GROWTH RESPONSES OF FOUR NATIVE SEASHORE DROPSEED (SPOROBOLUS VIRGINICUS) (L.) KUNTH ACCESSIONS TO ELEVATED SALT CONCENTRATIONS

Considerable morphological plasticity exists within Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth accessions to elevated salt concentrations. The project investigated the growth responses of four native seashore dropseed accessions to 0, 31.25 and 62.5 dS.m^–1 salt levels. Results showed that shoot and root growth, tiller number, stolon length, new leaf growth and plant height were not affected at 31.25 dS m^-1. However these growth responses were not sustainable at 62.5 dS m^-1. Tolerance to elevated salt concentration ranged from accessions Eli Creek (best), Coombabah Lake Catchment through to the Mooloolah River (least). Shoot growth indicated a threshold ECe value for S. virginicus in the range of 31.25-40.00 dS m^-1. Considerable potential exists in the selection of S. virginicus accessions for turf to be established in salt affected areas or where recycled water is to be used on sports fields. Further research needs to address the management of these species for sports fields and wider municipal green space