Influence of water deficit and defoliation managements on post‐drought recovery and persistence of smooth bromegrass

Abstract

AbstractIn arid and semiarid regions, successful recovery from drought may be of more economic significance than plant productivity during a dry season. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of pre‐drought irrigation and defoliation managements (seed and forage managements) on post‐drought recovery of diverse smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) genotypes, and to identify growth traits associated with persistence and recovery as indices for selecting superior genotypes. Thirty‐six genotypes were field evaluated in two separate experiments of seed and forage managements during 2013–2015 under well‐watered and deficit irrigation regimes. In the fourth year (2016), irrigation was withheld from both moisture regimes for two months (almost complete senescence) and then plants were re‐watered to find the effect of prolonged drought stress on post‐drought recovery. Pre‐drought irrigation increased persistence of genotypes relative to the well‐watered treatment in the seed management experiment. In the seed management trial, genotypes had greater recovery under deficit irrigation when compared to forage management counterpart. There was no significant difference between seed and forage management experiments under the well‐watered regime in this respect. Positive correlations were observed between recovery after prolonged drought and total aerial biomass, persistence, and winter growth vigor under both irrigation regimes. Superior genotypes were identified as having more productivity, better recovery, higher persistence, and drought tolerance.