October 24, 2024

The History and Evolution of NTEP®

NTEP® evolved out of cooperative research conducted in the Northeastern U.S. during the late 1960's and early 1970's. In 1968, the NE-57 Regional Research Project initiated a cooperative trial to evaluate Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) at nineteen locations in the northeast and central U.S. Forty-three grasses were chosen to evaluate with the entries being split between commercially available cultivars and experimental lines. Entries were chosen to represent diverse origins and a wide spectrum of Kentucky bluegrass plant growth types. As a result, about one-third (13) of the forty-three entries included were developed and owned by European breeding companies.

Individuals such as J. J. Murray (United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland), C. R. Funk (Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey), J. M. Duich, T. L. Watschke and D. Waddington (Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania), R. E. Schmidt and L. H. Taylor (Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia), J. E. Hall (University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland), C. R. Skogley (University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island), J. Kaufmann (Cornell University, Ithaca, New York) and G. W. Wood (University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont) were instrumental in creating a sound scientific structure for this first U.S. regional turfgrass trial. Discussions ensued on appropriate plot size, seeding rate, management of trials, rating of turfgrass quality and other factors, statistical analysis needs, data reporting and interpretation of results that formed the foundation for much of the initial structure of NTEP®. For instance, plot size used in that initial regional test was approximately 2.2 m2 while current NTEP® cool-season grass tests use 2.2 - 2.6 m2 plots. Seeding rate for NTEP® Kentucky bluegrass tests is still approximately 1.0 kg/100 m2, as it was in the first regional trial. Also, NTEP® still uses locations with varying soil types, textures and environments as was the case in the 1968 regional evaluations.

That first regional evaluation was completed in 1972, with a new regional evaluation established in fall 1972. In June 1975, a regional meeting was held at Beltsville, Maryland that produced significant results for the formation of NTEP®. Fourteen evaluators involved in the 1972 regional test participated in a workshop to discuss standardization of data collection methods. Considerable discussion developed on the use of a standard 1-9 rating scale with 9 being highest quality turf, best disease resistance, finest leaf texture, and best genetic color. Afterward, participants moved outside to rate individually three replications of fourteen selected entries in the 1972 regional test. Ratings were collected on turfgrass quality, density, percent ground cover, color and leafspot damage and were then statistically analyzed by a USDA statistician. Results of the statistical analysis indicated that the evaluators varied their ratings significantly for all five variables. Evaluators then went back out to the field to further discuss the ratings and make suggestions on improving rating methods. These discussions led to a refinement of the system that eventually became the NTEP® rating system. The group also realized that the interaction allowed them to better understand the subjective nature of turfgrass field plot scoring and helped them to be more consistent with each other.

The success of these two northeastern regional tests led to the initiation of a regional tall fescue trial in the southern U.S. in 1978. Interest in these tests continued to grow nationwide such that in 1980, a national Kentucky bluegrass test was proposed. About fifty evaluators across the U.S. volunteered to establish and evaluate this test. Eighty-four entries were received and included. No entry fees were charged for this first national test nor were evaluators paid for testing the entries. All work was done on a volunteer basis including the coordination of entry submission, data collection, data analysis and reporting. Jack Murray, USDA Research Agronomist (see photo below), agreed to coordinate this effort from his office at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland. Mr. Murray felt it was important for USDA to coordinate efforts of national importance. Also, he felt the highest credibility for the data would come from USDA’s intimate involvement. Therefore, USDA initially provided staff and facilities for seed division, mailing and storage, clerical help needed to produce and mail notices and reports, statistical and computer support for data analysis and reporting, etc. The initial response was overwhelmingly favorable. Researchers and extension educators found the tests invaluable in learning about commercially available varieties and new experimental selections. Seed companies and plant breeders could quickly learn where grasses performed best and under what management levels. Consumers liked the convenience of one source for unbiased variety information. Also, locating the plots at mainly state university locations allowed them to be viewed by many people at field days. To see grasses growing side-by-side in field evaluations became very popular among the end-users in the turfgrass industry.

With the success of the 1980 National Kentucky Bluegrass Test, NTEP® decided to coordinate a national perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) test in 1982. This test was the beginning of NTEP® tests that required payment of an entry fee. The entry fee for the 1982 National Perennial Ryegrass Test was US$1200.00. The entry fees helped NTEP® to hire a full-time Technical Coordinator and is now the basis for NTEP® operations. These monies also led to the formation of a non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation (NTEP, Inc.) to manage NTEP® finances, trials and policies.

From 1983-86, NTEP® continued with new tests of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), fineleaf fescue (Festuca spp.), bentgrass (Agrostis spp.), and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon). In 1989, a st. augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) test was initiated, with buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) tests organized in 1991.

The success of these trials led to further trials including new species evaluations (seashore paspalum), management specific trials (warm-season putting green and low maintenance trials) and trials to evaluate specific stresses such as drought tolerance (see NTEP® cool-season and warm-season water user trials). In addition, ancillary trials, conducted in conjunction with our standard trial evaluations, are developed to evaluate specific stresses such as traffic, disease or cold tolerance. These trials have resulted in over forty years of data, on 50+ characteristics, from seventeen species now uploaded into a sortable database and search engine (Turfgrass Explorer).

NTEP’s® evolution features a cooperative framework that includes state, land-grant universities, non-profit turfgrass organizations and the federal government. NTEP® is governed by a Policy Committee with representatives from regional turfgrass research committees, national turfgrass practitioner organizations and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This unique arrangement ensures unbiased, credible data collection, methodology, reporting and policies to provide the best data possible to consumers within the U.S. and around the world.