Growth, root system, salt resistance index and leaf pigments of Paspalum vaginatum as affected by saline irrigation water level and amino acids type

Abstract EN

This investigation was carried out at a Privet Farm, El-Ibrahimia District, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt during the two consecutive seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 to study the effect of different saline irrigation water levels (0.0, 10000, 15000 and 20000 ppm NaCl), amino acids type (0.0, proline at 200 ppm, putrescine at 200 ppm and proline + putrescence each one at 200 ppm) and their combinations on plant growth, root system, salt resistance index and leaf pigments content of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum, Swartz) turfgrass.

Plastic pots in 35 cm diameter filled with 5.5 kg of sand and clay mixture (1: 2, V/V) were used in this experiment.

The obtained results showed that plant growth (plant height, covering density percentage and herb fresh and dry weights), root system (root fresh and dry weights and root length), salt resistance index and leaf pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids contents) were descendingly decreased with increasing salinity level of irrigation water comparing with the control in both seasons, but they were progressively increased as the concentration of amino acids (proline and putrescine) was used.

From these results, it can be recommended to irrigate seashore paspalum turfgrass with saline water up to 10000 ppm NaCl and sprayed with proline + putrescine each at 200 ppm to obtain the best growth, colour and higher covering density.