2024 Turfgrass Seed Guide Launched

The British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB), in association with Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), has launched the 2024 Turfgrass Seed guide. The annually produced guide is available, free of charge, as a printed booklet or can be accessed online via the BSPB website.

BSPB technical manager Jeremy Widdowson says: “Following the success of last year’s digital launch we are continuing to promote the virtues of accessing the 2024 Turfgrass Seed guide online. However, we appreciate that for many it is handy to have a printed booklet, so both are still offered.”

By publishing the contents of the guide on its website, the BSPB is reducing its reliance on paper‑based methods of communication. The online guide was launched in 2023 and, alongside it, web viewers will find the Turfgrass Index, a separate three‑page document which lists the varieties available in 2024.

“Trials conducted at Bingley, West Yorkshire, by STRI, help to identify the characteristics of different cultivars. The guide reflects this by using parameters such as shoot density, recovery, colour and visual merit to help decision‑making for pitch care, ground care and amenity professionals,” says Mr Widdowson.

“5000 copies have been printed. However, this number may start to reduce in future years as users choose to access content digitally and minimise the environmental impact of producing guides like this,” concludes Mr Widdowson.

The first guide was published in November 1976 and the following year it gained the title ‘Buying Turfgrass Seed’ which has since been simplified. Turfgrass Seed 2024 includes data and information to help guide seed choice for the amenity and sports grass sector. The information in the guide is largely provided from trials carried out by the STRI to an agreed protocol.

The Turfgrass Seed guide can be viewed at www.bspb.co.uk/turfgrass‑list