Investigating the Practices and Challenges for Turfgrass Breeders and Distributors

Abstract

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.

Spring wheat canopy effects on light dynamics and yield of intercropped fine fescues

“…The fine fescues are promoted as alternatives for homeowners who wish to establish more sustainable lawns and several studies have revealed that homeowners are willing to buy and use these low input turfgrass species, despite being more expensive, because of their reduced resource input requirements (Hugie et al, 2012;Yue et al, 2021Yue et al, , 2017. While willingness to purchase these grasses is evident, turfgrass breeders and seed distributors rate the volume of seed sales as the most important factor when setting priorities (Yue et al, 2019), so while new markets for low-input turf continue to develop, innovation from private and public breeding programs has not yet translated into expansion of fine fescue acreage. Furthermore, those traits that might be important for seed producers (stand longevity, high yield in a seed production system, etc.)…”