Turf-Seed/Pure Seed Testing Host 22nd Annual Field Day

The field day allowed superintendents and turfgrass professionals to see commercial and experimental turfgrass seed varieties tested under real world conditions.

Turfgrass professionals learned about the newest seed varieties and turfgrass research at the annual Turf-Seed/Pure Seed Testing Field Day, June 17 in Hubbard, Oregon. The field day gave superintendents, turf managers, distributors and seed growers the opportunity see turf varieties growing under different conditions. There were putting green, fairway and shade trials, test plots mowed at different heights, and varieties planted in seed production trials.

Field Day Highlights

Expert sees need for salt and drought tolerant grasses

Dr. Ronny Duncan of Turf Eco Systems, LLC, spoke on the need for improved genetic tolerance in grass varieties and blends.

?EUR??,,????'??Grass tolerance is going to become extremely important the further we get into this century,?EUR??,,????'?? Duncan predicted. ?EUR??,,????'??We?EUR??,,????'???re going to need a lot more multiple stresses built into grasses or we?EUR??,,????'???re not going to have a lot of turf surviving out there. Salinity is going to be challenging it; we?EUR??,,????'???re also going to need a lot better drought tolerance in these grasses.?EUR??,,????'??

There are a variety of new salt tolerant and heat and drought resistant grasses currently available.

Tests say genetically engineered bents spread traits through pollination

Participants learned that genetically engineered glyphosate resistant bentgrasses growing in Oregon had contaminated nonengineered bentgrasses through pollination. ?EUR??,,????'??The pollen traveled two and a half miles,?EUR??,,????'?? explained David Carillo. ?EUR??,,????'??It pollinated another plant, which produced seed containing the glyphosate resistant gene.?EUR??,,????'?? Pure Seed Testing planted the contaminated seed in a greenhouse and after it grew sprayed the plant three times with glyphosate; the plant survived. The plant was also checked using a simple test kit and came up positive for the presence of the glyphosate gene. ?EUR??,,????'??It?EUR??,,????'???s similar to a pregnancy test and very conclusive,?EUR??,,????'?? noted Carillo. ?EUR??,,????'??It tests for a specific gene that is there, so it?EUR??,,????'???s either yes or no.?EUR??,,????'??

Trials show Velocity?EUR??,,????<Poa annua in bentgrass

A new chemical called Velocity was shown extremely effective at controlling Poa annua in test plots at field day. Developed by Valent Corporation, Velocity is being used for selective control of Poa annua and Poa Trivialis in perennial ryegrasses and bentgrasses.

New tall fescue variety shows great promise

Tar Heel ll, a new tall fescue developed at Pure Seed Testing?EUR??,,????'???East has shown excellent resistance to brown patch in NTEP trials and those conducted by Pure Seed Testing. Tar Heel ll performed well in shade trials, and has shown the highest level of salt tolerance of any tall fescues yet screened by Pure Seed Testing.

The Turf-Seed/Pure Seed Testing Field Day alternates yearly between Pure Seed Testing- West in Oregon, and Pure Seed Testing?EUR??,,????'???East, near Rolesville, North Carolina. Next year?EUR??,,????'???s field day will be held in Rolesville, N.C., June 17, 2005.

For more information visit www.turf-seed.com.