2014 was the last evaluation year in the SCANGREEN project seeded in 2011. Trials were completed at Korpa GC, Reykjavik, Iceland (64°N) and Bioforsk Apelsvoll, Norway (62°N) in the northern zone and at Bioforsk Landvik, Norway (58°N) and Sydsjælland GC, Denmark (56°N) in the southern zone. A total of 38 varieties representing 8 species/subspecies were tested (Table 1). Standard mowing height was 5 mm for F. rubra, L. perenne, P. supina and P. trivialis, and 3 mm for Agrostis sp. No pesticides were used, and the trials were exposed to wear and compaction corresponding to 20 000 rounds of golf per year. The trial at Landvik was inoculated with a blend of local isolates of M. nivale to ensure uniform disease pressure.
As of 23 Jan. 2014, the data have been analysed statistically and ranking lists presented to the seed companies. The most important findings are:
• Agrostis stolonifera: ‘Tiger Shark’ and ‘007’ produced the same high green quality as ‘Independence’ (control) in the southern zone, while ‘T1’ and ‘Cobra Nova’ performed med relatively better in the northern zone. ‘SR 1150’ and especially ‘Tyee’ were susceptible to winter damage and should be avoided in Scandinavia.
• Agrostis canina: The only test variety ‘PSG7PC2’ had darker colour and less height growth, but its overall turf quality was slightly lower than of ‘Villa’ (control).
• Agrostis capillaris: ‘Cleek’ and ‘PSGNBC’ performed significantly better than the controls ‘Jorvik’ and ‘Leirin’ in the southern and northern zone, respectively. The performance of a breeding line of A. castellana confirmed that this species is not suitable for Nordic conditions.
• Festuca rubra ssp. commutata: ‘Barlineus’ in particular, but also ‘Caldris’, ‘Bodega’ and ‘Bargreen II’ were equal to or better than ‘Musica’ (control) in the southern zone. ‘Valetta’ and the Norwegian breeding line ‘LøRc0008’ may become winterhardy alternatives for the northern zone. The dark-coloured variety ‘Nikky’ gave acceptable quality in Denmark, but performed poorly in Norway and Iceland.
• Festuca rubra ssp. litoralis: Only ‘Nigella’ was level with or better than the control ‘Cezanne’ in both zones. ‘Beudin’ and ‘Isolde’ were intermediate, while ‘Joppa’ was susceptible to disease and had a high growth rate.
• Poa supina (cv. Supranova) was a new species in the SCANGREEN programme. It had light colour and rather coarse texture, but thanks to good winter survival and resistance to M. nivale, it received an overall high ranking at both sites in the northern zone.
