Cultivar Development and Management of Velvet Bentgrass (Agrostis
Canina)
Dr. Bridget Ruemmele, University of Rhode Island, 5 years, $31,000/year.
Objective(s): 1. To select those cultivars that have enhanced qualities, pest resistance and
tolerance to other cultural limitations. 2. Determine optimal management practices for
Velvet Bentgrass under varying turf situations.
2000 Results: Objective 1: Breeding for the growth under reduced cultural inputs. More than 3800 plants were subjected to greenhouse screening of Dollar Spot disease and Brown Patch in one of two inoculation trials. Varying levels of susceptibility were observed. The top 10 survivors were retained for transplanting to field space for seed production. Germplasm will continue to be collected, many golf courses have been identified as potential collection sites.
Objective 2: Optimal Management Practices. Five trial areas were initiated using a new velvet bentgrass cultivar (SR7200). Plots seeded to high sand content rootzones have been the most difficult to establish. It was observed that spring-seeded plots establish more quickly than fall-seeded plots. Various observations on stress related effects will be monitored and evaluated including disease, drought, insect and traffic.
2001 Results: Objective 1: Breeding for growth under reduced cultural inputs. The top 10 percent of survivors of dollar spot and brown patch screenings have been transplanted to field space plantings during Fall of 2001.
Three breeder blocks were established in Fall 2001. Germplasm will continue to be collected through 2002. Yuexia Wang, Doctorate Candidate at the University of Rhode Island, has been successful with transgenic gene manipulation to introduce disease and herbicide resistance into velvet bentgrass germplasm. Some of these transgenic plants have been inoculated with the fungal pathogens responsible for Dollar Spot and Brown Patch before and after herbicide treatments. Results have suggested that herbicide treatments of glufosinate could help to significantly reduce disease infections, and that molecular technologies show potential to supplement conventional breeding practices.
Objective 2: Optimal management practices. When Velvet Bentgrass is managed under conditions favoring Creeping Bentgrass, the velvet tends to become thatchy and more pest-susceptible. Six field management trials using SR7200, (approximate area totaling 23,000 square feet) have been established to conduct several cultural practice trials including fertility, height of cut, wear, etc.
