103-8 Biosolids Impact On Tall Fescue Antioxidant Metabolism and Drought Resistance.



Monday, October 17, 2011
Henry Gonzalez Convention Center, Hall C, Street Level

Xunzhong Zhang, Damai Zhou, Erik Ervin, Gregory Evanylo and Joseph Cataldi, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Biosolids have been shown to improve plant drought tolerance, the mechanism underlying has not been well documented. This study was to investigate effect of biosolids on antioxidant metabolism associated with drought resistance. ‘Rebel 4’ tall fescue was established in pots filled with calcined clay amended with ‘Blue plain’ or ‘Alexandria’ biosolids, and nitrogen fertilizer served as the control. All pots received identical N input either from the biosolids or nitrogen fertilizer. The pots subjected to two moisture treatments – well watered and drought stress. The biosolids application reduced leaf wilting and increased relative leaf water content under drought stress. Both biosolids increased leaf soluble protein content. The biosolids application promoted antioxidant enzyme activity, especially superoxide dismutase.  Leaf proline and abscisic acid content was higher in biosolids treated tall fescue relative to the control. The results suggest that biosolids may increase antioxidant enzyme activity and drought resistance in tall fescue.          
See more from this Division: C05 Turfgrass Science
See more from this Session: Management of Turfgrass, Thatch, Soil, and Irrigation