Turfgrass Characteristics of Prairie Junegrass Germplasm Accessions

Abstract

Prairie junegrass [Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Shultes] is a perennial, short‐grass prairie species distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This species demonstrates tolerance to many environmental stresses in Minnesota. Forty‐eight K. macrantha accessions from the United States National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) were grown under low‐input conditions to evaluate turfgrass quality characteristics for use in a breeding program. A second objective was to identify key geographical locations for germplasm collection. The experiment was conducted at Becker and St. Paul, MN. Nineteen accessions at Becker and 30 accessions at St. Paul performed with an adequate turf quality rating of 5.0 or higher when averaged over the 3‐yr study, suggesting the potential for use in low‐input areas. Prairie junegrass from northern collection regions displayed the highest spring green‐up ratings, an important turf trait in northern climates. There was a negative correlation between this trait and mowing quality at Becker (r = −0.44) and at St. Paul (r = −0.34). Several accessions had acceptable mowing quality and would be candidates for integration into a native prairie junegrass turfgrass breeding program. There was no correlation between inflorescence emergence and turf quality, or between inflorescence emergence and persistent straw suggesting that flowering does not necessarily affect turf quality ratings. Rust (unknown Puccinia species) was present at both locations.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) culm and inflorescence density in lawns: Effects of nitrogen fertilization and scalping timing and height

“…It has been reported that mowing can effectively remove straw or other inflorescence debris from prairie junegrass [ Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Shultes], thus improving the overall appearance of the turf (Clark & Watkins, 2010). This strategy may be more difficult in other turf species that have an excessive flush of spring inflorescence and potential stemminess, such as perennial ryegrass.…”

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

“…Although typically listed as a North American species, the entries included in this trial were derived fully from germplasm collected in Europe. Previous research has shown that some European germplasm shows excellent turf quality, though seed production and seed quality of European material can be quite inconsistent (Clark and Watkins, 2010a, 2010b). Populations of this species native to the United States are being developed for low‐input turfgrass use; unfortunately, limitations such as poor mowing quality and poor establishment rate will be difficult for plant breeders to overcome (Watkins and Clark, 2009).…”

Evaluation of Salinity Tolerance of Prairie Junegrass, a Potential Low-maintenance Turfgrass Species

“…'Barkoel' junegrass yielded some of the highest quality ratings and the populations from Alberta and Minnesota were among the grasses with the earliest spring green-up in the study. Clark and Watkins (2010b) reported that 30 of 48 prairie junegrass accessions provided adequate turf quality (5.0 or greater) after a 3year mowed spaced plant field evaluation under low-input conditions in St. Paul, MN. Furthermore, prairie junegrass has the potential to produce sufficient seeds to be economically available for the turf industry (Clark and Watkins, 2010a), a major limiting factor causing reduced application of buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), another native grass with similar ideal characteristics of xeriscaphytic turf (Riordan and Browning, 2003).…”