Zoysia grass is generally great, but it is not the magic carpet that sod salesman (aka: landscapers and lawn crews) make it out to be. It will not live and thrive in full/dense shade, it does not like poor drainage, it does not like high pH, alkaline soils, and fungal diseases can affect it like any other turfgrass. Please read and enjoy the following information about Zoysia grass sod in North Texas to determine if it is the right warm-season turfgrass for your property.
The History of Zoysia Grass
Zoysia grass is a warm-season turfgrass that is native to Southeast Asia. It was first introduced to the United States in the early 1900s as an ornamental grass and was later used as a turfgrass for golf courses and lawns.
The first known introduction of Zoysia grass to the United States was in 1895, when the grass was brought to the USDA's Plant Introduction Station in Chico, California. The grass was then distributed to other parts of the country for evaluation and testing.
In the 1910s and 1920s, Zoysia grass was primarily used as an ornamental grass for gardens and landscaping. It wasn't until the 1940s and 1950s that the grass began to be used as a turfgrass for golf courses and lawns.
One of the earliest Zoysia grass cultivars to gain widespread popularity was Meyer Zoysia, which was developed in the 1950s by Dr. Jack R. Meyer at the United States National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. Meyer Zoysia has a fine texture, good cold tolerance, and low maintenance requirements, making it a popular choice for golf courses and lawns.
Since the introduction of Meyer Zoysia, many other cultivars of Zoysia grass have been developed and are now available on the market. These cultivars vary in texture, color, cold tolerance, and other characteristics, allowing homeowners and turfgrass managers to choose the best Zoysia grass for their specific needs.
Today, Zoysia grass is a popular turfgrass choice for golf courses, sports fields, and residential lawns in the southern United States. Its popularity is due to its ability to tolerate heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic, as well as its lower maintenance requirements and attractive appearance.
Texas A&M’s Development of Zoysia Grass Varieties
Texas A&M University has played a significant role in the development and research of Zoysia grass varieties. The university has been working on developing Zoysia cultivars since the 1950s, and has continued to develop and study different varieties of the grass ever since.
In the early 1960s, Dr. R. R. Duncan, a professor at Texas A&M, began working on developing a new Zoysia grass cultivar that would be more suited for use on golf courses and lawns in the southern United States. The resulting cultivar, called Cavalier Zoysia, had a fine texture, good cold tolerance, and low maintenance requirements, making it a popular choice for golf courses and lawns alike.
Since then, Texas A&M has continued to develop and study different Zoysia cultivars. In the early 2000s, the university released two new Zoysia grass varieties: Palisades Zoysia and Zeon Zoysia. Palisades Zoysia has a medium-coarse texture and is well-suited for use on residential lawns, while Zeon Zoysia has a fine texture and is ideal for use on golf courses and other high-maintenance turf areas.
In addition to developing new cultivars, Texas A&M has also conducted extensive research on Zoysia grass. The university has studied the grass's growth habits, disease and insect resistance, and other characteristics to better understand how to cultivate and maintain it.
Thanks to the efforts of Texas A&M and other researchers, Zoysia grass is now a popular turfgrass choice for golf courses, sports fields, and residential lawns in the southern United States. Its ability to withstand heavy foot traffic, tolerate heat and drought, and require minimal maintenance make it an excellent choice for many different applications.
Scientific Description of Zoysia Grass
Zoysia grass is a warm-season turfgrass that belongs to the Poaceae family. It is known for its ability to tolerate heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic, making it a popular choice for golf courses, sports fields, and residential lawns in the southern United States.
The scientific name for Zoysia grass is Zoysia spp., and it encompasses several species, including Zoysia japonica, Zoysia matrella, and Zoysia tenuifolia. These species vary in their growth habits, texture, and other characteristics, making them suitable for different applications.
Zoysia grass has a fine to medium texture and produces a dense turf that can withstand wear and tear. The grass grows slowly and requires less frequent mowing than other turfgrass species, making it a low-maintenance choice for homeowners and turfgrass managers.
One of the distinguishing features of Zoysia grass is its ability to form underground stems or stolons, which allow it to spread and form a dense mat. The grass also has a deep root system that helps it to withstand drought and other environmental stresses.
Zoysia grass grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soils. It can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils, and has a moderate tolerance for salt.
In terms of pest and disease resistance, Zoysia grass is relatively resistant to most turfgrass pests and diseases, including armyworms, grubs, and dollar spot. However, it is susceptible to certain diseases, such as brown patch and rust, and may require fungicide applications to control these issues.
Overall, Zoysia grass is a versatile and durable turfgrass species that is well-suited for a range of applications. Its ability to withstand heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic, as well as its low maintenance requirements, make it a popular choice for golf courses, sports fields, and residential lawns in the southern United States.
Zoysia Grass Diseases in North Texas
Zoysia grass is susceptible to various diseases that can cause significant damage to the turf in North Texas.
Over the years, several diseases have been reported in Zoysia grass in Texas, with some of the most common being brown patch, dollar spot, TARR, and Zoysia patch. Here is a brief overview of each of these diseases:
- Brown Patch: Brown patch is a fungal disease that affects many turfgrass species, including Zoysia grass. The disease is most prevalent in the summer and fall, when temperatures are warm and humidity is high. Symptoms of brown patch include circular patches of brown or yellow grass that may be up to several feet in diameter. The patches may have a "smoke ring" around the perimeter, and the blades of grass may have a slimy texture. Brown patch can be controlled with fungicides, but preventative measures such as proper watering and fertilization are also important.
- Dollar Spot: Dollar spot is another fungal disease that affects Zoysia grass and other turfgrass species. The disease is most prevalent in the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and humidity is high. Symptoms of dollar spot include small, circular patches of straw-colored grass that are about the size of a silver dollar. The patches may coalesce to form larger areas of dead grass. Dollar spot can be controlled with fungicides, but preventative measures such as proper watering and fertilization are also important.
- Zoysia Patch: Zoysia patch is a fungal disease that is specific to Zoysia grass. The disease is most prevalent in the fall and winter, when temperatures are cool and humidity is high. Symptoms of Zoysia patch include circular patches of brown or yellow grass that may be up to several feet in diameter. The patches may have a "frosted" appearance, and the grass may have a reddish-brown discoloration at the base of the stems. Zoysia patch can be controlled with fungicides, but preventative measures such as proper watering and fertilization are also important.
- Take All Root Rot (TARR): While TARR is not as rampant in Zoysia as it is in St. Augustine grass, it is still a significant problem. Further, since it is a soil-borne disease there is no cure for it. Proper cultural practices are the most important factor for managing Take All Root Rot, adequate sunlight is 2nd, soil pH is 3rd, and proper fungicide rotation (and timing) is fourth.
In addition to these four diseases, Zoysia grass in Texas may also be susceptible to other diseases such as Pythium blight, rust, and leaf spot. Following proper turfgrass management practices such as sunlight, mowing, watering, and fertilizing can help prevent these diseases from occurring.
In conclusion, Zoysia grass is a popular turfgrass choice in Texas, but it is susceptible to various diseases and sensitivity to high pH soils that can cause significant damage. Brown patch, dollar spot, and Zoysia patch are some of the most common diseases reported in Zoysia grass in Texas. Proper turfgrass management practices and timely application of fungicides can help prevent and control these diseases.