Within the Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) species there is a tremendous amount of genetic diversity. This diversity provides turf managers with the opportunity to utilize this species in a wide range of environmental niches. However, this wide range of phenotypes often complicates cultivar selection. This study was initiated to characterize 173 Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections into classification groups based on morphological measurements. A Kentucky bluegrass spaced-plant nursery was established in the fall of 2002 at Rutgers University, Plant Science Research Station located in Adelphia, New Jersey. Morphological measurements included: mature plant height, plant spread, panicle height and length, and flag leaf height, width and length. Agronomic observations consisted of 50% heading date, flowering date, color, recovery potential, and response to various diseases. All measurements were taken after anthesis during the late spring of 2004 and 2005. Plant width was taken in early spring before heading and again in late August after seed heads were mechanically removed. Principal component analysis was utilized to group cultivars based on morphological and agronomic traits. The Compact-Midnight, Compact-America, BVMG, Shamrock, Mid-Atlantic, and common types generally form clusters based on first and second principal components. The Compact-Midnight cultivars formed the tightest cluster observed; indicating the strong similarities between cultivars of this grouping. The principal component analysis reinforced Kentucky bluegrass classification types already reported.
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