Salt Tolerence of Turf Grass Puccinellia distans: I. Growth Response and Ion Accumulation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to see the salt tolerance of turfgrass Puccinellia distans in term of ion accumulation and ionic interactions under salt stress condition. Plants were grown hidroponically in culture solution with addition of NaCl(0,25,50, 100 and 200 mM). High concentrations of NaCl brought about growth reduction; the decrease of shoot dry matters was in the range of 30-84% and 30- 70% for root dry matters. Althought the yield of plants decreased so much in the presence of 200 mM NaCl, but plants were able to remain alive without showing any visible symptoms of injury. Much more Na was accumulated in the roots than in the shoots. Exposing plants to salinity results in the decrease of K, Ca and Mg contents.