Native Grasses as Drought-Tolerant Turfgrasses of the Future

Applied Turfgrass Science

Gardner

Stier

et al. 2014

Turfgrass managers are in need of low‐input turfgrass species options. We have previously identified a number of species that do well as low‐input, sustainable turf in the north central United States. The objective of this study was to evaluate multiple cultivars of turfgrass species with known adaption to low‐input environments in the North Central Region. Twenty‐five turfgrass cultivars and selections, representing ten grass species, were evaluated at eight locations. Plots were established in late summer 2007, and after establishment were maintained at 7.6 cm without inputs of pesticides, fertilizer, or supplemental irrigation. Tall fescue, Chewings fescue, hard fescue, and colonial bentgrass performed well at most locations. Sheep fescue, tufted hairgrass, and prairie junegrass all performed adequately at some locations, and poorly at others. Texas bluegrass hybrids and the single Idaho bentgrass entry were not well adapted to most of the region.

Section: Data Collection and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultivar Performance of Low-Input Turfgrass Species for the North Central United States

Applied Turfgrass Science

Gardner

Stier

et al. 2014

“…In the past decades, turfgrass breeders have developed turfgrasses that exhibit low‐input characteristics such as drought tolerance and reduced nitrogen requirements (Johnson ; Bonos and Huff ; Watkins et al ). Meanwhile, progress has been made to identify native North American species with low‐input characteristics (Watkins et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heterogeneous Consumer Preferences for Turfgrass Attributes in the United States and Canada

Yue

Wang

Canadian J Agri Economics

et al. 2016

This study investigates U.S. and Canadian consumer preferences and willingness to pay for turfgrass attributes and potential consumer market segments. Most studies focus on consumers' preferences for low-input turfgrasses at a state or regional level, but none have examined consumer preferences at a national or international level. In addition, we explore possible consumer preference heterogeneity and market segments. We find that one of the most influential turfgrass attributes for both U.S. and Canadian consumers is the ability to withstand foot traffic. Consumers' preferences are greatly affected by maintenance attributes. Low mowing frequency, followed by water usage and fertilizer requirements, are considered the most important attributes for consumers. Generally speaking, many consumers are willing to pay high premiums for turfgrasses with lower maintenance requirements. Three consumer segments are identified based on participants' heterogeneity in their preferences for turfgrass attributes: Balanced Consumers, Low-input Conscious Consumers, and Appearance Conscious Consumers. Our results imply that breeding and promotion of low-input turfgrasses species, 347 348 CANADIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS which could benefit consumers and the environment, should receive greater attention from the turfgrass seed industry. Cetteétude se penche sur les préférences des consommateurs américains et canadiens et leur volonté de payer pour des attributs du gazon, et les potentiels segments de marché grand public. La majorité deś etudes se penche sur les préférences des consommateurs pour des gazonsà faibles intrants au niveau de l état ou régional. Aucune n'a encore examiné les préférences du consommateur au niveau national ou international. De plus, nous explorons l'hétérogénéité des préférences des consommateurs ainsi que les segments de marché. L'on constate que l'attribut du gazon ayant la plus grande influence sur les consommateurs américains et canadiensétait la capacité de résisterà la circulation piétonnière. Les préférences des consommateurs sonténormément influencées par les attributs d'entretien. La faible fréquence de tonte et les besoins en eau et en engrais représentent pour les consommateurs les plus importants attributs. En général, de nombreux consommateurs sont prêtsà débourser plus pour des gazons qui nécessitent peu d'entretien. Trois groupes de consommateurs sont identifiés en fonction de l'hétérogénéité de leurs préférences pour les attributs du gazon: les consommateurséquilibrés, les consommateurs préoccupés par les faibles intrants et les consommateurs préoccupés par l'apparence. Les résultats suggèrent que la production et la promotion d'espèces de gazonsà faibles intrants, bénéfiques pour le consommateur et l'environnement, devraient se trouver dans la mire de l'industrie semencière. USGA Green Section Record 31 (3): 26-30. Beard, J. B. and R. L. Green. 1994. The role of turfgrasses in environmental protection and their benefits to humans. Journal of Environmental Quality 23 (3): 1-16.

“…Prairie junegrass is native to the Great Plains and has performed adequately in low‐input turf evaluations in Canada (16). Blue grama is a warm‐season bunchgrass found throughout the Great Plains that has shown potential for use as a turf in low‐nitrogen and arid environments (13,16). In recent years, a number of Texas bluegrass × Kentucky bluegrass hybrid cultivars have been released; these cultivars can exhibit improved heat tolerance compared to Kentucky bluegrass (20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-Input Turfgrass Species for the North Central United States

Applied Turfgrass Science

Fei

Gardner

et al. 2011

Public attention is being increasingly focused on the environmental impact and management costs of turfgrass areas such as lawns for schools, parks, and homes. The objectives of this study were to: (i) identify grass species adapted to low‐input environments (limited water, no fertilizer or pesticides after establishment) in the North Central Region (NCR) of the USA; and (ii) evaluate these species for turfgrass quality under mowed and non‐mowed conditions. Low‐input turf trials of 12 grass species were established at eight locations and evaluated for turf quality over two years. Plots were mowed monthly at either 5.1 or 10.2 cm or not mowed. Hard fescue (Festuca brevipila Tracey), colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.) performed well at most locations at the 5.1 and 10.2‐cm mowing heights. Several other species were also evaluated: tufted hairgrass [Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P. Beauv.], hybrid bluegrass (Poa arachnifera Torr. × Poa pratensis L.), meadow fescue [Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.], prairie junegrass [Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult], crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.], alkaligrass [Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl.], blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. Ex Kunth) Lag. Ex Griffiths], and crested dogstail (Cynosurus cristatus L.).