China littoral region wild Zoysia distribution and salt tolerance evaluation

Based on the records of flora of China and local floras, distribution and change of wild Zoysia spp. in 7 littoral provinces and Anhui province were investigated in the study. Furthermore, salinity tolerances of different accessions from various provinces were identified by using hydroponics methods. The results showed that Zoysia spp. resources could be founded in most distribution regions, but reduced or disappeared in some economic developed regions. The experiment proved that wild Zoysia spp. possessed a good salinity tolerance. All accessions could grow well under 200 molL-1 NaCl stress. The salttolerances of different accessions were ranged from 200 to 600 molL-1 NaCl, which proved that Zoysia spp. was good resourse for salttolerant plant breeding. However, the status of resource protection with regard to Zoysia spp. wis not optimistic in China. It is very urgent to be resolved. Based on our investigation, some protection strategies of Zoysia spp. resources in China were proposed: firstly, ex situ conservation; secondly, strengthening breeding and promoting usage of new varieties in Zoysia; thirdly, standardizing the seed production and sale pricedure; fourthly, reasonable exploitation of wild resources; and finally, making sustainable resource protection policies.