RECENT ADVANCES IN DROUGHT AND HEAT STRESS PHYSIOLOGY OF TURFGRASS - A REVIEW

Drought and heat stresses are major factors limiting the growth of turfgrasses. Both stresses will continue to be the primer concern in turfgrass management, as water is becoming increasingly limited for irrigation and temperature increases with global warming. Researchers in the last decade have advanced the understanding of the mechanisms of how turfgrass adapt to drought and heat stress and how to maintain high quality turf with limited water resources. It has been identified that among various mechanisms, osmotic adjustment and induction of dehydrin proteins may confer drought tolerance, while abscisic acid may contribute to drought avoidance by the induction of stomatal closure in turfgrass. Alternation of carbohydrate and antioxidant metabolism, induction of heat shock proteins, and cytokinin synthesis are involved in protecting cool-season turfgrasses from heat stress injuries.