Plant Breeder: Dr. Arden Baltensperger - Seeds West, Inc.
Experimental Designation - FMC 77.
Princess 77 bermudagrass is the first dense, fine textured hybrid bermudagrass variety to be available in seeded form. Princess 77 seed is produced much like hybrid seed corn, but instead of two inbred parent lines, two selfincompatible but cross-fertile parent clones are planted in alternating rows. The specific combining ability of these two elite parent clones is what makes Princess 77, an F1 hybrid, the first seeded bermudagrass that is competitive with the vegetative hybrid bermudagrasses for turfgrass quality, leaf texture, color, and density.
Characteristics:
� Outstanding drought tolerance
� Requires 21% less water than Tifway
� Dark green color
� Better divot recovery than Tifway
� Medium fine leaf texture
� High leaf density
� Excellent fall color retention
� Higher overall turf quality than all commercial seeded varieties in U.S. and International tests
Recommended Use: Golf Courses (fairways and tees), Athletic Fields, Parks, and Home Lawns Climatic Zones: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (may not be adaptable to all areas within each climatic zone.
Establishment & Maintenance: Princess 77 should be planted when soil temperatures are consistently above 65� F (18� C). For best results, take a soil sample and follow fertility recommendations prior to planting. Care must be taken not to cover the seed with too much soil; no more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) covering over the seed is advised. After seeding, soil moisture in the root zone must be maintained for about 1 to 2 weeks, germination may begin within 7 to 10 days. After the new turf is established, less frequent, deep watering is desirable. Recommended mowing height is 3/16 to 1 inch (5 to 25 mm) with no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade removed per mowing. Full coverage may be attained in 4 to 6 weeks with proper management. Fertilize with 1/2 to 1 lb/1,000 sq ft actual N (0.25 to 0.5 kg /100 sq m) per month of growing season for optimum performance, fertilization may be reduced by 1/2 if clippings are returned. This is a dense hybrid � verticut at least once per growing season during periods of active growth. Winter overseeding may be completed for year round green color, but is generally not recommended on turf less than 6 months old.
Seeding Rates:
� New Turf Applications: 1 - 2 lbs/1,000 sq. ft. (0.5 - 1 kg/100 sq. meters).
One pound of unhulled Princess 77 contains 2,200,000 seeds compared to 1,400,000 for unhulled NuMex Sahara. That is 57% more seed or 800,000 more seeds per pound. That is why we recommend a lower seeding rate for Princess 77 compared to other varieties.
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Download full technical sheets
with NTEP data
Seed Count Guide
Tall Fescue Varieties and Their Endophyte Level - 2003
Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Laboratories (United States and Canada)
Professional Turfgrass Guide
Professional Seed Guid
2 lb. $36.00 Bag, 5 lb. $89.00 Bag, 10lb. $170.00 Bag and 25 lb. $399.00 Bag
