Theme 06: Abiotic Constraints to Forage Production from Grasslands

Description

The leaf elongation rate of a temperate (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and a Mediterranean (F. arundinacea var. letourneuxiana) tall fescue cultivar in response to water deficit was studied in a glasshouse experiment. Plants of both cultivars were grown in the same containers and received water daily with gradation in intensity of water deficit achieved by varying the daily water ration per container. Leaf elongation rate (LER) was calculated for eight successive subperiods during the application of the water treatments. Under the high temperatures registered in this experiment, the Mediterranean cultivar showed lower LERs and tended to be less affected by a moderate water deficit but more affected by a severe water deficit than the temperate one.

Share

COinS
 

Leaf Elongation Rate of Mediterranean and Temperate Tall Fescue Cultivars under Water Deficit

The leaf elongation rate of a temperate (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and a Mediterranean (F. arundinacea var. letourneuxiana) tall fescue cultivar in response to water deficit was studied in a glasshouse experiment. Plants of both cultivars were grown in the same containers and received water daily with gradation in intensity of water deficit achieved by varying the daily water ration per container. Leaf elongation rate (LER) was calculated for eight successive subperiods during the application of the water treatments. Under the high temperatures registered in this experiment, the Mediterranean cultivar showed lower LERs and tended to be less affected by a moderate water deficit but more affected by a severe water deficit than the temperate one.