Salinity Tolerance of Cool-Season Turfgrass Cultivars Under Field Conditions

Abstract

In order to utilize effluent or wastewater as irrigation on turfgrass sites it will require the identification of cool-season turfgrass cultivars with increased salinity tolerance. Evaluation of current cultivars and experimental selections for salinity tolerance is an important first step in making information available to turfgrass managers. An overhead irrigated field screening method was developed to closely mimic the challenges associated with irrigation of turf with saline water under summer stress conditions. A total 48 clones from each turfgrass cultivar were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replications (12 clones per replication) and were irrigated overhead with saltwater (EC =10 dS/m). This technique effectively identified differences in salinity tolerance, of Kentucky bluegrass, bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass cultivars and selections as measured by percent green ratings. The most salt tolerant cultivars included: Liberator, Eagleton, Diva, and Rhythm Kentucky bluegrasses; Declaration, Kingpin, and 007 creeping bentgrasses; and RKS, Gator 3, and MSH Comp perennial ryegrasses. Cultivars and selections exhibiting the least salinity tolerance were: RSP, A03-TB676, A03-84, and Julia Kentucky bluegrasses; EBM Comp and Tiger II colonial bentgrasses; SR7200 velvet bentgrass; and Fiesta III perennial ryegrass.