Figure 1 above shows the distribution of turf quality (TQ) ratings at Rutgers University during the summer of 2014, showing genetic variation among 144 creeping bentgrasses lines and commercial cultivars for summer turf performance. A third of the new bentgrass lines performed better that the best-performing commercial cultivars in the trial.
Two creeping bentgrass populations established at Rutgers and University of Georgia contained 144 plants. The populations are a diverse collection from breeding programs at the two universities. The test also included 'Penncross', 'Crenshaw', 'Declaration', 'Penn A-4', and 'Luminary'. The goal was to confirm the usefulness of the developed molecular markers.
The research team rates the turf plots for heat tolerance during the summer at both locations. Characteristics evaluated include turf quality, membrane stability, chlorophyll content, and NDVI. Additionally, the scientists digitally analyze turf plot images for turf color and density.
Turf quality ratings ranged from 1.0 to 8.0 during summer 2014 (Figure 1). A third of new lines outperformed the best-performing cultivars examined in this trial. DNA analysis identified similar gene markers associated with heat tolerance traits within the test populations. These results provide some confirmation of the usefulness and stability of molecular markers. The researchers are now evaluating drought tolerance using automated rain-out shelters at both locations. DNA from bentgrasses will be screened to determine the usefulness of the molecular markers for drought tolerance.
Source: Mike Kenna
Additional Information:
Candidate Gene Markers for the Selection of Heat Tolerant Bentgrass
Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) associated with drought and heat tolerance in bentgrass species
