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4TURF® – RESILIENCE AND STRESS TOLERANCE AS STANDARD Diploid and tetraploid plants contain differing amounts of chromosomes in the nuclei of their plant cells. Diploid plants have two sets of chromosomes in each cell; tetraploid plants have four sets. The ability of a plant to contain more than two sets of chromosomes is known as polyploidy, a state that can be artificially induced by the application of the natural alkaloid plant hormone, colchicine. Colchicine, which is derived from the autumn crocus, is a mitosis inhibitor; it leads to a doubling of chromosomes within each cell. Perennial ryegrasses bred for amenity use have historically been diploid plants. Tetraploid perennial ryegrasses are a technological step forward. They perform better because they have twice as many chromosomes and therefore twice as much chloroplast in each cell. The extra chloroplast boosts chlorophyll production, creating a healthier, high-energy plant. DLF has been breeding tetraploid turf varieties for many years. These are resilient varieties with improved stress tolerance and the ability to recover from stress and damage at cooler tempera- tures. Tetraploids were first seen in a lawn grass situation over 25 years ago when the standard of turf quality in general was not as high. What is new is that this new generation of varieties I have developed are able to compete in performance and appearance with the best modern standard varieties. It has taken me over 20 years to achieve this. Even that first variety many years ago exhibited improved stress tolerance and this is what has motivated me as a breeder to continue improving and refining 4turf®. 4turf® will open new horizons in perennial ryegrass breeding Christophe Galbrun – seed breeder
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4TURF® HELPS TO MEET UN SUSTAINABILITY GOALS TURF TO HELP MEET THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS All turf is green, but 4turf® varieties are greener than most. These are the long-lasting turfs that need fewer resources such as water, fertiliser and pesticide throughout their lives. During establishment and in day-to-day maintenance, 4turf® has a smaller impact on the climate and the environment. By choosing 4turf® varieties from DLF, your organisation can help meet UN sustainable development goals 6, 11, 13 and 15. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION – UN GOAL 6 Clean water is a scarce and limited resource. 4turf® varieties can withstand being irrigated with non-potable water. And since they are drought tolerant, they need less water overall. 4turf® varieties with a high disease resistance also need less pesticide which reduces the risk of infiltration into groundwater. 4turf® solutions protect the availability and quality of local water. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES – UN GOAL 11 Increased population growth requires new ways of thinking about cities and urban living. Grass creates green urban spaces that support health and exercise and provide a high recreational value. Grass also helps to reduce the urban heat island effect and support better air quality by contributing to the cleaning of local air. 4turf® is specially developed to cope better with irregular weather patterns caused by climate change. CLIMATE ACTION – UN GOAL 13 The climate is changing across the globe as a result of the continuing emission of greenhouse gasses. 4turf®’s resilience and adaptability requires less maintenance which can contribute to a reduction of CO 2 emissions. LIFE ON LAND – UN GOAL 15 Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems are under pressure, so sustainable turf-management techniques are vital. Since 4turf® requires fewer resources such as fertiliser and pesticide, it maintains the quality of the environment and contributes to more sustainable management of green areas. 4turf ® - for all round performance Your skills as a groundsman, greenkeeper, or landscaper are fundamental to the success of your stadium, golf course, sports ground, or public park. For the most professional results, you need the best grass seed you can get. When choosing 4turf® your turf establishes faster and gives you thicker, greener cover all through the year. It’s more tolerant to drought, diseases and cold. With 4turf® you can perform wonders.
