Effect of Trinexapac-Ethyl on Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Tall Fescue Var Rebel under Irrigation Free Conditions

Drought Stress is one of the most important limiting factors in plants growth and development. Growth regulator, Trinexapac-ethyl, might improve drought stress resistance via reducing stem growth and improving osmotic adjustments. In present study Trinexapac-ethyl effect on some tall fescue var Rebel physiological and morphological traits under irrigation free conditions was studied. So, an experiment was carried out as factorial in completely randomized design in three replicates in Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology in 2011 - 2012. Treatments involved three growth regulator levels of Trinexapac-ethyl (0, 250 and 500 g.h-1) and two drought stresse levels (normal irrigation and without irrigation). Leaf growth rate, leaf tissue, leaf color, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, proline level, above ground fresh and dry weight, root penetration and effective depth were measured. Results showed that Trinexapac-ethyl and drought stress reduced growth rate, above ground organs fresh and dry weight. Concentrations of 250 and 500 g/ha Trinexapac-ethyl decreased plant height by 19.48 and 22.24 percent respectively. Unlike drought stress, concentrations of 250 and 500 g/h Trinexapac-ethyl increased tissues color by 11.62 and 13.08 percent respectively. Also, relative water content and electrolyte leakage increased and decreased respectively but proline content of the Trinexapac-ethyl treated plants was not affected significantly. Drought stress reduced relative water content significantly and increased electrolyte leakage and proline content. Application of Trinexapac-ethyl did not significantly affect root traits but it increased penetration and effective depth under stress condition. Levels of 250 and 500 g.ha-1 Trinexapac-ethyl showed significant differences in relative water content and no significant differences in other characteristics. It was found that tall fescue var Rebel is drought resistant and Trinexapac-ethyl can be used to induce drought stress resistance.