Rooting and Drought Resistance of Three Tall Fescue Cultivars
The relative drought resistance of turf-type tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars compared to forage-type cultivars has not been well-documented. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted between 1991 and 1994 to determine rooting potential and drought response of a slow-growing, turf-type tall fescue (`MlC18'), a turf-type cultivar with a moderate growth rate (`Mustang'), and a forage-type cultivar (`Kentucky-31'). In the greenhouse, rooting was determined in sand or calcined clay using clear, polyethylene root tubes 4 cm in diameter by 122 cm deep. Root length density (RLD) was measured for 0- to 30-, 30- to 60-, 60- to 90-, and 90- to 120-cm depths. No differences were observed in RLD at the 0- to 30-cm depth. At other depths, RLD of `Mustang” was generally superior to that of `K-31' and `MlC18'. During a 3-week dry-down in the field in 1994, `MlC18' exhibited greater drought stress and a higher canopy minus air temperature than other cultivars. Advantages afforded by reduced mowing of slow-growing tall fescue cultivars may be negated by reduced drought resistance.