Dissection of physiological, transcriptional, and metabolic traits in two tall fescue genotypes with contrasting drought tolerance.

ABSTRACT: Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is an important cool-season perennial forage grass that forms mutualistic symbioses with fungal endophytes. Physiological, biochemical and transcriptional comparisons were made between two tall fescue genotypes with contrasting drought tolerance (tolerant, T400, and sensitive, S279), either with or without endophyte (Epichloë coenophiala). Drought stress was applied by withholding watering until plants reached mild, moderate and severe stresses. Physiological characterization showed that T400 had narrower, thicker leaves, and lower leaf conductance under well-watered conditions, compared to S279. After severe drought and recovery, endophytic T400 had greater shoot and root biomass than other plant types. Under drought, leaf osmotic pressure i

SUBMITTER: Kang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10168078 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature