Turfgrass Cultivars Research Articles

Defining preferred turfgrass features for lawn choice for Floridian homeowners

Turfgrass lawns provide many environmental benefits, including temperature moderation, soil stabilization in urban centers, and surface water runoff reduction in the rapidly urbanizing societies. Recently, more sustainable management of urban vegetation have arisen to encourage Florida homeowners to shift from high-input (e.g., fertilizer, water) to low-input landscapes through initiatives such as the Florida Friendly Landscapes and Florida Water Star Programs. To support the water conservation programs in Florida, and better understand homeowners' lawn choices, the objective of this study is to identify and evaluate homeowners' preferred turfgrass features for lawn choices and understand the context of promoting sustainable landscaping practices in the state of Florida. Approximately 1000 Florida homeowners were surveyed online and ranked their most preferred turfgrass features out of a set of 12 alternatives. A rank-ordered logit model was utilized to evaluate Florida homeowners’ preferences for different turfgrass features and determine if they influence turfgrass selection for Florida homeowners. The results showed that the top features were drought tolerance, color, frequency of mowing, disease resistance, and pest tolerance. Identification and communication of water proficient, low fertilizer input turfgrass cultivars that are tolerant to environmental stresses (e.g., drought, traffic, shade) are needed in Florida. Policymakers should promote strategies to combat drought tolerant cultivars. Extension agents should educate homeowners on grass dormancy and drought tolerance (affecting color change) as well as promote disease resistance and pest tolerant species through the Florida Friendly Landscape and WaterStar Programs.

Comprehensive assessment of turfgrass wear tolerance: A study on mechanical and chemical traits

A key criterion in the selection process for turfgrass breeding is effective wear tolerance, indicating the plant's capacity to endure forces that may impact leaves, stems, crowns, and roots. In this study, the correlation between mechanical and chemical traits and the wear tolerance of 37 cultivars belonging to seven turfgrass species was examined. Mechanical properties and fiber characteristics of wide range of turfgrass cultivars were determined and compared for the first time. The evaluation of turf wear tolerance (described as turf cover index, TCI) was conducted through a three-year field trial using a Brinkman traffic simulator. Tensile tests were conducted to determine biomechanical parameters. According to the TCI, the most wear-resistant cultivars were those of Lolium perenne, Most of these cultivars demonstrated a TCI below 0.1. The cultivar 'Nira' was the most resistant, with a TCI of − 0.285. The least resilient cultivars belonged to Festuca ovina and Festuca rubra, all exhibiting TCI values above 0.6. Agrostis stolonifera and Agrostis capillaris were characterised by lower cellulose and acid detergent fiber content but high hemicellulose content. The opposite result was determined for Festuca rubra and Festuca ovina. The highest hemicellulose ratio was obtained for Poa pratensis. Lolium perenne was characterised by relatively high content of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. Cultivars of Festuca arundinace distinctly differed from other cultivars, demonstrating higher mechanical resistance with an average force-to-break of 3.73 N. Cultivars of Agrostis stolonifera and Agrostis capillaris reached force-to-break values up to 1.0 N. The relationships between TCI and fiber composition of turfgrass leaves were significant for crude fiber, NDF and hemicellulose content. Thus higher NDF and hemicellulose content resulted in higher force-to-break and work-to-break parameters.

Characterization of Paspalum genotypes for turfgrass cultivars development

Characterization of <i>Paspalum</i> genotypes for turfgrass cultivars development

Assessing the fertilizer and pesticide input needs of cool‐season turfgrass species

AbstractProfessional turfgrass managers and consumers continue to express interest in low‐input turfgrasses; however, the potential reductions in maintenance inputs from “low‐input” turfgrasses are largely assumed and have not been well‐quantified. Over 3 years, replicated field experiments at Purdue University and the University of Minnesota quantified the performance and the amount of fertilizer and pesticide inputs of cool‐season turfgrass species when managed as variable‐input turfgrass systems. Fifteen turfgrass cultivars including eight cultivars across five taxa of fine fescue (Festuca spp.), two cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), four cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), and one perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cultivar were investigated. Cultivars were selected to represent advances in breeding efforts. Plots received no irrigation after establishment and individual plots only received fertilizer or pesticide inputs from 2019 to 2021 if the turf in the plot exceeded or fell below a set threshold (i.e., too many pests or too low turf density). Monthly data collection and fertilizer and pesticide inputs were recorded for 3 years at each site. New fine fescue taxa cultivars provided consistently higher turf quality at both sites and required an average 56% and 41% fewer fertilizer and pesticide inputs than traditional species (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass) in Indiana and Minnesota, respectively. Compared to traditional species, older Festuca rubra ssp. cultivars reduced fertilizer and pesticide inputs by an average of 37% and 25% in Indiana and Minnesota, respectively. Fine fescue taxa, especially new cultivars, are good choices to reduce inputs and provide high turf quality for low‐input turfgrass systems.

Breeding for drought tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum [Schreb.] Darbysh.) by exploring genotype by environment by management interactions

AbstractBackgroundDrought‐tolerant turfgrass cultivars are becoming more important each year as landscape irrigation practices are becoming more restrictive.MethodsIn this study, we quantified the level of drought tolerance (DT) in perennial ryegrass and tall fescue genotypes across years under different mowing (MH) and fertility (FL) rates. A total of 48 ryegrass and 38 tall fescue genotypes were planted in 2011 at NexGen, Albany, OR. The trial was divided into three subtrials: (i) DT; (ii) MH and DT; and (iii) FL and DT.ResultsThe results showed that there was significant genetic variance for most of the traits in both species. The genotype × year interaction was predominantly simple, indicating small changes in genotype ranking for both species. Lower MH improved DT in perennial ryegrass, whereas higher MH resulted in greater DT in tall fescue. For both species, higher MH improved the population mean for turf quality. Higher FL inputs led to higher turf quality for both species, but it did not affect the DT response.ConclusionsUsing a selection index, six genotypes for perennial ryegrass and four for tall fescue were selected.

Stress coefficients for hybrid bermudagrass in the transition zone

AbstractThe use of drought tolerant turfgrass cultivars is desirable due to greater water use efficiency and sustained acceptable turfgrass quality during times of drought stress. Crop coefficients (Kc) have traditionally been utilized to assist in reducing irrigation by comparing reference evapotranspiration (ETo) to actual evapotranspiration (ETa) of specific crops. However, Kc values are most relevant during times of nonlimiting conditions and do not quantify the amount turfgrasses restrict evapotranspiration (ET) under moderate drought stress. Stress coefficients (Ks) estimate water needs while maintaining minimally acceptable turfgrass quality. The objective of this study was to derive Ks values for four bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) cultivars managed in the transition zone. Direct measurements of actual evapotranspiration were made through weighing lysimetry during a 2‐year field study. Experimental units were allowed to naturally dry down near wilting point and maintained at a steady level of soil moisture to calculate Ks for each cultivar. A lower Ks value indicates increased turfgrass tolerance to water stress; whereas a Ks value ≥1 suggests higher soil moisture levels are required to sustain turfgrass quality. ‘TifTuf’, ‘Latitude 36’ and ‘Tifway’ were the best performing cultivars with mean Ks values of 0.747, 0.766, and 0.796, respectively. ‘Celebration’ had the highest Ks value of 0.944. The results indicate certain bermudagrass cultivars can maintain quality with less soil water, and the reduced water requirements may be used to schedule efficient irrigation applications.

Perceptions of Agricultural Extension and Communication Professionals Regarding Current, Preferred, and Emerging Communication Channels: A Qualitative Study

This study sought to identify what messages are important to share regarding innovations of new turfgrass cultivars, and to determine the current, preferred, and emerging channels of communication as perceived by Extension/Outreach and Communications professionals in ANR for sending information. This study utilized a focus group consisting of turfgrass extension professionals, an interview with communication professionals, and individual semi-structured interviews. From the twelve questions presented through these methods, seven predominant themes emerged. Effectively communicating about turfgrass involves: (1) conveying long-term benefits of the innovations, (2) considering the sender and receiver of turfgrass information, (3) considering the traditional communication channels used for turfgrass, (4) emerging or sought channels for communicating with clientele about turfgrass, (5) barriers to adopting communication channels for disseminating turfgrass information, (6) factors that influence use of communication channels for turfgrass, and (7) who should be disseminating the identified messages. Respondents indicated that though Twitter was the preferred channel of social media communication for those in the turfgrass industry, interpersonal communication and factsheets were still being requested predominately by their clientele. Respondents recommended working with organizations such as city and county municipalities, as well as residential home builder groups, that are likely to adopt innovations, influence behavior change, and create and institute policies, will be essential for dissemination of information. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions associated with it, researchers are depending on emerging communications channels for dissemination of information more so than traditional methods utilized in the past such as field days.

Measurement of Green Field Performances in Turfgrass Cultivars with Smartphone Applications in Mediterranean Climate

Measurement of Green Field Performances in Turfgrass Cultivars with Smartphone Applications in Mediterranean Climate

An Improved User Interface to Identify Sustainable Turfgrasses within National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Data

AbstractFor over forty years, the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) has coordinated trials and collected data on turfgrass traits from multiple species and sites across the U.S. and Canada. These trials are used worldwide for turfgrass cultivar improvement, sales and selection by everyone from researchers to turfgrass professionals to hobbyist turfgrass managers. However, using the NTEP web site (www.ntep.org), consisting of static, PDF or HTML‐based tables to select grasses does not allow for customized results based on geography, specific site conditions or management levels. Therefore, the identification of sustainable turfgrasses within NTEP data is currently difficult and in need of improvement.

Multilocational screening identifies new drought‐tolerant, warm‐season turfgrasses

AbstractDuring periods of drought, the irrigation needs of current warm‐season turfgrass cultivars and frequent municipal water use restrictions present a major challenge to the turfgrass industry. Turfgrass breeding programs have responded by placing more emphasis on improved drought response. During 2012–2013, 560 genotypes of four warm‐season turfgrass species developed by five southern breeding programs were evaluated for drought response in replicated field trials at seven locations. Breeders selected 35 genotypes as drought‐tolerant selections (DTS) for further evaluation. The objectives of this study were to verify superior drought response among DTS under short‐term drought conditions and to assess the effectiveness of this approach as a viable breeding strategy to improve drought response in warm‐season turfgrasses. Forty‐seven genotypes including standard commercial cultivars of zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp. Willd.), bermudagrass [Cynodon spp. (L.) Pers.], St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze], and seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) were exposed to dry‐downs in three consecutive years by withholding irrigation and excluding rainfall. Significant differences in drought performance were seen across genotypes over the multiyear study. Statistical contrasts found that DTS of zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and seashore paspalum generally performed better than the standard cultivars. Top‐performing DTS zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass genotypes maintained &gt;50% green cover longer than the average of the standard cultivars. Based on this research, multilocational screening for drought tolerance was effective in selection of new genotypes with superior performance to standard cultivars and continued screening of turfgrass germplasm to identify new drought‐tolerant genotypes is warranted.

Economic and sustainability benefits of the United States Golf Association's investment in water, fertilizer, and pesticide management research

AbstractThe United States Golf Association (USGA) has invested more than US$45 million in turfgrass and environmental research since 1983. This effort has developed research‐based management practices that have contributed to the efficient use of water, fertilizer, and pesticides on U.S. golf courses. Still, there is insufficient evidence of the economic benefits. Therefore, our objective was to estimate the golf industry's resource and economic benefits from the USGA's investment in water, fertilizer, and pesticide management research. Data were collected from an online survey focused on the benefits associated with golf facilities’ adoption of research‐based management practices in six primary areas of interest: (a) evapotranspiration‐based irrigation scheduling (water budgeting), (b) soil moisture sensing, (c) best management practices that reduce nonpoint source pollution by fertilizers and pesticides, (d) putting green construction techniques, (e) naturalized roughs, and (f) improved turfgrass cultivars. Only the first three areas are discussed in this study. Based on data from the survey, multiple econometric models were developed for each of the management practices. All three research‐based management practices have been widely adopted throughout the U.S. golf industry. Across the three management practices studied, modeling indicated a total annual financial benefit of US$1.03 billion to the golf industry. This compares with an estimated yearly Green Section budget of roughly US$10 million, of which US$2 million is for turfgrass and environmental research. Research investment by governments and industry leaders is critical to the sustainability of the golf industry.

High-throughput plant phenotyping for improved turfgrass breeding applications

Turfgrasses are used extensively throughout the world, and there is a steadfast demand to develop turfgrass varieties with improved abiotic and biotic stress tolerances that will perform well with limited management inputs. Modern breeding programs incorporate advanced breeding strategies such as DNA sequencing and high-throughput phenotyping with traditional breeding strategies to identify and select germplasm and genes of interest. Molecular biology methods and DNA sequencing technology have rapidly increased in recent years, and, as a result, plant phenotyping is currently a bottleneck in the process of advancing breeding programs. Recent advances in remote sensing technology have offered improved, non-destructive plant phenotyping approaches such as visible light imaging, spectral imaging, infrared thermal imaging, range sensing, and fluorescence imaging. Integrated mobile and time efficient platforms are being developed, coupling remote sensing with robotics and unmanned aerial systems technology for high-throughput plant phenotyping applications across large field spaces. Modern turfgrass breeding programs will continue to research, develop, and implement remote sensing technologies to assess larger numbers of genotypes and identify elite germplasm. All together, these efforts will improve cultivar development efficiency and aid plant breeders in developing improved turfgrass cultivars to meet current and future demands of the turfgrass industry. This review provides an overview of ground- and aerial-based plant phenotyping platforms, with particular emphasis placed on applications to turfgrass breeding practices. Similarly, imaging technologies that have been used in various plant breeding programs are discussed, with indications as to how those technologies could be applicable to turfgrass breeding programs.

Required mowing events of transgenic Kentucky bluegrass cultivars compared with conventional turfgrass cultivar blends and species mixtures

AbstractMowing is a labor‐intensive yet important cultural practice to maximize turfgrass health and performance. Selecting cultivars with a slower vertical growth habit can help reduce mowing frequency and improve turfgrass quality (TQ). New transgenic Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) (KBG) cultivars with a dwarf growth habit have been developed by overexpressing the gibberellin 2‐oxidase pathway. However, the impact of this overexpression on the number of required mowing events and mowing frequency in the field is unknown. Therefore, the primary objective of this research was to quantify the required number of mowing events based on the one‐third rule of four transgenic cultivars (‘ProVista’) (PV) and 16 conventional turfgrass cultivars, blends, and mixtures. Over the 2‐yr research period, four PV cultivars in the top statistical group averaged ≤21 mowing events, whereas all other turfgrasses averaged ≥41 mowing events. For mowing frequency, all PV cultivars required an average mowing frequency of ≥20 d, whereas all other turfgrasses required an average mowing frequency of ≤10 d. Although the PV cultivars required half as many mowing events, two of the PV cultivars were consistently in the top statistical group for TQ. The PV KBG cultivars represent new technology for turfgrass genetics with the novel trait of reduced mowing that can benefit the industry by reducing mower emissions, noise, and use, as well as increased TQ and flexibility for turfgrass practitioners, since mowing frequency can be extended.

Reduced creeping bentgrass fairway reflectance following synthetic colorant application

AbstractRepeated measures using multispectral radiometry resolutely quantify canopy attributes of identical turfgrass cultivars under similar management. Concern regarding multispectral radiometric characterization of turfgrass canopies &lt;24 h following synthetic phthalocyanine colorant application has been affirmed and is accordingly now avoided; yet explicit guidance on subsequent employ, at time(s) &gt; 24‐h postapplication, is lacking. Our objective assessed how petroleum‐derived spray oil (PDSO) and synthetic Cu II phthalocyanine colorant (CPC) combination product influences creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) reflectance up to 10 d following application. A maintained fairway received semimonthly 9.76 kg ha–1 soluble N treatments alone or in combination with 27 L PDSO+CPC ha–1. Treatment by PDSO+CPC increased mean shoot growth (kg ha–1) and dark green color index (DGCI) calculated by visible waveband reflectance. Yet reduced far red and near infrared reflectance from PDSO+CPC treated plots artificially deflated mean normalized differential vegetative indices. Cautious interpretation of vegetative indices relying on 710‐to‐810‐nm canopy reflectance is encouraged when evaluating fairways treated by PDSO and Cu II phthalocyanine combination product(s).

Economic and sustainability benefits of the United States Golf Association's research investment in putting green construction, naturalized rough, and turfgrass breeding

AbstractThe United States Golf Association (USGA) has invested more than US$45 million into turfgrass and environmental research since 1983. We recently projected a $1.03 billion annual benefit to the U.S. golf industry from the USGA's investment in the three areas of water, fertilizer, and pesticide management research. However, the effort also has improved putting green construction techniques (PGCT), encouraged the incorporation of naturalized roughs (NR), and improved turfgrass cultivars (ITC). Our objective was to estimate the golf industry's financial benefit from the USGA's investment in these additional three areas. Data were collected from an online survey focused on the benefits associated with golf facilities’ adoption of research‐based management practices. Multiple econometric models were developed for PGCT, NR, and ITC that used data from the survey. All three research areas have been widely adopted throughout the U.S. golf industry. Across the three areas studied, modeling indicated a total annual financial benefit of $886.9 million to the golf industry. Further, the total annual financial benefit from all six areas is $1.92 billion. Compared with an estimated yearly Green Section budget of roughly $10 million, this is a healthy return on the USGA's investment and demonstrates the importance of research investment to the sustainability of the golf industry.

Mixing warm‐season turfgrass cultivars to reduce weed pressure and increase lawn quality

AbstractSt. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze] is a warm‐season turfgrass widely planted in monoculture throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Monocultures preserve desirable inheritable traits but may predispose turfgrass lawns to pest invasion and reliance on high‐maintenance inputs. Evidence from multiple plant systems suggests that increasing inter‐ or intra‐specific plant diversity increases resilience to biotic and abiotic stress. Here, we tested if mixing St. Augustinegrass cultivars would be a viable approach to reducing weed invasion and increasing turfgrass lawn quality compared with cultivar monocultures. Mixed‐cultivar plantings grew into denser stands of grass, which translated to about 4% less weed cover than cultivar monocultures. Digital image analysis showed that mixtures of four cultivars grew into higher quality turfgrass stands than cultivar monocultures. This study provides novel evidence that cultivar blends may reduce weed pressure and enhance St. Augustinegrass lawn quality, which, combined with other potential resilience benefits, may create a more sustainable approach to warm‐season turfgrass lawn production and management.

A New Method to Measure Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) Golf Course Putting Green Ball Roll Uniformity

Abstract The golf industry has a $170 billion economic impact in the United States, and a vital aspect of the sport is golf course putting green performance. The goal of putting green management is to provide a surface on which a golf ball is rolled uniformly while maintaining acceptable yearlong turfgrass quality. Several devices have been developed to quantify golf ball roll dynamics on putting greens; however, there are limited methods to measure putting green ball roll uniformity. The objective of this research was to assess putting green ball roll uniformity by measuring the dispersion of golf balls released from a modified Perfect Putter device. The Perfect Putter is a lightweight and portable ramped device that was modified to include a fixed hinge to minimize human error associated with golf ball release and a wider base for increased stability. Our method for quantifying ball roll uniformity was as follows: 20 golf balls were released from the device and marked individually. Dispersion length was quantified by measuring the maximum linear distance between two marks parallel to the roll line, whereas dispersion width was quantified by measuring the maximum linear distance between two marks perpendicular to the roll line. These two values were multiplied together to calculate the area of golf ball dispersion. This method measured a range of dispersion areas among geographic locations, turfgrass cultivars, and turfgrass canopy heights. This rapid test of putting surface ball roll uniformity has potential to aid bermudagrass turfgrass managers in maximizing putting green playability.

NTEP‐DB 1.0: A relational database for the national turfgrass evaluation program

AbstractGiven field experiment data collected by the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP), we aim to design and create a relational database to store the data and support efficient queries. As one of the most widely‐known turfgrass research programs in the world, NTEP has generated large volumes of data on turfgrass cultivars and experimental germplasm since the early 1980s, providing invaluable information for a variety of user groups (e.g., homeowners, seed companies, golf course managers, retailers, turfgrass researchers) to select cultivars that best fit their needs (e.g., winter survival, pest tolerance, turf quality). The datasets have historically been stored in large sets of text files and spreadsheets. Currently, NTEP data are delivered to users through a website (www.ntep.org) as summary reports and it can be extremely tedious (e.g., hundreds of clicks, data merging, jargon) to perform a simple query (e.g., best cultivar selection with typical conditions). This significantly limits the use of NTEP data and hides its value from the public. To address these limitations, we carried out an interdisciplinary effort with horticulture and computer science researchers to design and create the first NTEP database – NTEP‐DB 1.0 – to reduce the manual efforts and expert knowledge currently required to extract meaningful information from the data. Experiments confirm that the query results are correct, and that the database can greatly reduce manual efforts. Anticipating next‐generation advances, we also recommend incorporating spatial data types and analytical techniques into future designs of the database.

Daily light integral requirements for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass cultivars: Effects of season and trinexapac‐ethyl

AbstractShade is a major problem facing turf managers worldwide. Availability of low‐cost devices and methods for quantifying daily light integral (DLI) offer the turf manager the ability to more precisely determine DLI levels in shade, yet minimal DLI requirements for acceptable turf quality (DLIm) for many commonly used warm‐season turf cultivars grown under longer‐term chronic shade stress have not been extensively tested. The objectives of this 2‐yr field shade study were to (a) determine effects of growth regulator trinexapac‐ethyl (TE) and season (summer or fall) on DLIm of nine commercially available bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) cultivars; (b) determine effects of shade level and TE on summer percent green cover and root growth; and (c) determine effects of shade treatments on soil temperatures across the growing season. Significantly higher DLIm were noted during summer compared to fall for all cultivars in the study. The DLIm were generally higher for bermudagrass than zoysiagrass cultivars. ‘Tifway’ required the highest DLIm (ranging from 23.5 to 27.2 mol m−2 d−1) of the bermudagrasses. ‘TifGrand’, ‘Celebration’, and ‘Latitude 36’ showed comparable DLIm during summer and fall. Fewer consistent differences were detected between zoysiagrasses, with ‘Zorro’ and ‘Zeon’ showing the lowest summer DLIm (18.1 and 19.1 mol m−2 d−1, respectively) and ‘Geo’ showing the lowest fall DLIm (11.7 mol m−2 d−1). Trinexapac‐ethyl reduced DLIm only in Zorro, ‘Palisades’, and ‘JaMur’ zoysiagrass, but had no effect on bermudagrass DLIm. The DLIm for a number of cultivars were higher than those previously reported in the literature, which may be attributed to lower mowing heights and/or use of permanent shade structures that were not removed for the duration of the 27‐mo study. The findings should benefit turf managers by guiding data‐driven, seasonal‐based, warm‐season turfgrass cultivar selection for shaded environments.

The genome of the warm-season turfgrass African bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis)

Cynodon species can be used for multiple purposes and have high economic and ecological significance. However, the genetic basis of the favorable agronomic traits of Cynodon species is poorly understood, partially due to the limited availability of genomic resources. In this study, we report a chromosome-scale genome assembly of a diploid Cynodon species, C. transvaalensis, obtained by combining Illumina and Nanopore sequencing, BioNano, and Hi-C. The assembly contains 282 scaffolds (~423.42 Mb, N50 = 5.37 Mb), which cover ~93.2% of the estimated genome of C. transvaalensis (~454.4 Mb). Furthermore, 90.48% of the scaffolds (~383.08 Mb) were anchored to nine pseudomolecules, of which the largest was 60.78 Mb in length. Evolutionary analysis along with transcriptome comparison provided a preliminary genomic basis for the adaptation of this species to tropical and/or subtropical climates, typically with dry summers. The genomic resources generated in this study will not only facilitate evolutionary studies of the Chloridoideae subfamily, in particular, the Cynodonteae tribe, but also facilitate functional genomic research and genetic breeding in Cynodon species for new leading turfgrass cultivars in the future.