Resumen

ALVAREZ-HOLGUIN, Alan et al. Acclimatization responses to drought in sideoats grama [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.] Seedlings. Rev. fitotec. mex [online]. 2025, vol.48, n.1, pp.45-55.  Epub 17-Nov-2025. ISSN 0187-7380.  https://doi.org/10.35196/rfm.2025.1.45.

Sideoats grama [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.] is one of the most widely used native species to rehabilitate degraded rangelands in Northern Mexico; however, it faces significant challenges in achieving its establishment, particularly under drought conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the morphological development and stomatal characteristics of sideoats grama seedlings under two soil moisture conditions (normal and drought) and to investigate the relationship between genetic variation and agronomic responses under simulated drought conditions. The study was conducted in a greenhouse, and to simulate two moisture conditions, two of the most common historical precipitation patterns in Chihuahua, Mexico were implemented, one for drought and one for normal precipitation. Nine populations from various municipalities of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico were analyzed along with the commercial variety Niner as a control. Populations were also genetically analyzed with AFLP markers to elucidate the relationship between their genetic differences and drought responses. Results showed that the response to moisture reduction varied between populations. Populations better adapted to water stress showed increases ranging from 80 to 300 % in root-to-shoot ratio, from 10 to 21 % in stomatal area, and from 66 to 247 % in water use efficiency; furthermore, they reduced leaf area from 49 to 59 % and stomatal density from 9 to 17 %. Populations exhibiting these changes originated from Nuevo Casas Grandes, Ahumada, and Chihuahua. The significant correlation between genetic and phenotypic distances (Mantel r = 0.36) suggests that genetic differences partially influenced populations’ responses to drought; therefore, these populations have the potential to become new varieties of sideoats grama and be used in rehabilitation programs.

Palabras llave : drought resistance; genetic diversity; native grasses; revegetation; stomatal density; water stress.

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