Macro-Sorb Technologies Product Use Tip Sheet: Alleviating Salinity Stress with Macro-RELIEF
In parts of the country where water evaporation from the soil exceeds that of rainfall, soluble salts tend to accumulate in the soil and become problematic to plants, including turfgrass. Saline soils can also develop from poor drainage, high water tables, or the use of poor quality (salty) irrigation water. As the level of salinity increases in the soil, the ability of the plant to take up water diminishes, resulting in drought symptomology to the plant. Harivandi et. al. (1992) summarized salinity effects on turfgrass as ‘reduced water uptake due to osmotic stress’. Plants creates a slightly negative osmotic pressure in order to draw water into their root system, however; when soils contain high levels of salinity, this slightly negative pressure is not enough to draw water in (the salt ions in the soil have a stronger hold on the water molecules). In order to help turf managers combat salinity stress, Macro-Sorb Technologies has introduced Macro-RELIEF. Macro-RELIEF uses a specific amino acid complex to lower the osmotic pressure of the plant (Figure 1) so the plant can bring in more water (Figure 2), resulting in a healthier plant when grown under salinity stress (Figures 3).
Macro-RELIEF increases stress tolerance of turfgrass caused by high salinity levels in the soil and/or irrigation. Macro-RELIEF is recommended for turfgrass use by applying 3-6 fl oz/1000 ft2 every 7-14 days. Initial applications should be made prior too, or at the onset of salt related stress. During prolonged periods of high stress, apply 6 fl oz/1000 ft2 every 7-14 days. Macro-RELIEF should be water-in slightly (≈0.125 inch) to be most effective.
Figure 1. Macro-RELIEF lowers osmotic potential helping the plant bring in more water when grown under high salinity soil conditions. 
Figure 2. Macro-RELIEF increases leaf water content by 18, 15, 8 and 5 percent when plants are grown in soils with salinity levels of 0, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl, respectively.
Figure 3. Bermudagrass turf treated with no saline irrigation (left), 5 dS/m salinity (middle), and 5 dS/m salinity + Macro-RELIEF (6.0 fl oz/M every 14 days).
