2011 Volume 39 Issue 2 Pages 139-147
One hundred forty-six clones of creeping bentgrass were originally selected among disease resistance, insect resistance, low anthocyanin appearance during winter periods and heavy summer heat stress based on pesticide-free conditions. Nine parental clones were finally selected from the 146 primarily selected clones based on resistance to two major diseases, dollar spot disease (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) and brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani). There were also selected based on low anthocyanin appearances during winter periods. One other clone, previously selected for its resistance to these diseases and low anthocyanin appearance, was added to 9 clones to create 3 polycross groups for breeding. The degree of resistance to the major two diseases and levels of anthocyanin appearance were examined in experimental polycross group cultivars CY-I, II, and III. Each group consisted of 5 or 6 parental clones according to the turf characteristics. In comparison to existing cultivars, L-93, PennA-1, PennA-4, Putter, and Penncross, resistance to these diseases in the experimental polycross groups were higher, and anthocyanin appearance during winter periods in the experimental polycross groups were lower, respectively. CY-2, consisting of 6 clones of CY-II and one clone of CY-III, was evaluated to be the best new bred cultivar in total performance in regards to low susceptibility to the major two diseases, low anthocyanin appearance.
