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Abstract
Genetic and phenotypic variation provides the opportunities for plant breeders to develop new cultivars with desirable characteristics. Variation can be found existing in wild relative or germplasm resources. Also, variation can be induced through mutagenesis. In these studies, we assessed existing variation and induced variation in two warm season turfgrasses. Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides Munro Hack) is a low input turfgrass species that is commonly grown on lawns and landscapes in the Southeastern United States. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp. Willd.) are adapted to transitional and warm climatic regions and are primarily used on golf courses, lawns, roadsides, and commercial landscapes. As the turfgrass industry shifts into an emerging era of environmental stewardship, variations that can produce new and improved cultivars are imperative to continued success in turfgrass development.