Zoysiagrass named ‘KSUZ 0802’

Abstract

The new and distinct zoysiagrass variety described herein is a Z. matrella x Z. japonica F.sub.1 hybrid named KSUZ 0802. KSUZ 0802 can be distinguished by its superior turf quality, fine-textured leaves, increased resistance to bluegrass billbug (Sphenophorus parvulus Ghyllenhaal), and cold tolerance that is comparable to zoysiagrass varieties adapted to the transition zone growing region in the U.S.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of zoysiagrass called KSUZ 0802 as shown and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) KSUZ 0802 is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show typical stolon, leaf blade, and inflorescence of the claimed plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

(2) FIG. 1Shows leaf blades of KSUZ 0802.

(3) FIG. 2Shows the leaf hair of KSUZ 0802.

(4) FIG. 3Shows stolons of KSUZ 0802.

(5) FIG. 4Shows the stolon thickness of KSUZ 0802.

(6) FIG. 5Shows an inflorescence of KSUZ 0802.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(7) The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of Z. matrella x Z. japonica F.sub.1 hybrid KSUZ 0802. Color references are to The RHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (RHS), 2007 5th Edition. Version 2, unless otherwise indicated. RHS color designations provided refer to both mature and immature stages. If any RHS color designations below differ from the accompanying photographs, the RHS color designations are accurate. Leaf blades: Length.96.5 mm. Width.2.9 mm. Shape.linear, blade rolled in bud, flat surface. Apex.pointed. Aspect.concave. Margin.smooth. Adaxial surface.Texture: moderate trichromes. Color: RHS 131C; turquoise-green. Abaxial surface.Texture: smooth. Color: RHS 131B; turquoise-green. Venation.Pattern: parallel. Color: RHS 131B; turquoise-green. Flag leaf length: 8.0 mm. Inflorescence: Type.spike. Length.24.7 mm. Width.1.8 mm. Glumes: present. Lemmas: present. Awns: absent. Time of flowering: Late spring to early summer. Seed: present. Culm length: 46 mm. Stolons: Internode length.22.3 mm. Internode color.RHS 130; turquoise-green. Internode diameter.1.4 mm. Node diameter.2.8 mm. Node color.RHS 61A; purple-violet. Morphological Analysis of KSUZ 0802: KSUZ 0802 was morphologically compared to DALZ 0102, Emerald (unpatented), Meyer, and Zorro. Plant material was propagated into 27.3 cm-diameter24.1 cm-deep pots filled with SUNSHINE VP mix and 5% sand (v:v). Three replicate pots of each cultivar received PETERS PROFESSIONAL fertilizer (20 N20 P.sub.2O.sub.520 K.sub.2O) monthly during establishment. Plant material was grown in a greenhouse that was maintained at 26/18 C. day/night temperature, and 70% humidity from October, 2014 through March, 2015. Pots were watered three to four times per week as needed. All potted material was moved outside of the greenhouse in April, 2015 to promote growth under natural sunlight and ambient temperature. Leaf tissue was hand-trimmed weekly during the growing season and stolons were allowed to drape around pots. Digital calipers were used to collect data for all traits. Data were collected on Jan. 14, 2015 and Mar. 31, 2015 using plants maintained in the greenhouse. Leaf width was measured on Jun. 23, 2015 after the plants were moved outside. Color ratings were determined on non-cloudy days using the Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues, 1977 Edition. A maximum of twelve samples from three replicate pots were measured for each trait for each cultivar. Internode length and diameter were measured between the fourth and fifth nodes of the longest stolon. Stolon node diameter was measured from the fourth node. The third youngest leaf was measured for leaf blade length and leaf width 15 mm above the collar. Flag leaf length was measured from the collar to the tip of the leaf. Inflorescence length was measured from the top of the peduncle to the tip of the raceme. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLM model in SAS 9.3. Means were separated using Fisher's protected LSD (P0.05). Morphological Comparison of KSUZ 0802 to Commercial Varieties: Stolon: Internodes.Those of KSUZ 0802 were longer than those of DALZ 0102, Emerald, and Meyer, and similar to those of Zorro (Table 1). Internode diameter.That of KSUZ 0802 was narrower than that of DALZ 0102, similar to that of Meyer, and wider than that of Emerald and Zorro (Table 1). Node diameter.That of KSUZ 0802 was similar to that of DALZ 0102 and Meyer, and wider than that of Emerald and Zorro (Table 1). Leaf blade: Lengths.Those of KSUZ 0802 were shorter than those of Meyer, similar to those of Emerald and Zorro, and longer than those of DALZ 0102 (Table 1). Widths.Those of KSUZ 0802 were finer than those of DALZ 0102 and Meyer, and coarser than those of Emerald and Zorro (Table 1). Flag leaf lengths: Those of KSUZ 0802 were longer than those of Emerald and Zorro, and similar to that of Meyer (Table 1). Inflorescence lengths: Those of KSUZ 0802 were shorter than those of Meyer, longer than those of Zorro, and similar to those of DALZ 0102 and Emerald (Table 1).

(8) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Morphological comparison of KSUZ 0802 and commercial zoysiagrass cultivars. Stolon Stolon Stolon node Leaf blade internode internode diameter length length (mm) diameter (mm) (mm) (mm) KSUZ 0802 22.3 a 1.4 b 2.8 a 96.5 b DALZ 0102 16.4 c 1.8 a 2.8 a 73.6 c Emerald 16.2 c 1.2 c 2.1 b 107.0 b Meyer 18.2 bc 1.5 b 2.7 a 169.5 a Zorro 21.2 ab 1.2 c 2.3 b 104.5 b Leaf blade Flag leaf Inflorescence width (mm) length (mm) length (mm) KSUZ 0802 2.9 c 8.0 a 24.7 b DALZ 0102 3.7 a 25.5 b Emerald 2.0 d 3.6 bc 22.9 b Meyer 3.4 b 5.6 ab 41.0 a Zorro 1.8 d 1.8 c 19.4 c Means within a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P 0.05. KSUZ 0802 establishment and stolon growth evaluation: Vegetative plugs of KSUZ 0802, Meyer, and DALZ 0102 were planted in June, 2007 and June, 2008 at Manhattan, Kans. and evaluated for stolon growth characteristics and establishment rates. In 2007, KSUZ 0802 exhibited a greater stolon initiation rate (5.0/week) than Meyer (2.9/week) and DALZ 0102 (2.6/week); however, all three varieties exhibited similar rates in 2008. All three varieties exhibited similar stolon branching rates in 2007; whereas, Meyer and DALZ 0102 both exhibited higher stolon branching rates than KSUZ 0802 in 2008. All three varieties displayed similar stolon elongation rates in both 2007 and 2008. In both years, the plugs planted in June for all three varieties each achieved the same level of plot coverage by September. Z. japonica lines generally display faster establishment rates, as well as aggressive growth and re-growth characteristics when compared with Z. matrella lines. KSUZ 0802 a finer textured, Z. matrella x Z. japonica F.sub.1 hybrid line therefore unexpectedly exhibited similar stolon growth characteristics and establishment rates as Meyer and DALZ 0102, which are both Z. japonica lines. KSUZ 0802 freezing tolerance evaluation: The freezing tolerance of KSUZ 0802, Meyer, and DALZ 0102 were compared in 2007 and 2008. Grass cores measuring 6 cm in diameter were randomly collected from plots at Manhattan, Kans. that were maintained under a cultural regimen similar to golf course fairways. The sampled cores were subjected to controlled freezing temperatures (6 to 22 C.) in a cold stress simulator during midwinter. The lethal temperature resulting in death of 50% of grass tillers (LT.sub.50) of KSUZ 0802 was statistically similar to that of Meyer and DALZ 0102 in both 2007 and 2008. KSUZ 0802 multi-state progeny evaluation: KSUZ 0802, Meyer, and DALZ 0102 were planted together in the summer of 2009 at all locations except Manhattan, Kans., where they were planted in the summer of 2008, and Fletcher and Jackson Springs, N.C., where they were planted in the summer of 2010. Data from Wichita, Kans. (KS1); Columbia, Mo. (MO); Stillwater, Okla. (OK); Knoxville, Tenn. (TN); Dallas, Tex. (TX); Virginia Beach, Va. (VA1); and Blacksburg, Va. (VA2) were collected from 2009 to 2012. Data from Manhattan, Kans. (KS2) were collected from 2008 to 2011, and data from Fletcher, N.C. (NC1) and Jackson Springs, N.C. (NC2) were collected from 2010 to 2012. The only field study location not within the transition zone was Dallas, Tex.. Experimental hybrids and checks were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design, and were established vegetatively from 7.6 cm7.6 cm plugs. For each replication, six plugs were quartered and planted equidistant in the centermost 1.5 m1.5 m of 2.1 m2.1 m plots. Irrigation (2.5 cm) was applied to supplement rainfall each week during the first season to promote establishment; and thereafter, to prevent dormancy. Nitrogen was applied at 25 kg/ha during each growing month in the first year, but did not exceed a total of 100 kg/ha in the years after establishment. Actively growing plots were mowed weekly at 9 out of 10 locations to achieve a 3.8 to 6.4 cm cutting height that is recommended for home lawn management. Grasses in the evaluations conducted in Manhattan, Kans. and Stillwater, Okla. were mowed 2 to 3 days per week to maintain a height of 1.3 cm, which is suggested height for fairways. Oxadiazon at 146.5 kg/ha was applied as a preemergence herbicide immediately after planting plugs to control annual summer weeds. Establishment was rated as a percentage of plot cover, with data collected during the first growing season at all 9 evaluated locations (Table 2). Turf quality was rated monthly based on color, density, texture, and uniformity from May to September on a scale from 1 to 9 in which 1 corresponds to poorest quality and 9 corresponds to optimum quality (Tables 3 and 8). Leaf texture was rated once each year on a scale from 1 to 9 in which 1 corresponds to very coarse and 9 corresponds to very fine (Tables 4 and 8). Genetic color, Spring green-up, and Fall color retention were rated once each year on a scale from 1 to 9 in which 1 corresponds to brown/dead and 9 corresponds to dark green (Tables 5-8). Bluegrass billbug (S. parvulus Ghyllenhal) damage was also assessed as a percentage of plot damage (Table 8). Frequency of data collection for each trait varied by location, and is described in the respective table footnotes. Data were analyzed using JMP 10 software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted separately for each individual location using cultivar, year, and cultivaryear interaction as fixed effects, and replications were nested within each year. If the cultivaryear interaction was not significant for an individual location, data were pooled across years and reanalyzed. Cultivar means were separated using Fisher's protected LSD (P0.05). In addition, a turfgrass performance index (TPI) for each cultivar was determined (Tables 2-8) by adding the number of times a cultivar appeared in the top statistical group (a), or in the case of the billbug damage evaluations the lowest grouping was considered superior.

(9) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Establishment (% plot cover) of KSUZ 0802 and commercial zoysiagrass cultivars at nine locations maintained at lawn height (3.8 to 6.4 cm). KS1 MO NC1 NC2 OK KSUZ 0802 87.5 a 79.7 ab 55.0 a 68.3 a 71.0 a DALZ 0102 86.7 a 85.0 a 51.7 a 70.0 a 79.0 a Meyer 76.2 b 76.0 b 41.7 a 45.0 a 81.3 a TN TX VA1 VA2 TPI KSUZ 0802 97.3 a 73.3 a 63.3 ab 70.2 a 9 DALZ 0102 99.2 a 70.0 a 74.0 a 74.4 a 9 Meyer 91.2 b 73.3 a 53.0 b 67.1 a 5 Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P 0.05. Means determined in 2010: KS1: (June-October); NC1: (October); NC2: (October); OK: (April, June-July, and September-October); TN: (June-August, September (twice), and October); VA1 (April-May and July-September); and VA2: (May-August). Means determined in 2009: MO (October-November). Means determined in 2012: TX (June).

(10) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Turf quality of KSUZ 0802 and commercial zoysiagrass cultivars at nine locations maintained at lawn height (3.8 to 6.4 cm). 2010 2011 2012 2010 2011 2012 KS1 KS1 KS1 MO NC1 NC2 OK OK OK KSUZ 5.3 a 5.6 a 4.5 a 6.1 a 7.4 a 5.7 a 5.0 a 7.1 a 7.1 a 0802 DALZ 5.1 a 5.2 a 5.3 a 6.2 a 5.4 b 5.4 ab 5.1 a 6.0 b 6.0 b 0102 Meyer 3.9 b 5.2 a 3.3 b 5.3 a 7.3 a 5.0 b 5.1 a 6.1 b 6.1 b 2011 2012 2010 2011 2012 TN TX TX VA1 VA2 VA2 VA2 TPI KSUZ 0802 6.6 a 4.6 b 3.0 ab 7.2 a 5.7 a 6.5 a 6.2 a 15 DALZ 0102 6.5 a 5.5 a 3.7 a 6.9 a 5.4 ab 6.3 a 5.6 b 12 Meyer 6.5 a 3.6 c 2.3 b 7.0 a 4.7 b 4.9 b 5.1 b 6 Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P 0.05. Years are presented separately for locations at which a significant cultivar year interaction was observed. Means were determined: KS1: 2010 (May-September), 2011 (May-September), and 2012 (May-September); MO: 2010 (May and July), 2011 (June), and 2012 (September); NC1: 2011 (June-September) and 2012 (May-October); NC2: 2011 (May-October) and 2012 (May-October); OK: 2010 (May and August-October), 2011 (May-October), and 2012 (April-July and October); TN: 2010 (July-August, September (twice), and October) and 2011 (May-June and August-September); TX: 2011 (May-October) and 2012 (May (twice) and June); VA1: 2010 (August-September), 2011 (May-October), and 2012 (May-October); and VA2: 2010 (July-August, September (twice), and October), 2011 (May-September), and 2012 (May-October).

(11) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Leaf texture of KSUZ 0802 and commercial zoysiagrass cultivars at nine locations maintained at lawn height (3.8 to 6.4 cm). 2010 2011 2012 KS1 MO NC1 NC1 NC1 NC2 KSUZ 0802 7.4 a 6.0 a 7.0 a 8.0 a 8.0 a 6.9 a DALZ 0102 5.2 b 4.0 c 5.7 b 5.0 c 5.7 b 5.1 b Meyer 5.7 b 5.0 b 7.0 a 7.0 b 7.7 a 7.6 a OK TN TX VA1 VA2 TPI KSUZ 0802 6.7 a 7.7 a 6.0 a 7.7 a 6.7 a 11 DALZ 0102 2.0 b 5.0 c 4.7 c 3.7 b 3.3 c 0 Meyer 5.3 a 6.7 b 5.5 b 6.7 a 5.0 b 5 Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P 0.05. Years are presented separately for locations at which a significant cultivar year interaction was observed. Means were determined: KS1: 2010 (September), 2011 (July), and 2012 (July); MO: 2009 (October); NC1: 2010 (October), 2011 (August), and 2012 (July); NC2: 2010 (October), 2011 (July), and 2012 (July); OK: 2009 (September); TN: 2009 (September); TX: 2011 (May) and 2012 (May); VA1: 2010 (July); and VA2: 2010 (July).

(12) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Genetic color of KSUZ 0802 and commercial zoysiagrass cultivars at nine locations maintained at lawn height (3.8 to 6.4 cm). KS1 MO NC1 NC2 OK KSUZ 0802 5.7 a 7.3 a 7.2 a 5.8 a 8.0 a DALZ 0102 4.4 b 5.8 b 4.8 b 5.5 a 7.3 ab Meyer 6.1 a 7.3 a 7.3 a 6.7 a 7.0 b TN TX VA1 VA2 TPI KSUZ 0802 7.3 a 7.0 a 7.3 ab 5.7 a 9 DALZ 0102 7.7 a 7.0 a 7.0 b 6.0 a 5 Meyer 6.3 a 7.7 a 8.0 a 4.3 a 8 Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P 0.05. Means were determined: KS1: 2010 (September), 2011 (July), and 2012 (July); MO: 2011 (June) and 2012 (September); NC1: 2011 (August) and 2012 (July); NC2: 2011 (July) and 2012 (July); OK: 2009 (September); TN: 2009 (September); TX: 2011 (June); VA1: 2011 (July); and VA2: 2010 (July).

(13) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Spring green-up of KSUZ 0802 and commercial zoysiagrass cultivars at nine locations maintained at lawn height (3.8 to 6.4 cm). 2010 2011 2012 Cultivar KS1 KS1 KS1 MO NC1 NC2 OK KSUZ 0802 4.3 a 6.7 a 5.3 a 6.8 a 7.8 a 5.2 b 2.8 a DALZ 0102 4.3 a 5.3 b 3.7 b 8.1 a 7.7 a 7.2 a 3.0 a Meyer 3.0 a 7.3 a 4.0 b 6.8 a 7.8 a 6.7 a 3.3 a 2010 2011 2011 2012 Cultivar TN TN TX VA1 VA2 VA2 TPI KSUZ 0802 6.3 a 9.0 a 4.0 a 6.0 a 5.0 a 8.0 a 12 DALZ 0102 7.3 a 9.0 a 4.7 a 5.8 a 4.0 ab 8.0 a 11 Meyer 6.2 a 9.0 a 4.7 a 6.2 a 2.7 b 6.7 b 10 Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P 0.05. Years are presented separately for locations at which a significant cultivar year interaction was observed. Means were determined: KS1: 2010 (April), 2011 (April), and 2012 (May); MO: 2010 (April and May (twice)) and 2011 (June); NC1: 2011 (April) and 2012 (April); NC2: 2011 (April) and 2012 (March); OK: 2010 (March and April); TN: 2010 (April (twice)) and 2011 (April); TX: 2011 (March); VA1: 2010 (March), 2011 (April and March), and 2012 (March); and VA2: 2011 (April) and 2012 (April).

(14) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Fall color retention of KSUZ 0802 and commercial zoysiagrass cultivars at six locations maintained at lawn height (3.8 to 6.4 cm). 2010 2012 2009 2010 2011 Cultivar KS1 KS1 MO MO MO NC1 KSUZ 0802 3.7 b 2.2 ab 3.8 a 5.5 a 3.7 a 7.0 a DALZ 0102 5.7 a 1.8 b 4.3 a 5.3 a 4.3 a 5.8 a Meyer 4.0 b 3.1 a 3.0 a 5.7 a 4.7 a 7.0 a 2010 2011 2012 Cultivar NC2 NC2 NC2 OK TX TPI KSUZ 0802 6.3 b 3.8 b 6.0 a 4.3 a 4.3a 8 DALZ 0102 6.0 b 6.5 a 7.3 a 4.7 a 5.0 a 9 Meyer 8.7 a 5.0 ab 7.3 a 5.0 a 3.7 a 10 Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P 0.05. Years are presented separately for locations at which a significant cultivar year interaction was observed. Means were determined: KS1: 2010 (October) and 2012 (October and November (twice)); MO: 2009 (October and November), 2010 (October (twice)), and 2011 (October); NC1: 2010 (October) and 2012 (October); NC2: 2010 (October), 2011 (October and November), and 2012 (October); OK: 2010 (October); and TX: 2011 (November).

(15) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Performance of KSUZ 0802 and commercial cultivars at two locations mowed at fairway height (1.3 cm). Turf quality 2008 2009 2010 2011 2010 2011 2012 KS2 KS2 KS2 KS2 OK OK OK KSUZ 0802 8.0 a 6.3 a 7.1 a 7.2 a 5.4 a 7.6 a 6.6 a DALZ 0102 6.0 b 5.9 a 6.5 a 6.6 a 4.9 a 6.2 b 6.1 b Meyer 7.0 ab 4.8 b 5.5 b 5.6 b 5.0 a 6.1 b 5.6 c Spring Leaf Genetic color green- texture 2009 2010 2011 up KS2 OK OK OK OK OK KSUZ 0802 8.0 a 7.3 a 5.0 a 4.0 a 2.7 b 3.7 b DALZ 0102 5.0 c 2.0 c 4.8 a 4.0 a 4.0 a 3.0 b Meyer 6.3 b 4.7 b 5.3 a 5.3 a 4.0 a 5.5 a Billbug Fall color damage retention 2009 2010 KS2 OK KS2 KS2 TPI KSUZ 0802 4.0 a 5.7 a 14.1 b 2.8 b 14 DALZ 0102 4.6 a 5.3 a 0.0 c 0.0 b 11 Meyer 4.1 a 5.7 a 31.7 a 12.2 a 8 Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P 0.05. Years are presented separately for locations at which a significant cultivar year interaction was observed. Turf quality ratings means were determined: KS2: 2008 (September), 2009 (June-August), 2010 (May-September), and 2011 (May and July-September); and OK: 2010 (May, August, September, and October), 2011 (May-October), and 2012 (April-July, and October). Leaf texture means were determined: KS2: 2008 (September), 2009 (June), and 2011 (August); and OK: 2009 (September). Genetic color means were determined: KS2: 2009 (April and June), 2010 (April (twice)), and 2011 (April). Spring green-up means were determined: OK: 2010 (March-April). Fall color retention means were determined: KS2: 2008 (October and November), 2009 (October), 2010 (October), and 2011 (October); and OK: 2010 (October). Billbug damage means were determined: KS2: 2009 (July and August) and 2010 (June-September). Traits and characteristics of KSUZ 0802 grown at home lawn height (grasses mowed weekly to achieve 3.8 to 6.4 cm cutting height) Establishment.KSUZ 0802 establishment was similar to DALZ 0102 at all 9 locations; and KSUZ 0802 establishment was superior to Meyer at 2 locations and similar to Meyer at all other locations (Table 2). KSUZ 0802 and DALZ 0102 were in the statistically superior group at all 9 locations; whereas, Meyer was only in the statistically superior group at 5 locations. Turf quality.KSUZ 0802 turf quality was superior to that of DALZ 0102 in 4 of the 16 evaluations and only underperformed DALZ 0102 in 1 evaluation; and KSUZ 0802 turf quality was superior to that of Meyer in 9 of the 16 evaluations and never underperformed Meyer (Table 3). KSUZ 0802 was in the statistically superior group in 15 of the 16 evaluations; whereas, DALZ 0102 and Meyer were only in the statistically superior group in 12 and 6 of those 16 evaluations, respectively. Leaf texture.KSUZ 0802 leaf texture was significantly finer than that of DALZ 0102 in all 11 evaluations; and KSUZ 0802 leaf texture was significantly finer than that of Meyer in 6 of the 11 evaluations and never underperformed Meyer (Table 4). KSUZ 0802 was in the statistically superior group in all 11 evaluations; whereas, DALZ 0102 and Meyer were only in the statistically superior group in 0 and 5 of those 11 evaluations, respectively. Genetic color.KSUZ 0802 genetic color was superior to that of DALZ 0102 at 3 of the 9 locations and never underperformed DALZ 0102; and KSUZ 0802 genetic color was superior to that of Meyer at one of the 9 locations and never underperformed Meyer (Table 5). KSUZ 0802 was in the statistically superior group at all 9 locations; whereas, DALZ 0102 and Meyer were only in the statistically superior group at 5 and 8 of those 9 locations, respectively. Spring green-up.KSUZ 0802 Spring green-up was superior to that of DALZ 0102 in 2 of the 13 evaluations; KSUZ 0802 Spring green-up was superior to that of Meyer in 3 of the 13 evaluations (Table 6). KSUZ 0802 only underperformed DALZ 0102 and Meyer in the NC2 evaluation. KSUZ 0802 was in the statistically superior group in 12 of the 13 evaluations; whereas, DALZ 0102 and Meyer were only in the statistically superior group in 11 and 10 of those 13 evaluations, respectively. Fall color retention.KSUZ 0802 Fall color retention was similar to that of DALZ 0102 in 9 of the 11 evaluations and underperformed DALZ 0102 in only 2 evaluations; and KSUZ 0802 Fall color retention was similar to that of Meyer in 10 of the 11 evaluations and underperformed Meyer in only 1 evaluation (Table 7). KSUZ 0802 was in the statistically superior group in 8 of the 11 evaluations; whereas, DALZ 0102 and Meyer were in the statistically superior group in 9 and 10 of those 11 evaluations, respectively. Fall color retention is a desirable trait extending the green appearance of the turf stand into the autumn season; however, early Fall dormancy and the associated loss of green color (low Fall color retention ratings) has been shown to be directly related to increased freezing tolerance. Traits and characteristics of KSUZ 0802 grown at golf course fairway height (grasses mowed 2 to 3 days a week to achieve 1.3. cm cutting height) Turf quality.KSUZ 0802 turf quality was superior to that of DALZ 0102 in 3 of the 7 evaluations and never underperformed DALZ 0102; KSUZ 0802 turf quality was superior to that of Meyer in 5 of the 7 evaluations and never underperformed Meyer (Table 8). KSUZ 0802 was in the statistically superior group in all 7 evaluations; whereas, DALZ 0102 and Meyer were only in the statistically superior group in 4 and 2 of those 7 evaluations, respectively. Leaf texture.KSUZ 0802 leaf texture was significantly finer than that of DALZ 0102 and Meyer at both locations (Table 8). KSUZ 0802 was in the statistically superior group at both locations; whereas, DALZ 0102 and Meyer were never in the statistically superior group. Genetic color.KSUZ 0802 genetic color was similar to that of DALZ 0102 and Meyer in 2 of the 3 evaluations and underperformed both commercial varieties in the third evaluation (Table 8). KSUZ 0802 was in the statistically superior group in 2 of the 3 evaluations; whereas, DALZ 0102 and Meyer were in the statistically superior group in all evaluations. Spring green-up.KSUZ 0802 Spring green-up was similar to that of DALZ 0102 in the single evaluation; however KSUZ 0802 underperformed Meyer in that evaluation (Table 8). Meyer was the only variety in the statistically superior group in this evaluation. Fall color retention.KSUZ 0802 Fall color retention was similar to that of DALZ 0102 and Meyer at both locations (Table 8). All three varieties were in the statistically superior group at both locations. Bluegrass Billbug (Sphenophorus parvulus Ghyllenhaal) damage.Meyer is susceptible to bluegrass billbug damage; whereas, DALZ 0102 exhibits excellent resistance. KSUZ 0802 resistance to bluegrass billbug damage was superior to that of Meyer in both evaluations; whereas, KSUZ 0802 resistance to bluegrass billbug damage was similar to DALZ 0102 in 1 evaluation and underperformed DALZ 0102 in the other evaluation (Table 8). DALZ 0102 was in the statistically superior group in both evaluations; KSUZ 0802 was in the statistically superior group in only one evaluation; and Meyer was never in a statistically superior group in these evaluations.