CONNECTING GLOBAL TURF INNOVATION IN NAGANO, JAPAN
At Lawn Solutions Australia (LSA), the foundation of success has always been research and breeding innovation. Yet, in Australia, active turf breeding is very minimal and without government support programs, LSA relies heavily on international collaboration to access new genetics and technology.
Through long-standing partnerships with leading breeders and universities, LSA continues to strengthen its R&D program, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Global Collaboration
In July 2025, a delegation from LSA attended the International Turfgrass Research Conference (ITRC), held in Nagano, Japan. This was the second time the conference had been hosted in Japan, with the first being in Tokyo in 1989. The conference was organised by the Japanese Society of Turfgrass Science (JSTS) in association with the International Turfgrass Society (ITS).
With more than 420 delegates representing 27 countries, the event served as a global forum for scientists, breeders, turf managers, and industry leaders to share cutting-edge research that is shaping the future of turfgrass.
While a handful of Australians attended, none presented on actual turf breeding, underscoring how far Australia still needs to develop in this field. In contrast, global leaders showcased advanced work in genetics, sustainability, and automation, offering invaluable insights for the LSA team and its growers back home.
The week-long program combined technical sessions with field tours across Japan’s iconic stadiums, racetracks, and public gardens, where delegates saw cutting-edge turf applications in both warm- and cool-season conditions.
Key Learnings Included:
• Rapid global progress in turf breeding, particularly across Japan, China, and the United States.
• Adoption of robotics and AI – transforming mowing, spraying, and irrigation management.
• Focus on sustainability and climate resilience, including drought- and salinity- tolerant varieties.
• Integration of molecular breeding and digital phenotyping to accelerate cultivar development.
Several keynote speakers delivered particularly relevant insights for LSA’s ongoing breeding partnerships, including:
- Professor Ambika Sanda (Texas A&M University) – a key contributor to the TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda breeding program and the breeder of LSA’s soon-to-launch Stampede Hybrid Buffalo.
- Susanna Miller-Lewis (North Carolina State University) – who discussed ongoing Zoysia and Buffalo breeding programs and her admiration for Zoysia Australis, a grass now gaining recognition in Australia.
Their presentations reinforced the importance of sustained collaboration between commercial turf producers and academic breeding programs, a model LSA continues to invest in.
Technology, Sustainability, and the Future of Turf
A strong theme throughout the 2025 ITRC was the integration of technology and sustainability in turf management.
Robotics and Autonomy
New innovations are transforming turf operations worldwide. Targeted sprayers, robotic mowers, and advanced digital sensors are reducing labour requirements while enabling greater precision and sustainability.
Turf and Climate Resilience
Dedicated research streams on soil and water management highlighted turf’s critical role in climate mitigation. Presenters showcased studies on irrigation optimisation, heat and drought tolerance, and the role of turf in carbon capture, all aligning with LSA’s focus on water-efficient, resilient grasses.
Molecular Breeding Advances
New molecular breeding tools and digital phenotyping methods are fast-tracking the development of superior cultivars. These allow breeders to measure performance traits with unprecedented accuracy and speed, transforming the traditional breeding cycle from decades to years.
