A Method for Estimating Clipping Biomass of Turfgrass Varieties During French Catalog Registration Procedures

The paper describes the development of a straightforward method to quantify mowing residues of turfgrass varieties during the official French catalog registration (VCUS/VATE) process. Eighteen varieties representing seven turf species were grown in four distinct field trials. Researchers recorded shoot height, canopy density, and leaf fineness, then applied PCA‐based factorial analyses in R to assess the effects of location and species. Stepwise (AIC) and PLS regression identified the most explanatory variables. Finally, species‐specific analysis of covariance models, incorporating trial site and visually assessed height (scale 1–9), quantified clipping biomass, revealing consistent growth slopes across locations. The protocol is now integrated into routine VCUS evaluations.