Media Selection and Seed Coating Influence Germination of Turfgrasses under Salinity

Abstract

<jats:p>Germination of five turfgrass species [‘Barrister’ kentucky bluegrass (<jats:italic>Poa pratensis</jats:italic> L.), ‘Barvado’ tall fescue (<jats:italic>Festuca arundinacea</jats:italic> Schreb.), ‘Premier II’ perennial ryegrass (<jats:italic>Lolium perenne</jats:italic> L.), ‘Bargusto’ bermudagrass (<jats:italic>Cynodon dactylon</jats:italic> L. Pers.), and ‘Sea Spray’ seashore paspalum (<jats:italic>Paspalum vaginatum</jats:italic> O. Swartz)] from coated (ZEBA<jats:sup>®</jats:sup> cornstarch coating; Absorbent Technologies Inc., Beaverton, OR) and uncoated seeds was evaluated on both filter paper and agar. Final germination percentage (FGP) and germination rate (GR) were determined at salinity levels of 0.6 (tap water, control), 2.2 (saline groundwater from a local shallow aquifer), and 7.0, 12.5, and 22.5 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> [sodium chloride and calcium chloride (1:1, w:w) dissolved in tap water]. Final germination percentage for kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue was greater in agar at all salinity levels but was unaffected by the medium at any of the salinities except for 7 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> for bermudagrass and seashore paspalum. Coated seashore paspalum and coated perennial ryegrass seed exhibited greater germination than uncoated seed at four of the five salinity levels. Seed coating had no effect on FGP of bermudagrass at any salinity level and coated kentucky bluegrass seed showed reduced germination at 0.6 and 7.0 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>. Final germination percentage for seashore paspalum improved from 22% to 54% at 12.5 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> and from 8% to 20% at 22.5 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> when coated seed was used instead of uncoated seed. Germination rates were unaffected by salinity levels ranging from 0.6 to 12.5 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> and were higher on agar (10%/day) than on paper (8%/day). Our study suggests that the choice of medium can influence the outcome of germination tests and that results can also vary depending on the salinity level tested and whether the seed are coated.</jats:p>

Establishing Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass Using Subsurface Irrigation and Saline Water

“…The salinity levels of irrigation water used in this study were similar to those of recycled water commonly found in the Southwest (Huck et al, 2000; Duncan et al, 2009) and had no deleterious effect on the emergence or seedling density of tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass (Table 3). These results support the findings by Serena et al (2012), who documented no change in final germination of tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass when irrigated with saline water (EC of 2.2 dS m −1 ) compared with potable water.…”

“…Contrasting results have been reported for tall fescue. Serena et al (2012) reported final germinations of >75% in tall fescue irrigated with saline water with EC up to 22.5 dS m −1 , while other studies reported reduced germination with increasing salinity (Horst and Beadle, 1984; Zhang et al, 2011). The majority of salinity tolerance studies have been conducted in greenhouses, under controlled‐environment conditions.…”

“…Deleterious effects of salinity on turfgrass germination have been reported by numerous researchers. Decreased germination has been reported for Poa trivialis L. (Camberato and Martin, 2004), Poa pratensis L. (Serena et al, 2012), and Lolium perenne L., Agrostis palustris Huds., fine fescue, and Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl.…”

“…Therefore, the results of field studies might differ from those of greenhouse studies. In a growth chamber study, Serena et al (2012) documented decreasing germination with increasing salinity for seashore paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) and generally lower germination in comparison with bermudagrass at any salinity level. Conversely, Schiavon et al (2012) reported that seashore paspalum and bermudagrass established equally fast when grown under saline field conditions.…”

Bermudagrass and Seashore Paspalum Establishment from Seed Using Differing Irrigation Methods and Water Qualities

“…However, little is known concerning whether saline water can also be used to establish turfgrasses. In fact, several studies demonstrated that salinity can have deleterious effects on germination not only of cool‐season grasses such as rough bluegrass [ Poa trivialis (L.)] (Camberato and Martin, 2004), Kentucky bluegrass ( P. pratensis L.) (Serena et al, 2012), perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.), creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis palustris Huds. ), red fescue ( Festuca rubra trichophylla L.), and alkaligrass ( Puccinellia distans Jacq.)…”