Salinity tolerance turfgrass: history and prospects

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Horticulture

Background:

• Growing global populations strain land and water resources, with salinity posing a major abiotic stress to agriculture.
• Poor quality water, including seawater, is increasingly considered for irrigation due to resource scarcity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To raise awareness of salt-tolerant turfgrasses and their diverse applications.
• To explore the potential of these grasses for use in developing countries.
• To highlight the importance of understanding salinity effects for sustainable turf irrigation.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on turfgrass salinity tolerance.
• Analysis of potential uses of salt-tolerant turfgrasses.
• Assessment of suitability for various salinity levels and environmental conditions.

Main Results:

• Several turfgrass species demonstrate tolerance to varying salinity levels.
• Salt-tolerant turfgrasses can be cultivated on marginal lands using saline water.
• These grasses offer multiple benefits, including food, fodder, fuel, and pharmaceutical products.

Conclusions:

• Salt-tolerant turfgrasses are a viable option for sustainable agriculture and landscape reintegration, particularly in coastal and arid regions.
• Future turf irrigation may increasingly depend on moderate-to-high salinity water, necessitating the use of adapted grasses.
• Further research into salinity effects on turfgrasses is crucial for optimizing their use and ensuring system sustainability.