Flooding and salinity reduces AC saltlander green wheatgrass and smooth bromegrass productivity

Abstract

AbstractFlooding alone or with salinity occurs widespread in North America inhibiting plant productivity. Waterlogging refers to the saturation of the soil with water where the root system of plants are submerged, however, the ability of AC Saltlander green wheatgrass (Elymus hoffmannii Jensen & Asay, ACS) and smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss., SB) to tolerate waterlogging or with salinity remains unknown. Two experiments were conducted in a phytotron to evaluate the effects and the recovery of ACS and SB following water receding. An incomplete Latin square design was used with six treatments [two species × three waterlogging durations (no waterlogging, 3 and 5 wk of waterlogging)]. Neither the 3 nor 5 wk of waterlogging had effects on forage yields, plant heights, or root biomass for ACS; while for SB all characteristics decreased in both duration treatments. Waterlogging combined with salinity further decreased forage productivity and root biomass for both ACS and SB. Both species resumed regrowth after the excess water receded, and their regrowth yields and nutritive values were similar in either waterlogging or salinity alone, although ACS regrowth yields were higher than SB after 3 and 5 wk of waterlogging with salinity. Therefore, ACS performed better than SB in areas that have the risk of spring waterlogging alone or with moderate salinity. The implication of this research is that waterlogging risks can be partially minimized by careful management.