An integrated SSR based linkage map for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zoysia matrella</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z. japonica</Emphasis> Steud.

Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica) and Manila grass (Z. matrella) are the two most important and commonly used Zoysia species. A consensus based SSR linkage map was developed for the genus by combining maps from each species. This used previously constructed maps for two Z. japonica populations and a new map from Z. matrella. The new SSR linkage map for Z. matrella was based on 86 F₂ individuals and contained 213 loci and covered a map distance of 1,351.2 cM in 32 linkage groups. Comparison of the three linkage maps constructed from populations with different genetic backgrounds indicated that most markers exhibited a consensus order, although some intervals or regions displayed discrepancy in marker orders or positions. The integrated map comprises 507 loci with a mean interval of 4.1 cM, covering a map distance of 2,066.6 cM in 22 linkage groups. The SSR-based map will allow marker-assisted selection and be useful for the mapping and cloning of economically important genes or quantitative trait loci.