TURFGRASS BREEDING AND EVALUATION - RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY

TURFGRASS BREEDING AND EVALUATION

Sponsoring Institution

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Project Status

COMPLETE

Funding Source

HATCH

Reporting Frequency

Annual

Accession No.

0182029

Grant No.

(N/A)

Cumulative Award Amt.

(N/A)

Proposal No.

(N/A)

Multistate No.

(N/A)

Project Start Date

Oct 1, 2004

Project End Date

Sep 30, 2015

Grant Year

(N/A)

Program Code

[(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
3 RUTGERS PLZA
NEW BRUNSWICK,NJ 08901-8559

Performing Department
Plant Biology

Non Technical Summary
The turfgrass industry is important to the citizens of New Jersey and surrounding states. There is more turfgrass growing within a 100 mile radius of New Brunswick, NJ than anywhere in the world. In a 2003 survey, there were over 860,000 acres in turf in New Jersey with a value of over 1.5 billion dollars (Govindasany et al., 2005). Quality turf beautifies and enhances an environment, conserves soil, reduces pollution and provides a site for recreation. The development and use of new improved cultivars continues to be the greatest need in the turfgrass industry. Produce quality turf with reduced costs (Meyer and Funk, 1989). This result from reduced levels of fungicides and insecticides is needed to maintain fine turf areas. Improved cultivars with better wear tolerance can provide better, safer sports turf. There is a great need for cultivars with better shade and drought tolerance and a reduced growth rate to also reduce maintenance costs. The development of improved breeding and evaluation techniques will benefit other breeding programs designed to improve turf and forage grasses. Collecting germplasm from Europe and Asia will add to the US germplasm base of cool-season turfgrasses and help solve severe disease and other problems. An excellent example of this is European collections that have contributed new genetic sources of resistance to gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass since 2000 (Bonos et al., 2004). The effective evaluation of cultivars helps professional turf growers and their clientele choose the top performing cultivars. It is also a great help to individuals involved with cultivar improvement work.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
202	2130	1081	33%
203	2130	1081	33%
204	2130	1081	34%

Knowledge Area
204 - Plant Product Quality and Utility (Preharvest); 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants; 202 - Plant Genetic Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
2130 - Turf;

Field Of Science
1081 - Breeding;

Keywords

cool season turfgrass breeding

low maintenance turfgrasses

Goals / Objectives
Continue to evaluate utilize, enhance and preserve turfgrass germplasm and useful endophytes from the USA, Europe and North Africa. Emphasis is on collecting sources of Kentucky and Texas bluegrasses, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, fine fescues, colonial, creeping and velvet bentgrasses and orchardgrass. Continue to develop more effective breeding and evaluation techniques with emphasis on evaluation of single clonal mowed space plants and seeded single replicated turf plots in open-sun environments. All of these species will be tested under worn and unworn conditions. A new emphasis will be placed on the genetic control of different growth habits in tall fescue and breeding for drought tolerance in tall fescue. Continued emphasis will be on breeding for brown patch resistance in tall fescue and on hybridization of Kentucky bluegrass and Kentucky x Texas bluegrasses with new winter active European sources. Continued emphasis will be on breeding for disease resistance for rust in Kentucky bluegrass, dollar spot and red thread in fine fescue and red thread dollar spot, gray leaf spot and summer leaf spot in perennial ryegrass. A new emphasis will be place on developing turfgrass for low maintenance conditions with limited fertilizer, pesticides and water inputs. Demonstrate the usefulness of these techniques in the development and release of improved germplasm and cultivars. Educate students and stakeholders. Publish and disseminate information. Maintain and monitor cultivars developed at the New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station to continue the assurance of quality seed. To reduce pesticide, fertilizer and water requirements to maintain 100% turf cover cool-season turfgrass. We assist other commercial plant breeder organizations to develop improved turfgrass varieties. The overall impact/output should be the maintenance of turfgrass areas with low environmental impact.

Project Methods
Expand efforts to obtain cool-season turfgrass germplasm and associated endophytes. Emphasis placed on identifying germplasm of tall fescue with gray leaf spot, brown patch and red thread resistance; perennial ryegrass with resistance to red thread, dollar spot and gray leaf spot and Koeleria spp. Collection efforts to be continued in North America, Asia, eastern Europe, and northern Africa. Continue to produce large numbers of Kentucky bluegrass and Kentucky x Texas bluegrass hybrids using a back crossing procedure to improve floret fertility, establishment and the seed handling qualities of Texas bluegrass hybrids. New emphasis on crossing USA adapted Kentucky bluegrasses with winter active new European collections. Develop techniques to evaluate tall fescue with improved drought tolerance. This will include evaluation in a rainout shelter. Evaluate tall fescues under severe wear conditions to develop new tall fescues for athletic fields. Identify tall fescues with distinct growth habits and use these types to study the genetic control of rhizome formation, rapid tilllering and bunch type growth characteristics. Identify and utilize germplasm sources of Chewings, hard, slender and strong creeping red fescues in an attempt to identify sources of resistance to stem and leaf rust which have become serious diseases in the northwestern United States seed production fields. Evaluate the wear tolerance of the different fine fescue species and Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and experimental lines. Study the ability of different turfgrass species and germplasm for their tolerance to persist at low maintenance conditions. Continue current breeding an evaluation programs looking for opportunities to improve performance and efficiency. Continue to work with students and cooperating scientists to develop genetically enhanced germplasm with increased stress and pest resistance. Work with cooperating breeders, seed companies, seed growers seed certification personnel and state seed control specialists to produce and market quality seed. Produce and maintain breeder seed and assist with applications for plant variety protection.

Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Turfgrass industry and citizens of New Jersey and surrounding states. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two PhD and two Master's students were trained. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Presentations at International, National, Regional, State and local field days and conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Major accomplishments were the development of the following disease-resistant, higher-seed-yielding Kentucky bluegrasses: Legend, Waterworks, Dauntless, Unite, Fargo, Bolt, BlueBank, Malbec and Martha. Seven new perennial ryegrasses were developed with improved gray leaf spot resistance. They were Vision, Manhattan 6, Sea Biscuit, Man O War, Expedite, Stamina, and Metolius. Twenty four new tall fescues with improved brown patch resistance and water tolerance were as follows: Regenrate, Rambler II, 4th Millenium, Leonardo, Rockwell, Raptor III, Michaelangelo, Temple, Thunderstruck, Thor, Diablo, Hot Rod, Reflection, Firewall, Bizem, Ares, Technique, Rowdy, Rebounder, Double Take, Avenger II, Dynamite, and Bloodhound. Two new low maintenance hard fescues were Sword. BlueRay and Minimus One. A new high seed yielding red fescue released was Marvel creeping red fescue.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Beirn, L.A., Meyer, W.A., Clarke, B.B., and Crouch, J.A. 2015. A greenhouse-based inoculation protocol for fungi causing crown rust and stem rust diseases of Kentucky bluegrass turf. HortScience October 2015 vol. 50 no. 10 1509-1513
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Honig, J.H., J. Vaicunias, V. Avellero, C. Kubik, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2015. Classification of bentgrass (Agrostis) cultivars and accessions based on microsatellite (SSR) markers Genet Resour Crop Evol. DOI 10.1007/s10722-015-0307-6
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Koch, M. W. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2015. Heritability of salinity tolerance in perennial ryegrass. Crop Science 55(4): 1834-1842.
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Meyer, W., S. Bonos, E.N. Weibel, A. Grimshaw, H. Que, R. Bara, M. Mohr, D. Smith and T. Tate. 2015. Overcoming the challenges of breeding cool-season turfgrasses for low-input turf. p. 16. In Proceedings of the 24th Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. January 16, 2015.
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jespersen, D., F. Belanger, J. Honig, W. Meyer, S. Bonos and B. Huang. 2015. Development and confirmation of candidate gene markers for selection of heat tolerance. p. 19. In Proceedings of the 24th Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. January 16, 2015.
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Grimshaw, A., W. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2015. Evaluation of hard fescue (Festuca brevipila) for summer patch (Magnaporthae poae). p. 35. In Proceedings of the 24th Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. January 16, 2015.
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Weibel, E.N., T.J. Lawson, J.B. Clarke, J.A. Murphy, B.B. Clarke, W.A. Meyer, and S.A. Bonos. 2015. Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selection in New Jersey turf trials. 2014 Turfgrass Proceedings 46:1-42.
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Tate, T.N., A.L. Grinshaw, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, M.M. Mohr, E.N. Weibel, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2015. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2014 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 46:43-68.
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Grimshaw, A.L., T.M. Tate, M.M. Mohr, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, E.N. Weibel, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2015. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2014 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 46:69-129.
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Qu, Y., E.D. Koch, M.M. Mohr, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, E. Szerszen, S.A. Bonos and W. A. Meyer. 2015. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2014 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 46:131-160.
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Tate, T., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Mohr, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2015. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2014 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 46:161-188.

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Turfgrass Industry and citizens of New Jersey and surrounding states. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two Ph.D.and 2 Master's graduate students are being trained. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presentations at International, National, Regional, State and local field days and conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? 1. Continue interspecific and intraspecific hybridization with Poa species. This includes the identification and evaluation of new promising hybrids. 2. Continue the population improvement work on perennial ryegrass (emphasis on gray leaf spot,crown and stem rust, dollar spot and red thread resistance), tall fescue (emphasis on brown patch ,dollar spot and red thread resistance), hard fescue (emphasis on summer patch resistance), strong creeping red fescue and Chewings fescue (emphasis on red thread resistance).Emphasis on selecting fine fescues with mesotrione resistance . 3. Continue to cooperate with over 20 seed organizations in the development of improved turfgrass varieties and administer agreements and royalty collections. 4. Continue to advise two Ph.D. and 2 MS students, team teach Intro to Turfgrass Management and serve as teacher and faculty liaison and to teach the regional concerns seminar to the first year Short Course students and Turf Cultivars to the 10 week turf students. Teach turf species and cultivars in 3 week turf class. 5. Continue to collect new turfgrass germplasm sources from throughout the US and Europe. 6. Continue to monitor PVP activities on Rutgers varieties. 7. Intensify activities to evaluate turfgrass germplasm for wear tolerance and drought. 8. Continue studies on the formation of rhizomes and rapid tillering in tall fescue and see how these are genetically controlled. Finish a second year data on the genetic control of drought tolerance in tall fescue and continue work in the rainout shelter. 9. Continue to serve as Associate Director of the Center for Turfgrass Science, Director of HF II, and Adelphia Research Centers. 10. Continue to expand the forage breeding activities to develop persistent and productive forage grasses.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Large scale population improvement projects have continued to be conducted on tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, hard chewings and creeping fescue and creeping colonial and velvet bentgrass since the 1960's and 1970's to the present. These population improvement projects have included the top performing germplasm for the upper mid-Atlantic area of the US and Europe. The superior collections have been identified by single progeny turf trials and mowed single clonal spaced plant trials New sources of Kentucky bluegrass from Europe are now being crossed with the best adapted Kentucky and Texas bluegrasses. They are used in over 74 Ky bluegrass crosses and 37 Ky bluegrass X Texas bluegrasses per year in the greenhouse in New Jersey. The individual progeny from these crosses are grown out each winter in greenhouses under short days and cool temperatures. Each year over 220,000 single seedlings are evaluated with over 50,000 going to spaced plant nurseries each spring. After each summer period the top plot progenies of all species are identified for further increase. Some are planted in New Jersey and some material is sent out to over 20 West Coast US companies for increase. Each year over 9,000 new turf progeny plots seeded in the fall for further turf evaluation of new progenies or synthetics of superior lines. Some of the newly released perennial ryegrasses with grayleaf spot resistance released in 2014 were Reenvair, Vision and Manhattan 6 perennial ryegrasses. New promising Kentucky bluegrasses hybrids that were released in 2014 were Waterworks, Zinger and Dautless. Continued developments of turf-type tall fescue were being released in 2014 with improved brown patch resistance. Six new ones were Rambler II, Slate, Leonardo, Rockwell, Michelangelo and Reflection tall fescue. In 2014 the new creeping bentgrass released was Cobra II. Rutgers University and NJAES have worked closely with other turfgrass breeders and companies to develop improved cultivars. In the United States seed companies and institutions include Ampac Seed, Nexgen Turf Research, Blue Mountain Seeds, Burlingham Seed, Columbia Seeds, Columbia River Seed, Cascade International Seed, DLF International, Dye Seed Ranch, Grasslands Oregon, Jacklin Simplot Seed, Lebanon Seaboard Seed, John Deere Landscape, Inc., Lewis Seed Co., Mountain View Seeds, Novel AG, Peak Plant Genetics, Pickseed Genetics, Pro Seed Marketing, Pure Seed Testing, Scotts Co., Oregro Seeds, Seed Research of Oregon, Seeds, Inc., Radix Seed, RH Hurley LLC, Pennington Seed, New Seed, University of Georgia, University of Minnesota, , and Zseeds, Inc. Foreign companies cooperating with Rutgers in breeding and evaluation of cool-season turfgrasses include Den Haan Zaden (The Netherlands), Fito Seeds (Spain), Herbatech Seeds (Italy), Brett Young Seeds and Pickseed (Canada), DLF Trifolium (Denmark, The Netherlands and France) and Ag Research (New Zealand) . Most commercial turfgrass breeding efforts are concentrated on species with high seed volumes. Little effort is expended on secondary minor species such as fine fescues. Rutgers has developed many improved fine fescues with enhanced performance genetically and by the presence of endophytes (Han et al., 2004). Over 40 new cultivar and germplasm agreements were executed in 2014 with turfgrass seed organizations. Eighteen new varieties were increased and named in 2014. During 2014, there were 16 U.S. Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Applications made and 17 U.S. PVP certificates were issued. Published 3 referred and 16 non referred articles. As a coPI I was involved in over $300,000 in outside grants.and 3.5 million in royalty income. In the past year, I administered the collection and evaluation of over 1,800 germplasm sources of cool-season turfgrasses from Bosnia, Bulgaria,Crete, Croatia,Cyprus,Czech Republic,Estonia,Latvia,Lithuania,North Poland,Sardinia,Serbia,So Finland and So Italy. Turfgrass cultivars from the Rutgers turfgrass breeding program represented over 90% of the top 30 cultivars in the (NTEP) National Turfgrass Evaluation Trials for tall fescues, fine fescues, and perennial ryegrasses. More than fifty percent of the top 25 cultivars in the 2005 and 2010 NTEP Kentucky bluegrass trials were from Rutgers. All of the highly resistant gray leaf spot varieties of perennial ryegrass in 2014 were from Rutgers. More than 70% of the NTEP top creeping, velvet and colonial bentgrasses were from Rutgers. In 2014, over 9,949 new turfgrass plots were established with over 86,640 plants in spaced-plant nurseries and 30,095 mowed single clone selections. In 2014, there were over 210,000 Kentucky bluegrass hybrids screened. The progenies of 140 new hybrid Kentucky bluegrasses were screened in spaced plant nurseries to determine apomixes levels and seed production. In the winter of 2013-2014, 20,000 tall fescue plants were screened for drought, tiller and rhizome production. There were 50,000 perennial ryegrasses and 28,000 fine fescues screened in the winter of 2013-2014. Studies on rapid tillering and rhizome formation in tall fescue have revealed that genotypes vary greatly for these characteristics and rapid tillering is highly heritable. Genetic studies were also done in drought tolerance in tall fescue. To enhance our breeding for resistance to gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass, a July 11 seeding with 1240 entries was seeded. Excellent Pythium control was attained in the trial. An excellent epidemic enabled us to make another cycle of Ten thousand one hundred perennial ryegrasses were planted in the spring of 2014. They were allowed to develop seed heads and 700 clones were identified in the fall of 2014 for excellent stem and crown rust resistance and were cloned for breeding in 2015. Low-maintenance pasture trials were seeded each fall in 2010-14 selection for gray leaf spot.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Merewitz, E., F., Belanger, S. Warnke, B. Huang and S.A. Bonos. 2014. Quantitative Trait Loci associated with Drought Tolerance in Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Crop Science 54:2314-2324.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Honig, J.A., C. Kubik, W. Meyer, K. Amundsen, S.E. Warnke and S.A. Bonos. 2014. PCR marker-based genetic linkage map of creeping bentgrass and identification of QTL for dollar spot resistance. Molecular Breeding. 34(1):185-203.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cross, J.W., S.A. Bonos, B. Huang and W.A. Meyer. 2013. Evaluation of heat and drought tolerance as components of summer stress on tall fescue genotypes. HortScience. 48(12):1562-1567.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Koch, E. and S.A. Bonos. 2014. Breeding perennial ryegrass for improved salt tolerance. TPI Turf News. July/Aug 2014. p. 49-51.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Koch, E.D., S. Bonos, J. Honig, and J. Vaiciunas. 2014. The effect of endophyte on salinity tolerance in perennial ryegrass. In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Tate, T.M., C. Mansue, W. Meyer and S. Bonos. 2014. The breeding and evaluation of fine fescue species (Festuca spp.) for tolerance to Tenacity herbicide. In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Saxena, P. S. A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer. 2014. Estimating genetic effects of rapid tillering rate and rhizome formation in tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darby.) using polycross. In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Park, B.S., J.A. Murphy, H. Chen, J.B. Clark and W.A. Meyer. 2014. Tall fescue research at the Rutgers horticultural research farm no. 2 during 2014. 2013 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 45:241-252.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Honig, J.A., C. Kubik, V. Averello, J. Vaiciunas, W.A. Meyer, and S.A. Bonos. 2014. Genetic diversity of bentgrass (Agrostis) cultivars and accessions using microsatellite SSR markers. p. 30. In Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 17, 2014.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Koch, E.D., S. Bonos, J. Honig and J. Vaiciunas. 2014. Breeding and evaluation of perennial ryegrass (L. perenne L.) for improved salinity tolerance. p. 19-20. In Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 17, 2014.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Tate, T.M., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2013. Dollar spot severity and the effect of the Epichloae endophyte presence in hard fescue (Festuca brevipila). In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos and J.A. Honig. 2013. Increasing the diversity of cool-season turfgrass germplasm resources to meet the challenges of climate change. In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Koch, E. and S.A. Bonos. 2013. Quantifying the effects of salinity stress on germination of perennial ryegrass. In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Weibel, E.N., T.J. Lawson, J.B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, B.B. Clarke, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2014. Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2013 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 45:1-46.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Grimshaw, A.L., T.M. Tate, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, M.M. Mohr, E. N. Weibel, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2014. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey Turf trials. 2013 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 45:47-80.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Grimshaw, A.L., E. D. Koch, M.M. Mohr, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, E.N. Weibel, J.B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos and W.A.Meyer. 2014. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2013 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 45:81-146.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Koch, E.D., M.M. Mohr, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, E. Szerszen, S. A. Bonos, and W. A. Meyer. 2014. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2013 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 45:147-174.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Tate, T., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Mohr, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2014. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2013 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 45:175-200.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Park, B.S., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, J.A. Murphy. 2014. Assessing cool-season turfgrass blends and mixtures under low maintenance. 2013 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceeding 45:201-220.

Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Turfgrass Industry and citizens of New Jersey and surrounding states. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two Ph.D. graduate students are being trained and one will graduate this period. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presentations at International, National, Regional, State and local field days and conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? 1. Continue interspecific and intraspecific hybridization with Poa species. This includes the identification and evaluation of new promising hybrids. 2. Continue the population improvement work on perennial ryegrass (emphasis on gray leaf spot,crown and stem rust, dollar spot and red thread resistance), tall fescue (emphasis on brown patch resistance, hard fescue (emphasis on summer patch resistance), strong creeping red fescue and Chewings fescue (emphasis on red thread resistance).Emphasis on selecting fine fescues with mesotrione resistance 3. Continue to cooperate with over 20 seed organizations in the development of improved turfgrass varieties and administer agreements and royalty collections. 4. Continue to advise two Ph.D. students, team teach Intro to Turfgrass Management and serve as teacher and faculty liaison and to teach the regional concerns seminar to the first year Short Course students and Turf Cultivars to the 10 week turf students. Teach turf species and cultivars in 3 week turf class. 5. Continue to collect new turfgrass germplasm sources from throughout the US and Europe. 6. Continue to monitor PVP activities on Rutgers varieties. 7. Intensify activities to evaluate turfgrass germplasm for wear tolerance and drought. 8. Continue studies on the formation of rhizomes and rapid tillering in tall fescue and see how these are genetically controlled. Finish a second year data on the genetic control of drought tolerance in tall fescue. 9. Continue to serve as Associate Director of the Center for Turfgrass Science, Director of HF II, and Adelphia Research Centers. 10. Continue to expand the forage breeding activities to develop persistent and productive forage grasses.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Large scale population improvement projects have continued to be conducted on tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, hard chewings and creeping fescue and creeping colonial and velvet bentgrass since the 1960's and 1970's to the present. These population improvment projects have included the top performing germplasm for the upper mid-Atlantic area of the US and Europe. The superior collections have been identified by single progeny turf trials and mowed single clonal spaced plant trials New sources of Kentucky bluegrass from Europe are now being crossed with the best adapted Kentucky and Texas bluegrasses. They are used in over 70 crosses per year in the greenhouse in New Jersey. The individual progeny from these crosses are grown out each winter in greenhouses under short days and cool temperatures. Each year over 220,000 single seedlings are evaluated with over 50,000 going to space plant nurseries each spring. After each summer period the top plot progenies of all species are identified for further increase. Some are planted in New Jersey and some material is sent out to over 20 West Coast US companies for increase. Each year over 9,000 new turf progeny plots seeded in the fall for further turf evaluation of new progenies or synthetics of superior lines. Some of the newly released perennial ryegrasses with grayleaf spot resistance released in 2013 were Provost, Premium, Fastball, Stellar 3GL, Grandslam 3GLD, Greenfield Supreme, Amazing GS and Amazing +. New promising Kentucky bluegrasses hybrids that were released in 2013 were Keenland, Oasis and Legend. Continued developments of turf-type tall fescue were being released in 2013 with improved brown patch resistance. Three new ones were Firebird 2 GTO, HotRod and Reflection tall fescue. In 2013 the new creeping bentgrasses released in 2013 were Luminary, Proclamation and V-8.. Rutgers University and NJAES have worked closely with other turfgrass breeders and companies to develop improved cultivars. In the United States seed companies and institutions include Ampac Seed, Nexgen Turf Research, Blue Mountain Seeds, Burlingham Seed, Columbia Seeds, Columbia River Seed, Cascade International Seed, DLF International, Dye Seed Ranch, Grasslands Oregon, Jacklin Simplot Seed, Lebanon Seaboard Seed, John Deere Landscape, Inc., Lewis Seed Co., Mountain View Seeds, Novel AG, Peak Plant Genetics, Pickseed West, Pro Seed Marketing, Pure Seed Testing, Scotts Co., Oregro Seeds, Seed Research of Oregon, Seeds, Inc., Radix Seed, RH Hurley LLC, Pennington Seed, New Seed, University of Georgia, University of Minnesota, Turf One Seed, and Zseeds, Inc. Foreign companies cooperating with Rutgers in breeding and evaluation of cool-season turfgrasses include Den Haan Zaden (The Netherlands), Fito Seeds (Spain), Herbatech Seeds (Italy), Brett Young Seeds and Pickseed (Canada), DLF Trifolium (Denmark, The Netherlands and France) and Ag Research (New Zealand) . Most commercial turfgrass breeding efforts are concentrated on species with high seed volumes. Little effort is expended on secondary minor species such as fine fescues. Rutgers has developed many improved fine fescues with enhanced performance genetically and by the presence of endophytes (Han et al., 2004). Over 40 new cultivar and germplasm agreements were executed in 2013 with turfgrass seed organizations. Eighteen new varieties were increased and named in 2013. During 2013, there were 21 U.S. Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Applications made and 29 U.S. PVP certificates were issued. In the past year, I administered the collection and evaluation of over 1,500 germplasm sources of cool-season turfgrasses from Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, Italy, Romania, The Netherlands and No. Turkey Turfgrass cultivars from the Rutgers turfgrass breeding program represented over 90% of the top 30 cultivars in the (NTEP) National Turfgrass Evaluation Trials for tall fescues, fine fescues, and perennial ryegrasses. More than fifty percent of the top 25 cultivars in the 2005 and 2010 NTEP Kentucky bluegrass trials were from Rutgers. All of the highly resistant gray leaf spot varieties of perennial ryegrass in 2013 were from Rutgers. More than 50% of the NTEP top creeping, velvet and colonial bentgrasses were from Rutgers. In 2013, over 11,588 new turfgrass plots were established with over 108,784 plants in spaced-plant nurseries and 10,000 mowed single clone selections. In 2013, there were over 224,000 Kentucky bluegrass hybrids screened. The progenies of 180 new hybrid Kentucky bluegrasses were screened in spaced plant nurseries to determine apomixes levels and seed production. In the winter of 2012-2013, 20,000 tall fescue plants were screened for tiller and rhizome production. There were 50,000 perennial ryegrasses and 28,000 fine fescues screened in the winter of 2012-2013. Studies on rapid tillering and rhizome formation in tall fescue have revealed that genotypes vary greatly for these characteristics and rapid tillering is highly heritable. Genetic studies were also done in drought tolerance in tall fescue. To enhance our breeding for resistance to gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass, a July 31st seeding with 1760 entries was seeded. Excellent Pythium control was attained in the trial. An excellent epidemic enabled us to make another cycle of selection for gray leaf spot. Ten thousand one hundred perennial ryegrasses were planted in the spring of 2013. They were allowed to develop seed heads and 600 clones were identified in the fall of 2013 for excellent stem and crown rust resistance and were cloned for breeding in 2014. Low-maintenance pasture trials were seeded each fall in 2010-13.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Honig, J.A., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2012. Classification of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars and accessions based on microsatellite (simple sequence repeat) markers. Hort Science: 47 (g):1356-1366.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cross, James, Eric Koch , D.A.Smith, M.Mohr, Eric Weibel, Ron Bara ,S.A. Bonos and W.A.Meyer. 2013.Response of Fine Fescue Turf Species to Simulated Wear in New Jersey. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. Vol 12:731-738.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cross, James W., S.A. Bonos, Bingru Huang and W.A. Meyer. 2013. Evaluation of Heat and Drought Tolerance as Components of Summer Stress on Tall Fescue Genotypes. (Accepted for publication October 2013.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Saxena, Priti, B. Huang , S.A.Bonos and W.A.Meyer. 2013. Photoperiod and Temperature Effects on Rhizome Production and Tillering Rate in Tall Fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (shreb) Darby. 2013. Crop Science ( accepted October 7th,2013).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zhang,N., A.Y. Rossman,K.Seifert, J.W.Bennett,G. Cai, B. Hillman,K.D. Hyde,J.Lou, D.Manamgoda,W.A.Meyer,T. MolnarC.Schoch,M Tadych, and J.F. White. 2013. Impacts of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae,fungi and plants Melbourne Code)on the scientific names of plant pathogenic fungi. Online .APS NET.Feature of the American PhytopathologicalSociety,St.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bonos, S.A., E.N. Weibel, E.Koch, W.A. Meyer, S. Sosa and L. Cortese. Breeding perennial grasses for a sustainable future. p. 14-15. In Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 11, 2013.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, M. Mohr, D. Smith, S. Bonos, E. Szerszen, J. Cross, and P. Saxena. Recent cultivar improvements in Kentucky bluegrass, tall and fine fescue and perennial ryegrass: building on Reed Funks legacy. p. 16-17. In Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 11, 2013.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Saxena, P., S. A. Bonos and W. A. Meyer. Inheritance of turf density and ground coverage in tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] p. 48. In Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 11, 2013.

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During 2012, there were 9,746 new turfgrass plots established with over 74,070 spaced plants in nurseries and over 8,000 mowed single-clone selections established. In 2012, there were 246,000 seedlings from intra and inter-specific crosses of Kentucky bluegrass screened under winter greenhouse conditions and the superior plants were planted in the field in the spring of 2012. In the winter of 2011-2012, screening was conducted on single plants of 20,000 tall fescues, 10,000 Chewings fescues, 18,000 hard fescues, 50,000 perennial ryegrasses and 10,000 bentgrasses under winter greenhouses conditions. The superior plants of all these species were put into spaced-plant nurseries. Over 250 new intra and inter-specific Kentucky bluegrasses were harvested in 2012. The following crossing blocks were moved in the spring of 2012: 7 hard fescues (350 plants), 4 Chewings fescue (150 plants), 10 perennial ryegrasses (1,553 plants), 6 strong creeping red fescues (103 plants), 3 tall fescues (183 plants), 6 velvet bentgrasses (156 plants), 5 creeping bentgrasses (84 plants) and 2 colonial bentgrasses (52 plants). During the past year, 6 graduate students have been involved in this breeding project. There were over 800 stakeholders attending 2 field days with over 10 different cool-season species of turfgrasses being displayed with over 1,300 individual variety turf plots labeled. Over 21 lectures were presented by the authors in 2012. During 2012, there were 16 US Plant Variety Protection (PVP) applications made and 8 PVP's were issued. There were 4 new Kentucky bluegrasses, 3 new tall fescues, 11 new perennial ryegrass, 3 new strong creeping red fescues, 2 new hard fescues and 3 Chewings fescue named and increased in 2012. The major outreach activities were in the form of field days, symposia, lectures and private visits with cooperators (over 27 different organizations). Eight refereed journal articles and 11 non-refereed articles were published or in press in 2012. PARTICIPANTS: Rutgers Turfgrass Breeding Faculty, their technicians and support staff. TARGET AUDIENCES: Golf course and landscape professionals, sod growers and home lawn managers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
There were over 1,500 new germplasm sources of cool-season germplasm collected in Europe and North Africa in 2012 that were sent as seed to New Jersey. These new germplasm sources continue to contribute new sources for resistance to stem and crown rust and gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass. New bentgrass and tall fescue germplasm has contributed new sources of brown patch resistance. A new Kentucky bluegrass from Romania has shown excellent resistance to rust and summer patch. These should all require less fungicides to provide persistent turf cover. The development work from selecting new wear tolerant turfgrasses should provide safer playing fields and playgrounds. Perennial ryegrasses and tall fescues are now being widely used on golf courses and landscapes.

Publications

Stier, J., B. Horgan, and S. Bonos. Eds. 2012. Turfgrass Monographs 3rd Edition. Crop Science Society of America, Madison, WI. (In press).
Bonos, S.A. and D.R. Huff. 2012. Cool-season turfgrass breeding. In J. Stier, B. Horgan and S.A. Bonos Eds. Turfgrass Monographs 3rd Edition. (In press).
Meyer, William, A., Monica S. Torres and James White, Jr. 2012. Biology and application of fungal endophytes. In: Stier, J., B. Horigan and S.A. Bonos. Eds., Turfgrass Monograph 3rd Edition. (In press).
Honig, Josh, A., V. Averello, Stacy A. Bonos and William A. Meyer. 2012. Classification of Kentucky bluegrasss. (Poa pratensis L.). Cultivars and accessions based on microsatellite (Single Sequence Repeat) Markers. HortScience 47: No. 9, 13-56.
Jespersen, D., W. Meyer and B. Huang. 2012. Physiological traits and genetic variations associated with drought and heat tolerance in creeping bentgrass. International Turfgrass Research Journal. (accepted)
Sun, J., W. Meyer, J. Cross and B. Huang. 2012. Growth and physiological traits of Canopy and root system associated with drought resistance in tall fescue. (accepted).
Novy, A., S.L. Flory, J.A. Honig, S. Bonos and J.M. Hartman. 2012. Characterization of polymorphic microsatellites for the invasive grass Microstegium vimineum (Poaceae). American Journal of Botany: e56-e58. doi:10.3732/ajb.1100337.
Bonos, S.A., Debra Hignight, Kenneth Hignight, Tami Brown and W.A. Meyer. 2012. Registration of Mallard Kentucky bluegrass. Journal of Plant Registrations. 6:6-10.
Saxena, P., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2012. Genetic control of rhizome formation and tillering rate in tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.]. In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.Saxena, P., S.A.
Saxena, P., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2012. Determination of the gene effects controlling rapid lateral tillering rate in tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbyshire]. P. 44-45. In Proceedings of the 21st Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 6, 2012.
Meyer, W.A. 2012. Breeding Improvements in cool-season turfgrasses. In the Proceedings in the International Forum on Research Advances and Strategies Planning in Turfgrass Science, Wuhan, Peoples Republic of China.
Koch, E., M. Koch, E. Weibel, and S.A. Bonos. 2012. Screening perennial ryegrass cultivars for germination under salinity stress. p.40-41. In Proceedings of the 21th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 6, 2012.
Bonos, S.A., E. Weibel, T.J. Lawson, J. Honig, M. Majewski, E. Koch, M. Koch and L. Cortese. 2012. Improvements in breeding for disease resistance in bentgrass using classical and molecular approaches. p.19-20. In Proceedings of the 21th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 6, 2012.
Kostromytska, O., A. Koppenhoffer, C. Rodriquez-Saona and S.A. Bonos. 2012. Annual bluegrass weevil IPM: Plant resistance/tolerance and semiochemicals for monitoring and management. p.14. In Proceedings of the 21th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 6, 2012.
Weibel, E.N., T.J. Lawson, W. K. Dickson, J. B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, B. B. Clarke, W. A. Meyer, and S. A. Bonos. 2012. Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selection in New Jersey Turf Trials. 2011 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 43:1-40.
Cortese, L.M., D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, M.M. Mohr, E. N. Weibel, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2012. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey Turf Trials. 2011 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 43:41-66.
Cross, J.W., M.M. Mohr, W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, E.N. Weibel, J.B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer. 2012. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey Turf Trials. 2011 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 43:67-156.
Koch, E.D., M.M. Mohr, R.F. Bara, W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, E. Szerszen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2012. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey Turf Trials. 2011 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 42:157-178.
Saxena, P., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Mohr, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2012. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2011 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 43:179-217.
Zajac, J., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, B.B. Clarke and W.A. Meyer. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200700168. Apple GL perennial ryegrass. Issued August 28, 2012.
Brilman, L., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200445. SR-4650 perennial ryegrass. Applied for. Floyd, D., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200446. Karma perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A. and S.A. Bonos. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100381. Miser strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200700266. Palmer GLS (GL2) perennial ryegrass. Issued August 28, 2012.
Hignight, K, R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, E. Szerszen and W.A. Meyer. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200700267. Protege GLR perennial ryegrass. Issued October 4, 2012.
Johnson, S., J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200700371. Primary perennial ryegrass. Issued October 28, 2012.
Brentano, T., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200700185. Notable perennial ryegrass. Issued October 28, 2012.
Bonos, S.A., E. Weibel, T.J. Lawson and W.A. Meyer. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800167. Villa velvet bentgrass. Issued August 28, 2012.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800034. Manhattan V perennial ryegrass. Issued August 24, 2012.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800022. Gray Fox perennial ryegrass. Issued August 24, 2012.
Bonos, S.A and W.A. Meyer. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200477. Wicked perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., S. Reid and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200103. Longfellow III Chewings fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A. and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200099. Wrigly 2 strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Reid, S., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200102. IS-FRR-62 strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Reid, S., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200098. IS-FRR-51 strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Johnson, Steve, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100393. Navigator II strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 2012200022. Deputy tall fescue. Applied for.
Reid, S., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200026. Sidewinder tall fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200019. Regenerate tall fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A. and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200123. Pizzazz 2 perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Brilman, L., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200444. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100363. Park Bench strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, Crystal, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200020. Shademaster III strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During 2011, there were 9,531 new turfgrass plots established with over 74,380 spaced plants in nurseries and over 8,000 mowed single-clone selections established. In 2011, there were 238,000 seedlings from intra and inter-specific crosses of Kentucky bluegrass screened under winter greenhouse conditions and the superior plants were planted in the field in the spring of 2011. In the winter of 2010-2011, screening was conducted on single plants of 20,000 tall fescues, 10,416 Chewings fescues, 21,024 hard fescues, 50,000 perennial ryegrasses and 10,000 bentgrasses under winter greenhouses conditions. The superior plants of all these species were put into spaced-plant nurseries. Over 393 new intra and inter-specific Kentucky bluegrasses were harvested in 2011. The following crossing blocks were moved in the spring of 2011: 5 hard fescues (203 plants), 2 Chewings fescue (82 plants), 8 perennial ryegrasses (1,358 plants), 3 strong creeping red fescues (71 plants), 8 tall fescues (332 plants), 2 velvet bentgrasses (37 plants), 5 creeping bentgrasses (60 plants) and 4 colonial bentgrasses (78 plants). During the past year, 6 graduate students have been involved in this breeding project. There were over 750 stakeholders attending 2 field days with over 10 different cool-season species of turfgrasses being displayed with over 1,300 individual variety turf plants labeled. Over 20 lectures were presented by the authors in 2011. During 2011, there were 13 US Plant Variety Protection (PVP) applications made and 26 PVP's were issued. There were 2 new Kentucky bluegrasses, 3 new tall fescues, 2 new perennial ryegrass, 4 new strong creeping red fescues, 2 new hard fescues and 1 Chewings fescue named and increased in 2011. The major outreach activities were in the form of field days, symposia, lectures and private visits with cooperators (over 2 different organizations). Nine refereed journal articles and 13 non-refereed articles were published in 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Rutgers Turfgrass Breeding faculty, their technicians and support staff. TARGET AUDIENCES: Golf course and landscape professionals, sod growers, and home lawn managers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
There were over 1,800 new germplasm sources of cool-season germplasm collected in Europe and North Africa in 2011 that were sent as seed to New Jersey. These new germplasm sources continue to contribute new sources for resistance to stem and crown rust and gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass. New bentgrass and tall fescue germplasm has contributed new sources of brown patch resistance. A new Kentucky bluegrass from Romania has shown excellent resistance to rust and summer patch. These should all require less fungicides to provide persistent turf cover. The development work from selecting new wear tolerant turfgrasses should provide safer playing fields and playgrounds.Perennial ryegrasses and tall fescues are now being widely used on golf courses and landscapes.

Publications

Honig, J.A., S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2011. Characterization of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars, experimental selections, collections and hybrids using microsatellite markers. p.23. In Proceedings of the 20th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 13-14, 2011.
Koch, M.J., E.N. Weibel, and S.A. Bonos. 2011. Breeding cool-season turfgrasses for increased salinity tolerance. p. 25. In Proceedings of the 20th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 13-14, 2011.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., W.A. Meyer, C.R. Funk and S.A. Bonos. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500313. Gray Star perennial ryegrass. Issued September 23, 2011.
Cortese, L.M., D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, M.M. Wilson, E. N. Weibel, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey Turf Trials. 2010 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 42:45-76.
Koch, E., M. Koch, E. Weibel and S.A. Bonos. 2011. Germinating perennial ryegrass under saline conditions. p. 40. In Proceedings of the 20th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 13-14, 2011.
Saxena, P., B. Huang, S. Bonos, and W. Meyer. 2010. Effect of photoperiod and temperature on tillering rate and rhizome formation in tall fescue. In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.
Koch, M. and S.A. Bonos. 2010. Correlation of three salinity tolerance screening methods. In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.
Cross, J.W., M.M. Wilson, W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, E.N. Weibel, J.B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer. 2011. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey Turf Trials. 2010 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 42:77-166.
Koch, E.D., M.M. Wilson, R.F. Bara, W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, E. Szerszen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey Turf Trials. 2010 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 42:167-180.
Saxena, P., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2010 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 42:181-210.
Hall, J., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, C. Reed Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600204. Durham Kentucky bluegrass. Issued March 24, 2011.
Hall, J., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no.200600179. Skye Kentucky bluegrass. Issued March 23, 2011.
Hignight, K., E. Weibel, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos and E. Szerszen. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200900391. Shenandoah Sport. Issued December 11, 2010.
Zajac, J., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200900335. Spyder LS tall fescue. Issued December 11, 2010.
Bara, R.F., M. Wilson , D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200900334. Traverse tall fescue. Issued December 12, 2010.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., J.A. Murphy and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200900233. Wolfpack II tall fescue. Issued February 15, 2011.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., B.B. Clarke and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200900232. Gazelle II tall fescue. Issued December 10, 2010.
Bara, R.F., M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200900395. 3rd Millennium tall fescue. Issued December 12, 2010.
Lehman, V., D.A. Smith, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500309. Dazzle perennial ryegrass. Issued April 18, 2011.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos and C.R. Funk. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500314. Silver Dollar perennial ryegrass. Issued December 10, 2010.
Nelson, Eric, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300303. Pentium perennial ryegrass. Issued March 25, 2011.
Floyd, D., S.A. Bonos, J. Schumacher, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200700453. Fiesta 4 perennial ryegrass. Issued September 23, 2011.
Lehman, V., C.R. Funk, W.A. Meyer, M. Wilson and R.F. Bara. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500244. Sunkissed perennial ryegrass. Issued August 18, 2011.
Hignight, K. S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400131. Prelude IV perennial ryegrass. Issued March 25, 2011.
Brentano, T., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200700166. Homerun perennial ryegrass. Issued August 18, 2011.
Johnson, S. W.A. Meyer, M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and C.R. Funk. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400124. Keystone perennial ryegrass. Issued March 25, 2011.
Hignight., K., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith and C.R. Funk. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400127. Palmer IV perennial ryegrass. Issued March 25, 2011.
Ford, T.A., R. F. Bara, M. Wilson, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300301. Charismatic perennial ryegrass. Issued December 10, 2010.
Lehman, V., C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 20040030. Pavillion perennial ryegrass. Issued February 25, 2011.
Hignight, K., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer, E. Szerszen and C.R. Funk. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500063. Radiant II perennial ryegrass. Issued February 10, 2010.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos and M. Wilson. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no.201000100. Penn RK-4 tall fescue. Issued December 10, 2010.
Bara, R.F., M. Wilson, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no.200900399. Cochise IV tall fescue. Issued December 10, 2010.
Smith, D.A., W.A. Meyer and S.A. bonos. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 201000273. Intrigue II Chewings fescue. Issued December 29, 2010.
Johnson, Steve, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos and R.F. Bara. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800030. Katie Kentucky bluegrass. Issued December 10, 2010.
Meyer, W.A. R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, C.R. Funk and S. Johnson. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200700426. Rhythum Kentucky bluegrass. Issued December 10, 2010.
Meyer, W.A. and S.A. Bonos. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100381. Miser strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, Crystal, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200020. Shademaster III strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Johnson, Stephen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2012. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201200052. Barracuda creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Johnson, Stephen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100379. Avid Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Reid, Stephen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100153. Matterhorn hard fescue. Applied for.
Johnson, Stephen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 2011100303. Beacon hard fescue. Applied for.
Reid, Stephen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100154. Rushmore Chewings fescue. Applied for.
Johnson, Stephen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100365. Radar Chewings fescue. Applied for.
Johnson, Stephen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 20110365. Fairmont Chewings fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A. and S.A. Bonos. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100252. LS1200 tall fescue. Applied for.
Ford, T.C., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100367. Cezanne RZ tall fescue. Applied for.
Ford, T.C., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100369. Van Gogh tall fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A. and S.A. Bonos. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100380. Shenandoah III tall fescue. Applied for.
Koch, M.J., B. Huang and S.A. Bonos. 2011. Salinity tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections. Crop Science in Press.
Beirn, Lisa, A., Melinda Moy, William A. Meyer, Bruce B. Clarke and Jo Anne Crouch. 2011. Molecular analysis of turfgrass rusts reveals the widespread distribution of Puccinia coronata as a pathogen of Kentucky bluegrass in the United States. Plant Dis. 95:1547-1557.
Koch, M.J. and S.A. Bonos. 2011. Correlation of three salinity tolerance screening methods for cool-season turfgrasses. HortScience 46(8):1198-1201.
Koch, M.J. and S.A. Bonos. 2011. Salinity tolerance of cool-season turfgrass cultivars under field conditions. Applied Turfgrass Science doi:10.1094/ATS-2011-0725-01-RS.
Njambere, E.N., B. B. Clarke, S. A. Bonos, J. A. Murphy, R. Buckley, S. Tirpak, and N. Zhang. 2011. First report of brown ring patch caused by Waitea circinata var. circinata on Poa annua and Agrostis stolonifera in New Jersey. Plant Disease. Vol. 95, No. 1, January 2011, p. 78.
Bonos, S.A., K. Hignight, D. Hignight and W.A. Meyer. 2011. Registration of Mallard Kentucky bluegrass. Journal of Plant Registrations. In press.
Koch, E., M. Koch, E. Weibel and S.A. Bonos. 2011. Germinating perennial ryegrass under saline conditions. In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.
Saxena, P., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer. 2011. Inheritance of rapid lateral tillering rate and rhizome formation in tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.]. In Agronomy Abstracts, Madison, WI.

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During 2010, there were 9,450 new turfgrass plots established with over 118,000 spaced plants in nurseries and over 19,500 mowed single-clone selections established. In 2010, there were 350,000 seedlings from intra and inter-specific crosses of Kentucky bluegrass screened under winter greenhouse conditions and the superior plant were planted in the field in the spring of 2010. In the winter of 2009-2010, screening was conducted on single plants of 25,000 tall fescues, 8,000 Chewings fescues, 9,600 hard fescues, 70,000 perennial ryegrasses and 10,000 bentgrasses under winter greenhouses conditions. The superior plants of all these species were put into space-plant nurseries. Over 350 new intra and inter-specific Kentucky bluegrasses were harvested in 2010. The following crossing blocks were moved in the spring of 2010: 6 hard fescues (206 plants), 1 Chewings fescue (25 plants), 16 perennial ryegrasses (1,524 plants), 7 strong creeping red fescues (269 plants),10 tall fescues (237 plants), 4 velvet bentgrasses (93 plants), 4 creeping bentgrasses (80 plants) and 6 colonial bentgrasses (131 plants). During the past year, 7 graduate students have been involved in this breeding project. There were over 700 stakeholders attending 2 field days with over 10 different cool-season species of turfgrasses being displayed with over 1,300 individual variety turf plants labeled. An International Turfgrass Producer field day was held in July with over 125 attendees. Over 20 lectures were presented by the authors in 1010. During 2010, there were 9 US Plant Variety Protection (PVP) applications made and 20 PVP's were issued. There were 2 new Kentucky bluegrasses, 4 new tall fescues, 4 new perennial ryegrass, 2 new strong creeping red fescues and 1 Chewings fescue named and increased in 2010. The major outreach activities were in the form of field days, symposia, lectures and private visits with cooperators (over 2 different organizations). PARTICIPANTS: Rutgers Turfgrass Breeding Faculty in connection with their technicians and support staff worked on this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Golf course and landscape professionals, sod growers and home lawn managers are impacted by this research. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Perennial ryegrasses and tall fescues are now being widely used on golf courses and landscapes.

Impacts
There were over 1,200 new germplasm sources of cool-season germplasm collected in Europe and North Africa in 2010 that were sent as seed to New Jersey. These new germplasm sources continue to contribute new sources for resistance to stem and crown rust and gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass. New bentgrass and tall fescue germplasm has contributed new sources of brown patch resistance. A new Kentucky bluegrass from Romania has shown excellent resistance to rust and summer patch. These should all require less fungicides to provide persistent turf cover. The development work from selecting new wear tolerant turfgrasses should provide safer playing fields and playgrounds. Seven refereed journal articles and 11 non-refereed articles were published in 2010.

Publications

Hignight, K., S.A. Bonos, J. Clark, E. Weibel and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800125. Firenza tall fescue. Issued August 12, 2009.
Brilman, L., S.A. Bonos, W.K. Dickson and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800370. SR-8650 tall fescue. Issued July 8, 2010.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos, R.F. Bara and D.A. Smith. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200900073. Rebel XLR tall fescue. Issued July 8, 2010.
Hignight, K., S.A. Bonos, G. Ziemienski and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200900074. Ninja III tall fescue. Issued July 8, 2010.
Hignight, K., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200900077. Tulsa Time tall fescue. Issued October 7, 2010.
Saxena, P., B. Huang, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. Effect of photoperiod and temperature on the production rate of tillers and rhizomes in tall fescue. p. 50. In Proceedings of the 19th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass symposium. Jan. 11, 2010.
Saxena, Priti, Bingru Huang, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. Effect of photoperiod and temperature on tillering and rhizome formation in tall fescue. In Agronomy Abstracts, A.S.A. Madison, WI.
Honig, J.A., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. Classification of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars and accessions using SSR Markers. In Agronomy Abstracts. A.S.A., Madison, WI.
Smith, D.A., R.F. Bara, M.M. Wilson, E.N. Weibel, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2009 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 41:29-58.
Weibel, E.N., T.J. Lawson, W.K. Dickson, J.B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, B.B. Clarke, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2010. Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2009 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 41:1-28.
Wilson, M.M., R.R. Shortell, W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, E.N. Weibel, J.B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2009 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 41:59-132.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos and D.A. Smith. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201000168. Ridgeline Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Meyer. W.A., M. Wilson and R.F. Bara. 2011. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201100056. Empire Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Koch, M.J., M.M. Wilson, R.F. Bara, W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, E. Szerszen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2009 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 41:133-164.
Saxena, P., J.M. Bokmeyer, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2009 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 41:165-194.
Meyer, W.A., B.B. Clarke and B. Fitzgerald. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201000088. Falcon V tall fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and E. Szerszen. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201000089. Shenandoah Elite tall fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara and M. Wilson 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201000094. Catalyst tall fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos and M. Wilson. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201000100. Penn RK4 tall fescue. Applied for.
Smith, D.A., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201000273. Intrigue II Chewings fescue. Applied for.
Reid, S., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara and S.A. Bonos. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 2010000330. Cresendo perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Reid, S., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara and S.A. Bonos. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 201000331. New Arrival GLR. Applied for.
Brilman, L., K. Hignight, S.A. Bonos and C. Reed Funk. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400289. Peregrine ryegrass. Issued Feb 10, 2010.
Brilman, L., K. Hignight, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500294. SR-4550 perennial ryegrass. Issued Feb. 10, 2010.
Floyd, D., R.F. Bara, M.M. Wilson, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2010. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400007. Blazer 4 perennial ryegrass. Issued July 7, 2010.
Weibel, E. D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200900402. SR-5130 Chewings fescue. Issued February 10, 2010.
Johnson, S., D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800220. Cardinal strong creeping red fescue. Issued Feb. 10, 2010.
Meyer, W.A, M. Wilson and E. Szerszen. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600002. Mongoose Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Feb. 10, 2010.
Meyer, W.A., T. Molnar, C.R. Funk and R.F. Bara. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600115. Bonaire Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Feb. 10, 2010.
Meyer, W.A. and S.A. Bonos. 2020. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800175. Blackberry Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Feb. 10, 2010.
Hignight, K., R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. Aries Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Feb. 10, 2010.
Bonos, S.A. 2011. Gene action of dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass. Phytopathology. 159:12-18.
Honig, J., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2010. Isolation and characterization of 88 polymorphic microsatellite markers in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). HortScience 45(11):1759-1763.
Koch, M.J. and S.A. Bonos. 2010. A greenhouse salinity screening technique for perennial ryegrass. Crop science 50:2613-2619.
Poss, J.A., W.B. Russell, S.A. Bonos and C.M. Grieve. 2010. Salt tolerance and canopy reflectance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars. HortScience 45:952-960.
Cortese, L.M., J. Honig, C. Miller and S.A. Bonos. 2010. Genetic diversity of twelve switchgrass populations using molecular and morphological markers. Bioenergy Research 3:262-271.
Merewitz, E., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos and B. Huang. 2010. Drought stress responses and recovery of Texas x Kentucky hybrids and Kentucky bluegrass genotypes in temperate climate conditions. Agronomy Journal 102:258-268.
Bonos, S.A., E. Weibel, M. Koch, R. Shortell and L. Cortese. 2010. Breeding bentgrass species for improved disease resistance and stress tolerance. p. 13. In Proceedings of the 19th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 11, 2010.
Merewitz, E., S. Bonos and B. Huang. 2010. Identification of quantitative trait loci for drought tolerance characteristics in creeping bentgrass. p. 46. In Proceedings of the 19th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass symposium. Jan. 11, 2010.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bons, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith M. Wilson, J. Bokmeyer, P. Saxena, L. Beirn and B.B. Clarke. 2010. Breeding improvements in tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. p. 15. In Proceedings of the 19th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass symposium. Jan. 11, 2010.
Nelson, E., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara and C. Reed Funk. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 20020220. Inspire perennial ryegrass. Issued Nov. 17, 2010.
Brilman, L., R.F. Bara, W.A. Meyer and C. Reed Funk. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200227. SR-4420 perennial ryegrass. Issued August 31, 2010.
Fraser, M.L., C.A. Rose-Fricker, W.A. Meyer and C. Reed Funk. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200243. Citation Fore perennial ryegrass. Issued August 31, 2010.
Rose-Fricker, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 20030046. Grand Slam perennial ryegrass. Issued August 31, 2010.
Meyer, W.A., K. Hignight, R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and D.A. Smith. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500111. Paragon GLR perennial ryegrass. Issued July 8, 2010.
Bonos, S.A., K. Hignight, R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2010. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500142. Issued August 31, 2010.

Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During 2008 9,435 new turfgrass plots were established with over 120,000 plants in spaced-plant nurseries and 4,000 single clone mowed spaced-plants. In 2009 there were over 340,000 intra and inter-specific Kentucky bluegrasses screened. The progeny of 96 new hybrid Kentucky bluegrasses were screened in spaced-plant nurseries to determine apomixes levels and seed production potential. Over 472 new inter or intra-specific Kentucky bluegrasses were harvested in 2009. In the winter of 2008-2009, 14,000 tall fescues were screened for rhizome production and quality. There were 6,000 Chewings fescue, 7,600 hard fescues, 60,000 perennial ryegrasses and 12,000 bentgrasses screened during the winter in the greenhouse and the superior plants put in nurseries. The following isolated crossing blocks were mowed in the spring of 2009: 4 hard fescues (188 plants), 2 Chewings fescues (69 plants), 21 perennial ryegrasses (899 plants), 2 strong creeping red fescues (102 plants), 16 tall fescues (626 plants), 4 velvet bentgrasses (66 plants), 5 creeping bentgrasses (93 plants) and 6 colonial bentgrasses (125 plants). During the past year, 6 graduate students working in plant breeding were successfully mentored. There were over 785 stakeholders attending 3 major field days that displayed 10 different turf species and over 7,000 cultivars in turf trials. Twenty-two different lectures were presented at local, national and international meetings in 2009. During this year, 29 United States Plant Variety Protection Applications were made and 10 were issued. There were 4 new Kentucky bluegrasses, 3 new gray leaf spot resistant perennial ryegrasses, 13 new tall fescues, 3 new fine fescues and 2 new bentgrasses named and increased in 2009. The major outreach activities were field day, symposia, lectures, and private visits to Rutgers turf trials with cooperators (over 20 different organizations). PARTICIPANTS: Rutgers Turfgrass Breeding Faculty in connection with technicians and support staff worked on this project. Pieter den Haan from Steenbergen, The Netherlands collaborated in collection and increase of germplasm sources. TARGET AUDIENCES: Golf Course, landscape, lawn care turfgrass managers and sod growers throughout the United States are impacted by the research. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Perennial ryegrasses with gray leaf spot resistance are now widely used by turf managers along with more wear tolerant tall fescue.

Impacts
There were over 900 promising new germplasm sources of cool-season germplasm collected in Europe and sent to New Jersey as seed. A large collection of new tall fescue germplasm was collected in northern Africa. These new germplasm sources have contributed resistance to gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass; brown patch resistance in tall fescue and colonial bentgrass; stripe, crown and stem rust and summer patch resistance in Kentucky bluegrass. In the 30 or more perennial ryegrasses with resistance to gray leaf spot, the requirements for fungicides have been reduced 70%. The same will be true for Kentucky bluegrass and colonial bentgrass. New rapid tillering tall fescues with improved brown patch resistance are showing excellent persistence and quality under wear. These new cultivars will provide safer playgrounds for our children and athletes. Twelve refereed publications were published or accepted and 16 non-refereed abstracts or journals were published.

Publications

Bokmeyer, J., S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Inheritance characteristics of brown patch resistance in tall fescue. Crop Science 49:2302-2308.
Rotter, D., K. Amundsen, S.E. Warnke, S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and F.C. Belanger. 2009. Colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capilaris) genetic linkage mapping reveals the chromosomal location of genes for dollar spot resistance. Crop Science 49:1609-1619.
Shortell, R.R., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2009. Classification and inheritance of morphological and agronomic characteristics in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). Hort Sci. 44:274-279.
Bokmeyer, J., S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Broad-sense heritability and stability analysis of brown patch resistance in tall fescue. Hort Sci. 44:289-292
Park, B.S., J.M. Bokmeyer, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Evaluation of tall fescue under simulated wear. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 11:563-572.
Watkins, E., S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Heritability of brown patch resistance in tall fescue. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 11:271-281.
Watkins, E., S.A. Bonos, M. Clark and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Ploidy determination of tufted hairgrass collections using flow cytometry. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 11:599-605.
Merewitz, E., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and B. Huang. 2009. Growth characteristics of Texas x Kentucky hybrids and Kentucky bluegrass genotypes exposed to drought stress and re-watering. Agronomy Journal (Accepted for publication September 22, 2009).
Kubik, C., J. Honig, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2009. Genetic diversity of creeping bentgrass cultivars using SSR markers. Submitted to the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 11:533-548.
Shortell, R.R., W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, E.N. Weibel, T.J. Lawson, J.B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selection in New Jersey turf trials. 2008 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 40:59-130.
Bokmeyer, J.M., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selection in New Jersey turf trials. 2008 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 40:165-196.
Bonos, S.A. and W.A. Meyer. 2009. An overfiew of the Rutgers Turfgrass Breeding Program - 50 years and counting. In Agronomy Abstracts ASA, Madison, WI.
Bonos, S.A. E. Szerszen and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900004. Bluenote Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., M. Wilson and S. Bonos. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900005. Volt Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Smith, D.A. and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. no.200900426. Spitfire Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Bara, R.F., S.A. Bonos, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900136. Zinfandel Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Smith, D.A., M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900307. Farenheit 90 Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S., R.F. Bara and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900290. Rhapsody Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Brilman, L., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900425. Touche Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Weibel, Eric, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900402. SR3150 Chewings fescue. Applied for.
Bara, R.F., M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900395. 3rd Millennium SRP tall fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K., S.A. Bonos, G. Ziemienski and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900074. Ninja III tall fescue. Applied for.
Bara, R.F., M. Wilson, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900399. Cochise IV tall fescue. Applied for.
Bara, R.F., M. Wilson, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900401. Mustang IV tall fescue. Applied for.
Floyd, D., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900403. Speedway tall fescue. Applied for.
Brentano, T., R.F. Bara, E. Szerszen and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900404. Talladega tall fescue. Applied for.
Rotter, D., Amundsen, K., Bonos, S.A., Meyer, W.A., Warnke, S.E., and Belanger, F.C. 2009. Colonial bentgrass genetic linkage mapping. In: Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Molecular Breeding of Forage and Turf. T. Yamada, and G. Spangenber ed. Springer, The Netherlands. pgs. 309-321.
Park, B.S., J.M. Bokmeyer, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Evaluation of tall fescue under simulated wear. Submitted to the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 11:563-572.
Bonos, S.A., S. Tubbs, K. Hignight, D. Rush, R. Bara and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Registration of Bedazzled Kentucky bluegrass. Journal Plant Registrations 3:127-131.
Koch, M.J., M.M. Wilson, W.A. Meyer, C.R.Funk, S.A. Bonos, R.F. Bara, W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, J.M. Bokmeyer, and E. Szerszen. 2009. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2008 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 40:131-164.
Bokmeyer, J., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Inheritance of brown patch resistance in tall fescue. p. 32. In Proceedings of the 18th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 12, 2009.
Koch, M.J., E.N. Weibel, D.A. Smith, T.J. Lawson, W.K. Dickson, J.B. Clark, S.A. Bonos, J.A. Murphy, B.B. Clarke, and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2008 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 40:1-34.
Shortell, R.R., D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, M.M. Wilson, E.N. Weibel, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2008. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 40:35-58.
Hignight, K., E. Weibel, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos and E. Szerszen. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900391. Shenandoah Sport. Applied for.
Zajac, J., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900335. Spyder LS tall fescue. Applied for.
Bara, R.F., M. Wilson, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900334. Traverse tall fescue. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A. J.A. Murphy and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900233. Wolfpack II tall fescue. Applied for.
Bokmeyer, J., S.A. Bonox, R.F. Bara, W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900328. Rhambler tall fescue. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., B.B. Clarke and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900232. Gazelle II tall fescue. Applied for.
Reid, S., S.A. Bonos, B. Fitzgerald and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900346. Essential tall fescue. Applied for.
Johnson, S., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900347. Bullseye tall fescue. Applied for.
Reid, S., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900348. Raptor II tall fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K., S.A. Bonos, E. Weibel and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600280. 13M creeping bentgrass. Issued July 16, 2009.
Bonos, S.A., W.A. Meyer, E. Weibel and T.C. Ford. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500332. Legendary velvet bentgrass. Issued May 1, 2009.
Nelson, Eric, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, D.A. Smith and R.F. Bara. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500303. Coyote II tall fescue. Issued Sept. 3, 2009
Meyer, W.A., C.R. funk, T. Molnar, E. Szerszen and S.A. Bonos. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200700257. Barvado tall fescue. Issued Jan. 22, 2009.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos and E. Szerszen. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800081. Brockton tall fescue. Issued Nov. 14, 2009.
Johnson, S., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900343. Jamboree tall fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900077. Tulsa Time tall fescue. Applied for.
Brentano, T., D.A. Smith, E. Szerszen and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900031. Foxfire strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Bonos, S.A., D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection application no. 200900133. Secretariat II GLSR perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Bara, R.F., D.A. Smith. W.A. Meyer and M. Wilson. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900134. Exacta II GLSR perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Bara, R.F., E. Szerszen, W.A. Meyer and M. Wilson. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900135. Charismatic II GLSR perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos, C.R. Funk and K. Hignight. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300154. Champlain Kentucky bluegrass. Issued June 10, 2009.
Meyer, W.A. C.R. Funk, B.B. Clarke and T. Molnar. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400132. Mercury Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Feb. 17, 2009.
Bara, R.F., C.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400181. Rampart Kentucky bluegrass. Issued May 20, 2009.
Bonos, S.A., W.A. Meyer, E.N. Weibel and T.C. Ford. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500333. Declaration creeping bentgrass. Issued July 17, 2009.
Hurley, R., V. Lehman, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600263. 007 creeping bentgrass. Issued Feb. 11, 2009.

Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During 2008 9,434 new turfgrass plots were established with over 92,000 plants in spaced plant nurseries and 30 mowed single clone selections. In 2008 there were over 200,000 intra and interspecific Kentucky bluegrass hybrids screened. The progeny of 150 new hybrid Kentucky bluegrasses were screened in spaced-plant nurseries to determine apomixes levels and seed production. In the winter of 2007-2008, 19,500 tall fescue plants were screened for rhizome production and quality. There were 34,000 perennial ryegrasses, 9,000 bentgrasses and 8,200 fine fescues screened during the winter and the superior plants were put into spaced plant nurseries. The following isolated crossing blocks were moved in the spring of 2008: 5 hard fescues (143 plants), 4 Chewings fescues (412 plants), 25 strong creeping red fescues (107 plants), 16 perennial ryegrasses (706 plants), 20 tall fescues (1,143 plants ), 4 colonial bentgrasses (47 plants) and 3 creeping bentgrasses (48 plants). During the past year 6 graduate students working in brass breeding were mentioned. There were over 700 stakeholders attending 2 major field days displaying 10 different cool-season turfgrass species in turf trials. In October there was a field day for sod growers with 45 in attendance. Fifteen different lectures were presented at local national and international (3 in Italy and 3 in Slovenia) in meetings in 2008. During this year there were 21 US Plant Variety Protection (PVP) applications made and 28 US PVP certificates were issued on New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station turfgrass cultivars. There were 10 new Kentucky bluegrasses, 13 new perennial ryegrasses, 12 new tall fescues and 2 new fine fescues names and named in 2008. The major outreach activities were in the form of field days, symposia, lectures and private visits to Rutgers turf trials with our cooperators (over 20 different companies and institutions). PARTICIPANTS: Rutgers Turfgrass Breeding Faculty in connection with their technicians and support staff worked on this project. Pieter den Haan from the Netherlands collaborated in the collection of germplasm sources. TARGET AUDIENCES: Golf Course and landscape professionals throughout the United States are impacted by this research. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Perennial ryegrasses are now being widley used on Golf Courses and landscapes.

Impacts
There were over 1,000 promising new germplasm sources of cool-season turgrass germplasm collected in Europe during 2008 and sent to New Jersey as seed. These new germplasm sources have contributed over 50% of the genetic resistance to gray leaf spot in the new perennial ryegrasses released to date. These perennial ryegrasses can be used in turf with reduced fungicide requirements. New colonial bentgrass germplasm from Europe has been used to develop new cultivars with improved brown patch resistance that has not been reported in the past. Again, these will require less fungicide. New Kentucky bluegrass germplasm from Finland and Lithuania have a combination of improved heat tolerance and leaf spot resistance. Two Kentucky bluegrass collections from Bulgaria have shown the highest level of resistance to stem and stripe rust. They are being used as paternal parents to generate new rust resistance Kentucky bluegrasses. The Rutgers' Novel Wear simulator is being used to apply uniform wear treatments on simple plot progenies of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. These highly wear resistant sources are being used to create a new generation of wear tolerant cultivars. These wear tolerant cultivars will create safer playgrounds for our athletes and children. The widely adapted turfgrass cultivars are being accepted in Europe and have helped the US seed Industry to maintain a healthy export business. Ten refereed publications were published, accepted or submitted and 16 non-referred articles.

Publications

Nelson, E., R. Shortell, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800328. Hampton Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., D.A. Smith. S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600116. Firefly hard fescue. Issued Feb. 7, 2008.
Hignight, K., R. Bara, M. Wilson, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600117. Fortitude strong creeping red fescue. Issued Jan. 30, 2008.
Nelson, Eric, C. Reed Funk, Tom Molnar. S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600292. Wendy Jean strong creeping red fescue. Issued Nov. 4, 2008.
Johnson, S, W.A. Meyer, D.A. Smith and S.A. Bonos. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200700282. Gotham hard fescue. Issued June 5, 2008.
Hignight, K. W.A. Meyer, D.A. Smith and S.A. Bonos. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate.no. 200700270. Epic strong creeping red fescue. Issued May 16, 2008.
Wilson, M, S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and E. Weibul. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800080. La Cross Chewings fescue. Issued April 15, 2008.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200800011. Treazure II Chewings fescue. Issued April 15, 2008.
Bonos, S.A., E. Weibel, T.J. Lawson and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800167. Villa velvet bentgrass. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800034. Manhattan V perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Brillman, Leah, S.A. Bonos, E. Weibel and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800135. Zoom perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Brilman, Leah, T.J. Lawson, J.A. Murphy and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800156. Hawkeye II perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Floyd, D., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, E. Szerszen and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800161. Dasher III perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Nelson, Eric, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800199. Uno perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Floyd, Don, R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800390. Seville 3 perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K. S.A. Bonos, J. Clark, E. Weibel and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800128. Firenza tall fescue. Applied for.
Brilman, Leah, S.A. Bonos, W.K. Dickson and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800370. SR-8650 tall fescue. Applied for.
Johnson, Steve, W.A. Meyer. S.A. Bonos, and R.F. Bara. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800030. Katie Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A. and S.A. Bonos. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800178. Blackberry Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, Kenneth, R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800179. Aries (948) Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K. T. Molnar, and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800180. Concerto Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., M. Wilson and S. Bonos. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900005. Volt Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K. W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800189. A99-269 Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Nelson, E., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800329. Juliet Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Nelson, E, S.A. Bonos. R.F. Bara and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800330. Gaelic Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Smith, D.A, L. Brilman, E. Szerszen, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800129. Bandera Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S., D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos and W. A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800220. Cardinal strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Bonos, S.A. E. Szerszen and W.A. Meyer. 2009. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200900004. Bluenote Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Bokmeyer, J., S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Broad-sense heritability and stability analysis of brown patch resistance in tall fescue. Tentatively accepted for publication to Hort Sci. Jan. 24, 2009.
Kubik, C., J. Honig, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2009. Genetic diversity of creeping bentgrass cultivars using SSR markers. Tentatively Accepted for Publication to the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal November 14, 2008.
Park, B.S., J.M. Bokmeyer, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Evaluation of tall fescue under simulated wear. Tentatively Accepted for Publication to the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal November 14, 2008.
Watkins, E., S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Heritability of brown patch resistance in tall fescue. Tentatively Accepted for Publication to the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal November 14, 2008.
Rotter, D., K. Amundsen, S.E. Warnke, S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and F.C. Belanger. 2008. Colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capilaris) genetic linkage mapping reveals the chromosomal location of genes for dollar spot resistance. Submitted for publication.
Abraham, E., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer. 2008. Differential Responses of Hybrid Bluegrass and Kentucky Bluegrass to Drought and Heat Stress. HortScience 43(7):2191-2195.
Shortell, R., S.A. Bonos, and S.E. Hart. 2008. Response of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) to bispyribac-sodium herbicide. HortScience 43(7):2252-2255.
Watkins, E., S.A. Bonos, M. Clark and W.A. Meyer. 2009. Ploidy determination of tufted hairgrass collections using flow cytometry. Tentatively Accepted for Publication to the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal November 14, 2008.
Shortell, R.R., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2008. Classification and inheritance of morphological and agronomic characteristics in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). Submitted for publication to Hort Sci Oct. 26, 2008.
Bonos, S.A., S. Tubbs, K. Hignight, D. Rush, R. Bara and W.A. Meyer. 2008. Registration of Bedazzled Kentucky bluegrass. Journal of Plant Registrations (Tentatively accepted).
Bokmeyer, J., S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2008. Combining ability of brown patch resistance in tall fescue. In Agronomy Abstacts. A.S.A., Madison WI.
Rotter, D., Amundsen, K., Bonos, S.A., Meyer, W.A., Warnke, S.E., and Belanger, F.C. 2008. Colonial bentgrass genetic linkage mapping. In: Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Molecular Breeding of Forage and Turf. T. Yamada, and G. Spangenberg ed. Springer, The Netherlands. In Press.
Rotter, D., K. Amundsen, S. Bonos, W.A. Meyer, S. Warnke and F.C. Belanger. 2008. Colonial bentgrass genetic linkage mapping and identification of chromosomal location of genes responsible for dollar spot resistance. In Agronomy Abstacts. A.S.A., Madison WI.
Koch, M., and S. Bonos. 2008. Greenhouse screening of perennial ryegrass cultivars for salinity tolerance. In Agronomy Abstacts. A.S.A., Madison WI.
Shortell, R.R., S.A. Bonos and S.E. Hart. 2008. The influence of nitrogen fertility on the tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass to Bispyribac-sodium herbicide. In Agronomy Abstacts. A.S.A., Madison WI.
Bonos, S.A., E. Weibel, J. Honig C. Kubik and S. Warnke. 2008. The identification of SSR QTL markers for dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass. In Agronomy Abstacts. A.S.A., Madison WI.
Bonos, S.A. E.N. Weibel, J.A. Honig and C. Kubik. 2008. Update on QTL markers for dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass. p 33. In Proceedings of the 17th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 10-11, 2008.
Merewitz, E., B. Huang, S. Bonos, and W. A. Meyer. 2008. Identification of QTL associated with drought tolerance in creeping bentgrass. p 34. In Proceedings of the 17th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 10-11, 2008.
Meyer, W.A., J.M. Bokmeyer, S.A. Bonos, T.J. Lawson, A. Bzdek, D. Smith, R. Bara and M.M. Wilson. 2008. Breeding and evaluation of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryerass and tall fescues for wear tolerance. p 35-36. In Proceedings of the 17th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 10-11, 2008.
Bonos, S.A. and E.N. Weibel. 2008. Gene action of dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass as affected by isolate and host genotype. p 38. In Proceedings of the 17th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 10-11, 2008.
Rotter, D., K. Amundsen, S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer, S. Warnke and F.C. Belanger. 2008. A genomics approach to understanding dollar spot resistance in colonial bentgrass. p 55-56. In Proceedings of the 17th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 10-11, 2008.
Koch, M.J., E. N. Weibel, D.A. Smith, T.J. Lawson, W.K. Dickson, J. B. Clark, S.A. Bonos, J.A. Murphy, B.B. Clarke and W. A. Meyer. 2008. Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2007 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 39:1-40.
Shortell, R.R., W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, M.M. Wilson, E.N. Weibel, T.J. Lawson, J.B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2008. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2007 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 39:41-72.
Shortell, R.R., W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, E.N. Weibel, T.J. Lawson, J.B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, and W. A. Meyer. 2008. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2007 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 39:73-136.
Wilson, M.M., W.A. Meyer, C. R. Funk, S.A. Bonos, R.F. Bara, W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, J.M. Bokmeyer, and E. Szerszen. 2008. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2007 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 39:137-172.
Bokmeyer, J.M., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, W.K. Dickson, S.A. Bonos, J.A. Murphy and W. A. Meyer. 2008. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selection in New Jersey turf trials. 2007 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 39:173-206.
Huang, B., S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2008. Drought tolerance and water-saving hybrids vs. Kentucky bluegrasses. Turf News. May/June 2008. p. 44-46.
Meyer, W.A., D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, K. Hignight and C. Reed Funk. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300081. Mallard Kentucky bluegrass. Issued July 3, 2008.
Johnson, S., T.K. Kuenzi, W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200219. Stellar perennial ryegrass. Issued August 11, 2008.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, M. Mohr, C. Reed Funk and K. Hignight. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300077. Brooklawn Kentucky bluegrass. Issued for July 30, 2008.
Bonos, S.A., D.A. Smith, K. Hignight, C. Reed Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 20030080. Blue Ridge Kentucky bluegrass. Issued July 3, 2008.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and C. Reed Funk. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300145. Avalanche Kentucky bluegrass. Issued July 3, 2008.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M. Wilson. E. Szerszen, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300147. Bluestone Kentucky bluegrass. Issued July 16, 2008.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, C. Reed Funk and D.A. Smith. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300315. Diva Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Aug. 20, 2008.
Meyer, W.A., T.A. Ford, G. Zhang, and T. Molnar. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300157. Sonoma Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Aug. 20, 2008.
Brilman, L., W.A. Meyer and C. Reed Funk. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300227. SR 2284 Kentucky bluegrass. Issued July 30, 2008.
Rose-Fricker, W.A. Meyer, E. Watkins and J.A. Murphy. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300308. Royce Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Aug. 20, 2008.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M. Fraser, W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara, and C. Reed Funk. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400280. Silverado II tall fescue. Issued Jan. 30, 2008.
Ford, T.C., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, and C. Reed Funk. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400284. Da Vinci tall fescue. Issued April 15, 2008.
Brentano, T., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, E. Szerszen, D.A. Smith, and C. Reed Funk. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no 200400159. Magellan tall fescue. Issued May 16, 2008. Brentano, T., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara, and M.M. Wilson. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400160. Padre tall fescue. Issued May 15, 2008.
Johnson, S., D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos, M.M. Wilson, and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400125. Raptor tall fescue. Issued Feb. 7, 2008.
D.A. Smith, M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500141. Lucy (HOE) hard fescue. Issued Jan. 3, 2008.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos, M. Wilson and K. Hignight. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500172. Six Point tall fescue. Issued Aug. 20, 2008.
Johnson, S., W.A. Meyer. R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos and D.A. Smith. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500034. Corgi tall fescue. Issued May 16, 2008.
Johnson, S., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and D.A. Smith. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500035. Houndog 6 tall fescue. Issued May 16, 2008.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos, D.A. Smith and K. Hignight. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500171. Falcon IV tall fescue. Issued Aug. 20, 2008.
Wilson, M., R.F. Bara, D. Smith, W.A. Meyer and S. Whitten. 2008. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200500194. Turbo tall fescue. Issued Aug. 20, 2008.

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
During 2007 there were over 9,865 new turfgrass plots established for evaluation. Approximately one-fourth of these were entered by 28 seed companies for replicated evaluation in New Jersey. Approximately 1,000 of these plots were single plot progeny tests from collaborating organizations for evaluation in New Jersey. All of the replicated data is summarized and published in the Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings and in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Programs website. Each year there are 30 groups of visitors from the US and many foreign countries that come for private tours of the Rutgers Turfgrass Breeding Program. This includes reviewing the 45,000 turf plots and over 100,000 spaced-plants growing at the Adelphia Research Farm in Freehold and the 10,000 turf plots at Hort Farm II in North Brunswick, NJ. During the past year there were 5 graduate students working in grass breeding that were mentored throughout the year. There were two major Field Days this year with over 700 stakeholders attending. These included the labeling of the various turf plots with results and discussions on 10 different cool-season turfgrass species. There was also a Sod Growers Tour with 50 people in October 2, 2007 at the Adelphia Farm. A symposium sponsored by the Center for Turfgrass Science was held at Rutgers with a keynote address for 1 hour by William A. Meyer with 75 in attendance. A speech on improvements in cool-season turfgrasses was presented in Boston, MA to 350 golf course superintendents. A talk on wear-tolerant turfgrasses was presented to the managers of fields for the National Football League in Chicago, IL March 6, 2007 to 80 managers. A speech on new Kentucky bluegrasses and tall fescues was presented to 35 sod growers March 8, 2007. A speech on new turfgrasses for athletic fields was presented to the 47 Sports Turf Managers of NJ April 12, 2007. A lecture on new improved athletic field turfgrasses was presented June 19, 2007 in Cincinnati to the Ohio Sports Turf Managers (120 present). A speech on new cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue was presented in Annapolis, MD to 50 sod growers. An update on cultivars of turfgrass for golf courses was presented to 110 golf course superintendents in Crystal Springs, NJ on November 14, 2007. A seminar on how to buy quality grass seed was presented to 75 landscapers at the NJ Turf EXPO in Atlantic City, NJ December 6, 2007. During 2007 there were 32 US Plant Variety Protection Applications made on cultivars and 29 US Plant Variety Protection certificates were issued on New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station cultivars. There were 10 new Kentucky bluegrasses, 18 perennial ryegrasses, 15 tall fescues, 5 fine fescues and 6 bentgrasses released in 2007. The major outreach activities were described above in the form of field days, symposia, lectures and private meeting with visitors to tour the research trials. We have a very open dialogue with all of these visitors to share knowledge.

Impacts
The new improved disease and insect resistant cultivars released in 2007 will reduce the number of pesticide applications to control diseases and insects. The new creeping bentgrass releases will reduce the fungicide applications for fairway turf for dollar spot controls from 10 to 1 or 2 per season. The gray leafspot resistant perennial ryegrasses will require 80% less fungicides to maintain healthy turf. The new velvet bentgrass releases will require a 50% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer and 30% less irrigation water compared to creeping bentgrass. The new tall fescue cultivars released will require less irrigation and fungicides for brown patch control. The seed yield of the new tall fescue and some of the new Kentucky bluegrasses has more than doubled in the new cultivars. This is a great benefit to the Northwestern US seed producer that employs many employees in rural areas and allows consumers to buy seed at more affordable prices. We now know that strong creeping red fescue cultivars that contain the new Rose City endophyte will have resistance to dollar spot and red thread. Both of these are devastating diseases and that these new cultivars will not require fungicides to persist is useful to the consumer. Through the wear studies at Rutgers on cool-season turfgrasses with the Novel Rutgers Wear Simulator we have greatly added to the knowledge of which turfgrass cultivars are more wear tolerant. This will greatly improve the conditions on playing fields. This same machine is also being used to create a wear stress on single-plot progenies of perennial ryegrasses, tall fescues and bentgrasses. This will result in the development of more wear-tolerant turfgrasses. Many of the new improved cultivars from Rutger's are being exported to Europe and other countries to improve the health of the US economy and the trade balance.

Publications

Wilson, M.M., W.A. Meyer, C.R. Funk, S.A. Bonos, W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, and E. Szerszen. 2007. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2006 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 38:111-134.
Bokmeyer, J.M., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, W.K. Dickson, S.A. Bonos, J.A. Muprhy, and W.A. Meyer. 2007. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2006 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 38:135-158.
Park, B.S., J.A. Murphy, T.J. Lawson, J.E. Devaney, W.K. Dickson, J.B. Clark, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2007. Assessment of Kentucky bluegrass subjected to fall-applied wear. 2006 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 38:179-198.
Meyer, W.A., and S.A. Bonos. 2007. Breeding Advances for Disease Resistance in the Major Cool-Season Turfgrasses. p 13-14. In Proceedings of the 16th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 11-12, 2007. Belanger, F.C., D. Rotter, S. Warnke, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2007. Colonial bentgrass mapping using dideooxy polymorphism scanning: A new approach to mapping genes p.15-16. In the Proceedings of the 16th Annual Rutgers Symposium. Jan 11-12, 2007.
Zaurov, D.E., J.A. Murphy, C.R. Funk, W.A. Meyer, N.A. Rogova, R.A. Beyshenbaeva, and I. Sodombekov. 2007. Unigue Central Asian germplasm for turfgrass breeding. P.54-55. In the Proceedings of the 16th Annual Rutgers Symposium. Jan 11-12, 2007.
Bokmeyer,J,. W.A. Meyer, and S.A. Bonos. 2007. Genetic inheritance of brown patch resistance in tall fescue. In Agronomy Abstacts.A.S.A.,Madison WI
Shortell, R., W.A. Meyer, B Huang, and S.A. Bonos. 2007. Genetic variation in rooting of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars and seletions. In Agronomy Abstracts. A.S.A., Madison, WI. Bonos, S.A. and E.N. Weibel. 2007. Isolate effects on the inheritance of dollar spot resistance in crosses of creeping bentgrass. Northeast Division American Phytopathological Society. Oct. 10-12, 2007. Cape May, NJ.
Bonos, S.A., S. Johnson, D. Smith, W.A. Meyer. C.R. Funk. 2007. Registration of Cindy Lou strong creeping red fescue. Journal of Plant Registrations 1:49-50.
Rotter, D., Bharti, A.K., Li, H.M., Luo, C., Bonos, S.A., Bughrara, S., Jung, G., Messing, J., Meyer, W.A., Rudd, S., Warnke, S.E., Belange, F.C. 2007. Analysis of EST sequences suggests recent origin of allotetraploid colonial and creeping bentgrasses. Mol Genet. Genomics 278:197-209.
Rotter, D., Amundsen, K., Bonos, S.A., Meyer, W.A., Warnke, S.E., and Belanger, F.C. 2007. Colonial bentgrass genetic linkage mapping. In: Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Molecular Breeding of Forage and Turf. T. Yamada, ed. Springer, The Netherlands. In Press.
Eric Watkins, Bingru Huang, and William A. Meyer. 2007. Tufted hairgrass responses to heat and drought stress. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 132:289-293.
Koch, M.J., E.N. Weibel, D.A. Smith, T.J. Lawson, W.K. Dickson, J.B. Clark, S.A. Bonos, J.A. Murphy, B.B. Clarke, and W.A. Meyer. 2007. Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2006 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 38:1-32.
Shortell, R.R., W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, M.M. Wilson, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, and W.A.Meyer. 2007. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selection in New Jersey turf trials. 2006 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 38:33-56.
Shortell, R.R., W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, T.J. Lawson, J.B. Clark, J.A. Murphy, C.R. Funk, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2007. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2006 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 38:57-110.
Johnson, S., W. Dickson and W. A Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700372. Buena Vista perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S., R. Bara, M. Wilson, E. Szerszen. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700373. Stellar GL perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700384. All-Star 3 perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Bonos, S.A. and E.N. Weibel. 2007. The interaction of isolate and host genotype on dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass. In Agronomy Abstracts. A.S.A., Madison, WI.
Cortese, L., J.A. Crouch, J. Honig, E. Weibel, C. Miller, B. Skaradek and S.A. Bonos. 2007. Genetic diversity of switchgrass populations grown in New Jersey. In Agronomy Abstracts. A.S.A., Madison, WI.
Koch, M. and S.A. Bonos. 2007. Heritability of salt tolerance in perennial ryegrass. In Agronomy Abstracts. A.S.A., Madison, WI.
Merewitz, E., B. Huang, S.A. Bonos, and F. Belanger. 2007. Identification of quantitative trait loci (qtl) associated with drought tolerance in creeping bentgrass. In Agronomy Abstracts. A.S.A., Madison,WI.
Bonos, S.A., M. Koch, and E.N. Weibel. 2007. Breeding for salt tolerance in cool-season turfgrasses. p. 22-23. In the Proceedings of the 16th Annual Rutgers Symposium. Jan 11-12, 2007.
Bonos, S.A., L. Cortese, J. Crouch, E.N. Weibel, C. Miller and W. Skaradek. 2007. Morphological and molecular analysis of fourteen switchgrass populations grown in New Jersey. p. 38-39. In the Proceedings of the 16th Annual Rutgers Symposium. Jan 11-12, 2007. Bonos, S.A. and E.N. Weibel. 2007. The identification of brown patch resistance in colonial bentgrass. p. 40. In the Proceedings of the 16th Annual Rutgers Symposium. Jan 11-12, 2007.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, C.R. Funk and S. Johnson. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700426. Rhythum Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos and Don Floyd. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700025. Argos Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S, W.A. Meyer, D.A. Smith and S.A. Bonos. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700282. Gotham hard fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K. W.A. Meyer, D.A. Smith and S.A. Bonos. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application.no.200700270. Epic strong creeping red fescue.
Brilman, L., D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos and W. A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700029. Harrier perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Brentano, T. W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara and M. Wilson. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700153. Overdrive perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Brentano, T, R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700166. Homerun perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S., S.A. Bonos, M. Wilson and W. A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700385. Keystone 2 perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and R.F. Bara. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700422. Derby Extreme perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S. M. Wilson, R.F. Bara, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700427. Amazing GS perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos and D.A. Smith. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700428. Kokomo II perennial ryegrass.
Sumidio, S., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, B. Huang and W. Dickson. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700452. Revenge GLX perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Floyd, D., S.A. Bonos, J. Schumacher, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700453. Fiesta 4 perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700091. Longhorn Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., C.R. Funk, T. Molnar, E. Szerszen and S.A. Bonos. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700257. Barvado tall fescue. Applied for.
Zajac, J., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, B.B. Clarke and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700168. Apple GL perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara and S.A. Bonos. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700266. Palmer GLS (GL2) perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K, R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, E. Szerszen and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700267. Protege GLR perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, E. Szerszen and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700268. Soprano perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., R.F. Bara, M. Wilson, E. Szerszen and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700269. Palmer V perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S., B.B. Clarke, W. Dickson and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700271. Attribute perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Johnson, S., J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700371. Primary perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200800011. Treazure II Chewings fescue. Applied for.
Brentano, T., R. Bara, M. Wilson, E. Szerszen and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700183. Prototype perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Brentano, T., W.A. Meyer and S.A. bonos. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700184. Pacesetter II perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Brentano, T., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700185. Notable perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., R. Bara, W.A. Meyer and M. Wilson. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700263. Applaud II perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K. W. Dickson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700264. 1 G Squared perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., J.A. Murphy, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200700265. Linedrive GLS perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Funk, C.R, W.A Meyer, S.A. Bonos R.F. Bara and D. Floyd. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200271. Moonshadow Kentucky bluegrass. Issued September 7, 2007.
Meyer, W.A. S.A. Bonos, D.A. Smith, K. Hignight and C.R. Funk. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300061. Seven Seas Chewings fescue. Issued February 6, 2007.
Smith, D.A., T. Ford, J.A. Murphy, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300158. Ambassador Chewsings fescue. Issued December 6, 2006.
Hignight, K. D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600109. Culumbra II Chewings fescue. Issued Jan. 25, 2007.
Hignight, K. And W. A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600171. Compass Chewings fescue. Issued April 9, 2007.
Meyer, W.A., A.A. Bonos and D.A. Smith. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200600258. Zodiac Chewings fescue. Issued April 9, 2007.
Smith, D.A., S.A. Bonos, K. Hignight and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300059. Predator hard fescue. Issued February 06, 2007.
Smith, D.A., K. Hignight, K., R.F. Bara and M. Wilson. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300060. Razor strong creeping red fescue. Issued February 6, 2007.
Hignight, K. W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300076. Celestial strong creeping red fescue. Issued March 9, 2007.
Rose-Fricker, C.A. , S.A. Bonis, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300150. Aberdeen strong creeping red fescue. Issued February 7, 2007.
Brilman, L., D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300242. SR5210 strong creeping red fescue. Issued June 29, 2007.
Hignight, K., W.A. Meyer, C.R. Funk, and G. Zhang. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400128. Lustrous strong creeping red fescue. Issued March 5, 2007.
Kignight. K., G. Ziemienski, M. Reynolds and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400268. Scorpion II tall fescue. Issued September 7, 2007.
Rose-Fricker, C, M. Fraser, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400277. Apache III tall fescue. Issued June 15, 2007.
Brilman, L. M. Wilson W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300174. Rendition tall fescue. Issued September 12, 2007.
Meyer, W.A., K. Hignight, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara and C.R. Funk. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300176. Solara tall fescue. Issued March 3, 2007.
Meyer, W.A, K. Hignight, B.B. Clarke and B. Fitzgerald. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 20040051. Riverside tall fescue. Issued May 23, 2007.
Hignight, K. C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400092. Regiment II tall fescue. Issued September 7, 2007.
Meyer, W.A., C.R. Funk, R.F. Bara and M. Wilson. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400130. Justice tall fescue. Issued September 17, 2007.
Floyd, D., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400134. Guardian 21 tall fescue. Issued November 3, 2006.
Johnson. S., W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300144. Kalahari tall fescue. Issued September 12, 2007.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., W.A. Meyer, M.L. Fraser and C.R. Funk. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300151. Silverstar tall fescue. Issued June 15, 2007.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., W.A. Meyer, M.L. Fraser, J.A. Murphy and S.A. Bonos. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300152. Tarheel II tall fescue. Issued May 3, 2007.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos, K. Hignight and C.R. Funk. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300161. Gremlin tall fescue. Issued March 3, 2007.
Brilman, L., W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300155. SR8550 tall fescue. Issued September 12, 2007.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, C.R. Funk, E. Szerszen and K. Hignight. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200400129. 2nd Millennium tall fescue. Issued September 27, 2007.
Hignight, K., W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2007. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300072. Greystone tall fescue. Issued February 6, 2007.
Meyer, W.A., K. Hignight and C.R. Funk. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300071. Signia tall fescue. Issued December 6, 2006.
Meyer, W.A., E. Watkins, K. Hignight. R.F. Bara and C.R. Funk. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300070. Forte tall fescue. Issued December 6, 2006.

Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
In 2006, over 9,106 new turf evaluation plots, over 30,000 mowed single clonal plots and over 80,000 plants in spaced plants were established in Adelphia and New Brunswick, NJ. Over 90,000 seedlings from intra an inter-specific crosses of Kentucky bluegrass were screened under winter greenhouse conditions of short days and cool temperatures. Over 80,000 tall fescues were screened for rhizome formation under winter greenhouse conditions along with 25,000 perennial ryegrasses and 45,000 fine fescues. The progenies of 650 new hybrid Kentucky bluegrasses were screened for apomixes in 2006 with 84 selected as superior and put into replicated turf trials. One hundred and eighty-five F1 Kentucky bluegrasses were selected in 2006 along with 185 new F1 Kentucky x Texas bluegrass hybrids. An additional cycle of selection was conducted in tall fescue for brown patch; in perennial ryegrass for gray leaf spot, dollar spot, red thread and crown rust; and in Chewings and strong creeping red fescue for stem rust. Projects to screen cool-season germplasm for salt tolerance were continued. Much progress was made and 4 populations of perennial ryegrass with salt tolerance were harvested in 2006. These populations were seeded in turf trials in New Jersey and Berlin, MD for field evaluation. In 2006, there were 25 US Plant Variety Protection (PVP) applications, and 5 US PVP certificates were issued. More than 50% of the 110 entries in the 2005 Kentucky bluegrass National Turfgrass Evaluation Trial (NTEP) were from Rutgers sources. Turfgrass cultivars from the Rutgers Program represented over 90% of the top entries in the NTEP trials for perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and fine fescue. In the NTEP bentgrass greens trial more than one-half of the top ten entries were from Rutgers. Over 1,500 germplasm sources were collected from 4 different European countries. These included associated endophytes in tall fescue. The following new turfgrass cultivars were increased and named in the northwest in 2006: Homerun, Regal 5, Prototype, Noteable, SR-4600, Apple GL, Attribute, Stellar GL, Revenge GLX, Harrier, Protege GLR, 1G2, Fiesta 4, Manhattan 5 GLR, Derby Xtreme, Palace, Palmer V, Primary, Dart, Pacesetter II and Overdrive perennial ryegrasses; Millenium SRP, Fidelity, Rhambler, and Sixpoint tall fescues; Shiraz, Pinot, Zinfandel, Belissimo, Starburst and Rhythum Kentucky bluegrasses; Bandera and Spitfire Texas bluegrass x Kentucky bluegrass hybrids; SR-5250 strong creeping red fescues; SR-5130, Seven Seas and Zodiac Chewings fescues; Firefly, Gotham and Predator hard fescues; Shark, Kingpin and Authority creeping bentgrasses; and Venus velvet and Revere colonial bentgrass.

Impacts
During 2006, 25 perennial ryegrasses, 4 tall fescues, 7 Kentucky bluegrasses, 2 Texas bluegrass x Kentucky bluegrasses, 1 strong creeping red fescue, 3 Chewings fescues, 3 hard fescues, 3 creeping bentgrasses, 1 velvet bentgrass and 1 colonial bentgrass were increased and made available. These new improved turfgrasses should reduce the requirement for pesticide inputs and be available at economic prices to stakeholders. These products are also earning royalties that greatly support the Turfgrass Breeding Program at Rutgers and other Turfgrass Science Programs at Rutgers.

Publications

Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Registration of Silver Dollar perennial ryegrass. Crop Science. Accepted for publication.
Bokmeyer, J., S. Bonos, W. Meyer. 2006. Broad-sense heritability of brown patch resistance in tall fescue. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Rotter, D., S. Warnke, S. A. Bonos, W. Meyer and F. Belanger. 2006. Colonial bentgrass linkage mapping. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Bokmeyer, J.M., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Selection for brown patch resistance in tall fescue. p. 32. In Proceedings of the 15th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 12-13, 2006.
David Rotter, S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer, S. Warnke, F.C. Belanger. 2006. Colonial bentgrass genetic linkage mapping. p. 43. In Proceedings of the 15th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 12-13, 2006.
Koch, M.J., E.N. Weibel, D.A. Smith, W.K. Dickson, J.B. Clark, S.A. Bonos, J.A. Murphy, B.B. Clarke and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2005 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 37: 1-34.
Shortell, R., W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, M.M. Wilson, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2005 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 37: 35-54.
Shortell, R. W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, T.J. Lawson, J. Clark, B. S. Park, J.A. Murphy, C. Reed Funk, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2005 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 37: 55-98
Wilson, M.M., W.A. Meyer, C. Reed Funk, S.A. Bonos, W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara and D. A. Smith. 2006. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2005 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 37:99-124.
Bonos, S.A. Clarke, B.B. and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Breeding for disease resistance in the major cool-season turfgrasses. Annual Review of Phytopathology 44: 213-234.
Han, Y., S.A. Bonos, B.B. Clarke and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Inheritance of Resistance to Gray Leaf Spot Disease in Perennial Ryegrass. Crop Science. 46:1143-1148.
Watkins, E., T.J. Gianfagna, R. Sun and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Volatile compounds of tufted hairgrass. Crop Science. 46:2575-2580.
G. Zhang, S. Lu, S-Y. Chen, T.A. Chen, C.R. Funk, W.A. Meyer. 2006. Transformation of triploid bermudagrass (Cynodon.dactylon x C. transvaalensis cv. TifEagle) with the BADH gene for drought tolerance. Plant Cell Reports. Submitted October 26, 2006.
Bonos, S.A. S. Johnson, D. Smith, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2006. Registration of Cindy Lou strong creeping red fescue. Accepted to Crop Science October 10, 2006.
Sellmann, M., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, and C.R. Funk. 2006. Registration of Inferno tall fescue. Crop Science 46: 2307-2308.
Bokmeyer, J.M., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2005 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 37: 125-162.
Bokmeyer, J.M., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. Evaluation of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections for powdery mildew resistance. 2005 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 37:163-168.
Shortell, R., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2006. Morphological characteristics of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey. 2005 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 37: 183-192.
Floyd, D. W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2001. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200100290. Vesper velvet bentgrass. Issued June 9, 2006.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200094. Greenwich velvet bentgrass. Issued March 11, 2005.
Johnson, S., W.A. Meyer. D.A. Smith and C.R. Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200236. Longfellow II Chewings fescue. Issued December 12, 2005.
Lundell, David, W.A. Meyer. S.A. Bonos and C.R. Funk. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate of Allowance no. 200400147. Lexington tall fescue. Issued Nov 3, 2006.
Hignight, K. W.A. Meyer and C. Reed Funk. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate of Allowance no. 200300156. Constitution tall fescue. Issued Dec. 6, 2006.
Hignight, K. D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600171. Compas Chewings fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K., D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600109. Culumbra II Chewings fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos and D.A. Smith. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600258. Zodiac Chewings fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K., D.A. Smith. S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600116. Firefly hard fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K., R. Bara, M. Wilson, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600117. Fortitude strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Nelson, Eric, C. Reed Funk, Tom Molnar. S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600292. Wendy Jean strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Brilman, Leah, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600302. SR-4600 perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., W.A. Meyer, C. Reed Funk and S.A. Bonos. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500313. Gray Star perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos and C. Reed Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500314. Silver Dollar perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., T.J. Lawson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 20050061. Pennlinks II creeping bentgrass. Issued December 12, 2005.
Brentano, T., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and E. Weibel. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600038. Kingpin creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Brentano, Tom, W. Dickson, Eric Weibel, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600044. Authority creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Nelson, Eric, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600163. Memorial creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Brentano, T., J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600164. Shark creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., E. Weibel, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600166. Benchmark DSR creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., S.A. Bonos, J. Bokmeyer and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400149. Fidelity tall fescue. Applied for.
Brilman, Leah, T.J. Lawson, E. Weibel, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. Mac Kenzie creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Brilman, Leah, E. Weibel, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500254. Tyee creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Hurley, R., V. Lehman, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600263. 007 creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Merrigan, B., C. Reed Funk, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600157. Wildhorse Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Brilman, Leah, W.A. Meyer, Eric Weibel and S.A. Bonos. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600264. SR-1150 creeping bentgrtass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., S.A. Bonos, E. Weibel and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600280. 13M creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Funk, C.R., T. Molnar, R. Bara and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600115. Bonaire Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Hall, J., C. Reed Funk, S.A. Bonos, J.A. Murphy and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600179. Skye Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Hall, J. R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, C. Reed Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2006. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200600204. Durham Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
In 2005, over 10,000 new turfgrass plots were established along with 10,000 mowed single clonal plots and over 100,000 spaced plants in nurseries. Over 150,000 Kentucky bluegrasses were screened with 40,000 spaced-plants established for apomixes evaluation in 2005. Over 50,000 Texas X Kentucky bluegrasses were screened with over 15,000 placed in spaced plant nurseries. In 2005, 100,000 tall fescues were screened for rhizome production with more than 9,500 having rhizomes. An additional cycle of selection was conducted in 2005 for improved resistance to brown patch in tall fescue, improved dollar spot, red thread and gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass and stem rust in Chewings and strong creeping red fescue. Improvement cycles were carried out for brown patch and dollar spot in colonial, velvet and creeping bentgrass. We have initiated several projects to begin a salt tolerance cool-season turfgrass breeding program. This past season a 5,000 plant mowed spaced-plant nursery established at the Adelphia Research Center including Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, velvet bentgrass, Deschampsia, and perennial ryegrass was evaluated for salt tolerance. Each plant in the trial was irrigated with 0.13 gallons of saltwater solution with an EC of 10 three times a week until stress was evident. Approximately 150 perennial ryegrass plants, 3 creeping bentgrass, 12 velvet bentgrass and 40 Deschampsia plants were identified with improved salt tolerance. All of these plants were increased and established in spaced-plant nurseries this past fall. Additionally, several greenhouse screening techniques are in the process of being evaluated to screen germplasm for salt tolerance before testing under field conditions. Additional experiments are planned for this project for 2006. In 2005, 21 US Plant Variety Protection Applications (PVP) were made and 16 PVPs were issued on new turfgrass cultivars. More than 50% of the 110 entries in the 2005 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trial were from the Rutgers Breeding Program. Turfgrass from the Rutgers Program represented over 90% of the top entries in the NTEP trials on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and fine fescues. Bentgrass cultivars from Rutgers topped the 2003 NTEP trials in both the putting green and fairway trials. Over 1,500 germplasm sources of cool-season turfgrasses were collected from 8 different European countries. These included assorted endophytes in tall fescues, perennial ryegrasses and fine fescues. The following new turfgrass cultivars were increased for seed production in the Pacific Northwest: Gold Hawk, Phenom GLR, SR 4500, Precious, Buena Vista, Secretariat II, Exacta II and Charismatic II perennial ryegrasses; Turbo, Serengetti, Solara, Corgi, Beagle I, Firenza and Silverado II tall fescues; Zidiac Chewings fescue; Firefly and SR-3150 hard fescues; Fortitude and Navigator II strong creeping red fescues; Bonaire, Bewitched, Appalacian, Blackberry, Bravado, Delight, Katie, P707, Valor, Durham, Mongoose, Longhorn and Argos Farenhite 90 Kentucky bluegrasses; Memorial, SR 1150, Tyee, Mackenzie and 007 creeping bentgrasses; Villa velvet bentgrass; and Revere colonial bentgrass.

Impacts
During 2005, 8 new perennial ryegrasses, 6 tall fescues, 1 Chewings fescue, 2 hard fescues, 2 strong creeping red fescues, 12 Kentucky bluegrasses, 2 Texas X Kentucky bluegrasses, 5 creeping bentgrasses, 1 velvet bentgrass and 1 colonial bentgrass were increased and made available in commercial channels. The new improved turfgrasses should reduce the requirement for pesticide inputs and be available at economic prices to stakeholders.

Publications

Belanger, F.C., M.L. Huaijun, D. Rotter, S.A. Bonos. 2005. Differential gene expression between creeping and colonial bentgrass. p. 17. In Proceedings of the 14th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan.13-14, 2005.
Bonos, S.A, E. Watkins and W.A. Meyer. 2005. The evaluation of brown patch resistance in tall fescue. p. 36. In Proceedings of the 14th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 13-14, 2005.
Kincade, M., W.A. Meyer, C. Nezames, L.H. Pitcher, A.C Vasconcelos, G. Zhang and B.A. Zilinskas. 2005. Advances in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of turfgrasses. p. 20. In Proceedings of the 14th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 13-14, 2005.
Meyer, W.A., C.R. Funk, S.A. Boxos, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M. Wilson, E. Szerszen, Y. Han, B.B. Clarke and J. Bokmeyer. 2005. Update in breeding programs to improve gray leaf spot resistance in perennial ryegrasses and brown patch resistance in tall fescue. p. 28-31. In Proceedings of the 14th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 13-14, 2005.
Rotter, D., M.L. Huaijun, S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and F.C. Belanger. 2005. Identification of genes over-expressed in a colonial x creeping bentgrass interspecific hybrid. p. 50. In Proceedings of the 14 Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 13-14.
Zaurov, D.E., J.A. Murphy, C. Reed Funk, W.A. Meyer, K.C. Buriev, R.A. Astanov, U. Norkulov and I. Sodombekov. 2005. Turfgrass germplasm collection from central Asia. -. 52-53. In Proceedings of the 14th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 13-14, 2005.
Ford, T.C., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith and C. Reed Funk. 2005. United State Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200155. Cabernet Kentucky bluegrass. Issued June 15, 2005.
Plumley, K., S.A. Bonos, Tim Ford, Bingru Huang and W.A. Meyer. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200300300. Independence creeping bentgrass. Issued July 26, 2005.
Johnson, S., W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200100040. Bingo tall fescue. Issued June 23, 2005.
Johnson, S., W.A. Meyer. R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos and D.A. Smith. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500034. Corgi tall fescue. Applied for.
Johnson, S., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and D.A. Smith. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500035. Houndog 6 tall fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos, D.A. Smith and K. Hignight. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500171. Falcon IV tall fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos, M. Wilson and K. Hignight. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500172. Six Point tall fescue. Applied for.
Wilson, M., R.F. Bara, D. Smith, W.A. Meyer and S.Whitten. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500194. Turbo tall fescue. Applied for.
Nelson, Eric, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, D.A. Smith and R.F. Bara. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500303. Coyote II tall fescue. Applied for.
Lehman, V., C.R. Funk, W.A. Meyer, M. Wilson and R.F. Bara. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500244. Sunkissed perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Brilman, Leah, K. Hignight, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500294. SR4550 perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Lehman, V., D.A. Smith, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500309. Dazzle perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., K. Hignight, R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and D.A. Smith. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500111. Paragon GLR perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Bonos, S.A., K. Hignight, R.F. Bara, M. Wilson and W.A. Meyer. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500142. 1G2 perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer, E. Szerszen and C.R. Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500063. Radiant II perennial ryegrass.
Hignight, K., W.A. Meyer, M. Wilson, D.A. Smith, and R.F. Bara. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 20050091. APR1472 perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Weibel, E.N., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer, J.A. Murphy, B.B. Clarke, D.A. Smith, W.K. Dickson, and J.B. Clark. 2005 Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2004 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 36:1-26.
Han, Y., P.Perdomo, J.A. Murphy, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, and M.M. Wilson. 2005. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2004 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 36:27-48.
Shortell, R.R., W.K. Dickson, B.S. Park, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, T.J. Lawson, J. Clark, S.A. Bonos, J.A. Murphy, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2005. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2004 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 36:49-118.
Wilson, M.M., W.A. Meyer, C.R. Funk, W.K. Dickson, S.A. Bonos, R.F.Bara, and D.A. Smith. 2005. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2004 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 36:119-150.
Bokmeyer, J., W.A. Meyer, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, and W.K. Dickson. 2005. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2004 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings 36:151-186.
Govindasany, Ramu, K. Sullivan, M. Brennan, V. Pudici. A. Adelaja and B.B. Clarke. 2005. The New Jersey Turfgrass Industry: Economic Impact, Structure and Characteristics. (In press).
Li, M.H., D. Rotter, S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer and F.C. Balanger. 2005. Identification of a gene in the process of being lost from the genus Agrostis. Plant Physiology. 138:2386-2395.
Bonos, S.A., Wilson, M.M., Meyer, W.A. and Funk. C.R. 2005. Suppression of red thread in fine fescues through endophyte-mediated resistance. Online. Applied Turfgrass Science doi:10.1094/ATS-2005-0725-01-RS.
Bonos, S.A., D. Rush, K. Hignight, S. Langlois and W.A. Meyer. 2005. The effect of selection on gray leaf spot resistance in perennial ryegrass. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 10:501-507.
Park, B.S., J.A. Murphy, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, Joost den Haan, D.A. Smith and T.J. Lawson. 2005. Performance of Kentucky bluegrasses with phenotypic classifications. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 10:618-626.
Watkins, E., and W.A. Meyer. 2005. Evaluation of tufted hairgrass germplasm as low-maintenance turf. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 10:666-674.
Hart, S.E., D.W. Lycan and W.A. Meyer. 2005. Response of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars to preemergence herbicides. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 10:1193-1197.
Hart, S.E., J.F. Derr, C. Rose-Fricker and W.A. Meyer. 2005. Increased glyphosate tolerance in Aurora Gold hard fescue. Weed Technol. Accepted for publication.
Bonos, S.A., D. Floyd, R. Bara, D. Smith, W. A. Meyer, and C.R. Funk. 2005. Registration of Langara Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Science 45:793-794.
Bonos, S.A., D. Floyd, R. Bara, G. Zhang, W.A. Meyer and C. Reed Funk. 2005. Registration of Moonshadow Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Science 45:794-795.
Ford, T.M., W.A. Meyer, T.J. Molnar, G. Zhang and C.R. Funk. 2005. Registration of Sonoma Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Science 45:1655-1656.
Ford, T.M., W.A. Meyer, J.A. Murphy, D.A. Smith and C.R. Funk. 2005. Registration of Ambassador Chewings fescue. Crop Science 45:1163-1164.
Ford, T.M., W.A. Meyer, R..F. Bara and C. Reed Funk. 2005. Registration of Bordeaux Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Science 45:1654.
Sass, Claus, R.F. Bara, W. A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 20010003. Elfkin perennial ryegrass. Issued March 23, 2005.
Floyd, D., W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200100235. Mustang 3 tall fescue. Issued March 15, 2005.
Brentano, T., C.R. Funk, and W.A. Meyer. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200142. Lakeshore Kentucky bluegrass. Issued April 25, 2005.
Ford, T.C., C.R. Funk, and W.A. Meyer. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200154. Bordeaux Kentucky bluegrass. Issued June 15, 2005.
Floyd, D., D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200000320. Fiesta III perennial ryegrass. Issued March 25, 2005.
Brentano, T., R.F. Bara, W.A. Meyer, and C.R. Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200141. Biltmore tall fescue. Issued April 25, 2005.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 20020094. Greenwich velvet bentgrass. Issued March 11, 2005.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, K. Hignight, and C.R. Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200019. Somerville perennial ryegrass. Issued April 25, 2005.
Johnson, S., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, and C. Reed Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200217. All*Star 2 perennial ryegrass. Issued June 15, 2005.
Johnson, S., S.A. Bonos, T. Molnar, W.A. Meyer, and C.Reed Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Prottection Certificate no. 200200218. Gator 3 perennial ryegrass. Issued June 15, 2005.
Bara, R.F., M. Richardson, W.A. Meyer, Rachel Bara, D.A. Smith, and C.R. Funk. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9900368. Millennium tall fescue. Issued April 25, 2005.
Meyer, W., K. Kignight, and S. Tubbs. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200200112. Boutique Kentucky bluegrass. Issued March 11, 2005.
Bonos, S.A., W.A. Meyer, E.N. Weibel and T.C. Ford. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500333. Declaration creeping bentgrass. Applied for.
Bonos, S.A., W.A. Meyer, E.N. Weibel and T.C. Ford. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500332. Legendary velvet bentgrass. Applied for.
Bonos, S.A. W.A. Meyer, C.R. Funk, K. Hignight and S. Johnson. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500014. Delight (A97-1432) Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A. S.A. Bonos, R.F. Bara, C.R. Funk and Leah Brilman. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500092. Kingfisher Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Johnson. S., W.A. Meyer, C.R. Funk R.F. Bara and D.A. Smith. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection. Application no. 200500097. Appalachian (A98-139) Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Bonos, S.A., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith and W.A. Meyer. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500188. Bewitched (A99-2041) Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Bara, R.F., S.A. Bonos, K. Hignight, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500189. P-707 (H94-707) Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
D.A. Smith, M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2005. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200500141. HOE hard fescue. Applied for.

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Over two thousand turfgrass germplasm sources and associated endophytes were collected from old turfs in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, United States, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Ukraine, Estonia and Holland. In 2004 over 10,000 new seeded turfgrass evaluation plots, 68,500 plants in spaced plant nurseries and 14,000 mowed single-clone selections were planted. The first harvest of foundation or certified seed was produced with participation of Turfgrass Breeding Program: Deep Blue, Gold Star, Royce, Lakeshore, Moonshine, Avalanche, Bordeaux, Champlain, Skye and Pioneer Kentucky bluegrasses; Stellar, SR4220, SR4240, Hawkeye, Charismatic, Keystone, Pacesetter, Paradigm, IQ, All-Star 2, Grand Slam, Gator 3, Inspire, Blazer IV, Protege, Brightstar SLT, Citation Fore and Cabo perennial ryegrasses; Firebird, Rebel IV, Raptor, Greenkeeper, Titanium, Constitution, Silverstar, Apache III, Coyote II, Escalade, Ultimate, Kalahari, Lexington, SR8550, and Inferno tall fescues; Celestial, Lustrous, SR5210, and Rose strong creeping red fescues; Ambrose Chewings fescue; and Eureka II and Chariot hard fescues. Severe uniform attacks of gray leaf spot incited by Pyricularia grisea (Cooke) Sacc. occurred in new 2003 and 2004 seedings. Many commercial varieties were devastated while over 20 new synthetic varieties selected since 2000 for gray leaf spot had excellent resistance. New cultivars of tall fescue selected from 2001 and 2003 mowed tiller plots that had been inoculated with Rhizoctonia solani Khhn (brown patch) have shown excellent performance and brown patch resistance. These include ATO, ATE, ATM, ATN and ATL. Some of these new tall fescues have also displayed superior lateral spreading ability. A Ph. D thesis on Deschampsia caespitosa finished in late 2003 indicated that a few triploid Dechampsia lines were better adapted than diploid sources to drought conditions and attacks by bill bugs. Koelaria collections from old turf areas show good low maintenance turf performance but poor seed production characteristics. Over 250,000 seedlings from intraspecific and interspecific crosses of Kentucky bluegrass were screened for promising hybrids. Over 40,000 were planted in spaced plant nurseries. Eleven hundred new Kentucky bluegrasses were harvested in 2004 for further evaluation. Continued improvement in bentgrasses for dollar spot resistance has been attained in 4 new varieties.

Impacts
The development of over 20 gray leaf spot resistant perennial ryegrasses will make these resistant sources widely available for homeowner and professional usage. The identification of spreading characteristics in tall fescue should reduce the need for costly netting to produce sod.

Publications

Hignight, K., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400131. Prelude IV perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., D. Lundell, R.F. Bara, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Application no. 200400147. Lexington tall fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos, K. Hignight, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400113. Titanium tall fescue. Applied for.
Johnson, S., D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos, M.M. Wilson, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400125. Raptor tall fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., R.F. Bara, E. Szerszen, M.M. Wilson, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400130. Justice tall fescue. Applied for.
Meyer, W.A., K. Hignight, R.F. Bara, C. Reed Funk, and D.A. Smith, 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400051. Riverside tall fescue. Applied for.
Lehman, V., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400090. Rebel Pro tall fescue. Applied for.
Johnson, S., W.A. Meyer, M.M. Wilson, S.A. Bonos, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400124. Keystone perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Brilman, L., K. Hignight, S.A. Bonos, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400289. Peregrine perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Hignight, K., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400127. Palmer IV perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9800122. Coronado Gold tall fescue. Issued Jan. 28, 2004.
Fraser, M.L., C.A. Rose-Fricker, C.R. Funk, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9800123. Wolfpack tall fescue. Issued Jan. 28, 2004.
Fraser, M.L., C.A. Rose-Fricker, W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9800155. Bandana tall fescue. Issued Mar. 03, 2004.
Ford, T.M., W.A. Meyer, J.A. Murphy, D.A. Smith, and C.R. Funk. 2005. Registration of Ambassador Chewings fescue. Submitted to Crop Science August 2, 2004.
Bonos, S.A., D. Floyd, R. Bara, G. Zhang, W.A. Meyer, and C.R. Funk. 2004. Registration of Moonshadow Kentucky bluegrass. Accepted for publication in Crop Science, August 2, 2004.
Bonos, S.A., D. Floyd, R. Bara, D. Smith, W.A. Meyer, and C.R. Funk. 2004. Registration of Langara Kentucky bluegrass. Accepted for publication in Crop Science, August 2, 2004.
Bonos, S.A., T.M. Ford, R.F. Bara, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2004. Registration of Cabernet Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Science: 44:1480.
Bonos, S.A., D. Rush, K. Hignight, S. Sanglois and W.A. Meyer. 2005. The effect of selection on gray leaf spot resistance in perennial ryegrass. Submitted to the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, July 1, 2004. Accepted for publication Oct. 15, 2004.
Zhang, G., Lu, S., T.A., Funk, C.R., Meyer, W.A. 2004. Further improvement of elite Kentucky bluegrass cultivars with somaclonal variation. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, Seattle, WA.
Bonos, S.A., C. Kubik, J. Honig, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. Progress toward a genetic linkage map of creeping bentgrass and QTL analysis for dollar spot resistance. p. 22. In Proceedings of the 13th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 15-16, 2004.
Belanger, F.C., H.M. Li, D. Rotter, S. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2004. Efforts to Identify the colonial bentgrass contribution to dollar spot resistance in colonial x creeping bentgrass interspecific hybrids. p.33. In Proceedings of the 13th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 15-16, 2004.
Bonos, S.A., E. Abraham, M.Aa C. Kubik and W.A. Meyer. 2004. Molecular identification of Texas x Kentucky bluegrass hybrids. p. 39. In Proceedings of the 13th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 15-16, 2004.
Li, H.M. S.A. Bonos, W. A. Meyer and F.C. Belanger. Search for RAPD markers linked to dollar spot resistance in creeping x colonial bentgrass hybrids. p. 49. In Proceedings of the 13th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 15-16, 2004.
Park, B.S. J.A. Murphy, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, D.A. Smith, T.J. Lawson and J. den Haan. 2004. Traffic tolerance in cool-season turfgrasses. p.51. In Proceedings of the 13th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 15-16, 2004.
Honig, J.A., D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer, J.A. Murphy, B.B. Clarke, W.K. Dickson, T.J. Lawson, and J. Clark. 2004. Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2003. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 35: 1-22.
Brentano, T., R.F. Bara, C. Reed Funk, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400264. Glenmont Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400279. Midnight II Kentucky bluegrass. Applied for.
Floyd, D., R.F. Bara, M.M. Wilson, C. Reed Funk, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400007. Blazer 4 perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Lehman, V., C. Reed Funk, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400030. Pavillian perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Ford, T.A., R.F. Bara, M.M. Wilson, C.R. Funk, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200300301. Charismatic perennial ryegrass. Applied for.
Lehman, V., W.A. Meyer, D.A. Smith, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400227. Viking hard fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara, S.A. Bonos, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400128. Lustrous strong creeping red fescue. Applied for.
Bonos, S.A. T. Brentano, T.J. Molnar, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2004. Registration of Lakeshore Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Science 44:1481.
Bonos, S.A, M.D. Casler, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. Genotype responses and plant characteristics associated with dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass. Crop Science 44:1763-1769.
C. A. Rose-Fricker, M.L. Fraser, W.A. Meyer, and S.A. Bonos. 2004. Registration of Greenwich velvet bentgrass. Crop Science:44:339-350.
Bonos, S.A., K. Hignight, R. Stapp, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2004. Registration of Applaud perennial ryegrass. Crop Science 44:350-351.
Wang, Z., B. Huang, S. Bonos, and W. Meyer. 2004. Abscisic acid as a metabolic indicator of drought stress tolerance for Kentucky bluegrass. HortScience 39:1133-1137.
Bonos, S.A., K. Hignight, D. Rush, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. Selection for deep root production in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. Crop Science 44:1770-1775.
Abraham, E.M., B. Huang, S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. Evaluation of drought resistance for Texas bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass and their hybrids. Crop Science 44:1746-1753.
Wang, Z. B. Huang, S. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. Abscisic acid accumulation in relation to drought tolerance in Kentucky bluegrass. HortScience 39:1133-1137.
Belanger, F.C., S.A. Bonos, W.A. Meyer. 2004. Dollar spot resistant hybrids between creeping bentgrass and colonial bentgrass. Crop Science 44:581-586.
Bonos, S.A, C. Kubik, B.B. Clarke, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. Breeding for gray leaf spot resistance in perennial ryegrass. Crop Science 44:575-580.
Han, Y., P. Perdomo, J.A. Murphy, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, M.M. Wilson, and E. Watkins. 2004. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2003. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 35: 23-44.
Bonos, S.A., W.K. Dickson, B.S. Park, E. Watkins, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, T.J. Lawson, J. Clark, J.A. Murphy, C.R. Funk, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2003. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 35: 45-112.
Wilson, M.M., W.A. Meyer, C.R. Funk, W.K. Dickson, S.A. Bonos, E. Watkins, R.F. Bara, and D.A. Smith. 2004. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2003. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedins. 35: 113-150.
Wilson, M.M., W.A. Meyer, E. Watkins, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, and W.K. Dickson. 2004. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2003. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 35: 151-182.
Park, B.S., J.A. Murphy, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, J. den Haan, D.A. Smith, and T.J. Lawson. 2004. Traffic tolerance of cool-season turfgrasses. 2003. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 35:199-220.
Johnson, S., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, W.A. Meyer, and J. Murphy. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9800003. Houndog V tall fescue. Issued Mar. 19, 2004.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200000170. Blackstone Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Sept. 02, 2004.
Fraser, M.L., C.A. Rose-Fricker, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9900117. Endeavor tall fescue. Issued June 09, 2004.
Bonos, S.A., T.J. Molnar, W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9800135. Jefferson Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Oct. 07, 2004.
Lehman, V., R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, G. Ziemienski, and M. Reynolds. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9800227. Rebel Sentry tall fescue. Issued April 27, 2004.
Meyer, W.A., R. Stapp, K. Hignight, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, and C.R. Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9900142. Plantation tall fescue. Issued May 10, 2004.
Ford, T.C., D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, W.A. Meyer, and C.R. Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9900388. Masterpiece tall fescue. Issued Sept. 10, 2004.
Ford, T.C., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9900389. Rembrandt tall fescue. Issued Sept. 02, 2004.
Ford, T.C., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9900390. Picasso tall fescue. Issued Sept. 02, 2004.
Rose-Fricker, C.A. and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 990350. Brilliant Kentucky bluegrass. July 20, 2004.
Meyer, W.A., C.R. Funk, D.A. Smith, and K. Hignight. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200000126. Intrigue Chewings fescue. Issued Aug. 23, 2004.
Dickson, W., W.A. Meyer, B. Peterson. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9800357. Issued June 06, 2004.
Meyer, W.A., D.A. Smith, C.R. Funk and K. Hignight. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200000195. Minotaur hard fescue. Issued Sept. 02, 2004.
Brilman, L., K. Hignight, W.A. Meyer, and C.R. Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200000100. SR 8250 tall fescue. Issued Aug. 23, 2004.
Huff, D. W.A. Meyer, C.A. Rose-Fricker, and C.R. Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Certificate no. 9800055. Moonlight Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Mar. 03, 2004.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9800171. Denim Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Mar. 03, 2004.
Fraser, M.L., C.A. Rose-Fricker, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9900106. Olympic Gold tall fescue. Issued April 27, 2004.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, and W.A. Meyer. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200100040. Oncue tall fescue. Issued Sept. 13, 2004.
Meyer, W.A., and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 200000116. Jet perennial ryegrass. Issued Sept. 02, 2004.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M. Fraser, W.A. Meyer, D.A. Smith, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400277. Apache III tall fescue. Applied for.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M. Fraser, W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400280. Applied for.
Ford, T.C., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection. Application no. 200400284. Da Vinci tall fescue. Applied for.
Hignight, K., K. Budd, W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection. Application no. 200400293. Revel IV tall fescue. Applied for.
Brentano, T., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, E. Szerszen, D.A. Smith, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection no 200400159. Magellan tall fescue. Applied for.
Brentano, T., W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara, and M.M. Wilson. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400160. Padre tall fescue. Applied for.
Lehman, V., W.A. Meyer, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400226. ATF 799 tall fescue. Applied for.
Zajac, J., W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, R.F. Bara, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400273. Avenger tall fescue. Applied for.
Selman, M., S.A. Bonos, D.A. Smith, M.M. Wilson, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Application no. 200400145. Inferno tall fescue. Applied for.
Floyd, D., W.A. Meyer, D.A. Smith, S.A. Bonos, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400134. Guardian 21 tall fescue. Applied for.
Floyd, D., W.A. Meyer, J.A. Murphy, and C. Reed Funk. 2004. United States Plant Variety Protection Application no. 200400136. Blackwatch tall fescue. Applied for.

Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Two thousand turfgrass germplasm sources and associated endophytes were collected from old turfs in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyztan, United States, Lithuania, Latvia and Finland. Over 9,000 new turfgrass evaluation plots, 95,000 plants in spaced-plant nurseries and 10,000 mowed single-clone selections were established in 2003. The first harvest of foundation or certified seed was produced from the following turfgrass cultivars developed with participation of the Rutgers Turfgrass Breeding Program: Bedazzled, Mallard, Blueridge, Royale, Glenmont, Mercury, Diva, SR2284, SR2394, Sonoma and Sonic Kentucky bluegrasses; Manhattan IV, Kokomo, Arrival, Paragon GLR, Palmer IV, Prelude IV, Sunkissed, Dazzle, 1G2, Repell GLS, and Panther GLS perennial ryegrasses; Finesse II, Greystone, Forte, Justice, 2nd Millennium, Da Vinci, Signia, Falcon IV, Cochise III, Avenger, Blackwatch, Guardian 21, Padre, Magellan, Finelawn Elite, Five-Point, Gremlin, Riverside, and Six-point tall fescues; Cindy Lou and Razor strong creeping red fescues; 7 Seas Chewings fescue; Reliant IV, Predator, and Viking hard fescues; Independence, Declaration, Benchmark DSR, and Kingpin creeping bentgrasses, and Legendary velvet bentgrass. Severe, uniform attacks of gray leaf spot incited by Pyricularia grisea (Cooke) Sacc. occurred in a new 2003 seeding and a 1 year old 2002 seeding. All commercial cultivars except Integra were severely affected. The cultivars IG2, Palmer IV, Paragon GLR and 8 new synthetics showed greatly improved resistance. The most resistant tall fescues selected from mowed tiller plots which were put in 4 maturity groups in 2002 were evaluated in turf trials in 2003 for brown patch resistance. The synthetics ATE, ATM, ATN and ATL showed superior resistance compared to commercial cultivars. Additional tall fescue sources made with brown patch resistance were selected in 2003 from 24,000 mowed tiller plots planted in 2002. Some of these also showed aggressive spreading characteristics. A Ph. D. thesis on tissue culture and somoclonal mutants in Kentucky bluegrass was completed in 2003. Another Ph. D. thesis on Deschampsia germplasm sources with resistance to bill bugs was completed in 2003. Resistant billbug lines were identified for further breeding work. Twenty-five Texas bluegrass X Kentucky bluegrass hybrids were identified that showed good heat and drought tolerance, attractive turf, and good seed quality. Over 200,000 seedlings from controlled intraspecific crosses of highly apomictic Kentucky bluegrasses were screened in greenhouse trials and potential hybrids were put into nurseries. Over 1,000 promising F1 hybrids were identified in spaced-plants trials in 2003.

Impacts
The development of more perennial ryegrasses cultivars with gray leaf spot resistance will expand their uusage to areas of lower cultural intensity.Somoclonal variation in Kentucky bluegrasses is a new approach to improving apomictic cultivars.

Publications

Belanger, F.C., S. Bonos and W. Meyer. 2003. A new approach to dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass. p. 27. In Proceedings of the 12th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 9-10, 2003.
Perdomo, P., T.J. Molnar, T.M. Ford, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2003. Registration of Secretariat perennial ryegrass. Crop Science 43:439-440.
Bonos, S.A. M.D. Casler and W.A. Meyer. 2003. Inheritance of dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass. Crop Science. 43:2189-2196.
Zhenfei, Guo, S. Bonos, W.A. Meyer, P.R. Day and F.C. Belanger. 2003. Transgenic creeping bentgrass with delayed dollar spot symptoms. Molecular Breeding. 11:95-101.
Han, Y., S.A. Bonos, B.B. Clarke and W.A. Meyer. 2003. Inoculation techniques for selection of gray leaf spot resistance in perennial ryegrass. TERO 2(9):1-7.
Zhang, G. 2003. Enhancing salt and drought tolerance of Poa and triploid Cynodon with BADH gene and somoclonal variation. Ph. D., Cook College, Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, NJ. 112 p.
Brilman, L. William A. Meyer, James A. Murphy and C.R. Funk. 2003. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9600300. SR 4010 perennial ryegrass. Issued Jan. 30, 2003.
Hurley, R.H., V.G. Lehman, R.F. Bara and C.R. Funk. 2003. United State Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9600228. Princeton P-105 Kentucky bluegrass. Issued Jan. 30, 2003.
Fraser, M.L., Crystal A. Rose-Fricker, William A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2003. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 9600364. Tar Heel tall fescue. Issued Jan. 30, 2003.
Hignight, K., James Murphy, Suichang Sun, William K. Dickson, Ronald F. Bara, William A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2003. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificate no. 970034. Tulsa tall fescue. Issued Jan. 30, 2003.
Hignight, K., James Murphy, S. Sun, W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. United States Plant Variety Protection Certificat no. 970033. Regiment tall fescue. Issued Jan. 30, 2003.
Zhang, G., S. Lu, T.A. Chen, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2003. Transformation of triploid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x C. Trnasvaalensis cv. TifEagle) by means of biolistic bombardment. Plant Cell Rep. 21:860-864. Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser and W.A. Meyer. United States Plant Variety Protection no. 9700280. Birghtstar II perennial ryegrass. Issued Sept. 25, 2003.
Gianfagna, T.T., R. Sun, Jamel Bishop and William A. Meyer. 2003. The possible roles of alkaloids and other natural products in insect resistance. P. 25. In Proceedings of the 12th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 9-10, 2003.
Zhang, G, S. Lu, T.A. Chen, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2003. Use of somoclonal variation in Kentucky bluegrass breeding. p. 28. In Proceedings of the 12th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 9-10, 2003.
Han, Y., W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2003. The genetic properties of gray leaf spot resistance in perennial ryegrass. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Belanger, F.C., H.M. Li, S. Bonos and W.A. Meyer 2003. Differential gene expression in colonial bentgrass x creeping bentgrass hybrids. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Bonos, S.A. and W.A. Meyer. 2003. Genetic analysis and effect of selection on dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Bonos, S.A., E. Abraham, M. Aa, C. Kubik and W.A. Meyer. 2003. Identification of Texas x Kentucky bluegrass hybrids using SCARs. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Bonos, S. A. M.M. Mohr, C.R. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2003. The influence of fungal endophytes on red thread resistance in fine fescues. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Han, Y., S.A. Bonos, and W.A. Meyer. 2003. Evaluation of inoculatin techniques for gray leaf spot resistance in perennial ryegrass. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos, J. Den Haan, T.J. Lawson, and J.A. Murphy. 2003. Traffic tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars maintained under fairway conditions. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Bonos, S.A. and W. A. Meyer. 2003. Genetic analysis of dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass crosses and populations. p.18. In Proceedings of the 12th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 9-10, 2003.

Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Promising turfgrass germplasm and associated endophytes were collected from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Sweden, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, France and Slovenia. Over 9,400 new turfgrass evaluation plots, 130,000 spaced plants and 22,008 single-clone mowed tiller plots were established in 2002. The first harvest of foundation or certified seed was produced from the following turfgrass cultivars developed with participation of the Rutgers turfgrass breeding program: Champlain, Goldstar, Royce, Midnight II, and Bluestone Kentucky bluegrasses; (b) Mach 1, Gator 3, Keystone, Grand Slam, SR-4220, Hawkeye, Top Hat 2, Stellar, SR-4420, and Blazer IV perennial ryegrasses; c) Kalihari, Constitution, Adams Valley, Raptor, Silver Star, Tuxedo, Titanium, and Mustang III tall fescues; d) Gibraltar, Celestial, Aberdeen and SR-5210 strong creeping fescues; e) Berkshire hard fescue; f) Vesper and Greenwich velvet bentgrasses. Severe, uniform attacks of gray leaf spot incited by Pyricularia grisea (Cooke) Sacc. occurred in second year (trial seeded Fall 2001) and a newly planted (Aug. 6, 2002) perennial ryegrass turf trial. All the commercially available cultivars showed moderate to severe damage except Integra perennial ryegrass. However, 30 sources of resistance that held up in 2001 were again resistant in 2002. Three experimental synthetic cultivars, 1G2, 1G3 and 12001, performed very well. The strongb creeping fescues containing the endophyte from a plant selected from Rose City Cemetery in Portland, OR again showed significant improvements in red thread resistance. The most resistant plants from 27,000 mowed tiller plots of tall fescue were selected in 2001 and put into crossing blocks of 4 maturity groups in September 2002. Twenty-five bill bug tolerant Deschampsia selections were identified in trials located in Pittstown, NJ. Ten lines of Deschampsia were identified with resistance to crown rust caused by Puccinia coronata. Ten Koeleria selections were identified with adequate seed quality for harvest in 2002. Over 20 Texas bluegrass x Kentucky bluegrass hybrids were identified with good heat and drought tolerance, attractive turf, and good seed quality. Over 216,000 seedlings from controlled intraspecific crosses of highly apomictic Kentucky bluegrasses were screened in greenhouse and nursery trials. Twelve hundred promising F1 hybrids were identified as spaced-plants in 2002.

Impacts
The development of perennial ryegrass cultivars with resistance to gray leaf spot should greatly improve the usage of this species and reduce fungicide applications. The same is true for brown patch resistant tall fescues.

Publications

Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser and W.A. Meyer. 2002. Registration of Catalina perennial ryegrass. Crop Science 42:2213.
Rose-Fricker, C.A. M.L. Fraser, W. A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2002. Registration of Manhattan 3 perennial ryegrass. Crop Science 42:2213-2214.
Bonos, S.A., T.C. Ford, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2003. Registration of Champagne Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Science 43:438-439.
White, J.F, F.C. Belanger, W.A. Meyer, R.F. Sullivan, J.F. Bischolff and E. Lewis. 2002. Clavicipitalean fungal epibionts and endophytes - Development of symbiotic interactions with plants. Accepted by Symbiosis, Aug. 2002.
Gardner, D.S., T.K. Danneberger, E. Nelson, W.A. Meyer and K. Plumley. 2002. Relative fitness of glyphosate resistant creeping bentgrass lines in Kentucky bluegrass. Accepted by Hort Science Oct. 2002.
Bonos, S.A., C. Kubik, B.B. Clarke, and W.A. Meyer. 2003. Breeding for gray leaf spot resistance in perennial ryegrass. Crop Science. Tentatively accepted for publication. Jan. 6, 2003.
Abraham E.M., B. Huang, W.A. Meyer and S.A. Bonos. 2003. Physiological indicators for drought resistance in Poa arachnifera x Poa pratensis hybrids. In: Proceedings of the 24th meeting of the Fodder Crops and Amenity Grasses Section of EUCARPIA. (In press.
Bonos, S.A., S. Tubbs, K. Hignight, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2002. Registration of Pizzazz perennial ryegrass. Crop Science. Accepted for publication, September 15, 2002.
Bonos, S.A., T.J. Molnar, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2002. Registration of Jefferson Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Science. Accepted for publication, July 2002.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos, B.B. Clarke, C.R. Funk, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Mohr, E. Watkins, and T. Han. 2003. Breeding progress for resistance to gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass. p. 19. In Proceedings of the 12th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 9-10, 2003.
43. Publications Dai, D.S., Z. Guo, W.A. Meyer, P. Day and F.C. Belanger. 2002. Expression of pokeweed antiviral proteins in creeping bentgrass. Accepted for publication in Plant Cell Reports, July 2002.
Zhang, G. Shaoyun Lu, Tseh An Chen, C.F. Funk and W.A. Meyer. 2003. Transformation of triploid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x transvaalensis) cv. Tifeagle with biolistic bombardment. Accepted by Plant Cell Reports, November 2002.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2002. Registration of Blackstone Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Science 42:307-308.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser and W.A. Meyer. 2002. Registration of Brightstar II perennial ryegrass. Crop Science 42:662-663.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 2002. Registration of Citation III perennial ryegrass. Crop Science 42:663-664.
Murphy, J.A., H. Samaranayake, T.J. Lawson, J.Den Haan, W. Meyer and S. Bonos. 2003. Assessing cool-season turfgrasses for performance under simulated traffic stress. p. 24. In Proceedings of the 12th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 9-10, 2003.
Bonos, S.A., K. Hignight, D. Rush and W.A. Meyer. 2003. Breeding for drought avoidance characteristics in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass populations. Proceedings of the 12th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 9-10, 2003. Electronic version only: http//www.turf.rutgers.edu.
Bonos, S.A., K. Hignight, D. Rush and W. A. Meyer. 2002. Selection for dehydration avoidance mechanisms in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Abraham, E.M., B Huang, Z. Wang, S.A. Bonos and W.A. Meyer. 2002. Physiological responses of Texas x Kentucky bluegrass hybrids to drought and heat stress. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Bonos, S.A., C. Kubik, Y.Han, B.B. Clarke and W.A. Meyer. 2002. Heritability of gray leaf spot resistance in perennial ryegrass. Proceedings of the 11th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan. 10-11, 2002. p.32.
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos, B.B. Clarke, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, M.M. Mohr, E.Watkins, and Y. Han. 2002. Breeding progress for resistance to gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass and brown patch in tall fescue. Proceeding of the 11th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Jan 10-11, 2002. p.15.
Han, Y., P. Perdomo, J.A. Murphy, W.A. Meyer, S.A. Bonos, W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, M.M. Mohr, and E. Watkins. 2002. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2001 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 33:23-52.
Bonos, S.A., J.A. Murphy, W. A. Meyer, C.R. Funk, W. K. Dickson, E. Watkins, R. F. Bara, D.A. Smith and M.M. Mohr. 2002. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2001 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 33:53-103.
Mohr, M.M., W.A. Meyer, C.R. Funk, W. K. Dickson, S.A. Bonos, E. Watkins, R.F. Bara and D.A. Smith. 2002. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2001 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 33:105-135.
Watkins, E., W.A. Meyer, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, M.M. Mohr, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, and W.K. Dickson. 2002. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. 2001 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 33: 137-154.

Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
Promising turfgrass germplasm and associated endophytes were collected from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Sweden, Germany and Austria. Over 10,000 new turfgrass evaluation plots, 118,000 spaced-plants and 27,000 single clone mowed tiller plots of tall fescue were planted in 2001. The first harvest of certified or foundation seed was produced from the following turfgrass cultivars developed with the participation of the Rutgers turfgrass breeding program: a) Bedazzled, Monte Carlo, Moon Shadow, Mallard, Blue Ridge and Royale Kentucky bluegrasses; b) Charismatic, Kokomo, Seville II, Pinnacle II, All-Star 2, Cabo, Pacesetter, Gator III, Manhattan 4, Citation Fore, and Brightstar SLT perennial ryegrasses; c) Biltmore, Finesse II, Da Vinci, Signia, Greystone, Forte, Justice, and 2nd Millennium tall fescues; d) SR 5210, Cindy Lou and Navigator strong creeping red fescues; e) Silhouette Chewings fescues; and f) Chariot and Eureka II hard fescues. A severe, uniform, but short-lived, attack of gray leaf spot (blast) incited by Pyricularia grisea occurred on a newly planted perennial ryegrass test in September, 2001. All commercially available cultivars showed moderately severe to severe turf loss except Integra perennial ryegrass. However, 30 sources of resistance showed little or no damage. Most resistant plants trace to recent selections from Eastern Europe and germplasm from the 40 year breeding program on perennial ryegrass at Rutgers. Red thread disease was very severe on fine fescue trials seeded in 1997 and 1998. Only strong creeping fescues containing the endophyte from a plant selected in Rose City Cemetery in Portland, OR showed significant improvements in red thread resistance. This is the first observation of this exciting association. The most resistant plants of 27,000 mowed tiller plots of tall fescue inoculated with brown patch disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani were transferred to three isolation nurseries based on fine, medium, and coarse leaf texture. Over 1,000 collections of Dechampsia have been evaluated for turf use in New Jersey. A few showed significant improvements in summer performance and adaptation. Koeleria collections from Europe and the USA were evaluated as mowed tiller plots and in low maintenance turf trials. Those 20 selections showing improved resistance to summer leaf spot were selected for seed increase. We are identifying hybrids with good heat and drought tolerance, attractive turf, and good seed from interspecific hybrids between Texas bluegrass X Kentucky bluegrass. Over 350,000 seedlings from controlled intraspecific crosses of highly apomictic Kentucky bluegrasses were screened in greenhouse and nursery trials. Fifteen hundred promisng hybrids were advanced to single plant progeny turf trials.

Impacts
The population improvement projects on all of the above cool-season species have resulted in improved turf performance compared to old standard varieties. In the 1996 National Evaluation Program for tall fescues, 8 of the top 10 varieties were from NJAES. Similar results were reported for fine fescues, and perennial ryegrasses. New hybrid Kentucky bluegrasses from this program such as Langara, A95-439 and A95-284 are showing improved performance compared to most standard varieties.

Publications

Bonos, S.A., E. Watkins, J.A. Honig, M. Sosa, T. Molnar, J.A. Murphy, and W.A. Meyer. 2001. Breeding cool-season turfgrasses for wear tolerance using a wear simulator. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 9:137-145.
Kubik, C., M. Sawkins, W.A. Meyer and B.S. Gaut. 2001. Genetic diversity of seven perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cultivars based on SSR Markers. Crop Science 41:1565-1572.
White, J.F., Jr., R.F. Sullivan, G.A. Balady, T.J. Gianfagna, Q. Yue, W.A. Meyer and D. Cabral. 2001. A fungal endosymboint of the grass Bromus setifolius: Distribution in some Andean populations. Identification and examination of beneficial properties. Symbiosis 31:241-257.
Yue, Qin, Chunlin Wang, Thomas J. Gianfagna and W.A. Meyer. Volatile compounds of endophyte-free and infected tall fescue. 2001. Phytochemistry 58:935-941.
Ford, T.M. D.A. Smith, W.A. Meyer, R.F. Bara and C.R. Funk. 2001. Registration of `Pathfinder' strong creeping red fescue. Crop Science 41:1641-42. Lehman, V.G., Marie E. Pompei, Richard H. Hurley, Dirk A. Smith, Ronald F. Bara, and C. Reed Funk. 2000. Registration of `Palmer II' perennial ryegrass. Crop Sci. 40:12-1-1202.
Robinson, M.F., Leah A. Brilman, B.A. Adams, and C.R. Funk. 2001. Registration of `SR 4200' perennial ryegrass. Crop Sci. 41:269.
Bonos, S.A. C. Kubik, Y. Han and W.A. Meyer. 2001. Evaluation of perennial ryegrass germplasm for gray leaf spot resistance. Agronomy Abstracts. 2001. ASA, CSSA and SSSA. WI p. .
Meyer, W.A., S.A. Bonos, K.A. Plumley, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, C.R. Funk, M.M. Mohr, E. Watkins, J.A. Murphy and W.K. Dickson. 2001. Progress in breeding disease resistance in open-pollinated cool-season turfgrasses. Proceedings of the Tenth Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Pages 22-23.
Funk, C.R. and W.A. Meyer, 2001. Seventy years of turfgrass improvement at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. USGA Green Section Record 39:5:19-23.

Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

Outputs
Promising germplasm was collected from old turfs in Poland, Uzbekistan, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Bulgaria, Norway, Finland, France and Spain. Many new selections of creeping bentgrass, velvet bentgrass, colonial bentgrass, perennial ryegrass with associated endophytes, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, Koeleria cristata and Deschampsia caespitosa are included in the collection. Certified seed crops were produced from a number of promising new varieties including Rembrandt, Matador, Plantation, Millennium, Picasso, Cortez, Redcoat, Regiment, Reserve, Wyatt, Pride and Wolfpack tall fescues; Champaign, Moonlight and Langara Kentucky bluegrasses; Oxford and Ambassador hard fescues; Pathfinder and Fenway strong creeping red fescues; Churchill, Exacta, Paragon and Jet perennial ryegrasses. Experimental foundation seed was produced on H95-439 Kentucky bluegrass, Intrigue Chewings fescue, MVB velvet bentgrass, BR-1, CDG, Tuscany, MCN and MSD tall fescues, Elfkin perennial ryegrass, and GGE hard fescue. Germplasm developed by the New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station was used in these turfgrasses. Eighteen new acres of turfgrass breeding nurseries and 9700 new turfgrass evaluation plots were established at Adelphia and North Brunswick NJ. Over 300,000 Kentucky bluegrass seedlings from crosses were screened with apparent hybrids and transferred to field nurseries.

Impacts
The population improvement projects on all of the above cool-season species have resulted in improved turf performance compared to old standard varieties. In the 1996 National Evaluation Program for tall fescues, 8 of the top 10 varieties were from NJAES. Similar results were reported for fine fescues, and perennial ryegrasses. New hybrid Kentucky bluegrasses from this program such as Langara, A95-439 and A95-284 are showing improved performance compared to most standard varieties.

Publications

Kubik, C., W.A. Meyer, B. Gaut. 1999. Assessing the abundance and polymorphism of simple sequence repeats in perennial ryegrass. Crop Science 39:1136-1141.
Qin Y., J. Johnson-Cicalese, T. Gianfagna and W.A. Meyer. 1999. Alkaloid production and chinch bug resistance in endophyte-inoculated chewings and strong creeping red fesuces. Journal of Chemical Ecology. Accepted for publication September 1999.
Bonos, S.A., W.A. Meyer and J.A. Murphy. 1999. Classification of Kentucky bluegrass trypes grown as spaced plants. Hort Science. Accepted for publication 8/18/99.
Gaut, B.S., L.P. Tredway, C. Kubic, R.L. Gaut, and W.A. Meyer. 1999. Phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity among members of the Festuca-Lolium-complex Poaceae based on ITS sequence data. Submitted to Plant Systematics and Evolution.
Moy, M., F. Belanger, R. Ducan, A. Freehoff, C. Leary, R. Sullivan and J.F. White Jr. 1999. Identification of eqiphyllons mycelial nets on leaves of grasses infected by claricipitaceous endophytes. Accepted by Symbiosis.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, W.A. Meyer, and C. R. Funk. 1999. Registration of Coronado tall fescue. Crop Sci. 39:288.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, W.A. Meyer and C. R. Funk. 1999. Registration of Tomahawk tall fescue. Crop Sci. 39:288-289.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, W.A. Meyer and C.R. Funk. 1999. Registration of Livingston Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Sci. 39:289.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, W.A. Meyer, C. R. Skogley. 1999. Registration of Unique Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Sci. 39:290.
Fraser, M.L., C.A. Rose-Fricker and W.A. Meyer. 1999. Registration of Matador tall fescue. Crop Sci. 39:871-872.
Fraser, M.L., C.A. Rose-Fricker, W.A. Meyer, and C.R. Funk. 1999. Registration of Wolfpack tall fescue. Crop Sci. 39:872.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, and W.A. Meyer. 1999. Registration of Apache II tall fescue. Crop Sci. 39:1527.
Fraser, M.L., C. A. Rose-Fricker, W.A. Meyer, and C.R. Funk. 1999. Registration of Bandana tall fescue. Crop Sci. 39:1527-1528.
Fraser, M.L., C.A. Rose-Fricker, W.A. Meyer, and C.R. Funk. 1999. Registration of Coronado Gold tall fescue. Crop Sci. 39:1528.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, W.A. Meyer, and A.J.P. Van Wijk. 1999. Registration of Seabreeze slender creeping red fescue. Crop Sci. 39:1529.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, and W.A. Meyer. 1999. Registration of Tiffany Chewing's fescue. Crop Sci. 39:1529-1530.
Fraser, M.L., C.A. Rose-Fricker, W.A. Meyer, and C. R. Funk. 1999. Registration of Sonata perennial ryegrass. Crop Sci. 39:1530.
Rose-Fricker, C.A., M.L. Fraser, and W.A. Meyer. 1999. Registration of Discovery hard fescue. Crop Sci. 39:1530-1531.
Bonos, S.A., J.A. Murphy, W.A. Meyer, B.B. Clarke, K.A. Plumley, W.K. Dickson, J.B. Clark, J.A. Honig, and D.A. Smith. 1999. Performance of bentgrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 30:33-48.
Perdomo, P., J.A. Murphy, W.A. Meyer, D.A. Smith, R.F. Bara, and M.M. Mohr. 1999. Performance of fine fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 30:49-62.
Bonos, S.A., R.F. Bara, W.K. Dickson, D.A. Smith, M.M. Mohr, J.A. Murphy, and W.A. Meyer. 1999. Performance of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 30:63-118.
Mohr, M.M., W.A. Meyer, J.A. Murphy, C.R. Funk, W.K. Dickson, R.F. Bara, and D.A. Smith. 1999. Performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 30:119-135.
Brilman, L.A., B.A. Ruemmele, J.M. Yocum, and W.A. Meyer. 1999. Velvet Bentgrass: A New-Old Environmental Solution. Page 132. In: Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy.
Meyer, W.A., F. Belanger, and C. Kubik. 1999. University Perspectives on Intellectual Property Rights. Page 133. In: Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy.
Bonos, S.A., K.A. Plumley, and W.A. Meyer. 1999. The Use of Laser Flow Cytometry for Species Determination in Agrostis. 1999. Page 140. In: Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy.
Watkins, E., W.A. Meyer, J.A. Murphy, S.A. Bonos, R.F. Bara, D.A. Smith, and W.K. Dickson. 1999. Performance of tall fescue cultivars and selections in New Jersey turf trials. Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. 30:137-163.
Johnson-Cicalese, J., M.E. Secks, W.A. Meyer, J.A. Murphy and R.F. Bara. 1999. Differences in morphology and insect resistance among endophyte inoculated fine fescues. Page 139. In: Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy.
Kubik, C., B. Gaut and W.A. Meyer. 1999. Characterization of Microsatellite Loci in Perennial Ryegrass. Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Rutgers University Turfgrass Symposium. Page 28.