Ecotypic Morphological and Physio-Biochemical Responses of Two Differentially Adapted Forage Grasses, Cenchrus ciliaris L. and Cyperus arenarius Retz. to Drought Stress

Abstract

Crop performance and yield are the results of genotypic expression as modulated by continuous interaction with the environment. Among the environmental aspects, drought and salinity are the most important factors, which limit the forages, including grasses, on a global basis. Grass species have the ability to grow under low water conditions and can produce high dry yield, proteins, and energy in areas exposed to drought stress. For this purpose, we conducted the present study to understand the response of forage grasses under drought stress from two different regions (Salt Range and Faisalabad) of Punjab, Pakistan. Two ecotypes of each grass species (Cenchrus ciliaris L. and Cyperus arenarius Retz.) were grown in pots at the botanical research area, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan. A group of plants were subjected to drought stress (60% field capacity) and controlled (100% field capacity) after three weeks of seed germination. The results from the present study depicted that the fresh and dry weights of root and shoot were decreased significantly under drought conditions. Moreover, C. ciliaris of the Salt Range area showed more resistance and higher growth production under drought stress. The chlorophyll (a and b) contents were also decreased significantly, while MDA, total soluble sugars, and proline levels were increased significantly under water-limited environments in the C. arenarius of Salt Range area. Enzymatic antioxidants (superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD)) and leaf Na+ were significantly raised in C. arenarius under drought stress collected from the Faisalabad region. Cenchrus ciliaris showed higher level of H2O2, total soluble proteins, glycinebetaine, catalase (CAT) and POD compared to C. arenarius. It also retained more leaf and root Ca2+, and root K+ under drought stress. It was concluded from the study that C. ciliaris is more resistant to drought in biomass production collected from the Salt Range area. The results suggested that C. ciliaris can be more widely used as a forage grass under water-scarce conditions as compared to C. arenarius.

Quantifying Temperature and Osmotic Stress Impact on Seed Germination Rate and Seedling Growth of Eruca sativa Mill. via Hydrothermal Time Model

“…Low Ψ can inhibit the chemical reactions and physiological mechanisms in the seed [ 69 , 72 ]. There is a particular significance of water stress in crop management because these factors represent the component of greatest trouble for both farmers and customers [ 73 , 74 ]. Therefore, using cardinal temperatures, germination results, and the hydrothermal time model (HTT) could reveal the response of seed germination to fluctuating ψ and T , independently or interactively ( ψ × T ).…”

Plants’ Physio-Biochemical and Phyto-Hormonal Responses to Alleviate the Adverse Effects of Drought Stress: A Comprehensive Review

“…Drought stress alters agricultural plants' root architecture and morphology. During abiotic stress conditions, many plants' root biomass increases as the roots' length become more prolonged, and more water and minerals are absorbed from the soil [18,46]. Furthermore, polyethylene glycol-induced drought stress decreased hypocotyl length and fresh and dry weight roots in maize (Zea mays L.) while increasing root length [47].…”

“…Water deprivation causes reduced turgor pressure and oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide and singlet oxygen, causing alterations in leaf gas exchange rates [17] (Figure 1). Natural drought-resistance mechanisms in plants have been well developed, including morphological, physiological, and biochemical adaptations, such as drought-resistant epigenetic plasticity and gene activation [18]. Drought resistance and transformation in food legumes and crop plants are maintained through morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes.…”

Differential Physio-Biochemical and Metabolic Responses of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Multiple Abiotic Stress Conditions

“…Compared to individual stresses, combined abiotic stresses respond differently to ROS production through the differential production of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in plant cells, resulting in a unique ROS signature and acclimation response via modifications to the signaling pathway [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]. Plants under combined abiotic stresses also differ from those that are under individual stresses for photosynthesis, stomatal regulation, and water use efficiency (WUE) [ 7 , 8 ]. For example, the net photosynthesis rate of soybean decreased more under combined water deficit and heat stress than individual stresses due to reduced CO 2 availability, lower relative water content (RWC), and higher leaf temperature [ 9 , 10 ].…”