Drought resistance at the seedling stage in the promising fodder plant tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata)

Authors

Kevin J. Foster, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Megan H. Ryan, University of Western AustraliaFollow
Daniel Real, Department of Agriculture and Food, WAFollow
P Ramankutty, University of Western Australia
Hans Lambers, University of Western AustraliaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-18-2012

Journal Title

Crop and Pasture Science

ISSN

Print: 1836-0947 Electronic: 1836-5795

Keywords

canopy temperature depression, novel pasture species, paraheliotropism, perennial legume

Disciplines

Agronomy and Crop Sciences

Abstract

The perennial legume Bituminaria bituminosa (L.) C.H. Stirt. var. albomarginata (tedera) has been identified as a promising fodder plant for the southern Australian wheatbelt, but little is known about its drought resistance as a seedling. This study was conducted to (i) examine physiological and morphological responses to water stress of seedlings of tedera, in comparison with lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus L.) and Afghan melon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.), and (ii) investigate drought adaptation mechanisms of tedera seedlings.

Seedlings were grown in a reconstructed field soil profile in pots in a glasshouse. By 25 days after sowing (DAS), plants of all species in the drought-stressed (DS) treatment had experienced water stress, with an average leaf relative water content (RWC) of 66% in DS compared with 79% in well-watered (WW) plants. Tedera, biserrula and Afghan melon maintained a higher RWC than lucerne. At 25 DAS, reductions in shoot dry matter in the DS treatment differed between species: 52% for Afghan melon, 36% for biserrula, 27% for lucerne, and no significant reduction for tedera. Paraheliotropic leaf angles of biserrula, lucerne and tedera were all higher in the DS treatment than in the WW treatment at 25, 32 and 52 DAS.

This study revealed significant differences in rooting depth and stomatal conductance between the three legume species when under water stress, with tedera being the most drought-resistant. Traits that may allow tedera to survive a dry period following opening rains include vigorous seedling growth, early taproot elongation, effective stomatal control and paraheliotropic leaf movements.

Recommended Citation

Foster Kevin, Ryan Megan H., Real Daniel, Ramankutty Padmaja, Lambers Hans (2012) Drought resistance at the seedling stage in the promising fodder plant tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata). Crop and Pasture Science 63, 1034-1042. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP12216