Cynodon dactylon
Green couch
Princess 77 (U.S. Plant Variety Protection certificate no. 9500227), FMC-77, SWI-77.
Princess 77 is a medium to fine-textured seeded turfgrass that is regarded as being the world's first dense, seeded hybrid couch variety. Princess 77 is an intraspecific hybrid which was developed from a cross between two varieties of Cynodon dactylon (green couch). Princess 77 has an attractive dark green colour and is a superior seeded turf couch variety based on turf quality and turf density. If you didn't know, you would think Princess 77 was a vegetative turfgrass because of the improved latter traits. Princess 77 is availably commercially in Australia by seed.
Princess 77 is an intraspecific hybrid which was developed by the late Dr Arden Baltensperger from Seeds West Inc./New Mexico State University, from a cross between two clones of Cynodon dactylon (A-3 and A-4). Both the latter two varieties are self incompatible but cross-fertile. Seed is from the F1 generation (Rogers and Baltensperger, 2005). Princess 77 was ranked #4 out of 29 seeded and vegetative couch varieties tested within the USA National Turf Evaluation Program. The variety was also used in the NFL 2004 and 2005 Super Bowl games as the choice of turfgrass for the playing surface. Princess 77 is commonly sold as seed, but it also available as sod/turf. Sow Princess 77 at 5-10g/m2 (50-100kg/ha) when sown alone, or at 2.5-5g/m2 (25-50kg/ha) for existing turf repairs. Seed should be planted in a minimum soil temperature of 18°C at a depth of about 3-5mm (no more than 5 mm depth is recommended). Maintain soil moisture around the seed until germination. Full coverage can be expected in 8 weeks and begin mowing when Princess 77 is about 1/3rd above the expected maintenance height (Source: PGG Wrightson).
Pests, disease and weeds
Check to see which Pests, Diseases and or Weeds this turf variety may be susceptible to and how to successfully control them in your home lawn or sports turf.
