The relationship between salt gland density and sodium accumulation/secretion in a wide selection from three Zoysia species

Several zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp.) have been reported to have leaf-epidermal salt glands, and it has been suggested that salt gland density, salt secretion and salt tolerance are positively correlated. The economically most important Zoysia species are Zoysia japonica Steud., Zoysia matrella Merr., and Zoysia pacifica (Goudswaard) M. Hotta & Kuroki, and among these, Z. matrella is considered to be the most salt-tolerant. In this study, we investigated the salt gland density, and characterised the secretion and accumulation of Na+ of 48 accessions of the three Zoysia species. We did not find any morphological differences in salt glands of Z. japonica and Z. pacifica, but large bicellular salt glands were found only on the adaxial side of Z. matrella. In addition, salt gland density differed significantly within and between the species. Under salt stress, all accessions accumulated and secreted Na+ at different rates. Z. japonica was a salt-accumulating type, whereas Z. matrella and Z. pacifica secreted most of the absorbed salt. However, the correlation between salt gland density and salt accumulation/secretion were not observed. Furthermore, Z. pacifica had the lowest gland density but showed the highest Na+ uptake and a secretion rate similar to most salt-tolerant Z. matrella. These results suggest that response to salt stress, namely, salt accumulation/secretion, is different between species, and that salt gland density and salt secretion are not always positively correlated.