Desalinization Effect of Pennisetum Alopecuroides and Characteristics of Leachate Depending on Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) Concentration

Abstract

Background and objective: Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and sodium chloride (NaCl) are commonly used as a deicing agent in South Korea and penetrate the soil on the roadside, causing damage to plants. This study was conducted to investigate the salinity reduction effect of Pennisetum alopecuroides and the chemical characteristics of soil leachate. Methods: The plants were treated with five different concentrations of CaCl2 (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10g L ⋅-1) and were grouped into the Cont., C1, C2, C5, and C10 groups. CaCl2 of 200 m L ⋅-1 was sprayed to each plant once every two weeks. The growth of P. alopecuroides (plant height, leaf length, leaf width and the number of leaves) was measured. The level of EC and pH, and exchangeable cations (K + , Ca 2+ , Na + , and Mg 2+) in the leachate of soil was monitored. Results: The pH of soil leachate decreased as the CaCl2 concentration increased, and the EC increased significantly. The content of K + did not change significantly until the concentration of CaCl2 reached 5 g L ⋅-1 , but the content of Ca 2+ , Na + , and Mg 2+ significantly increased. The plant height, leaf length, and leaf width of P. alopecuroides showed the highest value in CaCl2 1 g L ⋅-1 followed by CaCl2 2 g L ⋅-1 and the control group. Root fresh weight was the highest in CaCl2 2 g L ⋅-1. On the other hand, there was no change in the shoot fresh weight, dry weight and root dry weight, and P. alopecuroides growth inhibition at the concentration of 5 g L ⋅-1 or higher in the plant height and leaf length. Conclusion: P. alopecuroides is relatively highly salt-tolerant and can improve the salt damaged soil by lowering the content of the salt-based exchangeable K + ions.

Effect of Water Deficit on Germination, Growth and Biochemical Responses of Four Potentially Invasive Ornamental Grass Species

“…Of the analysed species, the pampas grass had the longest germination time in control conditions and under stress. Previous studies ranked this species as one of the worst invaders in Europe [ 48 , 62 , 63 ]. Indeed, its potency as an invasive and widespread species is supported by several traits, such as the large production of viable small seeds, which are easily dispersed by wind at long distances, the capacity to germinate in a wide range of environments and substrates [ 64 , 65 ], the efficient use of limited resources and its rapid adaptability to changes in resource availability [ 66 , 67 ].…”

“…Pennisetum setaceum , commonly known as fountain grass ( Figure 1 d), with origin in NE Africa, has been largely used for soil stabilisation, but became a recognised dangerous invasive species, successfully invading different types of habitats, from tropical or subtropical, to arid and semi-arid regions [ 24 ]. Regarding their abiotic stress tolerance, P. alopecuroides was reported as drought tolerant [ 46 ] and moderate [ 47 ], and even highly salt tolerant and recommended for soils desalinisation [ 48 ]. P. setaceum has also long been known to have a wide ecological amplitude [ 49 ], which makes it well suited for colonising frequently disturbed sites with fluctuating resource availability or irregular rainfall pattern [ 50 ].…”