Liu Hui-min

Research progress on water use efficiency and drought resistance of turfgrass

Improving turfgrass drought resistance and save-water features are very important to solve water deficiency in turfgrass production and management. This research did some surveys of systematic literature review about turfgrass drought tolerance morphological characteristics, physiological characteristics and water use efficiency, and provided the detailed information for enhancing turfgrass drought resistant and water use efficiency in the future.

Study on Classification and Genetic Diversity of Kentucky Bluegrasses by Using RAPD Markers

Abstract A total of 69 random primers were screened by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to analyze the genetic bands of 32 Kentucky bluegrass cultivars. A total of 197 bands were amplified from 46 primers, among which 195 bands were polymorphic. Each primer could amplify one to nine polymorphic bands with an average of 4.3 per primer. Based on similarity coefficient analysis of RAPD results and by using NTSYS software to cluster analyze with the average UPGMA method, the result showed that 18 cultivars of the 32 were in group 1, three cultivars were in group 2, two cultivars were in group 3, eight cultivars were in group 4, and only one cultivar in group 5.

Effects of Drought Stress on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Kentucky Bluegrass

Abstract Drought stress is one of the major constraints on turf growth and performance in northern China. Based on previous assessments of drought tolerance levels, four varieties of Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) representing different types (‘Baron’, BVMG type; ‘Blackstone’, Cheri type; ‘Kenblue’, Midwest type; and ‘Bluemoon’, Midnight type) were chosen for this study. Grass materials were established in a glasshouse, and the changes in their photosynthetic and metabolic characteristics were analyzed during a period of imposed drought stress. Drought stress led to decrease in chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate in all four cultivars, but the relative changes in each characteristic varied among varieties. The results also showed that changes in the photosynthetic and metabolic characteristics of different varieties under drought stress were related to the morphological characteristics of the plants. Varieties with longer narrow leaves, longer roots, higher root-to-shoot ratios, and higher chlorophyll contents showed greater rates of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, and lower transpiration rates.