TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda is known to be an extremely drought-tolerant grass that is highly resistant to wear. As the name suggests, TifTuf is tough!
A product of the University of Georgia – a world-leading turf grass breeder – TifTuf is the result of over 25 years of scientific research and was hand-selected from over 30,000 different Bermuda grass varieties for its following qualities:
- Very high drought resistance
- Up to 50% shade tolerance
- Very high wear
- Very low maintenance
- Fine leaf blade
TifTuf sets the benchmark for turf drought tolerance in Australia, requiring an average of 38% less water than other lawn types. Tiftuf Hybrid Bermuda is the only grass variety to have been certified with the Australian Smart Approved WaterMark – an independent national program that certifies water efficient products and services.
TifTuf Bermuda Grass Was A Product Of 25 Years Of Research and Development
TifTuf Bermuda Hybrid is the result of nearly 25 years of research from the University of Georgia, one of the most respected turfgrass breeders in the world.
TifTuf was hand-selected from almost 30,000 Bermuda varieties. It is tolerant to drought, shade and wear while maintaining its excellent colour through Winter.
The Sports Turf Research Institute, (STRI), conducts the world’s most advanced testing and research to develop innovative products and techniques for improving turfgrass and other surfaces for sport usage.
STRI recently conducted a study using different variables to evaluate the “Performances of Bermuda grass cultivars under various shade, irrigation and wear treatment.” It’s no surprise TifTuf turf stood out in the trial.
TifTuf Is A Drought-Tolerant And 'Water-Less' Grass
TifTuf bermuda grass is drought-resistant and water-saving. Being the first and only grass to be awarded the Smart Approved Water Mark, TifTuf is now the standard for drought tolerance in turf.
TifTuf requires only a small amount of water to survive. Its rapid-establishing root system can take root in as little as 7 days. This can make TifTuf turf establish up to 75% faster than most other varieties.
When it comes to drought tolerance, it only requires on average 38% less water than other turf options.
It Is Also Self-Repairing
TifTuf’s name says it all. It is tough!
This turf variety is very dense and has a fine blade, which makes it suitable for many applications. Its aggressive stolon and rhizome growth enables TifTuf to self-repair quickly, making it ideal for high wear conditions like sports fields and backyards.
TifTuf’s fine soft leaf blade makes it very comfortable to walk on too.
TifTuf Bermuda Grass - 100% Genetically Pure
To ensure its unique traits are preserved, safeguarding the genetic purity of TifTuf is crticial. The University of Georgia has taken the precaution of breeding all of its foundation material, which covers thousands of acres, from one single plant.
The Science Behind TifTuf Grass
TifTuf was selected as the superior variant out of 27,700 experimental Bermuda varieties. Ninety of the most promising genotypes were grown under rainout shelters in 1999 and tested under low irrigation through 2001. The Tiftuf variant, which was tested as an experimental name DT-1, maintained its green colour and quality under drought stress the longest.
Before its public release, TifTuf grass was further evaluated in:
- 19 drought stress trials
- 2 sports wear tolerance trials using the Cady traffic simulator, and
- 4 non-stress irrigated trials
These were all conducted at The University of Georgia, The University of Florida, North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University and Texas A&M University as part of the Federal Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant. Due to its success, TifTuf has become the University’s research standard to determine drought tolerance.