Abstract
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) belongs to the common cultivated grass species in Central and Western Europe. Despite being considered to be susceptible to drought, it is frequently used for forming the turf in urban green areas. In such areas, the water deficit in soil is recognized as one of the most important environmental factors, which can limit plant growth. The basic aim of this work was to explore the mechanisms standing behind the changes in the photosynthetic apparatus performance of two perennial ryegrass turf varieties grown under drought stress using comprehensive in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence signal analyses and plant gas exchange measurements. Drought was applied after eight weeks of sowing by controlling the humidity of the roots ground medium at the levels of 30, 50, and 70% of the field water capacity. Measurements were carried out at four times: 0, 120, and 240 h after drought application and after recovery (refilling water to 70%). We found that the difference between the two tested varieties’ response resulted from a particular re-reduction of P700+ (reaction certer of PSI) that was caused by slower electron donation from P680. The difference in the rate of electron flow from Photosystem II (PSII) to PSI was also detected. The application of the combined tools (plants’ photosynthetic efficiency analysis and plant gas exchange measurements) allowed exploring and explaining the specific variety response to drought stress.
Highlights
Urban green areas fulfill numerous functions, the more important being: the reduction of pollutants by phytoremediation [1,2,3] and the regulation of the urban microclimate [4]
The signal at the I step after 240 h in plants growing on substrate with 30% field water content (FWC) was at the level of 26 rel. u., but after this time, it was impossible to take measurements due a severe damage of the plants under that treatment
The P step measured in control plants was at the level 45 rel. u.; after 240 h of 50% FWC treatment, it was significantly lowered by 26.7%, and under 30% FWC, it was significantly reduced by 33.4%, as compared to control plants
Summary
Urban green areas fulfill numerous functions, the more important being: the reduction of pollutants by phytoremediation [1,2,3] and the regulation of the urban microclimate [4]. Sensors 2019, 19, 2736 the concept of green infrastructure was introduced. The basic purpose of that idea was to sustain the high complexity and dynamism of urban areas. Green infrastructure can be outlined as a network of natural and semi-natural areas, where combinations of different functions (ecological, social, and economic) coexist as a whole at different spatial scales, from urban centers to peri-urban areas. The turf, besides the trees and shrubs, is one of the most important parts of green infrastructure. When kept in good condition, it can improve the aesthetic value of the whole city
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