Research on breeding of the new variety Cynodon dactylon ‘Guinan’

Germplasm resources for Cynodon dactylon are abundant in China; however, only a few breeds have been bred. To breed new varieties of C. dactylon for lawn construction, researchers at the Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, have been developing new varieties of C. dactylon since 2000. Wild plants with excellent turf characteristics were selected and collected from Dongxing, Guangxi from a large number of wild C. dactylon germplasm resources collected from China and abroad. Through continuous individual selection and propagation, a systematic evaluation of turf value, variety comparison tests, regional tests, and productivity tests, using the germplasm as the parent, C. dactylon ‘Guinan’ was bred using systematic screening methods and registered with the National Committee for Grass Cultivar Examination and Approval in 2020. C. dactylon ‘Guinan’ is a new turfgrass variety with excellent turf characteristics, including fine texture, high density, good uniformity, long green days, and high turf-forming speed. It is suitable for planting in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and South China for landscaping as well as in soil and water conservation lawns. In the present study, the breeding background, morphological and biological characteristics, and cultivation techniques of this variety are summarized. The results of this study provide a reference for breeding new varieties of lawn grasses and a scientific basis for the popularization and utilization of the new variety of C. dactylon ‘Guinan’.