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a Dallas Research and Extension Center, Texas Agric. Exp. Stn., 17360 Coit Road, Dallas, TX 75252-6599
b Dep. Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX 77843-2474
c Dep. of Plant Science, Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
d Dep. of Plant Science, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0036
* Corresponding author (m-engelke{at}tamu.edu)
‘Crowne’ (Reg. no. CV-213, PI 619081) zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) was released by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University System 1 April 1996. Crowne was identified as DALZ8512 during development and evaluation.
Crowne is a chance hybrid from maternal clone Z20, an accession obtained from Beltsville, MD, in 1981. Seed was harvested from an open-pollinated maternal clone in a spaced-plant nursery of 180 Zoysia accessions. Progeny populations were space planted for field evaluation. An individual clone (DALZ8512) was selected from the progeny populations and increased for further evaluation. Crowne is a vegetatively reproduced clone selected for aggressive growth, good turf quality, and adaptability to low maintenance conditions. Crowne is uniform in growth expression, genetically stable (2n = 4x = 40), flowers prolifically, but has low self-fertility.
DNA fingerprint analysis places Crowne as an intermediate between definitive (type specimen) forms of Z. matrella (L.) Merr., Z. pacifica Goudsw., and Z. japonica, and suggests that Crowne is an interspecific hybrid. The majority of morphological characters of Crowne fall within the range of variation for Z. japonica; thus, the cultivar has been classified as Z. japonica (Anderson, 2000).
Crowne is distinguished from other zoysiagrass cultivars by its aggressive recovery growth from rhizomes and stolons, medium-coarse texture, good winter-hardiness, good-to-excellent shade tolerance, and low water use requirement. Crowne is highly competitive to weed invasion under low management conditions. The harvest cycle for seed of Crowne can approach 8 to 12 mo, in contrast to the industry standard ‘Meyer’ that averages 15 to 24 mo.
Crowne has been evaluated in field, greenhouse, and laboratory studies in conjunction with the United States Golf Association – Greens Section Zoysiagrass Improvement Program (USGA-ZIP) since 1983 and was included in the 1991 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) along with 23 additional zoysiagrass cultivars and experimental lines (Morris and Shearman, 1996). The NTEP trials were established at 23 distinct environments (locations) in 16 states. Of the 24 entries in the NTEP trials, 11 entries were identified as Z. matrella and 13 were identified as Z. japonica. Turf quality ratings of Crowne ranged from 4.1 to 6.1 for the 3 yr and the 23 locations. Overall, Crowne ranked 10.5 out of 24 for turf quality and tied with ‘Palisades’, with an average turf quality of 5.7. Quality ratings of the Z. japonica entries ranged from 4.8 to 5.9, with Crowne averaging 5.7 for 3 yr.
Crowne has excellent drought resistance and a lower water requirement than Meyer and ‘Emerald’. The water requirement of Crowne is similar to ‘El Toro’ and Palisades. Crowne exhibits persistent color retention and turf cover and resistance to weed invasion during prolonged drought. Crowne has demonstrated better shade and salt tolerance than Meyer. Salt tolerance combined with the low water requirement of Crowne expands the use of this grass to turf using alternative water sources, which often have compromised water quality. Crowne has intermediate low-temperature green-foliage retention and good low-temperature tolerance.
Crowne is susceptible to the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) and the tawny mole cricket (Scapteriscus vicinus Scudder). It is moderately resistant to the zoysiagrass mite (Eriophyes zoysiae Baker, Kona, and O'Neille) and the tropical sod webworm (Herpetogramma phaeopteralis Guenee). Crowne is susceptible to Rhizoctonia solani (Kühn), but resistant to Pythium blight (caused by Pythium aphanadermatum Edson), a common foliar turfgrass pathogen in the southern growing zones.
Crowne is adapted to the southern USA northward to central Kansas, on the basis of National Turfgrass Evaluation Program trials conducted from 1992 to 1995. Crowne is suitable for use on golf course roughs as well as home lawns, sports fields, industrial parks, and highway rights-of-way. Optimum mowing height will range from 5.0 to 7.5 cm. This grass is widely adapted to the central and southern USA, and with its combined agronomic merits has considerable appeal for use on home lawns, golf course roughs, moderately shaded to full sun turf areas, and in areas where water quality and quantity is a problem.
The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Dallas, Texas will maintain Breeder stock. Only Foundation, Registered, and Certified classes of sod are recognized for Crowne. All Certified production must be directly from Registered, Foundation, or Breeder stock.
U.S. Plant Patent 11570 was issued for Crowne on 17 Oct. 2000. Vegetative propagules of Crowne are available from the author for research purposes, including development and commercialization of new cultivars or germplasms.
NOTES
The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station developed Cavalier with partial funding from the U.S. Golf Association. Registration by CSSA.
Accepted for publication July 31, 2001.
REFERENCES
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