COUCH GRASSES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
One could be forgiven for getting excited about the release of any new turfgrass. It’s in our DNA as turf lovers and industry experts who are always looking to play with the new shiny toys and newly developed turf products that are rolled out (pun intended) and released to market.
Like all products that are designed to turn a profit, the hype and marketing can often overlook the discernible traits that render a new product worthy of such praise and anticipation.
Fortunately, as turf experts, we understand that the true test of a new turf varieties mettle is in the data. Extensive, independent, and Australian based turfgrass testing and trials, this is where we find our diamonds. Without these trials and this conclusive data, all we are left with is hot air.
New breeds of grasses like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, have given rise to a wave of aspiring grasses wanting to be just like TifTuf. It’s a remarkable grass, with a level of hype that has been rarely seen in the Australian turf industry, except for the likes of Sir Walter DNA Certified. What TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda has that those other grasses do not, is data and lots of it.
While US data can provide an excellent guide and help turf researchers decide which grasses to import and trial, it’s not until there is Australian data from trials conducted in all parts of the country that claims of performance can be substantiated.
STRI (The Sports Turf Research Institute) conducts world leading testing and research, developing innovative techniques to assess and improve turfgrass surfaces.
STRI conducted the most recent Australian based independent trial evaluating the ‘Performance of bermuda (couch) grass cultivars under different shade, irrigation, and wear treatments.’ These trials included all the commonly grown couch grass varieties available across Australia.
TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda was a clear stand out performer in this trial outperforming all other couch grasses in every one of the treatments assessed.
TifTuf had superior turf cover (thickness and growth) over the duration of the trial compared to all other grasses trialled. TifTuf also scored the highest NDVI (normalised difference vegetation index) which is a measure of appearance using a specialised scanning device.
This was not a surprise to those who have been studying this grass for the best part of three decades. TifTuf has been trialled in the NTEP (National Turf Evaluation Program) in the US, where TifTuf was in the top 25% performing couch grasses for overall quality 84.6% of the time.
Another newly introduced couch grass that has been recently receiving some attention in Australia managed to reach just short of 70%, that grass was Tahoma 31. TifTuf outperformed Tahoma 31 significantly, showing its superiority as a better quality turf grass. Tahoma 31 has experienced limited expansion since it was introduced to the North American market, even though it was released around the same time as TifTuf. TifTuf has over 6,000 hectares currently in production across the US, with Tahoma 31 much less.
TifTuf has shown the same growth in Australia, where it has been awarded the Smart Approved WaterMark for water efficiency. The only grass, or plant for that matter to receive the approval. To receive this approval data is required, trials need to be conducted and ultimately it’s the tangible results that dictates whether a product is successful. Marketing and hype cannot manifest such an accolade.
A study into water absorption of turfgrasses was conducted at the University of Oklahoma in 2019. This study found that when unlimited water was provided TifTuf absorbed more water than any of the other grasses in the trial. While this sounds like a negative, these results served to substantiate that TifTuf is indeed different when it comes to its relationship with water. When water is available, it absorbs and utilises the resource available. When water is minimal or during deprivation, TifTuf has the capacity to withstand the strain before stress sets in, because when the water does come, it’s ready to make the best use of it.
An analogy used by leading turf breeding experts is this: TifTuf is the top dog, give it water and it will lap it up like crazy, but it will be able to run for days. While the other dog laps up the water with less exuberance, once released into the paddock, it’s the first one to falter.
There is currently over 250 hectares of TifTuf currently in production in Australia with production doubling year on year. All TifTuf is certified by AusGAP, the Australian Turf Certification Program, to maintain purity and integrity. There are no other new or existing hybrid couch grass varieties protected with this certification. With the superior traits of these new varieties being paramount, maintaining genetic purity is of the utmost importance. When you choose TifTuf, you can be assured you are receiving the genetically pure turf variety that possesses the superior traits that resulted in its selection above all others.
