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Zoysia
Willd.
Poaceae
Zoysiasare are grown chiefly in warm humid and transitional
regions.
Three Asian species of Zoysia are used for turfgrass
purposes:
1)
Z. japonica
2)
Z. matrella
3)
Z. tenuifolia
Zoysia japonica Steud.
Vernation-
rolled
Sheaths-
round to somewhat compressed
Ligule-
a fringe of hairs, 0.2 mm long
Auricles-
absent
Blades-
flat, 2-3 mm wide, stiff, sparsely pubescent above near the base, glabrous
below, margins glabrous
Collar-
broad, continuous, pubescent at base
Stem-
round, erect to ascending from a decumbent, strongly stoloniferous and
rhizomatous
Inflorescence-
short, terminal, and spikelike, spikelets laterally compressed, appressed
against the slender rachis
Zoysia matrella
(L.) Merr.
Vernation-
rolled
Sheaths-
round to somewhat compressed, glabrous with fascicled hairs at the throat, split
with overlapping margins
Ligule-
a fringe of hairs, 0.2 mm long
Auricles-
absent
Blades-
flat, 2-3 mm wide, stiff, sparsely pubescent above near the base, glabrous
below, margins glabrous
Collar-
broad, continuous, pubescent at base
Stem-
round, erect to ascending from a decumbent, strongly stoloniferous and
rhizomatous
Inflorescence-
short, terminal, and spikelike, spikelets laterally compressed, appressed,
flatwise against the slender rachis
Propagation-
sprigs, plugs, or sod
Drought and Heat tolerance-
excellent
Soil PH-
6 to 7
Mowing-
Cutting Height-
0.5- 1.0” are common for lawns
-Close
mowing is tolerated because of the low, prostrate growth habit.
-Frequent mowing at .75 in. or less is preferred to prevent
excessive thatch accumulation and a puffy, irregular surface
Fertility Rate-
requires 0.5 to 1.0 lb of nitrogen per 1000sq ft per growing month
Common Diseases-
rust, Helminthosporium leaf spot, brown patch, and dollar spot
Common Pests-
armyworms, sod webworms, mole crickets, nematodes, and hunting billbugs
(although zoysiagrass is more resistant to attack by these insects than most
other warm season grasses)
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