Tifton 9

At a Glance

Tifton 9 is an improved bahiagrass variety that has much greater seedling vigor, a more upright growth habit, longer leaves and generally produces up to 25 percent more forage annually than the Pensacola variety from which it was developed.  Because it has more frost and cold tolerance than Argentine or Paraguay 22 varieties, Tifton 9 may produce more growth at the beginning and end of the growing season.

Considered a durable pasture grass for horses, Tifton 9 grows faster than regular Pensacola bahiagrass, provides more drought tolerance and better frost resistance. It is equal to Pensacola in digestibility, but it is less tolerant of close grazing.

Development

Tifton 9 bahiagrass was developed by Dr. Glenn W. Burton in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service at the University of Georgia Agricultural Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. Released in 1987, Tifton 9 is a patented bahiagrass variety that can only be sold as certified sod or sprigs by growers licensed by the University of Georgia Research Foundation (UGARF) and Georgia Seed Development (GSD).