Drought dormancy inAstrebla lappacea, Chloris acicularis, and Stipa aristiglumis

Abstract

Patterns of carbohydrate storage and utilization in Astrebta lappacea (Lindl.) Domin, Chloris acicularis Lindl., and Stipa aristiglumis F. Muell. during periods of moisture availability and stress were found to be similar to those in perennial grasses undergoing seasonal dormancy. It is suggested that the above species when stressed for moisture enter a state of dormancy physiologically similar to seasonal dormancy and that this drought dormancy is hormone-mediated.