BTURFGRASS

New bluegrass species for turf

By David R. Huff Pennsylvania State University

ommonly known as bluegrasses in including apomixis and dioecy (Table 1). and as meadowgrass- Species may be annual or perennial, with sim- Ces in Europe, the grass genus ple culms, and have narrow, flat leaf blades contains many economically important with a pair of bulliform cell lines along either grass species that are components of pas- side of the midrib and a boat-shaped tip. tures, meadows and turf in both northern The retention of pollen recognition sys- and southern temperate climates. tems and the asexual nature of apomixis The grass genus Poa is a diverse collection present many possibilities for interspecific of widely adapted, cool-season grasses con- hybridization within Poa. taining 300 species. Many species of Poa The potential of integrating wider adap- have worldwide distribution, ranging from tation and transferring valuable agronomic tropical mountain- traits through interspecific hybridization is bluegrass shows ous regions to the attractive. The long-term commitment of most northern limit such breeding objectives, however, has gen- potential for use as a low tolerated by any erally resulted in lack of substantial maintenance turfgrass. species. progress. Examples of interspecific Kentucky blue- hybridization include P. pratensis x P. com- grass [Poa pratensis pressa; P. pratensis x P. alpina; P. ampla x P. L.), which produces some of the finest qual- pratensis; P. scabrella x P. pratensis; P. longi- ity turf in the Green Industry, is the repre- folia x P. pratensis; P. arachnifera x P. praten- sentative species of Poa, both agronomical- sis; and P. caespitosa x P. arachnifera. ly and botanically. This article's objective is to introduce Annual bluegrass several economically-important species of Annual bluegrass [P. annua L.) is described bluegrass that are not normally thought of as being an annual cosmopolitan bunchgrass as amenity turfgrasses, but nonetheless pos- with light-green foliage and sometimes sess qualities that make them interesting rooting from lower nodes. and potentially useful as turf. It is often considered a serious weed Identifying and distinguishing species problem for fine-sports turf However, annu- within Poa is difficult because morphologi- al bluegrass exhibits a range of variability in cal variation often overlaps, and many traits like color, shoot density and life histo- species have an inherent ability to adapt to ry. As such, there are annual bluegrasses that a range of environmental conditions. Fur- exist as long-lived perennials [jR annua f. rep- thermore, the retention of pollen recogni- tans (Hausskn) Timm] with dark forest- tion systems between species enables a vari- green color and a shoot density that is high- ety of interspecific hybridization to occur in er than any other recorded turfgrass. nature. Interspecific hybridization results in The process of this transformation from many species being introgressed with each a annual weedy type to a high shoot density other to such an extent that species classifi- perennial-type is an interesting one. Initial- cation is also often difficult. ly, golf greens planted to creeping bentgrass Poa contains a variety of breeding systems eventually become infested with the wild and weedy annual types I TABLE 1. of annual bluegrass. Because of the ability of AGRONOMICALLY IMPORTANT POA SPECIES AND SOME annual bluegrass to flower and set seed SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS under close mowing heights, those annual Common name Scientific name Chromosome number Method of Reproduction bluegrass that Canada bluegrass P compressa L 35-36, 42, 56 Apospory apomixis become established on Bulbous bluegrass P. bulbosa L 14,21,28,35, 42, 45 Bulbiferous apospory the green sire progeny that are more adapted to Annual bluegrass P. annua L 14 (sterile), Self-compatible, the green's environment 28 gynomonecy than the original coloniz- Texas bluegrass P. arachnifera Torn 56 Dioecious ers. Over time, each generation becomes Despite its name, Canada bluegrass is native more tolerant of the close mowing heights to Europe and southwest Asia and was intro- by investing more of their photosynthesis duced and naturalized throughout much of energy into vegetative growth and less into North America. It's primarily used for pas- seed production. Over decades, the annual tures and for erosion control on nutrient- bluegrass types that exist on golf greens poor or thin soils in parts of , Cana- have evolved stoloniferous-like shoots, a da, and in humid northern United States. short-stature and a high shoot density. It is best adapted to open, poor, dry soils These perennial forms of annual blue- and under these conditions may be better than grass have become an important turfgrass Kentucky bluegrass for lawns. Some strains of for the golf industry in regions like the Pacif- Canada bluegrass show greater shoot density ic Northwest and coast and the U.S. North- than others suggesting that variability exists east. Because such greens-type annual blue- within the species for turfgrass quality charac- grasses evolve on-site and cannot survive in teristics. Thus, Canada bluegrass shows poten- environments other than golf greens, they tial for use as a low maintenance turfgrass. are considered cultivars. Presently, no com- Future prospects for developing mercial sources of such cultivars are avail- improved cultivars are good. Current culti- able. Therefore, prospects for developing vars include: Canon, released in 1944 by improved cultivars are good. the Ontario Agricultural College, Universi- Bulbous One commercially available cultivar ty of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario. (Canadian source of perennial annual bluegrass, known Seed Growers' Association, P.O. Box 8455, bluegrass as Peterson's Creeping bluegrass, has had Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 3T1). Another culti- growth usually some limited success in the semi-arid var is Reubens developed and marketed by regions of as turf. However, there Jacklin Seed Company (W. 5300 Riverbend begins about still are no commercially available cultivars Ave., Post Falls, ID 83854, 208-773-7581). October 1 and for use on golf greens. The intended use of Reubens is for low- maintenance turf and erosion control cover ceases early to Canada bluegrass in areas of low fertility, irregular moisture mid-May Canada bluegrass (P. compressa L.) is a rhi- supply and where mowing is difficult. zomatous perennial with a distinctive bluish-green color of its leaves. Its flowering Bulbous bluegrass culms are stiff and flattened and the lemma Bulbous bluegrass (P. bulbosa L.) is a dense, of its seed has only two nerves and either perennial bunchgrass that possesses swollen, lacks or has sparse basal webbing. fleshy basal sheaths at the bases of its tillers Canada bluegrass resembles Kentucky and culms that resemble bulbs. In addition, bluegrass but is distinguishable by its flatter its flowers do not produce seed but contain culms, its obscure lemma nerves, and typi- vegetative bulblets having purple bases and cally does not have as high a shoot density. slender bracts 5 to 15 mm long. |TURFGRASS

Bulbous bluegrass is a native of southern establishment of stands for turf use is limited. Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Its growth However, Texas bluegrass is known to usually begins October 1 and ceases early to hybridize with Kentucky bluegrass which mid-May soon after the bulblets are set in the radically improves its potential for eventual inflorescences. This growth period of bul- commercial seed production and turf use in bous bluegrass makes it an interesting grass areas of the hot, humid south. Thus, for use in regions where dormant warm-sea- prospects for developing improved cultivars son grasses are normally overseeded to pro- are good. Although no commercially avail- vide a green turf during the winter months. able cultivars are currently available, inter- Given its active winter growth and peren- ested parties should contact Dr. James nial nature, bulbous bluegrass offers potential Read, Texas A&M University, Agricultural as a permanent overseeding grass in areas Experiment Station, Dallas, TX. where warm-season grasses go dormant. Currently, bulbous bluegrass is used for Wood bluegrass pastures and erosion control in parts of the Wood bluegrass (P. nemoralis L.) was intro- western United States., including southwest- duced from Europe and has naturalized in em , and northern California. It many areas across Canada and south into is increased from its bulblets that form in its the northern tier of states. panicles, and these bulblets are planted as Wood bluegrass is suitable for lawns in the though they were seed. There is extensive shade, or low-maintenance lawns under trees. variation among naturally occurring strains of It produces good turf under low maintenance bulbous bluegrass, particularly for traits like conditions and has a fine leaf texture. shoot density, leaf texture and stature. So, our Prospects for developing improved cul- ability to select for fine textured, dense, short- tivars are good. Current cultivars include: statured types makes the prospects for devel- Barnemo, which was developed from Euro- oping improved cultivars appear good. pean material and has shown to produce a Currently, there are no named varieties good turf under low maintenance condi- available in the United States., however, tions and has a fine leaf texture. For further "seed" (i.e. bulblets) is available in limited sup- information interested parties may contact ply from Seeds Inc., Box 866, Tekoa, WA, Barenbrug USA, P.O. Box 239, Tangent, OR 99033, 509-291-5411. 97389, 503-926-5801.

Texas bluegrass Sandberg bluegrass Texas bluegrass {P arachnifera Torr.) is a Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda Presl) is a creeping, rhizomatous perennial grass that is native bluegrass occurring throughout the also dioecious (the sexes are separated onto Northern Plains and Western States. It is a different individual plants). bunchgrass reaching to 24 in. under opti- The spikelets of its female plants are mum conditions. Leaves are sparse. webbed near bases of the lemmas, resembling The grass starts growth early in spring fuzzy balls of cotton, while the spikelets of and matures and dries in midsummer. male plants are only sparsely webbed. Texas While green, and even after drying, the bluegrass is native to the plains and prairies of foliage is palatable, so it is a valuable range south central U.S., and is sometimes cultivat- grass. Seed germination is low. Sandberg is ed as winter pasture and as turf in Texas. usually seeded in combination with later The characteristics that make Texas blue- growing grasses for maximum pasturage grass a potentially useful turfgrass species are over a long season. Its potential for turf is good winter growth and good summer heat only now being explored. stress survival. Thus, Texas bluegrass is already a valuable species within its native habitat, David R. Huff is assistant professor of turf- however, seed production and seeding is often grass breeding and genetics in the Department of Agronomy at Penn State University, College difficult due to the cottony-webbing of its Park, PA seed. Consequently, the production and OTHER BLUEGRASS SPECIES OF INTEREST Not every species of bluegrass is ready for 2-5 mm wide. It naturally grows in decumbent at the base; many flat, prime time. However, there are several mountain meadows, arctic regions of short, well-distributed, dark green leaf species which are of interest to breeders the Northern Hemisphere, extending blades. Seed heads numerous, lax, and may have some impact on the south to , northern , becoming brownish, compact, and genus down the road. Here is the and the alpine summits of , nodding at maturity. Seeds are small, outlook on several such species: , , and Oregon. lemmas lightly pubescent, and sparsely • Big bluegrass (Poa ampla Merr.) is a Alpine bluegrass has extremely early webbed at the base. strong-growing perennial bunchgrass seed maturation and superb winter-har- Plants resemble Canada bluegrass but native in Western United States. Plants diness. It also forms a noticeable thatch become sodbound less readily, lodge are up to 4 ft. tall, with numerous basal with persistent leaves from previous less, and produce more seed. Upland leaves 8 to 16 in. long by 0.375 in. year's growth. Gruening is the first bluegrass is adapted to low-fertility soils wide and a deep, fibrous root system. named cultivar of this species. Gruening and is used for ground cover. Stands are generally not dense. is tended for use in erosion control, It was first introduced in 1935 by • Mutton bluegrass [Poa fendleriana reclamation, and restoration in arctic, Westover and Enlow from Chorsum, (Steud.) Vasey] is native from the Great sub-arctic, and boreal regions. It has Turkey. A cultivar known as Draylar has Lakes westward to the Cascade been observed to out-compete other been selected soil erosion control on Mountains and south into . It is bluegrass cultivars on gravelly, alpine disturbed lands with a minimum annual a perennial bunchgrass with erect stems slopes. For more information contact: precipitation of 45 cm. Draylar is up to 24 in. tall. It develops tillers at the Stoney J. Wright, Manager, Plant apomictic (2n=50) and has been used base and rarely produces short rhi- Materials Center, State of Alaska, HC by the Carnegie Institution of zomes. Leaves are mainly basal, are 02, Box 7440, Palmer, AK 99645, 907- Washington for bluegrass hybrid rather firm and stiff. They are folded or 745-4469. studies. For more information contact: inrolled, rarely flat. The species grows • Plains bluegrass (Poa arida Vasey) is Plant Materials Center, SCS, Room 104, under a wide range of conditions a native bluegrass that grows in Hulbert Agricultural Sciences Bldg., including elevations to near the top of prairies, plains, and alkali meadows, up WSU, Pullman, WA 99164-6211, 509- the Rocky Mountains. It is also found to 3,000 m elevation in Manitoba to 335-7376. among sagebrush and in open timber , south to western Iowa, Texas, The first cultivar of this species was stands. and . It has erect culms, 20- released as Tundra with an intended use Mutton bluegrass is well adapted to dry 60 cm tall with leaf blades that are for revegetation purposes. Tundra origi- slopes and is found on clay loam as mostly basal, firm, folded. It is mildly nates from selected plant indigenous to well as sandy or gravelly soils. It is rhizomatous, and has ability to establish Alaska along the Sagavanirktok River drought resistant, palatable and nutri- excellent stands in saline-alkaline about 116 km south of the northern tious, and starts growth very early. Even affected soils. coast at Prudhoe Bay. It is adapted the dry growth is grazed well. These Although no cultivars exist, seed for arctic regions to northern fringes of characteristics make it a valuable range limited field testing is available from: boreal forest in Alaska and neighboring grass. The name reflects the value Plant Materials Center, SCS, RR 1 Box areas of Canada. For more information sheepmen place on the grass for sheep 1189, Bridger, MT 59014, 406-662- contact: Palmer Research Center, feed. 3579. Agricultural and Forestry Experiment • Alpine bluegrass (Poa alpina L.) is a • Glaucous or upland bluegrass [Poa Station, 533 E. Fireweed, Palmer, AK low-growing, non-rhizomatous, peren- glauca Vahlssp. glaucantha (Gauldin) 99645, 907-745-3257. nial bunchgrass that is erect, with culms Lindm.] is a perennial, loosely tufted arising from a tight crown, 10-30 cm bunchgrass that spreads by tillering; tall, and has short leaf blades that are numerous compressed, fine, wiry culms,