Sod Production Services, the licensing agent for Oklahoma State University’s wildly successful Tahoma 31 bermudagrass, announces the launch of a new OSU-bred bermudagrass variety — Endarra 81. In development for more than 11 years, research shows Endarra 81 may be the most drought-resistant bermudagrass variety ever introduced to the market.

Endarra 81 sod will be available in select markets and in limited quantities by 2027. Sod farm licensing and planting is underway now.

“Endarra 81 represents exactly the kind of forward‑thinking innovation that defines OSU Ag Research. Our turfgrass team continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Dr. Scott Senseman, associate vice president of OSU Ag Research. Endarra 81 addresses “one of the most urgent challenges facing communities across the country — water conservation.”

“This grass is extremely drought-resistant,” said Dr. Yanqi Wu, a Regents professor in plant breeding and genetics in the OSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. “This is exactly what society needs.”

Sod Producer Perspective on Endarra 81

One of the first foundation material producers for Endarra 81 is Easi-Gro Turf Farm operated by Griffin Farms, in Hendrix, OK, located just 87 miles northeast of Dallas, Texas. Beginning in August 2024, Griffin Farms owner Kenneth, his wife Debby, and their three sons planted trays of 2×2 plants of the then OSU2081, provided by OSU turfgrass breeder Dr. Yanqi Wu.  These 2×2 plants covered approximately 1/4 acre. Since then, this small plot has been expanded to approximately 12 acres. The Griffins hope to expand this acreage to 150 acres this year if the weather cooperates.

A portion of the 12 acres will also be utilized as foundation material for newly licensed growers this spring and summer. The Griffins intend to continue the expansion of Endarra 81 and plan for it to be available in late summer 2026 or early 2027. Griffin explained that the drought tolerance was the first thing that really caught his attention. Having spent many years living in Collin County, TX, and seeing water for lawns being rationed in dry years, he believes that water will become all the more important as the population continues to increase.

“The water consumption (drought hardiness) of Endarra 81, which only uses 28% of the water that is required by other popular and widely used hybrids, will put this new turf in the highly sought-after column. Water is going to be a bigger issue than people realize. We fully expect some municipalities are likely to push really hard, if not mandate this hybrid be planted in their new developments,” Griffin said.

“Many large cities in the area are supposedly seeing as much as 50% of their water going toward lawn irrigation. As far as I’m concerned, decreasing 1/2 of the municipal water usage by over 70% with a lawn turf that requires so much less water will be a ‘no-brainer’ as people begin to find out about this water-conserving sod. We think it will just be something very special,” Griffin said. “That’s the main attraction for me, plus it’s fine-bladed and has a good dark green color. It appears very healthy, has a pretty look to it, and is drought-hardy as well as winter-hardy. It’s a keeper that’s going to go a long way.”

“Endarra 81 offers sod producers the ability to grow a grass that their customers have been asking for — a dense bermudagrass lawn that is both beautiful and low water-use,” said Chad Adcock, VP of business development for Sod Production Services. Limited licensing opportunities are now available.

Key Drought Research Findings                                                                                      

Top Performer in Turf Quality Under Drought Stress:

In separate testing against 189 other cultivars, at 7 locations in southern states, under drought conditions, the PGC (% of green cover) of Endarra 81 was similar to that of TifTuf and Tahoma 31, but better than Tifway. Under no drought stress, Endarra 81 had a turfgrass quality rating similar to TifTuf, but better than Tahoma 31 and Tifway. Under drought stress conditions, Endarra 81 was the top performer for turfgrass quality.

Turf Quality Under Extreme Drought:

Endarra 81 retains better turfgrass quality under extreme drought conditions than all currently released grasses tested, including TifTuf, Tahoma 31, and Tifway.

Higher Percentage of Green Cover During Drought:

Under extreme drought conditions, Endarra 81 retained a significantly higher percentage of green cover. Endarra 81 retained 92.8% of its green cover compared with TifTuf at 89.9%, Tahoma 31 at 85.7% and Tifway at 53.1%.

Faster Drought Stress Recovery

Under drought stress, the turfgrass quality of Endarra 81, and the recovery of Endarra 81 post-drought stress, was the same as TifTuf, and better than Tahoma 31 and Tifway.

Additional Benefits of Endarra 81

Endarra 81 has demonstrated excellent establishment characteristics and leaf spot disease resistance, fine leaf texture, high density, dark green color, and sufficient sod tensile strength for reliable, large-scale commercial production on farms. Endarra 81 greens up early in the spring season and stays green late into the fall.

Origin of the Endarra 81 Name

The name Endarra 81 is derived from Indarra, a Spanish word meaning “Strength.” Endara is also a Basque (Spain) surname that means Endurance. In Spanish, Tierra means Terrain. The research designation for the grass while in development was OSU2081. We combine these together (Strength, Endurance, and Terrain plus 81) to get Endarra 81.

Areas of Adaptation

Well adapted to Oklahoma, Texas, California, North Carolina, and other southern states. Endarra 81 thrives in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a and warmer climates. Though not yet tested in these regions, similar climates in Australia, Asia, and the Mediterranean should have similar results.

Funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Special Crop Research Initiative; the U.S. Golf Association; the Meibergen Family Professorship; and OSU Ag Research contributed to the development of Endarra 81.