b"Ornamental Grasses on the UK Spindletop Research Farm. PHOTO: MATT BARTON, UK MARTIN-GATTON COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTIts release marked a major milestone for both animal healthhotter and drier conditions. Some of these hybrids, Phillips and the sustainability of forage crops. notes, have been given names like Thermal Blue and Max Q was a real test of patience, Phillips recalls. WeFahrenheit 90 to highlight their heat tolerance.faced everything from economic downturns to poor weather.Were seeing really exciting results with these hybrids, But in the end, its about ensuring the grass can thrive acrossPhillips says. They stay green longer, grow better in drought different environments and be produced at scale. conditions, and they look just as good as traditional Kentucky Despite these challenges, Kentucky 31 remains popularbluegrass. These are the kinds of innovations that will help us due to its adaptability and long-standing reputation. Phillipsadapt to climate change.acknowledges the difficulty in convincing people to switch toPhillips is also working with another species known as newer, improved varieties when nostalgia and tradition are soSandberg Bluegrass, a cold- and drought-tolerant grass deeply rooted. native to the Great Plains. His goal is to breed a grass that Theres a lot of loyalty to Kentucky 31, Phillips admits.combines the strengths of Kentucky bluegrass, Texas blue-But when youre dealing with toxic endophytes that cangrass and Sandberg Bluegrasscreating a supergrass that harm cattle, its not just about traditionits about safetycan thrive in diverse environments.and productivity. My goal has been to breed out the nega- Sandberg Bluegrass is an interesting addition to the tive traits while keeping all the things that people love aboutmix, Phillips says. It has no webbing, so the seeds are easier Kentucky 31. to process, and its extremely cold-tolerant. If we can com-Phillips has also focused on making Kentucky 31 morebine that with the heat tolerance of Texas bluegrass and the heat- and drought-tolerantkey considerations in a worldaesthetic appeal of Kentucky bluegrass, well have something facing climate change. His work involves crossing tall fescuetruly remarkable.with other species, such as Texas bluegrass, to develop hybrids that retain the beneficial traits of both grasses while eliminating the harmful ones.The Science of Crossing SpeciesOne of the most exciting aspects of Phillips' work is his research on hybrid grasses, specifically the cross between Kentucky bluegrass and Texas bluegrass. Kentucky blue- The climate is changing, and thatgrass is renowned for its fine texture, dark green color, andmeans we have to change thewidespread use in turf, while Texas bluegrass offers supe-rior drought and heat tolerance, traits that are becomingway we breed grasses. increasingly important as global temperatures rise. Tim PhillipsTexas bluegrass is a completely different beast com-pared to Kentucky bluegrass, Phillips explains. Its coarser, tougher and much better suited to hot, dry climates. But when you cross it with Kentucky bluegrass, you get some-thing thats the best of both worlds.Phillips' breeding work requires a meticulous approach. Texas bluegrass is dioecious, meaning it has separate maleThe Balancing Act of Meeting Consumer and female plants. This complicates the breeding process, asExpectationseach hybrid must be carefully selected to ensure the desiredAs a grass breeder, Phillips is constantly balancing the traits are passed on to the next generation. demands of the market with the realities of breeding. Hybrid breeding is a challenge because youre notConsumers often prioritize aesthetics over sustainability, just selecting for one trait, Phillips says. Youre balancinggravitating toward grasses that are lush, green and uniform. aesthetics, disease resistance, heat tolerance, and even theHowever, as environmental concerns grow, Phillips is seeing plants ability to produce seed. Texas bluegrass has a lot ofa shift in consumer behaviorparticularly in the turf indus-webbing at the base of its seed, which makes it difficult totry, where there is increasing interest in grasses that require process. But were figuring it out, one generation at a time. fewer inputs like water and pesticides.The hybridization process involves crossing the moreConsumers want a beautiful lawn, but theyre also start-drought-tolerant Texas bluegrass with Kentucky bluegrassing to care more about sustainability, Phillips explains. Tall to create hybrids that look like the latter but can withstandfescue is a great option because its more heat- and drought-OCTOBER 2024SEEDWORLD.COM /21"