SALT TOLERANCE OF RUSSIAN WILD RYEGRASS IN RELATION TO TALL WHEATGRASS AND SLENDER WHEATGRASS

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Abstract
Salt tolerance of Russian wild ryegrass was compared with that of tall wheatgrass and slender wheatgrass in controlled germination experiments and in a field trial. There appeared to be specific salt toxicity when Russian wild ryegrass was germinated in saline saturation soil extracts and sodium sulphate solutions. However, the absolute germination of this species was intermediate between that of tall wheatgrass and slender wheatgrass in the osmotic range up to 12.15 atmospheres. In the field it was found that Russian wild ryegrass would establish, persist, and produce well in soil concentrations giving osmotic pressures up to 4.5 atmospheres (12 mmhos/cm. conductivity). Although the salt tolerance of Russian wild ryegrass was not as great as that of tall wheatgrass, it was quite comparable to that of Primar slender wheatgrass and above previously recognized levels.