Investigation on resistance to drought and efficiency of water usage in two range species, Dactylis glomerata and Eragrostis curvula

Determination of water efficiency and resistance to drought in range
plants are important factors that have essential role in selection of
range development methods. As there is not any comprehensive
study in resistance to drought, present research was done with
selection of two range species . Selected species were two kinds of
Gramineae, namely Dactylis glomerata and Eragrostis curvula.
Some parameters such as used water, length, width and number of
leaves, dry mass of leaves were studied.
Obtained results showed that length and width of leaves were not
under stress in irrigation periods, but number of leaves, dry mass of
leaf and stem decreased under drought stress. Amount of decrease in
Er.cu was less than Da.gl.
Increment of irrigation periods, increased root growth rather than
stem, but root growth in Da.gl was more than Er.cu. for production
of dry matter, Da.gl. species has less water requirement and higher
water usage efficiency in terms of amount of water usage. In terms
of resistance to drought, Er.cu has more resistance rather than Da.gl.
because of high water potential and lower witting point.