Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon dactylon Genotypes

Recep Akis; Bilal Keskin

doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1819899

Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon dactylon Genotypes

Abstract

In this study, the effects of salinity (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mM NaCl) and drought stress on the germination and seedling development of five Cynodon dactylon genotypes (A, B, C, D, and Gobi), collected from different regions of Iğdır Province, Türkiye, were investigated. Analysis of variance showed that both stresses significantly affected the germination percentage, seedling growth, and physiological parameters. Increasing NaCl concentrations drastically reduced normal germination and biomass accumulation, completely inhibiting germination at 400-500 mM levels. Similarly, severe drought stress (75–95% water deficit) substantially decreased plant height, branch number, and biomass, whereas moderate stress (50%) resulted in limited reductions, indicating partial tolerance. Among the genotypes, Gobi showed the highest tolerance to both Stressors, providing greater germination, chlorophyll content, and biomass under adverse conditions. Genotype D also exhibited remarkable drought tolerance, attributed to its robust root system development. In contrast, Genotype A showed the lowest tolerance, with minimal germination and growth under stress conditions. These findings reveal significant genotype-by-environment interactions and confirm Gobi's superior adaptive capacity to salinity and drought stress, suggesting its potential use in breeding programs and for the restoration of marginal lands.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Iğdır Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinasyon Birimi

Project Number

ZİF0324D01

Ethical Statement

This study does not require ethical approval as it does not include human or animal sub.

Thanks

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to Prof. Dr. Murat Ünal from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Education, Department of Secondary Science and Mathematics Education, Division of Biology Education, for his valuable assistance in the identification of C. dactylon.

References

Ackerson, R. C., & Youngner, V. B. (1975). Responses of Bermudagrass to Salinity. Agronomy Journal, 67(5), 678–681. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1975.00021962006700050024x
Adolf, V. I., Shabala, S., Andersen, M. N., Razzaghi, F., & Jacobsen, S. E. (2012). Varietal differences of quinoa’s tolerance to saline conditions. Plant and Soil, 357(1–2), 117–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1133-7
Al-Humaid, A. I. (2002). Effects of osmotic priming on seed germination and seedling growth of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) under saline conditions. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 53(2), 265–274.
Al-Snafi, A. E. (2016). Chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Cynodon dactylon-A review. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy, 6(7), 17–31.
Aydınlı, M., Yıldırım, F., Kaçal, E., Altındal, M., & Yıldız, H. (2024). Morphological and Physiological Changes under NaCl Stress in Some Pyrus and Quince Rootstocks. Yuzuncu Yil University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 34(2), 299-313. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1414651
Avcıoğlu, R., & Geren, H. (2012). Investigations on the performances of some warm season turf grasses under mediterranean climate. Anadolu Journal of the Aegean Agricultural Research Institute, 22(1), 1–17.
Beard, J. B. (1973). Turfgrass: science and culture. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Beard, J. B. (1989). Turfgrass water stress: Drought resistance components, physiological mechanisms, and species-genotype diversity. Proceedings of the 6th International Turfgrass Research Conference, 1989.

Beard, J. B., Green, R. L., & Sifers, S. I. (1992). Evapotranspiration and Leaf Extension Rates of 24 Well-watered, Turf-type Cynodon Genotypes. HortScience, 27(9), 986–988. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.27.9.986
Bijanzadeh, E., Naderi, R., & Emam, Y. (2013). Determination of crop water stress index for irrigation scheduling of turfgrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) under drought conditions. Journal of Plant Physiology and Breeding, 3(2), 13–22.
Çakici, H., & Güneş, E. (2018). Effects of different salt concentrations on yield and nutritional status of some warm-season turf grasses. Journal of Agriculture Faculty of Ege University, 55(3), 341–349. https://doi.org/10.20289/zfdergi.383594
Caruso, A., Chefdor, F., Carpin, S., Depierreux, C., Delmotte, F. M., Kahlem, G., & Morabito, D. (2008). Physiological characterization and identification of genes differentially expressed in response to drought induced by PEG 6000 in Populus canadensis leaves. Journal of Plant Physiology, 165(9), 932–941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2007.04.006
Christians, N. E. (2011). Fundamentals of turfgrass management (4. ed). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Çulha, Ş., & Çakırlar, H. (2011). Effects of salinity on plants and salt tolerance mechanisms. Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Science and Engineering, 11(2), 11–34.
Delatorre-Herrera, J., & Pinto, M. (2010). Importance of ionic and osmotic components of salt stress on the germination of four quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) selections. Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research, 69(4), 477–485.
Devlet, A. (2024). Tuzlu Topraklar ve Halofitler: Ekosistemler, Fizyoloji ve Yem Potansiyeli. (pp. 145–161). Iksad Publications.
Dudeck, A. E., Singh, S., Giordano, C. E., Nell, T. A., & McConnell, D. B. (1983). Effects of Sodium Chloride on Cynodon Turfgrasses1. Agronomy Journal, 75(6), 927–930. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1983.00021962007500060017x
Ekmekçi, E., Apan, M., & Kara, T. (2005). Effects of salinity on plant growth. Anatolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 20(3), 118–125.
González, J. A., Gallardo, M., Hilal, M. B., Rosa, M. D., & Prado, F. E. (2009). Physiological responses of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) to drought and waterlogging stresses: Dry matter partitioning. Physiology, 50, 35-42.
Gündel, F. D., Karadağ, Y., & Çınar, S. (2014). A research on yield, quality and adaptation of some warm season perennial legumes under Çukurova ecological conditions. Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Gaziosmanpasa University, 31(3), 10–19.
Hameed, M., & Ashraf, M. (2008). Physiological and biochemical adaptations of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. from the Salt Range (Pakistan) to salinity stress. Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 203(8), 683–694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2007.11.005
Hariadi, Y., Marandon, K., Tian, Y., Jacobsen, S.-E., & Shabala, S. (2011). Ionic and osmotic relations in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) plants grown at various salinity levels. Journal of Experimental Botany, 62(1), 185–193. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erq257
Hu, L., Huang, Z., Liu, S., & Fu, J. (2012). Growth Response and gene expression in antioxidant-related enzymes in two bermudagrass genotypes differing in salt tolerance. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 137(3), 134–143. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.137.3.134
Huang, J., & Redmann, R. E. (1995). Salt tolerance of Hordeum and Brassica species during germination and early seedling growth. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 75(4), 815–819. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps95-137
Husmoen, D., Vietor, D. M., Rouquette, F. M., & Cothren, J. T. (2012). Variation of Responses to water stress between ‘Tifton 85’ and ‘Tifway’ or ‘Coastal’ Bermudagrass. Crop Science, 52(5), 2385–2391. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2012.01.0019
Johnson, C. J., Leinauer, B., Ulery, A. L., Karcher, D. E., & Goss, R. M. (2007). Moderate salinity does not affect germination of several cool‐ and warm‐season turfgrasses. Applied Turfgrass Science, 4(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1094/ATS-2007-0912-01-RS
Kanber, R., Kırda, C., & Tekinel, O. (1992). Irrigation water quality and salinity problems in irrigation. ÇÜ Faculty of Agriculture Publications. General Publication, 21.
Karaoğlu, M., & Yalçın, A. M. (2018). Soil Salinity and the Iğdir Plain Example. Journal of Agriculture, 1(1), 27–41.
Kuşvuran, Ş., Yaşar, F., Abak, K., & Ellialtıoğlu, Ş. (2008). Changes occur in lipid peroxidation, chlorophyll and ion contents of some salt tolerant and sensitive Cucumis sp. genotypes grown under salinity stress. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 18(1), 13–20.
Läuchli, A. (1986). Responses and adaptatıons of crops to salinity. Acta Horticulturae, 190, 243–246. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.190.25
Lingshuang, Z., Peiying, L., Xiaofan, S., Zongjiu, S., & Acta, P. S. (2020). Comprehensive evaluation of drought resistance of Bermuda grass germplasm from different habitats in Xinjiang. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 29(8), 155–169. https://doi.org/10.11686/cyxb2019486
Manuchehri, R., & Salehi, H. (2014). Physiological and biochemical changes of common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) under combined salinity and deficit irrigation stresses. South African Journal of Botany, 92, 83–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2014.02.006
Marcum, K. B., & Murdoch, C. L. (1994). Salinity tolerance mechanisms of six C4 turfgrasses. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 119(4), 779–784. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.119.4.779
McLean, E. O. (1982). Soil pH and lime requirement. Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 Chemical and Microbiological Properties, 9, 199–224.
Munns, R. (2005). Genes and salt tolerance: bringing them together. New Phytologist, 167(3), 645–663. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01487.x
Mutlu, S. (2020). Drought resistance and turf performance of ‘survivor’: Turkish hybrid bermudagrass cultivar. Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Bursa Uludag University, 34(Özel Sayı), 303–318.
Noor, M., Fan, J., Kaleem, M., Akhtar, M. T., Jin, S., Nazir, U., Zhang, C.-J., & Yan, X. (2024). Assessment of the changes in growth, photosynthetic traits and gene expression in Cynodon dactylon against drought stress. BMC Plant Biology, 24(1), 235. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-04896-x
Özkutlu, F., & İnce, E. (1999). Current salinity of Harran plain and its potential spreading area. Harran University Faculty of Agriculture Journal, 2, 909–914.
Peacock, C. H., Lee, D. J., Reynolds, W. C., Gregg, J. P., Cooper, R. J., & Bruneau, A. H. (2004). Effects of Salinity on Six Bermudagrass Turf Cultıvars. Acta Horticulturae, 661, 193–197. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.661.24
Pessarakli, M., Kopec, D. M., & Gilbert, J. J. (2008). Growth responses of selected warm-season turfgrasses under salt stress. (P-155), 46-54.
Pessarakli, M., & Touchane, H. (2006). Growth responses of bermudagrass and seashore paspalum under various levels of sodium chloride stress. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, 4(3/4), 240–243.
Raney, J. A., Reynolds, D. J., Elzinga, D. B., Page, J., A. Udall, J., Jellen, E. N., Bonfacio, A., Fairbanks, D. J., & Maughan, P. J. (2014). Transcriptome Analysis of Drought Induced Stress in Chenopodium quino. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 05(03), 338–357. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2014.53047
Rhoades, J. D. (1982). Soluble salts. Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 Chemical and Microbiological Properties, 9, 167–179.
Richards, L. A. (1954). Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils: Soil Science, 78(2), 154. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-195408000-00012
Rimi, F., Macolino, S., Leinauer, B., & Ziliotto, U. (2011). Green-up of seeded bermudagrass cultivars as influenced by spring scalping. HortTechnology, 21(2), 230–235. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.21.2.230
Ruiz-Carrasco, K., Antognoni, F., Coulibaly, A. K., Lizardi, S., Covarrubias, A., Martínez, E. A., Molina-Montenegro, M. A., Biondi, S., & Zurita-Silva, A. (2011). Variation in salinity tolerance of four lowland genotypes of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) as assessed by growth, physiological traits, and sodium transporter gene expression. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 49(11), 1333–1341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2011.08.005
Maiwan, N., Tunçtürk, M., & Tunçtürk, R. (2023). Effect of humic acid applications on physiological and biochemical properties of soybean (Glycine max L.) grown under salt stress conditions. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 33(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1057288
Salih, S., & Abdulrraziq, A. (2024). The individual and combined effects of cystoseira compressa extracts and inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal on growth and yield of wheat under salinity conditions. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 34(2), 286-298. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1409442
Sanchez, H. B., Lemeur, R., Damme, P. V., & Jacobsen, S.-E. (2003). Ecophysiological analysis of drought and salinity stress of quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa willd.). Food Reviews International, 19(1–2), 111–119. https://doi.org/10.1081/FRI-120018874
Sarıca, N. (2014). Determination of salinity tolerance in some warm season turfgrass cultivars and assesment of the results for landscaping practice. (Master’s Thesis), Akdeniz University, Department of Landscape Architecture, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Antalya, Türkiye.
Shabala, S., Hariadi, Y., & Jacobsen, S.-E. (2013). Genotypic difference in salinity tolerance in quinoa is determined by differential control of xylem Na+ loading and stomatal density. Journal of Plant Physiology, 170(10), 906–914. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2013.01.014
Singh, K., Pandey, V. C., & Singh, R. P. (2013). Cynodon dactylon: An efficient perennial grass to revegetate sodic lands. Ecological Engineering, 54, 32–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.01.007
Taliaferro, C. M. (Ed.). (2003). Turfgrass biology, genetics, and breeding. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Tan, M., & Çomaklı, B. (2009). General characteristics of forage crops agriculture. Forage crops (General Section), Authors: R. Avcıoğlu, R. Hatipoğlu, Y. Karadağ, TKB General Directorate of Agricultural Production and Development, 1, 94–112.
Tang, L., Li, W., Yu, Q., Sun, Z., & Li, P. (2024). Assessing germplasm variation and tolerance thresholds of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) to neutral and alkaline salt stress in ecological restoration. Agronomy, 14(9), 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092023
Temel, S., & Şimşek, U. (2011). Desertification process of Igdır Plain soils and solution suggestions. Alinteri Journal of Agriculture Science, 21(2), 53–59.
Terzi, H., Yıldız, M., & Altuğ, Ü. (2017). Effects of salinity, temperature and light on seed germination of halophyte salsola crassa. Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Sciences and Engineering, 17(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.5578/fmbd.52763
Toole, E. H., Hendricks, S. B., Borthwick, H. A., & Toole, V. K. (1956). Physiology of seed germination. Annual Review of Plant Physiology, 7(1), 299–324. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.pp.07.060156.001503
Tromble, J. M. (1963). A seed germination study of the salt tolerance of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and Panicum antidotale Retz.
Uddin, Md. K., Juraimi, A. S., Ismail, Mohd. R., Hossain, Md. A., Othman, R., & Abdul Rahim, A. (2012). Physiological and Growth responses of six turfgrass species relative to salinity tolerance. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/905468
Welbaum, G. E., Tissaoui, T., & Bradford, K. J. (1990). Water relations of seed development and germination in muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L.): III. Sensitivity of germination to water potential and abscisic acid during development. Plant Physiology, 92(4), 1029–1037. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.92.4.1029
Yanık, A. M. (2022). Determination of self-incompatibility and seed production rate in seeded type bermudagrass. Lines. (Master’s Thesis), Akdeniz University, Department of Horticulture Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Antalya, Türkiye.
Yaşar, F., Ellialtıoğlu, Ş., & Uzal, Ö. (2007). Growth performance dependent on different times and increased salt concentration for bean genotypes. Journal of YYU Institute of Science, 12(2), 54–58.
Yılmaz, Ş., Hür, N., & Ertekin, İ. (2018). Determination of Forage yield and quality in some selected bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.)Pers. var.] lines. Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Mustafa Kemal University, 23(2), 232–241.
Yu, J., Sun, L., Fan, N., Yang, Z., & Huang, B. (2015). Physiological factors involved in positive effects of elevated carbon dioxide concentration on Bermudagrass tolerance to salinity stress. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 115, 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2015.02.003
Zhang JianBo, Z. J., Tang ChengBin, T. C., Wu JiaHai, W. J., Zhou YuFeng, Z. Y., & Mo ZhiPing, M. Z. (2011). Physiological response of Cynodon dactylon to different drought stress. Pratacultural Science, 28(1), 117-120.
Zhang, Y., Bao, Y., Li, P., Yu, Q., Li, W., Tang, L., Sun, X., Sun, Z., & Li, S. (2023a). Effects of drought stress on carbon metabolism of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.). Plant, Soil & Environment, 69(6), 269–281. https://doi.org/10.17221/426/2022-PSE
Zhang, Y.-L., Li, W., Yu, Q.-K., & Li, P.-Y. (2023b). Nitrogen metabolism response mechanism to different drought stresses in leaves and roots of Cynodon dactylon. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 32(7), 175–187. https://doi.org/10.11686/cyxb2022352
Zhou, Y., Lambrides, C. J., & Fukai, S. (2013). Drought resistance of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) ecotypes collected from different climatic zones. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 85, 22–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2012.07.008
Zhou, Y., Lambrides, C. J., & Fukai, S. (2014). Drought resistance and soil water extraction of a perennial C4 grass: contributions of root and rhizome traits. Functional Plant Biology, 41(5), 505. https://doi.org/10.1071/FP13249
Zhou, Y., Lambrides, C., Kearns, R., Ye, C., Cao, N., & Fukai, S. (2009). Selecting for drought tolerance among Australian green couch grasses (Cynodon spp.). Crop and Pasture Science, 60(12), 1175–1183. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP09172
Zhu, J., Li, Z., Kang, H., & Fan, Y. (2005). Effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought stress on Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica seed germination on sandy land. Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao= The Journal of Applied Ecology, 16(5), 801–804.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Crop and Pasture Breeding

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Recep Akis ^*
0009-0005-1554-4021
Türkiye

Bilal Keskin
0000-0001-6826-9768
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 28, 2026

Submission Date

November 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1819899

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA57YU25CN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Akis, R., & Keskin, B. (2026). Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon dactylon Genotypes. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1, 1819899. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1819899

AMA

1.Akis R, Keskin B. Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon dactylon Genotypes. YYU J AGR SCI. 2026;(1):1819899. doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1819899

Chicago

Akis, Recep, and Bilal Keskin. 2026. “Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon Dactylon Genotypes”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, no. 1: 1819899. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1819899.

EndNote

Akis R, Keskin B (April 1, 2026) Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon dactylon Genotypes. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences 1 1819899.

IEEE

[1]R. Akis and B. Keskin, “Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon dactylon Genotypes”, YYU J AGR SCI, no. 1, p. 1819899, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.29133/yyutbd.1819899.

ISNAD

Akis, Recep - Keskin, Bilal. “Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon Dactylon Genotypes”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 1 (April 1, 2026): 1819899. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1819899.

JAMA

1.Akis R, Keskin B. Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon dactylon Genotypes. YYU J AGR SCI. 2026;:1819899.

MLA

Akis, Recep, and Bilal Keskin. “Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon Dactylon Genotypes”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, no. 1, Apr. 2026, p. 1819899, doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1819899.

Vancouver

1.Recep Akis, Bilal Keskin. Determination of Salinity and Drought Tolerance in Different Cynodon dactylon Genotypes. YYU J AGR SCI. 2026 Apr. 1;(1):1819899. doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1819899