Tall fescue tiller survival over summer in a subtropical environment:The role of the size and depth of root systems.

ABSTRACT.- Pasture persistence is a key determinant of the economic and environmental performance of pastoral animal production systems. Large and deep root systems that help resist summer water stress have been proposed as a relevant trait for vegetative persistence of perennial temperate forage species growing in subtropical climates or under future climatically challenging scenarios. In a previous study [Jauregui et al., 2017. Persistence of tall fescue in a subtropical environment:Tiller survival over summer in response to flowering control and nitrogen supply.