b"Breeding the Futureof Turf and Forage Climate and consumer demand are informingnew variety development.Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. EditorAS CLIMATE CHANGEcontinues to reshape the agri- the forage and turf industries. For forage, he aims to breed cultural landscape and consumers demand more sustain- grasses that yield high-quality feed for livestock, while also able options, plant breeders are working at a crossroadsoffering high seed yields to satisfy commercial seed produc-of tradition and innovation. At the University of Kentuckysers. In turf, his focus shifts to aesthetics, longevity, and the Martin Gatton College of Agriculture, plant breeder Timgrasss ability to survive in a variety of environmentsfrom Phillips is crafting the grasses of the futureblending resil- soccer fields to suburban lawns.ience with beauty, functionality with sustainability. Whether it's a hardy tall fescue that can withstand scorching sum- The Legacy of Kentucky 31: Tradition vs. Innovationmers or a drought-tolerant hybrid of Texas and KentuckyOne of Phillips' most important challenges has been refining bluegrass, his work is driven by the need to meet theKentucky 31 tall fescue, an iconic grass with a long history. challenges of tomorrow while maintaining the qualities thatFirst discovered in 1931 and released in 1943, Kentucky 31 made these grasses iconic in the first place.has become a staple for both forage and turf, widely praised Grass isnt just grass, says Phillips, an associate professorfor its resilience in various climates. However, its association in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. Its a complexwith a toxic endophytea naturally occurring fungus that organism with a unique role in both agriculture and urbancan cause health problems in livestockhas driven Phillips landscapes. Whether it's forage for livestock or turf for lawnsto work on improving the grass.and sports fields, these grasses need to be resilient, adapt- Kentucky 31 has such a strong legacy. Its almost syn-able and sustainable. onymous with Kentucky itself, Phillips says. But its toxic endophyte presents real challenges, especially for farmers Breeding Turf and Forage for Dual Purposes with livestock.Phillips began his career with a focus on forage grasses,A significant achievement in this area was the develop-which are critical to the agricultural economy. Over thement of Lacefield MaxQ II tall fescue, a novel endophyte vari-years, he expanded his research to include turfgrassrec- ety that maintains the positive traits of endophyte-infected ognizing that both types of grasses share similar challengestall fescue while eliminating the toxic effects that harm graz-but also unique demands. While forage grasses need toing animals. Traditional tall fescue varieties, like Kentucky 31, produce high biomass to support livestock, turfgrass needscontain toxic alkaloids produced by their endophytes, which to meet aesthetic standards and withstand foot traffic fromcan lead to conditions like fescue toxicosis in cattle. These sports and recreational activities. toxins reduce weight gain, impair reproduction, and can The dual-purpose nature of the grasses I work withcause heat stress in livestock.makes my job a balancing act, Phillips explains. Take tallWith Max Q, weve been able to keep the benefits that fescue, for exampleit needs to be leafy and nutritious forendophytes bring to tall fescuelike improved drought cattle, but at the same time, it needs to look good and resistresistance and insect tolerancewhile removing the harm-diseases if its being used as turf. ful effects on animals, Phillips explains. Its been a game-Tall fescue, known for its durability, deep root system,changer for forage production, making tall fescue a much and resilience in tough conditions, has been one of Phillips'safer and more reliable option for farmers.primary focuses. Over the years, Phillips has released multipleMax Q represents more than 15 years of research and varieties of tall fescue, each with improved drought tolerance,development. Originally conceived in the early 2000s, this disease resistance and leaf texture.variety wasn't commercially available until 2017 due to the Phillips work often requires a deep understanding of bothcomplexities of breeding, testing and economic challenges. 20/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2024"