Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > AN > EA04020
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 45(4)

The potential for developing fodder plants for the salt-affected areas of southern and eastern Australia: an overview

M. E. Rogers A B N , A. D. Craig A C , R. E. Munns A D , T. D. Colmer A E , P. G. H. Nichols A F , C. V. Malcolm G , E. G. Barrett-Lennard A F , A. J. Brown A H , W. S. Semple I , P. M. Evans A J , K. Cowley D , S. J. Hughes A K , R. Snowball A F , S. J. Bennett A , G. C. Sweeney A L , B. S. Dear A M and M. A. Ewing A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.

B Department of Primary Industries Victoria, Tatura, Vic. 3616, Australia.

C South Australian Research and Development Institute, Struan Agricultural Centre, Naracoorte SA 5271, Australia.

D CSIRO Plant Industry, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

E University of Western Australia, Perth, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

F Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Perth, WA 6983, Australia.

G 11 Price Street, Denmark, WA 6333, Australia.

H Department of Primary Industries Victoria, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.

I Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, PO Box 53, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.

J Department of Primary Industries Victoria, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.

K South Australian Research and Development Institute, Waite Institute, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

L South Australian Research and Development Institute, Flaxley, SA 5153, Australia.

M NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.

N Corresponding author. Email: MaryJane.Rogers@dpi.vic.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45(4) 301-329 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA04020
Submitted: 29 April 2004  Accepted: 15 December 2004   Published: 23 May 2005

Abstract

This paper reviews the major issues that impact upon the development of improved fodder species for saline environments across temperate Australia. It describes past and present research that has been, or is being, undertaken towards improvements in salt tolerance in forage species within Australia in relation to the principal regions where salinity occurs. It includes a discussion on the mechanisms of salt tolerance in plants. An extensive list of known or potential salt-tolerant fodder species is provided and the key opportunities for advancement within each of the 4 major forage groups: grasses, legumes, herbs and shrubs are discussed. Constraints to developing new salt and waterlogging tolerant fodder species are identified. A number of recommendations are made for research that should ensure that Australian producers have access to a new array of productive fodder species suited to saline environments.


Acknowledgments

We thank the CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity for providing the resources and opportunity to prepare this review and the various State and Federal Agencies for their support. We also appreciate the valuable comments made by Drs A. Ridley, R. Oram and 2 anonymous referees.


References


Ab-Shukar NA, Kay QON, Stevens DP, Skinbinski DOF (1988) Salt tolerance in natural populations of Trifolium repens L. New Phytologist 109, 483–490. (verified 26 March 2005).

Kerr MKC , Westbrooke ME (2000) Conservation and reservation of endangered saline plant communities in south-western New South Wales. In ‘Australian Rangeland Society centenary symposium’. (Eds S Nicholson, J Noble) pp. 228–229.

Kim KS, Yoo YK, Lee GJ (1991) Comparitive salt tolerance study in Korean lawngrasses. I. Comparison with western turfgrass via in vitro salt tolerance test. Journal of the Korean Society for Horticultural Science 32, 117–123. (verified 26 March 2005).

Noble CL, Halloran GM, West DW (1984) Identification and selection for salt tolerance in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 35, 239–252.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Northcote KH , Skene JKM (1972) ‘Australian soils with saline and sodic properties. Soil Publication 27.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

NRC (1990) ‘Saline agriculture: salt-tolerant plants for developing countries — report of a panel of the Board on Science and Technology for International Development.’ (National Academy Press: Washington, DC)

Office of International Affairs (1990) Saline agriculture: salt-tolerant plants for developing countries. Report of a Panel of the Board on Science and Technology for International Development. National Academy Press, Washington DC. pp. 18, 26,79, 90, 105, 117.

Oram RN (1990) ‘Register of Australian herbage plant cultivars.’ 3rd edn. (CSIRO Division of Plant Industry: Melbourne)

Oram RN, Edlington JP, Gardner PA (2002) Selection for resistance to salinity and waterlogging in Phalaris aquatica L. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 53, 391–399.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Paczkowska G , Chapman AR (2000) ‘The Western Australia flora: a descriptive catalogue.’ (Wildflower Society of Western Australia Inc., Western Australian Herbarium, CALM and Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority: Perth)

Pasternak D, Nerd A, De Malach Y (1993) Irrigation with brackish water under desert conditions. IX. The salt tolerance of six forage crops. Agricultural Water Management 24, 321–334.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Peng Y-H, Zhu Y-F, Mao Y-Q, Wang S-M, Su W-A, Tang Z-C (2004) Alkali grass resists salt stress through high [K+] and endodermis barrier to Na+. Journal of Experimental Botany 55, 939–949.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | open url image1

Ponnamperuma FN (1984) Effects of flooding on soils. In ‘Flooding and plant growth’. (Ed. TT Kozlowski) pp. 9–45. (Academic Press: New York)

Priebe A, Jager HJ (1978) Influence of NaCl on growth and ion content of plants differing in salt tolerance. Angewandte Botanik 52, 331–341. open url image1

Qadir M, Qureshi RH, Ahmad N, Ilyas M (1996) Salt-tolerant forage cultivation on a saline-sodic field for biomass production and soil reclamation. Land Degradation and Development 7, 11–18.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Qureshi RH , Barrett-Lennard EG (1998) ‘Saline agriculture for irrigated land in Pakistan: a handbook.’ Monograph No. 50. (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research: Canberra)

Rengasamy P (2002) Transient salinity and subsoil constraints to dryland farming in Australian sodic soils: an overview. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 42, 351–361.
| Crossref |
open url image1

Rengasamy P, Green RSB, Ford GW, Mehanni AH (1984) Identification of dispersive behaviour and management of red-brown earths. Australian Journal of Soil Research 22, 413–431.
| Crossref |
open url image1

Rengasamy P, Chittleborough D, Helyar K (2003) Root zone constraints and plant-based solutions for dryland salinity. Plant and Soil 257, 249–260.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Richards RA (1983) Should selection for yield in saline regions be made on saline or non-saline soils? Euphytica 32, 431–438.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Richards RA (1992) Increasing salinity tolerance of grain crops: is it worthwhile? Plant and Soil 146, 89–98.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Richards RA, Dennett CW, Qualset CO, Epstein E, Norlyn JD, Winslow MD (1987) Variation in yield and grain and biomass in wheat, barley and triticale in a salt-affected field. Field Crops Research 15, 277–287.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Rogers AL, Bailey ET (1963) Salt tolerance trials with forage plants in south-western Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 3, 125–130.
| Crossref |
open url image1

Rogers ME (2001) The effect of saline irrigation on lucerne production: shoot and root growth, ion relations and flowering incidence in six cultivars grown in northern Victoria, Australia. Irrigation Science 20, 55–64.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Rogers ME , Evans PM (1996) Do Melilotus species have a role in saline areas of Australia? In ‘Proceedings of the 8th Australian agronomy conference’. (Ed. MM Asghar) pp. 486–489. (The Australian Society of Agronomy: Toowoomba, Qld)

Rogers ME, Grieve CM, Shannon MC (1998) Variation in the growth of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in response to sulphate salinity. Plant and Soil 202, 271–280.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Rogers ME, Noble CL (1991) The effect of NaCl on the establishment and growth of balansa clover (Trifolium michelianum Savi var. balansae Boiss.) Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 42, 847–857.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Rogers ME, Noble CL, Pederick RJ (1996) Identifying suitable temperate grass species for saline areas. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 36, 197–202.
| Crossref |
open url image1

Rogers ME, Noble CL, Pederick RJ (1997a) Identifying suitable temperate forage legume species for saline areas. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 37, 639–645.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Rogers ME, Noble CL, Halloran GM, Nicolas ME (1997b) Selecting for salt tolerance in white clover (Trifolium repens): chloride ion exclusion and its heritability. New Phytologist 135, 645–654.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Rogers ME, Noble CL, Nicolas ME, Halloran GM (1994a) Leaf, stolon and root growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in response to irrigation with saline water. Irrigation Science 15, 183–194.
| Crossref |
open url image1

Rogers ME, Noble CL, Halloran GM, Nicolas ME (1994b) The effect of NaCl on the germination and early seedling growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) populations selected for high and low salinity tolerance. Seed Science and Technology 23, 277–287. open url image1

Rogers ME , Spokes C , John U , Spangenberg G (2002) Native Victorian Fabaceae species: a potential source of salt tolerant material? In ‘Proceedings of the 8th national PUR$L conference’. p. 139. (Promaco Conventions: Perth, WA.

Rogers ME, West DW (1993) The effects of rootzone salinity and hypoxia on shoot and root growth in Trifolium species. Annals of Botany 72, 503–509.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Roundy BA (1993) Response of basin wildrye and tall wheatgrass seedlings to salinisation. Agronomy Journal 75, 65–71. open url image1

Roundy BA , Cluff GJ , Young JA , Evans RA (1983) Treatment of inland saltgrass and greasewood sites to improve forage production. USDA Gen. Technical Report INT-157. Ogden, UT.

Rozema J, Rozema-Dijst E, Freijsen AHJ, Huber JJL (1978) Population differentiation within Festuca rubra L. with regard to soil salinity and soil water. Oecologia 34, 329–341.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Rumbaugh MD, Pendery BM (1990) Germination salt resistance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) germplasm in relation to subspecies and centres of diversity. Plant and Soil 124, 47–51. open url image1

Rumbaugh MD, Pendery BM, James DW (1993) Variation in the salinity tolerance of strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum L.) Plant and Soil 153, 265–271.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Russell JS (1976) Comparative salt tolerance of some tropical and temperate legumes and tropical grasses. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 16, 103–109.
| Crossref |
open url image1

Sargeant MR , Rogers ME , White RE (2001) Productive reclamation of saline soils with Distichlis spicata var. Yensen-4a. In ‘Proceedings of the 10th Australian agronomy conference’. (Eds N Mendham, P Lane, B Reid) p. 150. (The Australian Society of Agronomy: Hobart)

Schachtman DP, Kelman WM (1991) Potential of Lotus germplasm for the development of salt, aluminium and manganese tolerant pasture plants. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 42, 139–149.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Schulz MA , West DW (1994) Salt bush production under irrigation. In ‘Proceedings of the 3rd national PURL workshop’. (Eds M Schulz, G Petterson) pp. 104–106. (Salt Action: Echuca, Vic.)

Schwab KB, Gaff DF (1990) Influence of compatible solutes on soluble enzymes from desiccation-tolerant Sporobolus stapfianus and desiccation-sensitive Sporobolus pyramidaris.  Journal of Plant Physiology 137, 208–215. open url image1

Semple WS (1998) Alternatives to old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) on saline sites. Dryland Salinity Information Sheet HO/3/98, Salt Action NSW.

Semple WS, Cole IJ (2002) Native grasses for saline site revegetation. Stipa Newsletter 21, 6–11. open url image1

Semple WS , Cole IJ , Koen TB (2001) Native couch grass for saline site revegetation. In ‘Proceedings of the 2nd national native grasses conference (Stipa)’. pp. 134–138. (Institute of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne: Dookie, Vic.)

Semple WS, Cole IA, Koen TB (2003) Performance of some perennial grasses on severely salinised sites in the inland slopes of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43, 357–371.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Setter TL, Waters I (2003) Review of prospects for germplasm improvement for waterlogging tolerance in wheat, barley and oats. Plant and Soil 253, 1–34.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Shamsutdinov NZ (2001) Biology of licorice and its introduction to culture in Russian semiarid zone. In ‘Breeding for stress tolerance in fodder crops and amenity grasses’. (Eds P Monjardino, A da Camara Machado, V Carnide) pp. 153–156. (Department of Agricultural Science, University of Azores, Azorres: Portugal)

Short DC, Colmer TD (1999) Salt tolerance in the halophyte Halosarcia pergranulata subsp. pergranulata.  Annals of Botany 83, 207–213.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Slavich PG, Smith KS, Tyerman SD, Walker GR (1999) Water use of grazed salt bush plantations with saline water table. Agricultural Water Management 39, 169–185.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Smith KF , Lee CK , Borg PT (1993) Phenotypic variability in tall wheatgrass cv. Tyrell. In ‘Proceedings of the national conference on land management for dryland salinity control’. p. 274. (La Trobe University: Bendigo, Vic.)

Smith SE, Poteet DC, Robinson DL, Dobrenz AK (1989) Stability of salt tolerance at germination in lucerne following seed multiplication at a non-saline site. Seed Science and Technology 17, 555–561. open url image1

South Australian Government Printing Division (1986) ‘Flora of South Australia. Part. 1. Lycopodiaceae–Rosaceae.’ 4th edn. (Eds JP Jessop, HR Toelken) pp. 280, 348. (South Australian Government Printing Division: Adelaide)

Southwell A (1999) Productive management of saline soils. In ‘Proceedings of the 14th annual conference of the grasslands society of NSW’. (Eds D Garden, H Lloyd Davies, D Michalk, H Dove) pp. 73–77. (NSW Grasslands Society: Orange)

Staal M, Maathuis FJM, Elzenga TM, Overbeek HM, Prins HBA (1991) Na+/H+ antiport activity in tonoplast vesicles from roots of the salt-tolerant Plantago maritima and the salt-sensitive Plantago media  Physiologia Plantarum 82, 179–184.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Sundararaj DD, Ramakrishnan V, Khan AMMA, Vijayan KP (1975) Sporobolus orientalis Kunth. and S. tremulus Kunth. — two new lawn grasses for coastal and saline tracts. South Indian Horticulture 23, 73–74. open url image1

Teakle LJH, Burvill GH (1938) The movement of soluble salts in soils under light rainfall conditions. Journal of Agriculture of Western Australia 15, 218–245. open url image1

Truong PN , Roberts MH (1992) Salt tolerance of some tropical and subtropical grass species grown in Queensland. In ‘Proceedings of the national workshop on productive use of saline land’. pp. 36–44. (Waite Agricultural Research Institute: Adelaide)

Tsvelev NN (1984) ‘Grasses of the Soviet Union.’ (Ed. AA Fedovov) p. 559. (AA Balkema: Rotterdam)

Tzvelev NN (2001) Plants of Central Asia. Vol. 4: Gramineae.’ (Ed. VI Grubov) p. 254. (Science Publishers Inc.: Plymouth)

Tursunay Gao HY, An SZ, Li W, Gao HY, An SZ (1995) Comprehensive evaluation of salt resistance of eight herbage species. Grassland of China 1, 30–32. open url image1

Ungar IA (1978) Halophyte seed germination. Botanical Review 44, 233–264. open url image1

USA National Research Council (1990) ‘Saline agriculture: salt-tolerant plants for developing countries’. Report of a Panel of the Board on Science and Technology for the International Development Office of Internal Affairs, National Research Council, Washington DC.

USDA/NRC (1996) Plant materials for saline-alkaline soils. Technical Note: Plant Materials No. 26 (revised), Bridger, Montana.

Venables AV, Wilkins DA (1978) Salt tolerance in pasture grasses. New Phytologist 80, 613–622. open url image1

Waghorn GC, Douglas GB, Niezen JH, McNabb WC, Foote AG (1998) Forages with condensed tannins — their management and nutritive value for ruminants. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 60, 89–98. open url image1

Warwick NWM, Halloran GM (1991) Variation in salinity tolerance and ion uptake in accessions of brown beetle grass (Diplachne fusca L. Beauv.). New Phytologist 119, 161–168. open url image1

Weimberg R, Shannon MC (1988) Vigor and salt tolerance in three lines of tall wheatgrass. Physiologia Plantarum 73, 232–237. open url image1

Weng SH, Jiang YQ, Wang CB (1992) A preliminary study of indices and methods for evaluating salt tolerance in forage plants. Grassland of China 1, 30–34. open url image1

Wilson JR (1985) Comparative response to salinity of the growth and nodulation of Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro and Neonotonia wightii cv. Cooper seedlings. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 36, 589–599.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Winter E, Läuchli A (1982) Salt tolerance of Trifolium alexandrinum L. I. Comparison of salt response of T. alexandrinum and T. pratense.  Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 9, 221–226. open url image1

Xiao-Bing (1994) A study of the critical and ultimate salt tolerance values of five legumes. Pratacultural Science 11, 70–73. open url image1

Yensen NP , Barrett-Lennard EG , Malcolm CV , Marcar NE (2000) ‘Australasian salt-tolerant plants and their uses.’ (NyPa Publishing Co.: Tucson, Arizona)

Yensen NP , Bedell JL , Yensen SB (1995) Domestication of Distichlis as a grain and forage. In ‘Biology of salt tolerant plants’. (Eds MA Khan, IA Ungar) pp. 388–392. (Ohio University: Athens)

Zohary M , Heller D (1984) ‘The genus Trifolium.’ (The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities)










Appendix 1.  Grass species with known or potential salt tolerance and known or potential waterlogging tolerance
Click to zoom



Appendix 2.  Legume species with known or potential relative salt tolerance and known or potential relative waterlogging tolerance
Click to zoom



Appendix 3.  Non-leguminous forage shrubs and herbs with known or potential salt tolerance and known or potential waterlogging tolerance
Click to zoom