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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #202409
Title: Development and Impact of Vegetative Propagation in Warm-Season Forage and Turf Grasses

Author
item HANNA, WAYNE - UNIV OF GA
item Anderson, William - Bill

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2007
Publication Date: 5/8/2008
Citation: Hanna, W.W., Anderson, W.F. 2008. Development and Impact of Vegetative Propagation in Warm-Season Forage and Turf Grasses. Agronomy Journal. 100:103-107.

Interpretive Summary: This is a historical perspective of how warm-season turf and forage developed in by using vegetative propagation and the development of hybrids. Bermudagrass was the model for forage and turf breeding from the release of Coastal forage bermudagrass in 1943, through further releases of other forage and many turf types over the past half century.

Technical Abstract: Today, after years of research, development and promotion we enjoy the beauty of the high quality 'Tif' male and female sterile triploid hybrid turf bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis) on golf courses, athletic fields, and lawns and the high yielding and high quality vegetatively propagated forage hybrids (C. dactylon, C. nlemfuënsis and interspecific hybrids between these two species) in pastures and hay fields. However, back in the 1940s little was known about producing, planting and managing hybrid bermudagrasses that produce little to no seed. From the 1940s to the 1960s many discoveries and advances were made - most for the first time. The purpose of this manuscript is to show how research and industry teamed up to develop the grasses and technology to make what we enjoy today possible.