Abstract
We investigated the effect of water deficiency in soil on the morphological features and photosynthetic efficiency of Kentucky
bluegrass during the early phase period of plants growth. Plants grown under stress-free conditions until tillering. Three levels
of soil capillary water capacity (% CWC) were applied: (70%, 50% and drought stress at 35%). Plants were grown under these
conditions for 21 days. Subsequently, all of them were subjected to well-watered conditions for 14 days (recovery). The study
showed that values of relative water content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and morphological traits were lower under
conditions of soil water deficiency and drought stress relative to the optimal soil moisture. Restoration of optimal soil water
conditions increased all parameters characterizing the above ground part of biomass, while values of root traits did not vary.
Plants subjected to well-watered post drought soil conditions, showed a rapid recovery of photosynthetic efficiency of
Kentucky bluegrass. This work suggests that, this plant can survive short periods of drought stress and thus can be
recommended for cultivation in the regions where drought conditions are expected to occur. Moreover, plant photosynthetic
efficiency can substitute classical evaluation method of plant tolerance to drought stress based on plant water status.
