A 3-year study was conducted to evaluate the comparative performance of zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) cultivars for shaded environments in which inputs are minimized. Included in the study were commercial cultivars Diamond, Cavalier, Royal, Shadow Turf, Zorro, Zeon, Jamur, Crowne, Palisades, and Meyer. In July 2006, grass plugs were planted in a shade nursery comprised of live oak trees providing 89% shade. From 2007 to 2009, turf plots were periodically evaluated for quality, density, color, vertical canopy height, and extent of lateral spread. Overall turfgrass quality was noticeably reduced by the heavily shaded environment; however, some cultivars attained acceptable levels during midsummer periods. A turf performance index (TPI) was generated for ranking the cultivars that represented the number of times an entry occurred in the top statistical group across all parameters and rating dates. ‘Royal’, ‘Zorro’, and ‘Shadow Turf’ were the cultivars ranking in the top statistical grouping most often throughout the study. The results suggest that Z. matrellas may be better adapted than Z. japonicas for heavily shaded environments where inputs are conserved.

Municipal water restrictions have become commonplace throughout much of the southern United States. The objectives of this 2‐yr study were to (i) determine supplemental irrigation requirements necessary for achieving acceptable quality in 15 zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica and Zoysia matrella) and bermudagrass (Cynodon ssp.) cultivars when managed under a 2 d/wk irrigation frequency, (ii) determine the effects of mowing height on irrigation requirements, and (iii) evaluate root development differences between the species and cultivars at the completion of the study. A linear gradient irrigation system (LGIS) was used to provide an irrigation gradient across field plots. Plots were evaluated along the gradient six times over two summers to determine the level of supplemental irrigation, relative to reference evapotranspiration (ETo), necessary for maintaining acceptable visual quality. The fine‐textured, sports‐type bermudagrass cultivars required the least supplemental irrigation (∼10 to 15% × ETo) to maintain acceptable quality in the study. The medium‐textured amenity bermudagrasses and Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) cultivars required similar but somewhat greater irrigation requirements (∼15 to 20% × ETo) than the fine‐textured bermudagrasses. Manilagrass cultivars (Z. matrella) required the highest supplemental irrigation requirements (∼25 to 33% × ETo) for maintaining acceptable appearance within 2 d/wk irrigation regime. Mowing height did not consistently affect irrigation requirements for either group of bermudagrass but affected the Zoysia species differently. Tall mowing heights generally reduced irrigation requirements in Z. japonica but increased irrigation requirements for Z. matrella cultivars. While few intraspecific root development differences occurred within the 0 to 25 cm soil depth, Z. matrella root development was limited relative to bermudagrass and Z. japonica cultivars within deeper (25–50 cm) soil, which may have contributed to the higher irrigation requirements for the species. The results emphasize differences in supplemental irrigation levels needed for maintaining acceptable appearance among warm‐season turfgrass species and cultivars during 2 d/wk irrigation.

DALSA 0605' (Reg. No. CV-274, PI 671959) is an embryo rescue-derived interploid hybrid of St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] resulting from a cross between TAES 5382 (African triploid PI 291594) and 'Palmetto' (diploid). DALSA 0605 was evaluated under the designation TAES 5471-18 and TXSA 19 and was approved for release as a new cultivar by Texas A&M AgriLife in 2014. DALSA 0605 is a vegetatively propagated, genetically stable, and uniform cultivar. It is distinguished from other cultivars of St. Augustinegrass for traits and characteristics that include (i) tolerance to gray leaf spot disease (caused by Magnaporthe grisea Couch), (ii) signiicantly reduced levels of fecundity and juvenile development of southern chinch bugs (Blissus insularis Barber) as compared to 'Raleigh' and 'Texas Common', and (iii) superior drought resistance conferred through a combination of tolerance to drying soil, deep rooting potential, and rapid recovery following drought. In addition, DALSA 0605 exhibited percentage rates of establishment and turfgrass quality ratings (normal and drought-stress conditions) comparable to commercial checks in multilocation (seven) and multiyear (two) ield evaluations. DALSA 0605 is well suited for use on residential and commercial lawns, as well as other recreational sites, throughout the southern and southeastern United States.