Growth responses to waterlogging stress among cool-season grass species

Abstract

Urban grasslands span climates and topography in soils with variable water infiltration and drainage rates that result in occasional waterlogging stress, while data on grass species tolerance to waterlogging stress is scant. Whole plant responses to waterlogging stress among cool-season grass species were quantified in a controlled environment. The following grasses were grown in well-drained vs. waterlogged soil for 55 d: strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. rubra), slender creeping red fescue (F. rubra ssp. littoralis), Chewings fescue (F. rubra ssp. commutata), hard fescue (F. brevipila), tall fescue (F. arundinacea syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus), Kentucky bluegrasses (Poa pratensis), annual bluegrass (P. annua), rough bluegrass (P. trivialis), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and alkaligrass (Puccinellia distans). Five cultivars of each fine fescue (Festuca spp.) taxon were included for comparison. When grown in waterlogged soil compared to well-drained conditions, relative differences generally ranged from −3% to −26% (shoots) and −13% to −33% (roots) for creeping bentgrass, tall fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass indicating higher waterlogging stress tolerance. The relative differences ranged from −18% to −43% in shoots and −3% to −34% in roots for annual bluegrass and perennial ryegrass indicating fair performance under waterlogging stress. Fine fescues, rough bluegrass, and alkaligrass exhibited the poorest performance during waterlogging stress with plant responses ranging from −12% to −64% (shoots) and −17% to −73% (roots). Negative whole plant responses among cultivars of four fine fescue taxa were similar. The selection of grasses tolerant to waterlogging stress will be important in developing resilient landscapes.