Newton Grove, NC, May 5, 2025 – BuySod/SodStar announced today the formation of an innovative sod research and development initiative. The five-year venture features partnerships with North Carolina State University and University of Georgia’s renowned turfgrass breeding programs and collaboration with Purdue University turfgrass science program.

Leveraging BuySod/SodStar’s extensive R&D capabilities & successful commercialization history, the venture will focus on advanced trials of several potential new zoysiagrass cultivars created by crossing Meyer (cold hardiness) and Plant Introduction 231146 (large patch resistance). The trials, which will be executed on designated R&D acreage across the company’s southeast farm locations, are designed to identify lines that maintain good quality and overall performance across a wide range of climatic conditions and environmental stressors.

Ongoing evaluations will include tolerance to stresses such as drought, cold, and diseases as well as overall performance along with other commercial viability metrics like sod strength and establishment rates. Measurements, data collection, and comparisons to commercial cultivar standards will be conducted and analyzed in real time. The results of these trials will lead to advancing the science and market availability of significantly better performing zoysiagrasses for commercial and residential applications.

According to Charles Harris, CEO of BuySod/SodStar:

“We’ve been monitoring this plant population for some time, and from the beginning, we were encouraged by its diversity and the promising early data. As our research continued, the potential became even more apparent, ultimately leading us to invest in this exciting collaboration. We believe this partnership could lead to the development of several improved zoysia varieties that are well-adapted across the southern United States and the transition zone. We’re thrilled to be working alongside two of the world’s leading turfgrass breeders and look forward to discovering what we can achieve together.”

For more information, please visit www.sodstar.com.

About BuySod/SodStar:

BuySod/SodStar grows and delivers the highest quality, certified, next generation grass varietals with customer-centric service and precision delivery execution. Our proprietary service platform is enabled by technology and powered by professional people you can trust to get the job done right.

P.O. Box 509
Newton Grove, NC 28366
www.sodstar.com