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:

1. 1. A. Duda & Sons
  2. Babcock Nursery LLC
  3. Bayside Sod
  4. Bethel Farms
  5. Council Growers
  6. Florida Premier Turf
  7. Floriturf Sod
  8. H & H Sod Company
  9. J.W. Turf
  10. Johnston Brothers Farm
  11. King Ranch Turfgrass
  12. Lake Jem Farms
  13. McCall Sod Farm
  14. R.B. Farms
  15. S & K Sod Company
  16. SMR Farms
  17. Star Farms
  18. Tater Farms
  19. Travis Resmondo Sod
  20. Willaway Cattle and Sod Company

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

Eric Hjort from Tater Farms addressing some of the attendees of the October 2019 Field Day at his farm.

Attendees at the October 2019 Field Day at Tater Farms walking the fields of 1307, 1319, and 1312.

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

The 13-year Development History of CitraZoy

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