Relationship between soil salinity and alkalinity with Alhagi camelorum growth in hypersaline and hyperarid environments
2022
Pirasteh-Anosheh, Hadi | Parvizi, Hossein | Parnian, Amir | Esfahan, Ehsan Zandi | Ranjbar, Gholamhassan | Bhardwaj, Ajay Kumar
In this research, the growth and distribution of Alhagi camelorum Medic. as a potential crop was monitored for producing forage in hypersaline and hyperarid regions. For this purpose, seven Alhagi-dominated rangelands were selected in its original homeland at the south of the Great Salt Desert. The soil salinity of selected regions is very variable, and ranged from 3.6 dS m⁻¹ to 725 dS m⁻¹ and from 0.4 dS m⁻¹ to 366 dS m⁻¹ at 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm soil depths, respectively. The annual mean of maximum and minimum air temperature is around 30 and 6 °C, respectively, and the mean annual precipitation is less than 150 mm. The plant growth characteristics assessed by canopy cover, canopy height, shoot fresh weight (SFW), and dry weight (SDW) had a negative relationship with soil salinity and pH. The highest SFW (24.97 t ha⁻¹) and SDW (6.98 t ha⁻¹) of Alhagi were obtained where soil salinity was 13 dS m⁻¹ and soil pH was the lowest (7.1). Alhagi maintained the minimal growth and production of 20 cm canopy height and 50% canopy cover even in the saltiest conditions with a soil salinity of 395 dS m⁻¹; hence it can serve as a potential crop for haloculture systems. In Aqda, the canopy cover increased with increase in the soil salinity up to 7–10 dS m⁻¹ but decreased as the salinity levels increased further. The study revealed that A. camelorum not only has a very high tolerance to salinity but a moderate salinity up to 10 dS m⁻¹ can also stimulate the growth. However, soil pH had a greater effect on growth, and Alhagi does not have a high tolerance to soil alkalinity. Therefore, Alhagi species could not be a bio-indicator for soil salinity, while well-established plants with good canopy could be considered as a sign for low alkalinity in arid terrestrial ecosystems.
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