South American and African Grass Species Cope Differently With Soil Water Availability

African grasses pose a serious threat to the integrity and conservation of the Cerrado biome (Brazilian savanna). This study evaluated the responses of an invasive (Melinis minutiflora) and a native (Schizachyrium microstachyum) grass species to water availability, simulating natural situations. Individuals of the two species were submitted to different soil moisture levels, simulating from drought to flood, for four weeks in a climate-control chamber. Several morphological and physiological parameters were assessed- shoot height, biomass, number of leaves, tillers, leaf area, leaf gas exchange and chlorophylla fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic pigments and MDA concentration and GST, G-POX, APX and CAT activities. Significant differences were observed between species and among soil moisture levels, being drought more detrimental to both. Although both species were able to cope with water stress conditions and performed best at 80% soil moisture, the invasive species grew more rapidly, showed higher net photosynthetic rates in all circumstances and showed less evidence of stress. Variations in soil moisture levels promoted a stronger response in the native species, reducing biomass accumulation and triggering a stronger biochemical response than in the invasive species.