Princess 77 - Turf Grass

Scientific name: Cynodon dactylon.

Other names: Species common names: Green couch (Australia), Bermudagrass (USA)

Cultivar name: Princess-77.

Origin: Developed in New Mexico, USA from 52 diverse elite C. dactylon clones of domestic (50%) and Australian origin (50%) grown together in a crossing block. Spaced plants derived from bulk seed harvested from this crossing block were progressively assessed for turf characteristics and (in reciprocal paired crosses between selected clones) for seed yield. The two selected parental clones (both highly self-incompatible but cross-fertile) are maintained vegetatively by Seeds West, Inc., and sprigged in alternating rows to establish commercial fields from which ´Princess-77´ seed is produced. Breeder: Dr. Arden Baltensperger, Seeds West, Inc.

Global growing areas: USA, Australia and the Pacific, Europe, Asia (including Japan, China), South America, Middle East. Available from most Australian seed companies through the licensed Australian distributor, J.H. Williams & Sons Ltd.

IP protection: US PVP certificate #9500227 (granted 23 March 2001).

Details

• Texture: Fine.
• Description: Dark green leaves. Stolon internode length 32.6 mm, diameter 1.2 mm. Leaf blade width (3 or 4th leaf below apical meristem) 2.1 mm. Leaf length (unspecified site) 24.0 mm (conditions not controlled). One gram of seed contains 4100 seeds. (Data from Seeds West, Inc.)
• Use: Sportsfields, commercial and domestic lawns, golf fairways and roughs, parks and general landscaping.
• Mowing height: Best at 15-25 mm; down to 5 mm (with a cylinder mower).
• Method of propagation: Seed, vegetative sod or sprigs (grown from seed).
• Preferred soil types: Sandy to clay loams (pH 6-8) maintained with good nitrogen fertility (as per other Cynodon dactylon cultivars).

Comments

Very dense, fine-textured turf relative to most other seeded Cynodon dactylon cultivars. Verticut annually in intensively managed systems.

Full coverage from planting seed at the recommended rates can be achieved in as little as 4-6 weeks with optimum management and growing conditions.

´Princess-77´ is a small-seeded variety, so lower sowing rates are recommended. Seed may be sold with or without added hydromulching material.

Tolerances

• Heat: Good
• Cold: Good autumn colour retention reported in the USA. In Victorian Golf Association trials in Melbourne (Victoria), the quality of Princess-77 turf is showing long-term decline relative to vegetative green couch varieties, particularly during the winter months.
• Shade: US claims of shade tolerance have yet to be confirmed in Australian turf trials
• Drought: Good tolerance of dry conditions.
• Salinity: Not tested in Australian trials to date.
• Wear: Fair. Less tolerant of wear in Redlands Research Station experiment than other green couch cultivars like Grand Prix, Legend and Conquest.
• Herbicide sensitivity: DSMA and MSMA can be used to remove other grasses. Princess-77 is more sensitive than other seeded varieties to some post-emergent herbicides during establishment; but once established, 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 Princess 77 please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_4190.htm