Breeding Objectives in Amenity Grasses

The chapter provides a short history of amenity grass breeding, its development and current functions, including greens, sports, landscaping and ecosystem services. It examines the traits required for these functions including growth characteristics such as plant form, shoot density, fineness of leaf and cleanness of cut and the more complex traits such as mowing and wear tolerance, colour and the all encompassing visual merit. The chapter discusses the targets of a modern breeding programme and explains the key requirements for variety improvement. The future developments and goals of amenity breeding programmes such as disease resistance, drought and cold tolerance are also discussed along with the developing role of molecular technologies.

The vast range of natural adaptation and wide distribution of the grass family, together with an inherent affinity with open landscapes has naturally led to a capability and desire to improve this natural resource to be incorporated into, and optimised in, the lifestyles of urban-dwelling man.