Seashore plant named ‘UGP 73’

A new and distinct cultivar of Seashore Paspalum plant, botanically known as Paspalum vaginatum Swartz, named ‘UGP 73’, characterized by its excellent turf quality, excellent turf color, superior drought tolerance, and superior salt tolerance.

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Description

Genus and species: Latin name: Paspalum vaginatum Swartz.

Variety denomination: Variety denomination: The new Paspalum vaginatum Swartz claimed is of the cultivar denominated ‘UGP 73’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Seashore Paspalum plant, botanically known as Paspalum vaginatum Swartz, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘UGP 73’.

‘UGP 73’ is a vegetative clone developed from a single F1 seed arising from the hand-pollinated cross (‘Durban’ (PI 614678; not patented) X experimental line ‘G05-1743’ (not patented)). This cross was made in the greenhouse at Griffin, Georgia in 2007 by Dr. Paul Raymer. The female parent, ‘Durban’ (not patented), was collected in Durban, South Africa.

‘UGP 73’ is a vigorous vegetative seashore Paspalum cultivar that produces excellent quality turf under a range of mowing heights, and is suitable for use on golf courses, athletic fields, and other recreational venues as fine turf. ‘UGP 73’ has been under development and evaluation for 16 years. ‘UGP 73’ has been evaluated extensively in both in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) at eight southern locations from 2016-2020 and as part of a USDA Specialty Crops Research Grant (SCRI) at six southern locations from 2011-2013 and in SCRI advanced trials at six locations in 2016-2019. In the two-year SCRI trial, ‘UGP 73’ ranked 2nd in overall turf quality out of 80 entries and ranked 1st in turf quality under non-drought conditions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Paspalum vaginatum Swartz cultivar ‘UGP 73’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature, water and fertility levels, soil types, and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique and distinguishing characteristics of the new Paspalum cultivar named ‘UGP 73’. In combination, these traits set ‘UGP 73’ apart from all other existing varieties of Paspalum known to the inventors:

    • 1. ‘UGP 73’ has excellent turf quality over a wide range of mowing heights and has often outperformed Salam™ (not patented), ‘Sealsle 1’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,665), SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761), Platinum TE® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,224), and SeaDwarf™ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,294) (Tables 1, 7, 11, and 12).
    • 2. ‘UGP 73’ has excellent turf color, often better than Salam™ (not patented), ‘Sealsle 1’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,665), SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761), Platinum TE® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,224), and SeaDwarf™ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,294) (Tables 2, 5, 11, and 12).
    • 3. ‘UGP 73’ has demonstrated superior drought tolerance to SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761) over a wide range of irrigation regimes (Table 7).
    • 4. The salt tolerance of ‘UGP 73’ is similar to that of SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761) and better than that of ‘Sealsle 1’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,665) (Table 10).
    • 5. ‘UGP 73’ has demonstrated better tolerance to 60% shade than has Platinum TE® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,224) and SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761) (Table 9).

Additional characteristics of ‘UGP 73’ known to the inventors also include:

    • 1. Good turf density (Table 3).
    • 2. Acceptable retention of color and quality during the fall and winter months following light frost or cool temperatures (Tables 4 and 5).
    • 3. Medium to fine leaf texture.
    • 4. Good resistance to dollar spot disease, Clarireedia sp. (Tables 6, 11, and 12)
    • 5. Produces acceptable quality sod with good tensile strength (Table 8).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new Paspalum vaginatum Swartz cultivar denominated ‘UGP 73’ showing the colors as true as possible. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describes the colors of the new Genus species ‘UGP 73’.

FIG. 1 shows a potted greenhouse sample of ‘UGP 73’ that is about 15-16 years old that has been maintained in a greenhouse by trimming and repotting to maintain vigorous growth.

FIG. 2 shows abundance of stolons and rhizomes in a greenhouse flat of ‘UGP 73’.

FIG. 3 shows a field of ‘UGP 73’ as managed turf.

FIG. 4 shows ‘UGA 73’ in use on a coastal landscape.

FIG. 5 compares the SSR Pv53 generated banding patterns obtained from DNA of ‘UGP 73’ to that from commercial cultivars.

FIG. 6. Photograph showing plant characteristics of the female parent, ‘Durban’ (PI 614678) (left), the male parent, ‘G05-1743’ (right), and their F1 progeny, ‘UGP 73’ (center).

 DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following traits have been consistently observed in the original plant of this new variety grown in Griffin, Georgia, and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, their combination forms the unique characteristics of the new variety ‘UGP 73’.

Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (e.g., light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, or other factors). Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 5th edition published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England in 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements, and values describe plants of the Paspalum vaginatum Swartz cultivar ‘UGP 73’. Data were collected from plants that were approximately eight years old and were grown in the ground under greenhouse and outdoor conditions in Griffin, GA. The average outdoor low temperatures ranged from lows of about 33° F. to 42° F. in the winter, to average high temperatures of about 85° F. to 92° F. in summer.

  • 1. The plant: ‘UGP 73’ is a vigorous variety with upright growth habit. It is dense and spreads rapidly by producing large numbers of rhizomes and stolons.
    The mean height of the unmown canopy (culm height) is 16.4 cm, with a seed head exsertion height above the canopy of 4.8 cm.
  • 2. Flowering tillers: The mean length and diameter of the peduncle are respectively 9.6 mm and 0.6 mm.
    The mean length of the longest spike is 23.7 mm and there are two spikes per inflorescence.
    The mean length of the spike branch from the flag leaf is 8.9 mm and the length and width of the blade on the flag leaf are respectively 6.0 mm and 0.9 mm. The mean length of the sheath on the flag leaf is 33.3 mm.
    The mean length and width of the blade of the 4th leaf (the flag leaf is the 1st leaf) are respectively 37.4 mm and 3.1 mm, and the mean length of the sheath on the 4th leaf is 14.1 mm.
    The mean length of the 4th internode is 11.3 mm. The color of the upper leaf surface is Green 137 B and the lower leaf surface color is Green 137 C.
    The anther color is Violet 83 A, and stigma color is Violet 86 A. Seeds are not produced in pure monostands due to self-incompatibility.
  • 3. Stolons: The mean length and diameter of the 4th internode from the tip are 13.8 mm and 1.6 mm respectively.
    The mean length and width of the 4th leaf blade, at the 4th node on stolon, are 6.7 mm and 2.6 mm respectively, with a leaf sheath that is 8.6 mm long.
    The color of the stolon is Yellow-Green 146 D.
  • 4. Method of propagation: Vegetative (Clonal). ‘UGP 73’ was initially asexually reproduced in a greenhouse on in Griffin, Georgia with repeated cycles of plant propagation using vegetative sprigs and stolons followed by vegetative growth to expand the quantity of plant material
  • 5. Pedigree and history: ‘UGP 73’ is a vegetative clone developed from a single F1 seed arising from the hand-pollinated cross (‘Durban’ (PI 614678; not patented) X experimental line ‘G05-1743’). This cross was made in the greenhouse at Griffin, Georgia in 2007 by Dr. Paul Raymer. The female parent, Durban, was collected in Durban, South Africa.
    Originally designated as ‘G07-033.4’, the single plant was germinated from seed in the laboratory and was established in the greenhouse. The seedling was visually screened for acceptable turf quality prior to being transplanted into the field for initial turf evaluation in the spring of 2010. ‘G07-033.4’ was evaluated in un-replicated field plots (2010 single plant nursery) mowed at 1.5 inches height of cut (h.o.c.) along with approximately 2000 other seedlings beginning in June of 2010. ‘G07-033.4’ was one of 80 lines selected for further evaluation in the fall of 2010 based on turf superior quality, density, color, and resistance to dollar spot disease. ‘G07-033.4’ was clonally propagated and increased during the spring of 2011 and included in a group of 80 seashore Paspalum lines and re-designated as ‘UGP 73’ in replicated trials at seven southern field locations (Griffin, GA; Tifton, GA; College Station, TX; Dallas, TX; Raleigh, NC; Gainesville, FL; and Stillwater, OK.) for turf performance and drought tolerance as part of a USDA Specialty Crops Research Grant (SCRI). In this two-year evaluation over seven locations, ‘UGP 73’ ranked 2nd in overall turf quality out of 80 entries and ranked 1st in turf quality under non-drought conditions (data not presented).
    In 2015, ‘UGP 73’ was increased clonally in the greenhouse for inclusion in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) seashore Paspalum trials at eight southern locations from 2016-2020. NTEP trial locations were Auburn, AL; Fayetteville, AR; Riverside, CA; Jay, FL; Griffin, GA; Mississippi State, MS; Stillwater, OK; and College Station, TX and (h.o.c.) at these locations ranged from 0.5-2.5 inches. ‘UGP 73’ was also included in extensive trials associated with our second federal SCRI grant (2016-2019) where it was further evaluated for drought tolerance, salt tolerance, shade tolerance, and sod strength. In 2019, ‘UGP 73’ one of 23 advanced breeding lines and four standard cultivars included in a “greens” trial (0.110 to 0.175 inch h.o.c.). After the failure of an advanced line fairway trial (established in 2017) on the Griffin Campus, ‘UGP 73’ was included as one 28 entries in an advanced fairway trial established in 2020 on the UGA Griffin campus. Foundation and Registered fields of ‘UGP 73’ are established at Creekside Growers, Arcadia, Florida.
  • 6. Description of plant material: ‘UGP 73’ is a vigorous clonal line that produces excellent quality turf under a range of mowing heights (Tables 1, 8, 12, and 13) and is suitable for use on golf courses, athletic fields, and other recreational venues as a fine turf. ‘UGP 73’ has excellent turf color (Tables 2, 5, 12, and 13), good turf density (Table 3) and acceptable retention of color and quality during the fall and winter months following light frost or cool temperatures (Tables 4 and 5). In limited evaluations, ‘UGP 73’ has shown less winter kill than ‘Sealsle 1’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,665), ‘SeaStar®’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761), and ‘Salam™’ (not patented) (Table 6). It is similar to other commercial cultivars with medium to fine leaf texture and good turf density. ‘UGP 73’ was initially selected for its drought tolerance and has demonstrated superior performance in numerous non-irrigated trials as well as over a wide range of irrigation regimes (Table 8). It has excellent salt tolerance, similar to SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761) (Table 11), and better performance under shade than SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761) and ‘Platinum’ (Table 10). ‘UGP 73’ has good resistance to dollar spot disease, Clarireedia sp. (Tables 7, 12, and 13) and has been shown to produce acceptable quality sod with good tensile strength (Table 9).
  • 7. Other: Golf course developments placed on coastal venues and problems associated with salinity are increasingly more prevalent issues in managed turfgrass. The trend for use of more salt-laden irrigation waters on turfgrass sites is expected to continue to rise and to further increase interest in developing more salt-tolerant grasses, especially halophytes such as seashore Paspalum.
    A) ‘UGP 73’ has excellent turf quality over a wide range of mowing heights and has often outperformed ‘Salam™’ (not patented), ‘Sealsle 1’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,665), ‘SeaStar®’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761), ‘Platinum TE’, and SeaDwarf™ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,294) (Tables 1, 8, 12, and 13).
    B) ‘UGP 73’ has excellent genetic color often better than Salam™ (not patented), Sealsle 1 (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,665), SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761), Platinum, and SeaDwarf™ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,294). (Table 2, 5, 12, and 13)
    C) ‘UGP 73’ has demonstrated superior drought tolerance to SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761) over a wide range of irrigation regimes (Table 8).
    D) The salt tolerance of ‘UGP 73’ is similar to that of SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761) and better than that of Sealsle 1 (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,665) (Table 11).
    E) ‘UGP 73’ has demonstrated better tolerance to 60% shade than has Platinum and SeaStar® (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,761) (Table 10).

TABLE 1 NTEP 2016-2020 Seashore Paspalum - Turf Quality NTEP 2016 2017 2018 2019 Entry (1-9)+ (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) Salam ™ 6.1* 6.1 6.0 6.0 Sea Isle 1 6.2 6.0 6.1 6.2 SeaStar ® 5.9 6.1 6.1 6.1 ‘UGP 73’ 6.3 6.5 6.2 6.3 C.V. 4.4 1.3 2.6 2.1 LSD 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.2 Top 5 Statis- yr. NTEP 2020 tical Avg Entry (1-9) Group (1-9) Salam ™ 6.2 2/5 6.1 Sea Isle 1 5.9 4/5 6.1 SeaStar ® 6.0 4/5 6.0 ‘UGP 73’ 6.1 5/5 6.3 C.V. 3.0 LSD 0.3 +Rated on 1-9 scale with 6 = acceptable and 9 = excellent *Means in the top statistical group are bolded.

TABLE 2 NTEP 2016-2020 Seashore Paspalum - Genetic Color NTEP 2016 2017 2018 2019 Entry (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) Salam ™ 5.7* 6.2 6.2 6.6 Sea Isle 1 6.0 6.4 6.3 6.7 SeaStar ® 5.0 6.4 6.6 6.3 ‘UGP 73’ 6.0 6.0 6.9 6.8 C.V. 4.5 2.8 2.5 4.4 LSD 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.5 Top 5 Statis- yr. NTEP 2020 tical Avg Entry (1-9) Group (1-9) Salam ™ 5.9 3/5 6.1 Sea Isle 1 5.5 2/5 6.2 SeaStar ® 6.3 1/5 6.1 ‘UGP 73’ 6.5 5/5 6.7 C.V. 5.7 LSD 0.6 *Means in the top statistical group are bolded.

TABLE 3 NTEP 2016 - 2020 Seashore Paspalum - Fall Density Riverside, Jay, Miss. St., NTEP CA FL MS Entry (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) Salam ™ 6.2* 6.4 6.8 Sea Isle 1 5.4 6.6 7.0 SeaStar ® 5.2 6.5 6.8 ‘UGP 73’ 5.4 6.8 7.5 C.V. 8.7 9.0 6.1 LSD 0.8 1.0 0.7 Stillwater, Top Table NTEP OK Statistical Avg. Entry (1-9) Group (1-9) Salam ™ 6.4 4/5 6.4 Sea Isle 1 6.0 3/5 6.2 SeaStar ® 6.3 2/5 6.1 ‘UGP 73’ 6.2 4/5 6.4 C.V. 2.9 3.9 LSD 0.3 0.4 *Means in the top statistical group are bolded.

TABLE 4 NTEP 2016-2020 Seashore Paspalum - Winter Quality NTEP 2016 2017 2018 2019 Entry (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) Salam ™ 6.0 6.1 5.7 5.9 Sea Isle 1 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.1 SeaStar ® 5.7 5.8 5.9 6.0 ‘UGP 73’ 5.7 5.8 5.8 5.9 C.V. 11.7 7.9 4.9 3.4 LSD 1.0 0.7 0.5 0.3 Top 5 yr. NTEP 2020 Statistical Avg Entry (1-9) Group (1-9) Salam ™ 6.1 5/5 5.9 Sea Isle 1 5.3 5/5 5.7 SeaStar ® 4.8 4/5 5.6 ‘UGP 73’ 5.1 4/5 5.6 C.V. 10.1 LSD 0.9 *Means in the top statistical group are bolded.

TABLE 5 NTEP 2016-2020 Seashore Paspalum - Color October Auburn, Jay, Griffin, NTEP AL FL GA Entry (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) Salam ™ 5.9 6.3 6.2 Sea Isle 1 5.8 6.1 6.3 SeaStar ® 6.1 5.9 6.2 ‘UGP 73’ 6.5 7.0 6.2 C.V. 7.6 7.0 6.0 LSD 0.7 0.7 0.6 Stillwater, Top Table NTEP OK Statistical Avg. Entry (1-9) Group (1-9) Salam ™ 6.2 1/4 6.2 Sea Isle 1 6.0 1/4 6.1 SeaStar ® 5.7 2/4 6.0 ‘UGP 73’ 6.5 3/4 6.5 C.V. 4.1 3.7 LSD 0.4 0.4 *Means in the top statistical group are bolded.

TABLE 6 NTEP 2016-2020 Seashore Paspalum - Winter Kill Fayetteville, NTEP AR Entry (% winter kill) Salam ™ 22.5 Sea Isle 1 20.8 SeaStar ® 56.7 ‘UGP 73’ 9.2 C.V. 22.0 LSD 11.6 *Means in the top statistical group are bolded.

TABLE 7 NTEP 2016-2022 Seashore Paspalum - Dollar Spot Disease Jay, Miss. St., Table NTEP Auburn, AL FL MS Avg. Entry (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) Salam ™ 2.0 4.3 7.0 4.8 Sea Isle 1 2.7 7.0 7.3 5.7 SeaStar ® 5.3* 8.3 4.7 6.1 ‘UGP 73’ 6.0 5.0 6.3 5.8 C.V. 55.4 23.9  19.4  18.7  LSD 4.2 2.6 1.8 1.7 *Means in the top statistical group are bolded

TABLE 8 SCRI Seashore Paspalum Drought Trials - 2017 - College Station, Texas Turf Quality (1-9) SCRI Irrigation Frequency (times / month) Entry 0 1 2 4 8 SeaStar ® 5.49 6.22 6.14 6.93 6.84 SR31-15- 5.03 6.04 5.99 6.64 6.60 15 ‘UGP 5.58 6.24 6.30 6.89 6.77 144’ ‘UGP 73’ 5.63 6.31 6.44 7.01 6.93 SCRI Entry Average Rank SeaStar ® 6.32 3 SR31-15- 6.06 4 15 ‘UGP 6.35 2 144’ ‘UGP 73’ 6.46 1

TABLE 9 Sod Handling Quality and Tensile Strength of Seashore Paspalum Oklahoma State University - 2017 Mean STS2 STS2 Mean SHQ1 14 MAP 18 MAP STS2 Entry (1-5) (kg/dm) (kg/dm) (kg/dm) Salam ™ 4.2* 115.9 70.9 93.4 SeaIsle 1 4.3 106.6 68.3 87.4 SeaStar ® 4.2 104.3 53.1 87.0 ‘UGP 73’ 4.2 89.6 105.1 97.1 Test Average 3.5 95.6 66.4 81.0 (10 entries) 1Sod handling quality rated on 1-5 scale with 3 = minimum acceptable and 5 = excellent. 2Sod tensile strength in kg dm−2 recorded at the peak force required to cause sod pad tearing using a hand winch and force transducer/recorder. *Means in the top statistical group are bolded.

TABLE 10 SCRI III Shade Trial - 60% Shade - Griffin, Georgia 2020-2022 Turf Quality (1-9) Aug. 18, Aug. 17, 2-Yr. Entry 2021 2022 Avg. Platinum 4.10 4.27 4.18 SeaDwarf ™ 4.83 6.33 5.58 SeaStar ® 3.60 4.93 4.27 ‘UGP 73’ 5.83* 5.70 5.77 Test Average 4.18 5.18 4.68 (30 entries) *Means in the top statistical group are bolded

TABLE 11 SCRI Greenhouse Salt Trial Seashore Paspalum - 2015 - Griffin, GA - Final Data at 45 dS Visual Visual Total Visual Quality Quality Green Bio- SCRI Quality (% of (% re- Cover mass Entry (1-9) control) duction) (%) (grams) SeaIsle 1 3.4 55.0 45.0 21.9 2.18 SeaStar ® 4.1* 58.3 41.7 20.9 2.44 ‘UGP 73’ 5.0 57.9 42.1 31.1 2.35 Test Avg. 4.2 57.1 42.9 24.7 2.32 (9 entries) *Means in the top statistical group are bolded

TABLE 12 Summary of 2020 Advanced Seashore Trial - Fairway (0.625 inch h.o.c.) - Griffin, GA Cover Turf Dollar Yr 1 Quality Color NDVI Spot Entry (%) (1-9) (1-9) (0-1) (%) Platinum 93.3 7.2 7.3 0.71 1.0 SeaDwarf ™ 86.7 6.8 7.6 0.70 3.0 SeaStar ® 90.0 7.1 7.9 0.71 15.0 ‘UGP 73’ 91.7 7.6 8.7 0.77 1.0 Test 80.9 7.3 7.9 0.70 4.5 Average (30 entries) *Means in the top statistical group are bolded

TABLE 13 Summary of 2020 Advanced Seashore Trial - Greens Height (0.125 inch h.o.c) - Griffin, GA Establish- Green Turf Fall ment up Quality Color Color Entry Cover (%) (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) (1-9) Sea- 76.2* 8.2 6.8 6.0 6.4 Dwarf ™ SeaIsle 45.6 8.4 7.9 6.7 7.4 2000 SeaStar ® 71.2 8.6 7.0 6.6 7.6 Platinum 60.0 8.5 7.1 6.8 7.5 ‘UGP 73’ 56.2 8.5 7.1 7.2 5.8 Test Mean 69.3 7.7 6.6 6.42 6.0 28 entries Winter Seed Dollar Color Heads Spot NDVI1 Stimp Entry (1-9) (1-9) (%) (0-1) (ft.) Sea- 6.4 6.5 5.1 0.64 7.2 Dwarf ™ SeaIsle 6.8 8.3 4.4 0.63 6.9 2000 SeaStar ® 7.6 7.1 3.9 0.63 7.0 Platinum 7.4 3.1 4.8 0.64 6.9 ‘UGP 73’ 5.8 8.1 3.9 0.65 7.1 Test Mean 5.4 7.4 5.5 0.62 7.0 28 entries 1Normalized difference vegetative index is a measure of canopy density and color. *Means in the top statistical group are bolded.

TABLE 14 Comparison of botanical characteristics of seashore paspalum cultivars. Plati- num Sea- Sea- Sea- ′UGP TE′ Dwarf ™′ Star ®′ Isle 1′ 73″ Characteristics of Flowering Tillers Length of peduncle (mm) Mean 3.3 c1 6.8 b 4.2 bc 9.5 a 9.6 a Std. 2.8 1.7 2.7 2.9 5.1 Dev. Diameter of peduncle (mm) Mean 0.5 bc 0.5 c 0.5 c 0.6 ab 0.6 a Std. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Dev. Length of longest spike (mm) Mean 25.2 16.4 d 21.5 c 26.5 ab 23.7 bc abc Std. 4 5 4 4.6 4.5 Dev. Number of spikes per inflourescent Mean 2 2 2 2 2 Std. 0 0 0 0 0 Dev. Maxiumum number of spikes per inflourescent Mean 2 2 2 2 2 Std. 0 0 0 0 0 Dev. Length of spike branch from flag leaf (mm) Mean 8.6 ab 6.2 bcd 5.3 cd 7.8 abc 8.9 ab Std. 2.2 2.3 2.5 3.7 5.20 Dev. Florets per spike Mean 16.2 bc 15 c 19.3 ab 19.9 a 15.7 c Std. 3 4 2.5 3.4 3.2 Dev. Length of blade on flag leaf (mm) Mean 18.9 a 9.1 bc 9 bc 10.2 bc 6 c Std. 4.9 2 2.4 3.5 2 Dev. Width of blade on flag leaf (mm) Mean 0.8 ab 0.7 ab 0.8 ab 0.6 b 0.9 a Std. 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 Dev. Length of sheath on flag leaf (mm) Mean 45.2 a 26.7 cd 29.6 bc 44.5 a 33.3 b Std. 5.5 6.8 6.5 8 4.3 Dev. Length/width ratio of flag leaf blade (mm) Mean 25.2 a 17.1 bc 12.3 cd 19.0 abc 6.9 d Std. 5.1 11.3 3.7 9.4 2.3 Dev. Length of blade on 4th leaf (mm) Mean 48.2 bc 38.1 d 43 cd 56 ab 37.4 d S.D 4.1 6.4 7.8 11.9 11.5 Width of blade on 4th leaf (mm) Mean 3.1 ab 2.2 c 3.2 a 3 ab 3.1 ab Std. 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.6 Dev. Length of sheath on 4th leaf (mm) Mean 14.6 12.3 c 16.1 ab 16.9 a 14.1 bc abc Std. 2.1 3.5 1.6 2.5 2.6 Dev. Length of 4th internode (mm) Mean 11.6 a 5.3 c 7.8 cb 11.3 ab 11.3 ab Std. 3.1 1.6 2.1 2.8 4.1 Dev. Characteristics of Stolons Length of 4th internode (mm) Mean 17.8 a 12.1 b 11.5 b 14 b 13.8 b Std. 4.8 2.3 1.5 3.3 4.1 Dev. Diameter of 4th internode (mm) Mean 2.1 a 1.4 cd 1.5 cd 1.6 bc 1.6 b Std. 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Dev. Length of 4th leaf blade (mm) Mean 6.6 b 4.3 bc 4.7 bc 9.2 a 6.7 ab Std. 1.7 1.3 0.6 3.6 3.7 Dev. Width of 4th leaf blade (mm) Mean 2.6 a 1.3 cd 1.6 bc 2.1 ab 2.6 a Std. 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.7 0.7 Dev. Length/width ratio of 4th leaf blade (mm) Mean 2.6 c 3.7 bc 3.2 c 4.9 a 2.5 c Std. 0.8 1.6 0.8 2.1 0.9 Dev. Length of leaf sheath on 4th node (mm) Mean 8.3 a 4.8 c 6.6 b 8.9 a 8.6 a Std. 1.2 1 0.7 1.9 1 Dev. Other Characteristics Culm height (cm) Mean 18.5 b 5.5 e 11.4 c 22.3 a 16.4 b Std. 2.9 1.9 1.4 3.3 2 Dev. Seed head height (cm) Mean 17.7 a 2.9 d 6.9 c 17.4 a 4.8 d Std. 2.3 0.9 0.9 2.7 1.9 Dev. Color of upper leaf surface 138 B2 137 D 137 D 137 D 137 B Color of lower leaf surface 137 A 137 C 137 C 137 C 137 C Stolon Color 146 C 146 B 146 D 146 D 146 D Anther Color 83 B 83 B 83 A 83 A 83 A Stigma Color 86 A 86 A 86 B 86 B 86 A 1Means within a row followed by the same letter are not considered statistically different according to Fisher's protected LSD at α = 0.05. 2Based on color codes of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Paspalum vaginatum Swartz plant named ‘UGP 73’ as illustrated and described herein.

Patent History
Patent number: PP37445
Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 17, 2025
Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
Patent Publication Number: 20250338783
Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. (Athens, GA)
Inventors: Paul Raymer (Milner, GA), Brian Schwartz (Tifton, GA)
Primary Examiner: Keith O. Robinson
Application Number: 19/181,402
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Recreational Turf Or Pasture Grass (PLT/388)
International Classification: A01H 5/00 (20180101); A01H 6/46 (20180101);