Registration of ‘XZ 14069’ zoysiagrass

Abstract ‘XZ 14069’ (Reg. no. CV‐297, PI 707001), marketed as “LOBO”, is a fine‐textured zoysiagrass ( Zoysia spp.) hybrid with excellent turfgrass quality and stress tolerance developed and released by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC. XZ 14069 was developed in 2014 through artificial hybridization between Zoysia japonica ‘Meyer’ and Z . japonica × matrella interspecific hybrid ‘Victoria’. After evaluation in nurseries (2014–2016) and roadside trials (2015–2018) in North Carolina for establishment rate and turfgrass quality under low inputs, XZ 14069 was advanced to i) Specialty Crop Research Initiative multi‐environment trials (Citra and Jay, FL, Dallas, TX, Griffin and Tifton, GA, Jackson Springs, NC, Riverside, CA, and Stillwater, OK), ii) US Golf Association low input trials (West Lafayette, IN, Raleigh, NC, Tifton, GA, Stanfield, AZ, and Escondido, CA), and iii) National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) low‐input warm‐season trials (Jay, and Citra, FL, Starkville, MS, Raleigh, NC, Las Cruces, NM, Stillwater, OK, College Station, TX, Logan, UT, and Virginia Beach, VA). Additionally, the line was evaluated in ancillary trials for sod quality (Jackson Springs, NC), salinity tolerance (Riverside, CA), shade tolerance (Citra, FL, and Stillwater, OK), and large patch resistance (Raleigh, NC). XZ 14069 exhibits fast establishment, can retain acceptable color and turfgrass quality under very low inputs, has resistance to large patch disease, and possesses drought, salinity, and shade tolerance. The cultivar is not limited to low‐management areas such as golf course roughs or roadsides, as its superior turfgrass quality under regular management makes it suitable for higher‐end uses like lawns and golf course fairways.