Seed yield and yield components of creeping bentgrass cultivars

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is a high-value turfgrass species that offers opportunities for western Canadian seed companies and producers. The objective of this study was to evaluate creeping bentgrass seed yield and the relationship between seedhead density and seed yield across a diverse range of cultivars. A series of four trials was established in Manitoba between 1992 and 1994 and included 18th Green, Cobra, Emerald, National, Penneagle, Pennlinks, Putter, Southshore, UM86-01 and UM86-02. Seed production and seedhead density were measured for 2-3 yr at each location. Additional yield component measurements included harvest index and thousand seed weight. The three cultivars developed within the region consistently showed high seed yield, seedhead density and harvest index and were numerically ranked in the top four for seed yield across all 11 location years. UM86-01 was in the highest grouping for seed yield across all harvests with yields ranging from 312 to 582 kg ha^-1. Seedhead density was strongly related to seed yield (highly significant in five of six comparisons) and therefore has the potential to be a valuable indicator of relative seed yield in creeping bentgrass. These results indicate that creeping bentgrass seed yield is variable across cultivars and that seedhead density can serve as a good predictor of seed production potential across cultivars.