MERGING CALLUS LEVEL AND WHOLE-PLANT MICROCULTURE TO SELECT SALT-TOLERANT SEASIDE CREEPING BENTGRASS

More efficient methods for developing and identiyng new salt-tolerant (ST) turfgrasses are needed since salt from irrigation is accumulating in production and recreation soils. In this study, callus culture sel ection was combined with whole plant microculture (WPMC) screening to facilitate identifing ST 'Seaside' creeping bentgrass genotypes. Putat ive ST cell lines were first isolated from salt-challenged compact cal lus cultures grown in media containing 0-3% sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). T hese selected cell cultures were then regenerated and rescreened at th e WPMC level in vitro to compare their vegetative growth relative to n on-selected plants. Neither the selected nor the non-selected microcul tured plants produced roots in an in vitro medium containing 3% Na2SO4 . However, the selected plantlets exhibited slightly better root and s hoot growth than non-selected plants at lower salinity (1.5-2.0% Na2SO 4). This technique proved successful for screening potentially salt-to lerant turfgrasses. In addition to speeding selection, it may also pro ve useful in studies of whole plant ST mechanisms.