Journal article
Microsite and litter cover effects on soil conditions and seedling recruitment in a saline agricultural system
C Farrell, C Szota, RJ Hobbs, TD Colmer
Plant and Soil | SPRINGER | Published : 2011
Abstract
Successful revegetation of saline land is dependent on seedling recruitment to maintain vegetative cover for lowering of saline water tables and agricultural production. This paper examines seasonal effects of tree/shrub microsites and leaf-litter on soil conditions and seedling recruitment in a saline grazing system planted with Eucalyptus sargentii Maiden tree rows (15 years old) and saltbush (Atriplex spp.) inter-rows (8 years old). Salt bush rows were also slightly mounded. As litter accumulation decreases with increased distance from tree rows, soil conditions and seedling recruitment were compared between paired bare and litter-covered zones within three microsites: tree row, saltbush ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We thank Aleida Williams and Michael Lloyd for assistance in the field. Thanks also to Michael and Margaret Lloyd for allowing us to work on their property. We also thank Gary Hass and Elizabieta Hallidan for advice on soil sampling methods, and Matt Braimbridge for advice on infiltration measurements. This research was funded through a PhD scholarship from The University of Western Australia and the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity.