| Abstract Detail
Ecophysiology Franklin, Michelle [1], Grillo, Michael [2]. Ecophysiology traits related to drought resistance in annual and perennial C3 grasses. A major constraint shaping the evolution of plants on dry land is water limitation. Achieving a comprehensive understanding of plant adaptation to drought is important, as shifting precipitation patterns under global climate change could have profound impacts on agriculture and natural plant populations. We investigated how the mechanisms of dealing with drought stress varied with plant life history (annuals v. perennials). Ecophysiology traits related to drought resistance in C3 grasses were measured on species from three different tribes (N=20). Plants were grown under well-watered conditions (WW) to obtain relative water content (RWC), water potential (WP), and stomatal density and size. A subset of plants was then subjected to a progressive drydown, simulating drought, using percent soil moisture determined gravimetrically (i.e., 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 30%) then sampled for RWC and WP (drought treatment). Discriminant analysis did not distinguish between annuals and perennials, but life history is associated with stomatal density, stomatal size, and relative water content under drought stress. For the 16 life history comparisons, perennials displayed more drought resistance characteristics in 6, 7, 6, 8, 3, and 6 pairs for WP (WW), WP (DRY), SS, SD, RWC (WW), and RWC (DRY), respectively. Additionally, annuals reveal a trade-off between stomatal density and stomatal size, whereas perennials do not. Further experiments incorporating incorporating additional species and measurements of photosynthesis rates, stomatal conductance, and carbon isotope discrimination will potentially reveal a better understanding of drought resistance in annual and perennial grasses.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - Michigan State University Kellogg Biological Station, Plant Biology, 3700 E. Gull Lake Dr., Hickory Corners, Michigan, 49060, USA
2 - University of Illinois, Plant Biology, 250 Morrill Hall, 505 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
Keywords:
ecophysiology
drought stress.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEP010
Abstract ID:1184
Candidate for Awards:Physiological Section Best poster presentation,Physiological Section Physiological Section Li-COR Prize |
