Effects of silicon on Kentucky bluegrass under drought stress

Abstract: A simulated drought resistant experiment was conducted to understand the effect of different silicon supplies on morphology and physiology of Kentucky bluegrass Sapphire (Poa pratensis) by measuring the total evapotranspiration (ET), leaf relative water content (RWC), leaf electrolyte leakage(EL), turf quality(TQ), root dry weight(RDW) and root activity (RACT). This study indicated that ET，RWC，TQ，RDW，RACT of Kentucky bluegrass markedly decreased and EL markedly increased under the drought stress. The silicon supplies did not affect the ET，RWC，TQ，RDW，RACT，EL of Kentucky bluegrass in higher irrigation condition; however, silicon increased the ET，RWC，TQ，RDW，RACT and decreasing EL in lower irrigation conditions, especially Si2.14 treatment.