Wednesday, November 7, 2007
268-2
Evaluation of Drought Resistance among Cultivars of Colonial Bentgrass.
Michelle DaCosta, Dept of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences, University of Massachusetts, 11 Stockbridge Hall, 80 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003
There is increased need to utilize turfgrasses that exhibit improved stress tolerance traits under reduced inputs. Previous reports have indicated the potential use of colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris) for low input golf course fairway turf; however, there is limited research detailing the general requirements and stress tolerance characteristics for this bentgrass species. This study was designed to examine and compare drought resistance and recovery characteristics for seven cultivars and experimental selections of colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris). Plants were subjected to drought stress in a greenhouse by completely withholding irrigation for 28 d. Drought responses were evaluated by measuring turf quality, plant cell membrane stability, leaf relative water content, water use efficiency, and soil moisture depletion rates. Following drought stress, plants were re-watered and evaluated for recovery from stress for an additional 28 d. The variability in drought performance and recovery potential for colonial bentgrass cultivars will be discussed.