Agropyron Desertorum Research Articles

Special aspects of ecosystem recreation in the area of dumps of sub-standard zeolite-containing rocks of Holinsky deposit of Eastern Transbaikalia

The research presents the problem of liquidation of dumps of substandard raw materials of zeolite-containing rocks of the Holinsky deposit, measures for the reclamation of disturbed lands. The most effective way to restore ecosystems is renaturation. Time intervals of succession are considered. Renaturation of disturbed lands consists of 6 stages. Possible dominant plants for the proposed options are considered in detail: Stipa lessingiana, Poa platensis, Festuca valesiaca, Poa angustifolia, Elytrigia intermedia, Artemisia vulgaris, Trifolium pratense , Trifolium repens, Agropyron desertorum.

Genetic variability and population structure of Agropyron desertorum accessions from Iran based on inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) assay

Genetic variability and population structure of Agropyron desertorum accessions from Iran based on inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) assay

Is Crested Wheatgrass Invasive in Sagebrush Steppe with Intact Understories in the Great Basin?

Seeding crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum [Fisch.] Schult.) in the sagebrush steppe is a controversial management action. There are concerns that crested wheatgrass may invade new areas and exclude native vegetation because many former crested wheatgrass seedings are near monocultures. However, crested wheatgrass is often seeded to prevent exotic annual grass invasion and stabilize soils after disturbances in areas where native vegetation is unlikely to establish. These areas can be difficult to identify and, consequentially, crested wheatgrass may be seeded in areas it is not needed, such as sagebrush steppe with understories dominated by native perennial grasses and forbs (intact understories). Thus, land managers need to know the potential effects of seeding crested wheatgrass, especially if it can invade and exclude native vegetation in sagebrush steppe with intact understories. We investigated the ability of crested wheatgrass to invade and exclude native vegetation by drill seeding crested wheatgrass into intact sagebrush steppe understories at five sites. To be invasive, crested wheatgrass would need to increase in abundance beyond initial establishment from drill seeding, causing decreases in native vegetation. We measured vegetation cover and density for 7 yr after seeding to evaluate the effects of seeding crested wheatgrass. Crested wheatgrass established with drill seeding but did not increase from its original density. Cover of crested wheatgrass increased with time but was < 2% seven yr after seeding. We found no evidence that seeding crested wheatgrass decreased the cover or abundance of native vegetation. These results suggest that intact sagebrush steppe understories are competitive with crested wheatgrass and, thereby, limit its recruitment and growth. Though crested wheatgrass did not show indications of being invasive in intact sagebrush steppe understories, longer-term evaluations with the inclusion of disturbances that might open safe sites in these communities would be prudent to fully understand its potential effects.

Identification of Fusarium Head Blight Resistance in Triticum timopheevii Accessions and Characterization of Wheat-T. timopheevii Introgression Lines for Enhanced Resistance.

A diverse panel of wheat wild relative species was screened for resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) by spray inoculation. The great majority of species and accessions were susceptible or highly susceptible to FHB. Accessions of Triticum timopheevii (P95-99.1-1), Agropyron desertorum (9439957), and Elymus vaillantianus (531552) were highly resistant to FHB while additional accessions of T. timopheevii were found to be susceptible to FHB. A combination of spray and point inoculation assessments over two consecutive seasons indicated that the resistance in accession P95-99.1-1 was due to enhanced resistance to initial infection of the fungus (type 1 resistance), and not to reduction in spread (type 2 resistance). A panel of wheat-T. timopheevii (accession P95-99.1-1) introgression lines was screened for FHB resistance over two consecutive seasons using spray inoculation. Most introgression lines were similar in susceptibility to FHB as the wheat recipient (Paragon) but substitution of the terminal portion of chromosome 3BS of wheat with a similar-sized portion of 3G of T. timopheevii significantly enhanced FHB resistance in the wheat background.

Methods for using pastures in semi-desert zone of West Kazakhstan

The research allowed one to prove the seasonal organization of pasture economy using the distant pasture. The studies were carried out in 2018-2021 in the semi-desert zone of Western Kazakhstan. The aim of the research is to study and select the best ways to use pastures for organizing measures for their rational management. The soil of the areas of unsystematic and seasonal grazing is light chestnut medium loamy. Driving pastures are located in the sands zone. In the summer period, an increase in the number and occurrence of valuable pasture plants Kochia prostrata, Agropyron desertorum, Festuca valesiaca, Leymus ramosus, Koeleria cristata was noted on seasonal pastures. On the distant site of sandy pastures, 23 plant species of different economic and botanical groups have been determined, and due to the natural conditions of sands in the phytocenosis, the occurrence of valuable plants in the forage ratio is high. By the middle of summer, in the area of seasonal and distant pastures, despite the loss of forbs from the vegetation composition and drying of cereals, the yield of green phytomass was 0.81-1.03 t/ha, which is 0.43-0.65 t/ha. In this work, it was concluded that to improve the efficiency of pasture resource management, it is important to use seasonal pastures with the inclusion of a distant site in pasture rotation, which is the scientific novelty of the research.

Optimization of technogenic landscapes of the Crimea. Report 2. Landfills, embankments and dumps

The problem of waste is one of the most urgent in the world. The Russian Federation and the Republic of the Crimea are no exception. More than 30 billion tons of garbage has been placed on the territory of the Russian Federation, it is expected that almost all Russian landfills will overflow in the next five years. In the Crimea, outside the boundaries of settlements, 293 landfills with a total area of more than 1.054 million square meters remain not liquidated (in comparison with the indicators as of 12.03.2021, the number of non-liquidated landfills outside the boundaries of settlements increased by 4 units, and the area of landfills increased by 889 sq. m.). Optimization of anthropogenic objects is decided by the correct choice of location and operation of the dump, as well as by giving it the appropriate shape and proper landscaping, that is, using what is called the integration of the object into the landscape. Under any circumstances, the formation of a dump should be preceded by the removal of the topsoil, its storage and preservation. The most important form of dump should be considered a terraced table mountain with a steepness of 1:3 and a rounding of the talus base. Dumps above 10 m are terraced with a ledge width of at least 4 m. It is extremely important to ensure control over surface water runoff by laying small canals on the slopes and bordering the perimeter with a plantation strip at least 5 m wide. Phyto-reclamation measures on a poor substrate should be carried out using green manure, combining legumes and cereals (legumes: meadow clover, white clover, yellow alfalfa, horned clover, Hungarian sainfoin, etc.; cereals: orchard grass, desert wheatgrass, awnless brome grass, meadow fescue, pasture ryegrass, etc.). Young plants of avant-garde trees and shrubs are planted according to a layout pattern of 2.5 x 2.5 to 0.75 x 0.75 m. The more difficult the natural conditions, the denser the planting should be. Any types of trees and shrubs that grow rapidly in these conditions are used as vanguard. The main types of trees are initially planted in an amount of 4,000 to 6,000 pieces. This means that the distance between the rows is 1.5-2 m, and the distance between plants in a row is from 1 to 1.5 m. The avant-garde species of trees and shrubs are placed evenly in groups or rows. The main types of trees and shrubs are placed in groups of at least 10 seedlings of the same species.

The current state of pastures in Western Kazakhstan, depending on the method of their use

The process of pasture resources management in Western Kazakhstan is complicated by the deterioration of vegetation cover with the manifestation of degradation and desertification processes as a result of unsystematic grazing. The aim of the research is to study distant pasture grazing on the productivity of pastures for their rational use. Field experiments were carried out in 2018–2021 on the pastures of the semi-desert zone of the Western Kazakhstan region on the territories of the “Miras” peasant farm in the Bokeyurdinsky district. As experimental plots, 4 pastures were selected, used in different ways: unsystematic, seasonal and distant pastures. 3 pasture areas are located on the relief part of the semi-desert zone, and the distant-pasture area is located in the sandy part of Ryn-Peski. To study the influence of the methods of use on the productivity of pastures on the polygon areas, regular observations of the quantitative and qualitative parameters (projective cover, height, species composition, yield) of phytocenoses were carried out. The research allowed to prove the seasonal organization of pasture economy using the distant pasture. In the summer period, an increase in the number and occurrence of valuable pasture plants Kochia prostrata, Agropyron desertorum, Festuca valesiaca, Leymus ramosus, Koeleria cristata was noted on seasonal pastures. On the distant site of sandy pastures, 23 plant species of different economic and botanical groups have been determined, and due to the natural conditions of sands in the phytocenosis, the occurrence of valuable plants in the forage ratio was high. By the middle of summer, in the area of seasonal and distant pastures, despite the loss of forbs from the vegetation composition and drying of cereals, the yield of green phytomass was 8.09–10.25 c/ha, which is higher than in the area of unsystematic grazing by 4.28–6.44 c/ha. In this work, it was concluded that to improve the efficiency of pasture resource management, it is important to use seasonal pastures with the inclusion of a distant site in pasture rotation, which is the scientific novelty of the research.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ЗАПОВЕДНОСТИ И ВЫПАСА НА СТРУКТУРУ ЦЕНОПОПУЛЯЦИЙ В СООБЩЕСТВЕ FESTUCA VALESIACA GAUDIN

Population analysis of plant communities makes it possible to predict the development and transformation of natural cenoses under anthropogenic effect, to solve problems aimed at optimizing the biogeocenotic cover. The Festuca valesiaca Gaudin community was studied in the southern arid zone of Russia. The experiment was carried out in the Baskunchak-Kharabalin plain in the specially protected area of the Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky Nature Reserve, where the grazing regime is moderate. In the first case, cenopopulations of the normal type predominate, which is an indicator of their stability and the stability of the community as a whole. Grazing intensifies the processes of vegetative reproduction and seed invasion from other cenoses. This increases the number of individuals and species diversity. Under grazing conditions, the number of non-stable – invasive and invasively regressive cenopopulations increases. The Bassia prostrata (L.) Beck (Chenopodiaceae), Astragalus dolichophyllus Pall. (Fabaceae), Agropyron desertorum (Fisch ex Link) Schult. (Poaceae), Agropyron fragile (Roth) P. Candargy (Poaceae) cenopopulations fall first out of the community composition. The dominant Festuca valesiaca centropopulation plays a significant phytocoenotic role in steppe and semi-desert biocenoses and shows a high degree of stability without changing its parameters in the grazed area. It is concluded that moderate grazing, while increasing the species diversity of the community and the number of individuals, causes destabilisation and regression of a number of non-dominant cenopopopulations.

Effects of soil properties on vegetation community composition across a semiarid ecosystem

Identifying environmental factors that influence the vegetation community formation of various habitats in semiarid regions is imperative for managing these fragile ecosystems. The objective of this study was to quantify the relationships between selected environmental factors and vegetation community composition (VCC) in meadow and sand dune habitats using a structural equation model (SEM). Ecological data from 48 sample sites in semiarid sandy land were analyzed. The selected latent environmental variables included soil water (SW), topsoil salinity and sodicity, topsoil nutrients, topsoil texture (TT) and topography feature (TF). SW was the most influential factor for the Phragmites communis, Agriophyllum squarrosum, and Caragana microphylla communities composition. TT was the most influential factor for the Artemisia halodendron and Artemisia frigida - Agropyron desertorum communities composition. TF was the most influential factor for the Carex duriuscula and Phragmites communis - Bolboschoenus yagara communities composition. Considering the direct and indirect impact relationship, for the meadow habitat, TF was the primary factor causing the community distribution. For the sand dune habitat, TT was the primary factor causing the community distribution. As expected, the quantitative relationships between VCC and influencing factors differ depending on the ecological scales of interest.

The complete chloroplast genome of Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schult

Agropyron desertorum is one of the most important fodder grasses which distributes in the temperate regions of the world. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of A. desertorum was sequenced. The genome was 135,459 bp in length, with a large single-copy region of 79,617 bp, a small single-copy region of 12,760 bp, and two inverted repeat regions of 21,541 bp. The genome consisted of 132 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The GC contents was 38.32%. We constructed the Maximum likelihood (ML) tree with 13 species from the Hordeinae genus, and concluded that A. desertorum was closely related to plant species of the Elymus genus in the phylogenetic tree.

Assessing climate change risks to the geographical distribution of grass species

ABSTRACT There is extensive evidence showing the impact of climate change on the biology and biogeography of species. Adopting drought-tolerant plants to conserve water is a potential adaptation to reduce the consequences of climate change. Accordingly, it was hypothesized that climate change would not affect potential distributions of drought-tolerant species. Here, this hypothesis was tested to model the potential distribution of three drought-resistant plant. Here, the potential distribution of Agropyron cristatum, Agropyron desertorum, and Festuca arundinacea was studied in Iran under current and future climate conditions, using 10 species distribution models. Sixty-two climate change scenarios (19 global climate models (GCMs) under four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)) were used to model the potential distribution of the three plants in Iran in the future. The three species have different responses to predicted climate change due to species-environment interactions, species morphological and physiological advancement. The three species showed different responses to predicted climate change due to species-environment interactions. Festuca arundinacea and Agropyron cristatum will, respectively, experience the most and least severe decline in suitable habitats in the next 50 years. This result is because decreased annual precipitation caused an increase in habitat suitability for A. cristatum, while the same variable had the opposite effect for A. desertorum and F. arundinacea. On the other hand, F. arundinacea grows on moist soils that decreased annual precipitation caused a decrease in habitat suitability. Also, our results have clearly shown that plant species drought-stress tolerant are not immune to climate change and their current distributions undergo significant changes as a result of the changing of climate.

Creation of new varieties of comb-shaped wheat grass (Agropyron pectinatum (Bieb.) Beauv.) as a factor of increasing the efficiency of grass growing in arid conditions

Perennial grasses play the most important role in solving the problem of production of energy-saturated high-protein bulky feed and biologization of agriculture. Perennial grasses are the most affordable and stable source of cheap plant food and a means of preserving soil fertility with intensive farming, which has an anthropogenic negative impact on agroecosystems. Perennial grasses play a special role as a biological means of countering the degradation of biological, water-physical and agrochemical properties of soils, their dehumidification and erosion processes. In arid climates, the most effective species of perennial bluegrass is the comb-shaped Wheatgrass (Agropyron peintforme Roem et Schult.). Compared to two other species used in agricultural practice – Siberian (sand) granary (Agropyron fragile (Roth) P. Candargy) and desert (narrow-leaved) (Agropyron desertorum (Ksch. ex Link.) Schult), the comb-shaped wheat grass is characterized by a wider range of growth, high productivity and environmental plasticity. In the State register of breeding achievements approved for use in Russia as of 2020, only 10 varieties of comb-shaped wheat grass are registered, which limits the effective use of this crop and makes it necessary to intensify breeding work in order to create new varieties with improved economic and useful characteristics. At the Voronezh experimental station, active breeding work is being carried out on perennial grasses to develop new varieties of comb-shaped wheat grass. Currently set up and ready to transfer to a new variety of Pridonskoy, characterized by drought tolerance, high forage and seed productivity and longevity. Thus, when the washed-out slopes were grazed, the abundant participation of the granary in the grass mixture was noted in the third year. From the fifth year, the granary dominated the herbage, and in the 10th-12th year of use, the cenoses were represented only by the granary.

К синтаксономии растительности опустыненных степей Богдинско-Баскунчакского заповедника (класс Artemisietea lerchianae V. Golub 1994)

К синтаксономии растительности опустыненных степей Богдинско-Баскунчакского заповедника (класс Artemisietea lerchianae V. Golub 1994)

Effect of four pre-planted cover crop species on weed control and population dynamics

The present research was conducted to assess the competition of four cover crop species including the Festuca ovina L., Festuca rubra L., Agropyron desertorum (Fischer ex Link) Shultes, and Bromus tomentellus Boiss with the weeds as well as enhancement of their establishment. B. tomentellus with 7.7 and 8.73 t h–1 had the highest dry weight production in 2016 and 2017, respectively. In 2016, the highest reduction in the dry weight of the weeds (73%) was observed for the F. ovina, at the rate of 600 g active ingredient per ha–1 of herbicide. In 2017, the highest reduction in the dry weight of the weeds (90%) was recorded at the rate of 600 g active ingredient per ha–1 of herbicide for the. Dry weight of the dominant weeds decreased by 70% approximately with the and at the rate of 600 g active ingredient per ha–1 of herbicide. Shannon Wiener index decreased in all the treatments following the increase in the herbicide concentrations in 2016 and 2017. The interaction of cover crop species and herbicide on the Margalef index was significant in all the treatments in 2016 except for A. desertorum, as well as A. desertorum and in 2017. Margalef index reduced following the increase in the herbicide concentration in all the treatments.&#x0D; &#x0D; Highlights - Bromus tomentellus Bioss and Festuca ovina L had the highest biomass production. - Bromus tomentellus (90%) and Festuca ovina (73%) treatments had the highest decrease in total weed dry weight compared to control. - The highest reduction in dry weight of total dominant weeds was influenced by B. tomentellus and Festuca ovina 73% and 83% at the rate of 600 g a.i. ha–1 of Bromocide M.A. EC respectively. - Margalof index reduced following the increase in herbicide concentration in all treatments. - Bromus tomentellus, Festuca ovina has the potential for reducing weeds in orchards and croplands.

Restoration of Sagebrush in Crested Wheatgrass Communities: Longer-Term Evaluation in Northern Great Basin

Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum [L] Gaertm. and Agropyron desertorum [Fisch.] Schult.), an introduced bunchgrass, has been seeded on millions of hectares of sagebrush steppe. It can establish near-monocultures; therefore, reestablishing native vegetation in these communities is often a restoration goal. Efforts to restore native vegetation assemblages by controlling crested wheatgrass and seeding diverse species mixes have largely failed. Restoring sagebrush, largely through planting seedlings, has shown promise in short-term studies but has not been evaluated over longer timeframes. We investigated the reestablishment of Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp. wyomingensis [Beetle & A. Young] S.L. Welsh) in crested wheatgrass communities, where it had been broadcast seeded (seeded) or planted as seedlings (planted) across varying levels of crested wheatgrass control with a herbicide (glyphosate) for up to 9 yr post seeding/planting. Planting sagebrush seedlings in crested wheatgrass stands resulted in full recovery of sagebrush density and increasing sagebrush cover over time. Broadcast seeding failed to establish any sagebrush, except at the highest levels of crested wheatgrass control. Reducing crested wheatgrass did not influence density, cover, or size of sagebrush in the planted treatment, and therefore, crested wheatgrass control is probably unnecessary when using sagebrush seedlings. Herbaceous cover and density were generally less in the planted treatment, probably as a result of increased competition from sagebrush. This trade-off between sagebrush and herbaceous vegetation should be considered when developing plans for restoring sagebrush steppe. Our results suggest that planting sagebrush seedlings can increase the compositional and structural diversity in near-monocultures of crested wheatgrass and thereby improve habitat for sagebrush-associated wildlife. Planting native shrub seedlings may be a method to increase diversity in other monotypic stands of introduced grasses.

Comparison of some physiological aspects of drought stress resistance in two ground cover genus

ABSTRACTOwing to high water requirements of turfgrass, it is essential to find suitable turfgrasses for cultivation in arid and semi-arid conditions. For this purpose, physiological responses of Agropyron desertorum and Poa pratensis cv. “Barimpala” that were subjected to outdoor with holding irrigation were evaluated. Seeds of these two genuses were cultured in polyvinyl chloride tubes and were irrigated daily until drainage occurred. After establishment, irrigation was stopped until leaf wilting occurred. P. pratensis and A. desertorum were wilted during 15 and 20 days after drought treatment, respectively. Turf quality and relative water content were decreased due to drought stress, butthe extent of decrease in A. desertorum was less than that it was in P. pratensis. Five days after stress, malondialdehyde levels increased in P. pratensis more quickly than A. desertorum, while electrolyte leakage rose immediately after with holding irrigation in these genuses. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the two stressed plants increased and then decreased with stress development. In these conditions activities of AT, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase had a similar pattern in P. pratensis, while A. desertorum showed continuous increase in these enzyme activities.

Grasses seed storage under genbank conditions

The seed viability of 86 acessions of fodder grasses: awnless brome (Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), Timothy grass (Phleum pretense L.), crested wheat grass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.), clustered wheat grass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schult. et Scult.f.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), perennial ryegrass (L. perenne L.), red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), gigantea fescue (Festuca gigantea (L.) Vill.), blue fescue (Festuca inarmata Schur. (Festuca amethystina (Hack. ex Boiss.) St.-Yves)), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), tall oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) P. Beauv. ex J. S. et K. B. Presl.), slender wheat grass (Roеgneria trachycaulon (Link) Nevski), creeping bent grass (Agrostis alba L.), redtop (Agrostis gigantea Roth.), which were stored under controlled temperature and moisture content 3 – 6 % was investigated. It has been determined that the seeds of these species have different longevity at different storage temperatures under the genebank conditions. Phleum pretense, Phleum pretense, Agropyron cristatum, Lolium multiflorum Festuca rubra seed viability was without changing after storage at temperature 4oC for 10 years and longer. The best seed longevity of grasses were achieved when the seeds are kept at –20oC. Accessions features of different grasses species seed storage are discussed.

Ecological intercomponent relationships in the natural solonetzic soil complex of the Northern Sarpinskaya Plain (Kalmykia Republic)

Thorough soil–geobotanical studies have been performed on a key plot located in the deserted steppe subzone of the light-chestnut–soil zone within the physicogeographical region of the Northern Sarpinskaya Lowland, Kalmykia, along a 64-m-long profile with coupled analysis of microrelief, vegetation, soils, and remote data (detailed Quickbird image). Geobotanical plots, soil trenches, and holes 1–2 m deep have been established along the profile at 1-m intervals. Analysis of the data has showed a close correlation of soils with plants communities (r = 0.72) and loose correlations of these parameters with microrelief (r = 0.42 and r = 0.36, respectively). Some species―Falcaria vulgaris, Limonium caspium, Agropyron desertorum, Stipa lessingiana, Artemisia lerchiana, Festuca valesiaca, and Tanacetum achilleifolium―are never seen on crust solonetzes; the first four species are also never found on shallow solonetzes, and the first two species are never encountered on solonetzic soils. Other species―Kochia prostrata, Artemisia pauciflora, Anabasis aphylla, and Bassia sedoides―are mainly confined to shallow and crust solonetzes and are rarely found on other soil types. The mowing data are well correlated with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (r = 0.77). The status of vegetation reflected by the NDVI value on the image is clearly determined by edaphic conditions, primarily the soil variety.

Evaluation of the restoration dynamics of the Artemisia terrae-albae communities in the northern part of the Aral Sea region

This article discusses the reclamation dynamics of vegetation cover and soils after the radical phytomelioration of Artemisia terrae-albae pastures communities on brown desert solonetzic soils of the northern part of Aral Sea region. The experiment was laid in the late 1970s. Agropyron desertorum was used to create the sowing pasture. Plowing led to the destruction of natural plant communities and soils. The low germination of Agropyron seeds promoted the spread of weedy annuals, which slow the demutation of natural vegetation for 10 years. At present, the development of the vegetation cover of the laylands has reached the late-succession stage, for which the spatial and synusial structure of zonal plant communities is typical. The soils are at the stage of reclamation of morphogenetic features and properties according to the type of desert soil formation.

Screening and Selection of Twenty Iranian Wheatgrass Genotypes for Tolerance to Salinity Stress during Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Stage

Desert wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum L.), tall wheatgrass (Agropyron elongatum L.), and crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.) are native cool-season grass species that exhibit potential as a low-input turfgrass. An increased understanding of the biochemical and physiological responses of wheatgrass species and genotypes to salt stress conditions is important for developing genotypes with enhanced tolerance to salinity. The objective of this study was to characterize the physiological and antioxidative properties in 20 Iranian wheatgrass genotypes and to observe their responses to salinity stress during seed germination and seedling growth stage. A completely randomized factorial design was used with two types of factors, four levels of salinity (0, 50, 100, and 150 mm of NaCl), wheatgrass genotypes, and three replicates. In this experiment, the results demonstrated that salinity limits the germination of Iranian wheatgrass genotype seeds. The result of this study showed that among the wheatgrass genotypes, ‘AD1’, ‘AD3,’ ‘AC6’, and ‘FA’ took the shortest average time to germinate. Higher levels of final germination percentage (FGP) were observed in ‘AD2’, ‘AD3’, and ‘AE5’ under salinity stress than other genotypes throughout the experiment. During a prolonged period of study, ‘AD1’ had greater rate of germination (GR) than other genotypes. Out of the 21 genotypes, five genotypes (‘AD1’, ‘AD2’, ‘AD3’, ‘AE5’, and ‘FA’ genotypes) were in the range of “salinity tolerant genotypes” cluster. The ‘AD1’, ‘AD2’, ‘AD3’, ‘AE5’, and ‘FA’ genotypes generally performed better than other genotypes under salinity conditions, mainly through maintaining higher enzymatic activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) (EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT) (EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (EC 1.11.1.11) and peroxidase (POD) (EC 1.111.1.7), and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities by glutathione (GSH). The ‘AD1’, ‘AD2’, ‘AD3’, ‘AE5’, and ‘FA’ genotypes also had higher proline levels and more of total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) content, lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and lower hydrogen peroxide content (H2O2).