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R 8200 dwarf-type tall fescue has the qualities
you look for in the newest cultivars. It is
lower-growing and forms a fine-textured, dark
green, dense turf. This dwarf-type growth
habit didn't happen overnight but is the result
of many years of breeding. The 474 progeny
from 32 clones that comprise the parents of
SR 8200 are the result of multiple cycles
of selection oriented toward the selection
of lower-growing plants along with other desirable
characteristics
The germplasm utilized in the development
of SR 8200 was from an extensive plant exploration
program designed to find those outstanding
plants that over time had survived environmental
stresses such as close-mowing, traffic, excessive
shade, drought, cold, and disease. This germplasm
then underwent additional cycles of selection
to find superior, attractive, low-growing
plants that could survive frequent close-mowing,
severe competition, and disease.
The result is SR 8200, a variety with a dwarf-type
growth habit combined with the traditional
attributes of tall fescue. These include excellent
wear tolerance, cold tolerance, the ability
to survive in poor soils, and good root development.
It maintains the ability to thrive in acid
or alkaline soils and under saturated or dry
conditions.
SR 8200 has high levels of endophyte. It takes
extra years of breeding to incorporate the
endophyte into improved turf-type tall fescues.
The benefits in the tall fescues include excellent
resistance to the following turf insects:
sod webworms, billbugs, chinch bugs, armyworms,
and aphids. It has now been documented that
it also provides protection against white
grubs and some nematodes. The presence of
the endophyte also contributes to improved
osmotic adjustment and stress tolerance so
it shows better summer survival, enhanced
fall recovery, and reduced weed invasion.
This enables SR 8200 to keep growing when
other tall fescues without the endophyte have
a dull green color from stress.
SR 8200 was bred for very good resistance
to stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis
Pers.). It also shows good resistance to net
blotch (caused by Drechslera dictyoides F.
sp. dictyoides Drechs.) and crown rust (caused
by Puccinia coronata Cda.)
SR 8200 has real advantages when it comes
to maintenance. SR 8200 can tolerate close
mowing and still maintain its high turf quality.
Also, the slower growth rates will significantly
reduce mowing requirements throughout the
growing season. Furthermore, SR 8200 has such
a rich, dark green color that nitrogen applications
can be reduced without sacrificing appearance.
* Rich, dark green color
* High tillering, compact dense turf
* Fine leaves
* Dwarf growth, reduced mowing
* Excellent shade tolerance
* Superior turf performance
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