Upright Leaf Bermudagrass Golf Shot Retention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current ultradwarf bermudagrass cultivars used on golf putting greens have prostrate leaf orientation, leading to many leaves being unclipped by mowers and resulting in a firm, objectionable putting surface that can cause golf shots to roll off, and they lack desirable traits like fine leaf texture and good fall color retention.

Innovation Solution

The development of a new triploid hybrid bermudagrass cultivar 'MSB-04-264' with an upright leaf orientation, extremely fine leaf texture, and superior fall color retention, resulting from planned hybridization between Cynodon dactylon and C. transvaalensis, which is particularly suited for golf course greens and maintains its characteristics through asexual reproduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If current ultradwarf bermudagrass cultivars with prostrate leaf orientation are used, then the turf density is maintained, but the putting surface becomes firm and objectionable causing golf shots to roll off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegolf shot retentionVSAvoidleaf orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional prostrate leaf orientation of ultradwarf bermudagrass by developing a cultivar with upright leaf orientation. This inversion changes the fundamental growth habit from horizontal to vertical, allowing mower blades to effectively clip leaves and create a softer putting surface that retains golf shots, directly resolving the contradiction between turf density maintenance and shot retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If prostrate leaf orientation is used, then the turf structure is maintained, but many leaves remain unclipped by mowers resulting in poor aesthetic appeal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemowing efficiencyVSAvoidleaf orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by changing leaf orientation from prostrate to upright, which fundamentally alters the interaction between mower blades and leaves. The upright orientation allows mowers to effectively clip leaves during routine maintenance, improving aesthetic appeal while maintaining turf structure through controlled clipping rather than unclipped prostrate leaves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If conventional bermudagrass cultivars are used, then the growth habit is maintained, but fine leaf texture and fall color retention are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor retentionVSAvoidaesthetic qualities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by developing a new cultivar with modified growth parameters including upright leaf orientation and fine leaf texture. These parameter changes result in superior fall color retention while maintaining reliable growth habits, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and aesthetic versatility through quantitative changes in plant morphology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP23407P3Bermudagrass plant named ‘MSB-04-264’

Publication Date: 2013.02.19 MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Bermudagrass plant ‘MSB-04-264’ is a new and distinct variety of bermudagrass cultivar characterized by its good growth habit, extremely fine leaf texture, upright as opposed to prostrate leaf orientation, and good fall and winter color retention. ‘MSB-04-264’ is particularly suited for golf course greens and the like.