Premium
Nonstructural Carbohydrates and Dehydration Tolerance of Blue Grama Seedlings 1
Author(s) -
Khan Sultan M.,
Wilson A. M.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1984.00021962007600040031x
Subject(s) - dehydration , tiller (botany) , bouteloua gracilis , seedling , shading , shade tolerance , biology , horticulture , zoology , agronomy , botany , canopy , grazing , art , biochemistry , visual arts
Blue grama [ Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K. Lag ex Steud.] seedlings are susceptible to dehydration during warm dry winds, even when the seminal root has extended into a moist soil profile. The objective of this study was to determine relationships between total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) and dehydration tolerance of seedling crowns (lower 3‐cm of stem base). The greenhouse and controlled environment study included growth of seedlings for accumulation of TNC, use of shade and sunlight after shade to change TNC percentage in crowns, dehydration of crowns, and evaluation of the effects of dehydration treatments on tiller survival and production of adventitious roots. Soil was a fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic Aridic Argiustoll. Percent TNC in crowns from various shade and light treatments were as follows: control, 10.1; 2 days shade, 7.5; 4 days shade, 5.9; 4 days shade + 2 days light, 9.0; 4 days shade + 4 days light, 10.4. After dehydration treatments, the numbers of surviving tillers per pot in treatments receiving no shade (control), 2 days shade, 4 days shade, 4 days shade + 2 days light, and 4 days shade + 4 days light were 42, 22, 14, 33, and 42, respectively. Number of surviving tiller decreased with an increase in dehydration stress. Path coefficient analysis indicated a significant relationship (p < 0.01) between TNC and tiller survival (p = 0.35). Thus establishment and persistence of blue grama on semiarid lands may depend on maintenance of adequate levels of TNC.