Aerial biomass and elemental changes in Atriplex canescens and A. acanthocarpa as affected by salinity and soil water availability

Abstract

Atriplex canescens and A. acanthocarpa from the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico were subjected to different salinity and irrigation treatments in a greenhouse study. Plants were grown in pots containing soil and irrigated with NaCl solutions of 0, 50, and 100 mM at 40 and 80 percent available soil water. Aerial biomass of A. canescens declined as NaCl treatments increased. In contrast, the aerial biomass of A. acanthocarpa was not negatively affected by the salinity treatments, suggesting a high salt tolerance of this species. Aerial biomass of A. acanthocarpa was more reduced by the decrease in irrigation level than that of A. canescens. A. acanthocarpa had a much higher accumulation of Na in leaf tissues throughout the salinity gradient than A. canescens. Tissue concentration of K in both species was minimally affected by the salinity or irrigation treatments. Leaf N concentration increased in both species as plants were subjected to higher salinity treatments. The higher salt tolerance and higher Na absorption of A. acanthocarpa favor the use of this plant in reclamation of saline areas, while the low Na accumulation of A. canescens makes this species an attractive forage in saline rangelands.

Parent Publication

• Shrubland ecosystem genetics and biodiversity: proceedings

Citation

Mata-Gonzalez, Ricardo; Melendez-Gonzalez, Ruben; Martinez-Hernandez, J. Jesus. 2001. Aerial biomass and elemental changes in Atriplex canescens and A. acanthocarpa as affected by salinity and soil water availability. In: McArthur, E. Durant; Fairbanks, Daniel J., comps. Shrubland ecosystem genetics and biodiversity: proceedings; 2000 June 13-15; Provo, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-21. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 308-311.