CHAMPION® GQ PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
CHAMPION® GQ perennial ryegrass, was developed with an emphasis
on selection based on qualities turf professionals have told us are most
important: rapid establishment, stress and disease resistance, and rapid
recovery. CHAMPION® GQ is composed of the SR 4000 series and other
exceptional varieties of perennial ryegrasses adapted for your specific region
Disease Resistant
The SR 4000 series perennial ryegrasses — including SR 4600, SR 4220,
SR 4350, SR 4420, SR 4500 and SR 4550 — have excellent resistance to common
turf diseases including: Crown Rust, Gray Leaf Spot, Winter Netblotch, Large Brown
Patch, Leaf Spot, Red Thread and good resistance to Stem Rust. The broad genetic
base and high disease resistance of these varieties contributes to the superior
performance of CHAMPION® GQ.
Gray Leaf Spot Resistant
Since the initial outbreak in the mid-1990’s, Seed Research has been feverishly
working to develop varieties that can withstand the ravages of Gray Leaf Spot (GLS).
The initial GLS screening cycle has yielded varieties that are significantly more
resistant to GLS than has ever been seen before — SR 4220, SR 4350, SR 4420,
SR 4500 and SR 4550. The addition of SR 4600 adds the highest level of GLS
resistance. All succeeding generations of our perennial ryegrasses will go
through this grueling screening process before they are approved for blending in
CHAMPION® GQ.
Endophyte-Enhanced
CHAMPION® GQ contains very high levels of viable endophyte. A wide range of
endophyte sources in the different varieties are used so these also have a broad genetic
base. Due to these very high endophyte levels, CHAMPION® GQ exhibits enhanced
resistance to a number of important insects including: billbugs, sod webworms, chinch
bugs, armyworms and aphids. The presence of the endophyte also contributes to
improved stress tolerance with better summer survival, enhanced fall recovery and
reduced weed invasion. These high endophyte levels are maintained through proper
storage of breeder, foundation and certified seed