TIFSPORT
TifSport bermudagrass is the best of several fine-textured
mutants derived by irradiating Midiron stolons. The Midiron stolons
were grown from dormant stolons and rhizomes obtained from Ralph
White of Southern Turf Nursery. They were treated with 8000 rads
of Cobalt 60 gamma radiation on January 20, 1983. The irradiated
stolons were planted in steam-sterilized soil in the greenhouse
immediately after treatment. Sixty-six fine textured mutants or
sectors were identified on the irridiated stolons. They were separated
and individually propagated. TifSport was tested as MI40. It has
2n=3x=27 chromosomes, like Midiron, and is vegetatively propagated
by shoots, stolons and rhizomes.
The leaf color of TifSport is similar to Tifway during
most of the summer. TifSport has better color in the early spring
and in the fall. TifSport retains its green color under cool nights
where Tifway and common bermudagrass types usually become light
green as temperatures approach freezing and light frosts are experienced.
Stolon color of TifSport is green with moderate purpling near the
nodes. It is similar to Tifway during warm periods, but lighter
in color under cool conditions. Neither TifSport nor Tifway exhibit
the red stolon color noted in many common bermudagrass types and
varieties.
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