Turf Research Florida Low Input Bahia / St. Augustine

RESEARCH STAGE: Early-Stage
RESEARCH PARTNER: University of Florida, Turf Producers of Florida, and Sod Solutions
LOCATION: Florida
GOAL: Improved, Low Input Bahia / St. Augustine
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Hear from Dr. Kevin Kenworthy

In this 6-minute video, Dr. Kenworthy discusses the main goals and strategy around the Low Input Bahiagrass & St. Augustinegrass program.

SUMMARY

The Turf Research Florida – Low Input Bahia / St. Augustine Sponsored Research Program (TRF Low Input Program) is a collaboration between the University of Florida, the Turf Producers of Florida, and Sod Solutions.  The TRF Low Input Program is being formed for the following purposes:

1. To fund the Turfgrass Science program at the University of Florida to breed, research, develop, and release St. Augustinegrasses and Bahiagrasses that require fewer inputs from farms and end-users and that will handle Florida-specific environmental challenges (LVN, drought, fungus, insects, etc.).

2. To release improved grasses from the University of Florida Turfgrass Science program in Florida and worldwide through Sod Solutions, who will be the licensing and marketing agent for any new grasses resulting from the program.

3. To develop from the royalty proceeds from released grasses two ongoing streams of revenue – one to fund future UF turfgrass breeding research and another to fund the Turf Producers of Florida.

The Turf Research Florida Low Input Bahia/St. Augustine Program (TRF Low Input Program) is a collaboration between the University of Florida, the Turfgrass Producers of Florida (TPF) and Sod Solutions. The TRF Low Input Program’s main goal is to breed, select and release St. Augustine grasses and Bahiagrasses that require fewer inputs from farms and end-users and that will handle Florida-specific environmental challenges like Lethal Virus Necrosis (LVN), drought, disease, insects, etc.

The release of future improved grasses from the University of Florida Turfgrass Science Program in Florida and worldwide will be done through Sod Solutions, which will be the licensing and marketing agent for any new grasses resulting from the program. The program is still in its early stages with UF Turfgrass Breeder, Dr. Kevin Kenworthy, evaluating some existing selections of St. Augustinegrass and bahiagrass that have shown good potential. The main focus is to find bahiagrasses that will use less water, look green under drought stress and use less fertilizer to stay green. Other important characteristics are high seed production yields for lines that can be used as seed producers or reduced seed head production for lines to be selected for high aesthetic appearance.

Between 2021 and 2022, each TPF member was solicited to also become a contributing member of the TRF Low Input Program. Sod Solutions and the TPF also worked together to identify and solicit non-TPF members who were key players in bahiagrass production to join both programs. This includes those farms that grow bahia for cattle grazing and/or turf production as well as those entities involved in harvesting and reselling. For a sod farm to be eligible to license for grasses released under the TRF Low Input program, it must maintain membership in the TPF and be a contributing member of the TRF Low Input program.

If you'd like to trial some of the grasses in this research study, please complete the form below.

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