|
Tiffway 419
Shelby Sod Company, Inc., located in Harpersville, Alabama produces certified and registered 419. Our planting stock was purchased in Sardis, Georgia
; the only location breeder's stock is available. The breeder's stock is maintained by the Georgia Seed Development Commission, located in Athens, Georgia.
Our registered and certified sod is grown under the Alabama guidelines of the Southern Seed Certification Association, Inc., located in Auburn, Alabama.
Tifway 419, since it's release in 1960, is the most widely used Bermuda grass for home lawns, sport fields, golf courses, and general landscaping. Its superior
qualities and genetic purity are responsible for the success of this industry. For a perfect lawn, choose certified Tifway 419 from Shelby Sod Company, Inc.
History of Tifway 419
Bermuda grass was first introduced into the United states from Afirca as early as 1751. It was used primarily in agriculture for grazing livestock. In the early 1900's
golf became popular and thus the use of Bermuda grass on golf courses. From here the success of turf grass breeding in the U.S. began. Common Bermuda grasses, a widely used term
is used to classify many different types of Bermuda grass. All of these common Bermuda grasses reproduce sexually and produce seed. The seed is spread by wind, erosion,
birds, etc. The plant can also re-produce vegetatively with its roots, (rhizomes and stollens) being spread in a similary manner continuing the propagation of the species.
As reproduction occurs, characteristics change, i.e. evolution. Because of this type of reproduction, Common Bermuda grass will conginually cross breed and change. Its gene pool
never remains the same due to the random breeding.
Dr. G. W. Burton began a Bermuda grass cross breeding program at the Coastal Plains Substation in Tifton, Georgia
in the mid 1950's. From this program many successful cross-bred Bermuda hybrids were developed. Tifway 419 was chosen, developed, and released in 1960 by Dr. Burton. It was chosen for turf
because of its superior turf characteristics, which remain unchanged to this day. Tifway 419 is a tripload hybrid cross that does not reproduce sexually. It has 27 chromosomes and is incapable of reproducing sexually.
This is why the characteristics remain unchanged. The original breeders' stock of this Tifway 419 is still maintained and hightly protected. Shelby Sod Company, Inc. maintains a four acre plot of this original cross and uses it to plant its fields for sale to the public.
|
|
|
