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Atriplex nummularia  Lindl. as alternative for improving salt-affected soils conditions in semiarid environments: a field experiment
Silva, Ygor J.A.B.; Silva, Yuri J.A.B.; Freire, Maria B.G.S.; Lopes, Esmeralda A.P.L. & Santos, Monaliza A.
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.
Keywords
Halophytes; phytoextraction; phytoremediation; soil salinity; soil sodicity
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