As a whole, warm-season turfgrasses can tolerate salinity better than cool-season turfgrasses.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. It depends on species.

Answer: (A)

Salt tolerance is higher in warm-season turfgrasses than in cool-season ones. This reflects their adaptation to hot, often saline irrigation and coastal environments, where soils and water can have elevated salt levels. Warm-season species like Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass typically endure higher salt levels and maintain growth and appearance under saline conditions better than cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue. The underlying ideas involve mechanisms like salt exclusion at the roots, osmotic adjustment to cope with salty water, and deeper or more effective rooting that helps dilute accumulated ions. There is variation among species, but the general pattern is that warm-season grasses tolerate salinity better, making the statement true.