Grasses

Since 1993, Team UGA^® and the turgrass breeding program at the University of Georiga has developed and released four exemplary seashore paspalum turfgrass cultivars that have become the standard for salt tolerant and environmentally sustainable grass varieties. The grasses remain among the most widely utilized seashore paspalum cultivars in the world.
Prior to release, each grass undergoes years of rigorous testing at the University and through the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, (NTEP), as well as in real-world trials. Out of thousands of accessions, only the finest cultivars are selected for their significant, beneficial traits and esthetics. Grasses released by Team UGA and currently available are: ‘UGP 73’ seashore paspalum SeaScape™, ‘UGA 31’ seashore paspalum SeaStar^®, ‘SI 98’ seashore paspalum Sea Isle Supreme Certified Paspalum™, and ‘Sea Isle 2000’ seashore paspalum.

‘UGP 73’ seashore paspalum SeaScape™ : tee-to-green/sports turfgrass with improved drought and shade tolerance

A vigorous vegetative seashore paspalum, ‘UGP 73′ seashore paspalum SeaScape™ was developed through 16 years of research by University of Georgia breeders. It produces an excellent quality dense turf unsurpassed in color over a wide range of mowing heights. ‘UGP 73′ seashore paspalum SeaScape™ is ideal for use on golf courses, athletic fields, home lawns, and other recreational venues as a fine turf. The superior drought tolerance of ‘UGP 73′ seashore paspalum SeaScape™ was first recognized in evaluations across five southern states through a USDA Specialty Crops Research Grant to develop drought and salt tolerant warm-season grasses. ‘UGP 73′ seashore paspalum SeaScape™ was the top performing entry in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program seashore paspalum trials in 2016-2020 and proven to have much improved shade tolerance compared to other paspalums on the market.

‘UGA 31’ seashore paspalum SeaStar® : tee-to-green, all around grass

Developed from a genetic cross by Dr. Paul Raymer, ‘UGA 31’ seashore paspalum SeaStar® is the most widely adaptable variety released to the date through Team UGA. ‘UGA 31’ seashore paspalum SeaStar® is a fine-textured seashore paspalum cultivar that may be used for recreational turf and lawns, but most significantly, because it tolerates a wide range of mowing heights, ‘UGA 31’ seashore paspalum SeaStar® may be used on all golf courses surfaces including putting greens, tees, fairways and roughs.

• Top-Rated in NTEP: for turf quality, color, texture, and fall color
• For use on all golf course surfaces: putting greens, tees, fairways, roughs
• Tolerates wide range of mowing heights
• Upright growth habit: non-dwarf, fine-textured, well-suited especially for putting greens
• Dense turf canopy: excellent turf quality, tends to suppress weeds
• Excellent color retention: may eliminate need for overseed in moderate cold
• Improved drought tolerance: maintains turf quality & resists leaf firing during short-term drought
• Less water: reduced irrigiation frequency to retain turf quality
• Moderate dollar spot resistance
• Salt tolerant

‘SI 98’ seashore paspalum Sea Isle Supreme Certified Paspalum™ : golf courses, sports fields

Selected from a collection of more than 300 naturally occurring accessions, ‘SI 98’ seashore paspalum Sea Isle Supreme Certified Paspalum™ is a salt tolerant variety of seashore paspalum. This semi-dwarf variety is well-suited for use on sports fields, golf courses and recreational venues where water quality is an issue.

‘Sea Isle 2000’ seashore paspalum™ : golf courses greens, sports fields

Developed from a sample collected at Alden Pines Country Club in Bokeelia, Florida, ‘Sea Isle 2000’ seashore paspalum was the first seashore pasplaum grass developed by Team UGA specifically for use on golf course putting greens. The grass, however, is highly versatile and may also be used for sports fields and lawns.

*’UGP 73′ seashore paspalum SeaScape™, ‘UGA 31’ seashore paspalum SeaStar®, ‘SI 98’ seashore paspalum Sea Isle Supreme Certified Paspalum™, and ‘Sea Isle 2000′ Seashore Paspalum™ are patented proprietary turfgrass varieties. The grasses are available through licensed sod producers. Unauthorized propagation is prohibited.

Seeded Varieties

SEASPRAY™
Developed using UGA breeding material, SeaSpray™ was the first release of an improved, seeded seashore paspalum. An extremely salt tolerant turfgrass, it provides outstanding turf quality, a bright blue-green color, and a beautiful, uniform appearance.
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PURE DYNASTY®
Developed using UGA breeding material, Pure Dynasty® is the first seeded paspalum blend and was bred to produce faster establishment, tighter density, better disease resistance, and improved spring green-up.
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Our grasses remain among the most widely utilized seashore paspalum cultivars in the world.