PALISADES
Palisades (Z. japonica Stued.) is a chance hybrid of the maternal clone Z-44, a clone obtained from Beltsville, Md in 1981, with an unknown pollen source from a zoysiagrass germplasm field nursery. It is vegetatively propagated, uniform in growth expression and genetically stable (2n=40). Palisades is distinguished from other zoysiagrasses by its aggressive regrowth by rhizomes and stolons, medium-coarse texture, good winter hardiness, tolerance to low mowing, good-excellent shade tolerance, and low water use requirement. The harvest cycle of Palisades can approach 6 - 8 months, in contrast to the industry standard "Meyer" which averages 15-24 months. Palisades has reasonably good salt tolerance. It's area of adaptation extends northward to Central Kansas based on NTEP trials conducted from 1991-1994. Additional extensive testing has been initiated in the Chicago area in 1995. The target market for Texas will include those turfs presently being planted to St. Augustinegrass. Nationally, Palisades will fit into the golf course market in fairways and tees, and the home lawn industry. Palisades has tested resistant to Pythium and moderately resistant to Rhizoctonia blight. Palisades is moderately resistant to the Tropical sod webworm, tawny mole cricket and zoysia mite, but has tested susceptible to the fall armyworm. Palisades differs from Crowne in growth rate, tolerance to low mow conditions and initiates spring growth earlier in the spring. Palisades will perform well for fairways and roughs of golf courses whereas Crowne will not tolerate the low height of cut for fairways.