TY - JOUR TI - Physiological and biochemical factors associated with drought tolerance of Agrostis stolonifera DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3NZ8B2Q PY - 2017 AB - Drought stress is a primary factor limiting the growth and productivity of many plant species and is caused by lack of rainfall and declining availability of fresh water for irrigation. Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is a cool-season grass species commonly maintained as high-value turfgrass on golf courses across the world. As global climate change progresses, creeping bentgrass stands may be exposed to increased frequency of drought episodes or longer durations of drought stress. Therefore, a better understanding of the physiological and biochemical factors contributing to drought tolerance in creeping bentgrass may aid turfgrass managers in maintaining high-quality playing conditions when water for irrigation is limited. The goals of this research were to explore which physiological and biochemical factors are associated with drought tolerance of creeping bentgrass and how elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) may mitigate drought damages in this widely-utilized turfgrass species. This was accomplished in several studies which 1) investigated whether sequential exogenous applications of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and osmoregulants promote drought tolerance of creeping bentgrass under field conditions, 2) elucidated on the link between fatty acid metabolism in creeping bentgrass leaves and roots and the observed level of drought tolerance, and 3) explored the interactive effects of elevated CO2 and drought stress on growth, morphology, physiology, and biochemical properties such as protein, carbohydrate, and hormone metabolism of creeping bentgrass turfgrass. The potential implications of the research may help to improve efficacy for various aspects of turfgrass management such as efficient utilization of irrigation water and decreased need for supplementary chemicals including fertility and pesticides. The lessons derived from the research may have implications across many different turfgrass management aspects and provide turfgrass managers new techniques to maintain high-quality playing conditions at a lower economic cost and less environmental impact. KW - Plant Biology KW - Creeping bentgrass KW - Turfgrasses KW - Plants--Drought tolerance LA - eng ER -