Colonial bentgrass transcript-expression differences compared with creeping bentgrass in response to water-deficit stress

To better understand gene regulation under water-deficit conditions of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris) a greenhouse dry-down study was conducted using two creeping bentgrass clones with differing water use profiles and one colonial bentgrass clone. The genotypes were exposed to water-deficit stress and well-watered control genotypes were included. Control plants were watered at 80% ET and deficit irrigation plants were watered at 50% ET. At the conclusion of the experiment, RNA-seq analysis was conducted to identify differentially-expressed transcripts in response to water-deficit stress in both species. Among the colonial bentgrass upregulated transcripts were eight transcription factors previously shown to be involved in deficit water stress response and several transposon-related transcripts. This study characterized several transcripts with unique expression changes in colonial bentgrass compared with creeping bentgrass.