Ecological Implications of Zoysia Species, Distribution, and Adaptation for Management and Use of Zoysiagrasses

Abstract

The genus Zoysia Willd. comprises ±10 recognized species indigenous to the western Pacific Rim and Indian Ocean, which are collectively called “zoysiagrasses.” Three species—Z. japonica Steud., Z. matrella (L.) Merr., and Z. pacifica (Goudswaard) M. Hotta & Kuroki (previously referred to as Z. tenuifolia)—plus interspecific hybrids have a long history of use as warm‐season perennial turf and ornamental grasses in many countries. Recently, cultivars from two other species, Z. macrantha Desv. and Z. sinica Hance, have also been developed. Breeders are currently exploring the potential to incorporate attributes from these and other Zoysia species into future zoysiagrass cultivars through hybridization. The attributes of Zoysia turfgrass cultivars—their strengths and limitations—can be related back to the species and germplasm from which they have been derived, and which (together with growth and development characteristics unique to the zoysiagrasses) ultimately determine their adaptation, use, and management. Differences in temperature, shade, drought, salinity, and traffic tolerance, as well as differences in nutritional and mowing requirements among zoysiagrasses, plus comparisons with Cynodon spp. turfgrasses, are highlighted.

Multispecies genotype × environment interaction for turfgrass quality in five turfgrass breeding programs in the southeastern United States

“…Zoysiagrass (2 n = 4 x = 40), a complex that encompasses ±10 species (Anderson, 2000; Loch, Ebina, Choi, & Han, 2017), is a popular turfgrass known for its low fertility requirements (Busey & Myers, 1979, Hanna et al., 2013) and resistance to weed colonization (Patton, Schwartz, & Kenworthy, 2017). Additionally, zoysiagrasses are moderately tolerant of salinity (Beard & Beard, 2005), but there is genetic variation for this trait within the species complex, with Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr.…”

The complete chloroplast genome of Zoysia macrostachya (Poaceae): Insights into intraspecific variations and species delimitation of the Zoysia species

“…Zoysia macrostachya is a warm season grass having C-4 photosynthetic system (Moser et al, 2004), which can grow well under the high temperature. Till now, no commercial cultivars of Z. macrostachya has been developed (Loch et al, 2017;Wang et al, 2020), which is different from Zoysia japonica (Chai and Kim, 2000;Ge et al, 2006;Sun et al, 2010) and Zoysia matrella (Bae et al, 2008;Choi et al, 2017). Because Z. macrostachva has more resistance to salt than Z. japonica and Z. matrella (Loch et al, 2017), it is highly valuable as a breeding copy for land reclamation or coastal areas.…”

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Halophyte Zoysia macrostachya in Response to Salinity Stress

“…It always loosely spreads from extensive, deep, slender rhizomes. This species can be used as a forage plant and lawn grass because of its high reproductive capacity and rich nutrition value [36,37]. No commercial cultivars have been developed.…”