Effects of NaCl stress on proline and cation accumulation in salt sensitive and tolerant turfgrasses

Summary Concentrations of proline, sodium and potassium in shoot tissues of five turfgrass species were measured following exposure to 170 mM NaCl salinity stress. Salt tolerant ‘Fults’ alkaligrass and ‘Dawson’ red fescue restricted the accumulation of Na-ions to significatnly low levels compared to the salt sensitive Kentucky bluegrasses (‘Adelphi’ and ‘Ram I’) and ‘Jamestown’ red fescue. Accumulation of proline began in all species within 24 h of initiation of salt stress but at a more rapid rate and higher overall concentration for ‘Fults’ alkaligrass. Proline levels were variable and too low in relation to sodium accumulations to have any significant osmoregulatory role in salt tolerance among all cultivars tested with the possible exception of alkaligrass.