Effects of drought stress on physiological and growth characteristics of the seedlings of three ornamental grasses

Through the natural water loss stress test, the effects of drought stress on seedling growth and physiology of Peuuisetum alopecuroides, Festuca glauca ‘Freddy’, and Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ were investigated, and their drought resistance was comprehensively evaluated. The results showed that during drought stress, the decreased soil water content of P. alopecuroides was lower than that in the other two groups. The average growth rate and leaf chlorophyll content decreased, while the proline content and malondialdehyde content of the plants increased as drought stress was prolonged. Moreover, the superoxide dismutase activity of the plants increased initially, and then decreased as drought stress was prolonged. As drought stress was prolonged, the soluble protein content of P. alopecuroidesfirst increased and then decreased, but the soluble protein content of F. glauca and S. tenuissima decreased initially and then increased. We performed a comprehensive evaluation of drought tolerance of the three ornamental grass seedlings with subordinate function and determined the order of drought tolerance to be S. tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ > F. glauca ‘Freddy’ > P. alopecuroides.