b'Various grass selection trial fields. Source: Pure SeedINNOVATIVE FEATURES IN TURF GRASS smooth-stalked meadow grass is more used in sod production Despite the fact that watching grass grow would indicate thattogether with tall fescue, but this is not primarily for the soccer grass might be boring, there is quite some innovation takingfield market, she adds.place in turf grass breeding.Fricker shares that the species used most for stadium One of the most innovative features is Regenerativeturf grass are perennial ryegrass, followed by smooth-stalked Perennial Ryegrass (RPR), that forms a network in the sodmeadow grass, bermudagrass and seashore paspalum.thanks to the formation of stolons, says van der Weijde. This helps to make a strong sod and quickly fills damaged spots.DEALING WITH DIFFERENT CLIMATIC CONDITIONSAnother important feature is grey leaf spot resistance. GreyChoosing the right species or mix of species is crucial for the leaf spot is an upcoming problem across Europe and is a trulyquality of the sports pitch, and depends on the climatic condi-devastating disease infecting turf fields.tions of the location, such as heat, cold or drought.We offer grey leaf spot resistant varieties that are specif- Rose-Fricker states the type of season determines which ically selected for this disease. And last but not least, we offerspecies to go with. If its the cool-season wed recommend a Resilient Blue Grass Technology (RBGT). This is a grass inno- mixture of ryegrass and smooth-stalked meadow grass that is vation that contains perennial ryegrass and smooth-stalkedgood for cold and drought. If it is for a warm season, you should meadow grass varieties selected for improved drought tolerancego for bermudagrass. But if its a warm season with lower light, and with a seed coating that retains water around the seed forthen it would be better to go for seashore paspalum. And if there enhancing germination. It is mixed with RPR for a combinationare salinity issues, we have cultivars in each species to deal with of the two innovations for sport. The varieties are also resistantthat, but seashore paspalum is the best.against grey leaf spot, says van der Weijde. Our 4turf perennials are a fantastic choice for all of the Some of the innovative features we are working on in turfabove conditions, says Dahl Jensen. The larger root system grass are drought tolerance and salinity tolerance, says Fraser. means these varieties cope very well with heat and drought, Turf grass varieties are evaluated by NTEP (National Turfespecially the spring drought where the grass depends on long Evaluation Program) in the U.S. and institutions in Europe, suchroots and a high root mass density. And the high natural dis-as the British Bingley Sports variety list, the Dutch turf grasseases resistance means they cope well in the winter months list and similar bodies in France, Germany, Denmark and otherwhen other grasses struggle to photosynthesize with the low countries. Features like high wear tolerance, high shoot densitylight levels. The 4turf tetraploid perennial ryegrasses are in sev-and excellent regeneration ability after physical wear are evalu- eral ways more shockproof than the restated. On top of this, disease tolerance, speed of establishment,Smooth-stalk meadow grass and tall fescue can also be visual merit, salt tolerance and drought tolerance are important.useful in hot dry conditions, although most stadia can irrigate Dahl Jensen adds that low input is very important in combi- so again this would not be a concern. nation with good wear and playability. Breeders look for low-in- Looking at the Mediterranean area under more heat and dry put varieties, which require less irrigation, less plant protectionconditions, turf perennial ryegrass is generally not used as much agents and less mowing for more sustainable lawns, she says. as it is further north in Europe. For overseeding, warm-season Bermuda based pitches during the winter, it is diploid peren-WHICH SPECIES TO CHOOSE IN A STADIUM? nial ryegrass that is the preferred choice. During spring, the For us the most important species are perennial ryegrass andBermuda grass will take over again and become the dominant smooth-stalked meadow grass as these two have the best wearspecies. Tall fescue remains the main temperate species in gen-tolerance, says van der Weijde. eral for heat and drought resistance and salt tolerance in the According to Dahl Jensen, perennial ryegrass is thesouth, says Dahl Jensen.most important species in the UK and Northern Europe. InGenerally, companies and stadia specify their grass based the warmer climates of Southern Europe, perennial ryegrasson the dominant stress, e.g., wear and disease, and then manage is mainly used for overseeding on Bermuda grass basis, andthe environment to deal with the minor issues. EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 9'