Root Development and Profile Characteristics of Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass

Fuentealba, Maria P.; Zhang, Jing; Kenworthy, Kevin E.; Erickson, John E.; Kruse, Jason; Trenholm, Laurie E.

doi:10.21273/hortsci.50.10.1429

Cited by 27 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Similar root distribution results were documented by Fuentealba et al. () in a greenhouse study. The relative drought resistance from interspecific comparisons was consistent with previous studies that bermudagrass had greater Days 50 colour retention (12 days) than St. Augustinegrass in a clay soil (Steinke et al., , ) and St. Augustinegrass had lower irrigation requirements than zoysiagrass (Zhang, Unruh, & Kenworthy, , ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

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Drought responses of above‐ground and below‐ground characteristics in warm‐season turfgrass

Zhang

Poudel

Kenworthy

et al. 2018

J Agronomy Crop Science

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Water shortages have become more chronic as periodic droughts prolong and water demand for urban and agricultural use increases. Plant drought responses involve coordinated mechanisms in both above‐ and below‐ground systems, yet most studies lack comparisons of root and canopy responses under water scarcity and recovery. This is particularly true of research focused on warm‐season turfgrasses in sandy soils with extremely low water holding capacity. To address the lack of examination of coordinated stress and recovery responses, this study compared the above‐ and below‐ground plant responses during a dry‐down period of 21 days and recovery among four warm‐season turfgrass species in the field. Canopy drought responses and recovery were quantified using digital image analysis. In situ root images were captured using a minirhizotron camera system. Common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] endured the entire drought period without losing 50% green cover while other species lost 50% green cover in 11–34 days predicted from the regression. The interspecific differences in drought resistance were mainly due to root characteristics. Other drought mechanisms appear to be responsible for differences identified in drought resistance between “Zeon” and “Taccoa Green” manilagrass [Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr.]. Recovery was delayed for up to 2 weeks in the second year, warranting further evaluation for turfgrass persistence under long‐term drought. Three‐week drought posed no threat to the survival of zoysiagrass. Species and genotypic variations were found in achieving full post‐recovery, which can be used to develop water conservation strategies and to adjust consumer expectations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Fuentealba et al. () also reported more uniform root distribution throughout the soil profile in common bermudagrass. Advantages gained from root characteristics also apply to St. Augustinegrass, which demonstrated better drought resistance than the two zoysiagrass species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Drought responses of above‐ground and below‐ground characteristics in warm‐season turfgrass

Zhang

Poudel

Kenworthy

et al. 2018

J Agronomy Crop Science

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“…Over the past decades, a large number of studies have been conducted to examine the effects of drought on root traits and responses, which have considerably improved our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the drought effects (Brunner & Godbold, ; Chaves, ). For example, drought could contribute plant to produce thinner and deeper roots to improve water and nutrient acquisition (Chapman et al, ; Fuentealba et al, ; Ma et al, ). Fast‐growing species with more resource acquisitive strategy may exhibit higher specific root length (SRL,i.e., root length [RL] per unit root weight), root nitrogen (N) uptake, and N content but lower C concentration and root lifespan compared with slow‐growing species with the resource‐conservative strategy (Roumet et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drought‐induced changes in root biomass largely result from altered root morphological traits: Evidence from a synthesis of global field trials

Zhou

Nie

et al. 2018

Plant Cell & Environment

139

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Extreme drought is likely to become more frequent and intense as a result of global climate change, which may significantly impact plant root traits and responses (i.e., morphology, production, turnover, and biomass). However, a comprehensive understanding of how drought affects root traits and responses remains elusive. Here, we synthesized data from 128 published studies under field conditions to examine the responses of 17 variables associated with root traits to drought. Our results showed that drought significantly decreased root length and root length density by 38.29% and 11.12%, respectively, but increased root diameter by 3.49%. However, drought significantly increased root:shoot mass ratio and root cortical aerenchyma by 13.54% and 90.7%, respectively. Our results suggest that drought significantly modified root morphological traits and increased root mortality, and the drought-induced decrease in root biomass was less than shoot biomass, causing higher root:shoot mass ratio. The cascading effects of drought on root traits and responses may need to be incorporated into terrestrial biosphere models to improve prediction of the climate-biosphere feedback.

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“…The two experiments were initiated on 6 Aug. and 14 Nov. 2011, respectively. Procedures used for the root study were similar to those described by Acuña et al (2010) and Fuentealba et al (2015). Plugs (5‐cm diam.)…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Kuntze], bahiagrass ( Paspalum natatum Flugge), and centipedegrass [ Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hackell] (Carrow, 1996a; Huang et al, 1997a; Qian and Engelke, 1999). This has been partly attributed to a slower root growth rate, less extensive root system, and more roots being concentrated near the soil surface compared with other grasses (Carrow, 1996a; Qian and Fry, 1997; Fuentealba et al, 2015).…”

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confidence: 99%

Classification of Zoysiagrass Genotypes on Rooting Capacity and Associated Performance during Drought

Christensen¹,

Zhang

Kenworthy

et al. 2017

Intl Turfgrass Soc Res J

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Characterization of rooting capacity in the greenhouse is a routine screening procedure for assessing a plant's ability to cope with drought stress. However, an association between rooting capacity in the greenhouse and turf performance in the field during drought is not always found. The objectives of the study were (i) to classify zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) rooting characteristics under well‐watered conditions in the greenhouse, (ii) to compare zoysiagrass performance under drought conditions in the field, and (iii) to relate the results from the greenhouse to the drought responses in the field. The greenhouse study included 17 zoysiagrass genotypes grown in clear acrylic tubes. Root morphological traits and dry weight at different depths (0–30, 30–60, 60–90, and 90–120 cm) were evaluated. Visual responses of zoysiagrass to field dry down were evaluated, and total turf performance index (TTPI) was used to rank the genotypes. Genotypes with higher root length density and root dry weight at 30 to 120 cm, deeper maximum root depth, and lower fraction of surface root length in the greenhouse study were better performers (high TTPI) in the field dry down study and included ‘UF 182’, ‘Emerald’, ‘JaMur’, and ‘Palisades’. The correlation between the greenhouse study and the field dry down study suggests that improvement of drought resistance may be achieved by screening for root traits in the greenhouse.

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Root Development and Profile Characteristics of Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass

Cited by 27 publications

References 24 publications

Drought responses of above‐ground and below‐ground characteristics in warm‐season turfgrass

Drought responses of above‐ground and below‐ground characteristics in warm‐season turfgrass

Drought‐induced changes in root biomass largely result from altered root morphological traits: Evidence from a synthesis of global field trials

Classification of Zoysiagrass Genotypes on Rooting Capacity and Associated Performance during Drought

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