THE POTENTIAL FOR EVOLUTION OF SALINITY TOLERANCE IN AGROSTIS STOLONIFERA L. AND AGROSTIS TENUIS SIBTH

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Abstract
Summary: Two Agrostis stolonifera L. populations, one from a sandy seashore and one from an adjacent area were found to differ in salinity tolerance. Agrostis tenuis Sibth., which grew in adjacent areas where the soil salinity was low, was not found on the shore. The potential for evolution of salinity tolerance in both A. stolonifera and A. tenuis was studied. Substantial variation in salt (NaCl) tolerance was found among natural populations in both species. Specific ion tests suggested that the lack of magnesium tolerance in A. tenuis limits the evolution of seashore ecotypes. The selection of individuals with full salinity tolerance from a non‐tolerant population in one stage of the life cycle demonstrates that the salinity tolerance in A. stolonifera could evolve rapidly.