Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
and not treated with chemicals, the sod web-worm can turn an entire
lawn brown within a few days.
Z. japonica
produces seeds, but its germination rate is quite low. In
the tropics, seedlings take about 3-4 weeks to emerge from the soil, and
in the meantime weeds may come to dominate the entire lawn area.
Zoysia lawns are usually established vegetatively with sod, sprigs or
plugs rather than by seeding (see Chapter 4, this volume). Besides sod-
ding, sprigging is the fastest way to establish this species but nevertheless
usually takes several months.
Z. matrella
is similar to
Z. japonica
, except that it has a finer leaf
texture and is less cold tolerant. It is found mainly in tropical and
subtropical climates.
Z. matrella
does not produce many viable seeds
and generally must be propagated from sprigs or plugs. It is only
occasionally planted as residential lawn grass. Its overall importance is
rather minor.
Z. tenuifolia
is the finest textured of all zoysias. It does not produce
viable seeds and must be propagated vegetatively. It can be found only in
tropical and subtropical climates because of its very low tolerance to cold.
Establishment of this zoysia is extremely slow. It will produce a thick
thatch when left unmowed. This species is often used for residential
lawns in the humid tropics because of its pleasant appearance and
outstanding resistance to weeds. Unmowed turf areas of
Z. tenuifolia
have an unusual, non-uniform appearance, more like a ground cover
than a lawn (Fig. 2.3). When mowed, it forms a pleasant lawn that is
extremely resistant to traffic.
One interspecific hybrid of
Z. japonica
and
Z. tenuifolia
is worth
mentioning. Emerald, which originated in the USA, forms a very dense
Fig. 2.3. Zoysia tenuifolia lawn, unmowed for many years.
