AbstractAs awareness of environmental impacts of anthropogenic ecosystems increases, low input turfgrass species like bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) may become more prominent in urban landscapes and on golf courses. A study was conducted at the West Florida Research and Education Center, Jay, FL, USA, to evaluate the performance of novel turf‐type bahiagrass genotypes under drought conditions. The experiment was arranged as a completely randomized block design. Three Wilmington‐mutants, three Argentine‐mutants, two experimental lines, and two industry standards [‘Argentine’ and ‘Empire’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.)] were selected for this trial. Aboveground and belowground characteristics were evaluated by growing the grasses in clear acrylic tubes under greenhouse conditions. A progressive dry‐down and well‐watered control comprised the treatments. The tubes were weighed daily to determine their transpiration break and midpoints. The rate of root depth development (RRDD) was recorded by measuring the single visible deepest root. At the end of the dry down, plant roots were harvested and analyzed using WinRhizo. Although total root growth was reduced under drought conditions, plants tended to have faster vertical root growth and prioritized root development in the lower soil depths. Root length density (RLD) and the distribution of RLD in the lower soil depths, fast RRDD, and high transpiration midpoints were the most important drought responsive traits. These attributes were consistently observed on genotypes WilM10 and ArgM27.