First full zoysia grass genetic blueprint opens doors for drought-tolerant turf

Murukarthick Jayakodi, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant genomicist and assistant professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, evaluates diverse zoysia grass accessions in a controlled greenhouse environment at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas. Credit: Texas A&M AgriLife

A new genomic resource from the Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant genomics team is providing a powerful new foundation for faster, more precise turfgrass genetics and breeding. The team discovered a breakthrough genome that finally reveals the full genetic blueprint of zoysia grass.

"Molecular breeding requires a genome sequence to develop markers linked to agronomically important traits," said the study's lead scientist, Murukarthick Jayakodi, Ph.D., AgriLife Research plant genomicist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas and assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.

"This discovery opens up the opportunity to develop those markers and create a greater base of genetic understanding," Jayakodi said.

Zoysia grass' unique genomic makeup