Full TGIF Record # 232877
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Web URL(s):http://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/rpr/1993/Turfgrass/65318,%20Colorado State, Cuany.PDF
    Last checked: 11/18/2013
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Publication Type:
i
Report
Material Type:Manuscript
Monographic Author(s):Cuany, Robin L.; Koski, Anthony; Thor, Gary L.
Author Affiliation:Principal Investigator
Monograph Title:Development of Dryland Western Turfgrass Cultivars: [1993 Annual Research Report], 1993.
Publishing Information:Fort Collins, Colorado: Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture, Colorado State University
# of Pages:11
Collation:[1], 10 pp.
Abstract/Contents:"Production of Breeder's Seed has been increased in 1993 for all three grasses in our program of improvement of native or adapted grasses for turf. An agreement has been made with a company to grant an exclusive license for further widespread testing and quantity seed production leading to commercial release for alkaligrass, Puccinellia distans. Licenses have not yet been granted for the other two but a decision is closer on blue grama, Bouteloua gracilis, which is the dominant dryland grass of the Great Plains, and is in demand for xeriscapes because of its drought tolerance. The other dryland grass, Fairway crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), has reached final stage in formulation of six Breeder's Seed blocks for experimental strains with rhizomatous tendency and/or narrow leaf width; turf tests of these strains show great promise. The 12-family Breeder's Seed plot for alkaligrass was rogued for some off-color and undesirable prostrate (flat-growing) plants, and also 3 families were cut out. The remaining 9 families were allowed to flower and set seed, which was harvested as a bulk of each family. This seed, as well as previous seed-lots of both European and Western U.S. types was sent to International Seeds Inc. (ISI) as part of the exclusive license agreement under which they will do seed production testing and increase in the Pacific N.W. They will put out more widespread turf tests in this country and with their contacts in N.W. Europe, because of keen interest in this salt-tolerant, but not very heat-tolerant, turfgrass. ISI expects to commercialize one or two cultivars from our germplasm. Some unusual semi-dwarf plants and color variants might also show possibilities. The blue grama breeding program has been brought to the point at which a release of germplasm of the 'Elite' darker green variety to a company is possible. We have 4 lb of pure Breeder's seed of 'Elite' and are currently negotiating with the seed industry to get a company to multiply, release, promote, and market this new turf-adapted blue grama for use where water is a limiting factor. We could also release some or all of the 25 parental clones as basic stock. Turf plots have shown attractive, dense green growth from May to late September. Blue grama has several advantages over buffalograss in its quick germination, lack of unwanted spread, and ability to tolerate several mowing heights. An alternative strain from our nurseries called 'Plus' was again harvested by hand. The need to move Fairway crested wheatgrass recombinations from the old Agronomy Farm to the new Agricultural Research Development and Education Center (ARDEC) caused much work and little seed from the 'Red' and 'Pink' strains. These narrow leaf, somewhat rhizomatous types are now in four 12-replication crossing blocks at ARDEC, with six parental clones in each of the diploid and tetraploid versions. The two 'Gray' strains growing at South Farm did not have to be moved but were rogued for disease, undesirable glaucous color or seedhead type, and we harvested 34 clones (4 replications) of Gray tetraploid and 18 clones (4 reps.) of diploid. This created wheatgrass survives drought well with a quick on-off dormancy mechanism and can be mowed at 3/4 to 3" at moderate frequency with attractive results."
Language:English
References:0
See Also:See also related summary article "Development of dryland western turfgrass cultivars" 1993 Turfgrass Research Summary [USGA], 1993, p. 20-21, R=65318. R=65318
Note:Also appears as pp. 00111-00123 in the USGA Turfgrass Research Committee Reporting Binders for 1993.
"November 2, 1993"
"USGA Report from Colorado for 1993"
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http://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/rpr/1993/Turfgrass/65318,%20Colorado State, Cuany.PDF
    Last checked: 11/18/2013
    Requires: PDF Reader
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