Interactive effects of waterlogging and salinity on perennial ryegrass and alkaligrass

Abstract

A lot of salt-affected soils in the world are also affected by compaction and waterlogging due to shallow water tables or decreased infiltration of water due to sodicity. Waterlogging and compaction cause reduced oxygen exchange (hypoxia). Research on the combined impacts of salinity and hypoxia on turfgrass growth is limited. The interactive effects of salinity and oxygen availability on nine perennial ryegrass entries (Lolium perenne L.) and one alkaligrass [Puccinellia tenuiflora (Jacq.) Parl.] cultivar were studied. In a controlled greenhouse, grasses were subjected to 4 treatments: control, salinity, hypoxia, and salinity + hypoxia for 12 weeks. All entries exhibited decreased clipping yield in both salinity and hypoxia + salinity treatments except ‘Fults’ alkaligrass.With or without hypoxia treatment, ‘Fults’ alkaligrass was themost salt tolerant grass among all entries. In general, all perennial ryegrass entries had better turf quality in control and hypoxia treatments than in salinity and salinity with hypoxia treatments. All perennial ryegrass entries were more severely affected (quality and yields) under combined hypoxia and salinity treatment compared to salinity or hypoxia only. Plant Na+ and Cl− concentrations increased under salinity and salinity + waterlogging treatments. The experimental entries (‘10.0824’ and ‘10.0825’) were able to maintain better turf quality than other perennial ryegrass cultivars under salinity and the combination of hypoxia + salinity treatments.