Department of Crop and Soil Sciences - Cooperative Extension
Tests of commercially available turfgrass cultivars and experimental selections are conducted annually at Penn State University to provide turfgrass managers, seed industry representatives, county extension agents, and other interested persons with information about turfgrass characteristics and performance. In September 1992, 68 tall fescue cultivars were established at the Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Center in University Park, PA. Entries were supplied by the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, an organization established to coordinate the evaluation of turfgrass cultivars and experimental selections in many locations throughout the United States. The following is a report on the performance of tall fescue cultivars from 1992 through 1995.
Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
Tall fescue is a persistent and durable cool-season turfgrass used in home lawns, grounds, parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields. It is also a popular choice for low maintenance areas such as highway medials, airstrips, and fairgrounds. This species has a medium to coarse leaf texture and a light to medium green color depending on the cultivar and fertility level. Tall fescue is primarily a bunch-type grass that occasionally produces short rhizomes.
Tall fescue is the most drought tolerant cool-season turfgrass, a function of its ability to produce deep root systems. It is also heat tolerant, generally performing well in the southern portion of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Stands of tall fescue will also persist in cooler climates, such as northern Pennsylvania, but are slow to green-up in spring and may be damaged by winter diseases and ice.
Tall fescue performs well in open, sunny areas and is moderately shade tolerant. It is less suited to heavily-shaded conditions than the fine fescues, but is more shade tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. This species is best suited to well-drained soils.
To obtain a dense, fine textured turf, tall fescue should be seeded at 6 to 8 lb of seed per 1000 sq ft. Although it germinates quickly (about 10 days under ideal conditions), the young plants are somewhat slow to establish extensive root systems. Thus, they have only fair recovery potential the first year of growth. Tall fescue thrives under moderate fertility levels and generally performs well when fertilized with 2.0 to 3.0 lb nitrogen (N) per 1,000 sq ft per growing season. Thatch development is minimal with this species and suggested mowing heights range between 2.0 and 3.0 inches.
Although many new cultivars are finer textured, more dense, and darker green than older cultivars such as 'Kentucky 31', many individuals still consider most of the new 'turf type' tall fescues to be incompatible in mixtures with Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescues. Tall fescue may be objectionable in a mixture with these other fine-textured cool-season turfgrass species because it tends to form coarse-textured clumps in an otherwise uniform stand.
The most serious diseases of tall fescue in Pennsylvania are the snow molds and brown patch. Snow mold diseases occur mostly in northern areas of the state during winters with prolonged snow cover. Brown patch is more common in the southeastern portion of the state during the hot, humid months of summer. It is especially severe when the turf is heavily fertilized with N fertilizer. Other damaging diseases of tall fescue are net blotch, red thread, rust, and Pythium blight.
Slower growing and short stature tall fescue cultivars are currently in demand for their reduced mowing requirements and increased tiller densities. Although some of these cultivars have been used successfully in Pennsylvania, the reduced rate of growth may slow recovery from disease, insect damage, and/or wear. These grasses should not be used in athletic fields or in other high wear or disease prone sites.
Several tall fescue cultivars show endophyte-enhanced resistance to various leaf and stem feeding insects. Endophytes, in this case, are beneficial fungi that reside within tall fescue seed and grow and persist in the developing plant. Endophytes produce compounds that discourage leaf and stem-feeding insects from destroying the plant. Tall fescues containing endophytes have shown increased resistance to sod webworms, fall armyworms, and chinch bugs. Endophytes do not harm the host plant, people, or pets that occasionally eat the grass. However, endophyte-containing tall fescue may be detrimental to animals that consume large quantities of the grass as a significant part of their nutritional requirements (i.e. cows, horses, and/or sheep).
Establishment and maintenance
Each entry was seeded in 4 by 6 ft plots at a rate of 4.4 lb of seed per 1000 sq ft. The entire test area received full sunlight. Three replicate plots of each entry were used in this test. Plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design. Prior to seeding, starter fertilizer was applied at a rate of 1.0 lb of N, 0.5 lb of P205 (phosphate), and 0.5 lb K20 (potash) per 1000 sq ft. In May of each year of the test, a preemergence herbicide was applied for crabgrass control. TrimecTM (2,4-D, MCPP, and dicamba) herbicide was applied in June, 1993 and 1994 to control broadleaf weeds. The test was mowed at 2.0 inches with a reel mower and fertilized twice each year of the test (spring and fall) with 1 lb N per 1000 sq ft per application. The test was irrigated whenever necessary to prevent wilting.
Evaluation and interpretation of results
All assessments of turfgrass performance were made on a visual basis. Care was taken to ensure consistent and accurate evaluations. The following performance criteria were used to asses tall fescue cultivars and selections.
Quality: Quality indicates the overall appearance of the turf and can incorporate several components including: density, texture (measure of leaf width), uniformity, color, and freedom from disease and insect damage. Quality was rated using a scale of 1-9, where 9 = highest quality.
Seedling vigor: This rating is a visual estimate of percent ground cover and plant height during the early stages of seedling development and reflects the rate of establishment. The plots were rated using a scale of 1-9, where 9 = most vigorous seedling growth.
Disease: Disease ratings provide an indication of a cultivar's reaction to a particular disease. Disease ratings were based on a percentage scale (0 to 100) with 100% = the entire treatment severely damaged.
Spring green-up: Spring green-up provides an indication of how soon the turf breaks out of winter dormancy. The plots were rated for spring green-up using a scale of 1-9, with 9 = the most uniform green color.
Percent living ground cover: This rating is used to express the amount of living turf cover remaining after massive localized damage has occurred (such as that caused by disease, insects, weeds, drought, etc.). Percent living ground cover was rated on a scale of 0 to 99%, with 99% the highest obtainable living ground cover.
Color: This rating reflects the inherent color of the entry, not yellowing or browning due to mower injury, drought stress, disease, etc. Color ratings are taken when grass is not under stress. Color was rated on a scale of 1-9, with 9 = the darkest green color.
Texture: This rating provides an indication of the relative coarseness/fineness of turf leaf width. Texture is rated on a scale of 1-9, where 9 = the most fine-textured turf.
Density: Density is a visual estimate of the number of plants per unit area (excluding diseased or insect-damaged patches of turf). Density was rated on a scale of 1-9, with 9 = the most dense turf.
Data for the above criteria are presented in Tables 1 through 3. Entries are listed in order of highest combined seasonal average quality averaged over three years (1993 through 1995) to lowest average three year combined seasonal average quality. Differences between two entries are statistically significant only if the LSD (Least Significant Difference) value, listed at the bottom of each column in Tables 1 through 3, is exceeded by the numerical difference between two entries. For example, if cultivar 'A' is 3.0 units higher in quality than cultivar 'B', then this difference is only significant if the LSD value is 3.0 or less. If the LSD is greater than 3.0, then the numerical difference between the two cultivars may be due to inherent variability in the test area or some other element of chance.
Summary
Differences in performance criteria occurred among tall fescue entries during 1992-1995. Owing to differences in growing conditions between 1992 and 1995, the performance of some cultivars varied among seasons.
An infestation of pink snow mold occurred in early spring 1993 and severely damaged a number of tall fescue entries. Some of the entries that were damaged were slow to recover and showed poor quality and density throughout most of the 1993 growing season. A gray snow mold infestation occurred in 1994 and covered the entire test area. Although most entries fully recovered by May (recovery was faster on two-year-old turf as compared with turf in the first year (1993) of establishment), it is apparent that snow mold diseases may be a limiting factor in growing tall fescue in central and northern areas of Pennsylvania.
A wide range of color and texture differences exist among the entries included in this test. Coarse textured, light green cultivars such as Kentucky-31, Anthem, Falcon, and Arid, are appropriate choices for low maintenance sites and some parks and playgrounds. Fine textured, medium to dark green tall fescues exhibiting good disease resistance and density (Houndog V, Montauk, Marksman, and Apache II - to name a few) are suitable for most lawns and grounds, but can also be used in low maintenance areas.
The 11 tall fescue entries that showed the highest combined seasonal average for the three year test period were:
- Houndog V
- Tomahawk
- Montauk
- Jaguar 3
- Marksman
- Duke
- Rebel Jr.
- Grande
- Apache II
- Crossfire II
- Southern Choice
Keep in mind that the results of this test reflect cultivar performance for the management regime imposed at this site and environmental conditions in central Pennsylvania. The tested cultivars may perform differently under other environmental conditions and management regimes.
| Season
average 1993 |
Season
average 1994 |
Season
average 1995 |
Combined
season average 1993-95 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¹ Refer to 'evaluation and interpretation of results' for an explanation of performance criteria ratings.
² LSD = least significant difference. The LSD values at the bottom of each column represent the minimum difference between any two entries necessary to be 95% confident that the difference is not attributable to chance. |
||||
| Houndog V | 7.2 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 7.4 |
| Tomahawk | 7.6 | 7.6 | 6.7 | 7.3 |
| Montauk | 7.6 | 7.6 | 6.4 | 7.2 |
| Jaguar 3 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 6.6 | 7.2 |
| Marksman | 7.1 | 7.8 | 6.6 | 7.2 |
| Duke | 7.7 | 7.4 | 6.3 | 7.1 |
| Rebel, Jr. | 7.7 | 7.1 | 6.4 | 7.1 |
| Grande | 7.2 | 7.6 | 6.4 | 7.1 |
| Apache II | 7.4 | 7.3 | 6.3 | 7.0 |
| Crossfire II | 7.1 | 7.0 | 6.9 | 7.0 |
| Southern Choice | 6.9 | 7.6 | 6.4 | 7.0 |
| SR 8300 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 6.4 | 6.9 |
| Pixie | 6.4 | 7.6 | 6.6 | 6.9 |
| Leprechaun | 6.8 | 7.2 | 6.8 | 6.9 |
| SR 8210 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 6.8 | 6.9 |
| Duster | 6.7 | 7.1 | 6.8 | 6.9 |
| Titan 2 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 6.1 | 6.8 |
| Starlet | 6.8 | 7.3 | 6.4 | 6.8 |
| Genesis | 6.9 | 7.1 | 6.4 | 6.8 |
| Pyramid | 6.8 | 7.2 | 6.3 | 6.8 |
| Falcon II | 7.0 | 6.9 | 6.5 | 6.8 |
| Avanti | 6.1 | 7.4 | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| Emperor | 6.8 | 6.7 | 6.6 | 6.7 |
| Coyote | 6.3 | 7.1 | 6.8 | 6.7 |
| Shortstop II | 6.8 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| Bonanza | 7.3 | 6.7 | 6.1 | 6.7 |
| Gazelle | 6.3 | 7.1 | 6.6 | 6.7 |
| Generic | 6.6 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| Gaurdian | 6.1 | 7.1 | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Cochise | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.1 | 6.6 |
| Palisades | 5.9 | 7.4 | 6.4 | 6.6 |
| Aztec | 6.4 | 7.1 | 6.4 | 6.6 |
| Ninja | 6.3 | 7.2 | 6.3 | 6.6 |
| Adobe | 6.3 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Chieftan II | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 6.5 |
| Debutante | 6.0 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 6.5 |
| Micro DD | 6.0 | 6.9 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Vegas | 5.7 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 6.5 |
| SR 8200 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 6.4 | 6.5 |
| Finelawn 88 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 5.9 | 6.4 |
| Shenandoah | 6.8 | 6.5 | 5.9 | 6.4 |
| Silverado | 6.1 | 6.9 | 6.2 | 6.4 |
| Virtue | 5.6 | 7.2 | 6.3 | 6.4 |
| Kittyhawk | 6.7 | 6.6 | 6.0 | 6.4 |
| Monarch | 6.8 | 6.9 | 5.6 | 6.4 |
| Lexus | 5.7 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 6.4 |
| Finelawn Petite | 6.1 | 7.1 | 5.9 | 6.4 |
| Coronado | 6.8 | 6.2 | 5.9 | 6.3 |
| Mirage | 6.3 | 6.7 | 5.8 | 6.3 |
| Alamo | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 6.3 |
| Safari | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.1 | 6.3 |
| Olympic II | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.3 |
| Rebel-3D | 6.3 | 6.6 | 5.7 | 6.2 |
| Phoenix | 6.3 | 6.6 | 5.7 | 6.2 |
| Austin | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.2 |
| Astro 2000 | 5.8 | 6.7 | 5.8 | 6.1 |
| Eldorado | 6.7 | 6.2 | 5.2 | 6.0 |
| Bonsai Plus | 5.3 | 6.9 | 5.7 | 6.0 |
| Bonanza II | 5.2 | 6.9 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Lancer | 4.8 | 6.9 | 6.4 | 6.0 |
| Bonsai | 4.9 | 6.7 | 6.0 | 5.9 |
| Trailblazer II | 4.9 | 6.6 | 6.2 | 5.9 |
| Arid | 6.4 | 6.1 | 5.3 | 5.9 |
| Falcon | 6.3 | 6.1 | 5.1 | 5.8 |
| Anthem | 5.3 | 5.5 | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Kentucky-31
no endophyte |
5.1 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 4.4 |
| Kentucky-31
w/ endophyte |
5.0 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 4.3 |
| Twilight | 3.7 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| LSD at 5%² | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| Entry | Seedling
vigor¹ Sept. 12, 1992 |
%Pink Snow
mold¹ April 1, 1993 |
Spring
green-up¹ April 13, 1993 |
% Living
ground cover¹ April 23, 1993 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¹ Refer to 'evaluation and interpretation of results' for an explanation of performance criteria ratings.
² LSD = least significant difference. The LSD values at the bottom of each column represent the minimum difference between any two entries necessary to be 95% confident that the difference is not attributable to chance. |
||||
| Houndog V | 6.3 | 7.7 | 6.3 | 90 |
| Tomahawk | 6.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 99 |
| Montauk | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.7 | 97 |
| Jaguar 3 | 6.0 | 1.7 | 7.7 | 97 |
| Marksman | 4.7 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 93 |
| Duke | 6.3 | 7.7 | 6.7 | 93 |
| Rebel, Jr. | 8.0 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 99 |
| Grande | 7.0 | 1.7 | 6.3 | 99 |
| Apache II | 5.7 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 97 |
| Crossfire II | 6.0 | 3.3 | 6.3 | 97 |
| Southern Choice | 5.0 | 7.7 | 7.0 | 97 |
| SR 8300 | 6.7 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 90 |
| Pixie | 7.3 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 83 |
| Leprechaun | 7.0 | 11.0 | 6.7 | 87 |
| SR 8210 | 5.7 | 7.7 | 6.0 | 99 |
| Duster | 5.7 | 4.3 | 6.0 | 97 |
| Titan 2 | 7.3 | 3.3 | 7.3 | 99 |
| Starlet | 4.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 90 |
| Genesis | 7.7 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 97 |
| Pyramid | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.7 | 99 |
| Falcon II | 6.3 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 99 |
| Avanti | 7.7 | 6.3 | 5.7 | 93 |
| Emperor | 6.3 | 3.7 | 7.0 | 97 |
| Coyote | 5.3 | 1.7 | 6.3 | 97 |
| Shortstop II | 5.7 | 5.0 | 6.3 | 87 |
| Bonanza | 6.0 | 1.3 | 7.0 | 93 |
| Gazelle | 5.0 | 4.7 | 6.7 | 97 |
| Generic | 7.3 | 7.0 | 6.3 | 99 |
| Guardian | 8.7 | 7.3 | 5.7 | 70 |
| Cochise | 6.7 | 6.0 | 6.7 | 99 |
| Palisades | 7.7 | 9.0 | 5.7 | 93 |
| Aztec | 7.0 | 15.7 | 6.3 | 87 |
| Ninja | 5.7 | 13.3 | 7.3 | 70 |
| Adobe | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 90 |
| Chieftan II | 7.7 | 16.3 | 6.3 | 77 |
| Debutante | 5.7 | 25.0 | 6.3 | 70 |
| Micro DD | 6.7 | 23.3 | 6.0 | 70 |
| Vegas | 6.0 | 48.3 | 5.3 | 80 |
| SR 8200 | 7.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 93 |
| Finelawn 88 | 7.0 | 6.3 | 6.0 | 93 |
| Shenandoah | 7.0 | 7.7 | 6.7 | 93 |
| Silverado | 7.3 | 26.7 | 6.0 | 70 |
| Virtue | 7.3 | 9.3 | 6.3 | 87 |
| Kittyhawk | 7.0 | 11.7 | 6.7 | 83 |
| Monarch | 6.7 | 10.3 | 6.0 | 99 |
| Lexus | 5.7 | 23.3 | 6.0 | 83 |
| Finelawn Petite | 5.7 | 14.3 | 6.3 | 87 |
| Coronado | 4.7 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 97 |
| Mirage | 7.0 | 13.3 | 6.3 | 93 |
| Alamo | 5.0 | 3.0 | 6.3 | 87 |
| Safari | 6.7 | 7.3 | 7.0 | 93 |
| Olympic II | 8.7 | 9.3 | 6.7 | 87 |
| Rebel-3D | 6.3 | 51.7 | 5.0 | 70 |
| Phoenix | 6.3 | 9.3 | 6.7 | 97 |
| Austin | 7.0 | 21.7 | 6.3 | 90 |
| Astro 2000 | 7.7 | 25.0 | 7.0 | 70 |
| Eldorado | 6.7 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 93 |
| Bonsai Plus | 5.7 | 48.3 | 5.7 | 57 |
| Bonanza II | 6.3 | 14.3 | 7.3 | 63 |
| Lancer | 7.0 | 43.3 | 6.0 | 60 |
| Bonsai | 4.7 | 15.7 | 6.0 | 63 |
| Trailblazer II | 7.3 | 45.0 | 5.7 | 60 |
| Arid | 8.7 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 97 |
| Falcon | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.3 | 99 |
| Anthem | 7.3 | 12.3 | 8.0 | 60 |
| Kentucky-31
(no endophyte) |
8.3 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 97 |
| Kentucky-31
w/ endophyte |
7.7 | 4.3 | 8.7 | 87 |
| Twilight | 6.0 | 33.3 | 5.7 | 57 |
| LSD at 5%² | 1.0 | 16.8 | 1.0 | 14 |
| Entry | Color¹
Combined season ave. 1993-1995 |
Texture¹
Combined season ave. 1993-1995 |
Density¹
Combined season ave. 1993-1995 |
% Brown
Patch July 12, 1994 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¹ Refer to 'evaluation and interpretation of results' for an explanation of performance criteria ratings.
² LSD = least significant difference. The LSD values at the bottom of each column represent the minimum difference between any two entries necessary to be 95% confident that the difference is not attributable to chance. |
||||
| Houndog V | 6.2 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 1.3 |
| Tomahawk | 5.7 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.3 |
| Montauk | 5.6 | 7.2 | 6.7 | 3.0 |
| Jaguar 3 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 1.0 |
| Marksman | 7.1 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 2.0 |
| Duke | 6.0 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 4.3 |
| Rebel, Jr. | 5.9 | 7.2 | 6.7 | 2.3 |
| Grande | 5.5 | 6.7 | 6.4 | 5.3 |
| Apache II | 7.1 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 2.7 |
| Crossfire II | 6.3 | 6.7 | 6.6 | 10.7 |
| Southern Choice | 6.6 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 2.7 |
| SR 8300 | 5.2 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 4.0 |
| Pixie | 6.2 | 7.5 | 6.7 | 4.0 |
| Leprechaun | 5.9 | 7.2 | 6.7 | 2.0 |
| SR 8210 | 5.6 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 8.3 |
| Duster | 6.8 | 7.4 | 6.8 | 11.0 |
| Titan 2 | 5.0 | 6.2 | 6.9 | 2.0 |
| Starlet | 6.6 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 6.3 |
| Genesis | 7.4 | 4.9 | 7.0 | 4.3 |
| Pyramid | 5.5 | 7.4 | 6.2 | 3.7 |
| Falcon II | 6.6 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 2.0 |
| Avanti | 5.3 | 8.0 | 6.5 | 11.0 |
| Emperor | 6.5 | 8.0 | 6.4 | 6.0 |
| Coyote | 8.6 | 8.2 | 6.1 | 4.0 |
| Shortstop II | 7.2 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 15.3 |
| Bonanza | 5.1 | 5.5 | 6.7 | 2.3 |
| Gazelle | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 6.7 |
| Generic | 5.0 | 5.7 | 6.3 | 2.7 |
| Gaurdian | 5.1 | 6.8 | 6.5 | 2.7 |
| Cochise | 6.0 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 5.3 |
| Palisades | 5.4 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 3.0 |
| Aztec | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.7 |
| Ninja | 7.0 | 7.7 | 7.3 | 1.3 |
| Adobe | 6.1 | 8.0 | 6.5 | 15.0 |
| Chieftan II | 6.2 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 17.3 |
| Debutante | 5.9 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 2.7 |
| Micro DD | 7.1 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 2.0 |
| Vegas | 6.9 | 6.5 | 6.4 | 2.3 |
| SR 8200 | 5.3 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Finelawn 88 | 5.3 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 1.3 |
| Shenandoah | 5.1 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 3.3 |
| Silverado | 6.0 | 5.7 | 6.4 | 2.0 |
| Virtue | 6.1 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 3.0 |
| Kittyhawk | 6.0 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 5.0 |
| Monarch | 5.2 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.7 |
| Lexus | 7.6 | 7.4 | 6.4 | 4.0 |
| Finelawn Petite | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Coronado | 7.4 | 6.7 | 6.1 | 11.0 |
| Mirage | 6.9 | 7.5 | 5.8 | 4.0 |
| Alamo | 5.9 | 6.9 | 6.8 | 12.7 |
| Safari | 4.8 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 7.7 |
| Olympic II | 4.7 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 7.7 |
| Rebel-3D | 7.3 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 1.3 |
| Austin | 5.0 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 3.3 |
| Astro 2000 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.3 |
| Eldorado | 5.3 | 6.7 | 6.2 | 4.7 |
| Bonsai Plus | 6.9 | 5.4 | 6.0 | 6.3 |
| Bonanza II | 5.7 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 4.7 |
| Lancer | 7.3 | 7.0 | 5.8 | 9.0 |
| Bonsai | 7.3 | 8.4 | 6.2 | 8.7 |
| Trailblazer II | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Arid | 3.6 | 5.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Falcon | 3.9 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 2.0 |
| Anthem | 3.3 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 2.7 |
| Kentucky-31
(no endophyte) |
2.1 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 2.7 |
| Kentucky-31
(w/ endophyte) |
2.0 | 2.0 | 4.3 | 8.7 |
| Twilight | 8.8 | 5.7 | 4.5 | 24.0 |
| LSD at 5%² | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 9.6 |