Development of Interspecific Hybrid Zoysiagrasses with Enhanced Winter Colour Retention for Subtropical Regions
Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, vol.54, no.2, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 54 Issue: 2
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.15835/nbha54215164
- Journal Name: Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), East & Central Europe Database (ProQuest), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest)
- Keywords: interspecific hybridization, spring green-up, turf performance, turfgrass breeding, winter colour retention
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Rising temperatures and prolonged drought periods, driven by global climate change, are placing increasing pressure on limited water resources. Consequently, there is growing interest in warm-season grass species and cultivars due to their superior heat tolerance and relatively lower water requirements. Among these, zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp.), often referred to as “environmental grasses” due to their low maintenance requirements, have gained increasing attention in Türkiye. In this study, two interspecific Zoysia hybrids (‘MG-Turkzoy’ and ‘Anazoy’), previously developed from Z. japonica x Z. matrella crosses and selected for their high turf quality and drought tolerance within a turfgrass breeding program at Akdeniz University, were evaluated under field conditions during 2023–2024. Both hybrids were subsequently commercialized in 2025. The study assessed establishment rate, turfgrass quality and colour, fall dormancy and spring green-up, and morphological characteristics of the hybrids in comparison with the commercial cultivar ‘El-Toro’. Although ‘El-Toro’ exhibited approximately 30% greater turf coverage than the hybrids during the first five months after planting, all cultivars reached comparable establishment levels (96–100%) by six months, achieving full turf coverage by the end of the first growing season. The hybrids demonstrated superior quality and winter colour retention compared to ‘El-Toro’. Notably, ‘MG-Turkzoy’ and ‘Anazoy’ maintained ≥80% green cover for up to 12 months, whereas ‘El-Toro’ sustained this level for only 8.5 months, highlighting their superior capacity for extended year-round greenness. Their use in golf courses and other green spaces requiring year-round visual turf quality may significantly reduce reliance on overseeding with cool-season turfgrasses, thereby reducing maintenance costs and labour requirements. Overall, the results indicate that these hybrid zoysiagrass cultivars have strong potential for the establishment of high-quality, sustainable turf systems in subtropical climates.