
Rustproofing the GrassBy Kathryn Barry
Stelljes December 9, 1996Two new grass germplasm lines resist
stem rust ten times more effectively than existing varieties. Scientists at the
Agricultural Research Service developed
tall fescue line ORTFRR-T94 for use as a turf grass, and ORTFRR-F94 as forage. Stem rust became a significant problem for grass seed producers of
Oregons Willamette Valley in 1987. Growers in this valley produce 97 percent of the countrys certified
tall fescue seed. Now growers spend $27 million annually on fungicide to
control the rust. If unchecked, the rust can reduce grass seed yields by 80
percent. In laboratory tests, more than 50 percent of the plants in the new germplasm
lines demonstrated resistance to the rust. Only about 5 percent of the plants
in existing commercial cultivars showed this resistance. Field tests are
underway. Researchers cross-bred 1,400 plants representing 20 tall fescue cultivars
over two generations to develop the two germplasm lines. Small quantities of seed are available for researchers and industry to
further develop the lines into rust-resistant cultivars. Scientific contact: Reed E. Barker,
ARS-USDA National Forage
Seed Production Research Center, Corvallis, Ore., phone (541) 750-8736. U.S. Department of Agriculture | |