Drought Tolerance Associated with Proline and Hormone Metabolism in Two Tall Fescue Cultivars

Abstract

<jats:p>Drought stress is a major factor in turfgrass management; however, the underlying mechanisms of turfgrass drought tolerance are not well understood. This greenhouse study was designed to investigate proline and hormone responses to drought stress in two tall fescue [<jats:italic>Festuca arundinacea</jats:italic> (Schreb.)] cultivars differing in drought tolerance. The two cultivars, Van Gogh (relatively drought-tolerant) and AST7002 (relatively drought-sensitive), were established and grown under either well-watered (maintaining 90% container capacity) or drought stress (≈26% container capacity) and then re-watered. Drought stress reduced turfgrass quality, relative leaf water content (LWC), leaf indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinin zeatin riboside (ZR) content, and increased proline and abscisic acid (ABA) content. ‘Van Gogh’ had greater turfgrass quality rating, LWC, proline, ABA, and ZR content relative to ‘AST7002’ under drought stress conditions. At the end of drought stress, leaf proline, ZR, and ABA content were 32%, 43%, and 50% higher in ‘Van Gogh’ relative to ‘AST7002’, respectively. No cultivar difference was observed under well-watered conditions. The results of this study suggest that the proline, ABA, and ZR content are associated with drought tolerance. Selection and use of the cultivars with higher proline, ABA, and ZR content under drought stress may be a practical approach to improve tall fescue drought tolerance.</jats:p>

Metabolites and hormones are involved in the intraspecific variability of drought hardening in radiata pine

“…For example, it has been reported that ZR can improve tolerance against heat and water stress in some herbaceous species such as Agrotis stolinifera L. and Festuca arandinacea (Schreb.) (Veerasamy et al, 2007;Man et al, 2011). In accordance with these works, our results demonstrate that ZR is a relevant CK which can also enhance drought tolerance in some gymnosperms like P. radiata and could be used as stress resistance indicator.…”

Auxin and Trinexapac‐Ethyl Impact on Root Viability and Hormone Metabolism in Creeping Bentgrass under Water Deficit

“…Cytokinin and ABA are closely associated with plant tolerance to water deficit (Taiz and Zeiger, 2010; Man et al, 2011). In our study, we found that water deficit reduced leaf iPA content and increased ABA content.…”

Overexpression of Arabidopsis DREB1A Gene in Transgenic Poa pratensis: Impacts on Osmotic Adjustment and Hormone Metabolism under Drought

“…There is increasing evidence showing that plant physiological fitness is largely governed by hormonal balance (Itai, 1999; Zhang et al, 2009). It has been documented that indoleacetic acid (IAA) is associated with root development and growth (Zhang et al, 2009; Man et al, 2011). A recent study has shown that leaf tissue IAA content was positively correlated with drought tolerance and IAA content increased as plants adapted to drought stress (Man et al, 2011).…”

“…It has been documented that indoleacetic acid (IAA) is associated with root development and growth (Zhang et al, 2009; Man et al, 2011). A recent study has shown that leaf tissue IAA content was positively correlated with drought tolerance and IAA content increased as plants adapted to drought stress (Man et al, 2011). Abscisic acid (ABA), another important hormone, is also thought to play an important role in the adaptation of cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) to environmental stress (Alves and Setter, 2004).…”