First full zoysia grass genetic blueprint opens doors for drought-tolerant turf
AgriLife Research scientists solve a genetic puzzle to speed breeding of stress-tolerant turfgrasses
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A new genomic resource by 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 that link with 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, 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
Zoysia grass is a lower-maintenance, perennial turfgrass grown in the southern and transitional U.S. climate regions. It is commonly used in lawns, sports fields and urban landscapes. The warm-season turfgrass exhibits extensive variation in tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses, which are important targets for breeding and stress biology research.
But its genetics have been a black box. Zoysia carries four sets of chromosomes and breeds in complex, open-pollinated ways, making the identification and selection of desirable traits both challenging and time-consuming.
The new genome blueprint changes that.
Published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal, the study identifies a key chromosomal difference within a single DNA or genome in the species. The discovery lets breeders pinpoint the genes behind traits such as stress tolerance instead of relying on years of trial-and-error field testing.
Research at the DNA level
Jayakodi initiated the project shortly after joining AgriLife Research, leveraging advances in long-read sequencing and genome assembly technologies that have transformed breeding programs in major crop species.
What's next for zoysia grass?
From heat tolerance to water efficiency, see how Texas A&M AgriLife researchers in Dallas are shaping the next generation of zoysia grass.
Breeders systematically study plant performance in laboratories, controlled environments and field conditions to identify superior varieties, a process that can take many years, said research collaborator Ambika Chandra, Ph.D., leader of the Turfgrass Breeding and Urban Landscapes Program and assistant Texas A&M AgriLife center director at Dallas.
The newly assembled genome opens the door to genomic-assisted breeding, allowing researchers to pinpoint the genetic factors underlying key traits and accelerate the development of improved zoysia grass cultivars, she said.
The study was conducted by experts from the Texas A&M AgriLife center at Dallas and the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. Collaborators included Chandra, Preethi Purushotham, Ph.D., research scientist; and Sae Hyun Lee, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate.
What’s next
Moving forward, Jayakodi said he will concentrate on turning genome insights into actionable breeding tools to identify genes linked to drought, heat and stress tolerance. This will allow him to build predictive models for turf performance and expand further into other zoysia grass species.
That’s the next breakthrough needed in breeding: to be able to predict trait expression — and water stress is a primary interest, Chandra said. The industry is looking for varieties that will stay green under low water.
“Now, we can find the designated target at the early stages,” Jayakodi said. “With these results, we will develop molecular tools to assess the genetic diversity and develop more markers that are linked to specific traits.”
