Evaluation of drought resistance in two turfgrass species native to Iran

In recent decade, establish and maintenance of turf grasses is faced with serious doubts due to reduction of precipitation and water resources. So, identification of drought-resistant native and rangeland species, and introducing them as turf grass not only is effective in reducing water consumption, but also help to preserve the genetic resources of the country. In order to evaluate the usability of native grasses of Iran as drought resistance grass, Wheat grass and Bromus were compared with Perennial ryegrass (Control). In this experiment, drought stress treatments were applied with irrigation withholding, and continued until the entire shrivel of all species shoots. During the stress period, shoot growth, leaf color, relative water content, prolin content, leaf width, shrivel percentage, root penetration, root fresh and dry weight, effective depth of root density and shoot fresh and dry weight were measured. The results of this research showed that reduction of shoot growth in Bromus occur sooner than two other species. The decline of relative water content and changes of leaf width were lesser in Wheat grass than two other species. Increasing of shrivel percentage in Wheat grass was done with more delayed than two other species. Prolin content in Perennial ryegrass was the most and in Bromus was the least. The measurements related to root and shoot traits was the least in Bromus and the most in Wheat grass. Moreover, the recovery in Wheat grass was done completely and faster. In aggregate, Wheat grass could be introduced as a drought resistance grass instead of Perennial ryegrass.