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

Watkins, Eric; Gardner, David; Stier, John C.; Soldat, Douglas J.; John, Rodney A. St.; Christians, Nick E.; Hathaway, Aaron; Diesburg, K. L.; Poppe, Steven R.; Gaussoin, Roch E.

doi:10.2134/ats-2013-0101-rs

Cited by 24 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…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%

“…For instance, Mintenko et al () showed that several grass species native to North America, such as tufted hairgrass ( Deschampsia cespitosa ) and prairie junegrass ( Koeleria macrantha ), are suitable for low‐maintenance turfgrass use in the Northern Great Plains region. Diesburg et al () and Watkins et al (, ) suggested that species such as tall fescue ( Schedonorus arundinaceus ), hard fescue ( Festuca trachyphylla ), sheep fescue ( Festuca ovina L . ), and colonial bentgrass ( Agrostis capillaris L .)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, most consumers continue to use Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L .) and perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) , both of which perform well with higher inputs of water, fertilizer, and pesticides as compared to alternative low‐input turfgrasses (Miltner et al ; DeBels et al ; Watkins et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Yue

Wang

Watkins

et al. 2016

Canadian J Agri Economics

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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.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Yue

Wang

Watkins

et al. 2016

Canadian J Agri Economics

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“…To fulfill the needs of consumers and to contribute to environmental sustainability, turfgrass breeding programs evaluate, develop, and introduce turfgrasses with superior traits. Previously, various turfgrass species have been assessed for pest and disease resistance (Bonos et al, 2006;Cisar, 2010;Watkins et al, 2014), climatic region adaptation (Mintenko et al, 2002), drought tolerance, and reduced nitrogen requirements (Bonos and Huff, 2013;Johnson, 2008;Watkins et al, 2014). A previous study (Yue et al, 2012) investigated priorities for North American rosaceous crop breeding programs and found that breeders regarded the two ends of the supply chain (producer/ growers and the consumers) as the most important parties when setting trait priorities.…”

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Investigating the Practices and Challenges for Turfgrass Breeders and Distributors

Yue¹,

Wang

Watkins³

et al. 2019

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Additional index words. breeding priority, turfgrass seeds, marketingAbstract. An online survey was conducted to investigate the current practices of and challenges for turfgrass breeders and turfgrass seed distributors (or sales staff) in the United States. We found that turfgrass seed breeders rated producers/growers and consumers as more important parties compared with other interested parties. However, variations in ratings were found for breeders/distributors according to different program characteristics. The volume of seed sales of the species was the most highly rated technical consideration for both breeders and distributors. Compared with distributors, breeders considered the following technical factors more important than others: funding, labor, field trial performance, diversity in working priorities, availability of germplasms, scheduling, and staff training. Costs, followed by resource allocation and resource availability, were rated as the most challenging factors when breeders were implementing priorities. Our findings provide important insight regarding breeding and distribution practices and management in the turfgrass industry.

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“…For instance, perennial ryegrass generally has better quality at lower mowing heights (3.8 cm compared with 5.0 or 6.3 cm); this increased level of maintenance also results in higher weed pressure than when the grass is maintained at higher heights of cut . Kentucky bluegrass typically requires high input levels for maintaining adequate quality (DeBels et al, 2012), and may not perform as well as other species when inputs are limited (Watkins et al, 2014). Turfgrass breeders have worked to improve these species for use in lower-input situations (Bonos and Huff, 2013), but the use of alternative species is another promising approach.…”

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Performance of Low-input Turfgrass Species as Affected by Mowing and Nitrogen Fertilization in Minnesota

Hugie¹,

Watkins²

2016

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In Minnesota, most lawns and higher cut turfgrass areas consist primarily of species such as kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) that require significant management inputs such as frequent mowing and nitrogen fertility. Several studies have shown that other species have the potential to be used more widely on home lawns in Minnesota; however, little is known about the management requirements of these species. In this study, we evaluated the performance of several alternative grass species under varying mowing and nitrogen fertility regimes at two sites in Minnesota in 2010 and 2011. Hard fescue [Festuca trachyphylla (Hackel) Krajina] showed the most consistent performance across management regimes, seasons, and locations. Colonial bentgrass (Agrostis tenuis Sibth.) showed good spring and fall turf quality, but suffered from excess thatch development and disease incidence. ‘Barkoel’ prairie junegrass [Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult] maintained acceptable turf cover throughout the trial, whereas unimproved native prairie junegrass populations did poorly regardless of management level. Tufted hairgrass [Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P. Beauv.] did not perform consistently in the trial due to summer stress. Our results show that hard fescue, colonial bentgrass, and ‘Barkoel’ prairie junegrass performed well regardless of mowing height or fertility treatment and could be used to a greater degree as low-input turfgrasses in Minnesota.

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

Cited by 24 publications

References 15 publications

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

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

Investigating the Practices and Challenges for Turfgrass Breeders and Distributors

Performance of Low-input Turfgrass Species as Affected by Mowing and Nitrogen Fertilization in Minnesota

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