Drought Tolerance of Kentucky Bluegrass and Hybrid Bluegrass Cultivars

Abstract

The development of drought‐tolerant turf cultivars can have a positive impact on future water resources. The objective of the following research was to evaluate the field drought tolerance of nine Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars and eighteen hybrid bluegrass (primarily P. pratensis × P. arachnifera Torr.) cultivars. The bluegrass entries were established in the field in Albany, OR, and evaluated under drought stress in the summer of 2006 and 2007. Drought tolerance and recovery following drought were measured using digital image analysis and were defined as the number of days until a cultivar reached 50% green tissue. Several Kentucky bluegrass cultivars, including Mallard, Bluestone, and Arrow, demonstrated significantly better drought tolerance than other Kentucky bluegrass and hybrid bluegrass cultivars. One hybrid bluegrass cultivar, Longhorn, and several experimental hybrids, had excellent drought tolerance in this trial. However, many of the hybrids tested in this trial did not have superior drought tolerance characteristics compared to the Kentucky bluegrasses tested. These results demonstrate that there is wide variability in drought tolerance among both Kentucky bluegrass and hybrid bluegrass and the broad screening of this genetic material under limited water can provide turfgrass managers with selections that can ultimately conserve water. In addition, these results demonstrate that there are no clear differences in drought tolerance between hybrid bluegrasses and Kentucky bluegrass.

Response and Recovery Characteristics of Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars to Extended Drought

“…As observed in other studies (Karcher et al, 2008; Richardson et al, 2008, 2009; Steinke et al, 2010), scatter plots of percent green turf cover versus days after irrigation was withheld during drought stress indicated good fits to a sigmoid model: green turf cover (%) = 100/[1+10 (Days75– DAI) x Slope ], where DAI is days after irrigation was withheld and Days75 and slope are model parameters; separate models were also developed for Days25. Days75 and Days25 are estimated to be the DAI when green turf cover = 75 and 25%, respectively.…”

“…However, KBG has a broad range of adaptability that also makes it suitable for use as far south as the transition zone of the U.S. Wide ranges in drought tolerance and water use among KBG cultivars undoubtedly contribute to its adaptability (Shearman, 1986; Ebdon and Petrovic, 1998; Richardson et. al., 2009; Merewitz et al, 2010; Lewis et al, 2012).…”

“…In previous research, drought tolerance among KBG cultivars has been successfully evaluated in the field using broad screening techniques that include visual quality, digital image analysis, and physiological measurements (Keeley and Koski, 2001; Richardson et. al., 2008, 2009; Merewitz et. al., 2010).…”

Performance of turfgrass under supplemental irrigation and rain‐fed conditions in the Central Great Plains of USA

“…; Richardson et al . , ). Although tall fescue has been reported to produce high quality turf under low maintenance conditions across several regions in the Midwestern United States (Diesburg et al .…”

Kentucky Bluegrass Germination and Early Seedling Growth Under Saline Conditions

“…Higher numbers indicate a higher tolerance. New KBG cultivars have been released with improved overall turfgrass quality and drought tolerance (16). However, salinity tolerance levels of many grass species remain unknown during the germination and the seedling stages (1).…”