Root and physiological characteristics associated with drought tolerance in Iranian tall fescue

Research on crop response to deficit irrigation is important to reduce agricultural water use in areas where water is a limited resource. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in physiological and root traits under mild and intense drought stress in tall fescue. It also sought to find associations between these changes and field drought tolerance. A total of 24 tall fescue genotypes were selected from a wide polycross population and assessed for field drought tolerance during 2011-2012 in the field. The genotypes were classified as tolerant, moderately tolerant, and susceptible based on drought stress tolerance index (STI), tolerance index (TOL), and yield reduction (YR). In 2013, 24 genotypes were clonally propagated and planted in polyvinylchloride (PVC) tubes under, three levels of moisture regimes. Root characteristics were investigated at 0-30 and 30-60 cm depths of soil. Also 11 physiological traits, dry forage yield, STI, TOL, and YR were recorded. At the 30-60 cm depths of soil, the root length increased by 5.95 and 7.30 % under mild and intense stress, respectively. Under mild stress, root area and root volume were positively correlated with STI. Consequences of drought stress, manifested as declined relative water content and chlorophyll, could be associated with a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Some tall fescue genotypes had extensive root systems, high photosynthetic capacity, and less YR in the field. These genotypes may adapt to drought through drought avoidance and drought tolerance mechanisms. The application of principle component analysis for screening suitable genotypes was also discussed.