ANTEP

Australian National Turfgrass Evaluation Program is a joint program formed in 1997 by member companies of the Australian Seed Federation and Turf and Lawn Seed Group who together coordinates uniform and independent evaluation trials of turfgrass varieties.

There are multitude turfgrass varieties available in the Australian turf-market and very limited Australian testing has been done. Due to the limiting testing in Australia, managers generally have to make choices based on overseas data or very limited local field trials resulting in using inferior varieties for their particular situation.

As an initial step it was decided to evaluate perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as it is the largest market for the seed companies involved. The aims of ANTEP - Perennial Ryegrass trial are to:

Evaluate a range of turf-type perennial ryegrass varieties under uniform maintenance practices and assessment criteria.
Compile a recognized list of varieties, which indicates a varieties relative position amongst its peers in respect to the characters assessed.
Provide turf managers with sufficient background information so that they can make informed decisions on selecting the most appropriate variety for their specific conditions.

The ANTEP – Perennial Ryegrass trial is now completed with fifty-six ryegrass varieties evaluated for a two and a half-year period under two mowing heights at Werribee Park Golf Club and at Keysborough Golf Club in Melbourne.

Final Report for ANTEP 3

Final Results of ANTEP Perennial Ryegrass & Tall Fescue Variety Trial 2007 & 2008. Read On

Tender for ANTEP 4

The Turf & Lawn Seed Committee is calling interested parties to tender for the contract as service provider for ANTEP 4 planned to commence in late 2009.

The outline of the trial evaluation is set out below and it is requested that tenders be submitted to the T&LSC Chairman Mick Ahearn at mick@adseed.com.au by COB Friday September 11th 2009. Queries can be directed to Mick Ahearn on 0408877016.

Species – Seeded couch
Trial sites – Providers are requested to provide a quotation on one site –Melbourne and a second quotation including a second site - Sydney
Number of varieties – We anticipate around 12 varieties with 3 replicas of each.
Soil – Sandy Loam
Trial commencement – November/December 2009
Trial period – 2 years from establishment
Evaluation criteria – Quality,Colour,Density,Spring Green Up,Seedling vigor/establishment,Disease/insect,dormancy period.
Standard entry- The trial will include one vegetative form of couch possibly santa ana
Temperature – Historical data of temperatures both air and soil to be recorded on a regular basis through the duration of the trial.
Irrigation – Record data on irrigation/rainfall through the trial period.
Funding – The T&LSC is keen to secure Horticulture Australia funding for this trial and any assistance from the successful service provider in this area would be welcomed.

ANTEP 4

Final report for the establishment phase of ANTEP 4 couchgrass trials now available - Click here