EFFECTS OF DROUGHT TREATMENT ON THREE MATRIX PLANTING PERENNIALS

Abstract

The goal of research was to evaluate the above-ground physiological and overall plant responses of chosen herbaceous matrix plants to varying water soil content in confined root zone. Stachys macrantha (C. Koch) Jalas, Brunnera macrophylla (Adams) IM Johnston. and Geranium macrorrhizum L. were subjected to drought. We measured a) stomatal conductance, b) leaf area, c) dry matter content, d) leaf pigments content, e) visual quality rating. Drought stress led to considerable decline in stomatal conductance (75% Stachys, 60% Geranium, and 42% Brunnera) and in leaf area (Stachys 59%, Geranium 53%, Brunnera 45%). There were observed opposite trend: increased in leaf dry matter content (33% Stachys, 14% Brunnera), root dry matter content (22% Stachys, 14% Brunnera) and ratio carotenoid/total chlorophyll content (4% Brunnera). Two from investigated plants (Brunnera and Geranium) survived in drought condition at acceptable morphological damage, however, Stachys did not perform well in a confined root zone. These results lead to the conclusion that Brunnera and Geranium are well adapted to dry conditions and would be suitable for use in low water use landscape, however, Stachys is partially recommended.

Keywords

• stomatal conductance
• SLA
• chlorophyll
• carotenoids
• visual quality