Seed Research of Oregon Perennial Ryegrass Improvement Seed Research of Oregon Dr. Leah A. Brilman

Improving Perennial Ryegrass Gray Leaf Spot Germination with salt stress Winter-active growth

Perennial ryegrass Advantages in mixtures Quick establishment Very dark green color Resistant to different diseases than KBG/TF Endophyte-enhanced Disadvantages in mixtures Overdominate other components Bunch-type growth Reduced stress tolerance

GLS - What me worry? Gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass First reported in 1991 Pennsylvania Epidemics in 1995, 1997 and 2000 in Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and transition zones Verified also in MidWest, New England, now West Large areas of fairways, roughs and athletic fields can be rapidly lost In California both permanent and overseeded turf

Gray leaf spot Water-soaked lesions Dark colored spots Gray to brown lesions with darker border Twisting, hooked leaves Leaf and plant death Grayish color

Gray Leaf Spot Fairway CA

GLS in CA 2003-2004 Almost 30 courses with positive diagnoses – mainly perennial ryegrass 1st epidemic: August – September 2nd epidemic October – November Ryegrass Kikuyugrass

What we know Gray leaf spot spores primarily airborne and spread by mowers, equipment (How did it get to CA?) Gray leaf spot overwinters as dormant mycelium in dead tissue - cold winters can reduce initial innoculum Long periods of leaf wetness under hot conditions favor the disease Initial innoculum builds up under lower temperatures then it explodes Often first occurs in shady, wet areas

Temperature and Leaf Wetness

What we know Initial symptoms are an off-color, wilted appearance Often mistaken for drought stress so irrigation is applied increasing period of leaf wetness = more disease Seedlings tend to be more susceptible than mature plants - could partially be due to maintenance of wet conditions in seedbed High nitrogen makes it worse Primo in spring can make it worse, but not in fall Putting a tarp on a field not a good idea during heat

What we know Fungicide control QoIs - Heritage at high rate good with high disease pressure, Compass at label rate sometimes has reduced control Benzimidazole - Clearys 3336 good at 3 oz except highest pressure Always add in a contact fungicide for spores Resistance already reported to QoIs - switch to fungicide with moderate activity for part of year Best long term solution lies in breeding for resistance

What we know California has four strains of disease - more than Eastern US Appears to indicate longer term presence or multiple introductions Origin of strains uncertain Resistant cultivars show variability in resistance from Eastern US High resistant cultivars still show resistance but highest level may vary One verified incidence in Oregon

Gray Leaf Spot Resistance Rutgers University - 2002 Trial 1-9, 9 = Best 2002 2002 Cultivar GLS Res. Quality MS1 Comp. 8.0 7.0 Integra C1 7.0 5.2 SR 4550 (1557) 7.0 4.3 Integra 5.7 3.3 Amazing 5.0 3.5 Pizzazz 4.3 3.2 LSD@5% 1.4 1.0

Gray Leaf Spot Resistance Rutgers University - 2003 Trial 1-9, 9 = Best 2003 2003 Cultivar GLS Res. Quality SR 4600 7.7 7.2 Panther GLS 7.8 6.9 SR 4550 (1557) 6.0 5.3 Integra C1 6.0 6.7 Integra 4.0 4.2 Pizzazz 3.8 3.8 LSD@5% 1.2 1.2

SR 4600 Perennial ryegrass Superior Gray Leaf Spot resistance Excellent wear tolerance due to spreading growth habit Superior Summer stress tolerance Enhanced Winter active growth Fine leaf texture and vivid, dark green color Widely adaptable to differing climates Highest rated wear tolerance Puyallup, WA

Harrier Perennial ryegrass Excellent Gray Leaf Spot resistance High close mowing quality due to upright-growth habit Superior Spring green-up Excellent traffic stress tolerance Fine leaf texture and viivid, dark green color Upright-growth habit reduces stemminess for dense fine-textured turf under close mowing High Red Thread and Brown Patch resistance High seedling vigor for fast emergence and establishment

Gray Leaf Spot Resistance 2004 NTEP National Perennial Ryegrass Trial Gray Leaf Spot Ratings - Mean of 2 Locations - 2005 Data Disease Rating: 1-9; 9=No Disease Variety Mean Variety Mean Fiesta 4 9.0 Keystone 2 6.8 SR 4600 8.8 Overdrive 6.5 Harrier 8.5 Pizzazz 5.5 Derby Xtreme 8.3 Palmer III 5.3 Manhattan 5 GLR 8.3 Affinity 5.2 Charismatic II GLSR 8.2 Pianist 5.2 Palmer IV 8.0 Brightstar SLT 4.7 Regal 5 7.8 Pinnacle 3.3 Revenge GLX 7.7 Fusion 7.3 LSD Value 1.1 Buena Vista 7.2

Gray Leaf Spot Resistance 2004 Perennial ryegrass NTEP Gray leaf spot - Rutgers University

Ryegrass and GLS Further studies and needs Pyricularia grisea (Magnaporthe grisea) can rapidly change races Currently unknown number of races in US Do resistance genes work against all current races? Some variability in results from seedling trials in NJ and mature plants in MD - high resistant types remain resistant New germplasm sources - many resistant genes from European collections Genetic studies currently being done

Ryegrass and GLS Current and future buying decisions Varieties take two years to get some production started, three years for maximum production Current varieties with good resistance in last NTEP SR 4500, SR 4220. SR 4350, Racer 2, Calypso II Varieties with improved resistance in production SR 4550, SR 4600, Peregrine, Harrier Varieties available next year SRX 4692, SRX 4682, LCK

2004 NOT AS SEVERE AS 2003, BUT SOME COURSES STILL HARD HIT

Perennial ryegrass Gray leaf spot is not only characteristic - other goals Salt tolerance for effluent use, rapid blight resistance Wear tolerance Rapid establishment - Best species for establishment during play Winter-active growth for many uses Daylength-dependent dwarf types less suitable Heat, drought and cold tolerance Decumbent, spreading growth - superior in Europe for repair Reduce nitrogen requirements Quick transitioning

Headstart II Perennial ryegrass Excellent winter color and winter active growth Superior Spring green-up Excellent traffic stress tolerance Fine leaf texture and vivid, dark green color High Red Thread , Pythium Blight and Brown Patch resistance High seedling vigor for fast emergence and establishment

Firebolt Perennial ryegrass High performance under “Schedule C” homeowner High turf quality in Transition zone Excellent performance in PNW - low light intensity Excellent performance Mountain West Very Dark Green Color, fine leaf texture Superior red thread resistance Good brown patch resistance

Salt tolerance in ryegrass Tolerance during seed germination May be different than tolerance as adult plants Important to aid establishment - especially in overseeding Temperatures shown to have an effect Different salts - we use artificial sea salt Studies with barley looking for genes suggest relationship to ABA synthesis High varieties in our trials also show high adult salt tolerance and rapid blight resistance

Germination with salt

Germination with salt

Germination with salt

Salt tolerant and other ryes STR 4PSLT - plants from salt screening planted and rouged for uniformity, color and yield. Has germplasm from Penguin plus SR 4420, 4220 and Hawkeye. Planted fall, 2005. STR 4TPC - Progeny of survivors in very heavy salt at TPC Scottsdale. STR 45AB - Winter-active material. STR 4QTR - Quick transitioning ryegrass

Gray leaf spot resistant ryes Peregrine - 1st cycle - certified seed SR 4550 - 2nd cycle - certified seed SR 4600 (SRX 4SP) - Certified this fall - brown patch resistance, lateral spread, highest turf quality Harrier (SRX 4UP3) - Certified this fall - stress tolerant, high turf quality SRX 4682 - Certified next fall - Hawkeye II, high gray leaf spot resistance SRX 4692 - Certified next fall - SR 4220 der. LCK - Certified next fall - High brown patch and GLS

Why overseed with different species? Use mixtures for genetic diversity Resistance to diseases and stresses Color contrast Improved transition Improved quality Smaller seeds Potential cost savings

Velvet Bentgrass - Overseeding Very small seed size (best for ultradwarfs) Best putting surface Highest wear tolerance, high density Medium establishment Germinates well at low soil temperatures Medium dark green – Mixes well Best low light or shade tolerance Excellent Spring transition

Velvet Bentgrass - Overseeding Creeping bentgrass SR 7200 Velvet bentgrass

Why overseed with different species? Labyrinthula on Poa trivialis in SC

Fine fescues - Overseeding Very fine with stiff texture Good wear tolerance Winter-active growth Improved transition with high quality Rapid germination - Chewings and red Resistance to Labyrinthula fungus Medium seed size

Fine fescues - Overseeding High salt tolerance Color and texture contrast Increase genetic diversity of mixtures Mixtures with perennial ryegrass, bentgrasses, Poa trivialis Seeding rates (alone) - Do not mow too soon Greens 25 - 30 lbs./1000 sq. ft. Tees 20-25 lbs./1000 sq. ft. Fairways 10-15 lbs./1000 sq.ft. - Excellent

Chewings Fescue Strengths Rapid germination - close to perennial ryegrass Winter-active growth Heat tolerance - improved cultivars Tolerant of low height of cut - most improved cultivars Shade tolerance Recent studies on low maintenance fairways in WI, MN and IL showed highest performance by Chewings WI NTEP Fairway Trials with wear applied Chewings fescue was highest ranked Good summer patch, leaf spot resistance

Chewings Fescue Where to use Fairways - Northern United States, PNW, Coastal CA Fairways - Overseeding blends with perennial ryegrass Roughs - Northern through transition zone. How to use With all bentgrasses for divot repair or greens repair Low maintenance fairways Roughs - shaded, ornamental seedheads Overseeding blends - better transition, fine textured In blends with Kentucky bluegrass for fairways/roughs

Slender Creeping Red Fescue Strengths High salt tolerance Resistance to rapid blight Short rhizomes for repair Tolerant of short cutting heights for fairways Improved ones with high heat tolerance Excellent fall, winter and spring color Extensively used in Europe for fairways . European types have less heat tolerance, higher density, low seed yields. Short growing height

Slender Creeping Red Fescue Weaknesses Brighter green color - not as dark green Limited number of cultivars with endophytes New cultivars tolerate heat in Central Valley of California - others not enough heat tolerance for some areas Most cultivars with good resistance to leaf spot and red thread, but poor resistance to dollar spot and summer patch. Newest cultivars improved resistance to all diseases.

Slender Creeping Red Fescue Where to use Fairways - areas with salt problems overseeding blends and permanent turf in cool season areas Greens and tees for overseeding in salt areas - used for permanent greens in UK Roughs - mown and unmown. Important component in links style blends Besides parking lots, roadways where salt is used How to use Blends with other fine fescues, colonial bentgrass, bluegrass and perennial ryegrass

Dawson slender creeping red fescue Perennial ryegrass

Transitional Ryegrass Percent Cover Annual, Transitional, Perennial + mixtures. Seeded Feb. 20, 2004. Puyallup, WA. Treatment March March April April April April 12 25 2 9 16 22 Axcella AR 26.7 50.0 68.3 91.7 98.3 100 Transeze TR 23.3 48.3 70.0 90.0 95.0 100 PR Blend 8.3 23.3 53.3 53.3 76.7 95 TR + PR 21.7 38.3 70.0 85.0 100 100 AR + PR 25.0 43.3 71.7 90.0 98.3 100 LSD@5% 10.2 12.7 11.7 24.9 0 0 Dr. Gwen Stahnke - Washington State University Puyallup, WA Dr. Leah A. Brilman - Seed Research of Oregon

Transitional Ryegrass Strengths Very quick establishment Less expensive seed Lasts only one to two seasons Germination and growth at cooler temp. Moderate green color Less mowing requirement than annual Does not overdominate mixtures Can be used with Kentucky bluegrass as nurse grass

Transitional ryegrass PR TR AR PR/TR

Transitional Ryegrass Weaknesses Poor mowing quality in spring Lighter green than current perennial ryegrass varieties Low salt tolerance as mature plants Germination excellent with salts Dr. Gwen Stahnke - Washington State University Puyallup, WA Dr. Leah A. Brilman - Seed Research of Oregon

Transitional Ryegrass Where to use Overseeding south Nurse crop north How to use Overseeding - to improve transition Nurse grass Repair during colder times of the year Dr. Gwen Stahnke - Washington State University Puyallup, WA Dr. Leah A. Brilman - Seed Research of Oregon