United States Patent: Buffalograss Plant Named ‘NE86-120’

A vegetatively reproduced buffalograss cultivar named \u27NE86-120\u27 is distinguished from other commercially produced buffalograss varieties by its excellent turfgrass color, cold tolerance, high density, dark green color, low growth habit, and rate of establishment. \u27NE86-120\u27 is also distinguished from other varieties by molecular markers and nuclear DNA content. \u27NE86-120\u27 is suitable for use in low to medium maintenance situations in arid and semi-arid climates of United States and Canada

United States Patent: Buffalograss Plant Named ‘NE91-118’

A vegetatively reproduced buffalograss cultivar named \u27NE91-118\u27 is distinguished from other commercially produced buffalograss varieties by its excellent turfgrass color, cold tolerance, high density, low growth habit, and rate of establishment. \u27NE91-118\u27 is also distinguished by molecular markers and nuclear DNA content. \u27NE91-118\u27 is suitable for use in low to medium maintenance situations in arid and semi-arid climates of United States and Canada

Evaluation of Buffalograss Leaf Pubescence and Its Effect on Resistance to Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Considerable progress has been made in improving the turfgrass characteristics of buffalograss, Buchloë dactyloides (Nutt) Engelm, a native North American grass species with low maintenance requirements (Riordan et al., 1993). Two mealybugs, Tridiscus sporoboli (Cockerell) and Trionymus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) have emerged as buffalograss pests (Baxendale et al., 1994). Mealybugs have been associated with buffalograss stands throughout Nebraska (Baxendale et al., 1994), as well as in Texas and Arizona. Unfortunately, the Pseudococcidae are poorly described and species identification requires extensive specimen preparation (Ferris, 1950, 1953). Buffalograss mealybugs have an oblong, pale purple-grey, membranous body, ranging in length from 0.2 to 3.0 mm. They are covered with cottony wax secretions (Baxendale et al., 1994). The adult female is relatively immobile and is found inside or near the leaf sheath, or behind the leaf axils enclosing the female flower. Clusters of eggs are deposited within a filamentous waxy ovisac. First instars, or crawlers, migrate to new feeding sites and likely play a role in host selection (McKenzie, 1967). Mealybugs are often overlooked in the field because of their small size and hidden location on the plant (Baxendale et al., 1994). Severe mealybug infestations result in a general decline of the buffalograss stand, which can be confused with drought or other stresses. Initially, the turf takes on a reddish-purple discoloration, followed by browning and thinning. A close examination will reveal the mealybug’s white cottony secretions. Possible strategies for managing mealybugs on buffalograss include pesticides, biological control, and use of resistant buffalograsses. Developing mealybug-resistant buffalograsses is of particular importance because this grass is used primarily as a low-input turfgrass species. Fortunately, several resistant buffalograsses have been identified (Johnson-Cicalese et al., 1998). Understanding the mechanism of this resistance would be helpful for formulating optimal strategies for identifying and exploiting new sources of resistance. While considerable progress has been made in identifying germplasm resistant to insect pests, progress toward characterization of the mechanisms conferring the resistance has been limited

United States Patent: Buffalograss Plant Named NE86-61

A vegetatively reproduced buffalograss cultivar named NE86-61 is distinguished from other commercially produced buffalograss varieties by its excellent turfgrass color, cold tolerance, high density, dark green color, low growth habit, and rate of establishment. NE86-61 is also distinguished from other varieties by molecular markers and nuclear DNA content. NE86-61 is suitable for use in low to medium maintenance situations in arid and semi-arid climates of United States and Canada

United States Patent: 315 Buffalograss

A vegetatively reproduced buffalograss cultivar, named 315 Buffalograss, is distinguished by its excellent dark green color, high density, low growth habit, drought resistance, heat and cold tolerance, wear tolerance, low maintenance requirements and slow rate of establishment