The search for salt tolerance - Science Update - alfalfa - tall wheatgrass - Brief Article

Agricultural Research, March, 2003 by Catherine M. Grieve

A few years ago, eucalyptus trees seemed to offer promise as salt-tolerant plants that could draw up and use salty irrigation-drainage water. Although the trees survived, they used little of the saline water, so they didn't thrive and grow much.

Now attention's turned to finding salt-tolerant forages that would reduce the volume of salty drainage water while providing feed for grazing sheep and cattle. Researchers used an elaborate sand-tank system to test a variety of forage species. After ranking them by forage quality, production potential, and mineral ion accumulation, the scientists found that cultivars of alfalfa and tall wheatgrass performed best in the experiment. After completion of field tests and ruminant nutritional studies, it may be possible to recommend forages that will not only feed grazing animals, but also help solve the problem of saline irrigation water disposal. Catherine M. Grieve, USDA-ARS George E. Brown, Jr., Salinity Laboratory, Riverside, California; phone (909) 369-4836, e-mail cgrieve@ussl.ars.usda.gov.