The 13-year Development History of CitraZoy
Funded by Florida sod farms, CitraZoy™ Zoysiagrass was developed by the University of Florida for the Florida market. Below is a timeline of the 13-year development of CitraZoy.
- 2007 – collection and development of zoysia germplasm by Dr. Kenworthy begins
- 2011 – discussion begins between Sod Solutions, Dr. Kenworthy, and the Turf Producers of Florida (TPF) on the need to fund UF research for the development of an improved zoysiagrass for Florida
- 2012 – Turf Research Florida (TRF) is formed. The TRF is a collaborative development effort between the University of Florida, The Turf Producers of Florida, Sod Solutions, and the following 20 Florida sod farms:
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- A. Duda & Sons
- Babcock Nursery LLC
- Bayside Sod
- Bethel Farms
- Council Growers
- Florida Premier Turf
- Floriturf Sod
- H & H Sod Company
- J.W. Turf
- Johnston Brothers Farm
- King Ranch Turfgrass
- Lake Jem Farms
- McCall Sod Farm
- R.B. Farms
- S & K Sod Company
- SMR Farms
- Star Farms
- Tater Farms
- Travis Resmondo Sod
- Willaway Cattle and Sod Company
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- 2012 – 2017 – Participating sod farms contribute almost $300,000 to TRF
- 2013 – 2017 – The TRF submits multiple zoysiagrass entries into the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP)
- 2018 – Dr. Kenworthy narrows the numbered selections from 15 to four lines
- 2018 – Trial plots are planted at three Florida farm locations for production evaluation (Bethel in Arcadia, Tater in Hastings, and JW Turf in Okeechobee)
- 2019 – TRF growers gather in October for a field day at Tater Farms – consensus reached to focus on 1307 for Florida and 1319 for other regions
- 2020 – FFSP commercially releases 1307 and 1319
- 2020 – The name “CitraZoy” is selected for 1307
- 2020 – JW Turf expands CitraZoy to 3 acres for plant stock
- 2020 – Sod Solutions signs a license agreement with FFSP
- 2020 – TRF grower meet in October for a virtual field day
- 2020 – Open licensed period begins and plant stock is made available for all 20 TRF farms