Project Number: 5428-21000-012-05
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 15, 2005
End Date: Sep 14, 2010

Objective:
The objectives of this cooperative research project are to: 1. Identify germplasm sources within the genus Poa that have potential for low-maintenance turf, 2. Genetically characterize the Poa germplasm, and 3. Evaluate drought and salt tolerance of the Poa germplasm for use in development of low-maintenance turf germplasm.

Approach:
Novel and traditional sources of Poa germplasm will be assembled and evaluated genetically and phenotypically for potential use as low-maintenance turf. Possible germplasm sources include the USDA National Plant Germplasm System, new collections from the western U.S. and other countries, somaclonal lines, wide hybrids, and novel endophyte-infected populations. Field and greenhouse evaluation will be used to characterize low-maintenance turf potential, and drought and salt tolerance. Flow cytometry and DNA fingerprinting will be utilized to determine ploidy and genome relationships.