Registration of ‘EverGlade’ Kentucky Bluegrass

‘EverGlade’ Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) (Reg. no. CV-90, PI 634976) is a turf-type cultivar released in August 2004 by Jacklin Seed by Simplot, Post Falls, ID. Experimental designations for EverGlade were 94-2910 and J-2910. EverGlade originated as an apomictic, single-plant selection from the progeny of hybrid cross 92-4230, which was created in the field in June 1992 using Jacklin breeding line 92-0076 as the maternal parent and ‘Midnight’ (Meyer et al., 1984) as the pollen source. Isolation distance and not pollen bags were used to control pollination. 92-0076 is a dark green variety with medium-low turf quality, created in the field in 1990 as a progeny from an open-pollinated hybridization of Midnight Kentucky bluegrass. Seeds harvested from hybrid cross 924230 were sown in greenhouse flats in spring of 1993 and transplanted into a spaced-plant nursery of 40 701 plants. Offspring with characteristics dissimilar to 92-0076 were selected during maturation in spring of 1994. Plant number 94-2910 (the experimental designation for EverGlade) was identified as being unique from 92-0076 by the color and appearance of its seedhead. A single spaced plant of 94-2910 produced 56 g of clean seed, which is nearly four times the amount typical for a bluegrass spaced plant in Northern Idaho. Seed harvested from 94-2910 was tested in turf trials in Idaho beginning in 1994 at 13and 31-mm mowing heights. Further testing was initiated in 1997 in Maryland (at 9.5and 50-mmmowing heights), New Jersey, and Ohio. Seed yield was evaluated in trials in Idaho in 1998 and Washington in 1999. First Breeder seed was produced in 2000 and Certified seed in 2003, though none was sold until 2004. Progeny apomixis trials were conducted in a spaced-plant nursery established near Post Falls in 1999. Among 1267 EverGlade plants, 1.5% were variants in the vegetative (preheading) stage, 0.7% were heading maturity variants, 0% were seedhead variants, and 1.7% were miniature plants. In spacedplant nurseries, EverGlade averaged 96% apomixis, though the level varies in commercial seed production depending on weather, location, and year. Of the heading maturity variants, most are 5 to 10 cm taller than the majority plant form, with a more tan seedhead and yellow culm. Variants in the preheading stage show color and leaf width differences from the majority plant form. Variant plants appear to have greater susceptibility to production field diseases than the majority plant form. Aberrant plants are removed from seedstock fields but will continue to be expressed in each generation because of the facultative apomictic nature of Kentucky bluegrass. EverGlade most closely resembles the cultivar, Liberator (Brede, 2001), differing by a shorter culm length, higher turf quality in the Transition Zone, darker green genetic color, finer leaf texture, and better leaf spot [caused by Drechslera poae (Baudys) Shoem] resistance. EverGlade is a half-sib of the cultivarsAlexa (Brede, 2006a) andFreedomIII (Brede, 2006b). EverGlade was tested in the 2000 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trials for Kentucky bluegrass (Morris, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005). In the trial, EverGlade had a dark green genetic color and good turf quality at close (25 mm or lower), intermediate (25 to 50 mm), and higher (greater than 50 mm) mowing heights. In overall turf quality, it performed well in the Northeastern, Great Plains, Mountain West, and Transition Zone regions of the USA, where in the latter region it was the top-ranking entry. EverGlade has good shoot density during spring, summer, and autumn and a fine leaf texture. It is resistant to leaf spot, Typhula blight (caused by Typhula incarnata Fr.), red thread [caused by Laetisaria fuciformis (McAlpine)], and is tolerant of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) encroachment. In 5 yr of commercial seed production, EverGlade has demonstrated the potential for high yields of quality seed, relative freedom fromergot [caused byClaviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul.] and no adverse reactions to labeled pesticides. EverGlade 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 is maintained by Jacklin Seed, with seed increase limited to one generation each of Foundation, Registered, and Certified. U.S. Plant Variety Protection application no. 200400208 has been filed for EverGlade. Limited quantities of seed are available for experimentation on request from the author. Recipients are asked to recognize the source if EverGlade contributes to the development of a cultivar or germplasm or is used for other research purposes. Seed has been deposited in the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS), but no seed will be distributed by the NPGS without written permission for 20 yr from the date of publication in Crop Science, at which time seed will also be available from NPGS.