Leaf and Plant Water Use Efficiency in Cocksfoot and Tall Fescue Accessions under Differing Soil Water Availability

• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci2011.10.0579
• Publication Date: 2012-08-02T16:16:48Z
• Authors: J. Gulías; G. Seddaiu; J. Cifre; M. Salis; L. Ledda
• Keywords: Dactylis glomerata; Water Use Efficiency; Festuca arundinacea; Stomatal Conductance; Water use

ABSTRACT Water availability is one of the most important limiting factors in plant production worldwide. Such limitation expected to increase regions with a Mediterranean climate type during next few decades. The objectives this study were evaluate water use efficiency (WUE) contrasting accessions two perennial grasses, Dactylis glomerata L. (cocksfoot) and Festuca arundinacea Schreb. [syn. Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] (tall fescue), under different regimes relationship instantaneous intrinsic leaf WUE. Six D. five F. grown well irrigated progressive drought conditions. Plant biomass, consumption, gas exchange parameters measured estimate Few differences biomass accumulation observed among within both species. WUE total positively correlated species treatment. did not show consistent either In contrast, stomatal conductance decreased as increased water‐limited , suggesting that may be good estimator deficit