HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (8) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Shahba, M. A. Articles by Christensen, D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Shahba, M. A. Articles by Christensen, D. Agricola Articles by Shahba, M. A. Articles by Christensen, D. Related Collections Temperature Stress Crop Physiology & Metabolism Turfgrass

TURFGRASS SCIENCE

Relationships of Soluble Carbohydrates and Freeze Tolerance in Saltgrass

Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173

^* Corresponding author (yaqian{at}lamar.colostate.edu).

Information is lacking regarding the changes of endogenous soluble carbohydrates of saltgrass [Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene] during cold acclimation. The objective of this study was to quantify soluble carbohydrates and their relationships to freezing tolerance in six saltgrass accessions (A65, A29, C66, 32, 55, and 48). The study was performed at monthly intervals under natural acclimation in two consecutive winter seasons (October 1999–April 2000 and October 2000–April 2001) at Fort Collins, CO. Concurrent with LT₅₀ (subfreezing temperature resulting in 50% mortality) assessment, soluble carbohydrates, including sucrose, fructose, glucose, raffinose, and stachyose were measured by gas chromatography (GC). Results indicated significant differences among accessions and sampling dates in LT₅₀ and carbohydrate content. Sucrose was the predominant sugar, but did not show a clear seasonal trend and had no correlation with freezing tolerance. Fructose, glucose, raffinose, and stachyose exhibited clear seasonal changes, reaching highest concentrations during midwinter. In December of both seasons, higher concentration of fructose and glucose were observed in 48 and 55 as compared with other accessions. Accession A29 had the highest concentration of raffinose in December and January in both seasons. A29 also had the highest stachyose content in midwinter of 1999-2000. Higher fructose, glucose, or raffinose concentrations were frequently observed in accessions of 48, 55, and A29, which coincided with their lower LT₅₀ as compared with the other accessions. In contrast, C66 had the lowest sugar concentrations, which related to its sensitivity to low temperatures. These results indicate that fructose, glucose, raffinose, and stachyose may play important roles in saltgrass freezing tolerance.

Abbreviations: NSC, nonstructural carbohydrates • WSC, water soluble carbohydrates • GC, gas chromatography

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. A. Shahba and Y. L. Qian Effect of Seeding Date, Seeding Rate, and Seed Treatments on Saltgrass Seed Germination and Establishment Crop Sci., November 24, 2008; 48(6): 2453 - 2458. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Patton, S. M. Cunningham, J. J. Volenec, and Z. J. Reicher Differences in Freeze Tolerance of Zoysiagrasses: II. Carbohydrate and Proline Accumulation Crop Sci., September 1, 2007; 47(5): 2170 - 2181. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Patton and Z. J. Reicher Zoysiagrass Species and Genotypes Differ in Their Winter Injury and Freeze Tolerance Crop Sci., July 30, 2007; 47(4): 1619 - 1627. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Zhang, E. H. Ervin, and A. J. LaBranche Metabolic Defense Responses of Seeded Bermudagrass during Acclimation to Freezing Stress Crop Sci., November 21, 2006; 46(6): 2598 - 2605. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]