Evaluation of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) and Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) for short-term drought tolerance targeting low-maintenance landscaping

Authors

  • Chalinda Koshitha Beneragama Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
  • Ganege Don Kapila Kumara Faculty of Agriculture, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v6i1.19304

Keywords:

Bahiagrass, bermudagrass, carbon allocation, nonstructural carbohydrates

Abstract

Drought responses of turf-type Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) and Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) in relation to their growth, carbon allocation and accumulation of nonstructural carbohydrates were investigated. Seedlings were exposed to a 20 day terminal drought, followed by 20 day recovery with irrigation. Leaf dry matter was lower in water-stressed plants than control plants by the end of drought, but did not differ in roots. For both species, more carbon was allocated towards roots in response to drought. Total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) concentration in shoots was increased in drought-stressed plants of both species. However, root TNC concentrations in Bahia grass were decreased after drought. TNC pool sizes also showed a similar variation, hence correlated with TNC concentrations. Bahia grass maintained a better quality than Bermuda grass after the drought, having recorded a higher aesthetic score, higher relative water content and a lower electrolyte leakage. Results suggest that, both species are considerably tolerant to short-term drought though Bahia grass seems more promising.

Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(1): 12-16

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Author Biography

Chalinda Koshitha Beneragama, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya

Director, Agriculture Education Unit

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Published

2018-03-27

How to Cite

Beneragama, C. K., & Kapila Kumara, G. D. (2018). Evaluation of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) and Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) for short-term drought tolerance targeting low-maintenance landscaping. International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, 6(1), 12–16. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v6i1.19304

Issue

Section

Research Articles: Biological Sciences