2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Centipedegrass (Eromochloa ophiuroides) requires few inputs and is more tolerant to pests than most tufgrasses. The genetic base for this species is narrow because most centipedegrass originated from a single accession introduced from China. The lack of morphological variation in the species has hampered breeding efforts and, as a result, few commercial cultivars are available in the market. The objective of this study was to use chemical mutagen ethyl methane-sulfonate (EMS) to generate genotypic and phenotypic variation for centipedegrass improvement. Seeds of cultivar ‘Common’ were treated with five concentrations of EMS for five different time lengths. Following mutagenic treatment of seeds, 50 regenerated plantlets from each of the three highest treatments were planted in the field and allowed to self-pollinate. A total of 3,000 M₁ progenies were recovered and subsequently established in the field for initial evaluation of establishment, winter survival and overall turf quality. One hundred individuals were selected and established in a replicated trial in the mountains of North Carolina for evaluation of winter survival along establishment rate and turf quality. Individuals that outperfomed the check were identified.