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Copy link Fastball 3GL: perennial ryegrass cultivar profile
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Fastball 3GL is a is an A-LIST® approved, US-bred perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) combining strong disease resistance with good turf quality, genetic color and resilience under traffic
The 3GL designation refers to third-generation Gray Leaf Spot resistance, reflecting one of the key characteristics targeted in its breeding. Fastball 3GL also combines strong Crown Rust resistance with good genetic color, improved cold tolerance and performance under traffic.
Fastball 3GL at a glance
| Species | Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) |
| Type | Diploid |
| A-LIST cultivar | Yes |
| Breeding | US genetics |
| Leaf color | Dark green |
| Key strengths | Turf quality, disease resistance and cold tolerance |
| Disease resistance | Strong Gray Leaf Spot and Crown Rust resistance |
| Additional characteristic | Good genetic colour and performance under traffic |
| Typical uses | Sports turf, golf, landscape turf and overseeding |
Fastball 3GL forms a tight, dense turf across a broad range of soil types and environmental conditions. It performs from full sun to medium shade and can be maintained at mowing heights of 12 mm and above.
Fastball 3GL performance
Fastball 3GL has been evaluated in NTEP perennial ryegrass trials for turf quality, disease resistance, color and performance under traffic.
| Characteristic | Fastball 3GL rating |
|---|---|
| Gray Leaf Spot resistance | 8.0 |
| Turf quality | 6.2 |
| Autumn color | 6.7 |
| Turf quality under traffic | 6.1 |
| Genetic color | 6.5 |
| Crown Rust resistance | 7.3 |
NTEP turfgrass quality and characteristic ratings use a 1–9 scale, with 9 representing the highest rating.
Gray Leaf Spot resistance
Gray Leaf Spot resistance is one of the key characteristics of Fastball 3GL.
Fastball 3GL recorded a Gray Leaf Spot resistance rating of 8.0 out of 9.0 in NTEP testing and was placed in the top statistical group in the trial.
Strong Gray Leaf Spot resistance makes Fastball 3GL particularly relevant for turf managers looking to build disease tolerance into perennial ryegrass selection.
Crown Rust resistance
Fastball 3GL also offers strong resistance to Crown Rust.
It recorded a Crown Rust resistance rating of 7.3 in 2017 NTEP testing, against a reported trial range of 1.3 to 8.3.
This combination of Gray Leaf Spot and Crown Rust resistance gives Fastball 3GL a strong disease-resistance profile for high-quality managed turf.
2017 NTEP ratings for Fastball 3GL genetic color and Crown Rust resistance.
Color and cold tolerance
Fastball 3GL combines good genetic color with improved cold tolerance.
It recorded a genetic color rating of 6.5 in 2017 NTEP testing, against a reported trial range of 3.7 to 7.5.
Fastball 3GL also has improved cold tolerance, making it suitable for use in cooler climates.
This combination makes it a useful choice where both visual quality and performance during cooler growing conditions are important.
Traffic performance
Fastball 3GL has also been evaluated under traffic.
In the supplied NTEP dataset, Fastball 3GL recorded a turf quality under traffic rating of 6.1.
This supports its use on sports turf, golf and other intensively managed surfaces where maintaining turf quality under regular use is important.
Wear performance
GrandSlam GLD has also been evaluated under traffic.
In NTEP traffic testing at Blacksburg, Virginia, GrandSlam GLD recorded 97.7 before traffic and 90.0 after traffic.
Its wear and recovery characteristics make it suitable for managed turf exposed to regular use.
Where can Fastball 3GL be used?
Fastball 3GL can be used for new establishment, renovation and overseeding across a range of managed turf applications.
Typical uses include:
- Sports fields and pitches
- Golf tees
- Golf fairways
- Golf roughs
- Landscape, amenity and public turf
- Lawns and ornamental turf
- Warm-season turf overseeding
Its ability to perform from full sun to medium shade and at mowing heights of 12 mm and above gives it flexibility across a wide range of managed turf situations.
Establishment and overseeding
Fastball 3GL establishes readily on loosened bare soil or following verticutting of existing turf for renovation and overseeding.
Use Sowing rate
- New establishment 25–35 g/m²
- Renovation and reseeding 15–25 g/m²
- Overseeding dormant warm-season turf 35–50 g/m²
For dormant warm-season turf, Fastball 3GL can be used for overseeding tees, fairways and roughs.
Good seed-to-soil contact and adequate moisture during establishment will help support successful germination and early turf development.
Fastball 3GL in the ProSelect range
Fastball 3GL is available within the ProSelect range as a Straight for turf managers who want to use the cultivar on its own.
ProSelect Straight
ProSelect Fastball 3GL is a perennial ryegrass Straight comprising 100% Fastball 3GL perennial ryegrass.
Fastball 3GL is also used within selected ProSelect blends, where its disease resistance, turf quality, color and resilience complement other perennial ryegrass cultivars.
