Cultivar Spotlight: TifTuf Bermudagrass

‘TifTuf’ bermudagrass was co-released by UGA and the USDA-ARS in 2014 after 22 years of research and development, based primarily on its drought tolerance. Its resiliency in a wide range of environments across the entire United States has led to the adoption of this cultivar on over 15,000 farm-acres by 70 sod producers. An unprecedented 1 billion square feet of sales was reached during 2022, demonstrating the fastest adoption of a warm-season turfgrass in the age of patented cultivars.

Good spring green-up after the winter, persistent fall color, and the high recuperative potential of ‘TifTuf’ are additional underlying reasons why hundreds of thousands of homes and multi-family complexes, hundreds of sports fields, and numerous golf courses are now planting it. The University of Florida, Florida State University, and Texas Christian University are among some of the notable institutions using ‘TifTuf’ on their stadiums and ballfields. Early adopters, like the Olde Florida Golf Club, are paving the way for ‘TifTuf’ to be used in more and more locations every year. Production is spreading across the globe, particularly in Australia, where there are 40 additional sod growers. In this market, ‘TifTuf is used on many rugby ovals and even as the lawn of the Sydney Opera House.