SALINITY TOLERANCE OF 7 VARIETIES OF CREEPING BENTGRASS AGROSTIS PALUSTRIS HUDS

Significant differences were observed for salinity tolerance among creeping bentgrass varieties grown in solution cultures. Top growth of all varieties decreased with increased salinity. In terms of relative yields of clippings, "Arlington," ''Seaside,'' ''Pennlu,'' and ''Old Orchard'' were most tolerant; ''Congressional'' and ''Cohansey'' were intermediate; and ''Penncross'' was least tolerant. ''Seaside'' had the highest survival rating under extreme saline conditions and the best recovery when removed from the salt treatments. ''Congressional'' had the lowest survival rating at the high salt levels. There was evidence of variation for salt tolerance among individual plants within the ''Seaside'' variety.