Effects of 24-epibrassinolide application on cool-season turfgrass growth and quality under salt stress

Brassinosteroids are steroidal phytohormones with a significant role in the amelioration of various stresses. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of foliar application of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on growth and quality of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.) grown under salt stress. The plants were grown under non saline or saline conditions (6dS m(-1)), and were sprayed with 0.00 and 0.15mgL(-1) EBL. Salt stress significantly reduced the shoot growth and turfgrass quality. However, EBL alleviated detrimental effects of the salt stress by enhancing turfgrass quality (7-26%), and increasing shoot growth and clipping yield. The EBL application under salt stress alleviated loss in clipping yield by 35 and 12%; and reduced leaf firing, through weeks 2-6 post-application, by 75-40 and 50-20% for perennial ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively. The EBL may find additional use in stress management of turfgrass areas.