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Evaluation of Zoysia Under Natural Tree Shade.
Monday, October 22, 2012: 2:20 PM
Millennium Hotel, Bronze Ballroom A, Second Floor, 2nd
Kenton W. Peterson, Jack Fry and Dale Bremer, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) is commonly planted on home lawns and golf courses in the transition zone; however, poor shade tolerance limits its widespread use. This study was conducted to determine effects of shade on growth and development among seven Zoysia genotypes over a three-year period. The study was initiated in June 2010 at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center in Manhattan, KS. Soil type was a Chase silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic, Aquic, Argiudolls). Zoysia genotypes were sodded in 0.37 m2 plots and arranged in a randomized complete block with five replications under silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) shade. Genotypes included ‘Zorro’ [Zoysiamatrella (L.) Merr.], ‘Emerald’ (Z. matrella × Z. tenuifolia Willd. ex Thiel), ‘Meyer’, Chinese common (Zoysiajaponica Steud.), and experimental progeny 5313-46 ('Zorro' × 'Meyer'), 5321-18 ('Emerald' × 'Meyer'), and 5321-45 ('Emerald' × 'Meyer'). ‘Zorro’ and ‘Emerald’ experienced winter injury which negatively affected their performance. Tiller numbers decreased 50% in ‘Meyer’ from June 2010 to June 2012, but declines in 'Emerald' × ‘Meyer’ progeny were 4% for 5321-18 and 28% in 5321-45. In general, by the third year of evaluation, progeny of 'Emerald' × 'Meyer' had higher quality ratings and greater tiller numbers than 'Meyer', and may one day provide more shade-tolerant cultivar choices for transition zone turf managers.