Pennisetum purpureum Schumach (Elephant grass) is a fast-growing perennial grass that has been found useful
in the control of termite invasion and cattle grazing. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of salinity
gradients on seedling growth of P. purpureum, in term of tillers number, total leaf area, dry and wet weight,
chlorophyll content and other growth indices. Pennisetum purpureum seedling showed a significant decrease in
total leaf area, the leaf chlorophyll content, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, total dry weight, and fresh
weight with increasing salinity. Generally, the results indicate a significant decrease in all growth indices of P.
purpureum with increase in the salinity gradient, hence it is best considered a miohalophyte having the best
growth between 0 and 70.00 mM NaCl and low salinity tolerance.