Development of ‘Goodwell' Forage Bermudagrass.

ABSTRACT

            Bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., is the most widely used warm-season, sod-forming, perennial forage grass species for haying, grazing or both in the southern United States. ‘Goodwell’ forage bermudagrass was developed by the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station and released in March 2007. Goodwell was tested under the experimental designation LCB 84 X 16-66. Goodwell is a clonally propagated F₁ hybrid from a cross made in 1984. It was selected from among several hundred F₁ hybrids evaluated as space-planted plants from 1985 through 1987.  Following its selection, Goodwell was tested in replicated biomass production trials along with several commercial cultivars including ‘Tifton 44’, ‘Midland 99’, ‘Ozark’, ‘Midland’ and ‘Greenfield’ at Haskell, Chickasha, and Goodwell in Oklahoma, and Mound Valley, Kansas. Goodwell produced significantly higher forage yields (P <0.05) than all standard cultivars except Ozark in irrigated tests at Goodwell, OK.  Goodwell is shorter in plant height, and has larger stems and wider leaves and produces a denser sod than “hay type” standards Midland, Midland 99 and Tifton 44. Compared to “grazing type” cultivars like Greenfield, Goodwell is taller growing and has much larger stems and leaves, but forms a less dense sod. Goodwell demonstrated excellent winter hardiness and early green-up in all field tests.  Goodwell bermudagrass is well-adapted to production under irrigation in Oklahoma panhandle and likely adjacent areas of the High Plains.  Planting stock of Goodwell will be distributed through licensed growers and a plant patent application has been submitted.