Feasibility of growing Salicornia species in a coastal environment through planting date and density management in a direct seawater irrigation system

Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate six Salicornia species (Salicornia bigelovii Torr., S. europaea L., S. persica Gorgan ecotype, S. persica Urmia ecotype, S. sinus persica Bushehr ecotype, and S. persica Central Plateau ecotype) at different planting dates and densities under irrigation with Persian Gulf water. Evaluated planting dates were 14 November and 18 December 2016 and 16 January, 8 February, 8 March, and 28 March 2017. Examined planting densities included 13, 20, and 40 plant m⁻². Only S. bigelovii and S. europaea produced measurable yield in all planting dates. The highest dry weight (651.1 gm⁻²) was obtained in S. sinus persica (Bu) planted on 8 February. Dry weight of S. bigelovii, S. europaea, S. sinus persica Bushehr, S. persica Central Plateau, S. persica Gorgan, and S. persica Urmia planted on 8 March were 174.2, 220.7, 542.5, 240.9, 158.0, and 147.5 g m⁻², respectively. The ash contents of S. bigelovii, S. europaea, S. sinus persica Bushehr, S. persica Central Plateau, S. persica Gorgan, and S. persica Urmia were 46.3%, 45.0%, 49.6%, 49.6%, 50.0%, and 53.1%, respectively. Sodium and chloride contents of different Salicornia species varied from 13–15% and 16–17%, respectively. The oilseed content of S. bigelovii and S. sinus persica Bushehr was about 24.0% for both species. The highest and lowest dry weight, from the second experiment, were for S. sinus persica Bushehr and S. persica Central Plateau, respectively, in all planting density. The highest dry weight equal to 1336.2 gm⁻² was obtained for S. sinus persica Bushehr in 40 plant m⁻² density. Under such conditions, forage production potential of Salicornia is more achievable rather than seed production. Nevertheless, high ash content is a serious constraint to direct consumption by livestock; therefore, determining the nutritional value of Salicornia fodder requires further evaluations.