Influence of Atriplex canescens (Pursh) nutt species on soil properties and nutrient content of dominant plant species in a semi-arid region

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Malayer University

2 Graduate Student of Rangeland Management, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran

10.22069/ijerr.2025.23005.1459

Abstract

The use of halophyte species is a suitable application for reclamation of saline soils. Atriplex canescens is considered an adaptable and productive plant species in Iran. Various soil and vegetation properties were investigated to study the effects of A. canescens plantation and rangeland exclosure on soil and vegetation characteristics. Soil organic matter (SOM), EC, pH, and bulk density (SBD) values were significantly higher than those of other areas. The highest values of electrical conductivity (EC) and SOM were reported as 11.82 dS m-1 and 0.51 % in the sub-canopy treatment. The maximum and the minimum values of soil pH were reported as 9.92 and 7.11 in control and sub-canopy treatments, respectively. Compared with control, various soil nutrient contents (Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, and Zn) were also remarkably higher in sub-canopy treatment. The highest quantitative amount of Na was reported as 185.93 mg kg-1 in the sub-canopy soil and the lowest (173.4 mg kg-1) was seen in the control region. As observed in the Tall Wheatgrass, prevalent weed associated to the shrubs, similar trends were seen in prolin concentration, catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) enzyme activity and the maximum contents were seen in sub-canopy treatments. The changing trend of total chlorophyll content was unlike the changing trend of prolin, Cat, and POD. However, the highest total chlorophyll concentration was reported in the control region treatment (8.32 mg g-1 FW). In general, A. canescens had positive effects on the soil and vegetation characteristics of the study area.

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Environmental Resources Research
Volume 13, Issue 1
July 2025
Pages 93-103

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