Tee-2-Green announces the launch of its latest advanced creeping bentgrass variety, PST-0JO. Pure-Seed Testing bred PST-0JO for superior resistance to diseases, high tolerance to temperature extremes and wear, and for the ability to thrive with fewer inputs and less maintenance. Bill Rose, president of Tee-2-Green, says, “PST-0JO is well adapted for low mowing to achieve superior Stimpmeter readings, when those results are desired, and this variety produces less thatch than any other bent in our trials to date.”
The genetic lineage behind PST-0JO includes the legendary Penncross and the groundbreaking Penn A’s and G’s. Lew Sharp, agronomist and golf course consultant for Tee-2-Green, describes the qualities of the new variety, “0JO was selected for its bright green color, disease resistance and ultra-smooth putting surface. It is high in density, upright, aggressive in growth and it produces less thatch than other bentgrasses on the market.”
“The distinctive green color is slightly different than the As and Gs, which contrasts nicely with the darker green varieties,” says Crystal Rose-Fricker, president of Pure-Seed Testing, “Plus, it did really well on the NTEP test due to its aggressiveness and resistance to disease. We’re excited because this is a global variety which has so much potential both in the United States and abroad.”
“PST-0JO provides excellent resistance to bacterial wilt, brown patch, fusarium patch, anthracnose and leaf spot, as well as great resistance to dollar spot,” says Sharp, “The high-density, aggressive growth of PST-0JO makes the turf able to successfully compete against Poa annua and recover quickly from ball marks, divots and traffic.”
Sharp also noted the new variety’s preference for dry environments. “PST-0JO likes drier conditions, so it requires less water and fewer inputs than other varieties. It will really save superintendents time and money.”