Plant Induced Soil Salinity Patterns in Two Saltbush (Atriplex spp.) Communities

Abstract

Highlight: A detailed examination was made into the soil the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia (Leigh and Noble, salinity distribution of two Atriplex communities, A. vesicaria and A. nummularia, established at regular spacings on two soil 1969) and other parts of the arid world. They are tolerant to types. The results based on total soluble salts and chloridesdrought and salinity and have high salt content in their leaves suggested that both saltbush species induced significantly (Wood, 1925;Beadle et al., 1957). Our own studies (Sharma et higher salinity in the 0-15 cm soil horizon beneath the bush al. unpublished) on oldman saltbush (A. nummularia) and canopies compared to between the bushes, although A. num-bladder saltbush (A. vesicaria) have indicated the extremely mularia induced significantly higher salinity than A. vesicaria high salt concentration in their leaves and its fluctuation with on both the soils. The pH was also significantly increased under the season. The leaves of these and similar plants, after falling the bushes, but only for the 0-7.5 cm layer. A mechanism for plant-induced soil salinity is proposed by which distinct zones of salt depletion, accumulation and compensation are established. It is suggested that the accumulation of significantly large quantities of salt in the surface layer under the bushes occurred as a result of decomposition of large quantities of salt-rich leaves and fruits. This salt is mainly derived from the soil profile under the plant. Implications of the spatial variability in soil salinity are discussed.

Elemental allelopathy: processes, progress, and pitfalls

“…It was not specified whether the inhibition of native species by Na was caused by increased osmotic potential (salinity) or ion substitution (metal toxicity). Although Sharma and Tongway (1973) were able to demonstrate that an increase in soil salinity was caused by the shrub Atriplex nummularia, the conclusion that this was responsible for the lack of vegetation in the understory, which was not supported by empirical evidence. Confounding factors were not considered, such as the effects from grazing, resource competition, or organic allelopathic compounds.…”

“…Isolate and characterize toxin Vivrette and Muller (1977), Morris et al (2006) Determine toxin levels found naturally in accumulator species, rates of deposition, and accumulation in soils Sharma and Tongway (1973), Vivrette and Muller (1977), Boyd et al (1999), Boyd and Jaffre (2001), Zhang et al (2005Zhang et al ( , 2007 Select proper bioassay based on Vivrette and Muller (1977), Lesica and Deluca (2004), Morris et al (2006) growth form species phenology Determine uptake and symptoms of the toxin in affected species Vivrette and Muller (1977), Morris et al (2006) Source: Adapted from Fuerst and Putnam (1983) Plant Ecol (2009) 202:1-11 5 which concentrate their roots at the soil surface, may be better candidates. For species which are thought to phytoenrich elements through acidification or other modifications of the rhizosphere, root architecture may not be as important.…”

“…Overall, the levels should reflect the age of the plant, or stand. In saline soils, variation is likely to occur in relation to rainfall or flooding events (Sharma and Tongway 1973).…”

Seabird guano influences on desert islands: soil chemistry and herbaceous species richness and productivity

“…Ten (approx. 100 g) samples from inland areas (80 m from the nearest coast) per island were taken at a depth of 10 cm from areas with Atriplex (interplant spaces; Sharma and Tongway, 1973) and combined. Soils were analysed at the University of Arizona Soil Lab.…”

Effect of Salinity and Some Chemical Properties of the Under- and Intercanopy Soils on Range Plants in a Dry Region of Southern Iran

“…They are tolerant to drought and salinity and have high salt content in their leaves (Sharma and Tongway 1973;Wallace, Romney, and Mueller 1982;Soufi and Wallace 1982) and aerial parts (Sameni and Soleimani 2007). The leaves and aerial parts of these and similar plants, after falling to the ground, are likely to increase the salinity of soil beneath the plant (Sharma and Tongway 1973;Jessup 1969).…”