‘DALZ 1701’, a third‐generation interspecific zoysiagrass hybrid

Abstract ‘DALZ 1701’ (Reg no. CV‐292, PI 702798) is a third‐generation hybrid resulting from mating interspecific hybrid ‘TAES 5723‐47’ with Zoysia japonica (Steud.) ‘ Meyer’. In the 2019 National Evaluation Turfgrass Program, which ran from 2019 to 2022 in 15 locations, DALZ 1701 was put to the test. In 9 of 13 locations, DALZ 1701 established more quickly than Meyer, similarly to Emerald and Zeon but slower than Empire. DALZ 1701's turfgrass quality was generally better than Meyer's and on par with that of Emerald, Empire, and Zeon. Compared with Meyer, DALZ 1701 displays a dark green genetic color. In Dallas, TX, DALZ 1701 maintained its quality under drought stress more effectively than Meyer and similarly to Emerald, Empire, and Zeon; however, it had more wilt avoidance than Emerald and Zeon. Like Meyer and Innovation, DALZ 1701 showed freezing tolerance but had improved fall color retention. DALZ 1701 appeared to have greater tolerance than Meyer to large patch ( Rhizoctonia solani Kühn), spring yellowing [take‐all patch ( Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.) von Arx & D. Olivier)], hunting billbug ( Sphenophorus venatus vestitus Chittenden), and zoysiagrass mite ( Eriophyes zoysiae Baker, Kono, and O'Neill) damage. Additionally, DALZ 1701 has shown quality comparable to Diamond and Palisades but superior to Meyer under moderate shade in Dallas, TX. In the transition zone and southern portions of the United States, where zoysiagrass is widely grown, DALZ 1701 is adaptable to a variety of conditions.