Abstract
Morphological and physiological evaluations were made of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera subsp. palustris (Huds.) plants which survived supraoptimal soil temperature stress. Those plants that survived possessed a mean of 3.8 more tillers per plant, and had an increase in maximum root extension of 2.3 cm. Membrane thermostability, as measured by electrical conductivity, was not different in the selected plants. The selected plants possessed a mean of 10% more water per g of dry tissue under soil temperature stress. Avoidance of dehydration stress by root extension into zones of high soil moisture would enhance survival under desiccating conditions. Thirteen bentgrass clones were planted in flexible tubes in glasshouse experiments and under field conditions. Use of flexible tubes in the glasshouse adequately predicted field ranking of maximum root extension, root number at the 10 to 20 cm soil depth, and tiller number of creeping bentgrass. Parent-progeny regression was used to determine narrow sense heritability estimates of 0.77 and 0.31 for maximum root extension and tiller number, respectively. Variation in leaf water potentials of creeping bentgrass maintained in field and growth room studies was determined. Maintenance of less negative leaf water potentials was associated with increased root extension in the field.
Lehman, Virginia Gail (1990). Selection for summer stress resistance in creeping bentgrass. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -1163141.