Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivars Research Articles

Performance of turf‐type bermudagrass cultivars in the upper and lower limits of the European transition zone

AbstractBermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is one of the most widely cultivated turfgrass species throughout the world. It has several important attributes, such as heat and drought tolerance, and one big disadvantage, which is susceptibility to cold temperatures. Although many seeded bermudagrass cultivars are widely used in Europe, research is warranted on new varieties released in recent decades. Two identical field studies were conducted in Valencia, Spain (39° N lat) and Legnaro, Italy (45° N lat) to evaluate the turfgrass quality, winter dormancy, and spring green‐up of two new bermudagrass releases in Europe (‘Arden 15’ and ‘MBG 002’) and three older bermudagrasses (‘Blackjack’, ‘Common’, and ‘Paul 1’). Even though bermudagrasses were successfully cultivated in the cooler temperature zone (45° N lat), cultivars exhibited poorer establishment and longer winter dormancy as a consequence of the lower temperatures compared with those grown in the warmer temperature zone (39° N lat). Cultivars Arden 15 and MBG 002 were able to mitigate the effects of low temperature that affected the older cultivars, especially during spring green‐up, which is an essential characteristic when growing bermudagrass in the upper limit of the transition zone.

Evaluation of Bermuda turfgrass for various qualitative traits through seed propagation (Bermuda hybrid pro)

Landscaping creates a unique opportunity for establishment of lawn under urban landscape architecture. It provides sustainable development of green plants and natural landforms in crisis of space. Turfgrass is an inevitable part of urban agriculture. Turf also help to reduce noise levels by absorbing and deflecting sounds. Among different turf grasses, Bermuda grass occupies a prime position since it is a warm season perennial species with broad spectrum of adaptation from tropical to subtropical climates. It can be established by sodding, hydro mulching, sprigging, plugging, and stolonizing and seeding. Seeded Bermuda grass cultivars are widely used for their better quality. This study was carried out in Botanical Garden, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Coimbatore to evaluate the performance of Bermuda hybrid pro through seed propagation. The experiment design was a Randomized Block Design with nine treatments with different N (5, 10, 20, 30 m2 N) and K (4,5,8,10 m2 K) applications. All the treatments were replicated thrice. Qualitative data was observed at 15 DAS, 30 DAS, 45 DAS. Results indicated that maximum plant height (14.92), shoot length (15.47), root length (7.28), leaf length (13.42), leaf width (0.48), internodal length (2.92) was observed at higher nutrient concentration (T8-30g/m2 N + 30g/m2 P + 10g/m2 K+ Vermicompost (250g).

Irrigation requirements for establishing seeded tall fescue and bermudagrass cultivars in the transition zone

AbstractThere is limited information regarding specific irrigation volumes required for establishing turfgrasses from seed, potentially leading many to overwater during establishment. The objectives of the following studies were to evaluate the impacts of irrigation volume and genetic drought resistance on the establishment of seeded tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb.) and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) cultivars in the transition zone. Two separate studies were conducted at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville, AR. Tall fescue cultivars Penn RK4, a drought‐resistant cultivar, and Rebel Exeda were seeded and irrigated daily at 50, 75, 100, or 125% reference evapotranspiration (ETo) for 28 days in replicate trials. A second study evaluated seeded bermudagrass cultivars Princess 77, a drought‐resistant cultivar, and Sahara II, using the same irrigation regime for 28 days, in replicate trials. Daily irrigation replacing 50% ETo exhibited slower establishment compared to 100% ETo by an average of 11 and 2 days for tall fescue and bermudagrass, respectively. Irrigating at 75 and 100% ETo exhibited similar establishment for tall fescue and in 1 of 2 years for bermudagrass. In both studies, establishment rates did not differ when irrigating ≥100% ETo. Cultivars with known genetic drought resistance at maturity did not exhibit enhanced establishment rates under reduced irrigation regimes. These findings suggest daily irrigation replacing 100% ETo is favorable for establishing seeded cultivars of tall fescue and bermudagrass in the transition zone, and is a practical strategy for water‐conservation efforts.

Herbage Accumulation and Nutritive Value of Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivars

Herbage Accumulation and Nutritive Value of Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivars

Molecular Identification and Characterization of Seeded Turf Bermudagrass Cultivars Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

Core Ideas Six to nine signature alleles were revealed for each of the four standard seeded bermudagrass cultivars with 32 SSR markers. All individual bermudagrass plants were correctly assigned to their source cultivars using the SSR markers. The SSR marker profiles can be effectively used to identify blinded individuals to the source cultivars. Common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon], is increasingly used in the development of seed‐propagated turf cultivars. Each seeded bermudagrass cultivar is a heterogeneous population composed of heterozygous genotypes. Therefore, the accurate identification of seeded bermudagrass cultivars is a challenge and has not yet been reported although this kind of information would be valuable for new cultivar development, seed certification, and intellectual property protection. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were (i) to characterize the genetic diversity within and relatedness between turf‐type seeded cultivars; and (ii) to investigate the assignment of individuals to their source cultivars using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Four seeded cultivars, NuMex Sahara, Princess‐77, Riviera, and Yukon were used in the investigation. Thirty individual plants, two bulk samples, and two additional individual plants from each of the four cultivars were genotyped with 32 SSR markers that were sampled to span a major portion of the species genome. The number of alleles amplified per SSR locus ranged from 3 to 10, with a mean of 5. Six to nine signature alleles were identified for each of the four cultivars. Genetic distance estimates and clustering results were consistent with the respective breeding history. Individual plants formed four distinct groupings corresponding exactly to the four cultivars and all individuals were correctly assigned to their respective source cultivars. The total gene diversity of the four cultivars was 0.257, indicating high diversity. The posterior test also indicated that bulk samples and two additional individual plants were clearly assigned to their source cultivars. The approach developed in this study is useful for the accurate identification of seeded bermudagrass cultivars.

Cultivar Affects Field Emergence, Establishment Rate, and First‐Year Traffic Tolerance of Seeded Bermudagrasses in the Transition Zone

ABSTRACTSlow field emergence and establishment rates of some seeded bermudagrasses [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] contribute to extreme competition from weeds, sometimes leading to failure of stand establishment. Previous work has also indicated significant differences in tolerance to simulated athletic traffic among some bermudagrass cultivars. This study was conducted in 2010 and 2011 in Lexington, KY, to quantify field emergence rates, establishment rates, and tolerances to simulated traffic applied during the establishment year among seeded bermudagrass cultivars. Nineteen cultivars were evaluated representing all of the seeded bermudagrasses available for purchase from commercial retailers at the beginning of the study. The effect of cultivar was highly significant (P < 0.001) for days to field emergence, days to maximum cover, and traffic tolerance in both years. ‘Riviera’ was equivalent to or very nearly the slowest for field emergence in both years. ‘Casino Royale’ was the fastest or equivalent to the fastest for field emergence in both years. ‘Yukon’ was the slowest to reach maximum cover in both years. ‘Sovereign’ reached maximum cover quickest in 2010. Riviera and Sovereign were equivalent in reaching maximum cover in 2011. Riviera and Yukon ranked highest and lowest, respectively, in tolerance to simulated athletic traffic. We conclude that there are highly significant differences in how cultivars in the upper transition zone should be expected to perform regarding successful establishment and tolerance to simulated athletic traffic applied during the establishment year.

Stolons Reserves and Spring Green-up of Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivars in a Transition Zone Environment

Bermudagrass is the most widely used warm-season turf species in the transition zones of Europe. The Venetian valley (northeastern Italy) is a typical transitional zone, characterized by cold winters and hot summers, where the performance of bermudagrass mostly depends on cold tolerance and duration of winter dormancy. A 2-year field study was conducted from May 2009 to July 2011 at the agricultural experimental farm of Padova University. The objective of this study was to assess the relationships occurring between spring green-up of seeded bermudagrasses and their nonstructural carbohydrates and crude protein (CP) content in stolons during late winter. The cultivars used were ‘Caribe’, ‘Mohawk’, ‘Princess-77’, ‘Sultan’, ‘SWI 1012’, and ‘Jackpot’. The plots were seeded in May 2009 and turf samples were collected in Mar. 2010 and 2011 for determination of stolons dry weight, diameter, and content of carbohydrates and CP. ‘Princess-77’ had lower content of starch in stolons compared with the other cultivars and was characterized by late spring green-up. The cultivars tested showed wide differences in stolons morphology (dry weight and diameter), whereas there were poor diversity for CP and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in both years of research. Correlation analyses indicated a negative relationship between the days of the year necessary for spring green-up and stolons starch content and also between CP and starch. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between stolons starch and diameter, suggesting that spring green-up may be enhanced by selection of high starch-accumulating cultivars having coarse stolons.

Temperature Effects on the Speed and Completion of Germination of 19 Commercially Available Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivars

The use of seeded bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon) is increasing as athletic field and golf course turf. Anecdotal evidence indicates probable and important differences in germination rates among cultivars when established in late spring or early summer. Germination studies were completed in May 2011 in the Turfgrass Science Laboratory at the University of Kentucky on 19 commercially available seeded bermudagrass cultivars. Evaluations for germination rate and total germination under varying temperature regimes representing 20-year average day/night temperatures for seeding times from 15 May to 1 Aug. were conducted to quantify any differences in germination characteristics among cultivars as affected by temperature. There were highly significant differences (P < 0.0001) among cultivars in germination rate and total germination when grown under 20-year average day/night temperatures. The cultivars Casino Royale and Riviera consistently represented the fastest/slowest to germinate and highest/lowest total seeds germinated across all temperature regimes, respectively. Significant differences (P < 0.0001) were also observed within cultivars for total germination across the temperature regimes tested. The average temperatures of 15 May and 1 Aug. represented slowest/fastest to germinate and lowest/highest total seeds germinated across all temperature regimes, respectively.

Rooting characteristics and turfgrass quality of three bermudagrass cultivars and a zoysiagrass

Warm season turfgrasses are increasingly used throughout the transitional areas of Mediterranean countries due to their low water requirements. A two-year field study was carried out in north-eastern Italy to evaluate the turf canopy quality and root system architecture of three seeded bermudagrass cultivars (La Paloma, Princess-77 and Yukon), and a zoysiagrass (Companion) under non-irrigated conditions. Plots (1.6×4.5 m) were established in July 2005 and arranged in a randomized complete block with three replicates. Visual quality ratings were assessed weekly from April to November in 2006 and 2007. Soil cores were collected at depths of 0–3, 3–8, 8–15, 15–25 and 25–40 cm in August 2006, January 2007, May 2007 and September 2007 to measure main rooting characteristics: root length density (RLD), root mass density (RMD) and root diameter. Companion zoysiagrass had higher canopy quality than bermudagrass cultivars in early spring and in the late growing season, while it displayed poorest quality from June to October. Among the bermudagrass cultivars, Yukon showed the highest quality in both years. Differences in RLD among grasses appeared to be related to seasonal changes in air temperature and precipitation. In August 2006 Companion zoysiagrass averaged 3.5–4.4 cm cm−3 less RLD than bermudagrass cultivars La Paloma and Princess-77. Visual turf quality was positively correlated to the RLD and RMD in the 25–40 cm soil layer, whereas no correlations were found with root diameters nor any parameter collected in the upper soil layers. Deep-rooting cultivars may have an advantage in deficit soil moisture periods resulting in higher quality turf throughout the year.

Green-up of Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivars as Influenced by Spring Scalping

Winter dormancy is the main impediment to a wide acceptance of warm-season turfgrasses in the Mediterranean countries of Europe due to a loss of color during the winter months. Scalping during late winter or early spring has been recommended anecdotally to enhance spring green-up of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon); however, information is lacking on the effectiveness of this practice. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of spring scalping on spring green-up of eight bermudagrass cultivars (Barbados, Contessa, La Paloma, Mohawk, NuMex Sahara, Princess-77, SR 9554, and Yukon) grown in a transition zone environment. The trial was carried out in Spring of 2009 and 2010 on plots established in July 2005 at the experimental farm of the University of Padova (northeastern Italy). Half of the plots for each cultivar were subjected to spring scalping, which was applied in both years on 13 Mar. with a rotary mower set at a height of 28 mm. Soil temperatures were recorded hourly during the research period at a depth of 2.5 cm. The percentage of green cover was estimated weekly from 0 to 98 days after spring scalping (DASS). Soil temperatures in scalped plots were greater than in unscalped plots. Among the cultivars tested, ‘Yukon’ showed earliest spring green-up, with no difference between the scalping treatments, reaching 80% green cover by the end of April. For all other cultivars, scalped plots reached 80% green cover 10 to 18 days earlier than unscalped plots. Results showed that scalping enhanced spring green-up, primarily for cultivars that recover slowly from winter dormancy.

Preliminary Findings on the Correlation between Water-soluble Carbohydrate Content in Stolons and First Year Green-up of Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivars

Warm-season grasses are not widely accepted in Mediterranean countries because they lose color during the winter months. A study was conducted at the University of Padova (Padova, Italy) to determine whether fall and spring water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content in stolons of seeded bermudagrass cultivars (Cynodon dactylon) influenced spring green-up in the first year of establishment. Nine bermudagrass cultivars (La Paloma, Mohawk, NuMex Sahara, Princess 77, Riviera, SR 9554, Barbados, Contessa, and Yukon) were seeded in July 2005, and dry weight and WSC content in stolons were measured in Fall 2005 and again in Spring 2006. The percentage of green cover and days needed to achieve 80% green cover (D80) were regressed against November and March values of stolon dry weight and WSC content to determine if they were good predictors of D80. ‘Yukon’ showed earliest spring green-up by end of April, and ‘Princess 77’ and ‘Riviera’ were slowest, needing 43 to 46 days more than ‘Yukon’ to reach D80. There was a significant inverse relationship between November (r2 = 0.57) and March (r2 = 0.77) WSC content in stolons and D80 for all nine bermudagrass cultivars. These results suggest that bermudagrass cultivars with high WSC in stolons recover more rapidly from dormancy during establishment than those with low WSC content.

Cultivar Response of Seeded Bermudagrass to Leaf Spot and the Influence of Nitrogen on Disease Severity

Seeded bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] cultivars are currently replacing hybrid-bermudagrass and cool-season turfgrasses in some golf course renovations, home lawns, and athletic fields. Leaf spot, a destructive disease of bermudagrass, is caused by a fungal complex consisting of Bipolaris and Exserohilum spp. that infect leaves, stems, and stolons resulting in leaf blight and melting-out. A three-year field study was conducted to determine the response of seven seeded bermudagrass cultivars to leaf spot and the influence of nitrogen on leaf spot severity. Princess-77, Riviera, and Yukon were determined to have improved field tolerance to leaf spot. Transcontinental and Savannah cultivars displayed moderate disease response while Nu-Mex Sahara and Arizona Common had poor field tolerance to leaf spot. Seeded bermudagrass cultivars with poor field tolerance to leaf spot displayed increased leaf spot severity in response to high nitrogen (2.0 lb N per 1000 ft2 per month). Leaf spot severity of Arizona Common increased at the highest nitrogen level. Nitrogen levels did not influence leaf spot severity in seeded bermudagrass cultivars that had improved field tolerance. Princess-77, Riviera, and Yukon had the lowest leaf spot severity throughout the growing season each year of the three-year study.

The Inheritance of Cold Tolerance and Turf Traits in a Seeded Bermudagrass Population

Low temperature tolerance is a principal factor limiting the use of seeded bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon (L.) Pers.]. Therefore, increasing the winter tolerance of seeded bermudagrass cultivars has been a goal of turfgrass breeders for many years. Breeding methods for developing cultivars with increased tolerance to cold temperatures and superior turf characteristics could be improved by having accurate heritability estimates for cold tolerance and other turf performance traits. Parental clones and their respective polycross half‐sib families were established in a randomized complete block design with four replications in 2004 in Lexington, KY. Significant genetic variances were estimated for all traits except density, turf quality and color retention 2006. Narrow‐sense heritability estimates were found to range from 0 to 0.91 using the parent–offspring covariance method for estimating heritability. All heritabilities for spring green‐up were significantly (p < 0.01) different from 0. Positive predicted genetic gains were calculated for color, color retention, spring green‐up, and texture. These results indicate that genetic gains could be achieved if selections were made for these traits in this population.

Dormant Seeding Bermudagrass Cultivars in a Transition‐Zone Environment

Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is one of the most widely used turfgrasses in the southern region of the USA and is also grown extensively in other tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The development of improved seeded cultivars has stimulated new research into best management practices to produce a high quality bermudagrass stand from seed. Dormant seeding has been used for establishing cool‐season turfgrasses and may be beneficial for the early establishment of seeded bermudagrass cultivars. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dormant seeding on the establishment of two seeded bermudagrass cultivars, Riviera and Princess 77. Two seeding rates [97.6 and 48.8 kg ha−1 pure live seed (PLS)] of each cultivar were seeded in February, March, April, and May of 2004 and 2005, with February and March considered dormant seeding dates. Date of first germination, seedling density, rate of establishment, and soil temperature data were collected for both years of the study. First germination of dormant‐seeded plots was observed on 22 Apr. 2004 and 11 Apr. 2005 when soil temperatures were 13.6 and 16.2°C, respectively. Princess 77 germinated earlier than Riviera in both years of the study. Seeding date, cultivar, and seeding rate affected seedling density. Dormant‐seeded plots reached full coverage as fast as or faster than traditional seeding dates in both years of the study, demonstrating that dormant seeding can be effectively used to establish bermudagrass from seed.

Response of Four Improved Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivars to Postemergence Herbicides during Seeded Establishment1

Herbicides and herbicide prepackaged mixtures registered for use on established bermudagrass turf may cause significant injury to recently seeded bermudagrass cultivars, delaying full establishment. Research was conducted to evaluate the use of 12 herbicide treatments applied at onset of uniform stolon development (4 to 8 wk after seeding) to recently seeded ‘Princess 77,’ ‘Riviera,’ ‘Savannah,’ and ‘Yukon’ bermudagrass cultivars. In general, Yukon was more susceptible to herbicide injury than other cultivars. Atrazine at 1.1 kg ai/ha injured all cultivars 55 to 59% 14 d after initial treatment (DAIT), which lead to reduced bermudagrass cover 21 DAIT. Triclopyr clopyralid at 0.63 0.21 kg ae/ha, respectively, injured Savannah and Yukon greater than other broadleaf weed herbicides (2,4-D mecoprop dicamba or 2,4-D clopyralid dicamba). Foramsulfuron did not injure or reduce bermudagrass cover of any cultivar evaluated at any rating date. The only adverse effect of trifloxysulfuron was a reduction in Riviera and Yukon ground cover at 21 DAIT. MSMA applied sequentially and quinclorac treatments did not injure or reduce ground cover of Savannah or Princess 77. MSMA applied sequentially and/or quinclorac injured and reduced ground cover of Riviera and Yukon; however, both cultivars completely recovered from MSMA or quinclorac injury by 42 DAIT.Nomenclature: clopyralid, 2,4-D, dicamba, foramsulfuron, mecoprop, MSMA, triclopyr, trifloxysulfuron, quinclorac; common bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. #3 CYNDA, ‘Princess 77’, ‘Riviera’, ‘Savannah’, ‘Yukon.’Additional index words: Seeded establishment, stolon development, turfgrass tolerance.Abbreviations: DAIT, days after initial treatment; NTEP, National Turfgrass Evaluation Program.

DNA Fingerprinting of Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivars

Bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) are important for turf and forage in temperate and tropical climates, with cultivars historically propagated clonally. Over the past two decades the number of seed‐propagated commercial cultivars has dramatically increased, but information is lacking on the extent of the genetic diversity among these new cultivars. Accordingly, this research was undertaken to assess the genetic relatedness of 17 seed‐propagated turf‐bermudagrass cultivars using DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF). Four DAF and four Minihairpin‐DAF (MHP‐DAF) primers were used in this study. The DAF and MHP‐DAF primers amplified 90 and 131 amplicons, respectively. A total of 13 out of the 17 cultivars were practically indistinguishable using the DAF primers with an average similarity [similarity coefficient (SC)] of 0.982 while the MHP‐DAF primers distinguished all cultivars readily. Results from the DAF and MHP‐DAF analysis indicated that 14 out of the 17 cultivars were related to Arizona common germplasm with average SC of 0.833 in the MHP‐DAF analysis. Arizona common germplasm is naturalized to the Colorado River Valley production areas of Arizona and California. The three most distinct cultivars—‘Princess 77’, ‘Yukon’, and ‘SWI‐11’—had an average SC of 0.668. The most distinct cultivar was Yukon with an average SC of 0.604. Yukon showed 59 DNA signatures not observed in the other cultivars studied with DAF and MHP‐DAF. These results indicated that a majority of seeded‐type bermudagrasses developed over the past two decades depend on a narrow genetic base and that several recent cultivars are markedly genetically distinct, indicating a recent and significant broadening of the germplasm.

Aluminum Resistance among Seeded Bermudagrasses

Aluminum toxicity is a major limiting factor for turfgrass establishment and growth when soil pH is <5.0. Limited information on aluminum resistance is available among warm-season turfgrasses and these turfgrasses often grow in the areas with acid soil conditions. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate seeded bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) cultivars for the ability to tolerate a high level of aluminum and 2) to measure the extent of aluminum damage to the root systems. In total, 16 bermudagrass cultivars were evaluated under greenhouse conditions using a solution culture and an acid Tatum soil (Clayey, mixed, thermic, typic, Hapludult). The soil had pH 4.4% and 69% exchangeable aluminum. A concentration of 640 μm aluminum and a pH 4.0 was used for solution culture. The grasses were grown for 28 days in solution culture; 28 days in the acid Tatum soil; and 78 days in the acid Tatum soil before harvesting. Aluminum resistance was determined by measuring the longest root length, the longest shoot length, dry root weight, dry shoot weight, and shoot to root ratio in comparing the control to obtain the relative Al resistance among the cultivars. The results indicate that seeded bermudagrass cultivars differ in their aluminum resistance.

UTILIZING IMPROVED SEEDED BERMUDAGRASSES ON TRANSITION-ZONE SPORTS FIELDS

Several new improved seeded bermudagrass cultivars have been released in recent years and there is much interest in the turfgrass industry in applying these cultivars to high-maintenance sports turf situations. One of the major questions that has been raised concerning seeded cultivars is the cold tolerance of these cultivars, especially during the establishment period. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of seeding date and cultivar on the establishment and cold tolerance of seeded bermudagrass in a transition-zone environment. During the 2000 and 2001 growing seasons, six seeded bermudagrass cultivars, ‘Yukon’, ‘Princess’, ‘Jackpot’, ‘Mirage’, ‘Numex Sahara’, and ‘Mohawk’, were established on 15 April, 15 May, 15 June, and 15 July. During the winter following establishment, two, 60 mm plugs were pulled from each plot and the turf was analyzed for morphological characteristics, including rhizome density, stolon density, and weight per stolon. In addition, turfgrass recovery from winter injury was evaluated in the spring following establishment. The major finding of this study was that early planting dates (April and May) yield great winter recovery and more fully developed stolons than late planting dates. In addition, the cultivar Yukon exhibited excellent recovery from winter injury at all seeding dates and had earlier spring green-up than other cultivars.

Stand Establishment of Bermudagrass from Seed1

AbstractCommon bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] when established with commercial seed in the northern part of the bermudagrass belt, has a high percentage of winter‐kill. The feasibility of developing seeded bermudagrass cultivars with greater cold tolerance is currently being investigated in Oklahoma. The objective of this research was to compare the winterhardiness of seeded common bermudagrass to an open‐pollinated, seed‐producing, experimental clone (‘A‐9945’).Seedling differences were studied between and within the two strains established at 2‐week intervals beginning in April and ending in August. Fall measurements were taken of forage dry matter production and fibrous root and rhizome volumes. The following January and February, rhizomes and crown‐buds were harvested from each establishment date and their viability determined. These measurements were then related to recovery and growth (e.g., early spring shoot emergence and density) that spring. Fibrous roots and rhizome volumes were determined by submerging samples in graduated cylinders containing known volumes of water. Dry weights were measured using standard oven‐drying procedures.Comparison of winter hardiness between strains demonstrated that A‐9945 initiated rhizome production earlier and in greater quantities than “common.” Plants of A‐9945 emerged 3 to 4 weeks earlier than common in the spring; a greater number from the July planting dates recovered the following spring. Winter survival of common depended almost entirely on crown‐bud hardiness. Rhizomes and crown‐buds contributed to the survival of A‐9945. Planting after July 21 for A‐9945 and May 25 for common did not permit sufficient time for development of rhizomes and crown‐buds capable of complete winter survival.