Use of Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy for Elucidating Salinity Tolerance Mechanisms in Warm-Season Turfgrass Species.

Response to salinity stress varies among warm season turfgrass species.  Limited published data are available regarding mechansisms of salinity tolerance in these grasses.  Previous greenhouse screenings were conducted to identify highly salt tolerant genotypes among five warm-season turf species, namely Seashore paspalum, bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Japanese lawngrass, and Manillagrass.  Highly tolerant genotypes and cultivars were examined under two levels of salinity (0 and 30 dS/m) using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy to characterize mechanisms of salinity tolerance.  Results indicate that while some species utilize salt gland excretion mechanisms, others exhibit root exclusion, characterized by high levels of Na and Cl detection in roots.