Improving Curly Mesquite (Hilaria belangeri) for Turfgrass Use in Oklahoma.

Curly Mesquite (Hilaria belangeri) is a warm-season perennial stoloniferous grass that has shown potential for use in seed mixes of native warm-season turfgrasses. An extension demonstration plot established with this species in Oklahoma revealed a lack of winter-hardiness in commercially available seed of curly mesquitegrass. For the species to be reliably used in USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 7a and more cold locations, winter-hardy mterial will be required. The objectivesof this research were to conduct an initial screening of a commercially available seeded population for winter tolerance at Stillwater, OK during the winter of 2015/2016 and to evaluate the selections for standard turfgrass performance parameters. Curly mesquitegrass clonal selections grown from seed were produced in 2.5 cm dia x 6.4 cm depth plug trays with 1,012 selections established as single space plant entries into a field for performance screening. The trial was mowed weekly at 5 cm and evaluated biweekly for establishment and overall turf quality after mowing events. The trial was left uncovered for the winter of 2015-2016 and evaluated again for establishment and overall turf quality in the spring of 2016. Selections were made for most promising specimens in regards to winter survival, establishment and overall turf quality. Promising germplasm selected from this initial screening may be used in further recurrent selection for improved seeded and clonally propagated material that may have promise for use as a turfgrass in Oklahoma and other transition zone locations in the future.