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HG Sports Turf - Management Appointment
26 Jul 2012 by: Mike kemmett
"Well done Nobby! Hes a good lad. Now employ me!!!"
MCG Head Groundsman Departs
20 Jul 2012 by: Roaring Silence
"Makes plenty of sense Turfie, unfortunately large organisati ..."
MCG Head Groundsman Departs
20 Jul 2012 by: Turfie
"Yes Arguably "Flash" is the best 2nd in charge in the countr ..."
MCG Head Groundsman Departs
20 Jul 2012 by: KeepitSharp///
"Why bother undertake a global search for a suitable replacem ..."
Who do you Believe?
8 Jun 2012 by: David McKEchnie
"Enjoyable reading - note also CEC is generally measured / ca ..."
By Press Release in {CATEGORY} on 2 Jun 2012
University of Florida turfgrass researchers have partnered with twenty-one Florida sod producers from the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative (FSGC) to form Turf Research Florida™, a grower-funded research initiative.
The research group will seek out new and improved zoysiagrass varieties, particularly those that are disease resistant. Turfgrass research, development and marketing company Sod Solutions® is coordinating this cooperative effort and will be the licensing and marketing agent for new grasses resulting from the program. 
"We believe the University of Florida's turfgrass breeding team is one of the top programs in the world for warm season turfgrass," said Tobey Wagner, president of Sod Solutions. "These Florida growers are of the same opinion and believe that Florida's "grass of the future" will likely come from this research collaboration; that's why they wanted to be a part of funding it."
The primary objectives of the research will address large patch disease, drought and shade responses of experimental lines of zoysiagrass. Secondary objectives may include color retention during cooler weather and hunting billbug or caterpillar (fall armyworm and tropical sod webworm) responses.
"This program represents a new era of cooperation between the University of Florida turfgrass breeding program and industry partners," said Dr. Kevin Kenworthy, head of the zoysia-breeding program at the University. "Florida's climate makes conditions ripe for turfgrass disease. While there is no 'perfect grass,' finding a strain with an improved disease response will complement other positive attributes of zoysiagrass and bring us closer to finding thebest turfgrass for Florida."
The University of Florida will conduct the research and evaluate the turfgrass performance of the experimental lines at several locations across Florida. Locations include both University research centers and partnering sod farms. As the best experimental lines are identified, larger plots will be installed on several sod farms and growers will provide information regarding establishment, harvesting, re-growth and installation of the selected lines. Release is expected within five to six years.
Sod Solutions has teamed with other universities to release to market turfgrasses in the past. The release of Bella® Bluegrass was done in partnership with the University of Nebraska, the release of NorthBridge™ and Latitude 36™ Bermudagrass was done in partnership with Oklahoma State University and the release of Captiva® St. Augustine was done in cooperation with the University of Florida.
About the University of Florida/ Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible. While extending into every community of the state, UF/IFAS has developed an international reputation for its accomplishments in teaching, research and extension. Because of this mission and the diversity of Florida's climate and agricultural commodities, IFAS hasfacilities located throughout Florida. IFAS provides research and development for Florida's agricultural and natural resources industries that in 2008 had a $76.5 billion annual impact.
For more information, visit www.sodsolutions.com
Read more articles in {CATEGORY}, by Press Release or from June 2012.
