Shield Turf-Type Perennial Ryegrass
A new elite turf-type perennial ryegrass bred for gorgeous turf with very high resistance to gray leaf spot, rust, and summer stress.
Survivability
Shield was specifically bred from germplasm known to have high survivability in hot, humid regions crossed with plants highly resistant to gray leaf spot, stem rust and other disease. Further screenings have produced a ryegrass you can plant with confidence. Great turf that will endure the elements and stand tuff against disease.
Rutgers University
Gray Leaf Spot
Adelphi, NJ
|2015
| Variety | Resistance |
|---|---|
| Highest Score | 8.7 |
| Shield | 8.0 |
| Overdrive 5G | 8.0 |
| Amazing A+ | 7.0 |
| Green Supreme | 7.0 |
| Rutkus | 6.7 |
| Haven | 6.3 |
| Revenge GLX | 4.7 |
| Monterey 4 | 2.3 |
| Replay | 2.3 |
| Sunrise | 2.3 |
| Goalkeeper II | 2.0 |
| Palmer III | 2.0 |
| Lsd | 1.6 |
Quality Turf
Shield is ideal for use on home lawns, high traffic areas, athletic fields, fairways, and other locations where attractive, disease resistant perennial ryegrass is desired. Shield can easily be combined with elite bluegrasses, fine and tall fescues.
Rutgers University
Turf Quality
Adelphi, NJ
|2015
| Variety | Quality |
|---|---|
| Highest Score | 6.9 |
| Shield | 6.7 |
| Overdrive 5G | 6.4 |
| Amazing A+ | 5.8 |
| Rutkus | 5.6 |
| Green Supreme | 5.5 |
| Revenge GLX | 4.7 |
| Haven | 4.5 |
| Monterey 4 | 3.6 |
| Replay | 2.8 |
| Sunrise | 3.4 |
| Palmer III | 2.9 |
| Goalkeeper II | 2.6 |
| Lsd | 0.8 |
National Trials
Shield is currently being evaluated throughout the country under the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). The first year report shows good turf quality throughout the country, as well as good resistances to crown rust, pink snow mold, winter kill and drought. Shield is recommended variety in Virginia and Maryland.
National Turfgrass Evaluation Program
Performance Data
2017-2019
| Categories* | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Group 1 | x | x | |
| Quality Group 2 | x | x | |
| Quality All Locations | x | ||
| Quality Schedule A | x | x | |
| Quality Schedule B | x | x | |
| Quality Schedule C | x | ||
| Quality Northeast | x | ||
| Quality Transition | x | x | |
| Quality North Central | x | x | x |
| Upper West/Mountain (Logan, UT) | |||
| South West (Fresno, CA) | x | ||
| Pacific Region (Corvallis, OR) | |||
| % Bare Cover, Traffic - Blacksburg, VA | x | ||
| Drought - Logan, UT | x | x | |
| Salt Tolerance - Fort Collins, CO | |||
| Genetic Color | |||
| Fall Color | x | ||
| Spring Greenup | x | x | |
| Seedling Vigor | x | ||
| Seedling Vigor - Manhattan, KS | x | ||
| % Ground Cover Spring | x | x | |
| % Ground Cover Summer | |||
| % Ground Cover Fall | x | ||
| % Ground Cover SpSuFa - Fargo, ND | |||
| Red Thread | x | ||
| Crown Rust, NJ | x | ||
| Gray Leaf Spot, NJ | |||
| Pink Snow Mold, UT | x | x | |
| Fall Color Retention, IL | x | ||
| Traffic, Blacksburg | x | ||
| % Establishment | x | ||
| % Establishment - Fargo, ND | |||
| % Establishment - Logan, UT | x | ||
| % Divot Recovery - Lexington, KY | x | ||
| Winter Kill, MN (17), IL (19) | x | x | |
| Quality Dec - Fresno, CA | x |
National Turfgrass Evaluation Program
Performance Data
2017-2017
| Locations* | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | x | x | x |
| Storrs, CT | x | x | x |
| Ames, IA | x | x | x |
| Urbana, IL | x | x | |
| Manhattan, KS | x | ||
| Lexington, KY | x | x | |
| Traffic - Amherst, MA | |||
| College Park, MD | x | ||
| East Lansing, MI | x | x | |
| St. Paul, MN | x | x | x |
| Columbia, MO | x | x | |
| Mead, NE | x | x | x |
| Adelphi, NJ | |||
| Corvallis, OR | x | ||
| Quality Traffic - Corvallis, OR | x | x | |
| Logan, UT | |||
| Blackburg, VA | x | x | |
| Quality Traffic - Madison, WI | x | x | x |
Enhance Your Seed
We provide an array of seed enhancements, including bio stimulants, macro and micronutrients, water absorbents, fungicides, and colorants. These are available for all seed types and uses.
Planting Instructions
For ideal turf, plant Shield on fertile, neutral pH soils during the cooler seasons of the year, such as spring and fall. If needing to plant during other times, plan on additional overseeding.
Seeding Rate
Planting Dates
Spring and fall.