintenance requirements
increased genetic diversity
NTEP Fairway/Tee, Rutgers University

Tyee (SRX 1GD), Seed Research of Oregon

seed limited now, available fall 2006
high density in all seasons, no excessive thatch buildup
very stress-tolerant germplasm
bright dark green color, high turf quality
winter active growth
high ratings for fall and spring color
less weed invasion
high wear tolerance in every season
high resistance to brown patch, dollar spot
high density at greens mowing height
NTEP, Rutgers University

CREEPING RED FESCUES

Audubon strong creeping red fescue, Jacklin Seed by Simplot

readily available certified seed
high spring density
very dark green color
dark winter color
early spring green-up
fine leaf texture
very good mowing quality
excellent fall color
2003 NTEP, 2004 results

Crossbow creeping red fescue, Columbia Seeds LLC

seed available fall 2006
next-generation creeping red fescue
excellent density with an upright growth habit
dark green color
good drought tolerance
disease resistance and shade tolerance
long-term persistence
breeder: Radix Research
additional testing: Rutgers University

Seabreeze GT slender creeping red fescue, Turf-Seed Inc.

limited seed available
salt-tolerant slender creeper
good tolerance to glyphosate
herbicide
bright medium green color
excellent overall turf quality
developed by Pure Seed Testing; data from Turf-Seed Inc.

HARD FESCUES

Scaldis II (AHF 008), Seed Research of Oregon

seed available now
good shade tolerance; lower thatch development
blends well with other fine fescues, Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass
good summer patch and red thread resistance
good shade tolerance
excellent spring and winter color
high seed-yield potential
NTEP 1998 Fineleaf Fescue, Rutgers University

Spartan II (Pick HF#2), Pickseed West

better availability after July 2006
excellent summer performance
medium dark green color
fine leaf texture
elite turf quality
excellent for lower-maintenance management
excellent shade adaptation
reduced growth rate
NTEP 2003 Fineleaf Fescue

SR 3150 (SRX 3961), Seed Research of Oregon

seed available now
high turf quality at low to high maintenance
bright, dark green color
dense, fine attractive turf
adapted to all turf sites, from fairways to roughs
low growing
high disease resistance
excellent heat and drought tolerance
excellent performance in shade and sun
low fertilizer requirement
reduced insect pressure
NTEP 1998 Fineleaf Fescue, Rutgers University

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS

Barimpala, Barenbrug USA

limited seed available
extreme wear tolerance
fast establishment to out-compete weeds
University of Illinois, Urbana

Bewitched (A99-2041), Turf Merchants Inc.

available August 2006
super elite
dark green color
exceptional resistance to leaf spot and powdery mildew
excellent for fairways in the Northeast
Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings, 2005 NTEP

Cadet, Mountain View Seeds

available spring 2006
dark green color
excellent disease resistance
medium leaf texture
strong disease resistance
rapid fill-in

Cheetah (PpH 6370), Seed Research of Oregon

seed available now
excellent sod strength
high winter growth activity
early spring green-up
maintained at 7/16 to 2 inches
aggressive-type bluegrass
high quality under stress
good summer patch resistance
excellent resistance to stem rust, typhula blight, stripe smut
ultra-fine leaf texture; dense growth
great tolerance of shade and low
light
low light tolerance
excellent genetic color – medium dark green
very good heat, drought and wear tolerance
excellent performer in the Pacific Northwest
NTEP, Rutgers University

Concerto (A97-904), Integra Seeds Inc.

seed available August 2006
Shamrock-type Kentucky bluegrass
excellent spring green-up
good overall turf quality
resistance to leaf spot
Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings

Denali (PST-H6-150), Oregro Seeds Inc.

limited seed in 2006-2007 season
dark green color
excellent resistance to red thread, leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch
good resistance to snow mold, anthracnose, leaf rust, brown patch
excellent for shady areas
high traffic tolerance
breeder: Pure-Seed Testing
2000 NTEP

Full Moon, Turf-Seed Inc.

limited seed
medium dark green color
medium leaf texture
good density
excellent overall disease resistance
very good heat tolerance
developed by Pure Seed Testing; data from Turf-Seed Inc.

Moonbeam, Turf-Seed Inc.

available fall 2006
Moonlight-Midnight hybrid
dark green color
excellent overall turf quality
very good overall disease resistance
good drought and heat tolerance
developed by Pure Seed Testing;
data from Turf-Seed Inc.

P-707, Pennington Seed Inc.

limited seed fall 2006
very strong and aggressive dwarf
growth habits
dark green color
disease, heat and drought tolerance
Rutgers University

Perennial ryegrass in the spotlight

A quick look at this year's seed update reveals a surprising number of perennial ryegrass cultivars – a total of 20. The large number of new perennial ryegrass cultivars is a result of extensive research after gray leaf spot, caused by Pyricularia grisea, wiped out many perennial ryegrass fairways in the Mid-Atlantic states in the mid-1990s. In some cases, the devastation occurred practically overnight, leaving nervous superintendents looking for alternatives to the seemingly vulnerable species.

Turfgrass breeders soon discovered that some perennial ryegrass cultivars were not as susceptible to gray leaf spot, and they began intense breeding programs to develop turfgrasses that could survive disease and stress. In fall 2004, NTEP trials in New Jersey, Maryland and North Carolina screened perennial ryegrass cultivars under conditions favoring disease. Many of the cultivars that were successful in those trials are in this year's seed update. More information can be found at www.ntep.org, http://turf.rutgers.edu/ and in GCM's May 2004 seed update.

– T.C.

PERENNIAL RYEGRASS

1G2, Pennington Seed Inc.

limited seed fall 2006
next-generation IG2
improved gray leaf spot resistance
overall disease tolerance
outstanding dark green color
excellent heat and drought tolerance
Advanta Seed Pacific, Rutgers University

Acappella, Integra Seeds Inc.

available August 2006
extremely dark green color
very fine leaf texture
excellent disease resistance
adapted to diverse geographical areas
2004 Overseeding Trials at North Carolina State University, University of Florida

Accent II, Jacklin Seed by Simplot

seed available August 2006
dark green color
excellent mowing quality
excellent summer performance
maintains density and color under heat stress
improved brown patch resistance
resists Poa annua at -inch mowing height
2004 NTEP

Applaud 2, Pennington Seed Inc.

limited seed fall 2006
improved gray leaf spot resistance
overall disease tolerance
dwarf growth habits
good heat and drought tolerance
Advanta Seed Pacific, Rutgers University

Black Cat, Mountain View Seeds

available spring 2006
very dark color
aggressive
rapid establishment
excellent fairway performance
NTEP Overseeding Trial

Charismatic II GLSR, Lebanon Turf

limited quantities August 2006
excellent gray leaf spot resistance
dark green genetic color
high rank for overall turf quality
excellent spring green-up
excellent winter color
compact growth habit
excellent rust resistance
excellent heat and drought tolerance
NTEP, Rutgers University

Confetti, Mountain View Seeds

available spring 2006
medium dark color
aggressive coverage
dense uniform turf
resists scuffing
NTEP Overseeding Trial

Exacta II GLSR, Lebanon Turf

limited seed August 2006
excellent gray leaf spot resistance
dark green genetic color
high rank for overall turf quality
excellent mowing qualities
excellent overall disease resistance
excellent brown patch resistance
compact growth habit
fine leaf texture
excellent summer density
NTEP, Rutgers University

Fiesta 4 (Pick F4), Pickseed West

moderate amounts of seed available July 2006
strong resistance to gray leaf spot
outstanding summer performance
very dark green color
fine leaf texture
elite turf quality
2004 NTEP

Harrier (SRX 4UP3), Seed Research of Oregon

seed available fall 2006
extremely high gray leaf spot resistance
very dark green color
high turf quality
fine leaf texture
high tillering
winter active growth
high stress resistance
NTEP, Rutgers University

Integra 2, Pennington Seed Inc.

limited seed fall 2006
improved gray leaf spot resistance
improved tolerance to other diseases
deep green color
improved leaf texture
Advanta Seed Pacific, Rutgers University

Palace, Columbia Seeds LLC

seed available fall 2006
high resistance to gray leaf spot
good resistance to crown rust, strip rust and leaf spot
very dark green color
quick establishment and excellent density
breeder: DLF International
NTEP, Rutgers University, Oregon

Presidio, Columbia Seeds LLC

seed available fall 2006
very dark green genetic color
dense, attractive turf
resistance to brown patch, pythium, red thread and leaf spot diseases
winter hardiness in parent lines
resistance to snow mold
excellent seedling vigor
rapidly forms a high-quality turf
breeder: McCarthy Research
NTEP, Pennsylvania, Oregon

Primary, Columbia Seeds LLC

seed available fall 2006
high levels of resistance to gray leaf
spot and other disease complexes
broadly adapted and persistent variety
aggressive tillers for quick establishment
dense, uniform turf
superior summer performance; improved heat tolerance
breeder: DLF International
NTEP, Rutgers University, Oregon

Priority, Columbia Seeds LLC

seed available fall 2006
strong seedling vigor
attractive dark green color
upright growth habit for improved mowing
maintains density throughout the growing season
improved summer performance in Mid-Atlantic region
breeder: McCarthy Research
additional testing: Pennsylvania, Oregon

Protector, Columbia Seeds LLC

seed available fall 2006
broadly adapted and persistent variety
aggressive tillers for quick establishment
dense, uniform turf
good resistance to gray leaf spot and other disease complexes
superior summer performance; improved heat tolerance
breeder: DLF International
NTEP, Rutgers University, Oregon

ProtZ?gZ? GLR, Turf Merchants Inc.

available August 2006
gray leaf spot resistance
darker green color
enhanced drought resistance
developed by Rutgers University
2005 NTEP, 2004 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings

Secretariat II GLSR, Lebanon Turf

limited seed August 2006
high rank at Rutgers for gray leaf spot resistance
excellent summer density
dark green genetic color
good pink snow mold resistance
high rank for overall turf quality
good heat and drought tolerance
excellent winter color
good seedling vigor
excellent rust resistance

NTEP, Rutgers University

SR 4600 (SRX 4SP), Seed Research of Oregon
seed available fall 2006
extremely high gray leaf spot resistance
spreading type growth habit for better
wear resistance
very dark green color
high turf quality
winter active growth
high stress resistance
unique genetics
NTEP, Rutgers University

Wind Dance 2, Pennington Seed Inc.

limited seed fall 2006
improved deep green color
increased disease tolerance
improved leaf texture
breeder: McCarthy Research

SEASHORE PASPALUM

Seaspray, Turf-Seed Inc.

limited quantity
extremely high salt tolerance
excellent turf quality
medium green
medium-fine leaf texture
first commercially available seeded seashore paspalum developed by Pure Seed Testing in cooperation with the University of Georgia

TALL FESCUE

Barvado, Barenbrug USA

limited seed available now
enhanced brown patch tolerance
extremely good turf quality
NTEP

Firebird, Burlingham Seeds

seed available fall 2006
statistically top-rated turf quality
one of darkest tall fescues
improved brown patch resistance
slower growing
high drought tolerance
sun or shady turf areas
NTEP

Innovator, Turf-Seed Inc.

seed available fall 2006
very dark green color
medium-fine leaf texture
lower-growing growth habit
excellent resistance to brown patch
developed by Pure Seed Testing; data from Turf-Seed Inc.

Quest, Jacklin Seed by Simplot

readily available certified seed
bred for transition zone’s heat and humidity
very good resistance to pink snow mold
dark green color
excellent wear tolerance
excellent brown patch resistance
slower vertical growth
2001 NTEP, 2004 results

Rebel IV, Pennington Seed Inc.

limited seed fall 2006
improved disease tolerance
increased drought tolerance
deep green color
fine leaf texture
improved wear tolerance
NTEP, Rutgers University

Tuxedo, Mountain View Seeds

available fall 2006
very dark color
medium leaf texture
compact growth profile
traffic tolerance
NTEP Tall Fescue

TEXAS HYBRID BLUEGRASS

Bandera (SPTR 2LM95), Pickseed West

limited seed July 2006
summer stress tolerance
spreading ability (vigorous rhizomes)
finer leaf texture
deeper rooting
reduced fertilizer requirement
excellent uniformity
use alone, in blends with other bluegrasses or mixes with tall fescue
2005 NTEP Bluegrass

Fahrenheit 90, Mountain View Seeds

available fall 2006
improved heat tolerance
finer leaf texture
brown patch resistance
speedy fill-in
pleasing color
Rutgers University, North Carolina, Maryland

Thermal Blue Blaze, The Scotts Co./Landmark Seed

limited seed 2006
latest of Heat-Tolerant Bluegrasses
deep, dark green color
medium leaf texture
exceptional heat tolerance
outstanding shade tolerance

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April 2006	March 2006