2001 Tall Fescue Cultivar Trial

Shui-zhang Fei and Rodney A. St. John

This is the first full year of the tall fescue trial that was established in September 2001 and is part of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). Similar trials are being conducted at many different locations around the US. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the regional adaptation of 160 tall fescue cultivars under non-irrigated conditions with 2 lbs N /1000 ft² per year and a mowing height of 2.5-3.5".

The visual quality was evaluated monthly in 2002 from May through October (Table 1). The values listed under each month in Table 1 are the averages of visual quality ratings made on three replicated plots. Visual quality was based on a scale of 9 to 1: 9 = best quality, 6 = lowest acceptable quality, and 1 = worst quality. The yearly average of the monthly data for each cultivar was calculated and is listed in the last column (Mean). The first cultivar listed in Table 1 had the highest average visual quality rating for the entire 2002 season. The cultivars are listed in descending order by average quality. The last row states the LSD (least significant difference), which is a statistical measurement of how widely the datum in each column must vary before they are considered to be different from one another.

Data for genetic color (Gencolor) and leaf texture (Leaftex) were also collected in June 2002. Genetic color was rated using a 9 to 1 scale with 9 = dark and 1 = light green. Leaf texture was assessed with a 9 to 1 scale with 9 = fine and 1 = coarse texture. Percent fall ground coverage following establishment (GRCOVFAL) was collected in the fall of 2001 on a scale of 100% to 0%, with 100% = fully covered and 0% = bare ground.

Table 1. Visual ratings on turfgrass quality, genetic color, leaf texture, and ground coverage following establishment for 2001 National Tall Fescue Cultivar Trial in Ames, IA.

				-----------------------------Quality-----------------------------
Tall Fescue Cultivar	GRCOVFAL	GENCOLOR	LEAFTEX	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	MEAN
	--------------------------------------------------------------9-1; 9 Best-----------------------------------------------------------
MILLENNIUM	46.7	6.7	6.7	8.3	7.3	5.0	6.3	7.0	7.0	6.8
FOCUS	45.0	7.0	7.0	8.0	7.0	5.3	5.7	6.7	6.7	6.6
GRANDE II	41.7	7.0	7.3	8.0	6.7	5.3	6.0	6.3	6.3	6.4
ATF 704	41.7	7.0	6.7	7.0	6.3	5.7	7.0	6.0	6.0	6.3
ATF-800	40.0	6.7	7.0	7.3	7.0	5.3	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.3
CIS-TF-65	38.3	7.0	7.0	7.0	6.7	5.3	6.0	6.3	6.3	6.3
LEGITIMATE	48.3	6.0	6.3	7.3	6.7	5.7	6.7	5.7	6.0	6.3
LTP-7801	48.3	6.7	7.0	7.0	6.0	5.0	6.7	6.7	6.3	6.3
NJ4	40.0	6.7	6.7	7.3	7.0	5.3	5.7	6.3	6.3	6.3
TAR HEEL	50.0	6.7	6.3	7.7	6.7	5.0	5.3	6.7	6.7	6.3
TEMPEST	41.7	7.0	6.7	8.0	7.0	5.3	6.0	5.7	5.7	6.3
JAGUAR 3	38.3	7.0	6.7	8.0	6.0	5.3	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.2
R-4	46.7	7.0	7.0	7.7	6.7	4.7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.2
SCORPION	45.0	7.0	7.0	7.3	6.7	5.0	5.7	6.3	6.3	6.2
WYATT	45.0	6.3	7.3	8.0	6.3	5.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.2
CIS-TF-33	38.3	7.0	7.0	7.3	6.3	5.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.1
PICK TF H-97	45.0	7.3	7.3	6.7	5.7	5.0	6.7	6.3	6.0	6.1
PICK-OD3-01	46.7	7.3	6.7	7.3	6.7	5.0	6.3	5.7	5.7	6.1
PST-5BAB	35.0	7.0	6.0	7.3	6.3	5.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.1
QUEST	50.0	6.7	7.0	7.0	6.0	5.3	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.1
TITAN LTD.	45.0	6.3	7.0	7.3	6.3	5.3	6.0	6.0	5.7	6.1
BAR FA 1005	31.7	7.0	6.3	7.0	6.7	4.7	5.7	6.0	6.0	6.0
BARLEXAS	41.7	6.7	7.0	7.3	6.3	5.0	6.0	5.7	5.7	6.0
F-4	50.0	7.0	7.3	7.3	6.0	4.7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
PICASSO	36.7	7.3	7.0	7.0	6.0	4.7	5.7	6.3	6.3	6.0
BONSAI	38.3	6.3	6.7	6.7	6.3	5.0	6.0	5.7	5.7	5.9
DLF-J210	41.7	7.0	6.3	7.3	6.0	4.7	5.7	6.0	6.0	5.9
FINESSE II	46.7	7.3	7.0	6.7	7.0	5.0	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.9
JTTFF-2000	30.0	7.3	6.7	7.0	6.3	4.7	5.7	6.0	6.0	5.9
K01-E09	38.3	7.3	7.3	7.0	6.7	4.7	6.0	5.7	5.7	5.9
PST-5BZ	43.3	7.0	6.3	6.3	6.3	5.0	5.3	6.3	6.3	5.9
UT-155	41.7	7.3	6.7	6.7	6.7	4.7	6.0	5.7	5.7	5.9
UT-RB3	41.7	7.3	6.7	6.7	6.3	5.0	6.0	5.7	5.7	5.9
`018	55.0	6.7	7.3	7.3	5.7	5.0	5.3	6.0	6.0	5.9
01-ORU1	40.0	7.0	7.3	7.0	6.0	5.0	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.8
01-TFOR3	41.7	7.0	6.7	7.7	6.0	4.3	5.7	5.3	5.7	5.8
2ND MILLENNIUM	46.7	7.0	6.3	7.3	5.0	4.7	6.0	6.0	6.0	5.8
MA 127	41.7	7.0	6.3	7.0	6.7	4.7	5.7	5.3	5.3	5.8
MRF 211	45.0	7.7	7.0	6.3	6.3	4.3	5.7	6.0	6.0	5.8
SR 8600	43.3	6.7	7.0	6.7	6.3	5.0	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.8
TOMAHAWK RT	43.3	7.0	7.3	7.0	6.3	4.7	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.8
ATF-803	38.3	7.0	6.3	6.7	6.3	4.3	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.7
BINGO	41.7	7.0	7.0	7.0	5.3	4.3	5.3	6.0	6.0	5.7
BRAVO	40.0	7.0	6.7	6.3	6.0	5.0	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.7
CAS-ED	38.3	7.0	5.7	7.0	6.0	4.3	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.7
DLSD	35.0	7.3	6.7	6.7	5.7	4.7	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.7
DOMINION	56.7	6.3	6.7	6.3	6.0	4.7	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.7
MA 138	41.7	7.7	6.0	6.0	6.3	4.7	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.7
PST-578	45.0	6.7	7.0	6.7	5.3	4.7	5.7	6.0	6.0	5.7
REBEL EXEDA	41.7	7.0	7.0	6.3	5.7	5.0	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.7
SOUTHERN CHOICE II	40.0	7.3	6.3	6.3	6.0	4.7	6.0	5.7	5.7	5.7
SR 8250	53.3	7.0	7.0	6.7	5.7	4.3	5.7	6.0	6.0	5.7
WOLFPACK	46.7	6.3	7.0	7.3	5.0	4.7	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.7
BAR FA 1003	36.7	6.7	6.7	7.0	5.7	4.3	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.6
BARLEXAS II	46.7	7.7	7.0	6.3	5.3	4.7	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.6
BARRINGTON	36.7	7.3	6.7	6.7	6.0	4.3	5.7	5.3	5.3	5.6
DP 50-9082	45.0	6.0	7.0	6.7	5.7	4.3	6.0	5.3	5.3	5.6
DP 50-9226	41.7	6.3	7.0	6.3	5.7	4.3	6.0	5.7	5.7	5.6
ENDEAVOR	43.3	7.0	7.3	6.0	5.7	4.7	6.0	5.7	5.7	5.6
FALCON II	46.7	6.7	6.0	7.3	5.7	4.7	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.6
GO-FL3	56.7	6.0	6.7	6.3	6.0	4.7	6.0	5.3	5.3	5.6
MA 158	41.7	7.0	6.0	6.3	6.3	4.3	5.7	5.3	5.3	5.6
OLYMPIC GOLD	50.0	6.3	7.0	6.7	5.3	4.3	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.6
PLANTATION	45.0	7.0	7.0	6.7	5.3	4.3	5.3	6.0	6.0	5.6
PST-5ASR	38.3	6.7	6.7	5.3	6.0	5.0	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.6
SBM	48.3	7.7	6.7	6.7	5.7	4.3	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.6
SRX 805	51.7	7.0	6.7	7.0	5.3	4.7	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.6
ATF 706	38.3	7.7	6.0	6.3	5.7	4.3	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.5
BE1	38.3	7.3	7.0	6.7	6.0	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.5
GO-RD4	40.0	6.0	6.7	6.3	5.3	4.7	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.5
LANCER	55.0	7.0	7.0	6.0	5.7	4.3	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.5
MATADOR	36.7	7.3	6.3	6.0	6.0	4.3	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.5
MCN-RC	45.0	7.7	6.7	6.3	5.7	4.7	5.7	5.3	5.3	5.5
MRF 210	38.3	7.0	6.3	6.7	5.7	4.3	5.0	5.7	5.7	5.5
PROSEEDS 5301	45.0	7.0	6.3	6.7	5.3	4.3	5.5	5.7	5.7	5.5
PST-5LO	41.7	6.7	7.0	7.7	6.0	4.0	5.3	5.0	5.0	5.5
PST-5T1	43.3	6.7	6.7	6.0	6.0	4.3	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.5
RB2-01	46.7	7.0	7.3	6.0	5.3	4.3	6.0	5.7	5.7	5.5
01-RUTOR2	40.0	7.0	7.0	6.3	5.3	4.3	5.0	5.7	5.7	5.4
ATF-593	46.7	7.3	7.3	6.7	5.7	4.7	5.3	5.0	5.0	5.4
BE-2	35.0	7.0	7.0	6.3	5.7	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
CIS-TF-77	36.7	7.0	6.7	6.0	6.0	4.7	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
COYOTE	33.3	7.7	7.0	6.3	6.0	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
EA 163	35.0	7.3	7.0	6.7	5.3	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
ELISA	35.0	6.3	6.0	6.7	5.7	4.0	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
MRF 25	48.3	7.0	6.7	6.7	5.7	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
MRF 28	36.7	7.3	7.0	6.7	5.7	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
MUSTANG 3	38.3	7.0	6.7	6.7	5.7	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
P-58	36.7	7.0	6.3	6.0	6.0	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
PICK-00-AFA	43.3	6.7	7.0	6.7	5.3	4.7	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
PST-57E	51.7	6.7	7.0	6.0	5.0	4.7	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.4
PST-5KU	53.3	7.7	7.0	6.3	5.3	4.0	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.4
PST-5S12	46.7	7.0	6.7	6.0	5.7	4.3	5.7	5.3	5.3	5.4
PST-5TR1	40.0	7.0	6.0	6.3	5.3	4.3	5.7	5.3	5.3	5.4
REMBRANDT	33.3	7.0	6.3	7.0	5.0	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
ROBERTS SM4	36.7	7.0	6.7	6.7	5.3	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
STETSON	41.7	6.7	6.3	6.7	5.3	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
TRACER	36.7	7.3	6.7	6.3	6.0	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4
ATF 702	38.3	7.7	7.0	6.3	5.7	4.0	5.0	5.7	5.3	5.3
B-7001	45.0	6.7	6.3	6.7	4.7	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3
BARRERA	35.0	6.7	7.0	6.7	5.7	4.0	5.7	5.0	5.0	5.3
BILTMORE	40.0	7.0	6.3	6.3	5.3	4.0	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3
CAS-157	31.7	7.0	6.0	6.0	5.7	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3
CAYENNE	40.0	7.0	6.0	6.0	5.7	4.3	5.0	5.3	5.3	5.3
DAYTONA (MRF 23)	35.0	7.0	5.7	6.0	5.3	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3
JT-18	31.7	7.3	7.0	6.7	5.3	4.0	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3
JT-6	35.0	7.7	7.0	6.3	5.3	4.0	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3
MAGELLAN (OD-4)	35.0	7.7	6.3	6.0	5.7	4.3	5.0	5.3	5.3	5.3
MASTERPIECE	41.7	6.3	7.0	5.7	6.0	4.0	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3
PICK ZMG	41.7	7.0	6.7	6.3	5.3	4.7	5.0	5.3	5.3	5.3
PST-5A1	41.7	6.3	6.7	6.7	5.3	4.3	5.0	5.3	5.3	5.3
PST-5JM	26.7	7.7	6.3	6.3	5.7	4.3	5.0	5.3	5.0	5.3
PST-5NAS	38.3	7.0	7.0	7.3	4.7	4.0	5.0	5.3	5.3	5.3
PST-DDL	38.3	7.3	7.0	7.3	5.3	4.0	5.3	5.0	5.0	5.3
REBEL SENTRY	36.7	7.3	6.0	5.7	5.3	4.3	5.3	5.3	5.7	5.3
ROBERTS-L1Z	38.3	7.3	7.0	6.0	5.3	4.3	5.7	5.3	5.3	5.3
CIS-TF-60	45.0	7.3	7.0	6.0	5.0	4.3	5.7	5.0	5.0	5.2
CIS-TF-67	41.7	7.3	7.0	6.3	4.7	4.0	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.2
JT-99	53.3	6.7	7.3	6.0	5.0	4.0	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.2
K01-8007	50.0	7.0	7.0	6.0	5.7	4.0	5.3	5.0	5.0	5.2
KITTY HAWK 2000	43.3	6.7	6.7	6.7	5.0	4.3	5.3	5.0	5.0	5.2
PROSPECT	41.7	7.0	6.7	6.3	5.3	4.0	5.0	5.3	5.3	5.2
PST-5FZD	43.3	7.0	6.7	6.7	4.7	4.0	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.2
PST-5KI	36.7	7.3	7.0	5.3	5.7	4.3	5.0	5.3	5.3	5.2
SRX 8BE4	35.0	7.3	7.3	6.0	5.3	4.3	5.3	5.0	5.0	5.2
WATCHDOG	36.7	7.0	6.7	6.0	5.7	4.0	5.3	5.0	5.0	5.2
ATF 799	35.0	7.0	6.7	5.3	5.3	4.0	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.1
ATF 802	35.0	7.3	7.3	5.7	5.3	4.0	5.0	5.0	5.3	5.1
CIS-TF-64	33.3	7.3	6.7	5.3	5.0	4.0	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.1
JT-13	40.0	7.3	7.3	6.0	5.3	4.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.1
JT-9	33.3	7.0	6.7	6.3	4.7	4.0	5.0	5.3	5.3	5.1
K01-WAF	48.3	7.0	6.3	6.0	4.7	4.3	5.0	5.3	5.3	5.1
MRF 26	36.7	7.3	6.7	6.0	5.3	4.0	5.7	4.7	4.7	5.1
RENDITION	35.0	6.7	7.0	6.3	5.0	4.3	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.1
T991	30.0	7.0	6.3	6.3	5.0	4.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.1
CAS-MC1	38.3	7.3	6.3	5.7	5.0	4.3	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
JT-12	36.7	7.3	7.0	5.3	5.7	4.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
K01-8015	35.0	7.3	6.7	6.0	4.7	4.0	5.3	5.0	5.0	5.0
MRF 29	33.3	7.7	7.0	5.7	5.0	4.0	5.0	5.0	5.3	5.0
ROBERTS DOL	33.3	7.3	6.7	5.7	5.7	4.0	4.7	5.0	5.0	5.0
TF66	38.3	7.0	6.7	6.0	5.3	4.0	4.7	5.0	5.0	5.0
ATF 707	40.0	7.3	6.0	5.7	5.0	4.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	4.9
DYNASTY	31.7	7.3	6.3	5.7	4.7	4.0	4.7	5.3	5.3	4.9
GO-SIU2	43.3	6.7	6.7	6.3	4.7	4.0	4.7	5.0	5.0	4.9
JT-15	23.3	7.0	7.3	5.7	4.7	4.7	5.0	4.7	4.7	4.9
K01-E03	30.0	7.3	7.0	5.7	5.3	4.0	4.7	5.0	5.0	4.9
KALAHARI	40.0	7.0	7.0	6.0	4.3	4.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	4.9
MRF 24	35.0	7.3	6.0	5.7	4.7	4.3	4.3	5.0	5.3	4.9
NA-TDD	38.3	7.7	7.0	6.0	4.3	4.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	4.9
PST-5TUO	36.7	7.0	7.0	6.0	4.7	4.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	4.9
IGNIA	38.3	7.7	6.7	5.7	5.3	4.0	4.7	5.0	5.0	4.9
BAR FA 1CR7	33.3	8.0	7.3	5.3	5.0	3.7	5.0	5.0	5.0	4.8
GO-OD2	35.0	7.3	6.3	5.7	4.7	4.0	4.7	5.0	5.0	4.8
LARAMIE	38.3	7.0	6.7	5.7	4.7	4.0	5.0	4.7	5.0	4.8
PURE GOLD	40.0	7.0	6.7	6.0	4.7	4.0	4.7	4.7	4.7	4.8
ATF 806	33.3	7.3	7.0	5.3	4.7	4.0	5.0	4.7	4.7	4.7
MRF 27	43.3	7.3	7.3	5.7	5.0	4.0	4.3	4.7	4.7	4.7
PST-53T	36.7	8.0	6.7	5.7	5.3	3.3	4.0	4.7	5.0	4.7
ATF 586	36.7	7.0	7.3	4.7	4.7	4.0	4.3	5.0	5.0	4.6
KY-31 E+	40.0	4.0	4.7	6.0	5.0	3.0	3.7	3.7	3.7	4.2
LSD	34.2	1.2	1.0	3.1	5.9	2.7	2.3	1.7	1.7	1.8

ISU Turfgrass:2003 Turfgrass Report

College of Agriculture

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