Low Temperature Tolerance of Zoysiagrasses

• Published in: HortScience Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 96 - 99
• Main Authors: Dunn, J.H, Bughrara, S.S, Warmund, M.R, Fresenburg, B.F
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria, VA American Society for Horticultural Science 01.02.1999
• Subjects: Adaptation to environment and cultivation conditions; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Varietal selection. Specialized plant breeding, plant breeding aims; Monocotyledones; Temperature; Cold resistance; Tolerance; Genotype; Regrowth; Varietal selection; Survival; Zoysia; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Rhizome; Herbaceous plant; Spermatophyta; Intraspecific comparison
• ISSN: 0018-5345; 2327-9834
• DOI: 10.21273/hortsci.34.1.96

Rhizomes of zoysiagrass ( Zoysia spp.) were subjected to controlled freezing tests in Jan. and Mar. 1993 and 1994 to determine their low-temperature tolerance. In 1994, `Belair', `Korean `Common', `Meyer', and `TGS-W10' rhizomes survived temperatures as low as -18 °C, while rhizomes of `Sunburst' survived -14 °C. `Cavalier', `Crowne', `Palisades', `Emerald', and `El Toro' were killed at -10 °C or warmer temperatures. Entries surviving exposure to -14 to -18 °C in 1994 controlled freezing tests received post-winter survival ratings in the field of 6.7 to 8.7 (9 = 100% green). Entries killed at higher freezing test temperatures were slower to recover after winter in the field, with ratings of 2.0 to 3.0. Shoot number produced after freezing was a better measurement for assessing low temperature tolerance than was shoot mass. Controlled freezing tests, using regrowth as a measure of hardiness, appear to be useful for identifying low temperature tolerance of zoysiagrasses in the early years of a field study.