Responses to water deficit in frage species of Brachiaria (Trin.) Griseb. (Poaceae)

Some Brachiatia species are economically important because they are valuable forages in the Neotropics. In this study the response to soil water stress among five species is compared. When subjected to drought, B. humidicola and B. dictyoneura showed relatively less variation in biomass production, leaf water potential, relative water content and photosynthesis. B. mutica showed a typical evasion response, with a root system that maximized water uptake along the soil profile; this resulted in high values of leaf turgor in the field and, consequently, photosynthetic activity until most of the soil water was depleted. In contrast, B. decumbens and to a minor extent, B. brizantha, had a characteristic soil water extraction pattern which was restricted to the first soil horizons (0-30cm), responding to water deficits with a rapid stomatal closure and less leaf biomass production. These species may be better adapted to short dry periods and/or soils with a high capacity for water retention in the first centimeters of soil. In the case of B. mutica, its evasion strategy will depend on the capacity to extract water from deep in the soil, whereas B. dictyoneura y B. humidicola are proposed to be more successful in savanna habitats with deep soils and longer drought.