
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Barrett-Lennard, E. G. 
A1  - Malcolm, C. V. 
T1  - Increased concentrations of chloride beneath stands of saltbushes (Atriplex species) suggest substantial use of groundwater
JF  - Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture
JO  - Aust. J. Exp. Agric.
Y1  - 2000
VL  - 39
IS  - 8
SP  - 949
EP  - 955
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/EA99068 
N2  - Summary. This paper examines the accumulation of soil chloride and the increase in electrical conductivity of the groundwater beneath stands of saltbushes (Atriplex species) in a plant spacing trial conducted near Kellerberrin in Western Australia. The trial had a randomised block design with 5 plant spacings (1 by 1 m, 1 by 2 m, 2 by 2 m, 2 by 3 m, and 3 by 3 m), 5 saltbush species (Atriplex undulata D. Dietr., A. amnicola Paul G. Wilson, A. vesicaria Heward ex Benth., A. paludosa R. Br. and A. bunburyana F. Muell.) and 3 replicate plots (each consisting of 25 plants in 5 by 5 array). The saline groundwater at the site was between 0.5 and 1.2 m below the surface for the duration of the experiment. Over a 2-year period there was a substantial increase in soil chloride concentration beneath the saltbushes. These increases were proportional to saltbush &#8216;leaf density&#8217; (weight per unit soil surface area) and inversely proportional to the initial concentration of chloride in the soil. There was a substantial increase in the electrical conductivity of the groundwater which was also proportional to &#8216;leaf density&#8217;. It is argued that the increases in soil salinity and groundwater electrical conductivity were primarily due to the use of groundwater by the saltbush stands. Salt accumulation data suggest that about 60&#8211;100 mm of groundwater was used (transpiration and evaporation) over the 2 years. These results are discussed in terms of the ability of saltbushes to lower local watertables, thereby making saline soils better suited to the growth of superior annual pasture species. 
ER  -

