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Simplot/Jacklin Seed, West 5300 Riverbend Ave., Post Falls, ID 83854-9499
* Corresponding author (dbrede{at}simplot.com)
‘BlueMoon’ Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) (Reg. no. CV-73, PI 632627) is a turf-type cultivar released in August 1998 by the J.R. Simplot Co., Jacklin Seed, Post Falls, ID. Experimental designation for BlueMoon was 91-1580.
BlueMoon originated from a highly apomictic, single-plant selection from hybrid cross 89-1037. Pollen from ‘Midnight’ (Meyer et al., 1984) was applied to panicles of ‘Limousine’ (Alderson and Sharp, 1994) in the field at Post Falls in July 1989. Seed harvested from Limousine mother plants were individually sown into cells of greenhouse flats during the spring of 1990 and later transplanted to a spaced-plant field nursery of 33 500 plants. Offspring with characteristics dissimilar to Limousine and Midnight were flagged during maturation in the spring of 1991. Plant number 91-1580 differed from Limousine by its panicle color and shape. It produced 25 g of seed, which is more than typical for a Kentucky bluegrass spaced plant in northern Idaho. Seed from this plant was used to establish a turf trial in September 1991 and a replicated seed yield trial in August 1993, near Post Falls.
In seed production, BlueMoon appears most similar to ‘NuGlade’ (PI 599221), which was developed from the same cross (Brede, 2001). At maturity, panicles of BlueMoon appear more brownish red than panicles of NuGlade. It also has shorter culm length, shorter internode length below the panicle, and a later reproductive maturity than NuGlade.
Progeny trials, conducted in a 1996 spaced-plant nursery, determined that the level of apomixis of BlueMoon was 90%, but this may vary depending on weather and growing conditions. A survey of 1480 plants of BlueMoon showed that 8.3% of plants were variants in the vegetative (preflowering) stage, 1.1% were heading maturity variants, 0.1% seedhead variants, and 1.1% were miniature plants. BlueMoon appears to be slightly less apomictic than NuGlade. Approximately half of BlueMoon variants are a lighter green, taller-growing plant of "common-type" appearance. Other variants appear similar to the majority plant form but have a shorter culm and lighter green panicles. Aberrant progeny are rogued from seedstock fields to ensure continued uniformity and stability, but they will continue to occur in every generation. In 7 yr of commercial seed production, BlueMoon has demonstrated the potential for high yields of quality seed, relative freedom from ergot [caused by Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul.], and no adverse reactions to labeled Kentucky bluegrass pesticides.
BlueMoon has been tested in turf trials at Rutgers University where it produced turf quality similar to that of NuGlade. In one 2-yr trial, it ranked seventh in quality out of 100 cultivars (Bonos et al., 2001).
BlueMoon is recommended for golf course tees, fairways, and roughs, and for lawns, parks, and sports turf, in full sun or some shade, in areas where Kentucky bluegrass is well adapted for turf. It is compatible in blends and mixtures with other cool-season turfgrasses at mowing heights as low as 13 mm.
Breeder seed, first harvested in 1996, is maintained by Simplot/Jacklin Seed. Seed propagation is limited to one generation of increase for Foundation, Registered, and Certified seed. U.S. Plant Variety Protection was not requested for BlueMoon.
NOTES
Accepted for publication April 30, 2003.
REFERENCES
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