Drought stress is one of the major constraints on turf growth and performance in northern China. Based on previous assessments of drought tolerance levels, four varieties of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) representing different types ('Baron', BVMG type; 'Blackstone', Cheri type; 'Kenblue', Midwest type; and 'Bluemoon', Midnight type) were chosen for this study. Grass materials were established in a glasshouse, and the changes in their photosynthetic and metabolic characteristics were analyzed during a period of imposed drought stress. Drought stress led to decrease in chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate in all four cultivars, but the relative changes in each characteristic varied among varieties. The results also showed that changes in the photosynthetic and metabolic characteristics of different varieties under drought stress were related to the morphological characteristics of the plants. Varieties with longer narrow leaves, longer roots, higher root-to-shoot ratios, and higher chlorophyll contents showed greater rates of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, and lower transpiration rates.
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