Finding the Best Grass Variety

From Queensland to Melbourne via Sydney and Canberra there isn’t really a perfect grass variety, but HAL (Horticulture Australia Limited) with the help from some research carried out in WA, set out to find which variety was the best for the area.  According to recent research done by the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (HAL project TU04013), available at http://era.deedi.qld.gov.au/1764/ * they found Sir Walter Buffalo grass was a good one. 13 buffalo (Stenotaphrum secundatum) cultivars were tested at 7 locations for their colour, turf quality and thatch development. The tables below is a summary of the results for 4 of those cultivars. (0=worst, 9=best)

((0=bare ground (no thatch) 9=heaviest thatch))

* When we combine these scores with the thatch score as a negative to give a true overall figure, we get:

* Sir Walter DNA Certified, according to this research is a good one, that’s why it is the most popular and biggest buffalo in Oz (data available from TPA research). Following are some other interesting statistics from the same recent research highlighting Sir Walter’s characteristics. Sward height Turf sward height (mm) on irrigated swards of 4 buffalos grown under shade at Redlands Research Station Qld. Oct 07-May 09

* All varieties grew to about the same height with Sapphire needing slightly more mowing to look acceptable. NB, These results differ greatly from other non-independent research posted elsewhere on the web. Wear Percentages of bare ground determined visually for 4 buffalos that have undergone wear treatments in Aug 08 at Redlands Research Station Qld

*Sir Walter Buffalo & Shademaster had about half the wear of Palmetto whereas Sapphire wore twice as much. Palmetto & Sapphire took 4 weeks longer to reach an acceptable level after being worn than Sir Walter. Drought tolerance Total clippings produced (g/m²) by 4 buffalo grass genotypes irrigated at 80%, 50% or 33% replacement of net evaporation, for 98 days in plots at Shenton Park WA (summer of 07/08). Plots were mown weekly at 25mm.

*Sir Walter Buffalo produced more clippings under extreme drought than Palmetto or Sapphire meaning it is more drought tolerant. Root mass Total root mass (kg dry mass /m3) of 4 buffalo grass genotypes. Samples taken at – 12mths (Nov 06) and -24mths (Dec 07) after planting from irrigated plots irrigated at 80% replacement of net evaporation at Shenton Park WA

*In the 2nd year of your lawns life, Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo will increase its root structure 51% more than Palmetto and 44% more than Sapphire. Root depth Root distribution 12mths after planting (21/11/06)

*After only 12 months, Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo roots exceed 50cm in depth Leaf water content Leaf water content of 4 buffalo grass genotypes irrigated at 50% or 33% replacement of net evaporation for 56 days during summer of 06/07. Shenton Park WA.

* Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo loses the least amount of moisture from the leaf in extreme dry conditions. Shade Subjective turf quality rating (0=dead, 6=acceptable and 10=excellent) at end of 10wk trial (11/5/09) Qld

* Sapphire & Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo have similar shade tolerances at high levels of shade. Palmetto & Sir Walter may have scored better if the initial (0%) turf quality was better. Winter growth Comparison of winter growth of 4 buffalo grass genotypes, samples taken winter July 07 at Wembley Golf Course WA

*Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo grew right through winter, producing 3.5 times the growth of Palmetto & over twice that of Sapphire, making it a true winter active lawn being more capable to handle the wear and tear of the average Aussie back yard. Winter colour Comparison of summer vs. winter colour of 4 buffalo grass genotypes. Measurements taken Feb 07 & Jul 07 at Wembley Golf Course WA

*Sir Walter DNA Certified & Sapphire buffalo had the least loss of colour in winter, whereas Palmetto nearly lost as much colour as Shademaster. NB, These results differ greatly from other non-independent research posted elsewhere on the web. * Denotes editor’s comments.