Water conservation strategies in speargrass (heteropogon contortus l.) for ecological success in hyperarid conditions | [Abstract Book on International Conference on Food and Applied Sciences (ICFAS-23) 3-5 August 23 • 2023]

Author(s):

1. Safura Bibi: Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan

2. Muhammad Sajid Aqeel Ahmad: Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan

3. Mansoor Hameed: Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan

4. Yuncong Li: Department of Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences, Tropical Research and Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031-3314, USA

5. Farooq Ahmad: Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan

6. Zunaira Naeem: Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan

Abstract:

This study was conducted to explore water conservation strategies in native arid zone perennial grass species Heteropogon contortus L. Plant and soil samples were collected from different arid areas of the Punjab to identify variability in the growth, physiological and anatomical traits that enable them to persist in hyper arid conditions. Fresh and dry biomass reduced while root length increased in response to increasing soil moisture deficit for absorption of water from the deeper soil layers. Sodium, nitrogen, phosphorus carotenoids, total soluble proteins, proline, glycine betaine, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase content increased while calcium, magnesium and potassium decreased along increasing soil moisture deficit (Dratio:8.40 to 43.17). Basic anatomical variations contributing to the ecological success and adaptation in diverse conditions included conserving water by development of additional water storage parenchyma, efficient conduction of solutes through wide metaxylem vessel, minimize water loss by intensive sclerification in some populations like Katha Mountains, Cholistan and Saluwali to avoid water loss. Another characteristic feature observed in stems, leaves and leaf sheath of some populations was differentially developed aerenchyma and bulliform cells ranging from small to large prominent and deeply inserted. In conclusion, Heteropogon contortus L. populations showed high but habitat-specific variability among the traits recorded, which provided this species a great potential to colonize arid and salt-affected areas.

Page(s): 331-331

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Abstract Book on International Conference on Food and Applied Sciences (ICFAS-23) 3-5 August 23, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023

Keywords:

Soil moisture deficit , Biomass , bulliform cells , Aerenchyma , Heteropogon contortus

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