Abstract: In this report, the expression of AsEXP1 gene was tested under drought stress among turf-grass species. The result showed significant correlation between AsEXP1 gene expression and drought tolerance. It is expressed in drought tolerant plants but silent in drought sensitive plants. Further analysis with turf-grass ‘PennA- 4’, a heat tolerant but drought sensitive grass species, revealed that the induced AsEXP1 by heat was beneficial for plants to tolerate drought stress.