• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.344-360
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• 2017

Zoysiagrasses are important turf plants used for school playgrounds, parks, golf courses, and sports fields. The two most popular zoysiagrass species are Zoysia japonica and Zoysia sinica. These are widely distributed across different growing zones and are morphologically distinguishable from each other; however, it is phenotypically difficult to differentiate those that grow along the coastal line from those in beach area habitats. A combination of morphological and molecular approaches is desirable to efficiently identify these two plant cultivars. In this study, we used a rapid identification system based on DNA barcoding of the nrDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. The nrDNA-ITS regions of ITS1, 5.8S nrDNA, and ITS2 from Z. japonica, Z. sinica, Agrostis stolonifera, and Poa pratensis were DNA barcoded to classify these grasses according to their molecular identities. The nrDNA-ITS sequences of these species were found at 686 bp, 687 bp, 683 bp, and 681 bp, respectively. The size of ITS1 ranged from 248 to 249 bp, while ITS2 ranged from 270 to 274 bp. The 5.8S coding region ranged from 163 - 164bp. Between Z. japonica and Z. sinica, nineteen (2.8%) nucleotide sites were variable, and the G+C content of the ITS region ranged from 55.4 to 63.3%. Substitutions and insert/deletion (indel) sites in the nrDNA-ITS sequence of Z. japonica and Z. sinica were converted to cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers, and applied to the Zoysia grasses sampled to verify the presence of these markers. Among the 62 control and collected grass samples, we classified three groups: 36 Z. japonica, 22 Z. sinica, and 4 Z. japonica/Z. sinica hybrids. Morphological classification revealed only two groups; Z. japonica and Z. sinica. Our results suggest that used of the nrDNA-ITS barcode region and CAPS markers can be used to distinguish between Z. japonica and Z. sinica at the species level.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.503-509
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• 2006

To determine the minimum area for conservation of four Halophytic species populations, we evaluate the genetic diversity of four species based on the AFLP method using thirteen primer sets. Four species populations, Phragmites communis Trin, Suaeda japonica Makino, Zoysia sinica Hance, and S. maritima (L.) Dumort, from the southwestern coast of Korea, were selected for this study. The genetic diversity index ($\Psi_{ST}$) of Phragmites communis was 0.3856, Suaeda japonica 0.1445, Suaeda maritima 0.1669, and Zoysia sinica 0.2422. Based on the genetic diversity of population, we could determine the minimum area for conservation of each species as follows. P. communis needs $500{\times}500m^2$, S. japonica, S. maritima, and Z. sinica $100\times100m^2$ for keeping their genetic identity.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.213-222
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• 2016

This study aims to establish a system for the rapid discrimination of Zoysia species using metabolite fingerprinting of FT-IR spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis. Whole cell extracts from leaves of 19 identified Zoysia japonica, 6 identified Zoysia sinica, and 38 different unidentified Zoysia species were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). PCA (principle component analysis) and PLS-DA (partial least square discriminant analysis) from FT-IR spectral data successfully divided the 25 identified turf grasses into two groups, representing good agreement with species identification using molecular markers. PC (principal component) loading values show that the $1,100{\sim}950cm^{-1}$ region of the FT-IR spectra are important for the discrimination of Zoysia species. A dendrogram based on hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) from the PCA and PLS-DA data of turf grasses showed that turf grass samples were divided into Zoysia japonica and Zoysia sinica in a species-dependent manner. PCA and PLS-DA from FT-IR spectral data of Zoysia species identified and unidentified by molecular markers successfully divided the 49 turf grasses into Z. japonica and Z. sinica. In particular, PLS-DA and the HCA dendrogram could mostly discriminate the 47 Z. japonica grasses into two groups depending on their origins (mountainous areas and island area). Considering these results, we suggest that FT-IR fingerprinting combined with multivariate analysis could be applied to discriminate between Zoysia species as well as their geographical origins of various Zoysia species.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2006

A natural, tidal-flat clone of Zoysia sinica was studied to compare ramet growth properties in central area with in peripheral area. In new stolon and rhizome, internode length, weight, shoot height and weight, and spike production were monitored on July 25, 2004. The weight/height rate of shoot between stolon and rhizome, the shoot/stolon (or rhizome) rate in weight between central and peripheral area were not different. However, other properties differed in stolon from rhizome or between central and peripheral area significantly differed: 1. The rhizome in central area had a larger node number, shorter internode length, higher shoot height, larger shoot biomass, and higher rate of non-shoot nodes than that in peripheral area. 2. The stolon in central area had a smaller node number, shorter internode length, and smaller biomass than that in peripheral area. 3. In the same area, the rhizome had a larger node number (except for central area), shorter internode, higher shoot height, larger shoot biomass, higher rate of non-shoot node, and higher rate of node having over two shoots than the stolon. No relationship could be found between shoot size and spike production in shoot on vertical rhizome (lower node of old shoot).

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 1997

A high seed yield '232' was evaluated for morphological characteristics and tissue culture re-sponse. The effect of mowing and urea application on coverage in '232' was also studied and the results were as follows ;1.'232' produced high seed yield than any other lines, but its other characteristics such as coverage, establishment rate, stolon length, stolon number and colour change were not good. 2.Callus induction of '232'(52.9%) was relatively high, and higher than that of Z. sinica(49.0%). However, embryogenic callus formation of '232' was not as good as that of Z. japonica and Z. sinica. 3.Coverage of '232' was very much enhanced by mowing on July 18, but not at all by mowing on May 29 and September 4. 4.Urea application did not increase the coverage in '232',Therefore, it can be used as a breeding material rather than direct use.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.311-318
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• 2006

In an estuary, ecological dynamic is modified for a long time and memorized in soils and landscapes. As landscape memory, ecological motif is defined with dominance and rarity of vegetation. The purpose of the study is to investigate the existing vegetation character and to propose the ecological motif of this area. The present salt-water plants, community species composition and constancy degree around the estuary in Buandam watershed Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do were analyzed. The results are as follows. The flora of the salt-water plants was listed as 16 taxa; 6 families,13 genera,14 species and 2 varieties. 5 taxa were Gramineae, 4 taxa Chenopodiaceae, and 4 taxa Comrositae. The salt-water plant communities are a total of 10 communities as listed; Zoysia sinica-Artemisia scoparia community, Phacelurus latifolius community, Artemisia scoparia Cnidium japonicum community, Limonium tetragonum -Artemisia scoparia community, Artemisia scoparia community, Suaeda japonica community, Elymus dahuricus community, Suaeda asparagoides community, Zoysia sinica community, and Zoysia sinica-Suaeda japonica community. Analyzed by the community classification species class of constancy degree, Phacelurus latifolius, Cnidium japonicum, Limonium tetragonum, Suaeda japonica, Elymus dahuricus and Suaeda asparagoides belong to I, Zoysia sinica and Artemisia scoparia to II. Elymus dahuricus, Setaria viridis var. pachystachys, Echinochloa crusgalli var. oryzicola, Phacelurus latifolius, Atriplex gmelini, Salicornia herbacea, Calystegia soldanella and Aster tripolium belong to the accompaniment species to I: Zoysia sinica, Suaeda asparagoides, Artemisia capillaris to II; Suaeda japonica, Artemisia scoparia to III ; Cnidium japonicum to IV: Limonium tetragonum, Artemisia fukudo to V. And the ecological motif is the Phacelurus latifolius community.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.88-96
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• 2010

Zoysiagrass, especially Jungji implicating medium-leaf type zoysiagrass has been widely used in South Korea recently. This study was carried out to classify 36 selected medium-leaf type zoysiagrass accessions compared to 5 basic zoysiagrass species using RAPDs. Morphological characteristics such as leaf width, leaf angle, leaf sheath length, existance of trichomes and stolon color were measured as useful characteristics for identification of species in Zoysia genus. Nineteen RAPD markers were identified using 8 selected random primers. The dissimilarity coefficient of variants ranged from 0 to 0.736. Three zoysiagrass groups were clustered by dissimilarity coefficient analysis. Group 1 consisted of Z. japonica and some US varieties including 'Zenith' and 'Meyer'. Group 2 consisted of Z. sinica, Z. macrostachya and Korean commercial varieties such as 'Anyang', 'Samdeock', and 'Pyeongdong' medium-leaf type grasses. Group 3 was genetically distinct from Group 1 and Group 2, and included Z. matrella and Z. tenuifolia. 'Anyang', 'Samdeock', and 'Pyeongdong' medium-leaf type zoysiagrasses showed very close genetic relationship with Z. sinica and Z. macrostachya.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.103-108
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• 2003

This study examined the coastal sand dune vegetation before and after the construction of an embankment on Anmado Island in order to compare vegetation in relation to the development of islands. A total of 24 species distributed on the sand dunes. 18 species were found to be in common before and after the construction of the embankment, which included Vitex rotundifolia, Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii, Zoysia sinica, etc. The species which were not found in this survey included Rumex japonicus, Setaria viridis, Portulaca oleracea, Artemisia japonica, Poiygonum aviculare, etc, and new species included Arena fatua, Carex boottiana, Lycium chinense, Leonurus sibiricus, Torilis japonica, Solanum carolinense, etc. The washing away of sand brought about the changes in habitat and the increase in naturalized plants, which included Oenothera odorata, Lepidium apetalum, Bidens bipinnata, Erigeron canadensis, Datura stramonium, Xanthium strumarium, Arena fatua, Solanum carolinense etc. In addition, the disturbance to this habitat led to the changes in vegetation. The main plant communities in the surveyed site were classified as Vitex rotundifolia-Imperata cylindrica var. koenigil community, Zoysia sinica-Calystegia soldanella community and Messerschmidia sibirica community. The sand dune vegetation on Anmado Island changed with regard to the community and the composition of species after the construction of the embankment, due to the sand being severely eroded. While Vitex rotundifolia community and Commelina communis community were found before the construction of the embankment, they were replaced by Vitex rotundifolia-Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii community, Zoysia sinica-Calystegia soldanella community and Messerschmidia sibirica community, after the construction of the embankment.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2021

During our observations of changes in halophyte distribution in Hampyeong Bay over a period of five years, we found that the distribution area showed a maintenance for Phragmites communis community, a tendency of gradual increase for Zoysia sinica community, gradual decrease for Suaeda maritima community, and disappearance for Limonium tetragonum community during the studied period. The Phragmites communis community stably settled in areas adjacent to land and appeared not to be significantly affected by physical factors (such as tides and waves) or disturbances caused by biological factors (such as interspecific competition). Among studied species, germination time was shown to be the fastest for Suaeda maritima. In addition, this species showed certain characteristics that allowed it to settle primarily in new habitats formed by sand deposition as its growth was not halted under conditions with high amounts of sand and high organic matter content. However, in areas where Zoysia sinica and Suaeda maritima resided together, the area inhabited by Suaeda maritima gradually decreased due to interspecific competition between the two species. This was believed to be the result of a sharp decrease in the germination of Suaeda maritima since May, while the germination of Zoysia sinica was continuously maintained, indicating that the latter had an advantage in terms of seedling competition. In the case of the Limonium tetragonum community, its habitat was found to have been completely destroyed because it was covered by sand. The study area was confirmed to have undergone a large change in topography as tides and waves resulted in sand deposition onto these lands. Hampyeong Bay is considered to have experienced changes in halophyte distribution related to certain complex factors, such as changes in physical habitats and changes in biological factors such as interspecific competition.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.283-291
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• 2017

Zoysiagrass has been used in Korea as a native grass. Informations on distributions, classifications, breeding efforts and outputs, current production and uses of zoysiagrasses in Korea are summarized. During past a few decades, collection of naturally growing zoysiagrass ecotypes has been continued, followed by evaluation, selection and cross-pollination. Classification efforts using important morphological, biochemical traits and DNA polymorphisms resulted in the several suggestions of grouping zoysiagrass species and varieties. Zoysia japonica consistently form separate group, while Zoysia sinica and Zoysia macrostackya have been separately or inter-mixed. Z. matrella with some variations frequently grouped separately but with some similarity with Z. tenuifolia, which was recently renamed as Z. pacifica. Hybrid types of zoysiagrasses were frequently found in Korea. New varieties such as 'Kunhee' and 'Green Ever' etc. were bred by ecotype selections, while 'Senock', 'Semil', 'Millock' were bred through pollination. Molecular approaches were also used to introduce beneficial genes into zoysiagrasses with no practical outputs by legal regulations. Currently popular varieties are inter-specific hybrid types such as 'Anyang' and other local zoysiagrasses as well as common zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica) Production area in Korea was estimated as 2,947 ha with increasing problems of mixed or contaminated species and varieties.