Morphological responses of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) to salt stress and application of zeolite in growth medium

Turfgrass refers to the use of grasses for functional, recreational and ornamental purposes and also, agriculturally and economically important perennial crops. Today, turfgrass have faced many problems due to water scarcity, lower groundwater levels, and water salinity. Therefore, finding ways to reducing the effects of salt stress is inevitable. Zeolites as one of the amendment materials in horticulture for soil mixtures can be used to reduce the adverse effects of salt stress. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of natural zeolite and zeolite charged with K+ on some morphological characteristics of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) under salt stress. The experiment was performed as a completely randomized design in the framework of factorial with two factors salt stress (threes levels: 0, 50 and 100 dSm−1) and zeolite (three levels: 0, natural zeolite and zeolite charged with K+) with 4 replications (pot). Results showed the highest leaf and root fresh and dry weights and root volume also were obtained in control treatment by zeolite charged with K+. The lowest root fresh and dry weights and root volume also were observed in 100 dSm−1 salt stress without using zeolite. Generally, the results showed that zeolite and especially K+-charged type can partly reduce the adverse effects of salinity stress

کلیدواژه ها:

Perennial ryegrass ، Turfgrass ، Zeolite ، Salinity