1. Seed Research of Oregon
Warm Season Grasses
Seed Research of Oregon
Helen Lucas

2. Warm SeasonTurfgrass Species
Common Name Scientific Name Pollination Ploidy
Bermudagrass Cynodon dactylon var. Cross Allotetraploid=36 Couchgrass dactylon
Transvaalensis C. transvaalensis Cross Diploid=18
bermudagrass
Zoysiagrass Zoysia ssp. Cross Tetraploid = 40
Seashore paspalum Paspalum vaginatum Cross Diploid=20
Bahiagrass Paspalum notatum Apomict Tetraploid = 40
Cross Diploid = 20
St. Augustinegrass Stenotaphrum Cross Diploid = 18
(Buffalograss) secundatum Polyploid = 30

3. Warm SeasonTurfgrass Species
Common Name Scientific Name Pollination Ploidy
Centipedegrass Eremochloe ophiuroides Cross Diploid = 18
American Buffalograss Buchloe dactyloides Dioecious 20, 40, 60
Kikuyagrass Pennisetum clandestinum Cross Tetraploid = 36
Saltgrass Distichlis spicata Cross n = 36, 40

4. Warm Season Grass Breeding
Less total breeding public and private
Primary species couchgrass (bermudagrass), zoysia, buffalograss, seashore paspalum
Additional species centipedegrass, St. Augustine, bahiagrass
Most improved cultivars are vegetative - increase of single improved plants.
Sterile, low seed yields, difficult to process seeds, excellent vegetative growth, uniformity
New improvements in seeded types

5. Bermudagrass Breeding
Sterile triploid hybrids between Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon and C. transvaalensis primary varieties
USDA Tifton, GA - Tifgreen, Tifway, Tifdwarf, TifSport, TifEagle
Winter-hardy Kansas State - Midway, MidIron, Midlawn
Improved seeded cultivars - cold-hardiness, spring dead spot resistance, uniformity, speed of germination, leaf spot resistance, color, density, seed yield - Quality approaching vegetative cultivars

6. Seeding the Future ……. SRO Seeded Bermudagrass Products
Yukon (exp. OKS91-11)
SR 9554
LaPaloma (exp. SRX 9500)
LaPrima Blend – blends are not included in NTEP
Our research and development programs are ongoing, screening germplasm that has been collected from around the world, looking for specific traits that are of particular interest to our customers.
Our varieties will complete with any of the seeded varieties currently available on the market and quite a few of the vegetatives - not only in quality, but in price as well!
Be sure to look at the bermuda variety comparison chart in your binders.

7. Seeded Turf-Type Bermudas
New projects
golf or sports fields
Renovations – far more acreage
existing common, turf-type seeded or vegetative bermuda
Entire South - Spring Recovery
re-establish bermuda base for better
Spring transition
We have put a lot of our efforts into improved seeded turf type bermudagrass varieties. Our emphasis has been to select varieties for new projects such as golf or sports fields, renovations on existing seeded or vegetative bermuda and interseeding into existing turf, in order to improve spring transition and recovery.

8. Seeded Turf-Type Bermudas
Southern Bermuda Belt
non-uniform appearance of existing bermuda
upgrade to improved variety
(disease tolerance, color/texture, divot repair, etc.)
Spring transition difficulties
Transition Zone
drought, salt or disease stress on existing rye/blue
Winter kill of your existing bermuda variety
We have put a lot of our efforts into improved seeded turf type bermudagrass varieties. Our emphasis has been to select varieties for new projects such as golf or sports fields, renovations on existing seeded or vegetative bermuda and interseeding into existing turf, in order to improve spring transition and recovery.

9. Divot Repair Data
Tifway 419
Tifsport

10. Spring Dead Spot Resistance Critical South AND Transition
Yukon & Midlawn
Highest resistance
Riviera & TifSport
Moderate resistance
Princess 77 & Tifway
Most susceptible
As you can see, Spring Dead Spot resistance is a real threat to bermudagrass as well as other turf grasses. Of the bermudas, Yukon and Midlawn hybrid are the most resistance to this, whereas Princess and Tifway are the most susceptable.

11. Drought Stress Reduced Water Supplies Choose the Right Variety
“The most vigorously germinating cultivars under both drought and control conditions were (in decreasing order): YUKON (OKS91-11), Sahara, Mirage, and Pyramid. Four other cultivars exhibited low cumulative germination rates under all conditions: Panama (PST-R63), Savannah (PST-R64), Princess (FMC-77), and Sultan (FMC-8).” Dr. Ken Marcum – Univ. of AZ

12. Zoysiagrass Breeding
Finest textured, highest uniformity in vegetative cultivars - Zoysia japonica, Z. matrella and Z. pacifica
Texas A&M University - Reduced water use, cold-hardiness, shade tolerance, improved establishment and recovery
Improved seeded cultivars - Z. japonica and Z. sinica have larger seadheads more useful for seed production
More uniform than common, use on sports fields and homelawns