Effects of polyethylene glycol on root and shoot production in zoysiagrasses

Increasing urban growth has placed a strain on limited potable water resources. Therefore, improved drought tolerance in turfgrass is important to reduce the need for supplemental irrigation to maintain the aesthetic value and functionality of turfgrass areas. Field evaluations are subject to variability in irrigation patterns, wind, soil, and drainage patterns within an experimental area. The objectives were to evaluate the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on root and shoot production in species of Zoysia and determine if PEG is suitable for screening genotypes for drought responses. Two experiments were conducted, each arranged as a randomized complete block design. Experiments used plants grown in conetainers with and without PEG in hydroponic culture. Plants were evaluated for root length density, root surface area, root diameter, leaf mass, leaf wilting, and turfgrass quality. The PEG treatment produced minimal differences. The results indicated that higher PEG concentrations are needed to elucidate drought responses and observe differential drought responses among zoysiagrasses.