Registration of ‘FAES 1307’ and ‘FAES 1319’ zoysiagrasses

Abstract

We describe the development and release by the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station of ‘FAES 1307’ (Reg. no. CV-298, PI 707939) and ‘FAES 1319’ (Reg. no. CV-299, PI 707940) zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp. Willd.). There is increasing worldwide interest in zoysiagrasses due to their lower fertility and maintenance requirements. These two new cultivars were released based on combinations of superior turfgrass quality and density, enhanced shade tolerance, improved spring greenup and fall color, and tolerance to large patch disease (caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2 LP). Measurements of leaf length and width showed that the two new cultivars have a turfgrass texture intermediate between the coarser texture of ‘Empire’ and the very fine texture of ‘Geo’. Data from the 2013–2017 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) Zoysiagrass Trial showed that FAES 1319 was often ranked No. 1 or 2 out of 35 entries in the evaluations of turfgrass quality, density, and color, and usually significantly superior to the control cultivars Empire and ‘Meyer’. FAES 1307 was the top-rated entry for sod tensile strength. Foundation stock of each cultivar will be maintained by the UF-IFAS Agronomy Department and Florida Foundation Seed Producers.