Breeding of Rhizomatous Turf Tall Fescue

Breeding tall fescue with rhizomes has the potential to improve turf persistence and recovery from wear. Most northern European and North American tall fescue cultivars can produce a few short rhizomes although they are considered to be non-rhizomatous. In contrast, almost all tall fescue plants from north-west Spain and northern Portugal have a high number of long rhizomes. Use of this rhizomatous germplasm in New Zealand turf grass breeding has been shown to provide valuable features, including winter activity, wear recovery and the ability to maintain a desirable winter green colour under our mild winter climate. The extent of rhizomatous spread within this germplasm responds readily to selection