Atriplex nummularia Lindl. as alternative for improving salt-affected soils conditions in semiarid environments: a field experiment

Abstract

Atriplex nummularia Lindl. represents a cost-effective alternative for improving salt-affected soils in arid and semiarid environments due to its high adaptability to salinity and water deficiency. This study aimed to investigate soil physical-chemical changes in response to A. nummularia cultivation under field condition. Additionally, we quantified its biomass yield and phytoextraction potential. Two treatments were evaluated: soil cultivated with Atriplex under two crop densities (1 × 1 and 2 × 2 m), and a control (bared soil) with four replicates. The samples were taken at three soil depths (0-5, 15-20, and 40-45 cm). In general, dry biomass yield for leaves, stems and roots, as well as the bulk density and the hydraulic conductivity of the soil were sensitive to crop densities. Thus, the use of A. nummularia can be recommended for phytoremediation of salt-affected soils, as well as to improve soil physical condition. When it comes to salt phytoextraction per area, we recommend planting A. nummularia at a 1 × 1 m crop density. The greater accumulation of salts was observed in leaves, as observed for Na (82% roughly). However, in order to improve soil physical conditions, we suggest the management of A. nummularia under 2 × 2 m crop density. Pruning was fundamental to increase the biomass yield and, consequently, the phytoextraction of specific ions, e.g., Na, Cl. It was responsible for 83% and 88% of the total dry biomass at 1 × 1 and 2 × 2 m crop density, respectively.

GROWTH AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC EFFICIENCY OF Atriplex nummularia UNDER DIFFERENT SOIL MOISTURE AND SALINE TAILINGS

“…In soil with water content at 100% FC, the increase of salts in the irrigation water promoted increases in the dry mass of Atriplex leaves of 34, 58, 119 and 108% in relation to the control ( Figure 5A). These results evidenced their high adaptability to saline environments, corroborating with Geissler et al 2015, Melo et al (2016) and Silva et al (2016).…”

Halophytes as a Potential Resource for Phytodesalination

“…The author reported that Chenopodium album produced the highest dry biomass 3.25 t/h and accumulated about 570 kg/ha of salt. Silva et al (2016) studied the Atriplex nummularia halophytic species for its ability to remove Na + and Cl À in a semi-arid region of Brazil. The result showed that in one season, Atriplex accumulated an average of 300 kg/ha of Na + and Cl À (Silva et al 2016).…”

“…Silva et al (2016) studied the Atriplex nummularia halophytic species for its ability to remove Na + and Cl À in a semi-arid region of Brazil. The result showed that in one season, Atriplex accumulated an average of 300 kg/ha of Na + and Cl À (Silva et al 2016). It is reported that Salicornia europaea species accumulate about 139 g of Na + /kg dry weight and up to 180 g of Cl/kg dry weight (Morteau 2016).…”

Use of Maize Straw or Animal Manure as an Alternative to Gypsum to Ameliorate Saline-Sodic Soils

“…According to Silva et al [3], the application of gypsum in sodic soils has the purpose of transforming into sulfates part of sodium carbonates and displacing the sodium adsorbed to the exchange complex. It was observed that the application of higher doses of manure (30 t ha -1 ) limited the soil water infiltration, perhaps Total manure, T7 = Gypsum plus 30 t ha -1 manure, T8 = Gypsum plus 15 t ha -1 maize straw, T9 = Gypsum plus 30 t ha -1 maize straw, T10 = Control.…”

“…The problem reaches about 230 million hectares of irrigated land area in the world [2]. In Brazil, this problem occurs mainly in the northeastern region, where approximately 25% of irrigated areas have high salinity levels [3].…”