Growth Responses of Saltgrass under Salinity Stress.

Various saltgrass [Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene var. stricta (Gray) Beetle] clones were studied in a greenhouse to evaluate their growth responses in terms of shoot and root lengths and dry matter (DM) weights under salt stress condition. Grasses were grown hydroponically using Hoagland solution No. 1. Treatments included control and grasses grown with NaCl at EC of 20 dSm^-1. Twelve different saltgrass clones were grown with 4 replications. Grasses were grown in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Shoots (clippings) were harvested weekly, oven-dried at 60º C and DM weights were recorded. At the last harvest, roots were also harvested, oven-dried at 60º C and DM weights were determined and recorded. The results show increased shoot length in control plants, increased root length in most of the grasses grown in saline conditions, greater shoot dry weight in control plants and greater root dry weight in saline plants. This indicates high salt tolerance of saltgrass because the results pertaining to root growth were all increased under the saline conditions, indicating the plant’s ability to produce sufficient root growth under saline conditions in order to support adequate shoot growth. The amount of DM produced is the most significant result as it is a direct representation of saltgrass’ ability to grow under saline conditions. As shoot and root lengths were recorded based on the longest shoot or root present, they are not an accurate representation of how tolerant each of the clones is. Based on the results of this experiment, each of the saltgrass tested clone showed a high salt tolerance. All results for shoots are based on a weekly average for 6 weeks and for roots are based on an average of the 4 replicated clones at the end of the study.