Assessing Germplasm Variation and Tolerance Thresholds of Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) to Neutral and Alkaline Salt Stress in Ecological Restoration

Abstract

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), a salt-tolerant species surviving in environments with pH up to 9.3, and it exhibits variable germination responses under salt and alkaline stress. This study evaluates the impact of neutral and alkali salts with varying pH levels on bermudagrass seed germination. Six bermudagrass germplasm accessions were analyzed using neutral (NaCl: Na2SO4 = 1:1, pH 6.12–7.14) and alkali (NaHCO3:Na2CO3 = 1:1, pH 9.62–9.90) salt treatments. Salt concentrations ranged from 0 to 250 mmol/L, with increments of 25 mmol/L. The assessed parameters included seed germination rate, germination potential, germination index, radicle length, plumule length, seedling weight, and radicle and plumule length ratio. The salt tolerance threshold of each germplasm was calculated using a linear regression fitting model. Critical indicators of salt tolerance were selected through stepwise regression, and the salt-alkali tolerance ranking was determined using a combined membership function and discriminant analysis. The results indicated that the total score decreased with increasing salt concentration under neutral salt stress. Alkali salt stress was more damaging to bermudagrass seedlings than neutral salt stress, inhibiting germination at 50 mmol/L. Neutral salt tolerance thresholds ranged from 31.7 to 207.7 mmol/L, while alkaline salt tolerance thresholds ranged from 16.9 to 53.3 mmol/L. The six germplasm accessions exhibited different responses to salt and alkali stress. Key indicators for neutral salt tolerance included plumule length, radicle and plumule length ratio, and seedling weight. For alkali salt tolerance, key indicators were germination potential, radicle length, and seedling weight, which can be used to screen for resistant germplasms. Our study demonstrates that alkaline salts inhibit seed germination and seedling growth more than neutral salts, and pH affects root growth and the radicle-to-plumule length ratio in seedlings. This research has significant ecological implications, providing insights into the adaptation strategies of bermudagrass in salt-affected and alkaline environments, which could aid in the restoration and management of degraded ecosystems.