Grand Prix - Green Couch
Scientific name:
Cynodon dactylon
Other names:
Species common names
Green couch (Australia), Bermudagrass (USA)
Cultivar name: Grand Prix
Origin:
‘Grand Prix’ resulted from a program of crossing and backcrossing other C. dactylon varieties to ‘Wintergreen’. Breeder: David Nickson, Victoria.
Global growing areas: Australia (available through licensed growers in 2007)
IP protection: PBR Certificate #3133 (granted 12 September 2006).
Details:
- Texture: Fine.
- Description: Dark green short leaves. Leaf sheath is 8.5-9.8 mm. Leaf length 2.3 mm-3.8 mm, width 1.3-1.7 mm (fourth internode). Low number of flower spikes. Medium to thick stolons. Short internode length. (Data from PBR growing trial.).
- Uses: Sportsfields, parks, general landscaping and domestic lawns.
- Mowing height: Best at 15-25 mm.
- Method of propagation: Vegetative sod, sprigging of stolons.
- Preferred soil types: Sandy to clay loams (pH 6-8) maintained with good nitrogen fertility (as per other Cynodon dactylon cultivars).
Comments:
Selected in Victoria on the basis of shoot density, leaf colour and turf quality. Good coverage of bare ground due to many branching stolons and strong rhizome development. High shoot density. Sparsely seeding variety, producing only a few short seed heads relative to other green couch cultivars.
Tolerances:
- Heat: Good.
- Cold: Trial plots have maintained good turf quality during winter in southern Queensland and in Melbourne, Victoria.
- Shade: Unknown.
- Drought: Good tolerance of dry conditions.
- Salinity: Unknown.
- Wear: Excellent wear resistance.
- Herbicide sensitivity: DSMA and MSMA can be used to remove other grasses. A wide range of herbicides can be safely used to remove broadleaf weeds. Use only registered herbicides in accordance with the label.
- Pests and diseases: Lawn grubs (army worm, sod webworm) during summer and autumn.
Photos used on this page are not necessarily photos from DEEDI
For more information and updates on warm season turfgrasses, their production and management please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/turf
For updates on Grand Prix please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_4203.htm
