Freezing tolerance of selected perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) accessions and its association with field winterhardiness and turf traits

Abstract

Many winter stresses aVect the ability of a perennial grass to overwinter in cold, temperate climates. Freezing tolerance is one of the major component traits aVecting winterhardiness. Although eVective freezing tolerance assessment procedures have long been available for perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), no work has been done to characterize plant collections in the United States that may possess novel variation for freezing tolerance and winterhardiness. In this study, 21 accessions sampled from a larger set of 300 accessions with known winterhardiness and 3 check varieties were subjected to environmentally-controlled, low temperature acclimation, followed by controlled freezing using a programmable laboratory freezer. Eight freezing treatments from ¡2 to ¡16°C were used to determine survival across the known spectrum of freezing tolerance in perennial ryegrass. LT 50 values were estimated based on whole plant survival, as well as tiller survival at each of the temperature treatments in the evaluation. LT 50 values for the accessions and checks ranged from ¡10.31 to ¡13.95°C, with 3 accessions possessing signiWcantly greater freezing tolerance than the most freeze-tolerant check, 'NK200'. LT 50 values were well correlated with winterhardiness in St. Paul during the winters of 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. Lower LT 50 values in this experiment were associated with greater spring growth following the stressful winter of 2004-2005 and upright growth habit. The lack of negative biological association between freezing tolerance and turf quality components indicates that freezing tolerance testing could be a useful tool in breeding and selection with landrace germplasm.

Seasonal variation of the productivity and quality of permanent pastures in Adisols of temperate regions

“…The highest percentage of dry matter was recorded in these two months, and can be related to diversity and genetic variability of species in pastures and reduced cold tolerance that have experienced some cultivars of Lolium perenne L. species, principal component of pastures (Hulke et al, 2008). In a scenario of changing in the climate conditions, where plants grasses are subjected to higher temperatures during the growing season, species and cultivars reduce their ability to withstand cold conditions, which generate in stress but induce an increased cold resistance by increasing the cell walls, and thereby, the dry matter production (Thorsen and Höglind, 2010).…”

Differences in leaf proteome response to cold acclimation between Lolium perenne plants with distinct levels of frost tolerance

“…It has been demonstrated that WH depends on the ability of plants to survive low temperatures, extreme temperature fluctuation, wind desiccation, ice nucleation, and snow mold infection (Humphreys, 1989). The intensity of each factor depends on the year and the location, and it is commonly agreed that frost tolerance (FT) is the main component of WH and one of the best indicators of plant ability to survive harsh winter conditions (Humphreys, 1989;Hulke et al, 2008). The plant species growing in temperate regions can acquire FT through exposure to low, non-lethal temperatures, a phenomenon known as cold acclimation (CA).…”

Turfgrass and Climate Change

“…Injury caused by low temperatures affects the survival of different species and quality of the stand in the spring (Gusta et al, 1980;Karnok and Beard, 1983;Bertrand et al, 2013). Responses of turfgrasses to local microclimates will be affected by topography, elevation, southern exposure, or shading from buildings or trees (Hulke et al, 2008;Bertrand et al, 2013). Microclimatic conditions can offset or accentuate the effects of climate for a specific region and illustrate the complex nature of the interactions in developing general statements about the impact of climate change.…”