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February 27, 2007
Dr. Floyd’s development of a
unique turf-type ryegrass is also recognized with patents from
the U.S. Patent Office.
The PICKSEED Companies Group
is pleased to announce that Dr. Donald Floyd has been recognized
as Breeder of the Year by the Turfgrass Breeders Association of
the American Society of Agronomy (ASA). The recognition was
conferred at the Society’s International Annual Meetings held
November 13-16, 2006 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
This prestigious recognition of Dr. Donald Floyd cited his
development of a new turf-type hybrid ryegrass for particular
use on golf courses. As golf courses emerge from winter, their
perennial ryegrass overseeded turf typically persists too long
into the spring and summer which leads to blotching,
inconsistency and poor transition to warm season grasses. Dr.
Floyd has created a unique cross between perennial and annual
ryegrass (L. perenne x L. multiflorum), which overcomes this
problem. Unlike numerous other attempts at this type of cross,
Dr. Floyd’s grasses have achieved stability throughout
subsequent cycles of seed multiplication. His technique has been
so successful, the first cycle of releases was recognized and
granted patent by the U.S. Patent Office.
Dr. Floyd’s family of “Intermediate” ryegrass varieties moves
transparently from its winter ryegrass cover to summer
Bermudagrass turf. These varieties retain the desired dark color
and density of the perennial ryegrass component, yet transition
out, or exit, as quickly and smoothly as annual ryegrass thereby
reducing excessive persistence blotching. These varieties have
already proven successful through millions of pounds of use in
golf course overseeding throughout the US southern areas.
Dr. Floyd completed his PhD studies in 2000 at Oregon State
University, where he wrote an impressive thesis concerning
ryegrass fluorescence. His experience working in that species is
the basis of his expertise in developing the new
perennial/annual ryegrass cross.
Jerry Pepin, Executive Vice-President, Research and Technical
Sales, comments that “Don Floyd has an exceptional eye for the
continually, shifting quality of turfgrass plants. Developing
the best turfgrass varieties is critical to growing and
maintaining market share in this highly competitive industry.
The professional work of Dr. Floyd and his colleagues is crucial
in maintaining Pickseed’s strong industry position”.
The PICKSEED Companies Group is a leader in the development,
production and distribution of turfgrass and forage crop seeds.
Since its beginning in 1947, Pickseed has built a trusted and
proven reputation for quality, agronomic advice and a commitment
to research and technology. PICKSEED currently has locations
across Canada, Oregon and Arizona and operates under the
PICKSEED, Mapleseed, Seed Research of Oregon, TurfOne and Royal
brand names. |
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