ARS | Publication request: Preliminary Investigation on Genetic Diversity of Zoysiagrasses in the United States

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 12, 2008
Publication Date: January 12, 2008
Citation: Chen, Z., Waltz, C., Wang, M.L., Raymer, P. 2008. Preliminary Investigation on Genetic Diversity of Zoysiagrasses in the United States. Plant and Animal Genome Conference, January 12-16, 2008, San Diego, CA. p.156

Technical Abstract: The turfgrass industry is a major part of agricultural industry though turfgrass has not been categorized as a major crop or commodity. Turfgrasses include several genus and many species throughout the United States. Zoysia spp. is a warm-season species native to China, Japan and other parts of Southeast Asia. In the U.S., it is adapted to warm climates and the transition zone. There are three principal species of zoysiagrass used for turfgrass purposes: Zoysia japonica, Zoysia matrella, and Zoysia tenuifolia. These species are differentiated by texture, cold tolerance and growth characteristics. Due to the great diversity within this species and its aesthetics, zoysiagrass is gaining in popularity for various purposes. Genetic study of turfgrasses has lagged behind other crops; however, this is changing as molecular techniques are being used to help select diverse germplasm in turfgrass breeding programs. Twenty-four major cultivars and recently developed potential cultivars selected from breeding programs in the southeastern US. The genetic relationship and diversity among zoysiagrass cultivars were examined using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) in this study.