Abstract: Mycorrhizal Fungi Improve drought resistance in Creeping Bentgrass

Journal of Turf grass Science Vol. 73 (1997)

By J.N. GENNA, RE KOSKE, E.M. ROBERTS, N. JACKSON AND K.M. DE ANTONIS. Department of biological Science, Department of Plant Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island U.S.A. 02881.

SUMMARY

Field and laboratory studies with creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris ‘Penncross’) growth in a sand/peat (4:1) medium recommended for putting greens showed that turf inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus GLOMUS INTRARADICES was able to tolerate drought condition significantly longer than non-,mycorrhizal turf.  Mycorrhizal turf recovered more quickly from wilting than sis non-mycorrhizal turf. Leaf water potentials remained higher in the mycorrhizal turf and declined at a slower rate than in non-mycorrhizal turf. Mycorrhizal turf recovered more quickly from wilting than did non-mycorrhizal turf. Protection against drought was conferred by G. INTRARADICES when turf was grown under conditions of low phosphorus fertilization (11 mg 1), but the benefits disappeared when the p concentration of the fertilizer was quadrupled to 44 mg 1. Of eighteen free amino acids and amides studied, y-amino-n-butyric acid was the best indicator of water stress.  The concentration of the amino acid increased significantly between days 3 and 4 of the drought in non-mycorrhizal turf grown at 44 mg 1-1 P, but not in mycorrhizal turf grown at 11 mg 1 p. Mycorrhizal turf maintained significantly higher chlorophyll concentrations (avg 29% more) than did non- mycorrhizal turf during the tan-day-long drought in the field.

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