b"our projects have the same goal. We want to develop varietiesprovides turf managers with a long-awaited tool to control ber-that require fewer inputs from the turf manager, from the farmermudagrass and other invasive species while maintaining excep-who produces the seed, or from the homeowner: we want to cuttional salt tolerance, wear resistance and aesthetic qualities. Pure down on what they have to put into the turf. Dynasty and Stratis with ACCe are the only commercially avail-We need grasses that we don't feel guilty about usingable paspalum seed-propagated products in the market.because they suck up the water, says Rose-Fricker. We canWe partner with Pure Seed because of the quality of their have a green space that actually saves water, cools the environ- genetics, says John Holmes, Atlas Turf Internationals president. ment, produces oxygen, does all the good things grasses do, andThere's nothing better in the world than the genetics that come weve be able to do that across multiple species. out of Pure-Seed Testing.That same collaboration with Atlas Turf International also Partners in Progress produced Sun Queen, an elite seeded bermudagrass bred for If innovation is the first theme you notice at Pure Seed, partner- resilience. Frasera pioneer in her own right as the first woman ship is the second. Breakthroughs here dont happen in isolation.to graduate from Mississippi State Universitys turfgrass manage-They happen with collaborators who share a vision. ment programled the project. Drawing on MSUs germplasm, Since the early 1990s, Pure Seed has worked alongside Dr.Sun Queen delivers rapid establishment, strong drought and Paul Raymer, a turf grass breeder at the University of Georgiawear tolerance, and disease resistance, making it a standout for who works primarily on seashore paspalum. Rather than beinggolf courses, sports fields and landscapes worldwide.competitors, it's certainly been a lot more fun to work with Pure Seed as a co-operator, he says. They see the vision of what thisTurf on the World Stagegrass could be. I came to Pure Seeds anniversary and field day curious about Together, theyve achieved world-firsts: the first seededa company. What I found instead was a culture: passionate, col-paspalum; Pure Dynasty, a blend of elite seeded paspalum varie- laborative, family-driven, and quietly relentlessa mix that has ties marketed with Atlas Turf International; and most recently,carried Pure Seed from its beginnings to world championship the first herbicide-resistant seeded paspalum, developed withgolf courses and sports fields around the globe. Raymers ACCe technology. Stratis with ACCe, the newestHeres to the next 50 years.SWseeded paspalum introduced during the field day celebration, OUTSTANDING IN HER FIELDCrystal Rose-Fricker, president of Pure Seed andCrystals selection is a powerful acknowledgment of Pure-Seed Testing, is gracious, quiet, and measured.her lifelong work to elevate the turfgrass seed industry In the world of turf and forage seed, however, shes athrough cutting-edge genetics, seed technology, powerhouse. Her creativity, commitment, and passionand global leadership, saysMelodee Fraser, director for turfgrass breeding have reshaped the industry.of research at Pure-Seed Testing. The official award This year, her influence is being recognized at the veryceremony will take place at the 2025 CSSA Annual highest levels. Meeting in November.Rose-Fricker will this year earn not one but two ofAlso in November, Rose-Fricker will be recognized with turfgrass sciences most prestigious honors, a rarethe Breeders Cup Award from the Turfgrass Breeders double that underscores both her individual effortsAssociation for the seeded seashore paspalum cultivars and the impact of the companies she leads. that make up Pure Dynasty. She not only developed In July, it was announced that she was selected asthis elite product but also pioneered the methods to the recipient of the Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Sciencesuccessfully produce paspalum seed.This award honors Award by the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA).both the breeder and the cultivar, celebrating originality This national award recognizes individuals whoseand excellence in turfgrass innovation.career contributions have transformed turfgrassTo date, only 13 breeders have received this distinction, science through groundbreaking research, visionaryplacing Rose-Fricker among an elite circle of scientists leadership, and dedication to advancing the industry.whose work has changed the face of turfgrass Named for Fred V. Grau, a pioneer in turfgrass science,worldwide.the award is one of the highest marks of distinction in the field.20/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2025"