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Turfgrass response to environmental stress: II. Warm-season turfgrasses
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Somayeh Esmaeili *   , Elham Esmailpourmoghadam , Hassan Salehi |
| Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz & Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz |
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Abstract: (11 Views) |
Along with intensifying climate change on Earth, warm-season turfgrasses are widely used in urban green spaces and sports landscapes. The quality of these turfgrasses is affected by abiotic stresses, specifically drought, salinity, heat, cold, and shade. Aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of adaptation strategies to abiotic stresses, this article reviews the known morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of different warm-season turfgrass species over the past three decades. Certain abiotic stresses increase the concentration of soluble salts in the soil solution, thereby reducing water availability to plant roots. The resulting increase in the osmotic pressure of the rhizosphere restricts root development and consequently diminishes turfgrass tolerance to stress. Physiological responses to one or more stress factors include reductions in leaf osmotic potential, leaf water potential, and relative water content, as well as the development of nutritional imbalances. Biochemical alterations, including changes in the accumulation of secondary metabolites and osmoprotective compounds such as glycine betaine, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and abscisic acid (ABA), disrupt the source–sink relationship within the plant. Under stressful conditions, the occurrence of one or more of these physiological and biochemical changes ultimately exacerbates damage to turfgrass. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that combined stress conditions can sometimes produce unexpected synergistic and/or antagonistic effects, affecting plant responses differently than a single stress exposure. Understanding these complex responses is critical for breeding programs, especially considering the anatomical limitations of turfgrass species and the need for genetic compatibility in gene transfer. This review highlights the importance of species-specific knowledge in turfgrass science and sets the stage for future research on sustainable warm-season grass management.
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| Keywords: Abiotic stress, C4 photosynthesis, Turfgrass, Warm season. |
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Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/08/3 | Accepted: 2026/09/8 | Published: 2026/09/14
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