Turfgrasses Responded Differently to Salinity, Waterlogging, and Combined Saline–Waterlogging Conditions

ABSTRACT Waterlogging is commonly seen in salt‐affected soils. Previous research focused primarily on the effect of individual salinity or waterlogging on plant growth and development. However, information on saline‐waterlogging (the combined condition) is limited. This study was to determine responses of ‘Stonewall’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and ‘Bewitched’ Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) to saline (water electrical conductivity [ECw] at 5.4 or 11.0 dS m−1), waterlogging, and saline‐waterlogging at 5.4 or 11.0 dS m−1. Soil salinity was decreased in the following order: salinity at 11.0 dS m−1 > saline‐waterlogging at 11.0 dS m−1 > salinity at 5.4 dS m−1 = saline‐waterlogging at 5.4 dS m−1 > control = waterlogging. Plants showed higher shoot dry weight and water content under waterlogging than the control treatment, but no significant differences in visual quality and electrolyte leakage were observed between the two treatments. Waterlogging did not elevate salinity stress at the lower salinity level (5.4 dS m−1); however, plants subjected to waterlogging had a higher shoot dry weight. Turfgrass showed higher levels of visual quality, shoot dry weight, and water content under saline‐waterlogging at 11.0 dS m−1 than under salinity alone (11.0 dS m−1) at a later stage of the experiment (week 3 or 4). Stonewall tall fescue showed higher tolerance to salinity, waterlogging, and the combined condition compared with Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass at week 4. Our results showed that turfgrasses responded differently when they were exposed to individual salinity or waterlogging or combined saline‐waterlogging conditions.