Dr. Kevin Kenworthy
Professor & Graduate Coordinator, Plant Breeding
Dr. Kenworthy serves as the lead investigator at the University of Florida for developing improved turfgrass cultivars. Kenworthy developed the programs with sod producer and golf course superintendent input. His approach has received considerable support both financially and from collaborative on farm/golf course research with these respective industries. Dr. Kenworthy’s turfgrass development efforts also benefit from collaborative efforts with turfgrass scientists and colleagues from other UF/IFAS departments to develop turfgrasses with resistance to biotic stress from diseases, insects, and nematodes. Another primary focus is the development of cultivars with improved water use efficiency. Many Florida municipalities are struggling to supply water due to rapid population growth. Therefore, the landscape industry needs drought resistant options that save water for human consumption and health. Dr. Kenworthy and his colleagues were instrumental in securing three Specialty Crops Research Initiative (SCRI) grants focused on developing cultivars with better drought and salinity tolerance. Those programs brought together turfgrass breeders, turfgrass physiologists, and Extension specialists form six universities to collaboratively screen breeding lines and develop new cultivars. Several improved cultivars were developed from the collaborating universities, including three releases from the University of Florida, CitraBlue St. Augustinegrass, CitraZoy zoysiagrass, and Brazos zoysiagrass.
Dr. Kenworthy’s program continues to focus on breeding better options for Florida landscapes. In addition to extensive breeding programs for zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and bermudagrass, his program initiated efforts to develop frogfruit as a native groundcover for Florida landscapes and has increased efforts to improve the aesthetic value of bahiagrass for an turf-type bahiagrass. Dr. Kenworthy currently has funding from several sod producers that are members of the Turfgrass Producers of Florida. These producers and Sod Solutions are supporting graduate student research investigating the development of herbicide resistant bahiagrass through mutagenic breeding and gene editing. Cultivars that result from this research have tremendous potential to positively impact the Florida turfgrass industry.
Contact Information
352-262-8719
Office:
Main Campus
Building 350
Gainesville, FL 32611
Mailing Address:
Main Campus
PO Box 110500
Building 350
Gainesville, FL 32611