Aridity-driven changes in structural and physiological characteristics of Buffel grass ( Cenchrus ciliaris L.) from different ecozones of Punjab Pakistan

Cenchrus ciliaris L. is a perennial grass that can grow in a diverse range of habitats including challenging deserts. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of aridity on morpho-anatomical and physiological traits in C . ciliaris populations collected from arid and semi-arid areas of Punjab, Pakistan. The populations growing in extremely arid conditions displayed a range of structural and physiological adaptations. Under extremely dry conditions, root epidermal thickness (90.29 µm), cortical cell area (7677.78 µm 2 ), and metaxylem cell area (11,884.79 µm 2 ) increased while root pith cell area (2681.96 µm 2 ) decreased in tolerant populations. The populations under extremely aridity maximized leaf lamina (184.21 µm) and midrib thickness (316.46 µm). Additionally, highly tolerant populations were characterized by the accumulation of organic osmolytes such as glycinebetaine (132.60 µmol g −1 FW) was increased in QN poulations, proline (118.01 µmol g −1 F.W) was maximum in DF populations, and total amino acids (69.90 mg g −1 FW) under extreme water deficit conditions. In arid conditions, abaxial stomatal density (2630.21 µm) and stomatal area (8 per mm 2 ) were also reduced in DF populations to check water loss through transpiration. These findings suggest that various parameters are crucial for the survival of C. ciliaris in arid environments. The main strategies used by C. ciliaris was intensive sclerification, effective retention of ions, and osmotic adjustment through proline and glycinebetaine under arid conditions.