Abstract
Periodic and repeated water scarcity has become an increasing concern on grasslands, causing not only to a reduction in productivity but also negative alterations in the carbon balance. The objective of this work was to comprehensively investigate some physiological performance traits of forage grasses, their roots morphometric features and distribution of biomass under simulated water deficit applied in different terms over a period of study. Plants were exposed to water shortage for 21 days, and then grown in optimal substrate moisture conditions. The gas exchange parameters and the main traits of root system architecture of three grass forage species and their cultivars were analyzed: Festulolium braunii (Richt.) A. Camus, cvs. Felopa and Sulino, Lolium perenne L., cvs. Bajka and Gagat and Festuca arundinacea Schreb. cvs. Odys and Rahela. Rapid decrease in the values of parameters related to the gas exchange process in grasses in the following days of water shortage was noticed. Water use efficiency (WUE) value was low in drought conditions due to increased transpiration of plants and was associated with a low C:N ratio in shoots. No obvious, positive effect of previously experienced drought stress on survival of tested grass species after another stress was observed. Cutting of plants after drought period most probably underlied the lack of memory and also additional factor weakened plant regrowth. When the drought was applied for the second time in spring during intensive plant growth, higher biomass allocation to the roots was observed. It was associated with the reduction of plant dry biomass, a decrease of carbon accumulation and the C:N ratio in the shoots. Due to the drought applied for the second time in summer, some biometric features of the roots were strongly and positively correlated with WUE, which is an important feature from the point of view of yield optimization and moisture use by plants.
Highlights
The forecasted global climate changes and the increasingly frequent extreme meteorological conditions indicate the need to seek ways to mitigate and reduce their negative effects in agriculture and to increase the adaptability of crops [1]
The water deficiency which was applied in our study adversely influenced treated The water deficiency which was applied in our study adversely influenced treated plants, but the effect varied depending on the term and frequency of stress as well as the plants, but the effect varied depending on the term and frequency of stress as well as the species and cultivars tested
Many studies have indicated that mild drought has no obvious impact on plant growth Many studies have indicated that mild drought has no obvious impact on plant and even stimulate it to a certain degree, but severe drought can lead to dramatic reductions growth and even stimulate it to a certain degree, but severe drought can lead to dramatic of physiological processes
Summary
The forecasted global climate changes and the increasingly frequent extreme meteorological conditions indicate the need to seek ways to mitigate and reduce their negative effects in agriculture and to increase the adaptability of crops [1]. Festulolium braunii and Lolium perenne are the most important forage grasses, cultivated in the temperate climate zone. These grass species are characterized by variable forage quality and productivity under optimum growing conditions, and by different resistance to environmental stresses, such as water deficit. F. arundinacea has the ability to avoid water scarcity and has a great potential for the development of a deep and extensive root system. This species is able to tolerate water deficit conditions, reprogramming its cellular metabolism in leaves and other organs. L. perenne is a species widely used as forage, and as lawn grass in urban areas throughout Central and Western Europe
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