Response to Seawater Exposure During the Flowering Stage of Two Dune-Building Grasses: Calamagrostis arenaria (L.) Roth and Thinopyrum junceum (L.) Á.Löve

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Human disturbance and seawater intrusion have unpredictable effects on coastal species. Dune systems are crucial coastal habitats because they provide natural front protection against seawater influence. Adult plant stands in dunes are important since they maintain dune structure. This study evaluated salinity stress responses in adult plants of two key dune-building grasses differing in salt tolerance: Thinopyrum junceum (tolerant) and Calamagrostis arenaria (less tolerant). Cultivated plants were exposed to various seawater (SW) dilutions (Tap-Water, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100%) and gas exchange measurements and oxidative stress biomarkers were determined after two months of treatment. Stress conditions were maintained until flowering to assess effects on the reproductive effort. The reproductive response showed high plasticity at various inflorescence stages in T. junceum, minimizing abortion processes. C. arenaria showed lower plasticity and higher abortion rates. Physiological traits responded similarly to salinity in both species, with greater effect on Fv/Fm decrease and non-photochemical quenching increase for T. junceum. Biochemical patterns of response were also similar, with increasing enzymatic activities at 25% SW treatment, mainly for glutathione reductase and peroxidase (GSH and GPx), and stress damage occurring at 50% and 100% SW treatments for increased malonaldehyde (MDA) levels. These findings provide insight into the salinity tolerance mechanisms of dune-building grasses. Higher salinity tolerance is suggested for T. junceum based on better reproductive effort. Higher juvenile tolerance, faster growth, and plant cycle adjustments are indicated as key traits for higher salinity tolerance of T. junceum in contrast to C. arenaria.

Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. M.D. Cerrato was supported by a Beca de Formación de Profesorado Universitario (FPU) (Ministerio de Universidades, Gobierno de España). A. Sureda was granted by Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the Fondo de Investigación para la Salud (Project CIBEROBN CB12/03/30038).

Peer reviewed