Desmostachya bipinnata manages photosynthesis and oxidative stress at moderate salinity

•D. bipinnata is a C4 grass distributed in arid-saline lands of the subtropics.•Information about salinity tolerance of this species is not available.•This species can grow at 200mM NaCl by combating oxidative stress.•Growth substantially declined at high salinity due to high ion toxicity that compromises the photosynthetic and antioxidant system.