Differential Protein Expression of Drought Stressed Bermudagrass.

Drought stress is common among warm-season turfgrasses during summer in the U.S. transition zone. Genotypic variation in drought tolerance exists among bermudagrasses [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], but the mechanisms of resistance are poorly understood. Our objectives are to identify and quantify protein expression of bermudagrass under drought stress, discover relationship of protein expression (i.e. protein content change, dehydrin and heat-shock cognate 70 kDa) response to drought stress, and find candidate protein biomarker by analyzing different drought tolerant biomarkers. Grasses included a high drought tolerance cultivar ‘Celebration', low drought tolerance cultivar ‘Premier’, and experimental selection ‘OKC1119’. Parameters of soil water content and leaf relative water content were measured at different stages of drought stress. In addition, leaf samples were collected for protein composition analysis. Protein composition was analyzed using sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting with an antidehydrin polyclonal antibody.