by Donald M. Ball, and Robert A. Burdett, Jr., both Extension Agronomist/Professor, Department of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University.

Bermudagrass has been an important forage crop in the South for decades, and for good reason. It is widely adapted, has high yield potential, and has proven to be quite useful for warm season forage production, particularly as a hay crop. Thus it is not surprising that the availability of a productive, new forage bermudagrass variety is always of interest to cattlemen in the lower South where bermudagrass is adapted.

Most new varieties of hybrid bermudagrass, which require propagation vegetatively from sprigs or clippings, are developed in plant breeding programs. However, the most recent "new variety" has actually been around for years but has only recently attained true variety status.

'Russell' bermudagrass was found in the late 1970's in a field near Seale, Alabama by Donald Bice, County Agent in Russell County. The field had originally been planted to the Mississippi State University variety 'Callie,' but since Callie soon winterkilled throughout Alabama, it became clear that the grass which had dominated the field was unique, probably either a mutation of Callie or a natural hybrid between Callie and common bermudagrass.

Once the impressive characteristics of this grass were recognized, planting material was shared among neighbors, with the result being that by 1994 there were estimated to be over 2,000 acres in production, mostly in or near Russell County. On-farm success led to it being entered in variety trials at the Plant Breeding Unit, Tallassee, in 1986 (Table 1), at the E.V. Smith Crops Unit, Shorter, in 1991 (Table 2), and at the Hill Farm Research Station at Homer, Louisiana in 1988 (Table 3). These tests established that this bermudagrass yields as well as, or better than, popular hybrid bermudagrasses which are commonly used throughout the South.

Russell has yielded better and been rated higher for winterhardiness than 'Coastal' (Table 4), the variety which is considered the bermudagrass standard. It also was shown in a greenhouse test to root better from clippings than Coastal (Table 7). No unusual disease or insect problems have been noted with the grass, either in variety trials (Table 4) or in over 15 years of producer experience.

Forage quality of Russell was similar to that of several other commonly-grown bermudagrass hybrids when grown in a test in Alabama (Table 5), but IVDMD was lower than Coastal in a test in Louisiana (Table 6). Rate of spread, primarily by stolons, has been as fast or faster than any other bermudagrass variety commonly available in Alabama or Louisiana, with the exception of 'Tifton 85.'

A unique trait is that in the first harvest of the season it has almost always outyielded all other varieties to which it has been compared (Table 2). Most producers see this characteristic as being quite valuable. If a field is to be used for pasture, early greenup allows earlier grazing. High growth potential in early spring when rainfall is most dependable also gets hay production off to a good start for the year and reduces the risk of a poor season-long hay yield.

A quantative measurement of the weight or number of sprigs Russell produces per unit area relative to other bermudagrasses has not been determined. However, it has been noted that the variety forms a dense mass of robust rhizomes. Observation of a sprig (rhizome) digging operation confirms that sprig yield for planting material is excellent. Moreover, a commercial sprigger who plants both Coastal and Russell has reported that in his experience, the recovery rate of stands after digging Russell sprigs has been better than Coastal.

Russell exhibits many morphological characteristics similar to robust common bermudagrass ecotypes. Forage height at normal cutting stage is typically lower than for other commonly-used bermudagrass hybrids, but the forage is quite dense, thus allowing high yields. It forms a thick sod which producers have noted holds up well under grazing and which has important implications regarding erosion prevention.

Documention of its superior forage characteristics, as well as the need to have certified planting material available to producers, made it apparent that Russell should be recognized as a variety. This led to the 1994 joint release of Russell bermudagrass as a recognized variety by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and by the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station.

The northern limit for use of this variety has not been established, but it has persisted for years in locations as far north as Pell City, Alabama and Homer, Louisiana (each having a latitude similar to Birmingham, Alabama) and it has withstood winters in the vicinity of Russell County, Alabama for 17 years. It is believed that this variety can make an important contribution on many farms, especially in areas having well- drained soils and winters which are no more harsh than those which normally occur in central or north Alabama or north Louisiana.

Though promising new variety releases often stimulate much producer interest, many of them ultimately turn out to be disappointments. When new varieties reach the farm, it is not unusual for problems to appear that had not been previously observed. In the case of the "new" variety Russell, we have a bermudagrass which has already stood the test of time and for which there is much evidence of producer acceptance. Surprises regarding its performance are not likely at this point.

Breeder planting stock will be maintained by the Alabama Crop Improvement Association from which foundation planting material will be available beginning in spring, 1995. Persons interested in producing certified sprigs should write this agency at P.O. Box 2619, Auburn, AL, or call them at (205) 844-4995 or 821-7400.

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