Water logging tolerance in populations of Cynodon dactylon from contrasting habitats

• Published in: Pakistan journal of biological sciences Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 317 - 321
• Main Authors: Athar, H, Mahmood, S, Shaheen, R. (Bahauddin Zakariya Univ., Multan (Pakistan). Inst. of Pure and Applied Biology), Ashraf, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2003
• Subjects: ANEGAMIENTO; BIOMASA; BIOMASS; BIOMASSE; COMPOSICIÓN APROXIMADA; COMPOSITION GLOBALE; CONTENIDO DE MATERIA SECA; CYNODON DACTYLON; DRY MATTER CONTENT; ENGORGEMENT DU SOL; FER; GROWING MEDIA; HIERRO; IRON; PROXIMATE COMPOSITION; SUBSTRAT DE CULTURE; SUBSTRATOS DE CULTIVO; TENEUR EN MATIÈRE SÈCHE; TOLERANCE À L'EAU; TOLERANCIA A LA HUMEDAD; WATER TOLERANCE; WATERLOGGING
• ISSN: 1028-8880
• DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2003.317.321

Two populations of Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers., from contrasting habitats, were assessed for waterlogging tolerance. Tillers from each population were subjected to 3 (control), 18, 36, 54, 72 and 90 mg L-1 Fe as Fe-EDTA in Rorisonþs nutrient solution for 21 days under controlled conditions. The results showed that addition of Fe to the growth medium had caused a significant inhibitory effect on fresh and dry matter of both grass populations. However, population from non-waterlogged habitat produced slightly greater shoot biomass than the waterlogged population in supplemented nutrient medium containing iron. Shoot K+ contents were significantly lower in waterlogged population at all external Fe regimes whilst, the two populations were not different for Ca2+ or Mg2+ contents of shoots. The waterlogged population accumulated significantly greater concentration of Mn in shoots. Likewise, individual plants sampled from waterlogged site exhibited greater N contents in their shoots as compared to the normal population. However, shoot P contents showed a non-significant decline in both populations under varying concentrations of iron. The normal population appeared to be more susceptible with respect to amino acids accumulation at higher concentrations of Fe. On the other hand, protein contents in shoots increased significantly in the normal populations at varying Fe regimes. It was concluded that the lack of tolerance to the excessive amounts of Fe in the waterlogged population was probably due to the absence adaptive mechanism, lack of suitable selection pressure and insufficient time for sorting of genotypes into that habitat.