USPP35819P2

USPP35819P2 - Zoysiagrass plant named ‘SFZ1901’

Info

Publication number: USPP35819P2
Application number: US18/445,116
Authority: US
Inventors: Ryo Akashi; Masatsugu Hashiguchi
Original assignee: Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-25
Filing date: 2023-04-19
Publication date: 2024-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2043-04-19

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Zoysia Willd. plant named ‘SFZ1901’ with a unique combination of characteristics including short leaf blade length, slow aboveground parts and stolon elongation rate, longer maintenance of greenness in winter, and management-savings.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Zoysia Willd.

Variety denomination: ‘SFZ1901’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of the Japanese Plant Variety Registration Application No. 36558 filed on Nov. 25, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial Zoysia grass cultivar identified as ‘SFZ1901’ Zoysia grass (herein referred to as ‘SFZ1901’). ‘SFZ1901’ was obtained in 2008 from the crossbreeding between the Zoysia japonica cultivar ‘Asagake’ (not patented) (mother plant, Japanese Plant Variety Registration No. 10487) and the wild strain of Zoysia matrella (father plant, which had been stored for a long time in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan, precise origin unknown) in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan. After germination of the 192 obtained seeds, the inventor selected the 64 F₁individuals in which the crossbreeding was confirmed by Zoysia grass-derived SSR marker. The pot trial of the selected 64 F₁individuals was carried out from 2011 to 2018, while maintaining them by vegetative propagation by cutting of stolons. As a result, a stolon elongation rate of one individual of the 64 individuals was found as notably slow, and in 2018, that individual was selected as a candidate of a new variety for registration for protection under the UPOV Convention. After that, the characterization of the selected individual was carried out in the field condition in 2019, and the individual was confirmed as being a new Zoysia grass strain with a unique combination of characteristics, including short leaf blade length, slow aboveground parts and stolon elongation rate, longer maintenance of greenness in winter, and management-savings. Subsequently, the characteristics test for Japanese plant variety registration application of the above-identified new Zoysia grass strain was carried out from April 2020 to April 2022 in the test field in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan, and the strain was named ‘SFZ1901’. The data on the comparison of the characteristics of ‘SFZ1901’ with those of ‘Asagake’ (mother plant) and the wild strain of Zoysia matrella (father plant), which was obtained from the characterization of the ‘SFZ1901’ in 2019, are summarized in the Table 1 below.

TABLE 1

Comparison of the characteristics of ‘SFZ1901’ with those of parent
varieties ‘Asagake’ (mother plant) and the wild strain of Zoysia
matrella (father plant) in October, 2019

		Leaf	Leaf	Width	Internode	Maximum
	Plant	blade	blade	of	length of	radius of
	Height	length	width	stolon	stolon	stolon
	(cm)	(mm)	(mm)	(mm)	(mm)	(cm)

Asagake	14.06	96.49	5.36	2.01	32.01	33.78
(mother
plant)
The wild	8.17	25.00	1.84	1.14	12.81	19.67
strain of
Zoysia
matrella
(father
plant)
SFZ1901	6.56	38.40	3.15	1.06	11.85	20.28

At the almost same time as the characteristics test, which was carried out from April 2020 to April 2022, the comparison study of traits between ‘SFZ1901’ and ‘Himeno’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,267) (which is the morphologically and physiologically similar variety to ‘SFZ1901’), was carried out. ‘SFZ1901’ is a distinct variety of Zoysia Willd., which can be vegetatively propagated by both stolons and rhizomes in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan, and is uniform in growth expression through successive generations. ‘SFZ1901’ is the variety denomination of this new Zoysia grass. The name ‘SFZ1901’ may also designate this plant in commerce.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘SFZ1901’ is a new and distinct perennial variety of Zoysia Willd., which is characterized by a unique combination of characteristics, including:

- (1) short leaf blade length;
- (2) slow aboveground parts and stolon elongation rate;
- (3) longer maintenance of greenness in winter; and
- (4) management-savings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 compares the spread of the aboveground parts of ‘SFZ1901’, ‘Himeno’, ‘Meyer’ (not patented) and ‘Emerald’ (not patented) (sparse planting zone and close planting zone). Plant ages of each of the four varieties were 13 months old. Photographing date: Jul. 21, 2021. Photographing site: Test field in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan.

FIG. 2 compares the leaf blade length and the vigor of early stage of ‘SFZ1901’, ‘Himeno’, ‘Meyer’ and ‘Emerald’. Plant ages of each of the four varieties were 12 months old. Photographing date: Jun. 14, 2021. Photographing site: Test field in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan.

FIG. 3 compares the time of coloring (in autumn) of ‘SFZ1901’, ‘Himeno’, ‘Meyer’ and ‘Emerald’. Plant ages of each of the four varieties were 18 months old. Photographing date: Dec. 21, 2021. Photographing site: Test field in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan.

COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the new Zoysia Willd. grass variety known as ‘SFZ1901’, based upon observations of the plant grown in pots and fields.

‘SFZ1901’ is a perennial, vegetatively propagated Zoysia grass, and is believed to be a unique variety of Zoysia Willd. due to its morphological properties. The mother plant of ‘SFZ1901’ was the Zoysia japonica cultivar ‘Asagake’ (Japanese Plant Variety Registration No. 10487), and the father plant was the wild strain of Zoysia matrella (which had been stored for a long time in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan, precise origin unknown). ‘SFZ1901’ was obtained from the crossbreeding between ‘Asagake’ and the above-identified wild strain of Zoysia matrella.

The inventor vegetatively propagated ‘SFZ1901’ by cutting of stolons, and discovered that ‘SFZ1901’ is a new and distinct variety compared to ‘Himeno’, ‘Meyer’ and ‘Emerald’ (all of which are the morphologically and physiologically similar varieties to ‘SFZ1901’). Compared to other Zoysia grass varieties, ‘SFZ1901’ is characterized by its unique combination of characteristics, including shorter leaf blade length, slower aboveground parts and stolon elongation rate, longer maintenance of greenness in winter, and more management-savings.

‘SFZ1901’ was propagated by cutting of stolons under greenhouse and field conditions in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan, rooting them in soil, and planting of the rooted material to provide planting stock for studying performance and for comparison of morphological characters after propagation. Asexually reproduced plants of ‘SFZ1901’ have remained stable and true to type through successive generations of propagation. No seedling establishment from ‘SFZ1901’ has been noticed in either greenhouse or field studies.

‘SFZ1901’ is a perennial Zoysia grass that spreads by both stolons and rhizomes. Characteristics of ‘SFZ1901’ measured in 2021 were taken from plants that were approximately 1 to 2 years in age. Both the greenhouse and the test field are located in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9A). The annual minimum temperature in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan is 3.0 degree Celsius (which corresponds to the average minimum temperature in January in Miyazaki-city), and the annual maximum temperature in Miyazaki-city is 31.6 degree Celsius (which corresponds to the average maximum temperature in August in Miyazaki-city).

The inventor carried out the comparison study of traits between ‘SFZ1901’ and ‘Himeno’ (which is the most morphologically and physiologically similar variety to ‘SFZ1901’) in the test field in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan, from April 2020 to March 2022. The results of the comparison study are shown in Table 2 below:

TABLE 2

Comparison with a similar variety ‘Himeno’ (Japanese Plant
Variety Registration No. 9209, ZOYSIAN JAPAN CO., LTD.)

Name of		Characteristics of	Characteristics of
similar		the similar variety	the present variety
variety	Name of trait	(‘Himeno’)	(‘SFZ1901’)

Himeno	Leaf blade length	Medium (56.5 mm)	Short (37.0 mm)
Himeno	Vigor of early	High	Poor
	stage
Himeno	Regrowth vigor	Medium	Very poor
Himeno	Time of greening	Slightly late	Very early
		(March 18)	(February 27)
Himeno	Time of coloring	Medium	Very late
	(in autumn)	(December 25)	(January 7)

* The results were confirmed in the test field in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan.

As shown in Table 2, the leaf blade length of ‘SFZ1901’ (37.0 mm) was significantly shorter than that of ‘Himeno’ (56.5 mm), and the vigor of early stage of ‘SFZ1901’ was poorer than that of ‘Himeno’ (see also FIGS. 1 and 2 ).

In addition, the time of greening of ‘SFZ1901’ (February 27) was significantly earlier than that of ‘Himeno’ (March 18), and the time of coloring (in autumn) of ‘SFZ1901’ (January 7) was extremely later than that of ‘Himeno’ (December 25) (see also FIG. 3 ). Thus, it can be concluded that ‘SFZ1901’ has better winter survival ability than ‘Himeno’.

When compared to the other two similar varieties, ‘Meyer’ and ‘Emerald’, the leaf blade length of ‘SFZ1901’ (37.0 mm) was also significantly shorter than those of ‘Meyer’ (60.8 mm) and ‘Emerald’ (44.2 mm), and the vigor of early stage of ‘SFZ1901’ was poorer than those of ‘Meyer’ and ‘Emerald’ (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ).

Furthermore, the time of greening of ‘SFZ1901’ (February 27) was earlier than those of ‘Meyer’ (March 10) and ‘Emerald’ (March 6), and the time of coloring (in autumn) of ‘SFZ1901’ (January 7) was significantly later than that of ‘Meyer’ (December 13) (see also FIG. 3 ).

It is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2 provided herein that ‘SFZ1901’ in the test field grew at a slower rate than ‘Himeno’, ‘Meyer’ and ‘Emerald’. The relatively poorer vigor of early stage of ‘SFZ1901’ than those of ‘Himeno’, ‘Meyer’ and ‘Emerald’, as described above, was due to its slow aboveground parts and stolon elongation rate.

The above results confirm the distinctness of ‘SFZ1901’ from the other major varieties of Zoysia grass.

As described herein above, since ‘SFZ1901’ has short leaf blade length (37.0 mm) as well as slow aboveground parts and stolon elongation rate, if this variety is used for greening of park, garden or rooftop, or used as home lawn, both frequency and labor of lawn mowing can be reduced, and thus management savings can be achieved.

In addition, as the time of greening of ‘SFZ1901’ is relatively early (February 27) and the time of coloring is relatively late (January 7), ‘SFZ1901’ can maintain its greenness for a long time even in winter, so that this variety can maintain its aesthetics relatively longer than other Zoysia grass varieties.

Therefore, ‘SFZ1901’ is considered to be a management-savings type of Zoysia grass, and is promising as a suitable and ideal Zoysia grass for greening of park, garden or rooftop, and also as home lawn.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of Zoysia grass ‘SFZ1901’, based upon observations of 1 to 2 years old specimens grown in Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, Japan, with color notations based on The R.H.S. Color Chart 2015.

1. Plant:
- - Growth habit.—Semi-upright.
  - Vigor of early stage.—Poor.
  - Height.—10.0 cm; ‘Himeno’: 16.3 cm; ‘Meyer’: 17.3 cm; ‘Emerald’: 10.4 cm.
  - Width.—105.5 cm; ‘Himeno’: 288.7 cm; ‘Meyer’: 267.6 cm; ‘Emerald’: 261.4 cm.
  - Density.—49.5 cm/100 cm²; ‘Himeno’: 52.3 cm/100 cm²; ‘Meyer’: 62.4 cm/100 cm²; ‘Emerald’: 61.8 cm/100 cm².
2. Stolon:
- - Anthocyanin coloration of leaf sheath.—Medium; ‘Himeno’: strong; ‘Meyer’: medium; ‘Emerald’: weak.
  - Length of leaf sheath.—19.2 mm; ‘Himeno’: 22.6 mm; ‘Meyer’: 23.9 mm; ‘Emerald’: 28.5 mm
  - Density of hairiness on leaf sheath.—Sparse; ‘Himeno’: sparse; ‘Meyer’: sparse; ‘Emerald’: sparse.
  - Internode length.—17.9 cm; ‘Himeno’: 42.2 cm; ‘Meyer’: 33.8 cm; ‘Emerald’: 36.0 cm.
  - Width of internode.—1.1 mm; ‘Himeno’: 2.0 mm; ‘Meyer’: 1.8 mm; ‘Emerald’: 1.4 mm.
  - Stolon color.—60B (color code based on The R.H.S. Color Chart); ‘Himeno’: 59A; ‘Meyer’: 60A; ‘Emerald’: 60A.
3. Culm:
- - Culm length.—42.2 mm; ‘Meyer’: 108.6 mm; ‘Emerald’: 62.1 mm.
  - Culm width.—0.5 mm; ‘Meyer’: 0.7 mm; ‘Emerald’: 0.7 mm.
4. Leaf:
- - Leaf blade length.—37.0 mm; ‘Himeno’: 56.5 mm; ‘Meyer’: 60.8 mm; ‘Emerald’: 44.2 mm.
  - Leaf blade width.—2.8 mm; ‘Himeno’: 4.2 mm; ‘Meyer’: 3.6 mm; ‘Emerald’: 1.9 mm.
  - Leaf blade intensity of green color.—138A (color code based on The R.H.S. Color Chart); ‘Himeno’: 137B; ‘Meyer’: 137B; ‘Emerald’: 137C.
  - Leaf blade density of hairs on upper side.—Very sparse; ‘Himeno’: medium; ‘Meyer’: medium; ‘Emerald’: medium.
  - Leaf blade density of hairs on lower side.—Very sparse; ‘Himeno’: very sparse; ‘Meyer’: very sparse; ‘Emerald’: very sparse.
  - Leaf blade margin.—Smooth; ‘Himeno’: smooth; ‘Meyer’: smooth; ‘Emerald’: smooth.
  - Leaf sheath density of hairs.—Sparse; ‘Himeno’: sparse; ‘Meyer’: sparse; ‘Emerald’: sparse.
  - Shape of ligule.—Fringe of hairs; ‘Himeno’: fringe of hairs; ‘Meyer’: membranous; ‘Emerald’: fringe of hairs.
5. Flag leaf:
- - Flag leaf length.—9.1 cm; ‘Meyer’: 16.6 cm; ‘Emerald’: 9.3 cm.
  - Flag leaf width.—0.7 cm; ‘Meyer’: 1.6 cm; ‘Emerald’: 0.9 cm.
6. Inflorescence:
- - Inflorescence length.—21.8 mm; ‘Meyer’: 28.7 mm; ‘Emerald’: 17.4 mm.
  - Inflorescence width.—0.8 mm; ‘Meyer’: 1.5 mm; ‘Emerald’: 1.0 mm.
  - Color of spikelets.—60A (color code based on The R.H.S. Color Chart); ‘Meyer’: 59A; ‘Emerald’: 59A.
  - Length of spikelets.—3.1 mm; ‘Meyer’: 3.2 mm; ‘Emerald’: 3.1 mm.
  - Width of spikelets.—0.9 mm; ‘Meyer’: 1.1 mm; ‘Emerald’: 0.9 mm.
  - Number of spikelets.—13.7; ‘Meyer’: 34.8; ‘Emerald’: 19.7.
7. Others:
- - Time of greening.—February 27; ‘Himeno’: March 18; ‘Meyer’: March 10; ‘Emerald’: March 6.
  - Time of flowering (in spring).—March 19; ‘Meyer’: March 5; ‘Emerald’: March 17.
  - Time of coloring of leaves (in autumn).—January 7; ‘Himeno’: December 25; ‘Meyer’: December 13; ‘Emerald’: January 9.
  - Intensity of anthocyanin coloration (in autumn).—Slightly weak; ‘Himeno’: very weak; ‘Meyer’: weak; ‘Emerald’: very weak.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A new and distinct variety of Zoysia Willd. plant named ‘SFZ1901’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.