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Turf Grass Seed Evolution

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratenis L.) is probably the leading elite turfgrass species in the United States, measured either by seed usage or total acreage. It will serve as the major example characterizing evolvement of improved lawn grass cultivars. The species was apparently not indigenous to North America, but rather introduced by the early colonist from Europe.

Kentucky Bluegrass, more than any other entity, has played a leading role in the maturation of the lawn seed industry and in bringing a rapidly expanding, sophisticated lawn technology to suburbanizing America.

The status of the lawn seed industry in the United States shortly after World War II revolved mostly around Kentucky Bluegrass species. The chief distinction between pasture bluegrass and lawn bluegrass seed was the greater care in harvesting, cleaning, handling and merchandising of the latter.

Since all seed was harvested from naturalizing stands in fields much of the year for grazing or meadowing, genetic differences were not isolated nor distinguishable.

Shortly before World War II Dr. John Monteith, Bureau of Plant Industry, USDA, established a turfgrass testing and selection facility in Arlington, Virginia. The research, supported by the United States Golf Association emphasized vegetative strains of creeping bentgrass for golf course greens, but a number of distinctive Kentucky Bluegrass selections had also been collected and evaluated at Arlington. One of these, B-7; what became Merion, came from Philadelphia, PA area Merion Golf Club.

Dr. Joe Duich was assigned to research Merion in 1952. Although agronomist could clearly see the wisdom of breeding turf grasses specifically for fine turf qualities including lower growth habit, resistance to disease, greater attractiveness, etc., the advantages were not so apparent to the lawn seed industry. Seedsman questioned whether Kentucky Bluegrass could be successfully grown solely for lawn seed (i.e. be unsubsidized by seasonal grazing) and whether it could compete with less expensive natural Kentucky Bluegrass seed flooding the market.

To prevent sexual crossing of Merion with common or natural Kentucky Bluegrass, Merion had to be grown in isolation even though it was reported to be highly apomictic. The basic question to be faced was whether the lawn seed consumer public, accustomed to natural Kentucky Bluegrass seed of good mechanical quality at less than $0.50 per pound could be induced to pay appreciably more for a genetically superior "Star performer" like Merion.

This was quickly proven to be true. By the mid- 1950’s limited Merion seed supplies could hardly meet demand, even at 10-fold the price of common Kentucky Bluegrass. With Merion having proved the potentiality, expansion of the industry into the breeding of new cultivars has been phenomenal.

A noteworthy example is Rutgers, The State University, New Jersey. The first full-time turfgrass breeding position, for which Dr. Reed Funk was hired, was created here. Dr. Funk and his students, utilizing new Kentucky Bluegrass bloodlines and breeding techniques, have provided many of today's most regarded lawn grass cultivars.

Almost all modern cultivars have been bred or selected for better disease tolerance and a lower growing habit. A low growth habit helps prevent damage from low mowing. Insect resistance, vigorous germination, compatibility in polystands, tolerance to herbicides and adaptation to low maintenance are also stirring interest in the turfgrass industry.