Some chemical properties of soils from areas of barley grass (Hordeum murinumL.) infestation

Seasonal variations in salinity of soils supporting different levels of barley grass (Hordeum murinum L.)

“…As in the work reported by Grant & Ball (1970) and Metson et al (1971), soluble salt levels in the soil tended to be higher on barley grass sites than in nearby pasture (Fig. 2).…”

“…Davidson (1971) observed that barley grass sites in north-east England had high pH values, with a majority having values of around 7.5. The results of Metson et al (1971) indicated that pH was slightly higher on sites with dense barley grass infestation. It is possible that pH itself has little effect on the OCcurrence of barley grass but it may be associated with other soil characteristics so that in some areas there is an indirect connection with the incidence of barley grass.…”

“…This suggests that the performance of ryegrass must be impaired, because on normal soils barley grass cannot invade a vigorous perennial pasture (Popay & Sanders 1982). Metson et al (1971) discussed the possibility of an accumulation of nitrate and other ions at the soil surface in hot dry weather. If this occurs it could impose stresses, in addition to those of drought and animal disturbance, on perennial plants over the summer period and may, by weakening the perennial pasture species, make conditions more favourable for barley grass establishment in the autumn.…”

“…If this occurs it could impose stresses, in addition to those of drought and animal disturbance, on perennial plants over the summer period and may, by weakening the perennial pasture species, make conditions more favourable for barley grass establishment in the autumn. In previous work (Grant & Ball 1970;Metson et al 1971) soil salinity in barley grass areas was only measured at one or two times of the year. In the studies described here, soil salinity was measured at regular intervals throughout the year both on stock camps, in pastures infested with barley grass and in adjacent, non-infested pastures.…”

“…Grant & Ball (1970) measured soil salinity in barley grass communities and found that this was higher than in the surrounding pasture, although there was no correlation between salinity and the frequency of barley grass in tiller plugs. Metson et al (1971) also examined the levels of soluble salts in the soil and their relationship to the distribution of barley grass. They found that as barley grass density increased, so did soil salinity.…”