Germplasm Evaluation of Alternate Warm — Season Turfgrass Species for use in Florida and Lower Latitudes

摘要

In Florida, the home lawn industry is a near monoculture of a single turfgrass cultivar, Floratam' St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum [ Walt. ] Kuntze). This lack of diversity places the turf industry in a vulnerable position with respect to the development of new virulent pests. Therefore, the development and utilization of additional warm -season turfgrass species is warranted for Florida and lower latitudes. Several species have been evaluated for their potential use in Florida by the University of Florida turfgrass breeding program. Three species, zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp. Willd) , common carpetgrass (Axonopus fissifolius Raddi) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) , indicate good potential for use in the home lawn industry. Extensive germplasm acquisition and evaluation efforts are in progress for these species.