Innovation in turfgrass doesn’t happen overnight—and it certainly doesn’t happen in isolation. It is the result of years of research, rigorous field evaluation, and close collaboration between university scientists and industry partners. Few examples illustrate this better than the impact of Dr. Kevin Kenworthy, turfgrass breeder in the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, whose work continues to move seamlessly from research plots to sod farms, golf courses, and landscapes across Florida and beyond.
Two recentindustry field days—Star Turf Farms’ CitraZoy® Field Day in Indiantown, Florida, and the Cobalt® Hybrid St. Augustine Field Day at King Ranch Turfgrass in Immokalee—highlight how UF/IFAS research is driving real‑world advancement in turf performance, sustainability, and profitability for producers and end users alike.
CitraZoy: A UF‑Developed Solution Built for Florida
At the heart of both events is CitraZoy Zoysiagrass, a variety bred by Dr. Kenworthy at the University of Florida specifically to thrive under Florida conditions. During the March 17, 2026 Star Turf Farms Field Day, industry professionals saw firsthand how rapidly CitraZoy is gaining traction as production expands across the state.
Star Turf Farms currently maintains over 350 acres of CitraZoy, with another 150 acres planned, positioning the grass for large‑scale projects and future golf course installations. According to growers and researchers at the event, CitraZoy’s versatility allows it to perform consistently across high‑end residential lawns, sports fields, and golf course applications, often on the same property.
What truly sets CitraZoy apart, however, is its exceptional tolerance to large patch disease—a persistent challenge for zoysiagrasses in Florida’s climate. As Dr. Kenworthy explained at the field day, the absence of measurable large patch pressure means lower fungicide inputs, easier winter maintenance, and more consistent year‑round quality. For sod producers, this translates into smoother production cycles; for turf managers, it means reliability and cost savings.
Equally important are the broader sustainability advantages embedded into the breeding program. CitraZoy was developed with a focus on drought tolerance and improved water‑use efficiency, aligning closely with UF/IFAS priorities and the turf industry’s growing emphasis on environmental stewardship.
Field Days That Connect Science and Industry
The April 2, 2026 Cobalt Hybrid St. Augustine Field Day at King Ranch Turfgrass reinforced the value of collaboration between land‑grant universities and the turf industry. Hosted at King Ranch’s Summerland Farm, the event brought together breeders, extension specialists, sod growers, and landscape professionals to see cutting‑edge turfgrasses under real production conditions.
Dr. Kenworthy joined colleagues from Texas A&M University and industry leaders to discuss how research transitions from experimental plots to commercial success. While the field day showcased both Cobalt® Hybrid St. Augustinegrass and CitraZoy®, it also highlighted an essential principle of UF/IFAS research: translating science into usable tools for industry growth.
As Dr. Kenworthy emphasized, turf breeding is not just about developing a new cultivar—it is about helping growers, contractors, and turf managers solve problems, increase efficiency, and remain competitive in a changing marketplace. Events like this allow researchers to listen directly to industry feedback while ensuring that new varieties are adopted with confidence and clarity.
A Lasting Impact on the Turf Industry
Dr. Kevin Kenworthy’s work exemplifies the mission of the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department: conducting research that delivers practical, science‑based solutions to Florida’s agricultural and green industries. From expanded sod production to reduced chemical inputs and improved resilience under environmental stress, the benefits of UF‑developed turfgrasses like CitraZoy extend well beyond the field day setting.
As acreage continues to grow and adoption expands across lawns, sports fields, and golf courses, the success of CitraZoy demonstrates how public university research fuels private‑sector innovation—strengthening the turf industry while supporting more sustainable landscape management.
For turf professionals, these field days offer more than a preview of what’s new. They provide a clear reminder that behind every successful cultivar stands years of dedicated research, collaboration, and leadership—work that Dr. Kenworthy and UF/IFAS continue to deliver for the future of turfgrass.
“This blog was drafted with the assistance of Copilot AI. It was thoroughly reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by the author.”
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