Open AccessSouthern African grasses with foliage that revives after dehydration
Author(s) -
D. F. Gaff,
R. P. Ellis
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
bothalia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.457
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 2311-9284
pISSN - 0006-8241
DOI - 10.4102/abc.v11i3.1476
Subject(s) - relative humidity , desiccation , dehydration , eucalyptus , humidity , environmental science , biodiversity , desiccant , desiccation tolerance , agronomy , botany , biology , ecology , horticulture , geography , meteorology , biochemistry
A brief survey in Southern Africa revealed 11 grass species and a number of sedges with foliage that recovers from air-drying (equivalent to equilibrium with air at 20-40 % relative humidity at 28° C.). The desiccation tolerance limits were extremely low being equivalent to approximately 0-5 % relative humidity. Some species may have a potential use in agriculture.