Response of differently adapted populations of blue panic grass (<em>Panicum antidotale</em> Retz.) to water defi cit conditions

Abstract

To explore plant species that could tolerate harsh environment, six ecotypes of Panicum antidotale were collected from different habitats varying in water availability, salt content and agricultural practices within the Faisalabad city. All six ecotypes were grown under normal growth conditions for six months, after which time they were subjected to three drought levels (control (normal irrigation), 60% and 30% fi eld capacity). Imposition of drought caused a marked reduction in shoot and root fresh and dry biomass, shoot length, chlorophyll b, a/b ratio, net CO₂ assimilation rate, transpiration rate, and water use effi ciency in all six populations. While shoot P, root N, P and Ca²⁺ were remained unaffected due to application of drought stress conditions. Of the six ecotypes, population collected from sludge of disposal channel and that from the along the botanical garden produced higher quantity of plant biomass and net CO₂ assimilation rate as compared to the others.