Effect of Planting Date and Spacing On Zoysiagrass Establishment From Vegetative Plugs.

Zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) is underutilized although its great potential for the Mediterranean region. The main disadvantage of zoysiagrass is its slow establishment rate and studies for the establishment of the species are limited in the region. A two-year study has been initiated to determine optimum planting date and plug spacing on establishment of ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass.  Experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications.  Zoysiagrass plugs measuring 5 cm in diameter were transplanted 25 cm (16 plugs), 34 cm (9 plugs) or 50 cm (4 plugs) apart per m^-2 plots on June 20^th, July 20^th or August 20^th, 2012.   The data on establishment rate, quality and density were recorded.  Plots planted in June, July, and August established 100%, 90%, and 50%, respectively before the onset of dormancy. The closer the plug spacing, the faster the establishment was obtained, regardless of planting date.  Zoysiagrass plugs planted in June and spaced 25, 34 and 50 cm apart exhibited 90 % or more coverage 7, 9 and 11 weeks after planting (WAP). Density was similar among June plantings but differed significantly among the spacing for both July and August plantings. First year results indicated that June planting may yield successful establishment irrespective of plug spacing.

Key words: Warm season grass, Mediterranean, Zoysia japonica, Turfgrass