Freeze tolerance differs between two ecotypes of Paspalum vaginatum (Poaceae)

Abstract

Morphological and physiological responses to freezing were evaluated in two ecotypes of the perennial turfgrass Paspalum vaginatum. Leaf extension rate, number of active meristems, leaf water potential and net photosynthesis were measured on plants of both a commercial cultivar, 'Sea Isle 2000', and a wild ecotype from the Flooding Pampa grasslands of Argentina. Plants were propagated by cloning, cultivated in pots, and examined during 18 consecutive days under two treatments: a non-frozen control treatment (15.5±7 ºC) and a frozen treatment with two stages: Stage 1 with four hours of freezing stress for 10 nights (-5ºC), and Stage 2 with 12 hours of freezing stress for eight nights (five nights at -5ºC and three nights at -8ºC). After these treatments, plants were returned to the outside environment to evaluate shoot injury and post-freezing recovery. Leaf water potential, net photosynthesis and leaf extension rate were significantly higher in the wild ecotype than in the commercial cultivar. Meristem density was reduced after freezing in both ecotypes, but was more pronounced in the commercial cultivar (98.5%) than in the wild ecotype (80%). Thus, the two ecotypes coming from different environments, exhibited different morphological and physiological responses to exposure to freezing temperatures.

Evaluation of Changes in Weed Flora in Response to Agricultural Practices in the Arable Lands of El-Menoufia Governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt

“…Hemicryptophytes are considered the most resistant life form (Liddle and Greig-Smith, 1975;Hall andKuss, 1989 andCole, 1995) while Poaceae is a well-known family for its tolerance against drought, salinity, freeze and different abiotic stresses (Céccoli et. al., 2015;Fabbri et. al., 2016 andLandi et.…”

Growth dynamics of the branching system in grasses: an architecture-based methodology for quantitative evaluation applied to two genotypes of Paspalum vaginatum

“…Commonly known as seashore paspalum, it plays important ecological and utilitarian roles such as dune stabilization, erosion control, lawn in sport fields and animal forage. Moreover, it is a well-known turfgrass primarily recommended for coastal golf courses because of its tolerance to multiple stress factors such as salinity, drought and waterlogging, its ability to tolerate ranges of water sources and soil pH, its efficiency for nutrient uptake (Duncan & Carrow 2000) and its wide tolerance to freezing stress events (Fabbri et al 2016a). It is also highly efficient to colonise open spaces and to form dense populations in saline environments where other species may not grow (Anderson & Ehringer 2000).…”

Ornamental potential and freezing tolerance of six Thymus spp. species as ground-covering plants in the landscape

“…species as ground-covering plants in the landscape (Li et al, 2010), Triticum aestivum (Armonienė et al, 2013), blueberry (Rowland, Ogden, 2013), Paspalum vaginatum (Fabbri et al, 2015). Besides having good stress tolerance, species introduced to landscape should have good ornamental characteristics.…”