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| Turfgrass breeding is carried out by caring people who encourage nature to improve its bounty. |
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| Tall fescue planting compares newer varieties with older types in the center. |
In response to continuing consumer and environmental demand for improved turf and pasture grass, researchers are continually improving Oregon grown species.
Newer turf varieties have been developed for natural insect and grass disease resistance, as well as lower vertical growth. To the turf manager, this means there is less cutting and clipping removal. Fewer fungicide, herbicide and pesticide applications are needed to produce a healthy stand. Breeding naturally darker color into a plant means less fertilizer is needed. Genetic seed yield increase favors the consumer. By producing greater amounts of seed on the same land, seed prices remain reasonable by other economic standards.
Improved forage varieties yield higher volumes of nutritious, palatable feed for livestock.
The United States has both private and public breeding programs producing new and
improved varieties of all species. Passed by the United States Congress, the Plant
Variety Protection Act encouraged investment in research and development of improved turf
and forage varieties,
To date, more than 3,000 grass plant patent certificates have been issued.
What’s next? As plant breeders encourage more improvements from nature, Oregon seed producers will incorporate these innovations into their production.
As these enhancements are implemented, Oregon research, development, production, and marketing will continue to provide the industry with advanced seed varieties for turf, forage, reclamation and erosion control.
Oregon
Seed Council503-585-1157 / Fax 503-585-1292
1193 Royvonne Avenue South, Suite 11
Salem, Oregon 97302