Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Kentucky Bluegrass by Plant Growth Regulators and Iron

Abstract

In many areas, nonpotable water is relegated for turfgrass irrigation. This research is conducted to determine if exogenous applications of selected substances to turfgrass could reduce the effects of saline irrigation. Field and greenhouse experiments investigated the effect of seaweed extracts, triazole fungicides, and Fe on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. cv. Plush) grown under various levels of salinity. In Exp. 1, Kentucky bluegrass was treated with a proprietary seaweed extract (SE) at 38 L ha−1, propiconazole [1‐{2‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐4‐propyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐2yl}methyl ‐1‐H‐1,2,4‐triazole] (PPC) at 1.8 L active ingredient (a.i.) ha−1, and chelated Fe (Na‐diethylene‐triamine‐pentaacetate‐chelated Fe) at 4.7 kg a.i. ha−1. In Exp. 2, treatments included SE at 56 L ha−1, and chelated Fe at 2.2 kg a.i. ha−1. Two weeks after treatment in both experiments, plugs taken from field plots were transplanted into 4‐L metal containers. The transplanted plugs were watered with 0, 0.15, or 0.3 S m−1 NaCl solutions for 7 wk. As salinity increased, leaf water stress increased, and clipping dry weight and rooting decreased. All treatments, except Fe, enhanced growth under 0.15 S m−1 salinity water. Under the higher salinity, PPC enhanced foliage weight, and all treatments, except Fe, stimulated rooting. Propiconazole‐treated plants had the strongest root system under the higher salinity. In Exp. 2, CPC was the most active chemical in enhancing rooting. Result indicate that selected materials have potential use for Kentucky bluegrass production in saline environments.

Agricultural uses of plant biostimulants

“…Resistance to abiotic stress Seaweed extracts have been shown to alleviate a variety of abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, and temperature extremes (Nabati et al 1994;Zhang and Ervin 2004;Mancuso et al 2006;Khan et al 2009;Craigie 2011). Our current understanding of how plants respond to environmental stresses has been informed by recent advances in genomics and transcriptomics.…”

The role of biostimulants and bioeffectors as alleviators of abiotic stress in crop plants

“…Algal extracts have also been used on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. cv. Plush) to alleviate salinity stress from saline watering in turfgrass experiments [57]. Similarly SWE-based cytokinins have been used on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) to improve tolerance to heat stress [58].…”

Impact of Seaweed Extract‐Based Cytokinins and Zeatin Riboside on Creeping Bentgrass Heat Tolerance

“…Foliar application of SWE has been shown to increase leaf cytokinin content and antioxidant activity, while reducing lipid peroxidation and delaying senescence of creeping bentgrass under drought stress (Zhang and Schmidt, 1999, 2000; Zhang and Ervin, 2004). Seaweed extract treatments have also been reported to increase turfgrass tolerance to salinity (Nabati et al, 1994) and ultraviolet B irradiation stress (Ervin et al, 2004). Zhang et al (2003a) noted that applying SWE plus humic acid to Kentucky bluegrass 1 wk before sod harvest increased canopy photochemical efficiency (PEc) and recovery from postharvest heat injury.…”