Seashore paspalum (Paspalum
vaginatum) ecotypes vary greatly in salinity
tolerance as mature stands; however, information on salinity tolerance during
establishment is limited and may differ from mature plants. Five seashore paspalum ecotypes (SeaIsle 1, SeaIsle Supreme, SeaSpray, Adalyad, GA 03.527.8) and TifSport
bermudagrass (Cynodon
dactylon x C. transvaalensis)
were evaluated in a greenhouse study under salinities of 0, 3,000, 6,000,
12,000, and 18,000 ppm sea salt in study 1; and 0,
3,500, 7,000, 10,500, and 14,000 ppm in study 2. Four
stolon sprigs of 10 cm length each were planted in 27 x 13.3 x 11.5 cm deep
containers with drainage. One-half of
each sprig was placed in a 1.9 cm deep slit and covered with soil. The soil was
a sandy loam plus topdressing sand (4:2 by volume). Irrigation was applied at 0.81 cm (300 ml)
water every third day which allowed for some drainage with each irrigation.
Periodically, live shoot counts, percent coverage, clipping weights (5.2 cm
cutting height), and direct soil EC reading were conducted. At the end, soil
samples were obtained to determine saturated paste extract, ECe,
data; and total above-ground, live tissues were collected.