Publication Date
1997
Description
Some physiological aspects relevant to pasture establishment under saline conditions were evaluated in six cultivars of Chloris gayana . Two tetraploid cultivars: Boma and Callide, and four diploid ones: Bell, Katambora, Pioneer and a local accession of Pioneer, were analyzed. The effect of salinity on seedling emergence, the number of stolons per plant and frost tolerance were evaluated in the field, while effects on germination, early vegetative growth, regrowth after clipping, ion accumulation and stolon rooting were assessed in the greenhouse. Salinity had a negative effect on seedling emergence. Saline solutions delayed or altogether inhibited germination, but seeds retained viability in 100 and 200 mM NaCl solutions. Growth of all the cultivars was reduced at high salinities, more markedly in cv. Boma, where stolon production was also affected. This cultivar was the most susceptible to frost and had lower Na and higher K accumulation in leaf tissues.
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Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Early Ontogenetic Responses of Six Commercial Chloris Gayana Cultivars to Salinity
Some physiological aspects relevant to pasture establishment under saline conditions were evaluated in six cultivars of Chloris gayana . Two tetraploid cultivars: Boma and Callide, and four diploid ones: Bell, Katambora, Pioneer and a local accession of Pioneer, were analyzed. The effect of salinity on seedling emergence, the number of stolons per plant and frost tolerance were evaluated in the field, while effects on germination, early vegetative growth, regrowth after clipping, ion accumulation and stolon rooting were assessed in the greenhouse. Salinity had a negative effect on seedling emergence. Saline solutions delayed or altogether inhibited germination, but seeds retained viability in 100 and 200 mM NaCl solutions. Growth of all the cultivars was reduced at high salinities, more markedly in cv. Boma, where stolon production was also affected. This cultivar was the most susceptible to frost and had lower Na and higher K accumulation in leaf tissues.
