Preliminary studyonphysiologicalcharacteristicsoftallfescue(Fest ucaarundinaceaScherb.)accessionsunder drought stress condition

Turf breeders are searching worldwide to develop plant species and turfgrass cultivars that can grow and perform satisfactory growth in a wide range of climates, soils, and environmental conditions. This preliminary study was conducted in a research greenhouse, to compare growth responses of 45 Iranian tall fescue accessions and one foreign cultivar in terms of physiological changes under drought stress condition to find tolerant accessions. After two months growing, plants were irrigated to 25% FC condition for three times, then fresh leaves were collected for measuring SOD, CAT and APX activities, and proline and total chlorophyll content. Differences among treatment means were assessed by the least significance difference (LSD) at P = 0.05. The results showed that there are big differences between accessionsand foreign cultivar, Khoramabad, and Salmas accessions were tolerant and Sari, Neka, Lahijan, and Chalos accessions were sensitive to drought stress.