Abstract: Novel varieties of Poa annua that are perennial and have characteristics desired for a turfgrass, including dark green color, vigor, disease resistance, and restricted flowering.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for accelerating and synchronizing seed germination comprising subjecting a population of seeds to a plurality of hydration and dehydration periods. In the hydration period, seeds are contacted with liquid water for a time less than time required for continuously hydrated seeds of the same species to germinate. In the dehydration period which follows the hydration periods seeds are removed from contact with liquid water and dehyrated at about 80% or greater relative humidity. Seeds are cycled through alternating hydration and dehydration periods to yield a final population of seeds which germinates rapidly and in substantial synchronicity upon re-exposure to liquid water. The dehydrated population of seeds may be further dried at relative humidities of less than about 40% so that the final population of seeds may be stored under ambient conditions before re-exposure to liquid water.