The 3 stoloniferous cultivars in PODIUM™ averaged: top 6% for color in fertilized NTEP locations, top 6% Disease Score™ (4th, 5th & 14th out of 114 cultivars tested), top 5% traffic & wear, elite 5-year poa annua (NJ: 0%, 0% & 3.3%). Top 3% self-repair.

PODIUM™ blend performs in a wide range of climate definitions.  See images to view our NTEP-based performance summaries to see how PODIUM™ perennial ryegrass blend compares to other high quality blends marketed as elite in your climate (like 5-Iron, Ryan Knorr Elite ryegrass, SS9000 or Iconic - ranked based on a per cultivar average).

 

PODIUM™ offers:

• Better turf quality under traffic & wear conditions
• Superior disease resistance per NTEP tables 33-37 - see our 'Specialty Performance Data spreadsheet in product images
  
• Superior self repair with cultivars placing 1st, 3rd, and 5th of the 114 cultivars tested for divot recovery per table 25
• 2 out of the 3 cultivars in PODIUM™ had 0.0% poa annua invasion after ≈5 years (tested in New Jersey, table 43)... this means less poa annua was recorded than any competitor blend... Fireball concluded with 25% poa annua invasion!  A non-lawn variety concluded at 60% poa annua!
• Color is more a result of nitrogen than genetics, but even so, the cultivars in PODIUM™ had top 4%, top 5% & top 10% color in fertilized NTEP locations.

 

Below data is based on a per cultivar averages from the Perennial Ryegrass Final Report of the most recently concluded NTEP trial.  Since PODIUM™ performs in most climates, please refer to the spreadsheets for comparative performance in your closest climate (spreadsheets can be found with product images.  Full-sized screen recommended).

 

SECONDARY PERFORMANCE METRICS

Disease Score™ (Sum of NTEP tables 33-37)

**  ICV WEIGHTED AVG  **

      PODIUM™:  Top 6%

      PLATINUM™:  Top 11%

      CHEAT CODE™:  Top 11%

      Iconic*:  Top 22%

      Knorr Elite*:  Top 23%

      5-Iron*:  Top 25%

      SS9000:  Top 32%

      Fireball+Hatrick:  Bottom 8%

Note: regional turf quality is usually a more accurate indicator of climate specific disease performance.  Diseases were tested in specific NTEP locations and not all climates allow for the possibility of all diseases tested.  Turf quality is king.

 

TRAFFIC & WEAR SCORE™

      PODIUM™:  Top 5%

      PLATINUM™:  Top 5%

      5-Iron*:  Top 15%

      CHEAT CODE™:  Top 16%

      Iconic*:  Top 17%

      SS9000:  Top 17%

      Knorr Elite*:  Top 28%

      Fireball+Hatrick:  Bottom 16%

 

Percent Poa Annua After ≈ 5 Years

**  Context: NJ - NTEP 2021  **

      PLATINUM™:  0.9%

      PODIUM™:  1.1%

      CHEAT CODE™:  1.7%

      SS9000:  1.7%

      Iconic*:  1.7%

      5-IRON*:  2.0%

      Knorr Elite*:  3.6%

      Fireball+Hatrick:  20.9%

Note: climate specific turf quality may be a better reflection of actual poa annua performance.  Poa annua invasion was tested in New Jersey (poa annua pressure is much higher in the PNW).  ** EXPECT MORE POA ANNUA PRESSURE IN THE PACIFIC NW and other more mild climates. **

 

Divot Recovery (AKA: Self Repair, Context: KY)

      PODIUM™:  Top 3%

          **  All cultivars slightly stoloniferous  **

      PLATINUM™:  Top 18%

      Iconic*:  Top 23%

      Knorr Elite*:  Top 29%

      5-Iron*:  Top 34%

      SS9000:  Top 46%

      CHEAT CODE™:  Top 46% 

      Fireball+Hatrick:  Bottom 4%

 

Low Input Score™ (60% FROM UTAH DROUGHT TESTING)

 See Specialty Performance Data spreadsheet for calculation  

      CHEAT CODE™:  Top 3% 

      PLATINUM™:  Top 8%

      Iconic*:  Top 8%

      SS9000:  Top 10%        

      5-Iron*:  Top 14%

      PODIUM™:  TOP 17%

      Knorr Elite*:  Top 17%

      Fireball+Hatrick:  Bottom 32%

 

See images for recommended seed rates and seeding tips.

 

 

 

Competitor blend performance averages are based on the following published cultivars (note: this cultivar list is not guaranteed to be up to date... last checked March 21st, 2026):

 

5-Iron (United Seeds): Apple 3GL, Fastball 3GL, Slugger 3GL, Stellar 4GL, Infusion* (JR-178 test name)

SS9000 (SeedSuperStore): Grand Slam GLD, Stellar 4GL, Slugger 3GL

Knorr Elite (Ryan Knorr's Website): Electra GLR, Paradox GLR, Pangea*

Iconic (United Seeds): Stellar 4GL, Slugger 3GL, Homerun LS, Torsion* (Torsion exempt from averaging due to no NTEP data)

 

*  The performance of one older cultivar in Knorr (Pangea) and one older cultivar in 5-Iron (Infusion, test name JR-178) has been translated by sorting the 2011-2014 NTEP trial data into a percentile among all cultivars in that trial on a trait by trait basis.  The rating of the cultivar at the same percentile in the newer trial was then assigned to the older cultivar trait by trait.  No deduction was made for ≈6 years of breeding so the translation is believed to be slightly generous.  These numbers are intended to estimate performance as accurately as possible but it should be considered an estimate only.  The slightly older infusion cultivar was exempt from averaging for 5-Iron and the slightly older Pangea cultivar was exempt from averaging for Knorr for the Low Input Score trait due to difficulty of translation.  The Torsion cultivar in Iconic LS was exempt from all averaging since no NTEP data is available.

 

 

Disclaimer: Seed-Boss makes no guarantee of performance in your climate or under your management practices.  If the grass seed does not germinate the buyer acknowledges improper seed to soil contact, improper soil moisture during germination phase, and/or inappropriate soil temperatures and agrees to not blame the seed (since seed was tested as good).

If you notice anything inaccurate or that could be improved for accuracy, please email us at SUPPORT@SEED-BOSS.COM.  Our aim is the highest degree of accuracy possible and that process includes peer review.