Mane, A VKaradge, B ASamant, J S2013-05-082013-05-082011-11Mane A V, Karadge B A, Samant J S. Salt stress induced alteration in growth characteristics of a grass Pennisetum alopecuroides. Journal of Environmental Biology. 2011 Nov; 32(6): 753-758.http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/146643Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses that adversely affect crop productivity and quality. The present investigation was carried out to study the alterations in the growth characteristics of a grass species, Pennisetum alopecuroides under the influence of sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity. From the results it is clear that shoot length of Pennisetum alopecuroides was increased by 13.17% at 100 mM NaCl concentration while the root length was observed to be increased at 50 mM NaCl concentration by 26.93%. Maximum height of the plant was observed by 18.23% at 50 mM while shoot to root ratio was higher at 300 mM concentrations by 29.17% increase over the control. Moreover, the maximum percent increase in leaf area was recorded as 11.17% (100 mM). Fresh weight was increased by 50.92 % at 100 mM while dry weight of the experimental grass was increased by 33.64 % at the same concentration of salt to the rooting medium while moisture percentage was increased to a maximum by 24.61% at 50 mM. It appears that the grass species studied exhibit a moderate salinity tolerance as far as linear growth of plant is concerned.enGrowthPennisetum alopecuroidesSodium chlorideSalinity stressArticle