Relationship between soil salinity and alkalinity with Alhagi camelorum growth in hypersaline and hyperarid environments

• Published in: Journal of arid environments Vol. 206; p. 104830
• Main Authors: Pirasteh-Anosheh, Hadi, Parvizi, Hossein, Parnian, Amir, Esfahan, Ehsan Zandi, Ranjbar, Gholamhassan, Bhardwaj, Ajay Kumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2022
• Subjects: air temperature; Alhagi maurorum; alkalinity; Camelthorn; canopy; canopy height; Forage; Haloculture; Halophyte; Hypersaline; hypersalinity; plant growth; rangelands; salt tolerance; soil pH; soil salinity; Xerophyte; Xerophyte; Halophyte; Forage; Camelthorn; Hypersaline; Haloculture
• ISSN: 0140-1963
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2022.104830

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. •Established Alhagi plants maintained could survive at hyper-dry and hypersaline ecosystems.•Soil salinity in Alhagi rangelands was up to 129 (0–30 cm) or 65 g kg−1 (30–60 cm).•Alhagi does not have a high tolerance to soil alkalinity.•Alhagi could be a potential option for biosaline agriculture or haloculture.•Well-established Alhagi plants with good canopy could be bio-indicator for low alkalinity ecosystems.