Plant Growth and Morphophysiological Modifications in Perennial Ryegrass under Environmental Stress

Abstract

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a popular and important cool-season turfgrass used in parks, landscapes, sports fields, and golf courses, and it has significant ecological, environmental, and economic values. It is also widely used as forage and pasture grass for animals around the world. However, the growth of perennial ryegrass is often affected by various abiotic stresses, which cause declines in turf quality and forage production. Among abiotic stresses, drought, salinity, temperature, and heavy metal are the most detrimental factors for perennial ryegrass growth in different regions, which result in growth inhibition, cell structure damage, and metabolic dysfunction. Many researches have revealed a lot useful information for understanding the mechanism of tolerance to adverse stresses at morphophysiological level. In this chapter, we will give a systematic literature review about morphological and physiological changes of perennial ryegrass in response to main stress factors and provide detail aspects of improving perennial ryegrass resistance based on research progress. Understanding morphophysiological response in perennial ryegrass under stress will contribute to improving further insights on fundamental mechanisms of perennial ryegrass stress tolerance and providing valuable information for breeding resistance cultivars of perennial ryegrass.