Our research covers the entire pipeline of creating, testing, and producing superior turfgrass varieties. We integrate genomics and advanced phenotyping to accelerate the development of new cultivars, focusing on traits like stress tolerance, low-input needs, and disease resistance. Projects range from traditional breeding and cultivar selection to maximizing efficiency in seed production and testing seed mixtures in real-world environments, ensuring our innovations transition rapidly from the lab to the landscape.
Perennial ryegrass
Minnesota Turf Seed Council and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (Ongoing: 2024-present)
Background
Perennial ryegrass is an important turfgrass due to its rapid germination and quick establishment. This grass is commonly used for sports fields, lawns, and parks. Seed producers in northern Minnesota grow this species on more than 40,000 acres in Roseau and Lake of the Wood counties; this seed gets shipped around the globe. Unfortunately, In northern climates, perennial ryegrass can suffer from winter damage. Therefore, our goal is to develop cultivars that are both winter hardy and able to produce high seed yields when grown in northern Minnesota.
Fine fescue
Minnesota Department of Agriculture and United States Department of Agriculture (Ongoing: 2028-present)
A close-up view of fine fescue grass blades
No mow Fine fescue
Fine fescue rhizomes
Background
Coming soon!
Cultivar evaluation
National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (Ongoing)
Background
The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program coordinates the testing of major turfgrass species at dozens of research sites across the country. We typically host trials for Kentkucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue, and creeping bentgrass, with occasional tall fescue trials.
Research questions
The goal of this effort is to identify turfgrasses that are well adapted for various uses in Minnesota.
Practical implications
Data from turfgrass cultivar evaluations can be used by professionals and general consumers to make turfgrass seed purchasing decisions.
Seed production
Background
Coming soon!