Water extraction, transpiration and drought resistance of tropical forage grasses under greenhouse and field conditions

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate genotypic differences in root development, water extraction and transpiration efficiency under two types of soil (Oxisol and Molisol) and two irrigation conditions (soil maintained in field capacity) and progressive drought for four weeks under greenhouse conditions in accessions of Megathyrsus maximus (CIAT 6799, CIAT 6962), Urochloa humidicola (cv. Tully), U. brizantha (CIAT 26124, cv. Piata), Urochloa hybrids (cvv. Mulato 2 and Cobra), Cenchurs purpureus (ILCA 10097) and Chloris gayana (ILCA 645). These data are useful to disaggregate the existing balance between water uptake by roots in soil under limited water conditions, and the water lost by the aerial part during transpiration.

Cardoso, Juan Andrés; Sotelo Cabrera, Mauricio Efren.