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a Lebanon Seaboard Corporation, P.O. Box 10, Huntsville, UT 84317
b Dep. of Plant Biology and Pathology, NJAES, Cook College, Rutgers Univ., 59 Dudley Road, Foran Hall, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
* Corresponding author (tford{at}lebsea.com)
‘Sonoma’ Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) (Reg. no. CV- 86, PI-632985) is a turf-type cultivar released by Lebanon Seaboard, Inc., Lebanon, PA, in September 2002. Germplasm from the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) was used in the development of Sonoma. A97-1323 and LTP-1323 were its experimental designations. The first Certified seed was produced in 2002.
Sonoma originated as a single highly apomictic plant selected from the progeny of the cross C-74 x ‘Lakeshore’ (Bonos et al., 2004) Kentucky bluegrass. C-74 is a medium-dark, low-growing, vigorous apomictic plant collected by C.R. Skogley from an old lawn at Exeter, RI, in 1987. C-74 is similar in appearance and performance to ‘Unique’ (Rose-Fricker et al., 1999) and ‘America’ (Funk et al., 1982) Kentucky bluegrasses. Lakeshore originated as a single highly apomictic plant selected from the open-pollinated progeny of A80-336, which is an exceptionally vigorous, moderately apomictic F1 hybrid selected from the cross Warrren's A-25 (Dale et al., 1975) x ‘Touchdown’ (Rewinski et al., 1978).
Typical plants of C-74 were pollinated by Lakeshore during the winter of 1994-1995 in a greenhouse located on the Cook College campus of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ,. Greenhouse conditions were modified prior to and during anthesis to increase sexual reproduction of facultatively apomictic Kentucky bluegrasses (Bashaw and Funk, 1987; Hintzen and Van Wijk, 1985; Pepin and Funk, 1971). Seed from the C-74 maternal parent was harvested in the early spring of 1995. Seedlings from this cross were germinated in greenhouse flats and transferred to a spaced-plant nursery in the spring of 1996 containing 75 plants. An attractive F1 hybrid was selected in June 1996 and identified as 96-2289-2. This plant exhibited medium-late reproductive maturity, and good seed yield potential with good floret fertility and abundant panicle production. Sonoma was first planted in a turf plot designated A97-1323 in September 1997 at the Rutgers University Plant Biology and Pathology Research and Extension Farm at Adelphia, NJ.
Sonoma exhibited excellent overall turf quality and leaf spot [caused by Drechslera poae (Baudys) Shoemaker] resistance with above average genetic and winter color under a medium intensity maintenance regime (Bonos et al., 2000; 2002). Sonoma was entered in the 2000 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Kentucky bluegrass test. During the first year of this trial, Sonoma demonstrated above average ratings for shade tolerance, winter density, genetic color, drought tolerance, and shear strength. Sonoma exhibited medium leaf texture, and had above average resistance to melting-out syndrome [caused by Dreschlera poae (Baudys) Shoem.], leaf rust (caused by Puccinia coronata Corda var. coronata), stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis Pers.:Pers.), summer patch (caused by Magnaportheae poae Landschoot & Jackson), and snow mold (caused by Typhula spp.) (Morris, 2001). Sonoma performed above average in terms of overall turf quality in both the northeastern and midwestern regions of the USA. Sonoma also excelled in fall color and showed improved resistance to powdery mildew (caused by Erysiphe graminis DC) (Morris, 2001); however, Sonoma exhibited moderate susceptibility to powder mildew in a separate study at Rutgers University (Bonos et al., 2001).
An experimental Breeder seed production field of Sonoma was established near Imbler, OR, during the fall of 2000 and seed was harvested in 2001. The first Certified acreage was planted that fall. A small amount of Certified seed was harvested in 2002.
Sonoma was developed for most turf uses in temperate regions, including home lawns, athletic fields, golf courses, and recreation areas. It should perform well where the species is adapted, both as a monoculture and in blends with other elite Kentucky bluegrass cultivars. It should also perform well in mixtures with improved darker-green fine fescues (Festuca spp.), turf-type tall fescues (F. arundinaceae Schreb.), and turf-type perennial ryegrasses (Lolium perenne L.).
Sonoma has been a reasonably good seed producer in both the La Grande and Madras production regions of Oregon. Sonoma has medium-sized seed that is relatively free of pubescence. Freshly harvested seed of Sonoma, like most other Kentucky bluegrasses, can exhibit after-ripening dormancy when seeded during warm soil and air temperatures of late summer. Producers who desire faster germination and establishment should use seed harvested and stored until after-ripening dormancy has been overcome (Funk, 2002; Phaneedranath and Funk, 1981).
Breeder seed of Sonoma will be maintained by Lebanon Seaboard Corporation. Certified seed propagation is restricted to three generations from Breeder seed: one each of Foundation, Registered, and Certified. Application no. 200300157 has been made for U.S. Plant Variety Protection.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Appreciation is expressed to Raymond Schaaf, George Ziemienski, Michael Reynolds, Stacy Bonos, Ronald Bara, Dirk Smith, Alan Habiak, Melissa Mohr, James Schumacher, Barbara Smith, and all participants in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program for their assistance.
NOTES
Some of this work was conducted as part of the NJAES Project no. 1280, supported by NJAES funds, other grants and gifts. Additional support was received from the U.S. Golf Association-Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Research Fund, the New Jersey Turfgrass Association, and Lebanon Seaboard Corporation. Registration by CSSA.
Accepted for publication January 31, 2005.
REFERENCES
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