Seed Research of Oregon, alongside Mountain View Seeds and LebanonTurf, initiated a new research and development program called the Alliance for Low Input Sustainable Turf (A-LIST).

The nonprofit program aims to influence turfgrass breeding through creating trial guidelines and evaluation protocols to identify the best performing turfgrass varieties with reduced input demands.

A-LIST will establish and monitor a voluntary evaluation program including metrics like water conservation, reduced fertility, traffic, heat and drought stress tolerances—all with no fungicide or insecticide applications. Products that meet the acceptance criteria can utilize the A-LIST-approved symbol in their marketing.

Initial trial plantings were made in fall of 2013. Once established, visual and digital evaluations will be collected.

Testing will be conducted by regional cooperators—including James Baird, Ph.D., of University of California-Riverside; William Meyer, Ph.D., of Rutgers University; and Grady Miller, Ph.D., of North Carolina State University—who also will participate on an advisory board.

Still in its early stages, the alliance is in the midst of solidifying its structure, defining protocols and acceptance criteria and establishing its website. Future expansion plans include construction of a “rainout” structure to complement water conservation studies and facilities to determine salinity responses.