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Seed update 2007
Each year in its May issue, GCM publishes a list of new named turfgrass varieties suitable for golf courses. These varieties have been released since the publication of last year’s seed update or they will be released later in 2007. GCM makes every effort not to duplicate varieties featured previously.
The varieties are arranged alphabetically by species, and in some cases the experimental name used in the National Turf Evaluation Program trials follows the variety name. The description of each variety is provided by the company that markets it. GCM does not publish NTEP results, other trial results, numerical data or comparisons. NTEP data are available at www.ntep.org. More information is available from the contributing companies and the research and testing companies listed on p. 56.
BERMUDAGRASS
Barbados, Barenbrug USA
• limited supply now; good supply fall 2007
• high turf quality
• drought tolerance
• dark green color, high density
• germinates quickly and with less water
• great spring green-up
• tolerates close mowing
• high winter survivability
• extremely fine leaves
• suited for fall overseeding
• NTEP
Sunsport, Lesco
• seed available April 2007
• excellent traffic tolerance
• good frost tolerance
• excellent turf quality at mowing heights of 0.5-1.5 inches
• improved density and texture
CREEPING BENTGRASS
Crystal BlueLinks, Tee-2-Green Corp.
• limited seed until late August or September 2007
• attractive bright blue-green color
• excellent winter color
• good brown patch resistance
• dollar spot resistance
• excellent variety for tees and fairways
• Pure-Seed Testing Inc.
• 2003 NTEP Fairway & Tee Trials
FINE FESCUES
Cardinal, creeping red fescue, Mountain View Seeds
• limited seed supply fall 2007
• resistance to red thread, dollar spot and patch diseases
• early green-up
• excellent unmown appearance and quality
• excellent summer stress tolerance
• NTEP
Garnet creeping red fescue (CRF 1-03), Pickseed
• seed available after 2007 harvest, limited supply
until 2008
• high endophyte levels
• excellent turf quality
• improved disease resistance, particularly to red thread
• improved summer performance and heat tolerance
• spreads naturally by producing rhizomes
• well adapted to shade and to low-fertility acidic soils
• mixes well with Kentucky bluegrass and perennial
ryegrass
• 2003 NTEP Fine Fescue trial
Shoreline Slender creeping red fescue (SRX 55R),
Seed Research of Oregon
• seed available fall 2007
• high resistance to salt and rapid blight
• dark green color
• high heat and drought tolerance
• suited for fairways, roughs and lawns
• high density; excellent shade tolerance
• excellent summer and winter performance
• 2003 Fine Fescue NTEP
• Rutgers University
• http://turf.rutgers.edu/research/
turfgrassproceedings/2005/article2.pdf
SR 5130 chewings fescue (SRX 51G),
Seed Research of Oregon
• seed available fall 2007
• very dark green color
• high heat and drought tolerance
• suited for fairways, roughs and lawns
• maintains high density
• resistance to red thread
• excellent summer and winter performance
• 2003 Fine Fescue NTEP
• Rutgers University
• http://turf.rutgers.edu/research/
turfgrassproceedings/2005/article2.pdf
SR 5250 (SRX 52961) strong creeping red fescue,
Seed Research of Oregon
• seed available fall 2007
• very dark green color
• high heat and shade tolerance
• suited for fairways, roughs and lawns
• high resistance to summer patch, dollar spot and
red thread
• excellent summer and winter performance
• 1998 Fine Fescue NTEP
• Rutgers University
• http://turf.rutgers.edu/research/
turfgrassproceedings/2005/article2.pdf
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Zinfandel Kentucky Bluegrass |
KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS
Arrowhead, Mountain View Seeds
• seed available 2007
• dark color
• rugged and durable
• tolerant of fairway cutting heights
• improved disease resistance
• NTEP
Corsair, Columbia Seeds LLC
• limited supply until 2007 harvest
• excellent summer color
• superior rust resistance in Mid-Atlantic region
• dark green color
• derived from a compact type Kentucky Bluegrass
• 2005 Kentucky Bluegrass NTEP
Moonlight SLT, The Scotts Co.
• limited seed supply fall 2007
• overall excellent performance
• medium, dark green color
• excellent disease resistance
• salt tolerance
• www.turf-seed.com
Rampart (Pick 417), Seed Research of Oregon
• seed available now
• Julia-type bluegrass
• excellent wear tolerance and sod strength
• vivid, dark green color
• medium, fine texture
• excellent necrotic ring spot resistance
• excellent leaf spot resistance
• 2000 Kentucky Bluegrass NTEP
• Rutgers University, http://turf.rutgers.edu/research/
turfgrassproceedings/2005/article3.pdf
Yankee (NA-3271), Columbia Seeds, LLC
• limited seed until 2007 harvest
• dark green color
• prolific rhizome producer
• 2005 Kentucky Bluegrass NTEP
Zinfandel, Lebanon Turf
• seed available September 2007
• excellent overall turf quality
• dark green genetic color
• excellent performance at lower cutting heights
• excellent resistance to leaf spot, stripe smut and stem rust
• very good winter color and spring green-up
• medium-fine leaf texture
• excellent turf density and wear tolerance
• Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings, 2005 NTEP
PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
Amazing GS, Ampac Seed Co.
• seed available fall 2007
• excellent gray leaf spot resistance
• very fast spring green-up
• dark green
• improved crown rust resistance
• fine texture
• wide geographic region of application
• Rutgers University, NTEP
Apple GL, ZSeeds/Mountain View Seeds
• seed available now
• tolerance to gray leaf spot
• resistance to pythium and patch diseases
• improved tolerance to saline irrigation
• vigorous and aggressive
• excellent stand retention in colder climates
• NTEP
Attribute (IS-PR 270), Lesco
• seed available now
• excellent turf quality at all maintenance levels
• gray leaf spot resistance
• high in endophytes
• dark green color
• NTEP
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Caddieshack II demonstrates good winter survival in a Wisconsin trial. Photo courtesy of Jacklin Seed by Simplot |
Caddieshack II, Jacklin Seed by Simplot
• some 2006 seed available; 2007 crop will not be limited
• adapted to wide range maintenance regimes and
mowing heights
• excellent resistance to brown patch, Bipolaris leaf spot,
pythium blight and red thread
• outstanding winter performance
• wear-tolerant
• good for winter overseeding
• 2004 Perennial Ryegrass NTEP
Cutter II (PM 101), Pickseed
• seed available after July 2007; limited supply until 2008
• high turf quality
• superior genetic color, density and leaf texture
• excellent germination and establishment
• excellent resistance to brown patch and pythium
• excellent summer performance
• for perennial turf and winter overseeding
• 2004 NTEP Perennial Ryegrass
Dasher 3 (Pick RB-1), Pickseed
• seed available after July 2007; limited supply until 2008
• superior resistance to gray leaf spot
• elite turf quality at nearly all test locations
• dark green genetic color, excellent summer density
• excellent germination and establishment
• excellent resistance to brown patch and pythium
• excellent summer performance and heat tolerance
• for perennial turf and winter overseeding
• 2004 NTEP Perennial Ryegrass
Halo, Burlingham Seeds
• seed available now
• good genetic color; extremely dark green color
• improved brown patch and crown rust resistance
• medium endophyte level
• excellent for cool-season seed mixes
• NTEP
Homerun, Mountain View Seeds
• limited supply in 2007
• early green-up
• excellent summer density
• compact growth
• NTEP
La Quinta, Jacklin Seed by Simplot
• some seed available from 2006; good supply from
2007 crop
• good for overseeding dormant bermudagrass in the
Southwest
• excellent quality, color and density when mowed at
0.4375 inch
• excellent spring green-up
• holds color well into winter; superior winter hardiness
• resistance to pink snow mold, red thread, Drechslera
leaf spot
• 2004 Perennial Ryegrass NTEP
Overdrive (BSP), Burlingham Seeds
• seed available now
• broad adaptability
• gray leaf spot disease resistance
• excellent color and vigor
• slower growing for less mowing
• highly endophyte for stress tolerance
• better summer active growth helps in recovery
• NTEP; Rutgers University; Novel AG
Penguin 2 (STR 4PSLT), Seed Research of Oregon
• seed available fall 2007
• high seedling salt tolerance
• dark green color
• rapid germination
• high resistance to red thread
• superior performance for overseeding
• winter-active growth
• Commercial Turf Breeders Trial — Perennial ryegrass
Pleasure Supreme, Ampac Seed Co.
• limited seed supply fall 2007
• lush, dark green
• great summer density
• fine texture
• well suited for the Midwest, Intermountain West and
West Coast
• Rutgers University, NTEP
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Revenge GLX (center), which has excellent gray leaf spot resistance, compares favorably with the nonresistant varieties on either side of it. Photo courtesy of Jacklin Seed by Simplot |
Revenge GLX, Jacklin Seed by Simplot
• good 2007 seed supply
• excellent gray leaf spot resistance
• excellent seedling vigor
• enhanced cold tolerance and broad adaptation
• excellent performance in transition and north-central
regions
• fine leaf texture
• adapted to mowing heights of 0.4375 to 2.5 inches
• resistance to pythium blight, brown patch and red thread
• 2004 Perennial Ryegrass NTEP
Slugger, Mountain View Seeds
• good seed supply in 2007
• retains density under fairway maintenance
• excellent for overseeding
• aggressive, recuperates from injury
• resistance to insects and disease
• NTEP
Top Gun II, Jacklin Seed by Simplot
• some seed available from 2006; good supply from 2007
• superior spring green-up and spring density
• resistance to pythium blight, brown patch, pink snow
mold and red thread
• good winter color
• excellent winter survival in northern locations
• adapted to high-traffic areas
• for winter overseeding on dormant bermudagrass
• 2004 Perennial Ryegrass NTEP trial
TALL FESCUE
Coronado TDH, The Scotts Co.
• limited supply available fall 2007
• deep, dark green color
• medium leaf texture
• outstanding brown patch resistance
• developed in North Carolina
• performs well in the South and on the West Coast
• Pure Seed Testing
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Jaguar 4G is a tall fescue variety with dark green color and medium leaf texture. Photo courtesy of Jacklin Seed by Simplot |
Jaguar 4G, Jacklin Seed by Simplot
• 2006 supply available; 2007 available
• adapted to full sun and partial shade
• excellent resistance to brown patch and pythium
• drought tolerance
• remains green when other species have gone dormant
• good quality, dark color and reduced top growth
• adapted to temperate and transition regions
• adapted to high-, medium- and low-input management
• performs best at 1.5-3 inch cutting height
• tested in company trials on sod farms in Maryland,
Ohio, California
Monet, Lebanon Turf
• limited supply August 2007
• excellent overall turf quality
• dark green genetic color
• excellent brown patch resistance
• excellent mowing quality
• medium leaf texture
• excellent turf density
• very good traffic tolerance
• high drought and heat tolerance
• Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings, 2006 NTEP
SR 8650 (STR 8LMM), Seed Research of Oregon
• available fall 2007
• high density and turf quality
• dark green color
• high heat and drought tolerance
• high brown patch and net blotch resistance
• high wear tolerance
• high rhizome production
• Commercial Turf Breeders Trial — Tall Fescue 2005 Trial
• http://www.ctbt-us.info/
• Rutgers University; 2006 Tall Fescue NTEP
• http://turf.rutgers.edu/research/
turfgrassproceedings/2005/article5.pdf
TEXAS HYBRID BLUEGRASS
SPF-30, The Scotts Co.
• limited supply available fall 2007
• F1 cross
• tolerance to heat in humid and dry conditions
• medium green color and leaf texture
• aggressive growth habit
• blend with tall fescues to improve tolerance to
brown patch
• blend with other bluegrasses for heat tolerance
• www.turf-seed.com
TRANSITIONAL RYEGRASS
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T3 tetraploid ryegrass |
T3 tetraploid ryegrass, Pennington Seed
• limited supply available fall 2007
• dark glossy green color
• exceptionally fine texture
• for overseeding warm-season grasses
• University of Arkansas; Auburn University;
Langlois Enterprises, New Jersey; Seeds West, Arizona
Transist 2400 transitional ryegrass, Pickseed
• good supply from July 2007 harvest; limited supply
until 2008
• replaces Transist 2200
• darker green color with finer leaf texture
• improved turf density; lower growth habit
• fast germination and establishment
• excellent spring transition
• for overseeding blends with perennial ryegrass
• NTEP overseeding trial, winter 2004-2005 and
2005-2006 (40% component of Futura 2500 blend)
Kentucky Bluegrass types
For many years turfgrass breeders would walk over turf plots of new Kentucky bluegrass hybrids and comment that one was a Midnight type and another was a Baron type. Although the breeders understood what these characterizations meant, the superintendent who purchased the grass seed most likely had little knowledge of Kentucky bluegrass types.
The bluegrasses in each type share many characteristics in common, often because they are closely related. Kentucky bluegrass hybrids usually contain all of the genetic makeup of the mother and about half of the genetic makeup of the father, and they express more of the mother’s genetics. Some plants will be variant plants that have only a few genetic differences from the original plants. Because varieties in each type share the same strengths and weaknesses, it is important for blends to include more than one Kentucky bluegrass type.
In the 2000 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings (http://turf.rutgers.edu/
research/turfgrassproceedings/2000/2000_55.pdf), the various types of Kentucky bluegrass were listed and described in some detail. The different types are used by researchers and by seed companies describing Kentucky bluegrasses in promotional material, just as they are used in GCM’s seed update. The different types and what they mean are listed below.
Compact types: Compact, Midnight and America
Compact type
• low, compact growth
• good leaf spot resistance
• late spring green-up
• long winter dormancy
• often purple winter color
• variable tolerance to summer stress
Midnight type
• characteristics of compact type
• very dark green, high-quality turf
• good heat tolerance
• susceptible to powdery mildew
• variable resistance to summer patch
America type
• characteristics of compact type
• finer leaf texture and higher density than other
compact types
• good resistance to dollar spot, leaf spot and stripe smut
• moderate winter dormancy
• moderate summer stress recovery
Julia type
• high-quality turf
• moderate winter performance
• early spring green-up
• good resistance to leaf spot and stripe smut
• high wear tolerance
• susceptible to dollar spot, brown patch
Bellevue type
• medium-to-low growth
• early spring green-up
• medium leaves and shoot density
• excellent winter color and turf quality
• stemmy in late spring
• moderate resistance to leaf spot and stripe smut
• moderately susceptible to billbug
CELA (Challenger, Eclipse, Liberty, Adelphi) type
• early spring green-up
• less stemmy than Bellevue types
• good winter color
• good resistance to stripe smut and leaf spot
Aggressive type
• aggressive lateral growth
• high shoot density
• wear tolerant
• quickly knit sod and repair
• may predominate in blend
• variable in other characteristics
Mid-Atlantic ecotype
• medium-high density
• vigorous and extensive rhizome system
• generally moderate susceptibility to leaf spot
• improved heat tolerance
• excellent summer stress recovery
• moderate-to-good winter performance
Shamrock type
• good tolerance to stripe smut
• variable summer stress
• moderate susceptibility to billbug
• otherwise similar to BVMG types
Cheri type
• medium-to-wide leaves
• medium-low growth and medium density
• moderate resistance to leaf spot
• good resistance to stripe smut
• high seed yield
• moderate susceptibility to dollar spot
• moderate winter dormancy
BVMG (Baron, Victa, Merit, Gnome) type
• high seed yield
• moderate winter color
• moderate leaf spot resistance
• moderately susceptible to billbug
• medium density, medium-low growth
• susceptible to stripe smut
• poor winter color and longer dormancy
Common type (formerly Midwest ecotypes)
• “common” Kentucky bluegrass
• early spring green-up
• narrow leaf blade, erect growth habit
• very susceptible to leaf spot disease
• good stress tolerance
• poor turf quality and excessive purple color in winter
• adapted to high cutting heights
Other turf types: Varieties that have not yet been assigned to any of the classifications above.
— Leah Brilman, director of research and technical services, Seed Research of Oregon
Contributors to the seed update
Ampac Seed Co.
Company contact:
Aaron Kuenzi
P.O. Box 318
Tangent OR 97389
541-928-1651 phone
541-928-2430 fax
aaron@ampacseed.com
www.ampacseed.com
Barenbrug USA
Company contact:
Christiaan Arends
33477 Hwy. 99E
Tangent, OR 97389
541-926 5801 phone
541-926 9435 fax
carends@barusa.com
www.barusa.com
Burlingham Seeds
Company contact:
Zenon Lis
P.O. Box 46
Rickreall, OR 97371
800-221-7333 phone
503-623-2477 fax
info@burlinghamseeds.com
www.burlinghamseeds.com
Columbia Seeds LLC
Company contact:
Ryan Jeffries
303-953.0097 direct office
303-284.6926 direct fax
303-522.6296 cell
877 NW Grant Avenue
Corvallis, OR 97330
888-681.7333 toll-free
541-757.1468 phone
541-757.1479 fax
rjeffries@columbiaseeds.com
tpape@columbiaseeds.com
sharer@columbiaseeds.com
www.columbiaseeds.com
Jacklin Seed by Simplot
Company contact:
Julie Tobler
W. Riverbend Ave.
Post Falls, ID 83854
208-773-7581 phone
208-773-4846 fax
Julie.tobler@simplot.com
www.simplot.com
Lebanon Turf
Company contact:
Murray Wingate
1600 East Cumberland St.
Lebanon, PA 17042
800-233-0628 phone
800-806-8580 fax
mwingate@lebsea.com
www.lebanonturf.com
Lesco
Company contact:
Evelyn Dennis
1301 East 9th Street, Suite 1300
Cleveland, OH 44114
800-321-5325 phone
216-706-5155 fax
edennis@lesco.com
www.lesco.com
Mountain View Seeds
Company contact:
Todd Bond
8955 Sunnyview Road NE
Salem, OR 97305
503-588-7333 phone
503-587-8688 fax
todd@mtviewseeds.com
www.mtviewseeds.com
Pennington Seed
Company contact:
Russ Nicholson
P.O. Box 290
Madison, GA 30650
706-342-1234 ext. 281 phone
706-342-8071 fax
russ@penningtonseed.com
www.penningtonseed.com
Pickseed
Company contact:
Gerard Pepin
P.O. Box 888
Tangent OR, 97389
800-547-4108 toll-free
541-926-8886 phone
541-928-1599 fax
jpepin@pickseed.com
www.pickseed.com
The Scotts Co.
Company contact:
Wayne Horman
Wayne.horman@scotts.com
503-792-3633 phone
503-792-3637 fax
www.scotts.com
www.turf-seed.com
Seed Research of
Oregon
Company contact:
Bill Dunn
27630 Llewellyn Road
Corvallis, OR 97333
800-253-5766 phone
541-758-5305 fax
bdunn@sroseed.com
www.sroseed.com
Tee-2-Green Corp.
Company contact:
Lee Elyea
P.O. Box 250
Hubbard, OR 97032
503-263-0730 phone
503-651-2351 fax
lee@tee-2-green.com
www.tee-2-green.com
ZSeeds/Mountain
View Seeds
Company contact:
John Zajac
P.O. Box 8
Berlin, MD 21811
410-641-3752 phone
410-641-3754 fax
zajacjj@comcast.net
www.mtviewseeds.com
TESTING AND BREEDERS
NTEP
(National Turfgrass
Evaluation Program)
www.ntep.org
Pure-Seed Testing Inc.
Crystal Fricker
P.O. 250
Hubbard, OR 97032
503-651-2130 phone
503-263-0703 fax
Rutgers University
http://turf.rutgers.edu
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