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Simple sequence repeats (SSR) have several positive attributes as genetic markers when compared with other DNA‐based marker systems. Because of their successful use for genetic analysis in a number of plant species, they could be similarly useful tools for the genetic study of various Zoysia species. A genomic library enriched for the AG/TC motif was developed from Zoysia japonica cv. ‘Asagake’ and screened by using 5′‐biotin‐labeled oligonucleotides (AG20). As a result of sequencing analysis of 162 clones, a total of 119 clones were identified containing 8–35 SSR repeats. Thirty‐two primer pairs designed from these clones were evaluated for their ability to detect polymorphisms among six additional zoysiagrass cultivars. The average values of the observed heterozygosities and polymorphic information content for the individual loci were 0.57 and 0.69, respectively. These primers were successful in generating several informative cross‐amplification products in additional Zoysia species. The generation of informative SSR markers should be a valuable tool for identification, estimation of genetic diversity and construction of genetic linkage maps in Zoysia species.

The genera Erianthus and Miscanthus, both members of the Saccharum complex, are of interest as potential resources for sugarcane improvement and as bioenergy crops. Recent studies have mainly focused on the conservation and use of wild accessions of these genera as breeding materials. However, the sequence data are limited, which hampers the studies of phylogenetic relationships, population structure, and evolution of these grasses. Here, we determined the complete chloroplast genome sequences of Erianthus arundinaceus and Miscanthus sinensis by using 454 GS FLX pyrosequencing and Sanger sequencing. Alignment of the E. arundinaceus and M. sinensis chloroplast genome sequences with the known sequence of Saccharum officinarum demonstrated a high degree of conservation in gene content and order. Using the data sets of 76 chloroplast protein-coding genes, we performed phylogenetic analysis in 40 taxa including E. arundinaceus and M. sinensis. Our results show that S. officinarum is more closely related to M. sinensis than to E. arundinaceus. We estimated that E. arundinaceus diverged from the subtribe Sorghinae before the divergence of Sorghum bicolor and the common ancestor of S. officinarum and M. sinensis. This is the first report of the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships inferred from maternally inherited variation in the Saccharum complex. Our study provides an important framework for understanding the phylogenetic relatedness of the economically important genera Erianthus, Miscanthus, and Saccharum.

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