The Physiological and Photosynthetic Responses of Pennisetum sp to Drought Stress

The outstanding biological properties and the affiliated ecological and economic benefits have made Pennisetum sp. important vegetation in fighting against poverty and desertification. Since the water shortage is an inevitable problem in dry area, the tolerance of Pennisetum sp. to water stress was analyzed using the physiological and photosynthetic properties. The results showed that the contents of malondialdehyde, proline, soluble sugar, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase were increased, and the rates of net photosynthesis and transpiration contents were decreased, with the intensification of the drought. The growth of the plant enhanced the physiological and photosynthetic processes. The membership degrees calculated by subordination function method revealed that seedling stage has the lowest resistance, and elongation stage has highest. Since no significant net photosynthesis rate difference observed, mild drought management maybe acceptable to use water efficiently without significant biomass reduction.