Golf Course Industry Magazine: Oklahoma State University names Sod Production Services licensing agent for new drought-tolerant Bermudagrass variety
Oklahoma State University named Sod Production Services the master licensing and marketing agent for Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass, one of the most drought-tolerant, winter-hardy hybrid Bermudagrasses on the market today. Tahoma is a Native American word that means “frozen water,” which describes Tahoma 31’s key characteristic – its ability to withstand cold temperatures. Tahoma31Bermudagrass.com offers research, resources, videos, and information about the grass.
Tahoma 31 was developed by leading turfgrass researchers at Oklahoma State University in response to a growing need for a cold-tolerant and drought-resistant Bermudagrass variety. Through nationwide testing in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP), Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass (varietal name OKC 1131) excelled in multiple key metrics.
“We are releasing one of the most cold-tolerant varieties ever developed,” said Chad Adcock, vice president of business development at Sod Production Services. “It’s a supergrass where reduced water usage is desired and it’s very tolerant of wear and traffic as well.”
This past winter, the Mid-Atlantic states and Transition Zone experienced some of the coldest temperatures in years, which caused record-setting losses of Bermudagrass on sports fields and golf courses. This set the stage for Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass to make a grand entrance.
“Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass is unique because it has a dense canopy that wears well under increased play,” Adcock said. “That canopy prevents the wear problem other cold tolerant grasses experience and helps insulate and protect the grass during the winter. It also has an exceptional ability to tolerate more hours below freezing which together make it far superior to anything I’ve seen.”
Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass displayed its winter survivability during NTEP trials in West Lafayette, Ind. Tahoma 31 is highly adaptable to different soils, including soils with high salt concentrations and areas where drought and water use are an issue.
