Evaluation and Breeding of Zoysiagrass Using Japan's Natural Genetic Resources. Issue 1 (19th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ebina, Masumi; Kobayashi, Makoto; Tonogi, Hideaki; Tsuruta, Shin‐ichi; Akamine, Hikaru; Kasuga, Shigemitsu
• Is Part Of: International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. Volume 13:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2017-10-19
• Subjects: 635.9
• DOI: 10.2134/itsrj2017.02.0104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1817-0641

Abstract

Abstract : In the early 1990s, breeding of zoysiagrass ( Zoysia spp.) began with the collection and evaluation of >1200 accessions from 100 natural Zoysia grasslands and habitats in Japan. Through this program, the accessions 'Asagake' and 'Asamoe', with superior agronomic traits and turf quality, were released. Using trait scores of 12 breeders' lines, we preliminarily analyzed their broad‐sense heritability ( H 2 ) to collect basic breeding information. This analysis revealed high H 2 in spike length (96.3%) and spike color (98.6%), but low H 2 in stolon density (30.1%). The analysis revealed lower H 2 of physiological traits, especially of plant vigor after winter (44.7%). These results indicate that breeding for morphological traits could be easier than breeding for physiological traits, especially winter hardiness.